Britain's Ocean City

Britain’s Ocean City

5-8 October 2018 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Armada Way

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Thursday 4th October 2018

18:45-21:00 Fish n Chip supper at Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club. £7.25 The Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club is situated on the water’s edge between The Barbican and Plymouth Hoe. Enjoy magnificent sea views over Plymouth Sound, whilst tucking into a plate of fish and chips (or pie & mash or substitute). 10 minute walk

Friday 5th October 2018

11:00-22:00 Mensa Games Room The games room will be open for gaming throughout the weekend, members, friends, family are encouraged to bring their own games. There will be over a hundred styles of board games on hand to play. Start as a novice, leave as an expert!

12:00-13:30 Boat Trip @ 12.30 £7.50 All aboard the sightseeing boat trip around Plymouth Hoe sound and the dockyard. First enjoy the walk, it is well worth it, from the hotel to the mooring. The boat will depart at 12.30 sharp for a leisurely trip around the harbour and dockyard, with commentary. Take your seat on deck or inside for the hour long journey.

On departing the Mayflower Steps, our skipper will provide an informative commentary, as we sail across the spectacular Plymouth Sound flanked by the beautiful Devon and Cornish coasts. We will pass Plymouth Hoe sound, the famous Drakes Island, heading for the river Tamar where the mighty warships and nuclear submarines await! Allow 15-20 minutes for the walk from the hotel to the departure point.

12:30-16:30 Segway £27.00* ** Countryside Segway ride with stunning views over the River Tamar and Plymouth Hoe sound. Discover the more formal side to Mount Edgcumbe and explore acres of ancient woodlands and gardens. If you’re up for it – follow your guide off road. Slalom around trees, traverse the hills and finish with more technical features!

Segway is the world’s leader of personal electric balancing transportation. The vehicles have been designed specifically for outdoor all-weather adventures with higher ground clearance and chunky turf tyres. Join in and feel the freedom of gliding across acres of open countryside, navigate assault challenges and ride like you mean it on an all-action safari adventure! The Segway is a self-balancing vehicle that utilises balancing technology – training will be given before our ride out.

** You will also need to factor in a £3.00 return ticket on the Ferry. Overall a 15 minute walk to Cremyll Ferry. Allow a further 20 mins from ferry to Segway point.

13:00-16:30 Armada Bowling £3.00 Play and learn flat green bowling on Plymouth Hoe sound, the historic green where Sir Francis Drake played bowls before defeating the Spanish Armada. Drake is said to have insisted on finishing his game of bowls, before setting off to defeat the Spanish Armada in 1588. The bowling club has been in almost continuous use for more than 500 years. Take part in a 1.5 hour session – any standard welcome – there will be club members on hand to teach us. 5 minute walk.

13:30-17:00 Croquet @ Plymouth Croquet Club £6.00 The game of Croquet is played casually and socially by millions of people around the world. Test your physical skill and strategic ability and outwit your opponent. Don’t worry if you have never played, we will have expert instructors from Plymouth Croquet Club on hand. Flat footwear required for playing, plus waterproof/warm clothing depending on weather.

13:30-14:30 3D Printing talk and demonstration @ Plymouth College £5.00 OR Have a look at modern 3D printing - ‘Part of the international fablab network, Fab 14:30-15:30 Lab Plymouth is a digital fabrication laboratory that gives you the power to turn your ideas into reality. Using the latest in digital technology, they help businesses, students and the public unlock the power of making. Includes a guided tour and presentation by members of the staff. 20 minute walk.

14:45-16:00 Connoisseur’s Gin Tour (starts @ 15:00, 1 hour) £20.00 The tour provides an overview of the history of the Distillery, the botanicals that are used and the distillation process (as per the Plymouth Gin Distillery Tour). You will have opportunity for an in-depth blind tasting of 5 gins, including Plymouth Gin, to compare the different styles and tastes of these gins. At the end of the experience guests can choose between a complimentary miniature of Plymouth Gin to take home or enjoy a Plymouth Gin and Tonic at the Refectory Bar. 5 minute walk.

