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We meet on the 2nd Saturday of the month to arrange outings and activities, mainly in small groups.

For details of future meetings and activities tap the Calendar button and select Wild Weekenders from the Group drop-down list.

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Some of our Previous Outings

July 2026: Battersea Power Station

On Sunday 26th July, 7 of the Weekenders Group travelled on an organised coach trip,  with Great Days Out,  to Battersea Power station.

This previously coal-fired power station is an icon in the area. There are in fact 2 power stations, Battersea A Power Station which was built between 1929 and 1935 and Battersea B Power Station, built between 1937 and 1941. Construction was paused during WW11, and when the building was completed in 1955 it was the largest brick construction in the world.

It ceased operation in 1975, and the Art Deco interior is now home to 150 shops, restaurants, bars, and a cinema. We had timed tickets for Glass Lift 109, which travels up the Chimney, to see the 360’ wonderful panoramic views of London. Once you have your entry ticket there is much to read about the history​, and it was​ a great experience.

We had a drink in the Control Room Cocktail bar which on the back wall shows the many dials used in monitoring pressures and temperatures – very funky, with Art Deco designs on furniture. Before returning to our coach at 5pm we enjoyed a healthy Poke Bowl in the café; never had one before but would certainly have again in Nottingham. -   A very long day but certainly worthwhile.

 Teresa Storey

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May 2026: Barge Trip

Saturday May 30th, saw 23 Wild Weekenders take to the high seas led by their intrepid Captains . . .

. . . OK, on Saturday May 30th, 23 Wild Weekenders took 2 barges from Sileby Mill Marina to Birstall and back, along the River Soar. It was a beautiful sunny day, just fine for a trip down a river. We were led on Fumble and Jumble by our Captains Coleen, Geoff and Richard. They patiently taught us how to steer the boats and control the lock gates. 

As usual there was beautiful scenery, including ducks, geese, swans, a heron who waited at the side until our return journey to fly off.  Canoeists, family barbecues, damsel flies who landed on objects and people on the boats for a free ride as well as murals on buildings, boats etc. It was a photographer's dream.

This is the third year that the Wild Weekenders have been going out on the barges, and this was the 5th trip. The first time was one boat with 10 people. Now we have 2 boats with 23 participants.  It was a fun day with a stop over at The White Horse for lunch and a quick drink, then back again. On the way home most of us stopped at the Poppy and Pint for tea. 

So a brilliant day was had by all.  

Jenni White

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June 2025: River Cruise

After very high temperatures during the week, a cooler morning greeted the 40 of us who arrived at Riverside Lodge to enjoy a cruise on the Nottingham Princess.  With a Sunday roast dinner to look forward to and Black Forest Gateau, which reminded me of the 70s when it was a new and amazing dessert on the menu.  The onboard bar was busy most of the time.

A leisurely journey from riverside Lodge at Colwick down to Wilford church were the boat turned round to return via Holme Pierrepont, then Colwick.

There was a very interesting and, informative commentary about the area , with Romans, Normans and every other man mentioned.  However, we revellers were enjoying ourselves too much to hear it; good job there weren’t questions at the end !! A raffle took place after lunch with a 1 in 4 chance of winning a prize.  We returned to River Lodge for 3.30pm after a very enjoyable 3 hours.        

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August 2024: Barge Trip

August Bank Holiday weekend and the Weekenders went barging. What a great day out we had, despite pretty relentless rain at times. We left at 8 in the morning and teamed up on 2 barges, Fumble and Bumble, to manoeuvre the waterways between Leicester and Loughborough. Armed with  rain macs, snacks and a packed lunch we settled on board just as the rain came slashing down. But apart from those of us on the tillers, we had a cosy transport through beautiful countryside, mingling closely with young signets, herons and even a kingfisher.

We stopped for lunch before heading back for home. As promised, the sun came out which just added to what was already a brilliant outing.

Everybody had a turn at the tiller, some more smoothly than others, but the more experienced sailors kept an eye on things. We all got involved with managing the locks, sometimes with help from other canal users along the way and also bringing the boat alongside the bank so that we could all alight safely.  Some of us finished the day off with a well-earned meal in Normanton-on-Soar.  Thanks particularly go to Geoff and Richard, who braved the worst of the weather so that we could stay dry and enjoy the ride.

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