Barnets' Branch Members Keep Active During Summer Break

WEA Barnets’ Branch has completed a second series of Study Day outings to keep members active and in touch during the long summer break between its courses, which typically end in March and begin again in October.

The programme of outings is devised by Branch members as a whole - using their collective knowledge of interesting places to visit, including museums, galleries and gardens. In some cases the Branch chooses to use guides provided at an extra fee, but members with specialist knowledge and contacts are also encouraged to lead a group outing. This year recent student Brian Strong, a Trustee of the Three Mills at Bromley-by-Bow, provided a fascinating tour of the Mills and a short walk to view the exterior of the Abbey Mills pumping station, while outings to the National Portrait Gallery and literary walks in Central London have benefited greatly from the leadership of Michael King, Branch Chairman and literature tutor.

David Tyler, Branch Secretary, says that, “The outings enable students to keep in touch with the Branch and also to compare notes about the classes they attend and to make new friendships. We further encourage this 'mixing' of students who might not otherwise have the chance to meet by organising theatre group visits, Quiz Evenings and an annual Branch lunch. The outings are well supported and much enjoyed and we have plenty of ideas about visits in the future. We take a camera on our outings and aim to provide each student with a photograph of the visit as a souvenir.”

The Branch organised ten outings in 2005 and thirteen in 2006. The visits are self-funding, with the modest fee for each outing (usually £6) collected from students in advance to cover costs. Public transport is used for all outings.