All Events are for IVC Members only unless otherwise stated

Friday 24th Feb 2012
24–27 FEBRUARY BERROW HOUSE, MALVERN HILLS
Join London M+M for a long week-end at Berrow House staying in one of three comfortable bunkhouses. Berrow House dates back to the 1800's. Then Berrow House was part of Eastnor Estate and consisted of the house and a number of timber workshops and stables. Berrow House is 'Walkers and Cyclists' friendly. Facilities are provided that walkers and cyclists always find welcoming; such as washing facilities for bikes, boots and equipment, a dryer for clothing, and secure storage for bikes and equipment.

We have use of The Bunkhouse for 8, The Nook for 3 and The Fold for 4. The Bunkhouse and The Nook share facilities whilst The Fold is en-suite.

We have the guidance of a professional Chef to assist us with the preparation of our evening meals!

The cost for 3 nights’ accommodation, breakfasts, packed lunches and two evening meals is just £75.00 for LIVC & AIVC members. Non-members are very welcome but there is a supplementary charge of £15

This is a London IVC Event but to book, please contact the Host, David Powell
Place: Berrow House, Hollybush Near Ledbury, Worcs HR8 1ET
Club: London IVC
Organiser: David Powell    H 020 8988 3288 M 07925190 035    forestepping@yahoo.co.uk

Friday 9th Mar 2012
9 - 11 March aIVC weekend early Spring break at Great Yarmouth
Staying at Hadleigh Gables Hotel centrally located within easy reach of the town’s attractions.

Come join fellow IVCer’s on a fun weekend in the coastal town of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Situated at the mouth of the River Yare, 20 miles east of Norwich. It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea and for hundreds of years a major fishing port.

The area is linked to Gorleton, Cobholm and Southtown by Haven Bridge and to the A47, A149 and A12 by the Breydon Bridge.

Various activites have been planned - live evening entertainment at the hotel each night, local venue with tribute bands, Saturday walk along the river Yare to Burgh Castle and Belton, Sunday pub lunch followed by an afternoon walk, .....and more!!!

We are offering a two night stay, half board for £76 per person or if you want to stay over on the Sunday two nights half board and one night bed and breakfast - £106 per person.

Bookings are being coordinated by Graeme Mount, please email
Place: Great Yarmouth
Club: AIVC Committee
Organiser: 077645 14027    development@ivc.org.uk,

Friday 30th Mar 2012
Birmingham Weekend
A visit by Merseyside IVC linking up with Birmingham IVC & of course other IVC's welcome!

Fri March 30th, stay 2 or 3 nights

Staying at the ETAP City Centre Hotel, 1 Great Colmore St (not the airport hotel) within walking distance from Birmingham New St Station

Prices from £37 per room per night (price at time of

you can check out their website (www.etaphotel.com) or ring them on 0121 622 7576

Booking the hotel is the individuals responsibility

The idea is to have an action-packed fun weekend with a mini-programme of events that will include restaurants & bars of an evening & daytime activities such as boat trips, walks, shopping etc There will be more details nearer the time.

Members & Members friends & relatives are welcome.

If you are interested go ahead & book, it will be a good sized group of us, if you have any questions you can contact me via e mail on michael.hulligan@sky.com or ring me on either 0151 933 0495 or 07931 566122

cheers

Mike (thanks for your help, Pete)
Place: Birmingham
Club: Merseyside IVC
Organiser: Michael Hulligan    0151 933 0495 or 07931 566122    michael.hulligan@sky.com

Saturday 31st Mar 2012
West Surrey IVC Barn Dance
Join West Surrey IVC for their annual Barn Dance at Pirbright Village Hall from 7:15 pm. The Hogsback Band are providing the music for this fun filled night, no dancing expreirnce is needed as the callers wil talk you through each dance. Tickets are priced at £17 including a supper of fish and chips, sausage and chips, or veggieburger and chips. Bring your own drinks. Tickets are available at www.wsivc.org.uk/payments
Place: Pirbright, Surrey
Club: West Surrey IVC
Organiser: Andrew Herbert    alo@wsivc.org.uk

Thursday 5th Apr 2012
EASTER 5 - 9 APRIL BALA, SNOWDONIA, WALES
Come and join London IVC for an M+M walking weekend.

