T E Lawrence Society 40th Anniversary AGM Weekend, Bridlington 3rd - 5th October 2025
2025-10-03 - 2025-10-05
Please click the Eventbrite button below to make your reservation.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the T E Lawrence Society in Wareham in June 1985. To celebrate we have put together a programme of events in Bridlington, where the last photograph of TEL was taken on the day he left the RAF, before cycling off, via a circuitous route, to Clouds Hill. The programme for the weekend is as follows:
Friday 3rd October

1330 – Meet at Bridlington Railway Station Car Park. Drive to White Cottage, 3 Eastgate, Hornsea, HU18 1DN. White Cottage was the home of Flt Lt Reginald Sims, a friend of TEL’s, where he stayed on a number of occasions.
On completion – return to Bridlington, check into hotels. Opportunity to visit Bridlington Old Town or Ian Deheer’s cottage, The Cuddey North Marine Road, Flamborough, Bridlington, YO15 1BA. The North Star is close by and offers parking and refreshments. It is 15 minute’s drive from the centre of Bridlington.
1900 – Meet at Salt on the Harbour, South Marine Drive, Bridlington YO15 3AW for a relaxed meal. Meet Linda Ellis author of Lawrence of Arabia in Bridlington.

Saturday 4th October

1030 – Meet at the Harbour Heritage Museum to view the TEL related displays and other museum exhibits. If the group is too big we will split in half with the other half visiting the sundial in South Cliff Gardens before swapping over.
1130 – Visit the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club, formerly the Ozone Hotel, where TEL stayed during his time in Bridlington.
On completion – Free time to have lunch in one of the many cafes in Bridlington.
1400 – 1500: AGM in the Promenade Bar, Bridlington Spa
1500 – 1600: My friendship with Wing Commander John Sims – Richard Knowles
1600 – 1630: Talk on T E Lawrence sculpture for Bridlington – Steve Carvill
1900 – Dinner at the Revelstoke Hotel, 1 – 3 Flamborough Road, YO15 2HU

Sunday 5th October

9:30 for 10:00 check out of hotels [no concessions for late risers!]and make our way to Sledmere House, Sledmere, Driffield, YO25 3XG.
10:30 for 11:00 Coffee available at Sledmere House
11:00 – Courtyard Room : talks on Sir Mark Sykes and comparisons/interactions with TEL
12: 00 – Courtyard Room [TBC] view documents on Sykes/Picot negotiations, talk and discussion
13:00 – buffet lunch in Courtyard Roomc-Option of looking around gardens/memorials
14:00 – talks on logistic background to Arab Revolt and visit Waggoners Museum [optional]
c 16:00 – disperse

War Poetry Conference 8th - 9th November 2025
2025-11-08 - 2025-11-09
In conjunction with the Thomas Hardy Society, the T E Lawrence Society is organising a War Poetry Conference, a weekend of talks and commemorations.
Venues for the weekend are: The Dorford Centre, St Mary’s Church and The Casterbridge Room, The King’s Arms, Dorchester.
Full details can be found here: https://www.hardysociety.org/…/ths-war-poetry-conference/
Bookings are now open and tickets can be purchased from the link. Members of the organising Societies will get priority until 15th September.
