November All set To Go! See Back Pages For Important AGM info. Save the Date 18 January facebook.com/gtoa

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1 November 2014 Dear Fellow Members and Associate Members, I am delighted to invite you and your partners to join me and my fellow Directors at our AGM, to be held in Northampton on Sunday 18 th January Which will incorporate the usual Branch Mee ngs. See Back Pages For Important AGM info It is a golden opportunity for you to get to know the new Directors of the Board, ask ques ons and give sugges ons that you think would be of benefit to all members. Our Associate Members will be on hand to give you informa on about packages and deals that are tailored for your groups. The mee ng on Sunday is free of charge. However we are aware that some of you have a distance to travel, so we have arranged a special rate with the hotel for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast for an overnight stay on Saturday 17 th January. There is nothing planned for the evening, it will just be a social evening where you can relax and meet up with old friends and exchange news and views. Full details are on the accompanying applica on form. The Directors and I look forward to mee ng you in Northampton. Best Wishes to you all, Sincerely, Yvonne YVONNE WHITE CHAIRMAN GTOA LTD. All set To Go! Save the Date 18 January 2015 facebook.com/gtoa Follow GTOAUK

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3 GTOA EVENTS DIARY Any GTOA member is welcome at any of the following Branch and Na onal events. Further informa on can be found on the respec ve branch web page of Date Branch Event Contact January Na onal Na onal AGM at Northampton Marrio Hotel Mrs J Pearce Tel: Julia@daishs.com 24 January Excursions at Alexandra Palace, London 31 January Tourism & Events Showcase at Na onal Railway Museum, York 7 February South West Group Travel Show, Winter Gardens, Weston-super- Mare organised with GTO magazine 14 February Beau ful South Group Travel Fair sponsored by GTO magazine at The Ageas Bowl, Hampshire 21 February Tourism & A rac ons, Landor Travel Publica ons at Black Country Living Museum, Dudley 6-9 March Meridian Branch FAM in Edinburgh organised by Ellen Walaker, Brightwater Holidays 7 March Beau ful South Group Travel Fair sponsored by GTO magazine at Painshill Landscape Garden, Surrey rac ons.co.uk Sylvia Saxon (home) ; (mob) sylvia.saxon@b nternet.com or sylvia.saxon@dhu.nhs.uk March Na onal BoBI at the NEC Birmingham website: 11 April Eastern A visit to Harwich, courtesy of Fred Olsen to explore one of their ships. Transport to the port a possibility TBC 21 March Tourism & Travel Show at Newmarket Racecourses, Suffolk 18 April Tourism & Des na ons Show at Newstead Abbey, No nghamshire na ons.com April Western Branch Mee ng and FAM at Dunster TBC 29 April Great for Groups Southern Show at Kempton Park Racecourse Richard Dye Tel: richard.dye@metropolis.co.uk May Meridian Branch FAM with Jayne Kerr, The Travel Adventure TBC Sylvia Saxon (home) ; (mob) sylvia.saxon@b nternet.com or sylvia.saxon@dhu.nhs.uk 2 September Great for Groups Northern at Lancashire County Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford, Richard Dye Tel: richard.dye@metropolis.co.uk 18/19 September Na onal Na onal AGM Showcase Weekend at Newcastle Marrio Gosforth Park Hotel TBA 1 October Great for Groups Central at The Ricoh Arena, Coventry, West Midlands Richard Dye Tel: richard.dye@metropolis.co.uk January GTOA News Copy required by Monday 19 January 2015 Please submit to editor@gtoa.co.uk facebook.com/gtoa Follow GTOAUK 3

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5 Theatre Tip by Carlie Newman We have a great opportunity to see fine performers in a super new musical. MEMPHIS (Sha esbury Theatre booking un l 28 March Box Office: ) Beverley Knight plays Felicia, a very proper black girl who sings in a small black club in Memphis. It is the early 1950s in America which s ll has racial segrega on so, when Felicia is spo ed by the white DJ, Huey (Killian Donnelly) who wants to promote her on his show, there is bound to be trouble. Huey himself is no ordinary DJ. He plays rock n roll records and introduces black music to his radio audience. Felicia is watched over by her brother who is as against the rela onship between his sister and her white admirer as Huey s mother is. The play deals neatly with the era when black music became popular with music lovers of all races. Through the story of the two main characters we are shown what happened during this period. At mes the couple experience such extreme acts of violence that they are forced apart. Although Knight is not the best of actresses, she manages to convey the plight of a black singer struggling in a predominantly white world. Her voice, however, is absolutely terrific and she belts out each song with real emo on. It is surprising to learn that she is actually Bri sh and was born in Wolverhampton! Killian Donnelly puts across his character well he shows the audience a pleasant chap simply in love with someone who happens to be a different colour. The music and songs are a mixture of different musical genres but all work well together in director Christopher Ashley s fast paced produc on. The musical is actually thrilling to watch with high energy from the whole cast. It will provide a most enjoyable night out for your groups. And for an enthralling VISIT do go to the Museum of London where there is a very interes ng exhibi on about Sherlock Holmes. Making the most of the recent popularity of the TV series starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the detec ve, highlights include: A rare oil on canvas portrait of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle painted by Sidney Paget in 1897, which has never been on public display in the UK Original pages from Edgar Allan Poe s manuscript of The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841) never before seen in the UK The original manuscript of The Adventure of the Empty House (1903) and The Adventure of the Illustrious Client (1924), and the first manuscript page of The Sign of Four (1889) The iconic Belstaff coat and the Derek Rose camel dressing gown worn by Benedict Cumberbatch, from the Sherlock BBC television series. For informa on for Group visits contact Annie Duffield Benedict Cumberbatch In Belstaff coat Photograph by Colin Hu on Hartswood Films facebook.com/gtoa Follow GTOAUK 5

