On Wednesday, April 27, the u3a (the University of the Third Age) organised a coach trip to the interesting Chatham docks where they also film ‘Call the Midwife’ and they were an eclectic group of about fifteen from Rye, Iden and Wittersham, enjoying the hospitality of Victoria Travel.
There were several tours and everyone decided what they would like to see, including how ropes are made, which was fascinating. There were exhibitions of ships being worked on and we were allowed to go onto the HMS Cavalier from 1944. The ship is preserved as a memorial to the 142 Royal Naval destroyers which were sunk during the second world war with the loss of 11,000 lives. After modernisation in 1957, it served with the Royal Navy in the Far East until she was paid off in Chatham docks in 1972.
Walking through the ship’s spaces, now more or less empty, it made one aware just how hard it must have been for the many sailors, especially when seeing their sleeping cabin which had no beds but hammocks.
The group came together again after lunch to join the tour of ‘Call the Midwife’. The guide was informative and pointed out where all the different scenes were filmed. Of course presently there is nothing but empty brick houses and various empty long alleys, which made it difficult to envisage the 1950s period piece.
The museum showed the props and clothes they used to make it look authentic and there was a room which gave people the possibility of practising knots. The drawings looked easy yet few were able to follow it, but it was fun trying.
A great day out and on our return we were served a cream tea on the coach which was lovely. Jen and David, members of the u3a organised this fun day out and driver Ross brought us back safely in good time. If you would like to find out more about the other coach events available please go to ross@victoriatravel.com.
Image Credits: Heidi Foster .