To see the Convention 2012 photographs Click Here

The following were details of our 2012 convention.

Our 2012 convention promises to be one of the best the British Titanic Society has ever held. Not only will we commemorate the centenary of Titanic’s loss in April 2012, but we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the formation of the British Titanic Society. Convention 2012 is themed as “A Time To Remember,” which was a phrase coined by BTS member Bob Angel, and this convention will be one to be talked about for many years to come. To see our convention poster click here

Preparations are coming along extremely well and a full program will be announced in the March 2012 issue of the Atlantic Daily Bulletin. However, these are the highlights of the weekend so far:

Thursday April 12th, 2012

On Thursday morning the officers will lay wreaths at the Engineers’ Memorial in East Park, the Musicians’ Memorial, Holyrood Church and finally the memorial just inside the entrance to Dock Gate 4. We are inviting delegates and BTS members to accompany us as we do this and a detailed schedule will appear in the March 2012 issue of the Bulletin.

In the afternoon, we will meet at St. Joseph’s Church in Bugle Street, a short walk from the hotel, to view the memorial plaque to the staff of Titanic’s à la carte restaurant. A BTS member will offer a short talk about the restaurant staff commemorated by the memorial.

Thursday evening, we will be treated to a wide-screen showing of the 1958 classic A Night To Remember, which we have arranged in partnership with Southampton City Council and the Harbour Lights cinema at Ocean Village. We have obtained a discount of £2.00 off the normal ticket price and vouchers for the discount will be posted to convention delegates prior to the convention. They must be handed in at the cinema when purchasing your tickets.

Additional wreaths

In addition to the aforementioned wreaths, in the week prior to the convention we are proposing to place wreaths at other Titanic-related memorials and graves around the country. Our options will depend on available funding but we are considering placing wreaths on the graves of Third Officer Herbert Pitman at Pitcombe; Fifth Officer Harold Lowe at Llandrillo Yn Rhos, North Wales; Bruce Ismay in Putney Vale Cemetery, London; Lookout Fred Fleet in Hollybrook Cemetery; Bandmaster Wallace Hartley at Colne Cemetery; and Captain Smith’s statue in Beacon Park, Lichfield. We may well expand this list if finances permit. In past years, members have been kind enough to send in donations towards the wreaths’ costs, so if you wish to contribute something this time, please feel free to do so. Unless contributors wish to remain anonymous, we plan to list donors’ names in a future issue of the Atlantic Daily Bulletin.

Friday April 13th, 2012

On Friday morning we will depart by coach from the De Vere Grand Harbour hotel for our tour of Hollybrook Cemetery and the Old Cemetery. Officials of Southampton City Council have very kindly arranged for tour guides from the Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery (FoSOC) to show us around the cemeteries and we are very grateful for this generous gesture. Our visits will last approximately two hours and on the journey back to the hotel the coach will pass the new SeaCity maritime museum and the bottom of Oxford Street (outside the Grand Café). These two locations will allow delegates to alight and either visit the museum or take lunch in Oxford Street.

On Friday afternoon, back at the hotel, we will hold a Bring and Buy sale. This has been a very popular event in previous years and so this year we decided to hold another. It is something we encourage all delegates and members to participate in, because this is your chance to grab a bargain! After dinner on Friday evening we will be entertained by a performance of the play The Man Who Left the Titanic, which will be followed by a short discussion on the subject matter and issues it raises. We will then retire to the elegant lounge of the hotel to celebrate our 25th anniversary, which will include the cutting of a specially commissioned birthday cake.

Saturday April 14th, 2012

On Saturday April 14th, which of course is one of the most important dates we will ever have, we will hold our Exhibition and Sales Fair in the hotel’s magnificent Mayflower Suite. As in previous years, the entire room will be at our disposal and we are hoping to utilise the space to its full potential, with a bigger exhibition than ever before. The planning of the lecture program is also at a very advanced stage. While some details remain to be sorted out, at the time of writing we hope to welcome the following lecturers:

Dr. Simon Boxall from the University of Southampton’s National Oceanography Centre will present a lecture titled “Icebergs and Shipping – was the Titanic the Start of a Trend?”

Gary Cooper, well-known author, will present his lecture “From the Potteries to the Titanic: The Early Life and Career of Captain Smith.”

