IGKT 44th SYMPOSIUM & AGM
6th – 10th May 2026
Coventry Scouts Camp Site and Activity Centre
Rough Close
Tanners Lane, Coventry CV7 7DD
If you can't make it, the AGM itself will be on Zoom at 7pm London time (18:00 UTC) on Friday May 8th 2026
Rough Close is set in 43 acres of woodland about 5 miles out of Coventry. We will use a number of their buildings so please come with suitable clothing and footwear as it may rain and be a little muddy. There is hard standing for caravans with water and electricity (£30 per night) and a camping field for tents (£6.20 pp per night) with a toilet and shower block on site. There is a car park a short way from the buildings where you can park on arrival and then walk down the signed path to the Retreat for registration. You will be provided with a site map on arrival. DIY tea and coffee will be available in the display hall throughout the meeting. For more site information see http://coventryscouts.org.uk/rough-close/
The Programme:
Wednesday 6th – Registration available for early arrivals from mid-morning. Early set up is also possible - there will be car access to unload and load display materials direct into the display hall.
Thursday 7th – Registration in The Retreat and display set-up available from 10am and optional visit to Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden. This English Heritage site is about 5 miles away and was the home of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Queen Elizabeth the 1st’s favourite. Jane Bamford will be at the Retreat at 12 noon to meet with those on site who wish to go. Hopefully we will be able arrange carsharing if necessary. Those who wish to meet at the Castle should aim for about 1pm. We have not arranged a guided tour as we think it better for individuals to hire an audio guide on site and explore the buildings and wonderful garden at their own pace. Please note that on-line advance booking is less expensive than at the gate and English Heritage members should bring their cards.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/prices-and-opening-times
Friday 8th – a day of presentations and a half day fender making session. The latter will cost £20 and be limited to 20 people so please book early. No lunch will be provided so please bring your own or we can put a bulk order in to the local fish and chip shop. The AGM will be at 7pm and followed by a buffet supper (soft drinks available) cost £18. This has to be booked by April 18th to give final numbers to the caterers and we will not be able to take late bookings.
Saturday 9th – a day when we will be fulfilling one of the Guild’s important educational aims by working with local youth groups who will be joining us for practical sessions and to visit your displays. We will need some willing helpers for this so please let us know if you are prepared to give up some time to help. It will also be a day for you to browse and chat over each other’s displays. There will be a barbecue lunch available, provided by the Scouts from our late President Colin Grundy’s Troop, who are raising money for a new HQ building. The Raffle will be drawn at the end of the afternoon, so please bring prizes to donate as usual. All the income will be given to the local Scouts who have been so generous and helpful in our arrangements. The Knot Tyers Supper will be at 7 for 7.30 and cost £28. Again, all bookings must be made by April 18th. Please note that there are no facilities to buy alcohol on site so if you wish to drink alcohol please BYO. Soft drinks will be available and glasses for wine, etc if you need them.
Sunday 10th – clear displays and disperse.
Note: we are still open to suggestions for presentations, please include these on the online booking form.
LOCAL INFORMATION:
HOTELS
Premier Inn Balsall Common, 112 Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common CV7 7EX
Tel: 0333 777 33676 Direct Tel: 01676 937 591
Beefeater - George in the Tree, Balsall:
Haigs, 273 Kenilworth Road, Ballast Common CV7 7EL Tel: 01676 533004
The Bulls Head, Main Road, Meriden CV7 7NN Tel: 01676 523 798
The Strawberry Bank, Main Road, Meriden CV7 7NF Tel: 01676 522 117
CAMPING AND CARAVANS
Rough Close Campsite and Activity Centre via Booking Form
LOCAL EATERIES
George in the Tree (info as above) Balsall Common
The Bulls Head, Meriden (info as above)
Brickmakers Arms, Station Road, Balsall Common CV7 7EG Tel: 01676 533 890
Ye Olde Saracen’s Head, Balsall Street, Balsall Common CV7 7AS Tel: 01676 533 862
The White Horse, Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common CV7 7DT Tel: 01676 533 207
SUPERMARKETS – 5 minutes by car from Rough Close in Balsall Common
Sainsburys (opposite Premier Inn), Co-Op, Waitrose and Tesco
RAIL ACCESS
The best station to use is Tile Hill, just over a mile away. There is no convenient bus service so access from the station and hotels for non-car owners is best by taxi. Make sure that they bring you to the carpark as there is a very long drive! There is then a walkthrough to the buildings
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