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COOTS AHOY!
Eastern Region
Belsey Bridge CC, Ditchingham, Norfolk May 22-25th 2015
Belsey Bridge Conference
Centre, Ditchingham,
Nr Bungay,
Suffolk NR35 2DZ
May 22 – 25, 2015.
Eastern Region invites all TARS to return to the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads on the 25 th
anniversary of the formation of the Society. Young and old can relive their experiences
of Coot Club and The Big Six by visiting the Northern and Southern Broads in the course
of the weekend.
The excursions and evening talks are designed to bring these experiences vividly to life.
The Broads are still clearly recognisable today from the two books.
Despatches p. i
COOTS AHOY!
Belsey Bridge CC, Ditchingham, Norfolk May 22-25th 2015
The Venue
Belsey Bridge Conference Centre is a very
popular, well equipped conference centre on
the edge of the southern Broads in the beautiful Waveney Valley. It can accommodate up
to 120 for meetings, with ample en-suite and
non-en-suite single, double, twin and family
accommodation.
It has numerous meeting rooms and areas for
the TARS Library and Stall, and for relaxation, reading and chat; an outdoor football pitch, tennis courts,
play area and outdoor swimming pool. All communal areas and ground floor bedrooms are accessible.
Residential and Day rates include a contribution to the cost of the meeting rooms - hence the reduction in
our registration fee. We hope that the opportunity to house participants on the same site will provide the
benefits of meeting and mixing we have enjoyed in Barnstable and Bowness-on-Windermere. The catering at Belsey Bridge is first-class with locally sourced ingredients and the ability to cater for dietary needs.
A bar will open before the evening meals. Free Wi-Fi is also available.
Camping can take place at the nearby Outney Meadow
Caravan Park (NR35 1HG: half an hour away on foot;
http://www.outneymeadow.co.uk/) surrounded by the
meandering Waveney River and affording ample facilities
for tents, campervans and caravans, with opportunities
for cycle and canoe hire and sailing your own dinghies
on site. Members wishing to camp need to make their
own bookings with the campsite. Being a bank holiday
weekend, Outney Meadow charges for a minimum of
three nights, at £25 per night including electricity. Book
with Mary on 01986 892338 on a first-come, first-served
basis. You will also need to book for the Belsey Bridge
day rates which include use of all the facilities, tea and
coffee and a contribution to meeting room hire, and
book any meals you wish.
How to Get There
By Car
From the Midlands,
take the A14 towards
Felixstowe and follow
the A143 towards Bungay, then join the
B1332 as below. From
the south, take the M11
towards Cambridge , on
to the A14 and the
A143.
From Norwich, follow signs for Lowestoft/Beccles/
Bungay on the A146. After going under Norwich bypass (A47) get in the right-hand lane ready to turn right
at the traffic lights onto the B1332 to Bungay. After
passing the Mermaid Balti House at Hedenham, by
about 0.7 mile take the next left-hand turn signposted
Belsey Bridge Conference Centre, Convent and
Church. Go past the Church on your right and then the Convent, and you will see signs to Belsey Bridge.
Follow the directional arrows on the signs, and at the T-junction turn right into Thwaite Road. The entrance is on the right. There is ample parking.
Despatches p. ii
COOTS AHOY!
Belsey Bridge CC, Ditchingham, Norfolk May 22-25th 2015
By Rail
Make for Norwich station (having the
best onward connections to Belsey
Bridge). (There is a direct service
from London Liverpool Street taking
around 2 hours). There are usually
taxis waiting at the station but you
might want to pre-book (as a guide,
Five-Star Taxis - 01603 555555
might charge about £25 to the conference centre). Alternatively, take
the number 7 bus from Norwich
train station to Norwich bus station
then the number 88 Anglian bus
from Stand K to the Belsey Bridge
Road bus stop just before the Ditchingham stop. Walk for 10 minutes
along Belsey Bridge Road, pass the
convent, turn right onto Thwaite
Road and right again to enter the
conference centre.
By Air
Norwich airport is 40 minutes from
Belsey Bridge by taxi and has useful
connections to Amsterdam as well as
Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Five-Star Taxis (see above)
typically charge about £35 Norwich airport to Belsey Bridge
Registration
Please complete the booking form and return to Lorna Hammett
with your payment, by cheque or using your credit card via the PayPal pages on the TARS website (www.arthur-ransome.org.uk/
TARS_Payments.html). The booking form includes accommodation
and meals at Belsey Bridge only and excursions. Rooms at Belsey
Bridge will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis on receipt
of the booking forms and monies. If we are unable to comply with
your request (e.g. for en-suite) you will be allocated non-en-suite
and the balance refunded. Campers need to book their pitches directly with Outney Meadow (with Mary on 01986 892338; see p.ii),
but also need to book at the Belsey Bridge day rates and meals etc.,
on the booking form.