14:30-16:00 National Marine Aquarium – behind the scenes tour £12.00 The National Marine Aquarium is the largest public aquarium in the UK. View the awe-inspiring exhibits, featuring marine animals from near and far. Join us for a back of house tour provided by Discovery and Learning Teaching Staff. 20 minute walk Or taxi share.

15:30-18:00 Barbican Pun Crawl Pub Crawl £PAYG 15.30 - Admiral MacBride 16.00 - Dolphin Hotel 16.30 - Cap’n Jaspers 16.45 - The Ship 17.10 - Queen’s Arms 17.35 - The Gog & Magog

17:15-18:00 TALK. The RNLI - Rescue and Prevention by Christopher Turner £3.00 A presentation consisting of narrative and real-time video showcasing of the work of the RNLI lifeboats and Lifeguards locally and nationally, to include information about the number of lives saved annually, details about the assets we use and the dedication of volunteers behind the scenes in promoting safety at sea and incident prevention, as well as raising much needed funds for the Institution.

16:00-17:00 Plymouth Gin – standard tour £7.00 This tour involves a fascinating overview of the history of the Distillery as well as an introduction to the Plymouth Gin distillation process and the botanicals which are used. Visitors also participate in a short tutored tasting of Plymouth Gin Original and Plymouth Sloe Gin. At the end of the tour guests can choose between a complimentary miniature of Plymouth Gin to take home or enjoy a Plymouth Gin and Tonic at the Refectory Bar. 5 minute walk.

18:30-00:00 Seaside themed Icebreaker £Free Oh we do like to be beside the seaside! Hit the official opening of this year’s AG and join in the fun of the seaside. You are invited to wear appropriate seaside attire for the evening – prizes will be given to the best dressed. Play games and visit the side shows for your amusement.

18:30-19:30 Hot and Cold buffet Icebreaker Meal Take the weight off your feet, relax and enjoy a hot buffet meal in a cordoned off area at the icebreaker.

 Chefs Selection of Salads, Hot Potatoes and Bread Basket

 Pan Seared Pork Loin, Celeriac Mash, Apple Jus  Goan Chicken Curry, Naan, Cucumber Riata  Steamed Cod Loin, Baby Spinach, Smoked Cheese, White Wine Cream Sauce  Aubergine & Goats Cheese Lasagne, Pomodoro & Basil Sauce

 Chefs Selection of Desserts

 Filter Coffee, Tea and Mint Crisps

Reserve sitting 1 @ 18:30-19:30 £18.00 Reserve sitting 2 @ 20:00-21:00 £18.00

19:00-21:00 Ghost Walk £6.00 Plymouth is a city rich with history, atmosphere and above all else its fair share of Ghosts, Ghouls and classic hauntings. Much like the Pilgrim Fathers who set sail from Plymouth in 1620, Haunted Plymouth will take you on a journey to discover why this ancient port has such a wide array of supernatural phenomena. Start and finish at the hotel.

22:00-01:00 PLAY. Mensa Games 2018 Poker Tournament £10.00 Poker face ready? Will you be crowned this year’s Poker champion? Medals and cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Disconnect yourself from the internet and play with real cards and real chips. Fixed entry stake. Texas Hold’em only.

Saturday 6th October 2018

08:00-10:30 5K Park Run with Piers Puntan £Free* Shake off the morning cobwebs with a 5km run around the grounds of Mount Edgcumbe House just over the estuary at Torpoint. Mount Edgcumbe offers a stunning course that is as challenging as it is picturesque. Set inside the grounds of Mount Edgcumbe Park, the course presents a mixed-terrain offering, with equal sections of tarmac, stone/gravel track and grass. As if it weren't spectacular enough, Mount Edgecumbe parkrun offers runners, volunteers and spectators the unique opportunity to arrive by boat! We will travel on the Cremyll Ferry from Admiral's Hard, Plymouth. Our aim will be to catch the 8.45 ferry leaving the hotel at 08:00 for the mile walk/jog to Admiral’s Hard. There is no charge for the Parkrun though if you want to get a time you need to register with Parkrun.org.uk and print off a bar code. You will need a valid bar code in order to enter the Parkrun. The ferry is £1.50 each way. We will aim to catch the 10:00 return ferry back to the hotel for approximately 10:30

08:30-18:00 Eden – Coach trip Adult: £25.00 60+: £21.00 5-16: £17.00 Student: £21.50 The Eden Project is a popular visitor attraction in Cornwall. Connecting us with each other and the living world, explore how we can work towards a better future. Nestled in a huge crater, two massive Biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to the striking contemporary gardens. A truly fantastic day out, for all the family. Cost includes admission and return coach travel. The journey time will be approximately 1 hour each way. We will leave Eden to return to Plymouth at 16:30.

