The Arethusa Old Boys Association held their 28th annual reunion AGM at the Arethusa Venture Centre, Lower Upnor on 1st September 2018

Around 90 members and associate members joined together to remember the T.S. Arethusa at the annual reunion. Special guests at the AGM were Mathias and Angelika Kahl, from the 'Friends of the Peking' in Hamburg where the ship currently resides and is being refitted to become a working museum ship scheduled to be ready by 2020, when the Old Boys who lived and worked on the T.S. Arethusa are hoping to have their AGM aboard the ship.

The day started off with a memorial service infront of the Arethusa memorial at the AVC down by the river bank. The service was conducted by the local vicar. The AGM  began with a Welcome and Apologies by the Chairman Roger Alford, followed by the Chairman's Report, The Secretary's Report from David Bunce and the Treasurer's Report by Brian Baker. Two checks, one for £5,000 from a bursary was presented to the CEO of SYP Phil Williams and the other of £1,000 was presented to Mathias for the restoration of the Peking. This is was followed up by an update by Matthias on the progress of the ship refit.
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All the AOBA and Arethusa memorabilia was left on display in the AVC for members to browse and merchandise and raffle tickets and tickets for a Grand Draw were available to purchase.

A buffet lunch was served in the dining hall and a dinner dance was organised for the evening at the King Charles Hotel in Gillingham.

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The AOBA Committee:
Roger Alford - Chairman
Brian Baker - Treasurer and Members Secretary
David Bunce - Honorary Secretary

If you would like to get in touch and join the AOBA you can do so by emailing info@shaftesbury.org.uk and we will send you a membership form to download and complete.