By Ruth Amos, Chair of Ossett Civic Trust.

Saturday dawned bright, warm and sunny. Ossett Civic members and friends packed their picnic baskets, beach towels and headed for their coach for their trip to Whitby. Thanks to John, our driver from B&J Travel we arrived in Whitby mid-morning to find it lovely and warm.

On arrival, some of us headed up to the market where we shared a lovely cup of coffee and scones, taking in all the wonderful old civic buildings and the Whitby Jet shops which line the cobble footpaths. After a lovely walk around the town we went to seek out a fish & chip restaurant, Caron of Ossett Review recommended Mister Chips on Church Street so we headed for lunch. I have to say their fish & chips were fantastic and thanks to Caron for your excellent recommendation which was spot on.

Fuelled by a bottle of excellent Sauvignon Blanc, we then decided to tackle the 199 steps to the Abbey. It was brilliant with a real mix of visitors from all around the world. Nothing prepares you for St Mary’s Church (pictured right) and its reminders of its links to the sea and the past. It's pews for the lifeboat crew were a reminder of this. It's charity bread shelf and it's wonderful band of church members who keep the church looking so good are to be commended.

The Celtic cross to the left as you come up the steps is a must to visit. The carving has to be seen, it leaves you in awe and wonder. If you are a member of English Heritage you can get into the Abbey for free, if not, you can pay or just sit in the lovely grounds just outside the walls and take in the amazing views. If you are unable to climb the steps then do not despair, there is an open top tour bus which calls at the Abbey. It is a worthwhile visit so peaceful, as a friend said, it is like being in a different world.

By the time we had walked down from the Abbey we had met up with a new friend who came with us for a wonderful ice cream cornet, made by a local supplier. She told us she had been to Whitby museum and then called into a shed near the Abbey and bought some Whitby kippers. Now I call that fresh!

We then made our way to purchase some Elizabeth Botham ginger biscuits from their famous shop over the bridge. Fair enough it was by now late in the afternoon but the shop was nearly empty of food! Again would recommend their Brack Loaf and Ginger biscuits as a must purchase.

It was lovely listening to the local musicians, especially the guy who was singing sea shanties whilst operating a puppet dressed as a Whitby fisherwoman. To watch the children fishing off the steps for crabs was wonderful to see, there was also a steam train leaving Whitby in full steam.

The day went far too quickly so after a sandwich and cup of tea we were on our way home.
Fun, however, was still to be had on the way home by way of a raffle to raise more much needed funds for Ossett Civic Trust. We all arrived home very happy at 8.30pm, some clutching their day’s purchases and others their prizes won in our raffle.