09:30-11:30 Citadel Tour £6.00 Join us a for a stunning private blue badge tour of the 17th century fortress built to defend the coastline from the Dutch and keep watch on a recently rebellious town. The Royal Citadel is still in use by the military today. As a working Military base Security Restrictions apply. Prior to commencement of the tour there will be a Bag Search of all tour participants, It is a good idea to bring Photo ID with you. Photography is not permitted inside the Royal Citadel, but you may take photographs of the stunning views across Plymouth Sound from the ramparts.

09:30-14:30 Coast Walk - Wembury back to Plymouth £PAYG* A spectacular stretch of coastline boasting dramatic cliffs, diverse wildlife and a beach renowned for rock pooling. *£10.00 cost for ferry and bus. No 49 bus from Royal Parade to Wembury – max numbers 55, then walk back along coast path. Not wheel chair friendly. Walking boots are advisable. No bail out point. Need to be capable of walking 5 miles plus – along the fabulous South West coast path, along rugged and steep and sometimes dense woodland – hence you will need to be fit!

10:00-11:00 TALK. Glorious gardens of Devon by Miranda Allhusen £3.00 A short history of the National Garden Scheme. The talk will range from District Nurses to the present day, then going on to a tour of Devon to presenting the glorious gardens that open for our charity.

Miranda is a passionate gardener who enjoys sharing her garden to raise money for charity and helps others to do the same. She is the National Trustee and Devon County organiser for the National Garden Scheme.

The National Garden Scheme is a charity that organises the opening of gardens of quality and character to raise money for nursing and caring charities. There are 150 gardens that are open in Devon. Last year the charity donated £3.1 million to its beneficiaries principally Macmillan, Marie Curie and Hospice UK. All proceeds of this talk will be donated to The National Garden Scheme.

10:00-13:00 HMS Courageous £10.00 Visit a 285ft (87m) long, 4300 ton, Churchill class, decommissioned nuclear submarine, the only exhibit of its kind in the UK. HMS Courageous provides a fascinating glimpse into the operational world of the ‘Silent Service’. You will need to fit into small spaces, be mobile enough to climb and descend ladders through small hatchways. Cost includes admission and return mini bus travel. Please note participation to this event is subject to security clearance. We will need to submit your, name, date of birth, nationality and Passport number for non-UK citizens prior to the event.

10:30-12:00 National Marine Aquarium – behind the scenes tour 2 £12.00 The National Marine Aquarium is the largest public aquarium in the UK. View the awe-inspiring exhibits, featuring marine animals from near and far. Join us for a back of house tour provided by Discovery and Learning Teaching Staff. Min 4 - 20 minute walk Or taxi share.

11:30-12:30 TALK. Maritime shortcuts by Colin Vosper £3.00 This unique and intriguing Westcountry canal story nestles neatly into the ever popular television programmes about canals in the rest of the country. With 18th and 19th century transport around and across the Westcountry being both difficult and hazardous, the presentation reveals how inventive and ingenious the Victorian engineers had to be in planning canals to travel right across the peninsula. This is a unique story, quite different from canal building in the rest of the country, and is an eye-opener into our Westcountry canal heritage, much of which remains as tourist attractions. The final section of the presentation highlights two of the world's most famous ‘Maritime Shortcuts’, the Suez and Panama canals, both of which have been recently enlarged and re-engineered.

Colin is born and bred in Devon and now retired from a career in secondary and further education. His career included being a published author of an economics textbook and latterly was responsible for guiding lecturers in the delivery of online learning materials. Retirement led to family history research, which further developed into wider local history topics covering the Devonshire Marble industry, the preservation of the last 'shiny ore' mine in Devon and the life of the Breton 'onion sellers' and their trade in the Westcountry and, most recently, a talk on local Victorian canal building.