During the weekend, registration will be held in the conference centre reception from 15.00 on the Friday and from 08.30 on Saturday
and Sunday. Each registrant will be provided with a welcome pack
containing badge, maps, up-to-date programme etc.
If, due to an unforseen emergency your booking is cancelled, we
hope to be able to make a refund. This will not be possible after
May 10th.
Horning Staithe
Junior Programme
Will be run by Bobby Wilson, Susan Gouldbourne and helpers. It will focus on The Big Six with opportunities for the Juniors to become detectives!
Despatches p. iii
COOTS AHOY!
Belsey Bridge CC, Ditchingham, Norfolk May 22-25th 2015
Activities
(See also summary on page vii)
Friday:
Arthur Ransome’s Norfolk and Suffolk Broads:
illustrated talk by Robin Godber (TARS member and Chairman of the Broads Society).
Saturday: Northern Broads Day.
Coaches leave Belsey Bridge (BB) at 09.00 for
Wroxham, where we board the Queen of the
Broads for a 4-hour boat trip to Ranworth
Broad and back via Horning, with opportunity
Queen of the Broads
to have your packed lunch on board. A commentary and map will pick out key places from
Coot Club en route. Then the party divides, half
being taken by coach to the Museum of the
Broads at Stalham and half to Hunter’s Boatyard at
Ludham. There will only be time to visit one of the
two venues. Numbers are limited to around 50 in
each half, so members will need to choose on the
booking form which venue they prefer (on a firstcome, first-served basis).
The Museum of the Broads contain exhibits on
Waveney Princess
Arthur Ransome and the history of the Broads and
includes the possibility of a steam launch trip.
Hunter’s Boatyard contains memorabilia of the making of the BBC Coot Club film including the transome of the Teasel, the Titmouse and Dreadnought, and the Death and Glory, in addition to the only
surviving fleet of wooden, engine-less yachts for hire – the Hustlers, Woods and Lullabys, dating from
the 1930s. There will be an illustrated talk on the history of the Broads and the Yard.
Coaches return via the famous bridges at Potter
Heigham and Acle.
After supper, Sophie Neville (TARS President) will
give an illustrated talk on the making of the BBC
Coot Club and Big Six films.
Sunday: Southern Broads Day.
The day starts with an optional interdenominational Christian service. Coaches then take us to
Oulton Broad for a trip on the Waveney Princess
around the Broad and Oulton Dyke.
The coaches then take us to Beccles for a picnic
lunch at the town staithe and a walk following
Mrs Barrable, Tom and the Ds up the famous hill
visiting the shops and the church tower for superb
views over the Waveney Valley.
In the afternoon, the International AGM will be
held in the Norfolk Hall of BB at 15.30.
After the evening meal, Hugh Lupton (greatnephew of Arthur and professional story-teller)
will give one of his dramatic talks on Arthur’s life.
The evening closes with the Dick Callum cup.
Monday
Participants are free to embark on optional trips
and walks to the nearby beauty spots. These in-
Despatches p. iv
COOTS AHOY!
Belsey Bridge CC, Ditchingham, Norfolk May 22-25th 2015
clude the locations listed below.
We hope also to arrange two half-day trips on Albion (the Sir Garnett in the film) given sufficient numbers of takers (£16.25 pp) for
a sail from Ludham to How Hill or How Hill to Ludham). The
Albion is the only surviving Wherry for hire on the Norfolk &
Southern Broads from Ludham, about an hour from BB.
Sailing, Walks and Excursions
Families can make their own arrangements to take advantage of
the many facilities within an hour of BB.
N.B.: because the Broads are situated in very rural country, with
narrow winding roads, journeys can take longer than your map
might suggest!
Outney Meadow Caravan Park for cycle and canoe hire and
launching sailing dinghies (10 minutes from BB).
Reedham (30 min across chain ferry): lovely riverside, boatyard.
Loddon (15 min) charming village and waterside.
