ARMSTRONG
CLAN ASSOCIATION GATHERING 2009
31
JULY – 1 AUGUST
BASED
AT THE QUEEN’S HOTEL, LOCKERBIE
For those who
have attended before arrangements are much the same as ever. However there is no
need to attend the whole Gathering weekend, you can always slot in at the
beginning, end or the middle! The main event, of course, is the Gathering Lunch,
talk and entertainment on Saturday 1 August. The Gathering Fee that we charge is
to cover expenses on the day only and this will be in the region of £25/30. You
will be able to pay this direct to your Country Convenor in local currency when
this is finally decided early next year. Immediately we know we will put all new
details, prices and the programme on the website and in any case publish the
final version in the May 2009 edition of the NEWS.
We have yet to engage
a speaker. We have had a variety of excellent speakers over the years and have
tried to encourage our members to come forward with a topic which we can all
relate to. Are you hiding your light under a bushel? Do you have a topic which
would keep the Gathering enthralled? Family history, Armstrong encounters, Tales
of Border life and no doubt many other ideal areas for the listeners. If you are
brave enough to come forward you will, of course, have your Gathering Fee
waived! If you would like to help in this way contact Nick as soon as possible.
The Queen’s Hotel
offers special rates for those attending the Gathering through Thursday to
Sunday. If you make an early reservation (which is wise) don’t forget to say
that you are booking for the Gathering. Again, the rates will be published as
soon as they are arranged.
If you have booked to stay at the hotel there will be a pack for you at
reception so make sure you get it! The hotel serves a good variety of bar meals
so you can either eat in all the time on an ad hoc basis and just use the hotel
for bed and breakfast.
The outline of the
programme will be:
Thursday 30 July
Early arrivals!
Friday 31 July An informal evening get together at 8.30pm to allow everyone to eat beforehand.
Saturday 1 August
Gathering Day! Meet in the bar from 11.30am onwards. Lunch at 1pm.
Tea/Coffee and biscuits 4.30pm approximately. 6.30pm Visit to Lockerbie Garden
of Remembrance.
Sunday 2
August
Armstrong Country Tour 9.30am (Early breakfast!) Finish approximately
4.30pm.
HOTEL
DETAILS Queens
Hotel, Annan Road, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. DG11 2RB Telephone 01576
202415 Fax 01576 203901 www.queenshotellockerbie.co.uk
Please mention
"Armstrong Clan Association Gathering" when booking.
It is essential
that we know we have sufficient numbers to make the Gathering viable so if you
are coming please send your deposit as early as possible. Of course you can book
right up to the day before the event, but by then the event may have been
cancelled due to lack of support!
Deposits are UK £5 per
person. Dollar countries $10 per person. Other currencies please contact your
Convenor.
There
are two other events that you could also consider attending in conjunction with
the Gathering. They are The Gathering of the Clans in Edinburgh on the previous
weekend, followed by Langholm Common Riding Week, culminating on the Friday.
Further details of both these events can be found at:
(The
Gathering of the Clans) www.clangathering.org/
(Langholm
Riding) www.langholm-online.co.uk/pages/content.asp?PageID=122