Brockenhurst in the New Forest
EUROPE AFRICA 2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND MEMBERS’ FORUM
PRE-EVENT FOR THE TRANSATLANTIC CUNARD QUEEN MARY 2 CRUISE
Wednesday 20th September - Friday 22nd September 2023
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of IWFS Europe Africa Limited (Europe Africa) will be held at the Balmer Lawn Hotel at 10.00am on Thursday, 21 September 2023 followed by the Members’ Forum and a buffet lunch. All members are entitled to attend the AGM, the Members’ Forum and Buffet lunch, for which there is no charge.
Click here to view the Formal Notice of the Meeting and Agenda.
The Annual Report of the Directors (which includes the accounts) can be found using this link.
A copy of the Minutes of the last AGM held on 24th September 2022 can be read using this link.
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As has become traditional over the last few years an event has been organised around the formal proceedings of the AGM and Members’ Forum, to which members of APZ and Americas, as well as Europe Africa, would be welcome. In particular, those embarking on the Cunard Cruise from nearby Southampton will be most welcome, with transport available on the morning of Friday, 22 September from the hotel to the Southampton Cruise Terminal.
The event will take place in the New Forest village of Brockenhurst. The New Forest is a National Park originally designated by William the Conqueror in the 11th Century as a Royal Forest and is recorded as such in the Domesday Book. Despite its name, much of the area is unenclosed grazing land home to herds of New Forest ponies wandering freely, heathland as well as mainly deciduous woodland areas.
The cost of the full programme as set out below will be £325 per person. The full amount is payable on registration. Please use the button below to register.
For those who are not able to attend the whole event there is also the possibility of attending only the dinner at Rhinefield House at a cost of £135 (including transport) on Wednesday 20th September and the AGM the following morning.. Please click here to register for this option.
There is equally the possibility of attending the only the dinner on Thursday 21st September at a cost of £130 per person. Please click here to register for this option.
For those wishing to take the bus to Southampton Cruise Terminal, the cost will be confirmed when we know how many passengers there will be.
Numbers that can be accommodated for the Festival are limited, though all Europe Africa members are entitled to attend the AGM.
For those not leaving on the cruise, a further visit will be organised for the morning of 21 September, probably with a visit to a local winery and a lunch. We will ask all those who register for the event whether they would like to participate in this further option. If you are interested, please select the Post Tour option when booking.
HOTEL
Our base will be Balmer Lawn Hotel (www.balmerlawnhotel.com ) on the edge of Brockenhurst village, approximately one mile from the Brockenhurst railway station. The Hotel has a spa and treatments are available but need to be pre-booked and there is an exhibition of documents relating to the WWII D-day landings.
The hotel will also host the AGM and Members’ Forum in the morning of Thursday 21 September.
We have negotiated very competitive rates for this mini-festival or overnight stay before the Cunard cruise.
- Standard double room at a rate of £210 per room per night to include Bed & Breakfast.
- Superior double room at a rate of £270 per room per night to include Bed & Breakfast.
The hotel has two single rooms at £200 including bed and breakfast.
Bookings must be made directly with the hotel enabling you to choose the type of room and number Please contact Jen Howes quoting reference EVNT23174, by email jhowes@blh.co.uk or telephone +44 (0) 1590 623116.
THE PROGRAMME
Wednesday 20 September
Registration for the festival will be in the Balmer Lawn hotel at 4.00pm (16.00)
A coach will pick us up from the Balmer Lawn Hotel to take us the few miles to the Rhinefield Hotel where will enjoy a cocktail on the terrace (weather permitting) before enjoying a four course meal and paired wines in the Grand Hall.
Thursday 21 September
The Europe Africa AGM and Members’ Forum will take place at the Balmer Lawn Hotel at 10.00am after which a buffet lunch will be provided.
Those not wishing to attend the Europe Africa AGM and Members’ Forum (which at previous forums has created interesting discussions about the future of the Society) may use the hotel’s leisure facilities or perhaps wander into the delightful village of Brockenhurst. All may join the buffet lunch.
After lunch there will an option to visit either The Beaulieu Estate (www.beaulieu.co.uk) or Bucklers’ Hard Maritime Museum (www.bucklershard.co.uk) with an optional river cruise. The Beaulieu Estate includes the famous Montague motor museum and the Palace home of the Montague family where a history of the family and the estate can be followed – there may not be time to visit both. Bucklers’ Hard is the site where many wooden warships were built, in particular those facing the Spanish Armada in the reign of Henry VIII, as well as Mulberry Harbours used in the D-day landings with story being set out in a museum.
In the evening there will be a dinner in the Balmer Lawn Hotel comprising four courses and paired wines.
Friday 22 September
Departure of cruise passengers to Southampton.
For others staying later in the day, an informal lunch or visit to winery will be organised depending on demand – at additional cost.
You can use the button below to register for the full programme.