WELCOME TO SPRING WHICH WILL SOON BE UPON US, the daffodils are in a hurry to be seen, so is the early cherry blossom in Bowring Park.  Please call in and enjoy looking at it over a cup of tea or coffee, even hot chocolate, in the Coach House any afternoon from noon to 5pm from 17 March.   We also have a regular Bric a Brac & Book table now, in between Attic Sales.

You also have the last chance to look out on to the famous ROBY EMBANKMENT which is part of the world first railway of its kind between Liverpool and Manchester, opened 1830.
Before the embankment was constructed in 1828 for the railroad, people living or working at the Roby Hall estate (now Bowring Park) would look out across to farmland so must have been quite cross when the railroad was build with all the noise and steamy smoke which was to follow, just as many of us were cross when the motorway was constructed through lovely Bowring Park. However, they also saw the Opening cavalcade of trains, Duke of Wellington aboard!!

Roby Embankment is shortly to be hidden from our view by the construction of the new estate in the former Club grounds including a three storey 30 apartment block.  So now is your last chance to obtain pictures or photos of trains travelling along this historic line.  The view should have been preserved for posterity, and Bowring Park highlighted in road maps as a viewing point, which it has been for 178 years.  Try between 9am-10am on a sunny day.

EASTER SATURDAY 22nd March:   FUN DOG SHOW by Alana, PDSA  11am to 12.30pm.
EASTER EGG FUN with FOBP starts 1pm so please enrol at coach house at 12.30pm and enjoy some artwork before the Easter Egg Hunt and Races. Easter bonnets, decorated eggs. Prizes. £2
There will also be a table sale, and refreshments.  Donations of hard boiled & choc eggs please.

CULTURAL FEAST EVENINGS IN THE ‘BANQUETING HALL’ at COACH HOUSE.
The first two evenings, Chinese and Italian Nights, and the Quiz Night with Brenda Donaldson, have been GREAT …lovely company and tasty food in a superb venue.. so do come along to the next event…       CELTIC FEAST on Friday 28th March 7pm for 7.30pm  £10.00
   Welsh and Irish food and music & short film around Coast of Britain - Book: 482 1116      

ROBY FESTIVAL Commencing 20 June, with SUMMER SOLSTICE 6am in Bowring Park walled garden followed by optional breakfast in Coach House, £2 to £4. 

and then in the evening a SUMMER FEAST and MUSIC organised by Andrew Johnson. 7.30pm. £10.
A SUPERB PROGRAMME is now in hand for each day of the week, including Heritage walks on 23rd, 25th and 27th starting at Station Road by Roby station 11am  2pm and 7pm each day.    Help develop ROBY HERITAGE MAP.

Also ROBY VILLAGE FESTIVAL on Tuesday 24th, 11am-3pm and in the evening at 7.30pm ORLEANS JAZZ & PICNIC in Bowring Park £5, so pack your hamper!! Other activities include 5 a Side with K Jones FA referee Thurs 26th and, we hope, Church Flower Festivals if Roby churches can rise to the challenge of organising these (20-28th)   Some volunteers from Liverpool Flower Arranging Society have offered their services with these, incl Coach House.   

FINALE:  FESTIVAL GALA & STEAM FAYRE in BOWRING PARK 28th JUNE 11am-5pm  Sites from £20.Book       

TUESDAY 29TH APRIL: COFFEE MORNING, BRING & BUY, OLD ROBY SCHOOL
  In Station Road, Roby, in aid of Roby Festival,  Advance Admission tickets £2 from FOBP.
  More fundraising Coffee Mornings and  events welcomed in aid of Festival costs.   Pre-printed tickets available.

NEXT MEETING: 5TH APRIL ‘ROBY FESTIVAL’ chaired by Mrs J Grundy DL JP at noon followed by FRIENDS OF BOWRING PARK ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1.30pm
          Nominations invited in writing for the 2008-09 OFFICERS & COMMITTEE
Light ref’ments noon, Cream Teas after AGM  PLEASE ATTEND IN SUPPORT OF OUR ENDEAVOURS!!
08-09 M’SHIP SUBS £2.50 inc/£3.50 couples due to Membership Sec 47 Page Bank Road L14 OJD      

Our best wishes to Anita Shiel after recent surgery; her son John will update 08 website www.bowringpark.co.uk

We regret to announce the recent death of  George Davies of FOUR SQUARE TRAVEL and wish him “Happy Holiday”