From 16^th-19^th January 2025, we are delighted and very proud to welcome you to Barnsley, the hometown of our Chairman Nick Hawley.  Although he has now abandoned ‘Gods own county’ to live ‘Darn Sarth’, he is and always will be a true Boy from Barnsley and he is looking forward to showing you some of the (new improved) town.

Barnsley is a true mining town which became notorious during the Miners’ Strike in the 1980’s, as it was the hometown of Arthur Scargill, the former General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers.  Like most other places where the local economy relied on coal mining and where most jobs were in this industry, the town went into decline because of the closure of most of the mines but now, forty years later, Barnsley has a new town centre with companies queuing up to invest.

Accommodation

Tankersley Manor
Our base for the weekend is Tankersley Manor.  A Mercure hotel on the edge of the town and nestled in an elevated position backing onto woodland, Tankersley Manor Hotel and Spa is a stunning 17th century residence that offers the perfect blend of luxury and tranquility. Boasting 98 elegant bedrooms, with the majority of these being recently refurbished, the hotel is the ideal choice and will be the venue for our informal Thursday evening, Saturday’s Gala Dinner; and Sunday’s Senate Breakfast.  With extensive spa facilities, there is the opportunity to really relax if you wish.  We have negotiated a good price including breakfast and advise you to reserve your rooms early to avoid disappointment.

Please call the hotel directly to book  on +44 (0) 1226 744700 quote British Senate event January 2025

Room Rates:- B&B Twin/Double rooms Thursday or Friday night £109 per night, Saturday night £129

Room Rates:- B&B Single rooms Thursday or Friday night £99 per night, Saturday night £109

Alternative accommodation – Premier Inn Barnsley approx 1mile from M1 Junction 36. Maple Road, Tankersley S75 3DL (1/2 a mile from Tankersley Manor)

Programme

Thursday Evening     
We would like to welcome you to an informal evening and catch up with all your Senate Friends. This will be held in a private function room at Tankersley Manor – there will be a buffet supper and bar.

Friday Daytime
We will be taking a coach into the centre of Barnsley where we will be welcomed at the Town Hall.  There, we will be greeted by the Mayor and the Chief Executive of the town who will show us the impressive chamber and Mayor’s parlour.  Over lunch they will discuss with us how Barnsley has changed in recent years,  building on its history, promoting its new town centre and how it is progressing, to achieve its vision. Barnsley was voted best Council of the year in 2023. You’ll have the chance to question the leaders how this has been achieved.
There will be an opportunity to visit the Experience Barnsley Museum to learn more about the town’s rich history.
In the afternoon, there will be some free time to explore the town centre before the coach returns us to the hotel to get ready to go back out in the early evening, for the evening’s event.
There is an alternative option for a guided walking tour of 4/5 real ale bars around the town centre.
Please click on this link to find out more about the regrowth of Barnsley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqx0itw-IUA

Friday Evening
Cannon Hall Farm. As seen on TV.
Owned by the Nicholson family since 1958, this working farm was inherited by the current owner, Roger, at the age of 16 when his father died.  His hard work, and that of his wife and three sons, has now turned it into a large nationally acclaimed award winning tourist attraction with farm shop, children’s play areas and viewing areas for the animals.  The farm is regularly featured on several Channel 5 shows such as Springtime on the Farm and the Yorkshire Vet.  Throughout the pandemic, Rob and Dave Nicholson started posting daily live broadcasts on their Facebook page and they now have over 600,000 followers worldwide.
We will be having an exclusive after-hours tour of the farm followed by a private three course dinner in their onsite restaurant with after dinner speeches from Farmers Rob and Dave themselves.

Saturday Daytime
We will be visiting the historical house of Wentworth Woodhouse for the day.  Once home to the Fitzwilliam family, it is one of the great houses of England, a mighty work of architecture, a palace of beauty and art and for 300 years both a political powerhouse and the hub of social and economic life across a swathe of South Yorkshire.
The last Earl Fitzwilliam died in 1989 and since then the house has been greatly neglected.  It is now owned by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT) which was established in 2013. The overarching purpose of the Trust is to secure the future of Wentworth Woodhouse for the public benefit. In particular: 1. To preserve the House and grounds on a long-term sustainable basis with extensive public opening; 2. To find sustainable and sympathetic uses for those parts of the property not open to the public; 3. To raise funds both for acquisition and repairs and other essential works.
We will be enjoying a guided tour of the building where we will hear about the house’s rich history and about the current restoration works.  While here we will also enjoy a lunchtime buffet. There is also an opportunity to tour the gardens.

Saturday Evening
The Drumming Out of Chairman Nick Hawley will take place at Tankersley Manor. Drinks Reception, a fine 3 course meal followed by musical entertainment, after welcoming in the new Chairman Graeme Greenfield.

Sunday Morning
The final event of the weekend is the Senate Breakfast, when you hear about Graeme’s plans for 2025 before making your way home.

We really look forward to hosting you for this fabulous weekend and the culmination of Senate Chairman Nick Hawley’s year in office.

An early bird booking arrangement will be in place for all day and evening activities over the weekend which will revert to a full from price from 1^st October 2024. This offer does not apply to hotel bookings.

Please direct queries to moc.liamg@5202tuOgnimmurD or by calling Sarah Whittle, DO2025 Director on +44 (0)7747-060748 or Nigel Wilkinson, Co-Director DO2025 on +44(0)7831-544850

Drumming Out 2025 flyer