march 2018 amended... · web viewa full days guided excursion followed, firstly to aphrodite’s...
TRANSCRIPT
July, 2016
We started 2017 with a Kent Branch membership of 35 and launched an initiative to recruit new members from more Clubs and Institutions from around the county. Our recruitment meeting in March 2017 at Shepherd Neame brewery in Faversham reaped 11 new members and thereafter active participation in manning the AGTO stand at Travel Shows brought a steady flow of more new members. The first few months 0f 2018 have produced 12 new members – those who signed up at Excursions 2018 and the recent event at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead.
A very warm welcome to you all !!!
Our current membership stands at 70….. 100% growth !!
The final two meetings of 2017 were deep into the Garden of England.In September, our Branch AGM was held on board the Kentish Lady moored at Allington Lock before we set sail along the Medway to Teston Lock and back, enjoying the sunshine, the commentary and the fish and chip lunchThe River was at high tide as the Captain made several attempts to moor the vessel. Finally he made it to loud applause.Our Branch AGM resulted in our Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary being re-elected for 2018 with Carol Blackmore joining the committee.Our thanks to Nick Kennedy at Kentish Lady for looking after us for the day. He is currently taking bookings for Medway cruises in 2018 - including an exclusive Boat Trip and Visit to Allington Castle. WWW.KENTISHLADY.CO.UK
KENT BRANCHLATE WINTER UPDATE
MARCH 2018
Our second visit was to the magnificent Leeds Castle on 14th December for our Christmas social get-togetherand lunch. The Castle was festively decorated with Christmas trees in almost every room and hall.
Thanks to Leeds Castle for making the arrangements for us.
In between these two events Kent Branch was well represented at The AGTO Showcase Weekend held Friday 15th – Sunday 17th September 2017 at Q Hotel, Warrington. Kent Chairman Jim joined a panel presentation and discussion on experiential travel.
It has been decided that an AGTO National Showcase Weekend will not take place in 2018, but all members were asked to complete a survey on where, when and if Showcases should be held in the future.The full results of the survey have yet to be presented, but a consensus view was to hold the National AGM and the Showcase during the same weekend. The date for 2019 will be Friday 22 February to Sunday 24th February 2019Venue and programme to be announced, but a forward diary note should be made now to keep the dates free.
Your committee has been busily putting together branch events for 2018 and so far here is a list for your diaries
Monday 16th April - Brogdale Farm and Mount Ephraim
Tours and Lunch (invitations have been sent) Friday 29th June - River Thames by Thames Clipper from North Greenwich o2 to London Bridge Pier
Blue Badge Guide to include Canary Wharf, Hays Wharf and Borough Market and, subject to availability, either Southwark Cathedral or Tower Bridge Exhibition
Tuesday 18th September - Deal and Walmer Castles
Tours and Lunch
Friday 23 November - Weekend with Warner Leisure
Awaiting final details for a fam trip weekend at Bembridge HotelIsle of Wight Save the Date !!
- Betteshanger Mining Museum Date to be confirmed
This new museum opens this year and we are discussing with them a pre-opening visit
Invitations to all the above events, sharing fuller details, will be sent separately later on.
We look forward to welcoming all Kent Branch members at our 2018 meetings. Also Associate Members who are most welcome to attend and discuss the services they can offer us.
Your Committee Contacts:Branch Chairman :
Jim Silvester – tel 01474 704782; email [email protected]
Hon Treasurer :Carol Gower – tel 01580 712521; email [email protected]
Hon Secretary :Eileen Booker – tel 01227 765917; email [email protected]
Committee member :Carol Blackmore- tel 01227 471571 [email protected]
Kent Branch DirectorDavid Steele – tel 07889 936396; email [email protected]
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WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MEMBERS REGARDING INTERESTING OUTINGSAND HOLIDAYS THAT THEIR GROUPS HAVE ENJOYED
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO WRITE AN ARTICLE OR ATTACH A COPY OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE ORGANISEDFOR INCLUSION IN A FUTURE NEWSLETTER
BELOW ARE TWO CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR CHAIRMAN …..