Sally Nilsson, a well know author, will present her lecture, “Robert Hichens – Titanic’s Helmsma”n.

The Exhibition and Sales Fair will close at 4 p.m. We will next meet at 7 p.m. in the Atrium of the hotel for a Buck Fizz reception prior to the Gala Dinner, which this year will be black tie and Edwardian/Titanic-themed, with special table decorations that reflect the occasion.

If you have any seating preferences for the Gala Dinner, or any specific dietary requirements, please make these known to Tim Silcocks as soon as possible, and certainly before the start of the convention weekend. Tim regrets that he will be unable to respond to seating requests or dietary requirements “on the night”.

After the speeches, which will include one from our special guest, the Mayor of Southampton, we will hold a Grand Raffle. Already we have made a start collecting some fabulous prizes! The Gala Dinner will conclude at about 11.15 p.m., and we will then gather for a short memorial service, which will start promptly at 11.40 p.m. We know the timings will not be lost on anyone, and we sincerely hope this will be a very poignant and special moment, as we have our service and finish with the hymn Nearer My God, To Thee.

Sunday April 15th, 2012

On Sunday morning coaches will take us on the short journey to Ocean Village, where we have chartered for our exclusive use the magnificent Blue Funnel catamaran MV Ocean Scene. During our 90-minute cruise, we plan to replicate the start of Titanic’s one and only voyage, shipping movements permitting. We intend to visit Ocean Dock to drop a wreath on the water and afterwards will sail past berth 38/39 where the near-collision with the New York occurred. From there we visit berths 106/108, Southampton’s maritime “Death Row,” where both Olympic and Mauretania were laid-up prior to their demise in 1935, and will then spend some time cruising down the River Itchen.

In addition to dropping the society wreath for this centennial year, we thought it would be rather lovely if each delegate had his or her own individual symbol of remembrance to scatter on the water. Each person taking part in the river cruise will receive a simple red or white carnation, for casting over the ship’s side. We do hope delegates approve of this extra little personal touch. There will then be a playing of Erin’s Lament on the Uilleann pipes by Steve Turner, an Uilleann piper and reed-maker based in Portsmouth. Steve was guest tutor at the Na Piobairi Uilleann (Irish Pipers’ Society) gathering in 2011.

The river cruise over, we will return to the hotel for Sunday lunch. Although not a part of the convention this year, after lunch your officers and no doubt many members, too, will attend the Southampton City Council civic memorial service at St. Mary’s Church in the city centre, where we will lay a wreath on behalf of the society.

The hotel informs us that booking so far has been very brisk and places are filling up quickly. So, if you have not already reserved your place(s) and are intending on coming along, make sure you book early and are not disappointed!

Note – there are limited number of additional places available for the river cruise Click Here to see how to book.

Karen, Nigel and Tim look forward to seeing you in April – It is going to be another fabulous convention.

A booking form has been included in the September 2011 Atlantic Daily Bulletin.

To read about Convention 2011 Click Here and to see the Convention 2011 photographs Click Here

British Titanic Society member Mike Peach, kindly agreed to represent the society at the events held at Lichfield, to mark the centenary.

Here are a selection of the photographs he took.

Mike’s report of the event will appear in the June 2012 edition of the Atlantic Daily Bulletin.

 

THE MILLVINA FUND

Administrators:

Charles A.Haas

David Hill

Una Reilly

OPENING OF THE MILLVINA DEAN MEMORIAL GARDEN.

 

The Administrators of the Millvina Fund are pleased to announce that the opening of the Millvina Dean Memorial Garden, in Southampton, will take place at 2.00pm on Thursday, 31^st May 2012.

The Mayor of Southampton will be in attendance, as will members of Millvina’s family. The Garden will be blessed by the vicar of St. Mary’s, the Reverend Julian Davies.

The ceremony will be brief and simple, as we feel Millvina would wish.

Any BTS Members wishing to attend will be very welcome.

The Garden is situated to the left of the entrance to the SeaCity Museum.

The Garden has been created with close co-operation between the Fund and Southampton City Council.

Millvian Dean was the youngest, and final, survivor of the TITANIC disaster.  She sailed from Southampton aboard the ill-fated ship on 10^th April 1912 with her mother, father and brother. Millvina, her mother and her brother were saved, her father was lost.

For years she attended Titanic functions and Society meetings, both here and overseas, until lack of mobility prevented her from travelling in her latter years.

