2025
With the sun in the sky and a song in our hearts we set off in our trusty charabanc on our fantasy holiday week!
We began each day with coffee and biscuits followed by a morning of fun, games and crafts. Rev Gill Long led us in our ‘thought for the day’, we tested our brains with our daily quiz prior to enjoying a delicious lunch cooked by Andrew Jennings, ably helped in the kitchen by Gillian Mead.
Each afternoon we enjoyed a variety of entertainment, ending the day with afternoon tea and home-made cakes.
Our first destination was the glorious seaside town of Brighton. We explored The Lanes for antiques and had our ‘seaside’ photos taken wearing silly hats and sunglasses!
In the afternoon we were treated to a singalong with the Epsom Ukulele Band.
On Wednesday we headed north to the home of ballroom… Blackpool! We played Bingo, made (and enjoyed eating) candyfloss and raced our donkeys along
the beach! After lunch we welcomed our wonderful ballroom dancers and joined them on the dancefloor to learn the steps and enjoy the music.
The afternoon ended with a delightful afternoon cream tea served with delicious scones baked by Sheila King.
Our final day saw us drive our charabanc to its final journey, Southend on Sea. The morning was exhausting – arcade games and tote bag printing! After another delicious lunch we sat back and enjoyed the D-Day Dollies. Their performance was outstanding, and they raised the roof with their wonderful singing.
A thoroughly enjoyable week made possible thanks to huge efforts from all the helpers and most importantly our wonderful guests.
2024
We all thoroughly enjoyed 3 days of fun, laughter and fellowship as we travelled on our ‘virtual summer holiday’ together.
We began our adventures on 29th July when the ‘EMC cruise ship’ docked in India where we spent an enjoyable morning learning about India and decorating some traditional Indian bowls. After lunch we were treated to amazing entertainment by the Bharatanatyam dancers from Sri Raja Rajeswari Amman Temple, Stoneleigh.
We spent a day ‘on board ship’ on Wednesday 31st July where we took part in our own Olympics! There was much laughter, cheering and flag waving as points were scored and gold medals were awarded to the winning team. After another delicious lunch we were entertained by Jenny Sparrow and the U3A Singing for Pleasure group accompanied by Janet Warren on the piano and Fred Dicks on the drums.
On Friday 2nd August our cruise took us to our final destination, discovering the delights of Egypt as camels raced around the church! They really did! Lunch was again delicious and our adventures were completed by entertainment from the U3A Belly Dancers and the excellent U3A Ukulele Band.
Every day, we enjoyed a few moments of calm before lunch when Josh Selfe led us in thoughts and prayers.
These three fun filled days; the delicious lunches and afternoon teas, the craft, games and fun were only possible because of the kindness and willingness of helpers, (both those visible and behind the scenes) entertainers, cooks and bakers and - our wonderful guests! A huge thank you to you all.
2022
Day 1
We set sail in August 2022 on our virtual cruise ship ‘EMC at Sea’, leaving Epsom and sailing across the seas to our first destination, Hawaii!
With everyone safely on-board ship we started the morning with coffee, tea and biscuits. Our craft workshop took us to our far-flung destination making colourful paper flower leis.
Following the craft, we were delighted to welcome our great friend, the Rev Gill Long to lead us in our ‘thought for the day’. A delicious lunch of roast lamb, with all the trimmings was served and then we settled down to enjoy a rousing performance, and a bit of Hawaiian dancing, from the Epsom Ukulele Band. (the ukulele originating in Hawaii!)
Afternoon tea ended the day and everyone made their way home having thoroughly enjoyed the adventure.
Day 2
We spent the day ‘on board ship’, enjoying the luxuries of hand massage, a gentle exercise class, led by Karen Willson, and a challenging game of Boccia. The Rev Gill again led us in the ‘thought for the day’ and an exquisite lunch of sea bass was served followed by a selection of delicious puddings. We were then treated to an afternoon of ballroom dancing and were delighted to be joined by Nikki and Corin Ashbee-Waugh who, along with some fellow dancers, put on a fabulous dancing demonstration and actually managed to teach a few of us to Tango, Rumba and Waltz! Much laughter ensued and it was enjoyed by all.
We were also celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of
Queen Elizabeth II. The room was bedecked
in union flags and we toasted the Queen with a little bit of bubbly. In truly royal fashion our guests were served a cream tea, with smoked salmon blinis, fairy cakes, scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam. We were delighted to receive a letter from Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall wishing us all a very happy day.
Holiday at Home was again, a great success, enjoyed by all who attended. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who contributed to make it such an enjoyable event.