CENTRAL BRANCH MISSION STATEMENT. Greetings from the Chairman

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1 CENTRAL BRANCH MISSION STATEMENT The Central Branch promotes the following: Involvement Friendship Information Sharing Experiences Spring 2017 The Newsletter of the Central Branch of the Association of Group Travel Organisers When using Associate Members for your tours make sure that they are aware that you are a Member of the Association Central Branch covers 15 counties CENTRAL BRANCH NEWSLETTER Contributions for the next edition of the Central Newsletter are always most welcome and should be sent to the editor before the next copy date. This is your Newsletter and will only be as informative and useful as the articles, reports and tips that members contribute. COPY DEADLINE for Summer Edition is 15 MAY 2017 Please send your contributions as Word attachments and jpeg images to: Pauline Johnson, 139 St Nicolas Park Drive, Nuneaton, Warks CV11 6EF pauline_a_johnson@hotmail.com Tel: Mobile: W o u ld yo u like to receive th is n ew sletter b y e -m ail? Then e-m ail a req uest to : p au lin e.m.h u tch in so b tin tern et.co m to have yo ur nam e inclu d ed o n the electro nic list Greetings from the Chairman Several members of our Branch spent a very pleasant five days in early February in Benalmadena at The Sunset Beach Resort an Associate member of AGTO. The sun shone all the time and it was a good way to recharge the batteries before a busy 2017 leading our groups to places near and far. We were able to catch up with Yvonne White and her husband Gordon who were at the end of a 3 week stay and they joined us for a meal on their last night. Sadly Keith Prince has decided to resign from the committee so Julia has taken back the Treasurer s job for the time being that s three hats she is now wearing - and I have reclaimed a job I did quite a few years back; that of Magazine Editor. On behalf of all the committee I would like to say Thank You to Keith for his support during his brief term on the Committee The National AGM, which I attended, was held at Excursions this year and the feed back was very positive with everyone feeling that we now belonged to an organisation we could be proud to be part of. Our own AGM this year will be in Newark-on-Trent and I do hope that as many of you as possible will come and support the Association and Newark Visitor Information Centre who are helping with the arrangements. We have the first of a regular item in this month s edition of your magazine, our Board Director s round up of the news from the Board meetings. Pauline Johnson, Chairman Central Branch Sponsored by 12

2 We welcome new members: 2238 Mrs Sue Shapland, Exmoor Extroverts (transfer) 2538 Dr Michael Drucquer Arts for Medicine 2539 Mr Arthur Stafford Stoneygate Conservation Area Society 2548 Mr Michael Stanley Sutton coldfield Probus 2549 Mr Howard Hemmings Hall Gazed Gardening Society 2551 Mr Michael Passmore Association of Friends 2554 Ms Sara Jelley Free Spirits 2563 Mrs Janet Wright, Cherish Dementia Holiday Trust Careful preparation in the planning with the excellent assistance of Greatdays Travel who I regularly use was essential, packed lunches were taken in case of delays etc, these were prepared by a local Bistro at 4-0am, collected by me at 5-30am. Water and sweets were available for the journey to help keep spirits up. Wine with the dinner was also included. Don Moar NEW HONORARY MEMBER 1387CH Mrs Yvonne White CENTRAL BRANCH COMMITTEE Julia Passmore (Representative on Board of Directors, Secretary & Acting Treasurer) Tel: Mob: julia1cpassmore@aol.com Pauline Johnson (Chairman & Magazine Editor) Tel: Mob: pauline_a_johnson@hotmail.com Sally Davison Tel: Sue Day (West Midlands Safari Park) sue.day@wmsp.co.uk Lesley McDermott (Success Tours) lesley.mcdermott@successtours.com Stuart Parker (InterChoice Holidays) stuart.parker@interchoice.co.uk DATES FOR YOUR DIARY June The British Motor Museum Branch Meeting 6 October AGM at Newark Civil War Museum and walking Tour. A WAKE UP CALL TO ALL GTOS SUPPLIER FAILURE - ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD NAME IS NO MORE You will all have heard that Diamond Holidays ceased trading due to financial difficulties with immediate effect. This has followed hard on the heels of the collapse of All Leisure Group (Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery). These are all well known names used by a lot of GTOs. Luckily they were ABTA, ATOL bonded so all customers should get their money back but it is very worrying and there will have been real disappointment caused to those impacted by the news. Many of you reading this might have been in that situation and have had to rearrange holidays for your members. This therefore is a good time to reiterate the need for GTOs to ensure that any Tour Operator they book through is ABTA, ATOL bonded or has IPP cover so that when monies are sent to them from your group they receive a certificate. GTOs who go it alone and package their own tours, trusting to luck rather than using a professional, bonded agent or Tour Operator (or failing that by taking out a stand-alone Supplier Failure Insurance) run the real risk of financial difficulty if not ruin. We must also all remember it's not just our money we put at risk but our members. Contact Julia Passmore for more information and booking details 2 11

