Norwich Event 21st - 23rd
March
Secretary writes:
Following last weekend’s successful Deepcut event, members
are reminded that the next event is the Norwich event in March. This weekend
event which will explore the military history of Norwich and will be led by Jo
Hook will be attended by:
·
Mike Peters
·
Rob Webb
·
Nick Lipscombe
·
John Cotterill
·
Tim and Mary Stoneman
·
Terry Webb
·
Allan Wood
·
David Harvey
If you are interested in coming, full details can be found
on the website at http://www.gbg-international.com/event_2014.html
and you can register your interest with Jo at mbr.sec@gbg-international.com
Guild Events - 1914 Study
Day at Deepcut - 8 Feb 2014
Mike Peters writes:
We kicked off our 2014 events programme with the 1914 study
day held last Saturday at the Royal Logistic Corps Museum. The day was a great
success and I would like to thank Alison Hine for planning and organising an
excellent opening event. Those that attended were treated to a series of high
calibre speakers who delivered an interesting, and at times quite enlightening
mix of presentations on the British Armed forces on the outbreak of the First
World War. I for one, took a lot of really useful information away that I will
use on tour in the future. On behalf of everybody who attended I must also
thank John Hamill, Bruce Littley and everybody else who pitched in and helped
on the day for their assistance to Alison, and of course Andy Robertshaw for
hosting us at the museum. The format of the day and its focus were popular, we
will be staging similar events in the future.
Our next event takes place in Norwich 21-23 Mar 14, if you
need information on it please contact the event organiser Jo Hook.
Members can see 'what they said' at http://gbg-international-whattheysaid.blogspot.co.uk/
Guild Events - Arnhem 9th
– 12th October 2014
Secretary writes:
Wybo Boersma and his Dutch colleagues have been working on
the development of an Arnhem event this year. This proposed itinerary is as
follows:
Thursday evening 9 October until Sunday afternoon 12
October 2014
On Friday we are planning a visit to Huize Doorn, the home
of German Kaiser Wilhelm ll after WW1. In September 2014 a new museum about WW1
and Kaiser Wilhelm ll is to be opened and we will visit this. We also plan a
visit to the new Dutch Army and Air force museum at Soesterberg which will also
be opened in September 2014 in a completely new building on a former airfield.
On Saturday and Sunday we will look at the Arnhem
battlefields
We will also be putting together an evening programme for
the weekend. More details and price will published as soon as possible.
We are looking at getting hotel accommodation in Arnhem.
Wybo will try to get an option for reservations in the hotel Haarhuis. If you
like to come please send an e-mail to Wybo to give him an idea of the number of
members likely to attend.
More information: w.boersma@wxs.nl
Guild Events - Newbury
9-10 May 2014
Chris Scott writes:
Lest we forget... that there were battles that took place
before 1914 Chris Scott it planning to run a short weekend event at Newbury in
Berkshire in May 2014 as long as the flooding has abated and transport links
have been re-established with the outside world.
If you remember Naseby and enjoyed it we are doing something
very similar with lectures and a tour of The First Battle of Newbury 1643 on
Friday 9 May and Saturday 10 May. Only one overnight stay and it will be
in The Hilton Hotel, which is actually on the battlefield (well day two
anyway).
The cost will be £130.00 for which you will receive:
1. A three course Dinner
2. A single room in an upmarket modern
hotel, although doubles can be arranged.
3. A full English breakfast
4. A minimum of two authoritative lectures
on the Battle.
5. A guided tour of the battlefield.
6. An opportunity to validate verbal
assignments.
You will be responsible for your own transport to the field,
all drinks and lunch on Saturday.
It is good value and it is hoped to invite our friends in
the Battlefields Trust and the British Commission for Military History to join
us. If you are interested in attending and would like details of the programme
and a booking form please email Chris Scott on:
Please register your interest before 1 March 2014
How Schools should best
Prepare - Wellington College Conference
Secretary writes:
On the 13th Match 2014 at Westminster Hall, Guild member
Glenn Hearnden will be speaking on behalf of the CWGC at a conference organised
by Wellington College - Schools & the Great War Centenary: How Schools
Should Best Prepare. Other speakers include journalist and broadcaster
Jeremy Paxman, journalist Ian Hislop and author Michael Morpurgo. Further
details and ticket details are available from https://www.eventsforce.net/wellingtoncollege/frontend/reg/thome.csp?pageID=38357&eventID=130&eventID=130
Guide Wanted
Secretary writes:
I have received a request for a guide this week:
The enquiry has come from Success Tours of Trowbridge and is
as follows:
“On Tuesday 7th October the group will depart Mechelen,
making their way to Calais, but via the Battlefields area of Belgium. If
possible we’d like 2 things from you J
1. Advice – the group leader has
expressed a particular interest in the Menin Gate, possibly In Flanders Museum,
and Passchendaele. We’re not sure realistically how much we can do in the space
of time available. The group need to be in Calais by 17:00 for their ferry crossing
at 18:00.
