AGM & International Gathering 2008

Nearly 150 TARS members enjoyed a wet but highly enjoyable Bank Holiday Weekend at the Society's 18th International Annual General Meeting.

This year's IAGM weekend was hosted by the Society's South-West Region and took place in Falmouth for the first time. Although none of Ransome's novels are actually set in Falmouth, the town is mentioned with surprising frequency. It is one of the places where the fictional Swallows had lived and it was there that their father, the usually absent Commander Walker, first taught John and Susan to sail.

The weekend was based at two sites, Penryn College and the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. In addition to the formal AGM meeting on Sunday, 25th May, members were able to enjoy a range of talks, visits and social events. A piratical and enjoyable junior programme ran alongside that organised for the "Aged Parents".

Highlights included a shanty concert, led by Falmouth Shout. An excellent talk by local Blue Badge Guide Alison D'Bue was followed by a guided tour of Historic Falmouth. Meanwhile, other TARS descended deep into the Poldark Mine, a fascinating opportunity to learn about Cornwall's leading status in world mining.

On Sunday, TARS members enjoyed a full day of events at the National Maritime Museum, including the opportunity to see the Museum's current "Swallows and Amazons" exhibition, which runs until July 11th and includes the Society's own Coch-y-Bonddhu, the fictional Scarab. 

TARS was also indebted to the Nancy Blackett Trust, who had brought Nancy Blackett, the fictional Goblin, from the River Orwell for the IAGM weekend. She was able to team up in Falmouth with Ragged Robin III, Ransome's Lottie Blossom, with both yachts offering opportunities for members to come aboard and sail during the weekend, although opportunities for the latter were sadly limited owing to adverse weather conditions. 

The weekend ended with a second impromptu concert, this time led by the TARS juniors. Overall, it was an excellent and hugely enjoyable weekend, with Three Million Cheers due to all of the hard-working organisers of South West Region. Well done!

AGM and International Gathering 2009

The 2009 International Annual General Meeting will be hosted by Eastern Region and will be based at Shotley from 22nd to 25th May, with the AGM meeting on Sunday, 24th.

Shotley is at the heart of the locations that featured in We Didn't Mean to go to Sea and Secret Water. The 2009 IAGM will be an excellent opportunity to explore these, as well as to see and - weather permitting - sail on a number of Ransome's yachts, such as Nancy Blackett, Peter Duck and Ragged Robin III (Lottie Blossom) in their home waters. 

Full details will appear in the December 2008 Signals.