Albion
Whitlingham Country Park and Water Centre (NR14 8TR;
01603 632307) 25 minutes from BB by car. Instructor-led sailing in 2 hour sessions at £56 per hour for
each group of eight, using a combination of Oppies and Toppers. Also available at the centre is canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boards, raft building, climbing and archery.
Horning (about 45 min): The Swan, Staithe and Ferry Inn and self guided walks.
Rollesby Broad (about 45 min): Nature trails, electric boat trips, boat hire (01493 740531)
Hickling National Nature Reserve (NR12 0BW; Norfolk Wildlife Trust about one hour from BB). Walks,
boat rides, nature trails. Book direct (01692 598276) particularly for the boat rides. Guided tour available.
Oulton Broad Watersports Centre (NR33 9JR 01502 587163); about ½ hour.
Waveney Sailability (01502 566533).
Explore Waveney Valley: 7 Towns in Sound. A novel way of walking through the towns of Beccles,
Bungay, Diss, Eye, Halesworth, Harleston and Loddon listening to downloadable audio apps on your
mobile phone devices (Apple or Android) introducing you to the local history and gossip.
Berney Arms Wind Pump (access by rail to Berney Arms request stop, and foot only).
Horsey Wind Pump (NT: about an hour from BB).
The Stracey Arms Wind Pump (about 40 mins away).
Burgh Castle: remains of third century Roman Fort situated on the edge of the river Waveney with views
over Breydon Water and Halvergate Marshes.
How Hill (NR29 5PG; Field centre set in the heart of the Norfolk Broads on the banks of the river Ant).
Beautiful house in beautiful surroundings. Accommodation, walks, courses. (1 hour).
Somerleyton Hall and Gardens (NR32 5QQ; 25 min). Beautiful grounds and House, once owned by
Samuel Peto.
BeWILDerwood, Hoveton (NR12 8JW; about one hour from BB). 50 acres of (expensive) wild outdoor
adventures for children including treehouses, zip wires, Crocklebogs, marsh walks, café.
Day boat hire from Potter Heigham (Herbert Woods; 1 hour); Wroxham (several boatyards)
Bure Valley Railway (about 1 hour).
For further afield, including Norwich and Lowestoft, see page vi
For more details of these and other activities, visit the Broads Authority website:
http://www.enjoythebroads.com/area
Despatches p. v
COOTS AHOY!
Belsey Bridge CC, Ditchingham, Norfolk May 22-25th 2015
Pre- and Post- IAGM activities
see Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex Tourist websites:
www.visitnorfolk.co.uk
www.visit-suffolk.org.uk
www.realessex.co.uk
NT = National Trust; EH = English Heritage.
Nancy Blackett
During the week before and that after the IAGM, Nancy may be available for trips for members and guests
of the Nancy Blackett Trust. Contact John Smith of NBT ([email protected]).
Norwich (25 min): Magnificent Cathedral with cloisters, lovely old quarter and castle, shops, river.
Lowestoft: (25 min) where Peter Duck’s Wildcat started her voyage: harbour, beach, classic ship museum.
Ipswich
Newly-developed waterfront; lively pedestrian streets; many historic churches; Christchurch Mansion and
Park; the Ancient House—built before Australia discovered! (37M by road from BB)
Sutton Hoo (NT)
This the chief National Trust attraction in the Woodbridge area, especially with its new Visitor Centre,
Treasury displaying replicas of the priceless ship burial treasures, walking trails alongside the River Deben.
Allow a day. (33M)
Aldeburgh
Home of the Britten-Pears Music festival; picturesque coastal town. Model boat pond. (IP15 5BJ; 27M)
Framlingham (EH): most complete castle in Suffolk, spanning many periods. (IP13 9BP ; 25M)
Orford (EH): Beautifully preserved Henry II keep with spectacular views over Orford Ness, and in a lovely
coastal town, site of the first performance of Britten’s Noyes Fludde. (IP12 2ND ; 33M)
Flatford Mill (NT)
18th Century Water Mill owned by the father of John Constable, near to Willy Lott’s Cottage, featured in
Constable’s paintings. Both in the lovely Dedham Vale on the river Stour. Rowing boats for hire. (CO7
6UL ; 50M)
Colchester
Britain’s ‘oldest Recorded town’: Largest Norman castle keep in Europe and museum. Colchester Zoo a
must for juniors (53M)
Lavenham
‘England’s finest medieval village’. Famous half-timbered wool town with magnificent Guild Hall (NT).
