OVERVIEW - An inaugural Winter Away event staying in the magnificent Medieval and Tudor Landmark Trust property of Wortham Manor House in Devon from Monday (arrive 16.00) to Friday (depart 10,00) with blazing log fires. The House is near Launceston with great walks nearby. The House sleeps 15 people.

LANDMARK TRUST - A charity which purchases special individual and normally run down or decrepit buildings such as Castles, Lighthouses, Folly's, Towers and Houses. It totally renovates the properties to a high standard and then rents them out with the income helping to rescue and save more buildings. Full details of Wortham Manor and of Landmark Trust can be found on their website www.landmarktrust.org.uk

ACCOMODATION COSTS - The price is £1,408 for 4 nights. If the event is fully subscribed by 15 people, then the cost per person is £94. Should there be less than 15 people, the cost will rise proportionally. Please contact Ian M (07803 056989) when booking the event to ensure the numbers are not exceeded and to arrange payment

HOUSEKEEPING COSTS - We plan to dine in the Great Hall of Wortham Manor in the evenings to relax and enjoy the superb surroundings. Vic and Peter are responsible for making arrangements to ensure that we are all fed and watered for the week. With 15 people, this means arranging 60 Breakfasts, 60 Main Meals, and 45 Sandwiches for Walks. They also need to arrange Logs/Kindling for 2 Fires plus Fruit/Flowers/Nibbles/Drinks etc. They are suggesting all attendees initially contribute £80 each into a pot to fund this and which should to be paid directly to Vic and Peter. Offers of help will be most appreciated by them by liaising to bring food basics such as coffee/tea/herbs/sauces/rice/oils etc to bring down the cost. Also bringing some bottles along will assist creating Bon Ami. Please liaise with Vic and Peter if you feel you can help in any way and let them know if you have any special dietary needs. They are also responsible for allocating bedrooms on arrival which are mainly a mixture of double and twin bedded rooms and bathrooms which often have to be shared.

WALKS - Stephen C is arranging a minimum of 3 walks. Details will be announced nearer the date of the event or possibly on the first Monday evening at the House. Being January, we are very much dependent on the weather when planning them. Bring warm/waterproof clothing/Wellies and Boots etc.

BOOKING - There is an absolute limit of a maximum of 15 people. The cost of £94 must be paid to Ian M within 10 days of joining the event with the understanding that a further payment might be required shortly before the event takes place should there be less then 15 attendees. These payments are non refundable but members may themselves arrange for a substitute as their replacement should they need to cancel. The bookings will be closed once 15 people have named themselves as attendees but a reserve list will be kept in case of cancellations.

PROVISO - It is very much all hands muck in. The Manor House is self catering with no Housemaids. (Everyone should have a Maid !) So laying tables, washing up, tidying and laying fires and generally helping out is the order of the day. With Rooms being either double or twin bedded  and mainly shared bathrooms, this holiday may extend the boundries of a Prima Dona. It will not be possible to pre-walk the days events and being January, all walks are at risk of cancellation or change. The Order of the Day is to become Tudor/Elizabethan Magnates and wallow in self indulgance and gracious living in fine Company, feasting and drinking to your hearts contentment.