From 28th September to 1st October 2017, we were hosted by our friends at Veale Wasbrough Vizards in Bristol.
Delegates stayed in The Bristol Hotel and this is where the actual AGM itself also took place.
On Thursday 28th September we were welcomed by Simon Heald for Welcome Drinks at Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ office which was located just a short walk from the hotel on the river. Dinner followed at Bordeaux Quay.
The AGM commenced at 9:00am on Friday 29th September with a welcome from John Kerr and Jeff Gillbanks’ report on the previous year. After a short coffee break our speaker, Nigel Farage, arrived and gave a 45 minute presentation followed by a 45 minute Q&A session. This sparked a lively debate amongst our European colleagues.
We hope that all delegates found Nigel’s presentation as interesting as we did. Please send any ideas for future topics of our AGMs to Helen Cooper.
After lunch the afternoon session focussed on the AEL itself. There were short presentations from the Treasurer, Ben Smith who gave the accounts; Philippe Francois on the Training Seminar and Matteo Magistrelli, Christin Hempel and Tom Wright (our Junior Board).
A further Break Out session commenced and delegates were asked for the views and opinions on AEL itself and what they would like to see in the future/any changes.
Whilst the AGM was going on the spouses in attendance were treated to a visit to the Lido Spa in Clifton and sightseeing/shopping around Bristol.
That evening, we took a short riverboat ride to the venue of the Gala Dinner aboard the SS Great Britain. The SS Great Britain was launched in 1843 and was he world’s first luxury ocean liner, often described as one of the most important historic ships in the world.
The less formal part of the programme on Saturday included a tour of Bath including the Roman Baths and Afternoon Tea at the Roman Bath Kitchen. A dinner at the Glassboat rounded off a truly great event.
We are very grateful to those at Veale Wasbrough Vizards for a brilliantly organised and successful event.