She was the Honorary President of The British Titanic Society.

She was universally loved as a kind, compassionate lady with a great interest in people. She had a lively mind and a keen sense of humour.

Millvina died on 31^st May 2009, the ninety-eighth anniversary of the launch of Titanic.

After a Memorial Service to her in Copythorne Church on 24^th October 2009, her ashes were scattered on the waters of Berth 44, from where the Titanic sailed in 1912.

 

Here are more photographs of the convention 2012. Please email into us any photos you have for inclusion here – info@britishtitanicsociety.com

There are still more to add, which will be put online ASAP.

I would like to thank Karen Jarman, Richard Henley-Ife, Ian Huntly, and Matthew Snoad for sending in their photographs.

Note – We do not have any restriction on how many photos we can display here.

 

We have just returned from a fantastic convention in Southampton.

We are now busy preparing a report for the June Atlantic Daily Bulletin, but we have already received a number of feedback questionnaires from delegates and here are a selection of comments from them.

I was so impressed with how well organized it all was – well done!

The organisation of this event is outstanding  I persuaded a friend to join me this time and all I had told her was realized.  Absolutely superb as always.  Thank You.

A most memorable experience.  A superb weekend. 

Well done to the organisers an excellent convention appropriate for such a special occasion.

 

 

 

 

Wreaths have been laid on the memorial tablet to Millvina Dean and the grave of Fred Fleet.

Please use Twitter to follow events at Convention 2012 in realtime @BritTitanicSoc via  www.twitter.com/BritTitanicSoc.

The convention became that busy, that we were unable to post in realtime updates – see the June 2012 issue of the Atlantic Daily Bulletin for a full report on the convention.

This post is now closed.

This is the programme for the Convention as appears in the March 2012 Atlantic Daily Bulletin.

Thursday 12th April

11.00 am onwards

Wreath laying around Southampton.

To view a detailed schedule Click Here

1 pm

Visit to St. Joseph’s Church in Bugle Street to view the

memorial to the staff of Titanic’s á la carte restaurant.

3.00 pm–5.00 pm

Welcome desk open for registration and collection of welcome packs.

7.00 pm

Wide-screen showing of A Night To Remember in

the Harbour Lights Cinema at Ocean Village.

Friday 13th April

7.30 am onwards

Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

9.30 am–1.00 pm

Tour of Titanic graves at Southampton Old Cemetery and Hollybrook Cemetery.

 Please assemble in the foyer of the hotel opposite reception.

2.00 pm–5.00 pm

Welcome desk open for registration and collection of welcome packs.

3.00 pm

Members’ Bring and Buy Sale in The Bradford & Winslow Suite,

which is located on the Mezzanine Floor of the hotel.

6.30 pm onwards

Dinner in the hotel restaurant.  Note – tea & coffee included.

There are no formal arrangements; please dine to suit yourselves.

8.30 pm

The play The Man Who Left the Titanic,

performed by Pat Abernethy and Dave Marsden.

10.15  pm approx

25th anniversary celebrations – Lounge bar of hotel.

Saturday 14th April

7.30 am onwards

Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

9.00 am

Exhibition and sales tables open in the Mayflower Suite of the hotel.

Lecture Programme.

11.00 am–12 Noon

Icebergs and Shipping – Was the Titanic the Start of a Trend?

by Dr. Simon Boxall.

Simon is a lecturer in Oceanography at the University of Southampton,

National Oceanography Centre (UK).  He regularly appears on radio and TV news and

current affairs broadcasts relating to a broad range of ocean, coastal and climate issues,

and has been involved in documentaries for Channel 4, Sky, the BBC,

National Geographic and the Discovery Channels.

1.00 pm–2.00 pm

From the Potteries to the Titanic:

The Early Life and Career of Captain Smith

by Gary Cooper.

 Gary has been tracing the career of Captain E. J. Smith since 1987,

and is acknowledged as the foremost authority on his remarkable life.

12.15 pm-12.45 pm & 2.15 pm-2.45 pm. Book signings in the lecture room.

3.00 pm–4.00 pm

Robert Hichens: Titanic’s Helmsman

by Sally Nilsson.

Sally is the Great Granddaughter of Robert Hichens,

Quartermaster at the helm when Titanic hit the iceberg,

and has written a biography of this man’s fascinating life.

