Report on the 2015 Association Annual Gathering in Southampton, where members socialised, watched films, and visited stalls. Sir Martin Holdgate gave a talk on Tristan da Cunha's Wildlife.

See also:

2015 Annual Gathering

The Tristan da Cunha Association
returned to the Southampton Holiday Inn
for the ninth year running for its
Annual Gathering on Saturday 11th April 2015.
Photo report with images from Ann Ashworth and Mike Faulds
A full report and selected photos will appear in the August Tristan da Cunha Newsletter.

Above: John Cooper welcoming Beau Rowlands
at the reception table

Above right: Dr Rosemary Jordan making a purchase at Janice Hentley's souvenir and handicrafts stall

Right: The first Tristan islander to arrive was Joan King (right) with Carol Mann

Above: Mike Faulds shows Sir Martin Holdgate and Michael Swales the display of philatelic and other records of the Gough Island Scientific Survey (GISS) 1955-56 to mark its 60th anniversary. The display was organised by Mike and Robin Taylor.

Above right: Martin and Michael beside the display. Martin was co-leader of the GISS and Michael its ornithologist.

Right: Secretary and Tristan da Cunha Government UK Adviser Jim Kerr with Clive Glass. Clive flew over from the Isle of Man for the Annual Gathering and was, as a resident Tristan da Cunha islander (presently undergoing training on the IOM) our very special guest.

During the morning Webmaster Peter Millington
showed Tristan films which included a film shot by Mike Faulds of the 2006 RMS ST Helena cruise during the showing of which Mike provided a commentary. We used the large main room for films this year which proved very successful.

Friends re-united: Five of those who visited Tristan for Christmas 2011 aboard MV Island Sky: Left to right ~ Ann Ashworth, Jennifer Gardiner, Peter Knee, Mary Knee and Ken Gardiner.
John and Margaret Humby
The Annual General Meeting was held after lunch:
Left: President and Chairman Michael Swales welcomes the large group present;
Right: Vice-Chair and former Tristan Administrator Mike Hentley took the chair for the election of officers and later gave a vote of thanks to the committee for their work.

The keynote speaker was Sir Martin Holdgate (above)
who, on the 60th anniversary of the Gough Island Scientific Survey gave us an authoritative and fascinating talk on 'The Global Importance of Tristan da Cunha's Wildlife'.
An article based on Michael's talk will appear in the August Tristan da Cunha Newsletter.

   

By the Tristan flag: Left - Volcanologist Anna Hicks who was voted on to the Tristan Association Committee during the AGM; Right: The new Tristan da Cunha Government UK Adviser Chris Carnegy.

The raffle was organised by Ann Stewart who
is shown in the photo above sorting tickets . We are grateful to those members who so generously donated prizes. Prize winners chose their own prizes (from those still available!) and included Fran Rogers (right) and Sarah Cash (below right).

Meetings Secretary Keith Schurch

Committee Member Robin Taylor

Newsletter Editor Richard Grundy (above) stepped in as auctioneer as Ron Burn was unable to attend and has decided to retire from the committee. He is seen with two Tristan caps and in the photo above right Margaret Grundy displays what we think is a Tristan tea cosy.

Right: Keith Schurch receiving payment from Austin Meares and below successful bidders show their buys:
Left: Alison Hentley with her jumper:
Right:: Association Honorary Auditor Richard Moss with a now rare glass fishing float painted by Jimmy Rogers.

The Dinner Dance

After the two course buffet dinner
we were treated to authentic Tristan music for dancing
played by Webmaster Peter Millington (on the accordion)
and Mike Faulds on the fiddle.
A special feature was the traditional pillow dance
which was a huge success as the photos below will demonstrate.

Above: Anna Hicks, Jim Kerr and Hazel Carter
Below: Janice Hentley followed by Clive Glass and Sandra Kornet
Above: Sandra Kornet from Holland is about to have an offer she can't refuse from Alan Ashworth, followed by Anna Hicks, Jim Kerr.

....and then the disco

Islanders Clive Glass and Hazel Carter
Photographers Ann Ashworth and Mike Faulds
Above: Richard and Pamela Hewitt;
Above right: Alison, Mike and Janice Hentley;
Right: Beau Rowlands and Ann Ashworth
Below: Here come the girls: Alison Hentley, Sandra Kornet and Anna Hicks light up the dance floor;
Below right: Clive Glass and Alison Hentley
A memorable Annual Gathering again,
and many of us have already put the 2016 date of Saturday 2nd April 2016
(again the Saturday after Easter) in our diaries
and will make early hotel reservations: see the 2016 Annual Gathering Page for more.
We do hope you will join the party next year!