International Talk Like a Pirate Day was created in 1995 by John Baur and Mark Summers, of Albany, Oregon, U.S., who proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate. Especially Nancy and other TARS

MIDLAND REGION AGM AND

HOBBIT HUNTING

Saturday 19 January

10.45

Hall Green Quaker Meeting House,

1 Hamlet Road, Hall Green

Birmingham B28 9BG

(5 mins from Hall Green station)

 Join your fellow Midland Region TARS members to discuss the running of the region and to make plans for the future –  Junior Parley to give younger members the chance to voice their ideas in a less formal setting

followed by a bring-and-share lunch.

after lunch there will be the opportunity to learn about 

Arthur Ransome’s connection with J R R Tolkein.

You too can become a ‘humble hobbit fancier’

either by joining a walk to explore some of the places around Hall Green that inspired Tolkein

or by taking part in a selection of indoor activities.

Further information can be obtained from Paul Green see Signals for contact or e-mail midlands@arthur-ransome.org.uk

a discovery event for Junior TARS log book

Thorstein of the Mere Day

11am

Saturday 17 November

at

Earlswood Methodist Church

Wood Lane, Earlswood, Solihull

B94 5JP

 (5min walk from Earlswood station)

An opportunity to learn about Arthur Ransome’s favourite childhood book, Thorstein of the Mere; A Saga of the Northmen in Lakeland  by W G Collingwood.

There will be the opportunity both to find out how the book and its author inspired elements of Ransome’s writing and to learn something of the life of these ‘Northmen’, or Vikings as we tend to call them,

with a selection of information to read and a variety of games & activities to try out 

You are invited to bring Viking dishes for a bring-and-share feast at lunchtime. (If you are struggling for ideas for this feel free to ask Jane for some recipes.)

The cost of the day will be £10 a head to cover the hire of the hall and activities but, as at all 2018 events, the region will pay the fee for TARS Juniors.

For more information, to book or to seek recipe ideas get in touch with Jane Wilson – see Signals for contact or e-mail midlands@tars.org.uk

this is a discovery event for junior TARS log books

Over nearly 48 hours people from Australia & New Zealand to the USA & Canada via Europe chose an Arthur Ransome title they wanted to be photographed reading. Friends, relatives & passing natives took the photos.
Non members & groups joined in.
Photos can still be uploaded to TARS facebook groups, twitter #TARSGlobal2018, Instagram etc.

https://www.facebook.com/TARSouth/, https://www.facebook.com/tarsscotland/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/762560473886537/, https://www.facebook.com/tarsnz/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/tarsfriends/
Hard copies can be sent to the TARS Librarian in Dumfries.

Canoe Expedition

Saturday 15th September

River Nene, Rushden Lakes

Northamptonshire

Take to the river Nene in Northamptonshire aboard a native war canoe to explore life at water level. Meet with Canoe2 at Rushden Lakes at 11.00 to be equipped with everything we need for our voyage. We will return to the same point around 3.30pm. The cost will be £25 per adult with Junior TARS (who must be over 5)  paid for by the region.  

For anyone who doesn’t feel like the expedition there is an option to have a short canoe on the lake, a variety of short walks/nature trails to follow of various distances and a good selection of cafes and restaurants around the lake, you could even go shopping!

Contact Jane for more information or to book, which must be by August 31st, with £10 deposit per adult – see Signals or e-mail Midlands@Arthur-Ransome.org.uk

this is a nautical event for Junior TARS

Raft Building

Saturday 16th June 2018

11.15am

Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre

a chance to help build a raft and paddle it on the River Soar

Cost £12 per adult Junior TARS FREE

Raft Building is a 1.5 hour session so after lunch a chance to stroll along the river or the nearby Watermead Park

also nearby is the National Space Centre

Fancy Camping? – there is space at LOPC for £6pppn

for more information and to book contact Stephen by 31st May at the latest, with £5 deposit per adult – see Signals for details or e-mail midlands@arthur-ransome.org.uk

this is a nautical event for Junior TARS

Saturday 20th October 2018

Amazon Archery Day

near Aston on Trent, Derbyshire

10.30 for 11.00 start

for morning target practice, bring a packed lunch (hot drinks available)

afternoon; shoot a woodland trail

£5 per adult Junior  TARS FREE

see our previous Archery Day here

Numbers limited so book by 14th October with Paul; see Signals for contact details or e-mail Midland TARS

this is a Discovery Event for Junior TARS

First TARS Event?  

Try it FREE!

Saturday 14th July 2018

Sailing or canoeing on Rudyard Water

Open Fire Cooking

or come and watch the world drift by

maybe you are a new TARS member or have never tried an event before?  here’s an opportunity to

Grab A Chance

at 89th Stoke Sea Scout Group Rudyard Training Site,

Near Leek, Staffordshire

bring  yourself or family or friend

anytime between 10am & 5pm

contact Nick Ardagh-Walter, see Signals or e-mail midlands@arthur-ransome.org.uk for contact-

this is a nautical event for Junior TARS

1. For anyone who hasn’t subscribed to The Twilight Years – London, as announced in last month’s Signals, this will be a last reminder. The subscription list will close before April Signals comes out, so that the book can be published at the May IAGM.
2. For anyone who has subscribed, in response to the order form enclosed with Hill Top last September, there is no need to send in the Signals form. Amazon Pubs have received a number of new cheques from keen subscribers who have forgotten they have already paid in full. If they aren’t sure, they can e-mail Alan Hakim to check.

Midlands TARS Eastern Camp/Sailing

Saturday July 28th- Sunday August 5th 2018

We will be based at Willowcroft Camping and Caravan Park, Staithe Road, Repps- with- Bastwick, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 5JU

Book your pitch directly with the campsite – 01692 670380 www.willowcroft.net  willowcroftsite@btinternet.com mentioning that you are a member of the Arthur Ransome Society, If Willowcroft is full there are several campsites nearby at Thurne.  

We will organise several Ransome-related activities throughout the week, join in with these or feel free to explore the area independently.

More info Here- Eastern camp 2018

come for a day, w.e., or as long as you can make it – bring a boat or grab a chance in someone else’s

more details from Amanda Ardagh-Walter – see Signals or e-mail midlands@arthur-ransome.org.uk for contact