Southwell Grand Day Out
On 7th September 2002
Our "grand day out" started at 10.30 am when 15 of us met at the Minster Visitor Centre in Southwell. Amazingly everyone arrived on time, if not early, despite travelling from as far afield as Hertfordshire and Rutland. There we watched an informative audio visual presentation about Southwell Minster narrated by the canons, reverends and other people associated with the building. Then we entered the Minster itself for a guided tour. The latter part was supposed to last an hour, but our guide was so knowledgeable it overran by 30 minutes! We learned about the nave, pulpit, font, stained glass windows, various chapels, carvings and unique chapter house with an octagonal stone roof with no support. Lunch was taken at the Minster coffee shop before a short visit to the Bramley Apple Exhibition at Merryweather garden centre on Halam Road. This was a small display on the origin of Nottinghamshire's own fruit with history on the Merryweather family who own the Bramley apple orchards. A least one person couldn't resist the shop on the way out!
Andy, Rosie and Mark then left our group to go on a five mile walk. It was lovely and sunny as they set off, so the heavy downpour we had later in the afternoon probably took them by surprise. The rest of us drove the short distance to the Southwell Workhouse recently restored by the National Trust. A sign at the entrance declared it was full and only pre-booked visitors would be allowed in. I had tried to book a few months earlier only to be told that, due to popularity, they don't take group bookings at weekends so we would have to visit midweek. I don't think so! Some of us have to work! I'd informed the lady I spoke to that therefore we would just turn up and wait for a timed slot on the day and she didn't advise otherwise. They had obviously changed their system since. Luckily a previous party had been smaller than expected so there was just space for 12 of us to enter the Workhouse. The people behind us were turned away. We were given headphones and set off to explore the kitchens, dormitories, day rooms, exercise yards and masters room. The outside toilets were rather primitive!
Rather than put inauthentic furniture in the rooms the National Trust had opted to keep them empty for the moment so you had to visualise with the help of the headphone narration. The top floor had been left untouched and in the same state as when the National Trust had discovered it a few years ago. The walls had 25 layers of whitewash! One had to work for one's keep in the Workhouse so we can only assume the walls were continually painted to keep the residents occupied! Other tasks included breaking stones, unpicking rope, scrubbing floors, etc. Families and individuals who lived at the Workhouse were free to leave at any time, but many had no money, so remained there doing grim tasks in return for food and shelter. Men, women and children were separated upon arrival and could only see each other briefly once a week. There was a small schoolroom where the youngsters were taught the "three Rs". At the end of the tour we got chance to dress up in Workhouse clothes which was highly amusing. Trina nearly got stuck in her smock! The entry is £4 adult/£2 child and quite good value. They could improve their booking system though!
Having a spare hour between the Workhouse visit and agreed evening meal time, Mary, June, Mark, Kevin and I decided to do one of the tower tours being offered back at the Minster. They had finished for the day due to heavy rain, but I spoke nicely to the man in charge who kindly agreed to run a special tour for us. Better customer service from the religious than the poor of Southwell! We ascended the ever-narrowing spiral concrete stairway and were allowed to ring the bells. This must have been annoying for the locals, but entertaining for us as the lighter members of our group were lifted off the ground with rope in hand! We then continued climbing to see the bells themselves before surfacing onto the roof to a beautiful view of a double rainbow over the town. The tour was good exercise as well as good value for money (£2).
The dinner venue was changed because the restaurant at the Saracen's Head in the centre of Southwell was fully booked and we would have to wait an hour for bar meals. Though recommended by everyone who knew Southwell the bar actually looked poky and smoky, so we elected to drive a few miles to the White Post Inn at Farnsfield where we could sit together and enjoy a relaxing meal. Apologies to Bernie who had wanted to join us for just the meal but had changed his mobile number so that I was unable to contact him.
Prayers, dressing up, walking and dining all in one day made it as varied as the weather. Thanks to all who joined in. If you can suggest another town for a "grand day out" please let me know!
Maxine Bates