All-Tests Reunion 2022

The All-Tests Reunion will take place on the 19th - 23rd of September 2022 at Pontins, Sand Bay, Weston-Super-Mare.

This reunion provides a week-long break for any nuclear veteran or member of their family and has been a tradition within the nuclear community for over 25 years.

LABRATS are administering this independent event to ensure that it continues in this 70th Anniversary year.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE EVENT?

Monday

Attendees arrive on Monday and this year will receive free tea, coffee and cakes (hand-made by volunteers) as part of our Jubilee celebrations. All room allocations will be handled by LABRATS and the volunteers in the Queen Vic room, this is so the attendees do not need to queue with other guests. Attendees are asked to register and provide details of their families' service and years at a test or clean-up. Keys are given for accommodation, lanyards, an event guide, pin badges are issued and all admin completed.

Tuesday

At 10 am, the attendees are given an update on what has happened within the community since last year's event, including updates on the #lookmeintheeye campaign and videos of support from MP's, celebrities, and worldwide supporters.

Each attendee is asked to give a short speech about themselves and their connection to the tests to ensure that people who attended the same test or want to find out more about a specific test can be introduced. (Many children do not know about their fathers' participation at the tests and want to find out more information)

A Q&A session will be held via Zoom, with special guest speakers and members of the audience will be able to put questions to the panelists.

Brian Cowden's new video - 'How Far From Groud Zero' will be played in the afternoon. A very powerful video. You can watch the 5-minute trailer below:

The evening entertainment is provided by Pontins.

Wednesday

An early start to the Bovington Tank Museum for those who are attending, and for those staying at Sand Bay, other entertainment will be provided by LABRATS.

On returning from the museum, a night of dancing and music will be provided by the Kiribati dancers and Marvin Muoneke. (Videos from the 2021 event)

A tradition of the ATR is to wear Hawaiian shirts for the evening.

Thursday

We draw the raffle to raise funds for the 2023 event and it is Quiz day, Alan's Legendary Quiz is one not to be missed. There are some sore heads from the previous evening!

A Crazy Golf tournament, social media update and an open forum will then follow to ask the veterans what items they want LABRATS to concentrate on for the next 12 months.

Pictures for Social Media, videos and other recordings are taken during the day so that we can ensure that the world never forgets the nuclear veterans and their sacrifices.

Evening entertainment is provided by Pontins.

Friday

Home Time after breakfast. New friends are created and old friendships are rekindled. This 70th-anniversary event will be one to remember.

WEEK-LONG ACTIVITIES

As well as the entertainment provided by LABRATS, all of the Pontins entertainment is accessible to everyone who attends. Hoy, bingo, dancing, singers, magicians and lots more.

THIS MUST COST A FORTUNE - HOW CAN I AFFORD IT?

The event has been funded by The National Lottery, which has paid for basic accommodation which includes breakfast and evening meal. Another Military Charity has paid for the trip to the museum and coach hire.

So apart from travel to Weston-Super-Mare and upgrades to a club room, there is no cost to the veterans and their families.

You can find out more on our website - https://www.labrats.international/atr

We do have some free places still available if you want to attend, but they are now very limited. For everyone who has booked, don't forget Hawaiian shirts, Raffle Prizes and any memorabilia from your time at the tests.

Come and joins the party, meet old friends, make new friends, and most of all enjoy the week-long reunion. It is a blast!

All of the LABRATS Directors and Volunteers who make this event happen take no salary they volunteer their time. We are very thankful to everyone who is supporting this event and for the volunteers who work extremely hard throughout the year to make it happen.