2. A Guide – please can you help us
to arrange a guide to join the group on their coach and assist with these
visits? It would also be really helpful to know any costs involved for
entrances and an idea on if it’s best for us to arrange entrance ourselves?”
I have been in touch with the client to clarify the
requirements and received the following:
“Many thanks for your email, very much appreciated. I am
sorry for any confusion I have caused re the Menin Gate. The client is aware
that the ceremony is at 20:00 (and that they will miss it) but they would like
to go and visit it, which I suppose will fit in well with In Flanders Fields. I
am certain that they also wish to visit The Passchendaele museum if this can be
fitted in.
In response to your other questions: -
•
Where would you want the guide to join the tour? Really this is negotiable -
this may need to worked out once we have an idea of a programme.
•
What time is your crossing in the morning i.e. what time do you expect to be in
the Ypres area? The group will be in Ypres for approximately 10:30. We need to
take into account that they will also need time for lunch.
•
How big is the group? 47 pax
•
Ages – adults, kids?? All adults mainly over the age of 60.
•
Any special interests that you are aware of? The main interest for this
particular visit in Battlefields and we’d like to see what we can include in
the time allowed (10:30 – 15:30 including lunch break). In Flanders Fields,
Passchendaele and the Menin gates are quite important.
•
How much do you want to pay for a guide? Again this will depend on the program
and how long you recommend having a guide for (example the full duration or
just a couple of hours).”
Thanks in advance for your help.
Obviously it is a one day tour, time limited and the clients
are coming from Mechelen in Belgium (They are an English group returning to the
UK) so this one may be best suited to someone based in Belgium – I leave that
for you to decide whether you want to bid for it.
The contact is Clare Marsh who can be reached at clare.marsh@successtours.com -
+44 (0)1225 764205
Please let me know if you get in touch with regard to this
opportunity as we are now logging the number of enquiries we get and the work
which members get from them
ETOA Cards
Secretary writes:
I asked for information regarding discounts or free
admissions that the ETOA Card will get members - so far I have had the
following responses from members:
Free admission:
·
Juno Beach Centre
·
Pegasus Bridge
·
Merville Battery
·
Para musuem at St Mere Eglise
·
WWI Museum at Meaux
·
Mt St Michel
·
Utah Beach Museum
·
Atlantic Wall Museum Ouistreham
·
Passchendaele Museum
·
The museum at Diekirch,in Luxembourg (but you
need a party 25 plus)
·
Free access in Normandy at all the museums even
if you are alone doing a recce . Also in Waterloo, Belgium
It seems to be worth getting the card just for the free
admissions it offers!!
London Lunch 21st March
2014
Andy Thompson writes:
Second call for the London Lunch at the Union Jack Club on
Friday 21st March 12.00 for 13.00.
Cost £30. Contact Andy Thompson at info@eyewitnesstours.com to reserve
a place.
La Coupole
Andy Thompson writes:
Members will be aware of the V1 centre at La Coupole. The
centre have recently appointed Mathilde Quantinet to help British guides and
tour companies access not only the museum but also the area around St Omer.
Mathilde is based at the French Chamber of Commerce in High Holborn and can be
contacted on 020 7092 6669 email mquantinet@lacoupole.com
The museum offers group discounts with further reductions if groups are taken
to the area by professional guides.
The museum have developed educational packages for school
groups and can organise tours to other attractions not related to WW2, they
also have a list of recommended restaurants that cater for groups.
Mathilde will be based in London until the autumn and will
attend one of the London Lunches to network with guild members.
Belgium Tourist Office
Presentation London 12th March
Secretary writes:
The Belgium Tourist Office is proposing to hold a
presentation at the Restaurant Leon de Bruxelles 24 Cambridge Circus, Charing
Cross, London WC2H 8AA on the 12th March. There will be a short presentation
from the tourist office followed by a finger buffet. If members are interested
in attending please could they let me know so we can get an idea of numbers.
BBC News
·
Scotland's World War One site secrets revealed
in audit - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26108741
·
World War One: 10 interpretations of who started
WW1 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26048324
·
Scunthorpe Spitfire hunter returns to Burma for
fresh search - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-26136291
·
Llanelli sailor's WWI letter home takes 98 years
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26174948
·
Belfast's Monuments Man: GI Teddy Dixon recalls
retrieving art looted by Nazis - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26174654
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