12:00-15:30 Plymouth Escape Rooms Have you tried “Live” escape games before? No? Then we believe you should! Based on the online virtual games. Escape Rooms is a real-life room escape game which requires players to work together to solve hidden puzzles to escape a locked-in themed room, before the 1 hour timer runs out. 10 minute walk.

Choose your Escape Room

13:00-14:00 - Germ £20.00 You have been captured by insurgents whilst investigating allegations of chemical weapon stocks within the eastern territories during the cold war. A double agent has left you clues that could lead to your escape….

14:30-15:30 - Bizzarro Quest £20.00 Step into an intoxicating world of bizarreness. Can you make your way out in under 60 minutes? Can you make head or tale of up or down? This fun, crazy game will be sure to test your wits but bamboozle your senses as it does.

12:30-14:00 3D Printing talk and demonstration @ Plymouth College £6.00 Have a look at modern 3D printing - ‘Part of the international fablab network, Fab Lab Plymouth is a digital fabrication laboratory that gives you the power to turn your ideas into reality. Using the latest in digital technology, they help businesses, students and the public unlock the power of making. Includes a guided tour and presentation by members of the staff. 20 minute walk.

13:00-16:00 PLAY. Mensa Games – 2018 Bridge Tournament £5.00 A formal bridge tournament to contest the 2018 Mensa Bridge championship. Please note this is an individual contest; no partner required. Simple systems only to give everybody a fair chance.

12:40-18:00 Boat Trip to Calstock @ 13:00 £17.50 All aboard for a truly idyllic 5-hour return boat trip. We will sail at 13:00 sharp up the stunning Tamar Valley flanked by the stunning Devon and Cornish coasts to the beautiful Cornish Village of Calstock where we will have a 1 hour excursion. We will then depart Calstock at 16:00 and return to our starting point for 18:00.

13:30-16:30 Croquet £6.00 The game of Croquet is played casually and socially by millions of people around the world. Test your physical skill and strategic ability and outwit your opponent. Don’t worry if you have never played, we will have expert instructors from Plymouth Croquet Club on hand. Flat footwear required for playing, plus waterproof/warm clothing depending on weather.

14:00-15:30 TALK. Keeping passengers safe in the skies worldwide by Ian Cameron £3.00 The talk will be about the Met Office’s role in aviation and in particular how they work across the industries to keep aircraft and their passengers safe in strong winds, winter weather, turbulence and thunderstorms.

Ian is responsible for the services the Met Office provides to industry and associated public bodies. This includes aviation, surface transport, energy, infrastructure, retail for both operational weather services and industry adaption to the changing climate for the future. He has worked at the Met Office since 1983 in a number of roles from weather forecasting for armed forces operations to managing transformational activities and product development, and recently leading international and UK services for aviation.

15:30-16:30 TALK. Lighthouses from the inside by Gordon Partridge £3.00 Gordon will present a fascinating talk on life in a lighthouse, often for months on end during some of the worst weather conditions imaginable. He has seen service at Eddystone, of which Plymouth is justifiably famous, having served at 22 lighthouses in total. In a nutshell, if you've heard of a notorious station, Gordon will have spent time on it!

15:30-18:00 Sutton Harbour Pub Crawl £PAYG 15.30 - Blues Bar 16.00 - Three Crowns 16.30 - Marina Bar 17.00 - Miller & Carter

16:00-17:00 Plymouth Gin Tour (40 minutes ) £7.00 This tour involves a fascinating overview of the history of the Distillery as well as an introduction to the Plymouth Gin distillation process and the botanicals which are used. Visitors also participate in a short tutored tasting of Plymouth Gin Original and Plymouth Sloe Gin. At the end of the tour guests can choose between a complimentary miniature of Plymouth Gin to take home or enjoy a Plymouth Gin and Tonic at the Refectory Bar. 5 minute walk.

18:45-22:00 AG Gala Dinner followed by a Disco £36.00 Formal black tie / evening gown three course sit down dinner.

