TARS IAGM at Shotley

Just a quick comment to say "thank you" to all those involved in organising last weekend's IAGM weekend at Shotley. I know a huge amount of effort goes into putting on a weekend for 150 people, complete with activities on- and off-site, talks, catering, camping, stalls, etc, etc. Certainly from the viewpoint of an attendee it ran very smoothly indeed. Somehow you even arranged for good weather, with just two spots of rain as the event drew to a close.

I hope you are all enjoying a well-earned rest and that the post-event administration goes smoothly.

As a Shotley attender, I echo Geraint's views. Congratulations are also due to E Region for overcoming several 'boat problems' all on one weekend, and doing it quite magnificently. The sail down the Orwell to Harwich on Victor was sheer serendipity and it was a real voyage through Ransome-land.

Reflections – IAGM Shotley

There were loads of good reflections, because the sun shone, all the time, a great help. But the event still needed to be organised. In this the Eastern Region did a wonderful job, especially in providing a varied and well planned programme, There was a lot of teamwork and Brian Hammett was a very genial and effective Master of Ceremonies. Although he did narrowly miss becoming a human sacrifice during the Dick Callum Cup!

Above all there was the usual wonderful TARS family atmosphere which Norman Willis so rightly reminds us of on these occasions. All were young at heart in the spirit of Ransome.

The AGM was long, but purposeful. It brought home how hard the officers and trustees work all year to keep The Society alive and well. However I should like to put forward two thoughts.

Firstly, that we don’t just let Shotley become a fond memory, but that every member spends the coming year enthusing to a non-TAR, so that at next year’s IAGM in Oban we can hear that the membership numbers have gone up.

Secondly, that we continue to look to our Outlaws. They are the Ransome Society’s and our society’s future.  I believe Arthur wrote about the childhood he would have liked to have had and the one that he would like to have shared with Tabitha. No children – No Ransome books – no TARS!

                                                                                                                        John Hunwicks

Was this  the big meeting from last year????? 'Cause if it was, I saw this picture of a lady standing in front of a big curtain, or something that looked like a curtain. It looked like it had stars on it. If it was a curtain, and somebody remembers where it came from, please tell me, because I have wanted cutains like that for my bedroom for months now, and have not seen anything like it before! Thanks!