MAY - Forty-four members gathered at the appointed pick up points between Hutton and Brentwood, en route for Harwich, most of them unaware of the treat that was in store for them. A most unlikely venue for an interesting outing turned out to be one of those days full of unexpected pleasure. First stop, in Harwich, was for coffee and biscuits in St Nicholas's Church. From there the party was split into two groups to be taken by two guides, members of the Harwich Society, on a short tour of the old part of Harwich. Places visited included an ancient human tread-wheel, used for raising and lowering boats and cargo around 300 years or more ago, and the guildhall, seat of local authority. This unobtrusive building dating back to the 17th Century housed an elegant wood panelled debating chamber which doubled as the courthouse to which prisoners were taken from a "lock-up" below. Interestingly several shallow carvings created by the prisoners of sailing ships were visible in the panelling of the lock-up. A slide show tracing its restoration, was presented in a gem of a building (The Electric Palace) saved from decay, and demolition by planners who wanted to convert the area into a car park, by an action group that fought against its destruction and raised many thousands of pounds to bring it back to its glorious original condition. The Electric Palace, a bijou cinema, is now used on a regular basis as a venue for a variety of functions including jazz evenings, old time music hall evenings and three nights a week as a cinema. Entering the building members were transported back to a time when elegance and a high quality decorative style was the norm. After a short presentation, members returned to St Nicholas's Church where they enjoyed a lunch in the church hall. This left a short spell before rejoining the coach which travelled on to the Food Company near Marks Tey. Here time was spent shopping for unusual products and afternoon tea. Returning to the coach members arrived back in Brentwood by 4.45 pm. It came as a great surprise to the majority of members who took part in the outing to Harwich that this busy seaport could be so interesting. The weather though bright and sunny was slightly marred by a chilly breeze. Full marks are due to Annette Dwyer-Joyce, the social secretary, for organising such an interesting day out. (Report and photos: Brian Leith)