Starters (pick 1) 1. Butterbean Soup, served with Garlic & Rosemary Croutons 2. Chicken Liver Parfait, spicy tomato salsa, golden beetroot & beetroot jelly 3. Smoked Salmon & Prawns, horseradish & lime dressing

Mains (pick 1) 1. Rump of Lamb, herbed garlic crust, roasted roots, roast thyme potatoes, redcurrent jus 2. Pan-fried Sea Bream, fennel cous cous, green beans, light orange sauce 3. Beetroot Squash Wellingtons, kale pesto, bubble & squeak, baton carrots & green beans

Desserts (pick 1) 1. Dark Chocolate Mousse, biscuit base, orange compote 2. Apple & Sultana Crumble Tart, cinnamon cream 3. Raspberry & Vanilla Cheesecake Dome

22:00-01:00 Disco Free Bop to classic Mensa anthens and new favourites. Suggest a tune for the playlist. Email: [email protected]

22:00-01:00 Late night Poker tournament £10.00 Another opportunity to put your poker face on, to try and outwit the opposition.

Sunday 7th October 2018

09:00-12:00 Croquet £6.00 The game of Croquet is played casually and socially by millions of people around the world. Test your physical skill and strategic ability and outwit your opponent. Don’t worry if you have never played, we will have expert instructors from Plymouth Croquet Club on hand. Flat footwear required for playing, plus waterproof/warm clothing depending on weather.

09:30-13:30 Edgcumbe Park Walk including £Free* Optional Carvery lunch at the Edgcumbe Arms Adults £10.95 Senior £8.95 Children £6.95

All aboard for a trip out to the country. Walk from the hotel and then board the ferry to Edgcumbe, taking us to South West coastal path from the idyllic twin villages of Cawsand and Kingsand. We will walk back over fields and through woods and around the coast, with glorious views over the sound and Plymouth hoe with its famous Smeatons tower lighthouse, to The Edgcumbe Arms where we will enjoy their finest Sunday Carvery lunch and a tipple or two! *Ferry crossing will be £3.00 – PAYG.

Sunday Carvery at the Edgcumbe Arms, a choice of three meats, plus roast potatoes, roasted parsnips, green cabbage, mashed swede and carrot, braised red cabbage, cauliflower cheese, sage and onion stuffing, Yorkshire pudding and proper gravy.

HOMEMADE NUT ROAST with vegetarian gravy. Gluten free gravy also available. ADULT £10.95 | SENIOR £8.95 CHILD £6.95 |

09:45-15:30 Dartmoor Walk – Coach Trip £10.00 10.45: Bus Arrives At Dartmoor Prison Museum Car Park Group 1 Visit Prison Museum. £3.50 required for Prison Entry.

Group 2 Go for walk on Dartmoor. 12:00 Both groups meet back at the Prison museum car park. 12.15 Arrive at Warren House Inn for lunch. PAYG 13.15 Board Bus for Drive to Grimspound. 13.25 Arrive Grimspound Group 1 Have an opportunity to explore Group 2 Walk - Grimspound to Widecombe in the Moor. Shops & café PAYG. 14:00: Group 1. Board Bus and depart for Widecombe in the Moor. 14.40: Group 2. Arrive at Widecombe in the Moor. Shops & café PAYG. 15.15: Both Groups board bus for return to Plymouth. 16:00: Arrive Plymouth.

10:00-12:00 British Mensa Annual General Meeting *Pre-registration Put your business hat on! * Open to current members of British Mensa Ltd by pre- registration. Register in advance or during the AG. The AGM will be audio recorded in full.

11:30-12:30 Mensa – The Future £Free Meet the British Mensa board of Directors, find out what's next for the organisation and ask questions or suggest ideas!

10:30-12:00 National Marine Aquarium – behind the scenes tour £12.00 The National Marine Aquarium is the largest public aquarium in the UK. View the awe-inspiring exhibits, featuring marine animals from near and far. Join us for a back of house tour provided by Discovery and Learning Teaching Staff. Min 4 - 20 minute walk Or taxi share.

