A few weeks back I went to a Spice preview evening. I’d read the brochure and thought it seemed pretty interesting, so one Monday night headed into Sutton Coldfield for the free presentation. Like they said at the meeting, it’s easier to describe what Spice isn’t. It’s not an adventure sports club, or a dating agency, or an outdoors club. It was described to me as a large group of people - 10,000 members nationwide and 3,000 in Birmingham - who do interesting things. The thing that surprised me was the sheer number of activities. I hoped that there’d be an event to attend every weekend, or something, but it’s way more than that. Here’s the next week, for example:

Sat 16th:

• Come and Try Mountain Biking Sutton Park
• Flying Lesson Wellesbourne Airfield, Stratford on Avon
• Helicopter Pleasure Flights Gloucestershire Airport, beside M5 J 11
• Jet Skiing Church Wilne, Nr East Mids Airport
• Multi Activity Day Carsington Water Peak District
• Paintball Massacre Bassetts Pole
• Riverboat Shuffle - Jazzamatazz Upton upon Severn, Worcs
• Rudyard Reservoir Ramble Rudyard Reservoir, Northern Peak Dist
• Team Challenge on a Double Decker! Join Brumbus at Colmore Row bus stops
• Wightwick Manor Tour 3 miles west of Wolverhampton

Sunday 17th:

• Aromatherapy Workshop Lea Marston Hotel, just off A4097
• Badminton Afternoon at Barr Beacon Barr Beacon Leisure Centre
• Cannock Chase Improvers Mountain Biking Birches Valley Visitor Centre
• Cruise to Chocolate Heaven Gas Street, Birmingham
• Drumming Workshop at Madhouse Studios Madhouse Studios
• Llama (and Camel!) Trek with Lunch Speech House, centre of Forest of Dean
• Monmouth and Offas Dyke Ramble Monmouth, Forest of Dean area
• Servant of Two Masters Harvington Hall, Kidderminster
• Water Fun Day Darley Abbey, Near Derby

Monday 18th:

• Badminton NIA Community Hall, St Vincent Street
• Preview Evening (Sutton) Ramada Hotel, Penns Lane, Walmley

Tuesday 19th:

• Botanical Gardens Tour Outside Main Entrance, Botanical Gardens
• RAC Control Centre Visit Brockhurst Crescent, Bescott, Walsall
• Unihoc NIA Community Hall, St Vincent Street

Wednesday 20th:

• Bodymoor Heath Evening Ramble Bodymoor Heath - Kingsbury/Sutton area
• Evening Horse Ride Middleton Equestrian Centre
• Lichfield Bike Amble Evening Lichfield
• Pilates Session Club Motivation, Solihull Moathouse, Hom
• Rounders Holly Lane Social Club
• Tamworth Evening Walk By Robert Peel in Market Place
• Wolverhampton Pub Night Goose in the City

Thursday 21st:

• Beer and Skittles at Lea Marston Lea Marston Hotel, on A4097 nr J9 of M42
• Stoneleigh Abbey Evening Tour Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
• Volleyball NIA Community Hall, St Vincent Street

Friday 22nd:

• Beginners Luxury Horse Riding Weekend Peak District & Sherwood Forest
• Exmoor and the Somerset Coast Weekend The Beach Hotel in Minehead
• Luxury Experienced Riders Weekend Peak District & Sherwood Forest
• Owl Prowl / Dusk Walk Wyre Forest Discovery Centre
• Sherwood Forest Bike Amble Weekend Nottinghamshire
• Soul and Motown Party at 52