Otterburn Hall
Otterburn Hall , Otterburn, Northumberland
Otterburn Hall was the venue that started the Cousins weekends.
Our family, Dad , Mum, Dorothy and I would go for a weekend break at Otterburn Hall during the 1950's. The car would have been packed ready and when Dad came home from work on the Friday we would then drive to Otterburn. It was about an hours drive , depending on the sheep or tractors that you met on the way.
i believe the Hall was a Christian retreat, normally, but they supplemented income by offering it to guests at Bank Holidays. It was full board, so you had a hearty country breakfast and typical English dinner on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Sunday was time for a final walk around the grounds before heading back to Whitley Bay.
I remember other cousins being there at the same time. As I was about 10 at the time I could not compete with the older cousins.
There were tennis courts, squash courts, putting green and a croquet lawn. Swimming was allowed in the river. Indoors there was table tennis, board games and no television.
In the evenings, the host Rev Bell , would lead the country dancing. I have many memories of "Strip the Willow" and the "Gay Gordons", something you would not dare mention these days.
When I was about 15 during the summer holidays my Mum said "stop getting under my feet and get a job". So the next day I got on my bike and rode the 40 miles to Otterburn Hall in true Tebbitt style. I arrived hot, exhausted from cycling for 3 hours, dirty and thirsty. At reception I asked if they had any jobs. Five minutes later she came back and said there was a job available in the kitchen, can you start now? I said I needed a change in clothes and arranged to go home and come back the next day. As this was the first job that I had ever obtained , I cycled home ; 40 miles flew by and I never turned the pedals once , all the traffic lights were green and everyone waved at me as I rode by, getting back home fresh and delighted.
This was a great place for the cousins to start weekend meetings in the same way that their parents did. I was living in London and abroad so was not able to make many of the early visits. Our first weekend was at Thirsk and we joined in gatherings occasionally after that.
1972
Otterburn Hall
Otterburn Hall was a regular meeting location in the early days as it was such an ideal location for a large gathering
Click an image to see the full photo
From Left David Children
Group Photo
From Right Carol, Maurice, Pat, Margaret, Noel, Muriel, Pam and David.
Group Photo outside Hall
1973
Otterburn Hall
We keep revisiting the hotel as it was a children friendly and safe location.
Click an image to see the full photo
Noel on left and John N on right
Family Group
1984
Retford, Nottingham
A different site this year for a change.
Click an image to see the full photo
David, John N, Maurice and Ian
The Men
Maurice on left Margaret on right
The group at front entrance
Anne, Margaret Pat and Pam
The ladies
1985
Burton on Trent
A different site again this year which turned out to be one of the most popular locations.
Click an image to see the full photo
Margaret, Ann, Pat and Muriel
The Ladies
Alan in front
At Dinner
A lazy day
John David, Ian and Pam, Maurice , Pat and Murielmargaret,
The group
1988
Ilkley
Miles from anywhere
Click an image to see the full photo
1989
York
One of my favourite places
Click an image to see the full photo
John on left and Ian in Right
After Dinner
1989
Cambridge
This was a really interesting place as the hotel was close to the river and easy to get into town.
Click an image to see the full photo
We were able to make it as it was closer to London
A large group this year
1992
Southport
A long way for us to go but well worth it. The swimming pool was spectacular and Blackpool illuminations were terrific..
A great weekend
Click an image to see the full photo
Dinner in Hotel
Phil at front
The group
Pre dinner drinks
1993
Knutsford
the west side of the country this year.
Another great weekend
Click an image to see the full photo
Always a few want to walk , whatever the weather.
The walking group
1994
Shrewsbury
We (John and Bev) were unable to meet this year.
Click an image to see the full photo
Margaret, Pam and Ann
Maurice, John and Margaret
1995
Buxton
Always a popular venue
Click an image to see the full photo
Maurice on left and Pat on right
Group in stairwell
1996
Chester
A new venue in the posh suburb for Manchester, footballers paradise.
Click an image to see the full photo
Alan P is with us in this walk
the walking group
1997
Keswick
Another meeting we missed.
Our honeymoon destination
Click an image to see the full photo
From Left Carol, Pam, Ann, Noel, Ian, Alan, David, Pat and Muriel
The intrepid walking group
Pat and Ian
Ann and Carol
1998
Liverpool
Back to the heart of a great city. Our son Alan had started at Manchester University and he visited us to have dinner with us on one evening.
Click an image to see the full photo
The group
The dinner group
The dinner group with two Alans
1999
Louth
Out in the wilds again
Click an image to see the full photo
John on left and Carol on right
Walking group
Carol on left and John N on right
Main Group
2001
Thoresby
A Warner's hotel.
One venue that we did get to
There was entertainment after dinner but usually we just talked.
Click an image to see the full photo
John and Bev, Ian, Muriel and Alan with Ann sitting
The main hall
2002
Oxford
The hotel was about a mile walk to the centre of Oxford beside the river.
Click an image to see the full photo
From Left John P, Alan, Anne and Ian, Pat, Pam, Bev, Margaret and John N
Group Photo
Clockwise from left Mavis, David, Pat, Pam, Muriel, Anne and Alan
Dinner Table
2003
Edinburgh
The hotel was in the centre of the Haymarket area. Close to all the popular places of interest but always starting with a steep climb.
Click an image to see the full photo
From Left John P, Alan, John N, David, Pat, Margaret in front of Pam, Muriel Carol and Noel, Bev, Ian and Anne
Full Group of Cousins
From Left Carol, Anne, then on right Ian Noel and Muriel
Dinner Table
Edinburgh showing view to the river Forth
Edinburgh view
From Left Pat, Pats grand son, Ian Then on Right Alan and Margare
Dinner Table part 2
2007
Ashbourne, Derbyshire
The hotel was quite remote but a good centre to travel to local places of interest.
Click an image to see the full photo
Carol and Noel walked around Ashbourne
Carol and Noel
Mavis and George visited Chatsworth House
Mavis and George
Ian and drove to sites
Ian, Anne and Pat
Evening visit f
Mavis and Bev
John used his bike to cycle from the hotel. travel from the
John and Bev
Station Hotel provided meals in the evening
Station Hotel , Ashbourne, Derbyshire
2009
Bodelwyddan, Wales
The hotel was a Warners venue.
We had different grades of accomodation.
image to see the full photo
Sitting Left to Right
Group Photo
From Left Mavis , David , Bev then Margaret. Pam, Noel, Muriel Pat and David. Then Carol and Alan, Anne and Ian.
Group Photo Standing
From left Carol and Noel, Margaret and David.
Group of four
Bev, Muriel, Anne, Pat, Ian, Pam and Mavis
Group sitting down
2013
Nidd Hall Yorkshire
The hotel was a Warners venue.
We had different grades of accomodation.
image to see the full photo
Mavis and Bev
Bev and Mavis
Carol, Anne and Mavis
The Girls
Muriel , Pat, Carol, Alan and Margaret
The Chair
Bev and Mavis
John in Front
The Boys
Carol, John and Mavis at front
Group Photo
2017
York Yorkshire
The hotel was a short walk from York town centre.
There is always something interesting to see in York, both new and old.
image to see the full photo
Outside of the Hotel
Group Photo
©Copyright. All rights reserved.