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The 2011 Association Autumn visit to Belgium will be from
Friday 7 October to Monday 10 October with three nights in Ypres (Ieper) This is an organised visit departing London by coach on the
Friday morning with return to London late Monday afternoon. Channel crossing
will use the Eurotunnel service. Trip includes travel
from pick-up point (Grosvenor Hotel, Buckingham Palace Road, SW1) to West Flanders, Belgium and return to
drop-off point
(London Victoria), 3 nights hotel
accommodation on Bed and Breakfast Basis, lunch on Saturday in Ieper
(Ypres). This year the cost of the trip will be £260 per person including the
IMOS lunch but excluding the
lunch on Sunday and all meals not specifically mentioned. We strongly advise
intending participants to take out suitable personal travel insurance.
Planned events are as follows.
- Friday 7 October Last Post Commemoration and
wreath
laying Ceremony at the Menin Gate, Ieper
- evening after the Last Post ceremony is free
- Saturday 8 October Commemorative Lunch with the Inter Allied
Military Organisation Sphinx (IMOS) at Elverdinge
- Saturday 8 October (Alternative if not participating in
the IMOS Lunch) if you wish to join this group please use our
contact us form.
- Visit to Passchendaele CWGC memorial & museum,
lunch at the HOOGE Crater Museum and, if time, a trip to Sanctuary Wood at
Hill 62
- Saturday 8 October evening free
- Sunday 9 October morning a guided visit to battlefield sites
Hill 63 taken by 2/Leinsters + Hampshire Regiment on the 4th September 1918.
This was a key episode in the breakout from the Salient that paved the way
for the capture of Ledegem a month later. This will be followed by a visit
to Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing to pay our respects to the Leinster
missing remembered there - including those from the action at Premesques in
1914. and Ploegsteert.
- Sunday 9 October afternoon
reception and lunch at Ledegem Community Centre followed mid afternoon
by a wreath laying at the 40/10 Memorial and a thanksgiving service in St
Pieter's Church. After the thanksgiving service there will be a social with
beverages.
- The coach is scheduled to return to Ypres approximately
5.30 pm with the evening as free time in Ypres
- Monday 10 October morning Visit
the "Island of Ireland Peace Park", afternoon return to UK.
Members often seek advice about what attire to take. Autumn
weather in Belgium is not too dissimilar to weather in the UK so be prepared for
a rain shower. Days can be warm though evenings are often cooler than
experienced in UK. The Last Post ceremony is held at 8pm so expect a cool
temperature. When participating in some events we have prepared some
further guidance.
Saturdays IMOS lunch
(included in the trip price of £260) is organised by The Inter-Allied Military
Organisation (Sphinx) that commemorates a WW2 movement created during the
occupation of Belgium by Germany. Each year veterans of WW2 and their
descendents, plus serving members of the Belgian Defence Forces, meet to
commemorate events passed and present. The formal side is kept to an acceptable
level and after a splendid multi-course lunch, the afternoon can be spent
socialising in a relaxed atmosphere that includes the opportunity to make use of
the dance floor! Gentlemen attire is lounge suit or regimental blazer and
flannels; medals may be worn. Ladies attire should be smart casual.
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Sunday's reception and
thanksgiving service in Ledegem is organised by Heemkring Liedengehem
and the the cost of Sunday lunch is not included in the price of the
trip and requires the purchase of an additional Sunday lunch ticket. The price of the lunch includes wine or other drinks upon arrival followed
by a "Buffet à Volonté" full of local specialities including a dessert
concluding with a choice of coffee or tea.
"Buffet à Volonté" means eat as much food and beverage as you
wish, all beverages throughout the reception and meal are included in the price
of the Sunday lunch ticket. Beverage
includes beer, wine, alcohol-free beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea.
It is estimated that it will cost between €35 and €45 each inclusive of all food
and beverage. Details of how to pay for the reception/lunch ticket will be
automatically provided to all who register for one of the options to
reserve a place
This year's events in Ledegem will not include a formal parade, the emphasis
being that of a more relaxed event. Attire can therefore by 'smart casual'
though members, if they wish, can wear regimental blazer and flannels; medals
may be worn according to personal choice.
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Reservation Option 1 If you wish to attend the
IMOS lunch, the battlefield tour
on Sunday followed by the Ledegem Commemoration event it is recommended that you
make a reservation direct with the Association as soon as possible. Please
contact either Mr David Ball or Mr Ian Lowe as soon as possible to confirm your
reservation. Contact David Ball on 020-8853-0345 or Ian Lowe on 01978-854419
Reservation Option 2 If you wish to attend the
battlefield tours on Saturday
and Sunday followed by the Ledegem Commemoration event it is recommended
that you make a reservation direct with the Association as soon as possible.
Please contact either Mr David Ball or Mr Ian Lowe as soon as possible to
confirm your reservation. Contact David Ball on 020-8853-0345 or Ian Lowe on
01978-854419
Want to make your own way?
If you are travelling independently the Association is not able to make any
hotel reservation for you. There are many hotels in Ypres and reservations can
be made via the
Ieper
Tourist Office or directly with the hotels
Albion, (Room
B&B rate Euro 83 - 103)
Regina (Double Room for 3 nights circa Euro 250) in Ieper, or if attending
on the Sunday only with
Hostellerie Daiseldale (Room B&B rate double room circa Euro 70-80
also special weekend rate)
If you wish to attend the IMOS lunch and/or the Ledegem reception/lunch please
contact Ian Lowe on 01978-854419 to purchase your tickets.
Hint: If staying at The Hotel Daiseldale mention the Association and that you are attending the
event in Ledegem.
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Guidance on Dress Code:
The emphasis during in the trip is to maintain a relaxed and informal atmosphere
though there are occasions, such as the IMOS lunch and the Ledegem reception
when unconditional casual dress would be inappropriate. On the other hand a
visit to a Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery or the site of former battlefield
often involves walking on grass. Members therefore need to strike a balance to
suit the event being attended. If you are travelling on the Association coach
then alternative attire (footwear/jacket etc.) can be carried.
Last Post at Menin Gate, Friday If taking part in the
Association parade and wreath laying Regimental Blazers Caubeens and Medal
entitlement including tribute medals may be worn, other wise as a spectator
casual attire.
IMOS Lunch Saturday Gentlemen attire is lounge suit or
regimental blazer and flannels; medals may be worn. Ladies attire should be
smart casual.
Battlefield Tour Saturday casual attire
Battlefield Tour Sunday morning casual attire
Ledegem reception/lunch Sunday smart casual (no jeans)
Ledegem 40/10 Memorial & Church Thanksgiving service
Sunday afternoon smart casual (no jeans) optional regimental blazer and flannels
Free evenings in Ieper (Ypres) Saturday and Sunday
casual attire.
Leinster Association Blazers Caubeens and Medal entitlement
including tribute medals may be worn when attending formal commemorations and wreath
laying ceremonies.
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Read "Why the
Leinsters commemorate the liberation of Ledegem?" |