All lectures take place in the Mayflower Suite,

which is situated on the Ground Floor of the hotel.

4.00 pm

Exhibition and sales tables close.

5.00 pm–7.30 pm

Studio photographs in the foyer of the Mayflower Suite.

Saturday Evening

7.00–7.30 pm

Assemble in the Atrium for pre-dinner drinks prior to the Gala Dinner.

7.30 pm

Gala Dinner – Black tie/Edwardian/Titanic themed.

in the Mayflower Suite.

MENU

Starter

Shallot and Parmesan tart

Apply chutney & watercress

Main Course

Butter roasted breast of chicken

Savoy cabbage & Celeriac mash

Pancetta crisp & Mustard sauce

Dessert

Assiette of deserts –

warm chocolate pot, sorbet & mousse

Vegetarian Option

Courgette,

Roast Pepper and Halloumi Pithvier

Red Pepper Coulis

_______________

Freshly brewed tea and coffee

and

Home made petit fours.

9.00 pm

Speeches and Grand Titanic Raffle

11:30pm onwards

Memorial service.

Sunday 15th April

Breakfast in the restaurant and checkout for those not staying Sunday night.

Luggage may be left with the hotel Concierge until departure.

10.00 am

( Note – we will leave promptly at 10:10 am).

Delegates board coach for the transfer to Ocean Village, where we will

board the Blue Funnel catamaran MV Ocean Scene for our river cruise.

Please assemble in the foyer of the hotel opposite reception.

Delegates will take a river trip aboard Blue Funnel’s vessel Ocean Scene,

the vessel will hove to in the Ocean Dock from where Titanic set sail in 1912,

and a wreath will be dropped into the water

in remembrance of the 1523 souls who died in the tragedy.

Members on the river cruise will receive a simple

red or white carnation, for casting over the ship’s side.

There will then be a playing of Erin’s Lament

on the Uilleann pipes by Steve Turner.

After the river cruise, at approximately noon, we will

return to the hotel, again by coach, for Sunday lunch.

PLEASE BE PROMPT FOR THE COACH!

12.00 pm

Coach returns delegates to the hotel.

1.00 pm

Sunday lunch in the hotel restaurant.

After Lunch

End of Convention and homeward bound!

The  lecturers for the 2012 Convention on Saturday 14th April have now been confirmed as follows,

11.00am – 12 Noon: “Icebergs and shipping – was the Titanic the start of a trend” by Dr. Simon Boxall.

Dr. Simon Boxall is from the University of Southampton’s National Oceanography Centre.

1.00pm – 2.00pm: “From the Potteries to the Titanic: The early life and career of Captain Smith”, by Gary Cooper.

Gary Cooper has been tracing the career of Captain E. J. Smith since 1987, and is acknowledged as the foremost authority on his remarkable life.

3.00pm – 4.00pm: “Robert Hitchens – his life”, by Sally Nilsson.

Sally Nilsson is the Great Granddaughter of Robert Hichens, Quartermaster at the helm when Titanic hit the iceberg. Sally has written a biography of this man’s fascinating life.

Both the above authors will be undertaking book signings in the Mayflower Suite lecture room from 12.15pm-12.45pm, and 2.15pm-2.45pm.

They will also be joined by author Mark Chirnside who will also be signing copies of his latest book.

 

During the Exhibition / Sales Fair / Lectures on Saturday the 14th April at the 2012 Convention, there will be a series of book signings by the authors of recently released books about Titanic.

This is your chance to have the following books signed by the author on the historic date of the 14th April 2012.

Gary Cooper will be signing his book “Titanic Captain: The Life of Edward John Smith” – Gary has been tracing the career of Captain E. J. Smith since 1987, and is acknowledged as the foremost authority on his remarkable life.

Sally Nilsson will be signing her book “The Man Who Sank Titanic: The Troubled Life of Quartermaster Robert Hichens” – Sally Nilsson is the Great Granddaughter of Robert Hichens, Quartermaster at the helm when Titanic hit the iceberg, and her book is a biography of this man’s fascinating life.

The book signings will be in the Mayflower Suite lecture room from 2.00pm-3.00pm.

 

 

 

All the places for our Gala Dinner to be held on Saturday the 14th April 2012 have now gone.

As can be expected due to the nature of this historic event, demand has been unprecedented.