For many years, the Annual Outing has been a key part of village life. From back in the 19th Century, before any mechanised transport was available other than the railway, the annual outings would be organised several months in advance, with related fund-raising events as well as generous local support.
Choir Outings
One of the earliest regular outings was the Choir Outing, which was a regular event at the end of the 19th Century and into the 20th Century. These were before the days of motorcoach outings, so would tend to include trips from the villages to Rugby Station in horse-drawn transport such as “Brakes”, followed by a Train Trip. Examples are the 1900 trip to Cleethorpes, the 1908 trip to London or the 1909 trip to Hunstanton.
Children’s Outings
The Birch family arranged a series of outings for village children in the 1950s – example here. They also run a St Johns Ambulance Cadet group which also had regular outings.
Sunday School Outings
There have been Sunday School outings arranged whenever a Sunday School was run – an example from 1935 which went to the popular Wicksteed Park, a regular destination for Village Outings.
Other Outings
The local group of the Women’s Institute arrange regular outings.
As far back as 1908 there were Mothers Outings – see here.
The Mothers Union also arranged an annual outing – this example is from 1959, captured in the Rugby Advertiser.
School Outings