Annual Gathering - Suffolk Coast

About 75 members made the journey to England's most easterly town for our Annual Gathering at The Hotel Victoria, Lowestoft. It was way back in 1997 that the Society held one of its first gatherings at nearby Southwold and happily, the general consensus was that this repeat visit was long overdue.

Everything came together. The weather was perfect, the Suffolk coast at daffodil time was looking its best, our spacious function suite was superbly appointed, and the lucky ones amongst us enjoyed rooms with a sea view. All this together with good service and an interesting and varied programme, combined to provide what many felt was one of our best gatherings ever.

On Friday afternoon we met up outside The Jolly Sailor pub at Orford, a.k.a. The Harbour Lights in Sea Witch Comes Home for a walk led by Patrick Tubby to see many of the locations featured in the book. This included Orford Castle and a short talk on its history by John Pentney.

Friday evenings are one of the best times at all our gatherings: an informal get-together of old friends and some first-timers too, who meet up to collect their welcome packs and chat over a glass or two, or perhaps browse around the book fair and other merchandise on display, before settling down to enjoy a buffet supper. Two themed presentations afterwards, Saville's Anglia and Essex Girl's Surprise, completed the evening and what for many had been a very full day.

Punctually at 0915 on Saturday, our coaches arrived for a tour to Blythburgh, Walberswick and Southwold, arranged by Ray Ham-Longman. One highlight was Blythburgh church. After a fascinating talk on its history by a local man, we were invited to climb the very high tower. Not all accepted and small wonder, as it involved long ladders without guard rails. But the breathtaking view over Tinkers' Marshes to the sea was worth it and made it easy to visualize what the area must have looked like during the floods of 1953.

After our specially-booked al-fresco lunch at The Bell Inn in Walberswick, we had the option of crossing the Blyth by ferry and walking back to Southwold or returning there by coach. Three hours of free time to explore this charming town followed and for most, it included a pilgrimage to the end of the pier to admire the Society's plaque recording Saville's writing of Sea Witch Comes Home.

As always, the annual Gala Dinner, or fabulous feast as it is sometimes called, followed on Saturday evening, when our after-dinner speaker was Alex Saville. Her theme was 'Marrying the Son' and she gave us a rare and privileged glimpse of her life with our late President and her memories of his father, whose life and work is our raison d'etre. Ten-year-old Victoria Hall presented a floral bouquet to her afterwards as a 'thank you' from the Society. The evening ended with the results of the Short Story Competition and presentations to two of the prize winners, together with the release for sale of the 2009 Short Story Booklet.

At the AGM on Sunday morning, members voted for Rye as the venue for our 2011 Gathering and also recommended that Shropshire and Yorkshire should be considered for 2012 and 2013 respectively. After coffee and biscuits it was then time for the saddest part of all our gatherings - saying goodbye until we meet again.

Blythburgh Church

Patrick Tubby at Orford Castle

Plaque on Southwold Pier

Jan and Joyce on Walberswick Ferry