98^th Annual General Meeting

36^th Annual Conference Weekend

4-6 April 2025

Doesn't time fly? It's that time again to tell you about my travels to several parts of the country in search of locations for our annual conferences. For next year my thoughts were to look at Leeds as our next conference destination. This has proved to be a good choice. Location is very accessible from the motorway system. In fact, the hotel I have recommended to the officers is the Holiday Inn Leeds/Wakefield on junction 40 of the M1 motorway.

Just to be clear, there is another hotel of the same group called Leeds Holiday Inn which is not the destination. The hotel layout is similar to the hotel we stayed in at Taunton for those who attended the conference there. It is a comfortable hotel having adequate conference facilities and a location where the local bus stops to and from Leeds are outside the hotel. Accommodation costs have risen dramatically over the past two years and particularly for 2025. This is due in part to staff minimum wage increases and principally to the cost of food. I always try to find the best deal and do quite a bit of bargaining to bring costs down where possible, but it is a fact we have to accept prices have risen within the hospitality sector. There is free parking for guests staying for the whole conference weekend.

Our first speaker for conference is David Lawrence who is well known to the Association. He has a wealth of knowledge in the art of choral singing and conducting.

The second speaker is Nicola Hunt, a Mezzo-Soprano. She has much experience of vocal coaching and of vocal health.

The presentations will be packed with singing opportunities for us all.

The conference concert on Saturday evening will be organised by Leeds Male Voice Choir who will be joined in concert by several choirs from the surrounding area. The concert venue is the Riley Smith Hall at Tadcaster. The ticket price for the concert will be included in the full delegate package. I will organise coach transport to the concert at Tadcaster. The cost of transport in also included in the package.

A proposed timeline for the conference weekend is included. Please note this is a guide only. Please refer to the timeline within your delegate packs given out on your arrival at the hotel which will include any alteration to timings if required.

Download your booking form for the conference here.

Full conference stay Total cost per person for the whole conference weekend is £275.

Day delegate rate for Saturday including lunch and morning coffee. £60

Add evening meal before departure to concert if required £28

Add transport and ticket to concert if required £25

Clive Lawton

National Conference Timetable 4-6 April 2025

Holiday Inn Hotel, Leeds/Wakefield, M1 Junction 40. Queen's Drive, Ossett WF5 9BE

Date/Time	Details
Friday 4 April 2025
2.00	Delegates arrive, register at reception, and collect delegate pack.
3.00	National officers meeting.
4.15-5.30	Come and sing.
7.30	Delegates and guests assemble for dinner.
8.00	Gala dinner with wine.
9.30	After dinner entertainment.
12.00	Bar closes.
Saturday 5 April 2025
7.00	Access for trade stands to set up.
7.30-9.30	Breakfast in main dining room.
9.30-10.45	Seminar 1 David Lawrence.
10.45-11.15	Coffee break and trade stand viewing.
11.15-12.30	Seminar 2 David Lawrence.
12.30-2.00	Lunch.
2.00-3.15	Seminar3 Nicola Hunt.
3.15 onwards	Coffee and trade stand viewing.
5.00	Early evening meal [2courses].
6.45	Coach leaves hotel for concert at Tadcaster.
7.30	Concert at Riley Centre Tadcaster with choirs from local area.
10.00 approx.	Light refreshments provided on return to hotel.
Sunday 6 April 2025
7.00-9.15	Breakfast.
[For those delegates wishing to attend local places of worship, details and directions will be available at reception]
9.15-10.30	Seminar 4 Nicola Hunt
10.30-11.00	Coffee and trade stand viewing.
11.00-11.30	Annual General Meeting.
11.30-1.00	Members' Open Forum.
1.00	Conference closes. [Lunch is available in the dining room at member's own expense]
1.00	National officers debrief meeting [guillotined after one hour]
Extra night's stay The Holiday Inn group offer reduced rates on a regular basis. For our delegates to obtain the best rates I advise you to book these online.