ACES National Conference 2024 - Social Programme
ACES key annual event for fun
ACES National Conference 2024 - Social Programme
Venue: City of Norwich
Date: Thursday 19th September 2024
and Friday 20th September (optional)
THE SOCIAL PROGRAMME
Thursday 19th September 2024
Time Visit
09-05 Leave Maids Head Hotel to board coach to Aylsham
09-50 Coach arrives Bure Valley Railway station. Board steam train
10-00 Steam train journey through Norfolk’s countryside to Wroxham
10-45 Arrive Wroxham. Relaxed paced walk to river, to board river boat
11-30 Start of Broads Tours boat trip, with skipper’s live commentary
13-00 Return to Wroxham jetty. Short walk to the Kings Head pub
13-15 Relaxed lunch in riverside pub, with drinks
Take time over lunch – no rush – or explore Wroxham post prandial
Relaxed pace walk to Hoveton & Wroxham BR railway station
15-23 Take BR train to Norwich
15-40 Arrive Norwich railway station. Those who prefer to return to Maids Head Hotel without further walking, take taxi(s) from railway station.
Remainder, take attractive riverside path back to the hotel (circa 30 mins walking) but stopping en route, close to “finish”, at the atmospheric Adam & Eve pub for refreshments – or maybe a tincture
17-00 Pub visitors should be back at the Maids Head Hotel by this time
18-00 Social delegates staying overnight are invited to join our President and her Business delegates, presenters, sponsors and guests for post conference drinks (timing and venue to be confirmed)
19-30 ACES Informal dinner booked at Benoli Italian restaurant, a short walk from the Hotel and the Castle conference centre.
Friday 20th September
For Social and Business delegates staying overnight on Thursday and able to defer leaving Norwich for home until just after 11 am
09-50 Leave Maids Head Hotel for the short walk to Norwich Cathedral main visitor entrance
10-00 Commence guided tour of the Cathedral and its grounds, put on for ACES
11-00 Tour ends
Goodbye – until September 2025–venue possibly somewhere in south-west England
ACES Dinner: The Sainsbury Centre, Norwich
This year’s conference dinner will be on the evening before the conference (Wednesday 18th September) at the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich. we have arranged a 3 course meal for guests. Dress code is smart casual, but feel free to wear business attire or fully embrace black tie / cocktail dresses if you wish.
For those staying at the Maids Head hotel, there is a 6pm coach pickup. Drinks reception 6.15, sit down for dinner 7pm, coach back to Maids Head 11pm. Bar closes at 11.00 pm.
Thursday Social Programme Costs
Thursday Social Programme – universal cost to all social delegates: £ 75
(Includes all travel – coach to Aylsham, steam train from Aylsham to Wroxham, river boat cruise on Broads, lunch and drinks in Wroxham at riverside pub, return train from Hoveton & Wroxham BR station to Norwich, taxis where required, Cathedral guided tour)
Options
Select (yes / no) President’s Wednesday reception and dinner: cost £75
Select (yes / no) Thursday informal dinner at Benoli: cost £50 for 2 course table d’hote menu, inclusive of wine.
Select (yes/no) Guided Tour of Norwich Cathedral on Friday morning 20 September: cost £ included
We are using Eventbrite this year for the bookings which is a well used, trusted and safe booking and payment environment. Click on the link below to take you to the bookings page where you will find booking options and more information.
Conference Hotel
Rooms, as noted below, have been reserved at the Maids Head Hotel for business and social delegates for Wednesday and Thursday nights. The hotel is located just west of Norwich Cathedral in the Cathedral Quarter of the City.
Maids Head Hotel, 20 Tombland, Norwich, NR3 1LB. Telephone: 01603 272008
Reserved for ACES for both Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th September:
- 25 classic doubles for single occupancy: £ 130 per night, b & b
- for double occupancy: £ 145 per night, b & b
- 15 Executive doubles for single occupancy: £ 150 per night, b & b
- for double occupancy: £ 165 per night, b & b
To Book: ‘phone the hotel on 01603 272008, ask for Room Reservations, and when put through quote ACES – for the above room rates.
Car Parking: the hotel has car parking facilities nearby. Delegates planning on driving to Norwich, when booking, should request a space – current charge £ 8 per day
Cash Free: Please note the Maids Head went cash free a few months ago – so please bring with you your debit / credit cards
