Southern Branch
News From The Southern Branch
The Southern Branch, until recently, was the largest branch. But, with the recent creation of the Kent Branch, we are now a more manageable size, with a membership of approximately 80.
Even without the Kent area, we still cover a large part of the south, incorporating the postcodes BR, BN, CR, GU, KT, RG, RH, SE, SL, SW, SM, TW, UB, W and WC.
We hold Branch meeting approximately every 3 months. We try to locate the meeting around the membership area and incorporate a visit that will be of interest to a group organiser. Our January meeting is held over the National AGM weekend and the October meeting incorporates the Branch AGM and is usually a weekend affair.
We have a newsletter which is sent out between branch meetings, keeping everyone up to date with what is going on within the branch.
Our next meeting will be our branch meeting on Friday 22nd March on HMS Belfast, London. Meet at 11:00am. for coffee followed by our meeting and a tour of HMS Belfast. All members and Associates are welcome. We would extend an especially warm welcome to new members. Please contact the secretary Jenny Barling if you intend to join us so we can cater for you, by email - jennyb@vfast.co.uk
The Annual General Meeting Weekend – Friday October 5th 2012
This was my first branch AGM that I have attended since becoming a member of the GTOA, having been a group organiser for Bexhill Horticultural Society for some 20 years or more.
I was truly impressed by the professional standards of the arrangements for the weekend, and how friendly the like minded group were, and how helpful to exchange ideas and pick up tips from other GTOA members.
To hold the AGM in an area such as Ipswich and the surrounding area served as a twofold useful purpose – to visit local places and to have at first hand the local knowledge was so helpful to visit places that maybe as a GTO you may never think of. There was something for all types of groups and organisations, from the many National Trust properties in the area, interests for families and younger groups with the Suffolk Punch Horse centre, Constable Country, the work of the RSPB and other wild life groups, birds of prey, the interesting tour of the Sutton Hoo site, river trips, and museums gave a flavour of a good central area to visit and not one to be forgotten.
It’s always pleasing to have the support of the travel trade firms attending with information of what they have to offer groups from all parts of the country including the Channel Islands and further afield – they are a great inspiration to the Association.
Our gratitude goes to the branch committees of the GTOA for both Southern and Kent for all the hard work put in to keep the branches operating so well, but a special thank you to Jenny Barling, who was assisted by Carol Gower, for organising such a successful weekend. We are all looking forward to next years. Also thank you to the many Associate and Intermediate members who helped with the visits, meals, coach travel, hotel etc.
A full packed weekend, enjoyed by all, but at the same time was most informative for future visits, which is what these weekends are intended for.
Stuart Wood 2250
Travel shows for early 2013.
South East Days Out Fair. Saturday 16th February at Brooklands Museum, Weybridge Surrey. Visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com for more details
Visit Essex - Thursday 21st February at Crowne Plaza Resort Colchester Five Lakes, Tolleshunt Knights, Essex.. Visit www.tourismandleisureshow.co.uk for more details
South of England Groups Visits & Days Out Fair - Friday 22nd February at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, West Sussex. Visit www.sainthillmanor.org.uk for more details
Annual General Meeting 2013 - Firday 4th October to Monday 7th October in Dorset. Details to follow in due course.
Our Spring 2013 newsletter is available for download by clicking here
Check back here for the latest news and information from the Southern Branch
To contact the Southern Branch Chair - please click here