11:00-13:00 PLAY. Mensa Games – Ticket to Ride Tournament £10.00 With the increasing popularity of Ticket to Ride we are now offering a competition spread across the whole weekend. The Games room will be open all day every day so that you can choose when to play TtR to fit in with all the other attractions on offer. Play as many games as you like and your three best scores will count as qualifiers for the grand final on Sunday morning. The rules are simple to learn yet the strategies and intrigue are limitless, so even if you have never played before, come along and give it a try. But beware THIS GAME IS ADDICTIVE! Entry fee £10 with prizes.

12:00-13:30 TALK. Crime Wave - Swimming in the time of Agatha Christie £3.00 by Matt Newbury

When you think of Agatha Christie, you almost certainly picture a perpetual pensioner, not a million miles away from her Miss Marple creation. But the Queen of Crime was also a Queen of the Brine and both an avid wild swimmer (back in the halcyon days when it was just known as swimming) and one of the first westerners to master stand-up surfing. Join author Matt Newbury for a fascinating illustrated talk about this golden era of aquatic adventures.

Matt is both a freelance journalist and manager and event organiser at Torre Abbey Museum in Torquay. He has co-written two books on wild swimming (which he will be signing after the talk) and has completed several swimming adventures including swimming from Alcatraz to San Francisco and swimming to the Bestival Festival on the Isle of Wight. He also enjoys ice swimming and competed in the World Championships in Estonia at the start of the year. He is currently working on two new books about Agatha Christie's life in the west county.

12:30-15:00 Synagogue Tour £3.00 Built in 1762 this is the oldest Ashkenazi Synagogue still in use in the English speaking world. The guided tour will include explanations of the religious significance of the various features and of the history of its development for the Jewish community in Plymouth. You will also be shown the Baroque Holy Ark which was probably made in Holland where the first members originated, and the Torah Scrolls kept inside. The synagogue was one of the few buildings in the city centre which escaped the bombings in the second world war. 5 minute walk.

13:30-14:30 TALK. Devon Railway History by Robert Hesketh £3.00 Devon’s railways heritage have profoundly altered the county, leaving a rich and varied heritage. This talk explores that heritage; including our two mainlines and four branch lines, as well as our excellent preserved railways, two cliff railways and the cycleways/walkways established on former track. Illustrated with over 130 images.

Robert is a freelance writer and photographer with a strong interest in local history To date, he has published 48 Devon, Dorset and Somerset titles (see www.roberthesketh.co.uk) and written numerous illustrated articles for The Countryman, Dartmoor Magazine, Country Walking, Cornwall Life and other publications.

13:30-16:30 Armada Bowling £3.00 Play and learn flat green bowling on Plymouth Hoe, the historic green where Sir Francis Drake played bowls before defeating the Spanish Armada. Drake is said to have insisted on finishing his game of bowls, before setting off to defeat the Spanish Armada in 1588. The bowling club has been in almost continuous use for more than 500 years. Take part in a 1.5 hour session – any standard welcome – there will be club members on hand to teach us. 5 minute walk.

13:30-18:00 Segway £27.00* ** Countryside Segway ride with stunning views over the River Tamar and Plymouth Hoe sound. Discover the more formal side to Mount Edgcumbe and explore acres of ancient woodlands and gardens. If you’re up for it – follow your guide off road. Slalom around trees, traverse the hills and finish with more technical features! Segway is the world’s leader of personal electric balancing transportation. The vehicles have been designed specifically for outdoor all-weather adventures with higher ground clearance and chunky turf tyres. Join in and feel the freedom of gliding across acres of open countryside, navigate assault challenges and ride like you mean it on an all-action safari adventure! The Segway is a self-balancing vehicle that utilises balancing technology – training will be given before our ride out.

*Please note this event has restrictions, you will need to be at least 7 stone in weight and no more than 19 stone and at least 10 years old. Children will need to be accompanied by a supervising participating adult (18+) if they are under 16. ** You will also need to factor in a £3.00 return ticket on the Ferry. 15 minute walk or taxi share or bus to ferry. Allow a further 20 mins from ferry to Segway point. Look up ferry timetable – October. Cremyll Ferry.

