Within the Association for Group Travel Organisers ‘Kent’ is unique inasmuch as it’s contained within just one English county.
We currently have a branch membership of 60 covering a wide range of clubs and organisations – business communities, U3As, KentARA and other retirement groups, WIs, gardening, theatre and many more – some with comparatively small member numbers, others in excess of 300. Our aim is to ensure our members are kept fully informed of AGTO news, membership benefits and the assistance available to them both through the Association and our own branch membership network.
Kent branch holds meetings/events at least 4 times a year. These take place at suitable venues and attractions generally within the county, or within easy travelling distance. Attending these get-togethers provides insight into potential days out for our members’ individual groups.
Each starts with a 45 minute branch meeting. Members are always made welcome, given the opportunity to introduce themselves and speak about the type of outings their organisation arranges. Likewise, when Partner members attend they are invited to introduce themselves and share what their organisation has to offer GTOs. All members are welcome to bring a guest to our meetings, and everyone is invited to join in a general discussion session. Indeed, one of our key objectives is to share our experiences of day trips, short breaks and holidays, telling it how it was – the good, the bad and the ugly – together with advice on how to book and get the best out of your group’s visit.
All AGTO members, whether GTOs or Partners, are most welcome to join us at our advertised meetings, and an invitation is also open to any non-members to come along, bring a friend, and see for themselves what the Association has to offer Group Travel. Just contact our Chairman, Secretary or one of our Committee members for any further information you may need.
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Branch Chairman: David Steele – tel (07889) 936396; email associate-membership@agto.co.uk
Treasurer: Alison Holloway – tel (01797) 367067; email alisonehollway@hotmail.com
Secretary: Patricia Speakman – tel (01233) 665621; patriciaspeakman27@yahoo.com
Committee Member: Eileen Booker – tel (01227) 765917; email bookertrip@live.co.uk
Committee Member: Carol Gower – tel (01580) 712521; email cbaoutings@gmail.com
Committee Member: Linda Sharp – tel (07930) 357680; email ianjsharp49@aol.com
Committee Member: Jim Silvester – tel (01474) 704782; email jamessilvester600@msn.com
Board Director: David Steele – tel (07889) 936396; email associate-membership@agto.co.uk
Accounts Verification: Pam Freer
AGTO Magazine Co-ordination: Vacancy
To contact the Branch please email: kentinfo@agto.co.uk
Recent Activity
2025 was a sociable and constructive year for the branch …….
Having held our first meeting in April, at Fort Amherst, Chatham we got together again on June 2nd for a very enjoyable Summer meeting at Great Comp Gardens, tucked away at St Mary’s Platt, near Sevenoaks. Newer members asking for ideas for trips to organise were given enthusiastic inspiration by the more established organisers present, with plenty of useful tips being shared and copious notes taken!
The well-attended Kent Region Annual General Meeting took place at Chatham Dockyard on Tuesday 23rd September, after which members joined a tour of their choice from the two on offer and, after lunch, were free to enjoy the remainder of the day wandering freely through the Dockyard enjoying everything this historic site has to offer visitors.
An informal, seasonal lunchtime get-together took place in the Restaurant at Sissinghurst Castle, in mid-December … followed by a quiz and an hilarious game, led by Eileen.
You will have recently received your Winter Edition of AGTO Traveller magazine, bursting with group travel news, and where you will find reports, submitted by fellow members, on some of their recent group activities, potentially providing further inspiration for your future outings programme. The Editor is always pleased to receive reports from members after their trips, and to share your experiences (good or bad!) with others.
The new year brings opportunities to meet up with our AGTO Partners, and others, offering inspiration and ideas for our 2026 travel programmes. The major travel show which takes place in the south-east is Excursions which, this year, will be at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre on Saturday 24th January. A coach provides Kent members a pick up route through Folkestone, Ashford, Canterbury and Maidstone for just £5 per passenger, and you are welcome to book a second seat for your partner, or a friend or colleague, to accompany you. Details have recently been emailed to you.
Then we have the Annual AGTO Showcase Weekend in Leicester 27th February – 1st March to look forward to. This is a further opportunity to meet up with fellow organisers and Partner members in a relaxed, sociable setting. Details can be found elsewhere on this website. There are still a few rooms available, and with a choice of familiarisation visits included in the weekend this represents excellent value for money! Do come along, and enjoy! We will be there to welcome you!
Finally for now…… you have been posted details of the first Kent AGTO/KentARA joint get-together to be held at the Criterion Theatre, Blue Town, Sheerness on 10th March. This is an informal occasion, with a sausage and chip lunch, and two hours of afternoon entertainment included. We do hope you will come along and enjoy the event in these unique, historical surroundings. It’s a great venue for future visits by groups of all mobilities! Watch out, too, for details of the other regional meetings we have ‘in the bag’ ready to share with you later in the year.
