The 2018 Annual Reunion and AGM will be held in Chelmsford, Essex on Friday and Saturday 20th and 21st April. The venue will be the Best Western Atlantic Hotel, New Street, Chelmsford CM1 1PP. Tel: 01245 268168. This is the same venue that was so popular on our previous visits.
We will follow the usual prescription by gathering on the Friday afternoon at the hotel and meet for a couple of throat fresheners in the bar about 18.30, substantially before this time for some members who have come off watch early. Following recent first night successes there will be a buffet on the Friday evening at 19.30. Note: NO menu choice required. The Friday evening session has been somewhat prolonged in the past and it is to be hoped that members are in good training. Wives are most welcome and they seem to enjoy it as numbers increase every reunion. The ladies quite often do their own thing on the Saturday and a visit to Colchester is planned this year for those who wish to go. Colchester is a most interesting historic town and is about 30 minutes from Chelmsford by train. Fares are expected to be about £8.00 return with a Senior Railcard, or £12.00 return without. If you hold a bus pass (English version) this will be free but the trip is rather strangulated. Full details from Joy Channing on the Friday evening. This year the main group afternoon trip will be to the The Secret Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch. This is where devolved central government and military commanders would have run the region had nuclear war broken out. Two committee members have visited and advised that this is a most interesting afternoon visit. On the Saturday evening the main reunion dinner takes place where the rig of the day is gentlemen in suits and ties (ROA hopefully) and the ladies in their finery. Please note on the booking form a menu choice is required from members attending. We disperse homewards on Sunday morning. I very much hope that members who have not attended before and who can do so will consider attending because I can say with certainty that everyone attending enjoys the weekend. You will be made very welcome and I have every confidence this will be a well attended event.