Less than two miles from Bala on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, Bala Bunkhouse is only a few minutes drive from the lake and white water centre. The Bunk House is a converted 18C Welsh stone building. It is set back from the road in over an acre of picturesque grounds bounded by a river and a stream. Modernised to provide accommodation for outdoor activity groups, it is light airy and comfortable with night storage heating. There is a large lounge/dining area and bunk rooms for 2, 4 and 8 plus an annex for 6. Separate ladies and gentleman's facilities have washing areas and hot showers.

We have the guidance of a professional Chef to assist us with the preparation of our meals!

From the Tomen there is a splendid view of the Berwyn Hills; together with the Aran and Arenig hills they provide superb walking. Bala lake and the National white-water centre are brilliant for water sports. Good Pubs, Restaurants and shops in Bala.

The cost for 4 nights’ accommodation, breakfasts, packed lunches and three evening meals is just £90.00 (owing to the rising costs of accommodation and food) for LIVC & AIVC members. Non-members are very welcome but there is a supplementary charge of £15

This is a London IVC event hosted by Gill Butterworth of Essex IVC
Place: Bala Bunkhouse, Tomen Y Castell, Llanfor, Bala LL23 7HD
Club: London IVC
Organiser: Gill Butterworth    gillbee@hotmail.com

Friday 4th May 2012
4 – 7 MAY BANK HOLIDAY AT COUNTISBURY HILL, DEVON
Join London IVC for the Early May Bank Holiday M+M walking week-end at Countisbury Hill, North Devon. Located just off the A39, the National Trust Base Camp is a converted stone barn at Countisbury on the north Devon coast. The 688 hectares of majestic coastline, steep wooded valleys, moors and farmland of the Watersmeet estate surround the bunkhouse. The whole area is within the Exmoor National Park.

This accommodation is very popular both for walking and cycling and required booking almost a year in advance in order to secure it for London IVC Mountain & Moorland Walking!

The cost for 3 nights’ accommodation, breakfasts, packed lunches and two evening meals is just £75.00 for LIVC & AIVC members. Non-members are very welcome but there is a supplementary charge of £15

This is a London IVC Event hosted by Pauline Creek of Cambridgeshire IVC
Place: Countisbury Hill National Trust Base Camp, 1 Mile East Of Lynton And Lynmouth, North Devon
Club: London IVC
Organiser: Pauline Creek    p.creek@ntlworld.com

Friday 25th May 2012
Weekend Camping at Shell Island, Wales
Join Merseyside IVC on one of their regular camping weekends, Friday, 25th May to Sunday, 27th May 2012. Some people arrive early and leave late, so you can add to the core weekend. It is also perfectly all right to come for just a night. The cost is £6•25 per night.

Shell Island http://www.shellisland.co.uk/ is a stunningly beautiful place with very good facilities (hot showers, pub, shops and restaurant). It is the largest campsite in Europe. It is low density and in some areas almost wild. To see photographs look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nick_wilkinson_merseyside/sets/72157624167939790/. As most children will be in school, the campsite will be quiet and the roads clear. Bring a tent, wine and walking boots. Let Nick know if the idea interests you and further details will be sent nearer the time.
Place: Shell Island, Wales
Club: Merseyside IVC
Organiser: Nick Wilkinson, Merseyside IVC    0151 430 0690    Tivium@hotmail.com

Friday 1st Jun 2012
1-5 JUNE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE CHEVIOTS WEEKEND
Join London M+M for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Holiday week-end at Mount Hooley YHA in the Cheviot Hills / Kielder Forest YHA Mounthooley Bunkhouse is a recently refurbished, remote shepherd’s cottage situated in a stunning glacial valley in the beautiful Northumberland National Park. It is ideal for groups and offers cosy accommodation with a well-equipped self catering kitchen and log fire. There are numerous walks starting from the door and climbing, mountain biking and bird watching are all available nearby. The bunkhouse is close to the Cheviot Challenge. The Cheviots are higher than the Yorkshire dales and both Edinburgh & Glasgow Universities have had enjoyable and challenging walking in this area.

NOTE: Though this Hostel is almost in Scotland the travelling distance by road (from London) is about the same as that to the Lake District and is more direct.

The cost for 4 nights’ accommodation, breakfasts, packed lunches and three evening meals is just £80.00 for LIVC & AIVC members. Non-members are very welcome but there is a supplementary charge of £15.
Place: Mount Hooley Yha, College Valley, Kirknewton, Wooler, Northumberland
Club: London IVC
Organiser: events@ivc.org.uk

Sunday 17th Jun 2012
Ionian Flotilla Sailing Holiday (Week)
If you haven't already booked up your summer holiday time, you might want to consider this.

