THE OS SOMME PILGRIMAGE – MONDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER TO THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2016

Dear Old Sedberghian,

Following our highly successful and most enjoyable visits to Mons in August 2014 and to Gallipoli in October 2015, this year the focus of our Pilgrimage is The Somme where 33 Old Sedberghians lost their lives, several on the notorious first day of the battle.

We have teamed up again with The Cultural Experience, one of the market leaders in the provision of high quality, expert led military history tours, and I am delighted to announce that we will again have the benefit of the services of Dr Bruce Cherry whose extraordinary knowledge and enthusiasm kept us enthralled at Gallipoli and whose specialist subject is the Somme.

Once again the itinerary has been designed to ensure that as well as gaining an overall appreciation of the Somme campaign, the sites relevant to the sacrifices made by former Sedberghians will be visited. Because of the constraints of time, and in 2 instances distance, not every OS grave will be visited on this trip, but the itinerary devised by Bruce ensures that the vast majority will be.

The intention is to travel on Monday morning by Eurostar from St Pancras to Lille where we will be met by a coach, which will be our mode of transport throughout, and will deposit us back at Lille Railway Station for the return journey by Eurostar on Thursday afternoon. For the duration of the tour we will be staying in the attractive historic town centre of Arras. (NB we were originally to stay in Amiens, but no sooner had the last newsletter been sent out than we were informed that we were to be based in Arras).

OUTWARD: DEPART LONDON ST.PANCRAS 08.55 MONDAY 19 SEPTEMBER – ARRIVE LILLE 11.30

HOMEWARD: DEPART LILLE 16.36 THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER – ARRIVE LONDON ST. PANCRAS 16.47

The following are included in the price:

1. Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille return (Standard Premier class)

2. Executive coach travel while in France

3. 3 nights bed and buffet breakfast in the 4 star Hotel Mercure Arras Centre Gare.

4. I x 3 course set menu meal (to include wine and coffee in a recommended local restaurant).

5. I light lunch and 2 picnic lunches.

6. The services and all associated costs of Dr Bruce Cherry.

7. The services and all associated costs of an English tour manager.

8. 100% financial protection through CE’s ATOL and membership of the Travel Trust Association.

The price quoted by Cultural Experience is dependent upon the number of those who wish to take part:

The cost is on a sliding scale of £775 per person (based on 20-25 paying participants) to £675 per person  (based on 40 or more paying participants)

There is a single room occupancy supplement of £130 per room.

To confirm place(s) on the tour a non-refundable deposit of £100 per person will be required.

All booking arrangements on behalf of the OS Club will be handled by Cultural Experience who may be contacted as follows:

info@theculturalexperience.com

www.theculturalexperience.com

Tel: 0345 475 1815

We do hope that you are able to join us on this latest stage of our OS Pilgrimage.