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HMS GANGES
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Friday – 31st October - while… Monday – 3rd November 2008.
Link to the booking form is below. Any Queries contact David MacLeod email porp1dgmacleod46[at]onetel[dot]com
Reunion 2008
Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool.
Friday 25th April to Monday 28th April 2008
Reunion Programme is now available to download using the link below
Reunion 2008 Programme of events
REUNION 2008 – SITREP
The organisation of the Reunion is coming along splendidly. It promises to be a fantastic occasion. Here are some points of interest.
SODS Opera – Friday evening – Entries for this world-beating, televised occasion are pouring in. Where’s yours? Don’t be shy – the competition is so awful yours is be bound to be a winner! Pancho Brett has volunteered to act as MC under the guidance of the greatest impresario in the western hemisphere, George Maxfield. Top quality acts are being signed up every day so hurry to get your piece in with a little outline to enable the management team to understand what it is you intend to do. At present we have a mix of serious comedy acts, musical skits and semi-professional singers (that’s what they tell us, anyway). If you can sing, recite a piece from Shakespeare or even Gunga Din for that matter, perform some magic, saw your wife in half (that must be a first) or tell a ditty you can compete for the first prize of a round the world cruise. Let’s have some responses please from all those who can talk big when they’re in the bar – show us your …. and prove it.
Contact Pancho direct at Pancho.brett@talktalk.net
Grand Draw and Table Raffle – Grand Draw tickets have sold well under the control of Dick Binch. The Grand Draw tickets will be selected by our guest celebrity at the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening so get them sold now. At £5 per book of 5 they’re excellent value for money. Send in the money to Dick with the counterfoils – his address is on the back page of the book. The first prize is a fantastic weekend in London - top hotel, see a show and have tea at the Ritz. What a fabulous gift or Christmas present to someone if you cannot partake yourself. The tickets will be available for 12 months so it’s up to you to choose what, when and where. Finally, on this topic, a cash alternative of £400 is offered for those who don’t wish to accept the actual prize itself. The second prize is the decanter with 1 litre of rum on an oak base from HMS Victory. For the Third Prize we have organised a weekend break for two in any of the Britannia Groups 33 hotels. That must be a winner. Finally, Mansfield Division have donated an HMS Ganges engraved crystal Decanter and glasses to remind you of the occasion. Get in quick as tickets are limited.
The Table Raffle is again run by Dick and will be drawn as usual during Church Parade on Sunday. Donations and gifts (unwanted Christmas presents, books in good condition, bottles of bubbly or whatever) should be notified to Dick and brought along to Reunion. Help may be required to label the prizes so any volunteers should contact Dick in good time beforehand. Tell Dick of the prizes you can offer so that there will be tons of money to go to the chosen good causes.
Dick’s contact address is: rf.binch@btinternet.com
The Ladies have their own specially organised outing on the Saturday morning though non-member males may also clock in if they fancy a ride out. In the afternoon, the Ladies will be having an organised Health & Beauty demonstration in the hotel. See the separate notice under Reunions for full details.
Contact is Kathy: Thipthorpe@btconnect.com who would like to have an indication of numbers a s a p.
Gala Dinner – Saturday evening - This promises to be an extra special occasion. We will be hosting the Mayor & Mayoress of Blackpool, Commodore Williams (Ganges boy 1964) and his wife Annette, and Captain Steve Jackson (Ganges boy 1973). Lot’s of formality, wine reception, (bag) piper to pipe us into dinner, colours, speeches, sunset, followed by Certificate presentation and then entertainment. Dress will be as formal as we can make it. Cocked hats & cloaks, for those who have them, swords and medals for those who don’t. Dinner Jackets, Uniform (blazer and flannels) or lounge suits. Please, no T-shirts or jeans! The guest speaker is Yeoman Warder Jo David, Town Crier H.M. Tower of London plus our special celebrity guest who will entertain us before drawing the fantastic raffle prizes.
