Programme for 2008

(For details, see website or contact organizers)

January 19th: AR Birthday Lunch at Haven Ports Yacht Club: 12 for 12.30. Lunch and Talk by Julia Jones on "Peter Duck: from Marine Bathchair to Marine Perambulator" (Ted & Diana Evans 01394388295; e.f.evans@keele.ac.uk)

February 16th: Visit to RSPB Minsmere with the Birds' Protection Society. 10 am to 1 pm. See the Coots outnumbered by thousands of far more interesting and important birds in a marvellous coastal landscape, near Saxmundham, 20M NE of Ipswich (TM473672). Bring packed lunch or use very good café, usually crowded. Natives and AP's: Ł5; D&D's Ł2.50. BPS discount. Book with Nick Hancox (01493 701342 or nick@nicholashancox.co.uk)

March 8th: Film Evening to view rare archive footage of Ransome-related material. United Reform Church Meeting Room, Whiting St, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1NR. 7 pm. Drinks provided. Cost about Ł5 per head. Book with William Lupton (01284 768648; wfl@cantab.net) by March 1st.

April 5th: Signalling From Mars: A Day at the Royal Observatory and Planetarium, Greenwich under the guidance of Gilbert Satterthwaite, ROG Astronomer. Meet at the ROG at 11am. Bring sandwiches or lunch in the cafe. Book with Ted & Diana Evans (01394388295; e.f.evans@keele.ac.uk)

May 23-26th: IAGM Falmouth. See Signals

July 5th,6th: Swamazons Camp at Walton and Frinton YC with Nancy Blackett Trust and Old Gaffers Association. Swallows and Amazons Dinghy Race round Swallow Island; Model boat race, Band. Contact the OGA organizer: Tessa Hodgkinson (01629 540601) to make bookings or for advice on B&Bs, camping etc.

August 16th: Day Wherry Trip on Norfolk Broads Wherry Albion. 9am to 6 pm. Maximum 12 persons; cost about Ł20. Bring packed lunch. Start and return to Ludham (next to Hunter's Yard) at NR29 5QG. Deposit of Ł10 made out to TARS East to John Benford (13 Prospect Place, Leiston, IP16 4AL) by July 1st; balance by August 1st to John Benford (01728 832579; johnabenford@gmail.com)

September 13-14th Maritime Woodbridge. See all three Ransome Boats (Nancy Blackett, Peter Duck, Lottie Blossom 1 - now ragged Robin III) together.

September 28th: Broads Sailing Day From Martham. Meet 9 a.m. Sail and raft up for lunch @ 1 p.m. Return to Boat-yard by 4.30 p.m. Bring packed lunch, drinks, matches, cloth & tea-towel. Hot drinks can be made on board. Cost about Ł20 per head; juniors Ł5. To book send deposit of Ł10 (made out to TARS East) by 10th September; balance on day to John Holmes (01376 570982; 07905 121848; john@fts.me.uk).

October 18th: Literary Day United Reform Church Meeting Room, Whiting St, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1NR. 10 am to 4 pm. Bring packed lunch. Drinks and tea provided. Cost about Ł10 per head. Speakers: Prof Hugh Brogan on "Arthur Ransome: a Biographer's Reflections" ; Gilbert Satterthwaite on "An Astronomer Might Be Useful : Illustrated talk on AR's astronomy". Book with William Lupton (01284 768648; wfl@cantab.net).

November 15th: Regional AGM @ Pin Mill Sailing Club. Gather 11am onwards for slides, coffee and chat. 12.15 pm Lunch at Butt & Oyster. 2 pm: Talk - Following Evgenia and Arthur Ransome in Lottie Blossom by Ted Evans. 3.15 pm: Regional AGM; 4pm: Tea and Rattletraps. Book for lunch with Ted & Diana Evans (01394388295; e.f.evans@keele.ac.uk) by 3rd November

January 24th, 2009: AR's Birthday Lunch: Haven Ports Yacht Club. 12.30 for 13.00. Talk on Missee Lee's China by Andrew Craig-Bennett of the China Overseas Shipping Company.

May 22-25, 2009: IAGM Shotley Village Hall organized by our region. Helpers needed!

Detailed enquiries on each event from the organizers given above; general enquiries to the Secretaries: Ted & Diana Evans on 01394 388295; e.f.evans@keele.ac.uk