13:30-15:30 BBC Radio Station visit / tour £5.00 Come and be amazed when you visit BBC Plymouth – the regional television, radio and digital centre for the South West of England. Recently refurbished for the digital era, Broadcasting House, Plymouth is now a flagship among the BBC's regional hubs.

This tour has been specially arranged as an opportunity for delegates to take a glimpse behind the scenes. You'll hear how television and radio programmes are made here, now and in the past, and have the chance to visit the Spotlight television and Radio Devon studios.

Your personal guides will be David Sheppard, presenter of BBC South West's regional evening radio show (BBC Radio Devon, Cornwall, Jersey and Guernsey); and Jo Loosemore, an accomplished producer currently leading the BBC's participation in the Mayflower 400 commemorations.

Your well-informed and entertaining guides will give you an insight into the many programmes produced here, as well as the important role played by the BBC in West Country life.

This tour will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and will involve a certain amount of walking and standing.

13:30-16:00 Citadel Tour £6.00 Join us a for a stunning private blue badge tour of the 17th century fortress built to defend the coastline from the Dutch, keep watch on a recently rebellious town and the Royal Citadel is still in use by the military today. As a working Military base Security Restrictions apply and prior to commencement of the tour there will be a Bag Search of all tour participants, It is a good idea to bring Photo ID with you. Photography is not permitted inside the Royal Citadel, but you may take photographs of the stunning views across Plymouth Sound from the ramparts.

14:00-17:00 PLAY. Mensa Games -Ticket to Ride Tournament £10.00 With the increasing popularity of Ticket to Ride we are now offering a competition spread across the whole weekend. The Games room will be open all day every day so that you can choose when to play TtR to fit in with all the other attractions on offer. Play as many games as you like and your three best scores will count as qualifiers for the grand final on Sunday morning. The rules are simple to learn yet the strategies and intrigue are limitless, so even if you have never played before, come along and give it a try. But beware THIS GAME IS ADDICTIVE! All TfR entry fees will go towards cash prizes.

14:30-16.00 National Marine Aquarium – behind the scenes tour £12.00 The National Marine Aquarium is the largest public aquarium in the UK. View the awe-inspiring exhibits, featuring marine animals from near and far. Join us for a back of house tour provided by Discovery and Learning Teaching Staff. Min 4 - 20 minute walk Or taxi share.

15:00-16:30 TALK. Human Face of Dartmoor Prison by Pip Barker £3.00 Pip is an ex teacher and Inspector of Nursing Homes, retiring 12 years ago. He has had an interest in Dartmoor Prison since he found a relative worked there in the 1890s. Pip moved to Princetown from Sussex over 4 years ago to pursue his interest and became the first Volunteer at the Dartmoor Prison Museum and later on an employee.

"The Human Face of Dartmoor Prison" deals with the Prison from 1850 to present day. Prison is looked at from the viewpoint of Men who have served as Officers or Convicts/Prisoners - lots of tales of escapes and the men who found fame for their crimes.

17:00-19:00 Plymouth Hoe Pub Crawl £PAYG 17.00 - Pub on the Hoe 17.45 - The Waterfront 18.30 - Royal Corinthian Yacht Club

19:00-21:00 Sunday Evening Meal – Option 1

Option 1 - Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club. £15.00 The Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club is situated on the water’s edge between The Barbican and Plymouth Hoe. Enjoy magnificent sea views over Plymouth Sound.

Choose one option per course

Starter 1. Soup of the day with homemade croutons 2. Potted salmon with horseradish, lemon and herbs served with side garnish and melba toast 3. Homemade rolls, Butter, hummus and olives (v)

Main 1. Pan fried chicken breast fillet on bubble and squeak patty with red wine sauce 2. Portobello mushroom burger with cheesy macaroni in a toasted roll with battered onion rings, chips and salad garnish (v) 3. Braised steak, vegetable and Doombar ale pie topped with crispy puff pastry served with creamy mashed potato and garden peas

Dessert 1. Eton mess with lemon curd and fresh raspberries (v) 2. Strawberry marshmallow cheesecake 3. Warm white chocolate and ginger sponge pudding with custard (V)

Sunday Evening Meal – Option 2

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar &Grill - fine dining at the Crowne Plaza

Choose 2 courses @ £35.00 per person Choose 3 courses @ £45.00 per person

Marco Pierre White is an acclaimed chef, restaurateur and TV personality. He has restaurants across the UK under different brands. The menu is exclusively curated by Marco himself. To suit all tastes, it typically includes a mix of childhood favourites and modern-day delicacies. Marco's ethos is all about classic dishes, simply cooked using the best locally sourced ingredients.

