East Midlands Regional Events

HASSRA East Midlands Ghent and Bruges Christmas Markets

Hotel Ibis Ghent Centrum

Friday 12th – Sunday 14th December 2008

• 3 days £155 single supplement £50; insurance £13

The price includes:

• Luxury coach travel with drinks facility and toilet
• Eurotunnel crossings
• Two nights bed and continental buffet breakfast sharing twin/double rooms
• Visit to Bruges

Ghent Christmas Markets Booking Form

Friday

We depart at 6am and make our way to Folkestone (with a short services stop en route). We take a late morning shuttle crossing and travel directly to our hotel arriving by 3.30pm (local time). The rest of the day is free to enjoy Ghent and the Christmas Market.

Ghent is Belgium’s third largest city, with an outstanding assortment of medieval buildings, the pick of which is St Bavo’s cathedral, home of the painting “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by Jan van Eyck. It has a network of canals and you can take a tour of the city in a horse-drawn carriage. There are plenty of shops including many lace and chocolate specialists. The atmospheric Christmas Market in the centre offers products from the local region, including toys, jewellery, waffles, gingerbread and mulled wine.

Saturday

After breakfast the day is free to enjoy Ghent. Alternatively join us for an included visit to Bruges. Bruges is famous for lace making and its network of peaceful canals and pretty bridges. It has some impressive churches and the cobbled streets are lined by fine old brick houses. The City Hall is one of the oldest Gothic city halls of the Low Countries and the Belfry and Halles has a museum on the second floor and 47 bells in the tall tower. The Church of Our Lady boasts an extremely rich art collection including paintings, wooden sculptures and the white marble statue of the “Madonna with Child” by Michelangelo. St Saviour’s Cathedral is the oldest parish church of Bruges with mausoleums and numerous paintings.

The Christmas Markets and ice rink will be open daily 11am-10pm. The Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival (admission charge) on the Station Square is in a special thermal tent kept at -5 degrees centigrade and is open daily 10am-7pm. There are lovely shops (including several specialising in their own Belgian chocolates) and a wide range of cosy bars and restaurants.

Sunday

After breakfast we depart and return to Calais where we have time at Cite Europe. Shops include a Carrefour hypermarket, Tesco Wine Store, Oddbins, H+M, Zara, Disney Store and Toys r Us. There are restaurants, pubs and brasseries.

At 2.30pm we depart Cite Europe for the Eurotunnel terminal and our shuttle to Folkestone. Expected time or arrival in Nottingham is around 8pm.

As the trip is open to all HASSRA East Midlands members, irrespective of location, the Region is offering an additional subsidy of £20.00 per member, should they have to travel 20 miles or more to the nearest pick up point. Mileage will be calculated via recognised route finders and subsidy will be remitted direct to the member once full payment has been made.

If the tour operator’s insurance policy is not required, details of alternative cover held at the time of booking (insurance company, policy number and emergency telephone number) must be submitted. This cover should include medical expenses and repatriation.

Festive Gift Fair 2008

Saturday 22nd November NEC, Birmingham

HASSRA East Midlands is pleased to offer tickets to the

at the special price of £4.50 each, compared to £8.50 on the door.

If you haven’t been before, make sure you don’t miss it! Now in its 13th successful year, this is the biggest & most exciting Christmas shopping fair in the Midlands.

For more information on the fair, visit www .festivegiftfair.co.uk

For an order form, please contact the HASSRA East Midlands regional office on 01332 714 437 or email us at HASSRA East Midlands

Please note that this offer is limited to 4 tickets per HASSRA East Midlands member and covers admission only. Book early!

HASSRA East Midlands General Knowledge Quiz

Monday 24th November 2008

Regent Sports and Social Club, 102 Regent Road, Leicester, LE1 7DA, 6.30PM for a 7.00pm start

• Teams of 4 HASSRA members
• Free Buffet provided

Whether you are a regular quizzer or just after a good night out, this event will be for you! Places are limited, so book your team’s place early.

For further details or to register your team, contact George Robinson by email

Closing date: Monday 17th November 2008

11 A Side Footballers Wanted

HASSRA East Midlands are on the look out for male players to augment our regional team. If you are a HASSRA East Midlands member, and play in a weekend or evening 11 a side league, or consider yourself to be of that standard, you could just be person we’re looking for!

The region takes part in a Cup competition, matches usually take place weekday afternoons, and there are usually between 3 and 5 matches a season. Special Leave is usually available to take part, subject to business needs and Line Manager discretion, and travel expenses are paid in line with normal HASSRA rules.

If you would like to put your name forward or For further details contact HASSRA East Midlands on 01332 714 437 or at HASSRA East Midlands

We will email you direct when the practice match has been arranged to check whether you are able to attend.