3 Chevin Probus to Zundert Friday 4 th September saw members, wives and friends of Chevin Probus depart at 6-15am for the long but comfortable drive by Slack s Coaches to Dover and ferry to Calais arriving at our hotel the ****Golden Tulip Verenburgen in time for dinner at 8-0pm local time. The hotel was very comfortable and the staff exceptional in their care, courtesy and service. Saturday saw us in Antwerp for a guided walking tour of the old town and after lunch free time to explore, the less agile joining one of the local tour buses while others explored the art galleries/museums, the Cathedral, C&A s and of course the many tea shops. Sunday was the highlight of the tour, we travelled to Zundert birthplace of van Gogh for the Dahlia Parade, 20 hamlets in the area each build a float decorated with pompom Dahlias and after parading through the village of Zundert twice, the winner is announced. The attached photograph is of the winning float Death of Van Gogh. Over 20 foot high and 40 foot long pushed by 20 youths who are hidden inside. Each float costs between 10,000 and 20,000 and work progresses through 52 weeks culminating in the grand parade It is impossible to describe the spectacle and the number of flower heads used and the work involving everybody in the village. 10 3

4 Letter from Editor I may be ringing one or two of you during the next few months to ask you to do a short article about one of your trips. It might not be used straight away but I need to have a supply for the next two copies of our magazine. As many of you know I write for Group Travel Today Magazine (Johnson s Journal) and I freely admit it wasn t easy in the early stages having two Editors who red inked my copy my husband and then GTT s Editor. However if you send in articles I promise to be kind if only because I have been there myself. My advice be yourself, write it as if you were telling a friend and we really do want to know where you have been and any tips you can give us. It doesn t even have to be long. A picture would help but it s not compulsory and if it comes to me in long hand I can cope with typing it up. COPY DEADLINE for Summer Edition is 15 MAY 2017 Pauline Johnson, 139 St Nicolas Park Drive, Nuneaton, Warks CV11 6EF pauline_a_johnson@hotmail.com Tel; Mobile BOARD TALK by Julia Passmore (Central Board Director) Following discussions at the December 2016 Board Meeting it was agreed to set up a number of sub committee working groups. Terms of reference have been drawn up for each group and meetings will be arranged throughout the year to ensure that the objectives set out in the business plan are met. Management & Strategy - Mike Bugsgang (Chair) Martin Hay, Andrina Hardcastle, Julia Passmore, Tina Price Events - Natalie Browne (Chair), Brian Langford with input from Joan Hanks & David Steele plus a co-opted person from a local Branch Finance - David Steele (Chair), Phil Taylor Marketing - Tina Price (Chair), Elodie Salom, David Steele, Mike Bugsgang Membership - David Steele (Chair), Alex Jacobs, Natalie Browne able to go outside and walk the grounds, which have been set out as they would have been during Gilbert White s time, following his notes to the letter. Wednesday took us to Beaulieu, the National Motor Museum, also the Palace House and Gardens. Our combined ticket gave us access to everything, including a time ride through the ages of transport, but there was far too much to fit into a day, even though the weather was so good. It would be worth visiting again as everyone agreed. Thursday took many of us to Portsmouth to the Naval Dockyards, some chose just to shop but many of us had pre-booked (as a group good discount if booked well in advance) to visit the Naval Dockyards, mainly to view the newly housed Mary Rose you now go from floor to floor, then walk each floor and feel as if you are actually walking the deck of the ship a really exciting, time. Some even felt seasick after their time in the exhibition! You need to allow several hours to do it justice. All in all a very interesting day. Friday we said our fond farewells to Warners but everyone agreed it had been an excellent break and all looked forward to the next one. Many thanks to InterChoice and Chris in particular for making the holiday so enjoyable. Julia Passmore Membership No