The sublimity of being able to wander around the Ionian Islands in southern Greece under sail is generally under appreciated, in what is a unique area, for its weather, sheltered and non-tidal waters, largely unspoiled environment, costs and friendly people.

Aimed at (and making yacht sailing accessible for) beginners like myself, a flotilla would consist of 8-12 yachts, supported by a 3-man company yacht offering unobtrusive back-up, local knowledge, informative briefings and assistance where required.

Daytime will consist of relaxed sailing (about 4 hours a day) with good anchorages for lunch, swimming and exploring.

Evenings will see us moored in a village or marina with plenty of time to explore the slightly more inland aspects of the islands, the wonderful tavernas and a friendly population.

One evening is set aside for a beach party when the yachts will be rafted up close to the beach and the lead crew will provide the goodies.

During your week you will have the opportunity to experience life aboard a yacht as well as handling under sail and engine, along with things like landfalls, mooring and anchoring.

I’ve been assured by my contacts that it’s business as usual in the islands. We fly directly to Preveza (from Gatwick or Manchester), with a meet and greet shuttle to the marina on Lefkada. Our bookings are ABTA/ATOL bonded too.

If necessary, the flotilla company will require to issue 2 people in each boat with temporary competence certificates. I'm assured this will be possible for ABLE-BODIED AND RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE WITH 'COMMON SENSE OUTDOORS OR RELATED EXPERIENCE AND A CAN-DO ATTITUDE'. So it's all good, as we are the IVC, the club of doers !

Due to the necessity to partition the group into crews of 2 to 8 people, and with some members taking their children too, there will be plenty of opportunity to fall in with group(s) of similar age and interests.

The full boat options available are listed here:

http://www.sailingholidays.com/route-detail.asp_Q_RouteID_E_11

Examples of costs from the price guide from above (which includes flights,transfers, diesel, lead crew, ins. waiver and ABTA protection):

- 3 on small boat sharing 2 small cabins & saloon, ~£518-758/person
- 3 on medium boat sharing 3 medium cabins, ~£815/person
- 6 on a large boat sharing 3 large cabins & saloon, ~£768-913/person

There will be additional daily costs related to mooring & provisions, meals out etc (beer :D). Budgeting £20/day seems reasonable. The larger yachts are being quickly booked up, so if you would like us to get one, lets be quick.

Book by: Soonest. £400/yacht deposit reqd. on booking with full payment by early April 2012.

I would suggest these steps in selecting an option:

1) Find your crew, who you will be comfortable with. Decide whether you’re sharing a cabin. If you can't get hold of anyone, or would like to be with a larger crew, let me know, and we will find you a welcoming home for a week,

2) Once you know your potential crew, compromise on a yacht you can live with, cost and luxury wise.

3) Let me know the details of the crew and boat type (number of cabins is the key bit) and I'll check availability through our travel agent , Full Circle Travel. You could try contacting sailinghols.com directly, but FTC have promised to get us the best deal. We shall see. BTW, in case you're wondering, I did look at Sunsail in detail too, but they require more experienced sailors, inspite of what they advertise.

I hope many of you can join us for what is sure to become an epic saga !!

Keep having fun,

Yuri R.

Contact MKIVC directly via the page at

http://activityexchange.co.uk/email.asp?ClubKey=236
Place: Lefkada, Greece
Club: Milton Keynes IVC
Organiser: Yuri Rodrigues    Contact Organiser via AIVC

Friday 22nd Jun 2012
Butlins Ultimate 80s Weekend
Remember Hammer pants, shoulder pads, hair gel overload and boys wearing eyeliner?
Stage an 80s rebellion second time around at Butlins with the big-haired sounds of the 80s. You really can't touch this?

If you fancy escaping the 9-5 for a bit, a Butlins Big Weekend could be just what you need. Our Big Weekend breaks are a great excuse to get away with your mates for a few days of live music, laughs and relaxation beside the sea.

This is a 3 night weekend break Fri 22nd to Mon 25th June.
Please check the Butlins website for exact cost as they tend to go up closer to the time but usually from £100 - £150 per person. Please note apartments cannot be booked until there is sufficient people to fill them.

The acts are yet to be confirmed but there are generally 6 acts per night across two venues, so you'll usually get to see 9 act over the weekend (sometimes afternoon extras as well).
Place: Butlins - Bognor Regis
Club: Norwich & Norfolk IVC
Organiser: Graham Bygrave    07833 479517    butlins2012@grahambygrave.com