News Bulletin - October 2026
Hello Centre Members,
I’m writing this on a damp Friday afternoon, following our visit to Biddulph Grange Gardens on 18th September. Fortunately, the sun shone in the morning, and the rain held off until we were all safely in the Drawing Room/Tea Room. Paul and some of the team gave us a splendid guided tour of the gardens and the history of the property, explaining how the gardens had been gradually restored to their former glory, and described the ongoing work needed to maintain them (carried out by the 50 or so garden volunteers).
We are still hoping to organise a holiday in Norfolk next year, providing that we can negotiate something at an affordable price. Katie is currently looking at some possible options, so watch this space!
Nigel Holmes
on behalf of your committee
Nigel Holmes
on behalf of your committee
TALKS
Rodney Paul has a keen interest in Antarctic history and reading accounts of early expeditions to Antarctica was the catalyst for his desire to experience the unique region himself.
Penguins are adorable birds that are very difficult to see in their natural habitat, but are easily recognised by their distinct characteristics and feature in many everyday products.
The majority of penguin breeds are located in the coldest places on earth, but there are some colonies that live in warmer climates. This light-hearted talk will guide you through the different breeds of penguin, their habitats and personalities. We will also look at where these adorable creatures turn up in our daily lives
Other talk dates for your diary
Magic of Pantomime by Dean Nixon on 10th November
Christmas Crackers by Nigel Holmes on 8th December
All talks start at 2:30 pm at Walton Village Hall.
WALKS
This is another virtually flat walk with just one stile (to access the Trent & Mersey canal towpath on the outward leg).
Starting from The Greyhound Inn at Burston we walk through the picturesque village of Burston, before joining the canal towpath. See if you can spot the milepost that marks the halfway point on this canal (which is over 90 miles in length). After passing Aston Marina and Aston Lock, we join the Two Saints Way, stopping at St. Saviours Church, where the people that opted to do the shorter walk will join us at around 11:30. After passing Aston Hall, we follow the track that joins the two halves of Aston-By-Stone, before crossing the fields and marshland (via duck boards); an area popular with bird spotters. We then cross the Trent via the newly rebuilt bridge, before returning via Burston to the Greyhound for lunch.
To see a map of the route and deatils of the Burston – Aston Trail from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, click here.
Meet: 09:45 in The Greyhound car park for a 10:00 start (toilets available).
Sat Nav: ST18 0DR
Shorter walk: Meet in St. Saviours churchyard (park on the right of the drive), ready to depart around 11.30.
Sat Nav: ST15 0BJ W3W: ///danger.eagle.pounces
Terrain: Easy walking on the whole, but the canal towpath is uneven in some places as is the path across the fields. Quiet roads with very little traffic but no footpaths, so please walk single file on the right-hand side.
Lunch: 13:00. Please let us know if you will be joining us for lunch and let Nigel know your menu choices by Monday 12th October.
Organiser: Nigel Holmes
Other walk dates for your diary
10th December Christmas at The Rag
Please remember that you join our walks at your own risk, and are responsible for your own safety. Leaders will indicate the difficulty of the walk so walkers can make an informed choice on whether or not to join in. Appropriate clothing and footwear should be worn.