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7 What is it? The 2015 GTOA AGM and Networking Event Marrio Hotel Northampton 17 th -18 th January 2015 The AGM and Networking event will allow all members of the GTOA to meet their new Board of Directors, ask ques ons and raise issues, as well as enjoy an en re evening dedicated to networking and socialising. The following day, the 7 Branches will meet individually to plan their ac vity for the coming year following a endance at the Na onal AGM. Why Has the Format Changed? The format needed to change for a number of reasons the AGM Showcase Weekend was prohibi vely expensive, and caused the Associa on considerable financial strain which was something that could not con nue. Also, January is never the best month to really highlight the des na ons that played host. What Will Happen to the Showcase Weekend? The Weekend will s ll take place in Newcastle at the Marrio Hotel Gosforth Park, but in September. The Branch AGMs will be each be held at this me, but the focus of the weekend will be en rely on highligh ng the des na on at a me of year when there are more op ons for fam trips and less me spent in the hotel, which will drama cally reduce costs for both a ending and for the Associa on as a whole. How Much Will the AGM Networking Weekend Cost? The cost will be 75 for single rooms and 100 for twin/double rooms which will include one night accommoda on, dinner, breakfast and teas and coffees throughout. The Associa on is extremely grateful to have received sponsorship from a number of members meaning that all costs are covered which is a far more sensible financial posi on to take forward, and will allow GTOA to run more networking events during the year. We hope that most members will want to take advantage of the central loca on and enjoy the opportunity to spend me with each other. Of course for those just wishing to a end Branch Mee ngs and the AGM, there will be no charge. Format Saturday 17 th January 2015 Arrival from 2pm tea and coffee will be served all a ernoon 4pm: Meet the Board Q&A Session 7pm: Informal fish and chip supper with plenty of opportunity to meet other members, catch up, and make new contacts. The bar will be available all evening and there will be plenty of places to sit and relax and enjoy your meal. Sunday 18 th January Following breakfast, there will be tea and coffee served from 10.30am. 11am Na onal AGM 11.45am Tea and coffee followed by Branch Mee ngs Any formal correspondence regarding the AGM, including Apologies, Resolu ons or AOB should be addressed to Peter McGahey - Board Secretary GTOA Ltd Highfield House, Wyndham park, Peterston-super-Ely. Vale of Glamorgan CF5 6LS. peter.mcgahey@b nternet.com. Tel/FAX NO LATER than 20 th December 2014 facebook.com/gtoa Follow GTOAUK 7

8 Annual General Meeting and Networking Event Booking Form January 17 th 18 th 2015 Northampton Marriott Hotel, Eagle Drive, Northampton NN4 7HW Full Name: Branch Number Club/Society: Postal Address: Town: County Postal Code: Telephone: ( ) CONFERENCE FEES 1. Includes One Night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast ROOM TYPE Single Occupancy PLEASE COMPLETE AS APPROPRIATE 75 (incl VAT) Double/Twin Occupancy 100 (incl VAT ) I would prefer a Twin Room* I would prefer a Double Room* Guest Name if sharing * Twin/Double Rooms are based on availability at the time of confirmation and receipt of payment (please note GTOA Ltd must charge VAT even if you personally are not VAT registered under UK law) 2. Networking Dinner Dietary Requirements Vegetarian Vegan Gluten Free Other Please Specify 3. Branch Meeting Attendance I will be attending the following Branch Meeting: Northern Branch Southern Branch Eastern Branch Western Branch Central Branch Kent Branch Meridian Branch I am ONLY attending the Branch Meeting and National AGM (no charge) PLEASE COMPLETE AS APPROPRIATE PLEASE COMPLETE AS APPROPRIATE PAYMENT METHOD: Payments to GTOA Ltd. Registration confirmation/receipt and further information will be ed Please tick appropriate box: Cheque enclosed Please Invoice me BACS Payment GTOA Ltd; Sort Code ; Account Booking is not confirmed until payment has been received. All bookings are final and no refunds will be issued I confirm this booking and agree to pay the required amount. All Bookings received after 5 th January 2015 will have an added 5% charge made Signed Please send the completed form to: Mrs. J Pearce GTOA c/o Daish s Holidays for Groups Bournemouth Sands Hotel 2 West Cliff Gardens Bournemouth Dorset BH2 5HR 8 facebook.com/gtoa Follow GTOAUK