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WHERE TO GO AND HOW?
I was talking with Elsie Hulme a few Sundays ago about how to get to places when walking is a problem. Did I know about trains, coaches etc.? And the answer was: no – but I would find out as much as I could. Then the thought struck me that there are other people in the same boat who would benefit from information about getting around. I should add that people who are not disabled would also find it useful. For clarity I have made several sections of the means to get about.
TRAINS If you purchase a season ticket from the rail office for the annual fee of £22 you can travel anywhere in the UK for a third knocked off. For example if the normal fare is £30 it will cost you £20. There are certain conditions, however: for example the journey must begin after 09.30. If disabled people contact Journey Help the day before, arrangements will be made to transport you to the train and assist you to your reserved seat. (Your luggage is looked after.) Help will also be available at the end of the journey. For more information contact National Rail Enquiries 0845 748 4950.
COACHES 1. National Express provides the flexibility to visit more than a 1,000 destinations in the UK. Passengers are permitted to have two medium sized suitcases. Disabled passengers automatically qualify for discounts of up to 50% as do people over 65. Children aged 3-15 travel at half the adult fare and a child less than three years of age travels free if accompanied by an adult fare paying passenger. An example: for a disabled person travelling to London it would cost £17 single fare. However it should be pointed out that this journey, without traffic hold-ups, would take approx. 6+ hours. For more information please contact 08717 818181.
2. Bolton Community Transport, as its name implies, is a local service. It is run as a charity, using 12 seater minibuses with facilities to carry wheel chairs. It also provides a door-to-door service for destinations throughout the year. To give you a flavour of what is on offer I have selected a few trips from their programme. In August you could go to: York or the National Rail Museum for £18.50 Bakewell Market and drive through the Derbyshire Dales for £14.00 Chester Zoo for £11.50 excluding admission Lunch at the Redwell Inn, Arkholme & Kirby Lonsdale (This is a 17th Century inn located in idyllic surroundings on the edge of the Trough of Bowland) for £13 excluding lunch These are just a few of the 35 destinations that are visited together with 6 sea sides, 5 lunch specials and 4 fun afternoons & tea dances. If for example 12 members of the congregation would like to go out together transport could be arranged. Contact on 393777 for a brochure.
3. Day trips by coach TWMC Holdings Ltd. This firm offers 27 destinations throughout the year. Again I have chosen a few at random. In August they do Fleetwood and Lytham-St. Anne’s for £13, Scarborough for £18, Southport Flower Show for £26.50 including admission. In September they go to the Lake District South Lakes for £15.50 and Kirby Lonsdale Victorian Fair for £13. Telephone 557805 to ask for a brochure to be sent to you. Travel is by 49 & 51 seat coaches.
Now, what excuses can you come up with to prevent you from taking your choice and going out to enjoy yourselves? It has certainly given Rita and me the idea to do exactly that.
David Bevis |