(CO10 9QA; 50M)
Melford Hall, Long Melford (NT)
Something for everyone of all ages (CO10 9AA; 50M)
Clare
Beautifully timeless collection of half-timbered houses and church. (CO10; 53M)
Despatches p. vi
COOTS AHOY!
Belsey Bridge CC, Ditchingham, Norfolk May 22-25th 2015
BELSEY BRIDGE IAGM 2015 OUTLINE PROGRAMME
Friday 22 May
15.00 onwards: registration in Reception
18.30 bar open
19.00 evening meal
20.15 talk: Introduction to the Ransomes’ Broads
by Robin Godber, Chair, the Broads Society
Saturday 23 May: Northern Broads Day
08.00 breakfast and collection of packed lunches
08.30 registration
Sunday 24 May: Southern Broads Day.
08.00 breakfast and collection of packed lunches
08.30 inter-denominational service.
09.00 coaches to Wroxham
10.00 Queen of the Broads trip from Wroxham to
Ranworth Broad and return
14.15 coaches from Wroxham to Museum of the
Broads (Stalham) and Hunters Boatyard (Ludham)
17.00 coaches return if possible via Potter and
Acle bridges
09.30 coaches to Oulton Broad
10.00 Waveney Princess trip round Oulton Broad
and Dyke
12.00 coaches from Oulton to Beccles; picnic and
walk up the hill
15.00 coaches return to Belsey Bridge
18.30 bar open
15.30 IAGM
19.00 evening meal
17.30 bar open
20.15 talk: Sophie Neville on the Making of
Coot Club and The Big Six films
18.00 evening meal
19.00 talk: Hugh Lupton with stories from AR’s
Life
20.15 Dick Callum Cup
Monday 25 May
08.00 breakfast followed by Handover of Flag to
Scotland
Optional trips to Reedham Ferry, Loddon,
Chedgrave, Hickling Nature Reserve etc. (see pp 46)
Half-day cruises on Albion if numbers allow
Despatches p. vii
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
“Coots
‘Coots
Ahoy!”
All prices are per
person and
include
VAT. 2015
Under 6 yrs go free;
COOTS
AHOY!Ahoy!’
Belsey Bridge CC, Ditchingham,
Norfolk
May
22-25th
i io
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F oh err i ng
m a nd A GM juniors (6-16 yrs): half price. Circle underlined options.
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2 2 nread
to the
2 5 trest
M aofy Despatches
2 0 1 5 at Bbefore
el se y completing.
Br idg e CC,
Suf fol k
B o o k i n g(PLEASE
F o PRINT
r m )(PLEASE PRINT)
Please read the rest of Despatches before completing.
When
completed,
please send this form with full payment
Membership
Number:
by Pound (£) Sterling Cheque payable to "TARS ER" to Mrs
NAME of member:
Lorna Hammett, 36 Neptune Sq, Ipswich IP4 1QH, or
Address:
use
the TARS PayPal site (p.. A receipt will be sent. Your
actual tickets will be in your welcome pack.
NAME of member booking:
Post Code
Membership Number:
Tel:
Address:
Email:
FULL WEEKEND (3 nights and meals)
No.
Cost
No.
Cost
No.
Cost
En-suite adult (£191
(£191)pp)
En-suite junior (£95
(£95)pp)
Non-ensuite adult
Non-en-suite
adult(£155)
(£155 pp)
Non-ensuite junior
Non-en-suite
junior(£77)
(£77 pp)
PART WEEKEND (2 Nights B&B)
En-suite adult (£97
(£97)pp)
FriFri
| Sat
| Sat
| Sun
| Sun
(£48)pp)
En-suite junior (£48
FriFri
| Sat
| Sun
| Sat
| Sun
Non-ensuite adult
| Sat
| Sun
Non-en-suite
adult(£73)
(£73 pp)FriFri
| Sat
| Sun
Non-ensuite junior
FriFri
| Sat
| Sun
Non-en-suite
junior(£36)
(£36 pp)
| Sat
| Sun
PART WEEKEND (1 Night B&B)
Please send WHITE form to Mrs Lorna Hammett, 36
Neptune Sq, Ipswich IP4 1QH, with full payment by
Pound (£) Sterling Cheque payable to "TARS ER" or use the
Post Code
TARS
PayPal site (see p. iii). A receipt will be sent. Your
actual
Tel: tickets will be in your welcome pack. Keep a note
of your choices on this yellow copy.