Any questions regarding the Gala Dinner your contact is Carl Jackson VP at: carl.jackson@clarityonline.co.uk
| Friday 25th | Arrival and Registration 3 course carvery dinner Dancing and entertainment |
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| Saturday 26th | Full English breakfast 1000 AGM Two course lunch Three course Gala Dinner Dancing and entertainment |
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| Sunday 27th | Full English breakfast Church service Two course lunch (LWE Guests depart) Three course carvery dinner Dancing and entertainment |
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| Monday 28th | Full English breakfast (EWE Guests depart) |
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| Notes: | 1. | During Happy Hour (1000 - 1600) daily - beer will be £1.40 per pint. |
| 2. | Those wishing to extend stay either before or after Reunion weekend can do so by booking direct with hotel for extensions required on 0845 838 1001. | |
| 3. | Local residents may attend Gala Dinner only - £25 per person. | |
| 4. | Cars parked at own risk - Hotel does not accept any responsibility whatsoever. |
You can download/print your (Microsoft Word Document) Booking Form by clicking on this LINK
Full Instructions and details of costs etc. are on the form.
LADIES – REUNION 2008 – BLACKPOOL
As promised, I’ve put together a little outing for us all on the Saturday morning whilst our men-folk attend their AGM. We could have gone out all day and here the Hotel were very cooperative so far as packed lunches were concerned. However, after considering the programme carefully I’ve decided to offer two choices instead. Having said this, there seems to be quite a number of male non-members attending Reunion and it occurs to me that they, too, could join us on the morning’s outing. What do you think?
I have negotiated a coach trip just up the coast to Fleetwood. This is a fishing port with a busy ferry terminal. There is a good shopping centre plus places of attraction including a maritime museum, coffee shops, bars etc. It has a Saturday market which might be enjoyable for some of us. We could take a two-hour break here before returning home for lunch.
Fleetwood is only 15 minutes up the coast by coach. I am therefore suggesting that those who wish to partake of the town’s attractions do so. Those who would like to go on to see something historical may like to continue on to Marsh Mill which is close by. This is a 213 year old mill, in working order. There is disabled access to some levels and a guided tour. Refreshment facilities, a pub and shops are adjacent. There is an entrance fee of £0.75p for OAP’s and £1.50 for the youngsters. The coach will then return with the Mill visitors to Fleetwood to pick up the remainder of the group before returning all of us to the Hotel by about 1245 for lunch.
But, it doesn’t stop there! For the Ladies only I have arranged an afternoon (2.30 - 4.30) Health and Beauty demonstration with the Hotel’s in-house salon known as Spindles. They will provide a make-up demonstration, facials and individual consultations. There will be no charge for this event. However, there will be a variety of make-up and skin care products on sale. Of course, any lady wishing to book in for treatment over the weekend may do so. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available. The purpose of this event is to give you all a chance to be “girlie,” meet and talk with each other and make new friends.I haven’t yet finalised the cost of the coach as this depends on numbers. However, this should not exceed £5 or thereabouts.
Kathy Thipthorpe
Friday 4th January 2008
I have just been informed by the Kistor Hotel Torquay that they are now fully booked for the Guzz Weekend, even the spare places at The Inglewood. As stated in October if anyone wishes to book into any other Hotel in Torquay and just come along after Dinner for the lamp swinging and entertainment they will be more than welcome.
Stop Press (31 October 2007) - Sorry to say I have just been informed that the Kistor Hotel has only 4 rooms left and by the time the Advert goes out in the Gazette they may well be gone and there is no overflow. Their other hotel The Inglewood just over the road has Coach Parties booked in but it may be worth getting your name down on a cancellation list.
(It must be the £79 for 3 nights that did it) I hope to run it again 2009 and could book both hotels if next year works out well. If you wish to book into any other hotel and just come along to join in the fun and lamp swinging you are more than welcome
Baz D-W <bazval@btinternet.com>
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This is the first of the re-union season, come and join us. |
The 25th Annual Scarborough Weekend in aid of T.S. Ganges will be held at the New Southlands Hotel Scarborough over the weekend Friday 26th September until Monday 29th September 2008. Further details and a booking form can be obtained from the T.S. Ganges website at: www.hmsganges.org.uk/ or via
Ivan Hayward
Email: i.hayward384@btinternet.com
Please find a booking form for the 2008 'Friday While' via this link.
