The Derby Probus Club

2025 Thursford Christmas Spectacular Trip

Skills Trip 14th-16th December 2025

9 people connected to Derby Probus joined the trip

Day 1

We set off from Derby bus station at around 9.30 skirted round the edge of Nottingham arriving at Kings Lynn at Lunch time. Two hours were spent looking round the town centre including the railway station . The inside of the station had a wonderful frontage of wood which was very quaint. The King and Queen often alight there on their way to Sandringham.

From Kings Lynn made our way to the Prom hotel in Great Yarmouth which was to be our base. the day was rounded off with an evening meal in a dining room for the use of ourselves and fellow passengers. 

The rooms which were allocated prior to our meal were comfortable. All the hotel staff gave excellent service with nothing being too much trouble.

Day 2

After breakfast some of our party went for a walk along the promenade. Due to it being winter the wind was very cold and as it was out of season many places were closed giving a run down feeling.  This was confirmed by those who visited some of the side streets where a lot of properties were in poor condition.

Our bus departed for Thursford around 10.30 arriving about noon. The Thursford site which is situated in the countryside and approached via winding lanes is vast with many attractions. We did not have time to lots of the attractions but did see impressive displays of traction engines and a fairground ride with 'Horses'. After refreshments we entered the arena which holds 1400 people.

The show commenced with pipers, playing the bagpipes, going up and down the aisles followed by the quire singing in front of the state which was the fullwidth of the arena.
Forty dancing girls were able to fill the stage with brilliant performances. There was lots of singing dancing backed by an excellent orchestra and Phill Kelsall on the Wurlitzer organ which has been playing at Thusford for 40 years. 

The singing and dancing was supported by a good compare and a number of specialty acts.
In the second half the quire gave a wonderful performance 'Nessun Dorma'  and a number of other songs. Many of the performers had credits for performing in West End shows and the like. A highlight in the second half was Phill Kelsall's solo on the Wurlitzer organ which was backed by video showing the amazing foot and hand movements.

The end of show involved quire, performers and the audience singing Christmas carols. The show was so good you felt you wanted it to on and on with many of the party saying they would go again in future years.

A quick exit was made as our driver, who had been many times, wanted to avoid  wanted to avoid any heavy traffic on the way back to our hotel for our evening meal.

Day 3

Time to leave the hotel and ensure our luggage was on the coach. The hotel had been excellent and the staff first class. We departed around 10.30 am heading towards the Brute Valley Light Railway.

The railway started at Wroxham and went to Aylsham a distance of 14 miles. We passed through some pretty villages and lovely countryside. At Aylsham we had cakes and coffee before rejoining the coach for the journey home.

An excellent trip was rounded off with a stop at a very large garden centre for an afternoon tea break.

Our driver had done the trip many times before and helped to make it enjoyable.