Marian Durbidge, a GTO who is part of the New Meridian Association, reports back from the group’s enjoyable AGM in Manchester where they visited a number of attractions.
We all met up for a quick tram departure on from the Malmaison Hotel Piccadilly in Manchester, to go to our first tour which was the Coronation Street Experience. This was a step back in time across a 90-minute tour to the street, cinema and exhibition.
I would describe it as a journey through 60 years of this iconic show with props, costumes and artwork finishing at the Rovers Return for a group photo. Any group would be lucky to visit. We returned to our hotel for dinner in a private room hosted by the Malmaison Hotel. A lovely finish to the day.
On Monday after a hearty breakfast we visited the RHS Gardens at Bridgewater. It was a large site with plenty to see and with the chance of expansion in the years to come. A knowledgeable guide took us around and we all finished up in the giant shop and plant store.
There are plenty of wheelchairs and scooters for use for disabled guests and the paths are easy to travel on. In the afternoon we visited Manchester City Football Club at the Ethiad Stadium. It truly is a must-see tour with an excellent guide who made the trip fun and informative.
This is a vast area which has been re-developed and will include a 400 bed hotel next to the football ground to cater for football fanatics and music fans alike as there is also the newly built Co-op Live venue for live music and events.
The stadium is also having new seating installed so that it will be able to host future major competitions. Once the tour had finished, we were treated to a lovely afternoon tea, a new addition to the menu at the stadium with fresh hot scones, sandwiches, cakes, and tea - just what we needed.
Following on from this was our AGM held in the café, a quirky setting for our meeting. Business complete, we went back to our hotel for a rest. Dinner that evening was in an upstairs room in a pub with the menu being pie and chips with a glass of wine and a chocolate cake dessert, we certainly didn’t suffer with hunger pains!
A great talk followed the meal with slides and history of the Manchester music scene through the ages with music from various bands and singers.
I have to say, it was a superbly organised AGM and Fam trip by Claire from Greatdays Holidays, it was a real treat and the whole group throughly enjoyed it.
The New Meridian is an association for active group travel organisers. For more information call 07889 916450.