Liz &David McLeod do not yet have the prices but expect that they will be similar to last years with perhaps a slight increase. They are quite happy to accept provisional bookings with a suitable deposit to be sent with the booking form to the address on the form.
The form will be updated when the prices are known. Further information may be obtained by contacting Liz or David via email <porp1dgmacleod46@onetel.com> or by the telephone number on the form.
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Press Release: USA Reunion 2008 - All cabins have now been sold , a waiting list is now available with Derek Henshaw
Many thanks.
Peter H Palmer.
Email: <palmersp@gte.net> or telephone: USA 727 584 7143
The program has been revised so that we may take advantage of a late offer from Carnival Cruise Lines to join them once again. They are prepared to offer us better onboard conditions and bonus offers. Even before this information appears in the Gazette we have sold all the group cabins that we had on hold. Derek Henshaw has been able to reserve more cabins at group rates, but not at exactly the original prices. SO... if you are tempted to join us please make your bookings, or at least, your interests, known to either Derek at the number/email below, or to
Peter H Palmer. Email: <palmersp@gte.net> or telephone: USA 727 584 7143
| Mon | Honolulu | 6:00PM | |
| Tue | Honolulu | 8:00AM | 6:00PM |
| Wed | Kauai | 8:00AM | 6:00PM |
| Thu | Kona, Hawaii | 8:00AM | 6:00PM |
| Fri | Hilo, Hawaii | 8:00AM | 6:00PM |
| Sat | Kahalui, Maui | 8:00AM | 10:30PM |
| Sun | Lahaina, Maui | 8:00AM | 6:00PM |
| Mon | Fun Day at Sea | ||
| Tue | Fun Day at Sea | ||
| Wed | Fun Day at Sea | ||
| Thu | Fun Day at Sea | ||
| Fri | Fun Day at Sea | ||
| Sat | Ensenada, California Baja | 8:00AM |
| Category 8B Balcony | $1305 per person | We are holding 6 |
| Category 7A Obstructed Balcony | $1125 per person | We are holding 4 |
| Category 4D Inside | $905 per person | We are holding 3 |
| Category 4C Inside | $895 per person | We are holding 3 |
| Category 4B Inside | $875 per person | We are holding 4 |
| Category 4A Inside | $825 per person | We are holding 4 |
Category 4A & 4B accommodate 3rd and 4th passengers at $410 per person.
Port Charges & taxes $269.69 pp. Air additional. Optional INSURANCE is highly recommended.
Cancellations - before 7/22/08 no charge; from 7/23/08 - 8/21/08 $400 per person; from 8/22/08 - 9/21/08 50% of Total Fare; from 9/22/08 - sailing 100%
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HMS Ganges Association, New Zealand.
AUSTRALASIAN REUNION 2009, NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND, 1-3 MAY 2009
PROGRAMME
The following is the outline programme for the 2009 reunion. There are some details to be finalised and a newsletter will be publshed from time to time updating the more detailed arrangements. The programme is issued at this early stage in order that those interested in attending can make some early decisions especially with respect to booking accommodation. Overseas members will be pleasantly suprised at the "value for their (own country’s) money" here in New Zealand. For example the pound sterling is currently valued at three N.Z. dollars. The total cost per person for the programme detailed below (except optional Monday bus trip) is $145 N.Z. per person (about 50 pounds).
Maps will be provided well before arrival in Napier for all confirmed attendees showing the location of all venues, accommodation etc. All international airports in New Zealand have air links to Napier airport.
1. Early Birds Gathering.
It has become the custom for early arrivals to meet on the Thursday immediately preceding the Reunion to share a few drinks and a meal. This will be at the Napier RSA, Vautier Street from 1730 on 30th April.
Friday 1st May .
