The next Tristan da Cunha Annual Gathering will be in Southampton on Saturday 7th March 2026.

Association News

Next Annual Gathering

The next Tristan da Cunha Association Annual Gathering will be held at our usual venue, the voco hotel in Southampton (formerly the Holiday Inn) on Saturday 7th March 2026.

The Annual Gathering will be returning to its usual venue in 2026 - the refurbished voco hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn) on the waterfront at Southampton, UK.

Book tickets using the TdCA Order Form.

Book accommodation & optional Friday dinner directly with voco on +44 (0) 2380 388142 asking for TdCA AG rates. See below.

The 2026 Annual Gathering

will be held in the voco hotel,
Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton, SO15 1HJ

on Saturday 7th March 2026

An all-day gathering from 10 am

  • Book, Souvenir and Association Product sales
  • Tristan film show
  • Illustrated Talk by Tristan Expert
  • AGM and Auction of Tristan Artefacts
    in aid of the Association's Charitable Funds

An evening Dinner Dance

Two-course buffet-style dinner followed by dancing.

The Donkey Dance

Attendees trying to do Tristan's Donkey Dance

Chris Carnegy and Ian Lavarello

Chris (left) with Chief Islander Ian Lavarello at the 2016 UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Conference

Illustrated Talk by Chris Carnegy

Chris is an experienced journalist and broadcaster who continues to work part-time for the BBC. He first went to Tristan in 2011 to make programmes about the island for Radio 4 and BBC Radio Solent.

He was appointed as Tristan Government UK Representative in 2015 and since that time has completed more than ten years working closely with six administrators and with Chief Islanders Ian Lavarello and James Glass.

Chris has liaised personally with a succession of Overseas Territories' ministers and promoted the island to Foreign Secretaries and members of the royal family. He is in demand as a conference host and on-stage interviewer and is also the voice who welcomes drivers into the Channel Tunnel!

His fourth visit to the island, on the 2025 Agulhas II trip, will enable him to reflect on a decade of change. Chris is a leading member of the UK Overseas Territories Association, serving as Treasurer and making close working relationships with other OTs, especially St Helena and the Falklands. Chris attends TdCA trustee meetings and briefs us on current Tristan developments, especially as part of every AGM.

Pictures from recent Annual Gatherings

Group of Tristanians now resident overseas: Valerie De La Rey, Trish Patterson, Sue Patterson, Frank Rogers, Debbie Elsemore, Avril Repetto-Tinoco, and Gerald Rogers

Tristanians now resident overseas at the 2025 Annual Gatherhing.

Italian visitors from Camogli

Attendees in 2024 from Camogli, Italy (the home town of two of Tristan's forefathers) with the Association's Co-Chairs.

For many more pictures, see our full report of the 2025 Gathering and the general Annual Gatherings page.

voco Amenities and Special Offer

(The Annual Gathering & Dinner Dance will be held in the Oak Suite)

The hotel offers us:

  • Convenient location:
    • About 1 mile (1.6km) from Southampton Railway Station
    • 5 miles (8km) from Southampton Airport.
    • Good local road access via M27 and M271
    • Parking for overnight guests: £10 per car per night
    • Free parking for day attendees
  • Spacious modern accommodation in line with the company's international standard
  • 24 hour fitness centre with modern machines and free weights

Early Hotel Booking Arrangements

We have been allocated a limited number of rooms at a special rate, and we urge members to book accommodation now by phoning hotel reception on +44 (0) 2380 388142 asking for the TDCA AG rates:

£115 for single occupancy — £125 for double occupancy incl. B&B. — There is no deposit to be paid.

When our allotted rooms are all reserved, additional rooms may be available, but at market rates, hence we strongly request early booking.

Members may instead choose to use the nearby Premier Inn West Quay Hotel or Leonardo Royal Hotel, but, book early to get better value.

Please also book a time for Friday evening dinner (which will be from the main restaurant menu) as popular times are likely to be busy. Think about liaising with friends to join together.

See the voco website for more information about the hotel.