Report on the 2017 Association Annual Gathering in Southampton, where members socialised, watched films, and visited stalls. Marc Escudier gave a talk on his work at the Enviroearth monitoring station on Tristan.

2017 Annual Gathering

Photos from Ann Ashworth, Marc Escudier, Mike Faulds, Richard Grundy & Maggie Millington

The Association's Annual Gathering was held on Saturday
22nd April 2017 at the Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton, UK.		 Tristan da Cunha Association logo
Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton

Friday Arrivals

A change of venue at short notice this year was caused by refurbishment works on our usual meeting rooms over the road at the Holiday Inn. There were attendees staying at both hotels, but people arriving on Friday evening met for drinks at the Holiday Inn after dinner.

 

Left: Our venue - the Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton.
Elaine Schurch, Margaret Grundy & Keith Schurch relax outside the Grand Harbour Hotel.
Elaine Schurch, Margaret Grundy & Keith Schurch relax outside the Grand Harbour Hotel.		 From left on Friday: Peter Millington, Jim Kerr, Aniket Sardana, Ann & Alan Ashworth.
From left on Friday: Peter Millington, Jim Kerr, Aniket Sardana, Ann & Alan Ashworth.

Saturday Morning

On the morning of the day itself, people gathered at the hotel to pick up their badges, before moving on to meet old friends, browse the souvenir and books stalls, buy raffle tickets, view the auction lots, and pick up the Tristan Quiz specially compiled by Cindy Buxton. Many people watched the Tristan films

Marc Escudier, Antje Steinfurth, Anna Hicks & Sandra Kornet at the quiz and raffle stalls.
Marc Escudier, Antje Steinfurth, Anna Hicks & Sandra Kornet at the quiz and raffle stalls.		 Janice & Alison Hentley and Irene Moss at the Tristan souvenir stall.
Janice & Alison Hentley and Irene Moss at the Tristan souvenir stall.

The Tristan films this year were:

"Cindy Buxton & Jim Kerr's visit, 1990"

A 'slow cinema' trip around the island and up the peak, visiting parts of the island that most tourists and many islanders never see.

"Trailers from the 'Pristine Seas' expedition to Tristan"

Two trailers of footage shot on this year's expedition to the Tristan group, introduced by Andy Schofield, RSPB.

"Tristan Memories"

Interviews by Chris Carnegy with 'old hands' Harold Green, Gladys Lavarello, Andrew Glass, and Joyce Hagan.

 The morning film show proved popular.
The morning film show proved popular.
Association Committee members Jim Kerr, Ian Mathieson & Keith Schurch.
Association Committee members Jim Kerr, Ian Mathieson & Keith Schurch.		 Richard Grundy, Mike Faulds & John Payne at the auction viewing table.
Richard Grundy, Mike Faulds & John Payne at the auction viewing table.
Association President Michael Swales addresses the AGM.
Association President Michael Swales addresses the AGM.

Saturday Afternoon

After a buffet lunch, the Gathering reassembled for a short Association AGM chaired by Michael Swales. This was followed by our guest speaker, Marc Escudier.

Marc served with Enviroearth station on Tristan from 2013 to 2015. He told us about the geophysical monitoring work they do to detect nuclear test explosions for the CTBTO (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation). He also gave us an entertaining account of his participation in the various annual community events on Tristan, and finally he talked about the solar farm and solar water heaters have been installed.
Marc Escudier talking about the Enviroearth monitoring station on Tristan Marc Escudier talking about the Enviroearth monitoring station on Tristan
Marc Escudier talking about the work of the monitoring station on Tristan, and the fun he had with the community.
After questions and coffee, Richard Grundy drew the raffle and ran the auction, of which the star lot was a pair of cachets used to stamp covers on the 1955/56 Gough Expedition. All money raised went to the Tristan Educational Trust Fund, which supports the education and training of Tristan da Cunha islanders.
Neil Robson wins first prize in the raffle.
Neil Robson wins first prize in the raffle.		 Richard Grundy models a hat during the auction.
Richard Grundy models a hat during the auction.
Former Administrator Alex Mitham and his wife Hasene.

Meeting Friends
Old and New

An important part of the Gathering is the opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet people who share your Tristan interests. Here are some photos:

Left: Former Administrator Alex Mitham and his wife Hasene.

Right: Alison Hentley and Simon Levell.

 Alison Hentley and Simon Levell.
Marc Escudier and islander Linda Lavarello.
Marc Escudier and islander Linda Lavarello.		 Katrine Herrian and Marc Escudier.
Katrine Herrian and Marc Escudier.
Islander Joan King and Carol Mann.
Islander Joan King and Carol Mann.		 Sandra Kornet and Ken & Jennifer Gardner.
Sandra Kornet and Ken & Jennifer Gardner.
Marc Escudier (centre) with Ken and Fran Rogers.
Marc Escudier (centre) with Ken and Fran Rogers.		 Jenny Craig (centre) with her daughter Lucy & Valerio Fidenzi.
Jenny Craig (centre) with her daughter Lucy & Valerio Fidenzi.
Philatelists Robin Taylor, Mike Faulds and Ron Burn.
Philatelists Robin Taylor, Mike Faulds and Ron Burn.		 Colette Halter-Pernet, Daniel Halter, Mike Hentley & Antje Steinfurth.
Colette Halter-Pernet, Daniel Halter, Mike Hentley & Antje Steinfurth.

The Dinner Dance

The socialising continued at the dinner dance. The meal was followed by traditional Tristan dances led by Peter Millington with authentic Tristan music. There were three dances this year: the ever popular Pillow Dance and two dances for couples - the Shottee, and the Donkey Dance. These were followed by a disco until midnight, enjoyed by younger attendees of all ages! Of course people still took time out to carry on socialising in the bar.

The Pillow Dance in full swing.
The traditional Tristan Pillow Dance, with 'orchestra' (from left) Mike Faulds, Caroline Kinchin Smith & Peter Millington.
The Pillow Dance weaves among the tables.
The Pillow Dance weaves among the tables.		 Ann Ashworth & Aniket Sardana with the pillows.
Ann Ashworth & Aniket Sardana with the pillows.
Chilling out away from the dancing.
Chilling out away from the dancing.		 Roger, Chris Carnegy & Peter Millington in conversation.
Roger, Chris Carnegy & Peter Millington in conversation.
Throwing a few shapes.
Throwing a few shapes.		 All go on the disco dance floor.
All go on the disco dance floor.
Party animals Anna Hicks, Mike Faulds, Alison Hentley, Jim Kerr & Aniket Sardana. Jim and Marc giving it some.
Party animals Anna Hicks, Mike Faulds, Alison Hentley, Jim Kerr & Aniket Sardana. Right: Jim and Marc giving it some.

Next Year's Annual Gathering

The 2018 Annual Gathering will be returning to the Holiday Inn, Southampton and will take place on the 7th April 2018. Further details and booking information will be published in the February 2018 Tristan da Cunha Newsletter and online.