DATE: Friday, November 14, 1997             TAG: 9711130260

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 15   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY NED MCINTOSH, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

TCC TEACHER OFFERS WINTER TOUR OF GREAT CATHEDRALS IN ENGLAND

Celebrate Christmas twice this year. You can, with a small group leaving for London Dec. 28 to enjoy the traditional English celebration of the 12 days of Christmas. You can even shop the after-holiday bargains at Harrod's.

Traveling on an English jaunt with Tidewater Community College teacher and guide Derris Raper is an adventure, as well as an educational experience, on a small budget. That is why his small group tours have become so popular locally, from students to senior citizens, many of whom have repeated the experience, one couple four times.

This year, his 10-day ``London and Great Cathedrals'' tour starts his 23rd year of organizing such trips out of his office at TCC.

Raper, a history professor, Eng-lish history buff and historian for the area's Episcopal Church diocese, is a native of South Norfolk and has a deep-rooted love for the background and tradition of the cathedrals and other historical icons of England. His tours, which have featured a variety of themes, are sponsored by the college, but have been as popular with local residents, as with his students, judging by the montage of group pictures gracing a wall of his office.

``Many couples go because they have never traveled overseas before and are attracted by the low-budget, small-group approach,'' said Raper, who has degrees from William and Mary and the University of North Carolina. ``The December trip is very popular because the weather is generally good - much milder than here; the Christmas decorations in London and the churches are beautiful, and there are fewer tourists at that time of year. If you are fortunate enough to attend one of the many twelve days of Christmas services in a magnificent cathedral, and hear one of the boys' choirs, you will sample a slice of history that hasn't changed over the ages.''

``To know a country, you must get to know its people'' is a principle that Raper follows in placing his small groups in a bed and breakfast - the same one he has used for 20 years. A typical day in the itinerary includes a three-hour guided tour in the morning. The rest of the day the group can plan whatever they want to do. Raper is the resource leader, obtaining tickets and reservations, as needed, or conducting afternoon tours to museums.

The cost of the 10-day tour in December is $1,298, which includes everything, Norfolk to London and return, except lunches and dinners. Raper also leads a shorter, even less expensive tour to London in May; a two-week trip to Scotland; and visits to the Netherlands. As part of his teaching curriculum, he also sponsors historic trips to Charleston, S.C., and to the Civil War Battlefields of Virginia and Maryland. His students have first priority for these U.S. trips, but there are usually extra places available for local history buffs.

Raper has a treasure of memories from 22 years of conducting his unique tours. ``Because we keep our groups small, no more than 20, we get to know each other, and support each other's interests on the trip,'' he said.

Once on a trip to Scotland, their 15 passenger van was stopped waiting for an accident to be cleared. Looking out the window, one of the women was amazed to see her unusual family name on the side of the tow truck. She went out to talk to the driver, discovered he was a cousin who insisted the entire group visit his home in the next village.

Raper told of another adventure, where one woman climbing the ladder to reach the top of St. Paul's Cathedral, made the mistake of looking down and remembered she was afraid of heights. The group had to blindfold her, surround her with their bodies, then pry her fingers loose and ease her back down.

Even though he has been to London many times now, Raper said he never gets tired of it. Quoting the famous English author, Samuel Johnson, he said ``When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life!'' MEMO: For more information on the tour, call 546-2640 or 822-7207. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY

TCC professor Derris Raper will guide a tour leaving for London Dec.

28.

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