5 ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS HOLIDAY TO SINAH WARREN JANUARY 2017 Only 36 people went on this holiday but what a marvellous time we had from beginning to end! The sun shone throughout, the journey both ways was speedy and uneventful, the food and accommodation, as ever, was wonderful. The holiday had been booked with InterChoice and we had our favourite driver, Chris as well as his partner Sharon to take care of us during the five day holiday. We travelled down to Sinah Warren with no problems on the road, a very smooth, comfortable journey whilst we enjoyed the music played and tried to solve one of the quizzes we always do on our journeys!! On arrival we found our accommodation (excellent as usual at Warner s) and settled in, followed by a lovely evening meal and entertainment. Our first day out, Tuesday, took us to the Gilbert White & Oates Collection at Selborne what a hidden treasure! So much to see in so little time! The house holds a collection from three explorers of the natural world, all housed in the historic home of the 18 th century naturalist Gilbert White (he was the David Attenborough of his day and his books are still used as reference books to this day). Also housed are the collection of Frank Oates, the 19 th century explorer and also of Captain Lawrence Oates who travelled with Scott on the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition. There was still time to visit their delightful tearoom and enjoy home made cake and coffee. I would add that the museum is normally closed at this time of the year but they were delighted to open especially for us once they were aware of the definite numbers visiting so both of us benefitted from the day. As it is only a small place it was lovely to be able to view it without there being too many in the building at the same time and the weather was such that we were still 8 Central Group s Fam Trip to Benalmadena, Spain Although it was February, it felt like Spring turning into Summer when our group arrived at the Sunset Beach Club. The big red block standing away from the hustle and bustle of the resort, turned out to be a beautiful, spotless hotel sitting beside a public beach with stunning views over the Med. Everyone s room had a balcony and a wellequipped kitchen so we could have easily spent the four days on the sunbeds beside the outdoor pools and making the most of the 5

6 happy hour and the Oasis restaurant. But explore we must The hotel was situated next to the waterfront promenade with plenty of small bars and cafes along the route, so we were able to stroll to the Puerto Marina. Here, with moorings for 600 boats, the apartments built on floating islands, gave the area a modern feel. Nearby was the Sea-life aquarium. Also within walking distance is Palmona Park with cacti, rocky waterfalls and amazing wildlife including chickens and rabbits running free. Conveniently, the local bus stops just outside the hotel and we took this up to the old village - Benalmadena Pueblo. This had the traditional charm of an Andalusian mountain village with its narrow cobbled streets, and white-painted houses adorned with pots of flowers. We lingered a while in a tapas bar next to the fountain in the square. In the afternoon some of the group caught a second bus some fascinating little museums and opportunities for donkeytrekking. En route we passed the Buddhist Stupa (spiritual monument)-the statue standing 33 ft high. The culture vultures amongst us squeezed in a visit to Malaga (not just an airport!) and were impressed by the huge cathedral and the Spanish guitar players in that quarter, as well as Picasso s birthplace museum. The city is in easy reach by bus or train. A treat for the group was a day visit to Gibraltar, famous worldwide for its imposing iconic rock.it was possible to visit its subterranean caves or spy its colony of Macaques running free and waiting to be photographed. Gibraltar is still a colonial outpost so it was fun to spot the red pillar-boxes and investigate the duty-free shops and its maritime past. The excellent fam trip was provided by InterChoice. Many thanks are due to Stuart Parker (assisted by the lovely Laura) for his care and concern for everyone, and his professional attention to detail, from the initial booking through to our return airport. higher up the mountain to Pueblo Mijas, a larger but charming rustic village centred round a large open square with magnificent views, 6 Shell Hashemi (C1986) 7