TO START FRENCH ONION SOUP Croutons, Gruyère cheese (gf)

SALT ROASTED BEETROOT SALAD Kidderton Ash Goats Cheese, Candied Walnuts (v) (gf)

POACHED PEAR, AND ALEX JAMES BLUE MONDAY Endive, walnut vinaigrette, extra virgin olive oil

FINEST QUALITY SMOKED SALMON with brown bread and butter

MAINS ROAST RUMP OF LAMB A LA DIJONNAISE Grat in Dauphinoise, Haricot Vert , Rosemary Roasting Juices (gf)

GRILLED 35 DAY AGED RIBEYE 10oz, POMMES FRITES (Choose 1 of : Classic peppercorn and brandy sauce • Béarnaise sauce with fresh tarragon • Snails and garlic butter • Grilled wild mushrooms in garlic butter) (gf)

GRILLED SALMON STEAK À LA FORESTIERE Young spinach, vintage balsamico, olive oil, fresh herbs, green salad and truffle dressing (gf)

ROAST CHICKEN À LA FORESTIERE Fr icassée of wild mushrooms, Madeira roasting juices, pommes fondant and pet it pois à la française (gf)

GNOCCHI POMODORO, WITH FRESH BASIL Green salad, truffle dressing

DESSERT MR COULSON’S STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING With Butterscotch Sauce, vanilla ice cream (v)

THE BOX TREE ETON MESS (v) (gf)

FRESH BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE (v)

KEEN’S CHEDDAR CHEESE With Sherry Soaked Fruitcake*(v)

22:30-01:00 Late night Poker tournament £5.00 Another opportunity to put your poker face on, to try and outwit the opposition.

Monday 8th October 2018

09:30-11:00 National Marine Aquarium – behind the scene tour 8 £12.00 The National Marine Aquarium is the largest public aquarium in the UK. View the awe-inspiring exhibits, featuring marine animals from near and far. Join us for a back of house tour provided by Discovery and Learning Teaching Staff. Min 4 - 20 minute walk Or taxi share.

12:00-13:30 Boat Trip @ 12.30 £7.50 All aboard the sightseeing boat trip around Plymouth Hoe and the dockyard. First enjoy the walk, it is well worth it, from the hotel to the mooring. The boat will depart at 12.30 sharp for a leisurely trip around the harbour and dockyard, with commentary. Take your seat on deck or inside for the hour long journey.

On departing the Mayflower Steps, our skipper will provide an informative commentary, as we sail across the spectacular Plymouth Sound flanked by the beautiful Devon and Cornish coasts. We will pass Plymouth Hoe, the famous Drakes Island, heading for the river Tamar where the mighty warships and nuclear submarines await! Allow 15-20 minute for the walk from the hotel to the departure point.

11:30-14:00 Plymouth Gin Masters Distillers Tour (2 hours, 30 minutes) £40.00 The Master Distiller’s Tour includes a talk about the rich history of the Distillery, the distillation process and the botanicals that are used. There is an in-depth blind tasting of 5 gins, including Plymouth Gin, to compare the different styles and tastes of these gins (as per the Gin Connoisseur’s Tour) and a distilling master class. The master class is a unique opportunity for guests to distil their own gin by selecting their botanicals and creating their own style of gin that is as complex and distinctive as Plymouth Gin.

Every guest is given a small bottle of their own handmade gin to take away as unique memento of their experience.

At the end of the experience guests can choose between a complimentary miniature of Plymouth Gin to take home or enjoy a Plymouth Gin and Tonic at the Refectory Bar.

Book online via the AG2018 splash page.

click on Events,

click on Featured in the All Regions drop down box

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