Our group of 16 plus our driver, Robert, left Andover on time for the journey to Chichester on a cold January morning. Arriving in good time considering all the road works.

We all had a restorative hot drink at the lovely Cloisters cafe. Then made our way into the Cathedral to meet our 2 guides, Sue and Chris, for a very informative tour of this seat of Christianity. Construction began in 1075! Our tour lasted almost an hour and a half.

The Cathedral boasts uninterrupted side aisles the full length of the building.

The 1530’s Tudor paintings in the South transept are a rare and valuable example of propaganda painting anywhere in the country.

Also the 2 beautiful modern tapestries were really quite stunning. As were the stained glass windows. The south window, dated 1877, showed scenes from both the Old and New Testament. But the window which impressed us all was the Chagall Window from 1978. The strong colours and figures just shone.

We went our own way for lunch. Some of us returned to the Cathedral cafe, whilst others went into the city.

Managed to be all present and correct for our journey home. Arriving back in Andover by 4.30pm after a lovely day out Questing.

Pam Shadick

Questers Highlights Tour of the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton at 10:30, on the 25^th of February 2026.

This is a self-drive visit.

A guided tour is only available for groups of 12 or more but is at a cost of £22.00 which is a special Group rate for concessions (over 65 yo). The arrangement would allow up to a maximum of 20 in total as two guides have been scheduled.

The tour takes approximately 11/2 hours, and will feature:-

• An introductory talk on Concord, aspects of the joint venture with the French, including its engines, and access via a staircase at the cockpit end and a walk down the inside to an exit stairway.
• For those that have not been inside a Concord but are used to modern wide-bodied jets this is an interesting experience. This is a pre-production plane and has the instrumentation used during test flights.
• This is followed by a general tour showing the planes used during WW1, WW2 and years after the wars.
• Helicopters both assigned to ships and Air Sea Rescue.
• At the end of the Tour you will be free to visit any other areas not covered by the guided tour.

As this is a self-drive trip, if you need a lift please indicate in your response and I will endeavour to arrange with other members attending.

There is a café on site.

Entrance is by the external stairs to level 1, however if required access can be at ground level by prior arrangement to accommodate wheelchairs. There is a lift inside.

If you wish to come on this trip, please advise ASAP. No money should be paid just now, further details for payment will be advised later.

Any questions please contact Colin Ramsden at wessexfcs@aol.com or 07821 884043.

Colin

MILESTONES MUSEUM TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER

Fourteen Questers ventured out on a cloudy and cool day to the Milestones Museum under their own power, not a minibus trip but a self-drive outing.  Surprisingly, most of us arrived within 5 minutes of each other, bought our tickets and collected our audio guides and individually  went our own ways to discover and explore.  There were many items of interest to look at and learn about.

           A pupil relearning the rules of the school                  An office of old, no computers here!

Mention must be made of the excellent food in the cafe; the ham, eggs and chips were especially good! This was my last chance to organise a Questers’ outing having been doing it on and off for a number of years so I’m giving someone else a chance now to suggest and organise outings. Liz and I will still be attending!

                                    A steam tractor                                             An old Portsmouth open-top bus

Pete