Enthusiasts' Weekend
Thursday 19th-Sunday 22nd October 2006
at The Chesterfield Hotel, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
CEMRIAC invite you to meet your friends at an Enthusiasts' Weekend. In addition
to the IAC Annual General Meeting and Mermaid Movie Competition, we plan to
offer lots of other activities to cater for all tastes.
Booking form
We are returning to Chesterfield in Derbyshire and the Chesterfield Hotel.
Many of you will remember this as the venue for BIAFF 2005, and has been
much praised for its fine food and friendly staff, not to mention the excellent
transport links. The hotel is a stone's throw from the railway station, with
direct services from London, Edinburgh, East Anglia and the South of England.
In addition, the M1 is close by, and there is a bus service from East Midlands
Airport. Since our last visit the hotel bedrooms have been redecorated.
Thursday
For those who can arrive early we promise you A Laugh a Minute
at our evening presentation of selected comedy films from the UNICA One Minute
Cup. Time permitting we may also include other award winning digital films.
Friday
Try a half day excursion to the Crich Tramway Museum and Village.
Designated the BBC East Midlands Today 'Best Day Out' in 2005, this restored
period village is home to the National Tramway Museum and archives. The exhibits
now also include a fairground organ.
Trams run every few minutes over the cobbles, past original street facades
and onward to fine views of the Derbyshire countryside. In the Workshop Viewing
Gallery you can witness the daily restoration and repair work of the museum.
In the evening there will be an unusual event at the hotel: The
International Exhibition of Stereo Colour Photography 2006, presented
by Neville Jackson. |
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Saturday
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Two contrasting full day excursions are planned for today. The first will
head south to the city of Derby and the Rolls-Royce Heritage
Exhibition. We have been granted access to this collection not open
to the general public. In addition to examples of aero engines, cars and
aircraft, this is a working museum, with restoration projects taking place.
Experts from the Heritage Trust will guide us through the history and products
of the world famous engineering company.
In the afternoon we move to the town of Belper and the Derwent Valley
Mills Visitor Centre. This historically important chain of textile
mills has been designated a United Nations World Heritage Site. On our guided
tour of the centre we will see not only early machinery but also examples
of stocking making and the art of chevening, the decoration of stockings
by hand. The visitor centre is housed in Belper North Mill, an imposing building
in a beautiful location on the river Derwent. Its cast iron framework makes
it an early pioneer of today's skyscrapers! |
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For our alternative excursion we visit two National Trust properties.
In the morning we call at Stainsby Mill, a restored 13th century
corn mill. You can see the 17ft high water wheel. Apparently the advanced
design meant just one person could operate the mill.
We then drive to Hardwick Hall, a spectacular Tudor treasure
house. It was built by 'Bess of Hardwick', a powerful influence in the court
of Elizabeth the First, who became fabulously rich after surviving four husbands.
The hall, which remains substantially unaltered, contains some outstanding
16th and 17th century tapestries and embroideries. In addition, there are
fine historic parklands. Within the past year they have added new plantings
in the garden, new museum rooms and a 'Bess' exhibition in the Butler's pantry. |
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| Upon returning to Chesterfield you can relax or take a dip
in the hotel's indoor heated pool before preparing for the IAC Reception
and Gala Dinner. |
Sunday
For the final day of the event a variety of activities take place in the
hotel. The Mermaid and Mini-Mermaid competitions will be held,
in which the audience votes for the best of the light hearted films submitted
by each of the IAC regions. Also, Professor Ray Johnson FACI will lead a
workshop entitled Acting for the Camera. Just before lunch
the important business of the IAC AGM and Members' Voices will
take place, including the scheduled transfer of Chairmanship from John Gibbs
FACI to Linda Gough FACI. To round off the weekend we will present a
programme of comedy films.
Should you wish to stay longer there are many more exciting attractions in
Chesterfield and Derbyshire. However much time you have to spare, the CEMRIAC
organising sub-committee look forward to giving you a warm welcome at our
Enthusiasts' Weekend. Click to download a
Booking Form.
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