9 and 10 July 2022 - A 'Tech-Domski' Reunion

Saturday afternoon found us in gloriously sunny Marple, where Sue and I sought out The Wharf, where a New Horizons barge was waiting for our group of University contemporaries, many of whom were celebrating 50 years since graduating from one or other of the current Manchester University's former components. Back in those days we were members of the Tech Domski Hiking and Hosteling Club (TDHHC), comprising an amalgam of students from UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology)(mostly male) and Domski (Elizabeth Gaskell Domestic Science College), as well as the City of Manchester College of Higher Education (mostly female).

Most of my old university friends arise from membership of this club, and it was great to be able to get together with some of them this weekend. Thanks go to Linda, Elaine and Ceris for organising everything.

We wandered up past the locks of the Peak Forest Canal.

Now at the junction with the Macclesfield Canal, I think that's our boat in the distance, but we took some time to find it!

Eventually we all met up and jumped aboard the New Horizons barge that our worthy organisers had rented for the afternoon. The next picture shows us heading through the narrow section pictured above, before turning around for the trip along the Macclesfield Canal to Higher Poynton and back.

Here are some of the group, perched in the bow of the ship.

Sue, Ceris, Elaine, Linda, Gary, Sue, Julie and Paul

Eventually we escaped from Marple and another picture was taken - a 'Prosecco Moment'.

Higher Poynton provided an opportunity for a short break with ice creams (for those who had room after already having scoffed extensive cream teas) on what can only be described as a perfect summer's afternoon.

Then we returned to Marple. 

The Bull's Head, in Mottram St Andrew, provided the venue for a good evening meal (no photos), then on Sunday we all met up again, with Ray in charge of 'The Beast', for an even better BBQ based meal at Ceris and Ray's house in Prestbury. We were fortunate also to have the company of Dave and Calla, who were released briefly from duties involving a new puppy.

Ray, Ceris, Calla, Linda, Dave, Elaine, Paul, Sue, and Julie 

The other Sue must have gone walkabout when these pictures were taken, but she does appear on the older image of younger people shown below.

I'm struggling to accurately date this picture from the early '70s, taken outside Sue's parents' house in Tenbury. It's a reminder of those who are no longer with us, and we did indeed drink toasts to absent friends during the course of the weekend.

Thanks again to Linda, Elaine and Ceris for doing the organising, and to Ceris for putting on a lovely spread for Sunday lunch - a memorable occasion on another perfect summer's day - and thanks of course to Ray for mowing the lawn and manning 'The Beast'.