Newsletter

Dear Ladies & Gentlemen,

At the start of a new academic year Anglia Tours would like to welcome you back to school with our new Autumn Newsletter.

In addition to keeing you up to date with information on forthcoming tours, new accommodation and sites to visit, we aim to use this newsletter as a wya of passing on important travel information which may assist you when preparing for a school tour. I do hope you find it both useful & informative.

Ian Coyne
Operations Manager (Schools)

Christmas Truce Tours

With memories of the summer fading fast, our planning for the Festive Season is well under way. Anglia’s Christmas Truce 1914 tour, is a unique experience which will not only allows students to learn about the realities of trench life through the winter of 1914 and to see it from the perspective of soldiers on both sides but also to witness a re-enactment of the famous Christmas Truce, to "talk with those who were actually there" and to sample the delights of Colour Sergeant Church's now infamous trench stew.

With the added attraction of a Christmas market in Ypres or nearby Brugges as an option, this tour has proven increasingly popular particularly.

In addition to offering an extra staff place on day tours and two extra places on a two day tour this year there will also be a free Chocolate Advent Calendar for every student and a box of chocolates for each teacher.

If you are interested in booking a Christmas Truce tour or would like further information please contact our desk officers either by email or telephone 01245 231991.

This tour has proven increasingly popular particularly with the added attraction of a Christmas market in Ypres or nearby Brugges as an option. In addition to offering an extra staff place on day tours and two extra places on a two day tour this year there will also be a free Chocolate Advent Calendar for every student and a box of chocolates for each teacher.

If you are interested in booking a Christmas Truce tour or would like further information please contact our desk officers either by email or telephone 01245 231991

European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC)

You may not be aware that each European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) has a validity period & around 3 million are due to expire between September 2008 and March 2009, something which may well be worth checking as part of your pre-tour preparation.

EHIC can be renewed up to six months in advance with information to assist & an on line application form readily avaialble at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers

Halfords Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Bike Ride

On the 26th May 2008, 300 riders mustered at HMS Victory in Portsmouth and with the sound of the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines ringing in their ears, departed for France and a 360 mile cycle ride to raise funds for the new facilities at Headley Court, the Armed Forces rehabilitation centre in Surrey.

Keith Dolan of Anglia Battlefield Tours took part in the tour that wended its way across Normandy to Le Havre, Dieppe, Amiens, Bethune, Dunkirk and thence to Dover (the last leg, courtesy of the Royal Navy) and culminated in the field riding past the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Sunday, 01 June 2008. At each ‘stand’ a wreath was laid on behalf of the tour by one of the recovering members from Team Headley Court and the tour was accompanied by a piper from the Gurkha Rifles as well as a bugler from the Rifles, both of whom were excellent.

The tour witnessed sunshine, fierce winds (especially over the Pont de Normandie bridge), rain in stair-rods that allowed mud on the Somme to cover the riders but also moments of sublime remembrance that will stay with those who took part, probably forever. One of these was when Team Headley Court, all of whom had limb/sight injuries, crossed the finish line in Dunkirk to the raucous cheers and applause of the rest of the tour, welcoming them home. A magnificent effort.

All together, a memorable tour for all those involved that will be talked about for a long time to come but most importantly, Anglia Battlefield Tours, thanks to donations by friends, customers, wellwishers and guides, raised more than £3,500 in support of Help for Heroes and the new swimming pool and gymnasium at Headley Court. It was hoped that the Bike Ride would raise £600,000 and to date, the figure now stands at more than £1.2 million.

A grateful thank-you to all who sponsored Keith on the ride and well done all involved!

Berlin 2009

2009 marks the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This event , the impact of which was felt across the worl, is being commemorated in the city with a year of cultural events.

Between 7th May & 9th November 2009 an open-Air exhibition called the 'Peaceful Revolution' will be on display in Alexanderplatz. A series of events 'Perspectives on a changing city' will move to a new location, including Potsdamer Platz, Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, every fortnight.

The commemorations will conclude on 9th November itself with the 'Day of the fall of the Berlin Wall' which will include concerts and street party at the Brandenburg Gate.

With all this activities 2009 is an excellent year in which to visit this historic city with Anglia.

If you would like to talk through the options for a tour to Berlin with Anglia please contact our Berlin Desk Officer, Diane Coyne either by email or telephone 01245 231991.

Anglia Website – Teacher’s Area

Many of you will know that our website has a section dedicated to providing resources which both compliment the tours we offer & provide further detail on some of the key themes.

Over the coming months I would like to expand the material we have on offer adding items such as recommended reading lists which would help support the work you do in the classroom.

If there are any items you would like to see included I would be grateful to receive suggestions either by email or telephone on 01245 231991.

Passengers with Reduced Mobility

Under changes to EU law which took effect on 26th July 2008 there is now an obligation to notify airlines of any passenger who has reduced mobility.

This includes passengers with broken limbs or any other temporary disability.

To ensure we are able to do this & thus avoid difficulties which you would otherwise experience at check in, can you please inform us should this apply to any of your party - right up to the date of departure.

International Schools Hotel - Poppies d'Albert

This Autumn will see the opening of the new, purpose built Poppies d'Albert School Hotel.

Located in Albert the hotel is perfectly situted both as a base for tours of the Somme battlefields and as a stopover for those headed further afield.

The hotel is owned by Sefaan Vanderstraete who will be well known to those of you who have been with Anglia before and have stayed in The Salient, The Poppies or Menin Gate hostels.

Like these the Poppies provides a range of facilties including a games room and free Internet Suite. There is also a bowling alley & Sports Centre 10 minutes walk from the hostel.

There is also the added reassurance that with a group of at least 45 persons even if some beds on your floor remain empty, you won't have to share with anyone else.

Questions?
Get in touch.

Brick House Farm
Ongar Road
Margaret Roding
Essex, CM6 1QR.
Tel: 01245 231735
Fax: 01245 231771

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