2. Meet and Greet. This will be in the Exhibition Hall at the War Memorial Hall Conference Centre on the Marine Parade immediately opposite the Te Pania Hotel commencing at 1800 and finishing at 2100. All information packs will be issued at this event. Finger food will be provided. Bar at own expense. Dress tidy casual.
Saturday 2nd May
3. Uckers Competition . Teams and supporters should gather in the Breakout Room at the War Memorial Hall Conference Centre at 10.00. Bar will be open. Lunch break between 12.15 and 1300. There are several Brasseries and cafes in the immediate vicinity. Rules will be available before the competition commences. Each Division or country will be invited to enter one team with "ring-ins" permitted for countries with only 1 representative in attendance. Competition will be for the Brookes Trophy. While the trophy stays in Australia because of restrictions on baggage, winners names will be engraved on the trophy. The final will be scheduled for 1500. A meeting will be held after the semi-finals to determine the venue for the next Reunion due in 2011 (time for meeting approx 1430). Divisional representatives are requested to attend.
Those not attending the Uckers Tournament might like to spend time looking around the shops which are within easy walking distance of most accommodation or taking in one of the many attractions offered in Napier.
4. Formal dinner. This will be held in the War Memorial Hall. Pre-dinner drinks 1730 to 1815. (Cash Bar). Minimum dress standard, blazer and tie or equivalent. Miniature medals should be worn, Ladies may wear formal dresses if they so wish. The Lady Mayor of Napier and her husband and the Patron of the New Zealand Association (Rear Admiral Ash M.V.O.- former Captain of HMS Ganges) are likely to be in attendance. Everyone should be seated ready for dinner according to the table plan by 1830 please.
Any Ganges Association member due to be awarded 50 or 60 year certificates from the U.K. should advise David Davies, New Zealand National Ganges Assn Rep., by filling in the appropriate section of the registration form at the earliest possible time so that appropriate arrangements can be made to have these certificates ready for presentation after the dinner.
The full programme of after-dinner events will be shown on the table menus.
Sunday 3rd May.
5. Memorial Service . As some will be aware, Napier has very strong connections with the Royal Navy and particulaly with the old sloop HMS Veronica whose ships company did much to assist the city when it was struck by an earthquake in 1931. (Full details in the booklet included in the information pack). The citizens of Napier built a monument to mark this relationship on the seafront at Napier. The Mayor has invited us to hold our church service at the monument and arrangements are being made to have the ship’s bell of the Veronica installed at the monument for use during our service. Form up at 1040 at the Veronica monument. Medals to be worn and standards paraded where available. During the service 6 bells will be rung on the Veronica bell and one minutes silence observed. Standards are to be lowered as normal but not to touch the ground please. Wet weather routine - the service will be held around the eternal flame in the War Memorial Hall Conference Centre. On completion of church service everyone is free to change into casual dress and seek lunch of their own choice prior to the commencement of a bus tour.
6. Bus Tour . This will depart from the car park at the rear of the Te Pania Hotel at 1300. Details of the bus trip will be provided in the information pack provided at the commencement of the reunion. Return time is expected to be at about 1630.
7. Farewell Event. This will take place at the War Memorial Hall commencing 1830 and ending at 2030. Finger food will be provided
Monday 4th June .
An all-day optional bus tour is planned for this day which will, in effect be a tour of the Hawkes Bay region. Details and cost to follow but is expected to be about $45 a head. This is the price shown on the registration form. Any adjustment to this price will be taken care of at the Meet and Greet.
Notes.
1. Divisions are encouraged to bring standards if possible. They will be paraded at the dinner and at the church service.
2. Completed registration forms and a deposit of $50 New Zealand should reach me no later than 30th August, 2008. Balance is due on 1 February 2009. Full cost of reunion may be paid at time deposit is due hould this be more convenient.
3. A tour of the North Island of about six days preceeding the reunion will be organised if demand is sufficient.
4. Further enquiries and requests for registration forms and accommodation guide to:
David Davies,
29 Argyle Avenue,
LEVIN, New Zealand Tel (06) 367 3769 or from overseas 0064 6367 3769
e-mail ddavies@kapiti.co.nz