AGTO BRANCHES VISIT TO CYPRUS
A small band of GTOs from the Central, Kent and Southern branches of AGTO took a fam trip in February to Cyprus, courtesy of Constantinou Hotels. Our host was Associate Member David Townend who met us at the Athena Beach Hotel, Paphos and along with the Hotel Management welcomed us into the superb 4* Hotel. During our stay we had a presentation of what the Hotel can offer group travel, a guided tour of the four hotels in the chain, all adjacent on the Paphos beach front, as well as viewing various room types. Our trip included a short excursion within Paphos of the Tourist Harbour area and the old town, recently renovated as part of the City of Culture 2017.We visited a local Arts and Craft shop, where local artists exhibit their wares, and were given a demonstration of how “to throw a pot“ followed by a glass of local wine and olive tasting.A full days guided excursion followed, firstly to Aphrodite’s Rock, where the goddess of love rose from the sea, and then to the Limassol district. It was here that we saw, during our walk, the newly built Marina, the old town, the castle and cathedral. The highlight, however, was the stop at the ancient Curium and in particular the wonderful Roman amphitheatre where the acoustics are so good you can hear a coin drop from the centre of the stage. It was here that Norman Adams (Southern branch) recited his poem, written overnight for Keith Prince (Central Branch and lifetime WBA supporter)) in memory of the late Cyril Regis, and our group and the other visitors heard every word. The day concluded with lunch at the village of Omodhos, on the road to the Troodos Mountains, for a 10 course Meze of typical Cyprus dishes finishing with a slow cooked Suckling Pig with crackling and a glass of red wine. The journey back was very quiet with most catching up with sleep.Our last day was titled “at leisure“ which turned out to be anything but. With an hour’s lesson on the outdoor bowling green, an hour’s ballroom dancing lesson - teaching us all to master the social foxtrot, and then for those still able a seafront walk to the harbour and back. If that was not enough an impromptu golf competition was arranged on both the crazy and mini golf courses at the Hotel. Winners of both emerged from the Kent branch, David Tamsitt with a 1 under par score on the crazy golf and Jim Silvester with a 3 over par on the mini golf.Our final evening was a gala dinner in the al a carte restaurant with David our host and the Hotel Manager Lambros. Our thanks are expressed to David and the Constantinou management for arranging such a full-packed, interesting and informative fam trip for our AGTO members and for the fun and friendship forged between the various branch members.
Jim Silvester, Kent Branch Chairman
DO CONTACT DAVID IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN CYPRUS HOLIDAYS. HE CAME TO THE ‘TIMBERS’ MEETING TO GIVE US A PRESENTATION - THE REALLY HOT DAY LAST JUNE!David Townend Business Development Manager, Constantinou Bros Hotels. Mobile: 07557 278617 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.cbh-cyprus.com
With a Song in my Heart: the Golden Sound of HollywoodStep back in time to the Golden Age of Hollywood for a Valentine’s Day to remember!Featuring sparkling romantic classics as well as charming favourites including Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Marilyn Monroe Suite, Gershwin in Hollywood, The Trolley Song, Mary Poppins Medley, Don’t Rain On My Parade and many more! With their infectious and upbeat melodies, these toe-tapping tunes will have you singing all the way home.
Louise Dearman Vocalist Wednesday 14th February 2018 at 7.30 pm
Full Ticket Price is £50 Group price is £35THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME WE TOOK OUR HADARA GROUP TO THIS VALENTINES SHOW TRY IT FOR VALENTINES DAY 2109 WHEN IT WILL BE A BRAND NEW SHOW. THE ORCHESTRA IS SUPER AND SO WAS THE SINGER ……
CONTACT JO THOMPSON FROM RPO. JO CAME TO OUR AGM AND GAVE A PRESENTATION AND HANDED OUT CDS Jo Thomson Friends’ and Groups’ Manager Tel: 020 7608 8840 E mail [email protected]