Spring in Amsterdam with a trip to Keukenhof Gardens 15th – 18th April 2011 John Mason with the assistance of Graham Buxton are organising a weekend trip to Amsterdam Holland, which will include a full day at the famous Keukenhof Gardens. These gardens are full of spring bulbs and are famous worldwide. Above is a photograph of a small part of the gardens that cover an area of 32 hectares with 4.5 million tulips in 100 varieties. (to see more visit http://www.keukenhof.nl/index/ )The dates are Friday 15th – Monday 18th April 2011. We will be staying at the Hotel Mercure aan de Astel Amsterdam for 3 nights bed & breakfast. With evening meal included on the Friday and Sunday evenings. However to give you a more flexible day on Saturday we leave it to you to make your own dinner arrangements.  The itinerary will be: - Friday 15th Depart Nottingham by coach at around 0700hrs (location to be fixed later) to travel to Amsterdam via the channel tunnel. En route there will be stops for toilet breaks and refreshments. Saturday 16th is a free day to explore Amsterdam as you wish. There is a public transport link to the city centre located close to the hotel. Sunday 17th Tour to Keukenof Gardens. Entry fee is included in the price of the trip. Together with return coach transfer from hotel to the gardens. Of course if you prefer you can have a second day in Amsterdam rather than Keukenhof. Monday 18th Depart Amsterdam for our journey home again via the channel tunnel with possible shopping time at the Channel tunnel terminal. The cost of the trip will be £306.00 per person for a double/twin room for three nights bed breakfast and 2 evening meals. (£389.00 single room) This includes coach travel, tunnel charges and admission to the gardens together with tea/coffee facilities on the coach. Should you wish to be part of this trip then please forward a Non-returnable deposit of £75.00 per person. Cheques payable to ‘Notts IPA’ c/o John Mason as soon as possible The balance will then be required by No later than 11th Feb 2011. John Mason 4 Kenmore Close, Mansfield, Notts. NG19 6RA You will require your own E111 card and travel insurance to cover medical and other costs such as loss and theft of personal possessions together with a current passport.

For Mainline Steam Railway fans. To keep up to date with special steam hailed trains on Britain's mainline got to http://www.uksteam.info/tours/index.htm

Galleries of Justice Below is copy of letter I received requesting volunteers for the Galleries of Justice. ‘After several discussions with the Chief Constable we have offered to undertake a survey of the historical objects/artefacts and archive material held within Nottinghamshire Constabulary’s stations and Head Quarters. The survey will assist the museum and Nottinghamshire Constabulary to assess the collections historical significance and importance with the view to provide permanent storage and hopefully a new exhibition illustrating the history of Nottinghamshire Constabulary at our museum. The roles for the volunteer is basically therefore, anyone who would be willing to give a day or two over to travel to the various stations and HQ to list and record objects/archives held within them. If interested contact Bev Baker Collections Manager & Volunteer Co-ordinator at the Galleries of Justice Telephone 0115 952 0555 ext 223 / Direct Line 0115 993 9826 Fax 0115 993 9828 email: bev.baker@nccl.org.uk or website: www.nccl.org.uk Nottinghamshire Constabulary Bowls Club needs you! Nottinghamshire Constabulary Bowls Club (yes, the word Constabulary has been retained) is a section of Nottinghamshire Police Sports & Social Club. The section has about 35 members, male and female, made up up of a tiny number of serving officers with the majority retired officers and their families with some associate members. We play about 70 competitive games per season, which runs from May to September. Since we lost the bowling green at Epperstone Manor in 2003 we play our home games on Nottingham City Council's greens and we currently play at Valley Road, Sherwood (close to the City Hospital). We play in FIVE different leagues embracing the the two codes of flat green bowls, EBA and EBF. Serving and retired officers also have the opportunity to represent Police Sport UK in various regional, national and international games. We are keen to recruit new members whether they have played previously or not. Tuition and advice is readily available. If interested please contact Brian Littleton 0115 - 9384974 or e-mail blittleton@tiscali.co.uk