Outing  on December 6^th.

   Outing to Chethams Music College on December 6^th.

Thirty members of Marple U3A visited Chethams for lunch, a recital and a tour

of the college.  On arrival on a bitterly cold December day, lunch was waiting for us

and the piping hot, delicious soup, sandwiches and cakes were indeed very welcome!

After lunch we were taken to the Baronial Hall for a short concert by students 

who were, as is to be expected of such a prestigious college, brilliant musicians. 

Our guide, Sue, then took us on a tour of the college and gave us an extremely 

comprehensive history of the building and of the life of students both long

ago, when they were known as bluecoats, and in the present when entry to the 

college is so competitive.  The visit to the library was  particularly interesting as, 

having been founded in 1653, it is the oldest public library in the English-speaking

world.

We all left the college vowing to return to one of the free concerts given regularly 

by students and with a feeling of pride that Manchester is home to such a 

famous school.