Email:
Full Names of others in your party; + DoB for Juniors
Full Names of others in your party; + DoB for Juniors
(£61)pp)
En-suite adult (£61
Fri Fri
| Sat| Sat
| Sun
| Sun
(£30)pp) Fri Fri
| Sat| Sat
| Sun
En-suite junior (£30
| Sun
Non-ensuite adult
Fri Fri
| Sat| Sat
| Sun
Non-en-suite
adult(£49)
(£49 pp)
| Sun
Non-ensuite junior
Fri |Fri
Sat| |Sat
Sun| Sun
Non-en-suite
junior(£24)
(£24 pp)
PLUS PART WEEKEND MEALS
No.
Cost
Room preference (please circle): Single | Double | Twin |
Family
Adult Lunch
| Ground
(£7.80)
Floor | Ground
Sat | Sun
Floor disabled.
Junior Lunch (£3.90)
Sat | Sun
NON-RESIDENT DAY RATES
Adult Dinner
(£9.00 teaFriand
| Sat
| Sun
(includes
all facilities,
coffee)
No.
Cost
Juniorindicate
Dinner below
(£4.50)any meals
Fri | Sat
| Sun
NB:required.
TOTAL
RESIDENT
Adult
Friday:
no chargeCOSTS
EXCURSIONS
No.
Cost
Saturday: Northern Broads (Coach, Boat trip, etc.)
EXCURSIONS
No.
Cost
Adult (£22) Broads Museum | Hunters
Saturday: Northern Broads
Junior (£15) Broads Museum | Hunters
Adult (£22) Broads Museum | Hunters
Sunday: Southern Broads (Coach, Boat, Beccles)
Junior (£15) Broads Museum | Hunters
Adult (£12)
Sunday: Southern Broads
Junior (£8)
Adult (£12)
TOTAL EXCURSION COSTS
Junior (£8)
REGISTRATION
FEES
TOTAL
EXCURSION
COSTS
Adult (£22)
REGISTRATION FEES
Junior (£10)
Adult (£22)
TOTAL RESIDENT/ NONJunior (£10)
RESIDENT COSTS
TOTAL
TOTAL RESIDENT/
EXCURSIONNONCOSTS
RESIDENT COSTS
LATE BOOKING (£10 per
TOTAL EXCURSION COSTS
booking after April 30th)
LATE
BOOKING
GRAND
TOTAL (£10 per
booking after April 30th)
No.
No.
TOTAL
TOTAL
Please send …….Junior Consent Forms
GRAND TOTAL
Junior
no charge
Room Friday:
preference
(please circle): Single | Double | Family |
Ground Floor | Ground Floor disabled.
Adult Sat (£24 pp)
NON-RESIDENT
No.
Junior
Sat (£12 pp) DAY RATES
(includes all facilities, tea and coffee)
Adult Sun (£24 pp)
Adult Friday incl dinner (£9)
Junior Sun (£12pp)
Junior Friday incl dinner (£4.50)
PLUS PART WEEKEND MEALS
No.
Adult Saturday incl lunch & dinner (£45)
Adult Packed Lunch (£7.80 pp) Sat | Sun
Junior Saturday incl lunch & dinner (£22)
Junior Packed Lunch (£3.90 pp) Sat | Sun
Adult Sunday incl lunch & dinner (£45)
Adult Dinner (£9.00 pp)
Fri | Sat | Sun
Junior Sunday incl lunch & dinner (£22)
Junior Dinner (£4.50 pp)
Fri | Sat | Sun
TOTAL NON-RESIDENT COSTS
TOTAL COSTS
Cost
Cost
If unable to arrive by 7.30 pm Friday, would like cold meal
Ifonunable
arrive byrequired:……………
7.30 pm Friday, would like cold meal
arrival:toNumber
on
arrival:
Number
required…….
Special diets (give number required) : Diabetic…….
Vegetarian…….. Vegan……… Gluten-free………
Special
diets (give name(s)): Vegetarian…………………
Other (specify)………………………………..
Diabetic………...Vegan……...…….. Gluten-free….………
Other (specify)…………………………………………...
Monday: DefiniteInterest in Sailing on Albion
Monday:
Definite Interest
Sailing
on Albion
Full Day
(9- Number
Half in
Day
(£16.25)
Number
5Half
@ £32.50)
Day (£16.25)
AM AM | PM
PM
Number
Despatches p. viii for you to keep for your records; SEND THE WHITE COPY