Join Us for the 8th UK Aramcons Reunion in Beautiful Southampton

Southampton is undeniably a great British city full of undiscovered heritage. It is the nation’s southern front door. Southampton has Saxon and Roman history. It first became an important port in 1066 when the Normans arrived, serving as the main connection to their lands in Normandy and the South of France. Southampton is pleasantly situated on a tongue of land with the mouth of the River Itchen to the east, and on the west, a fine bay formed by the outflow of the River Test. It has grown, especially within recent years, far beyond its ancient proportions.

After the Norman conquest, Frenchmen came to live in Southampton. They settled around French Street and Bugle Street. They worshiped in a church dedicated to St. Michael (the patron saint of Normandy).

Southampton has a developed maritime industry and it put sport on the international stage. The Saints football team colours have red and white roses in the shield and are firmly linked with the Houses of Lancaster and York which the Tudors united. The University of Southampton is committed to supporting and developing high-performing student athletes in their journey to reach their full potential. Southampton continues to develop its cultural footprint and is known as a welcoming ‘City of Sanctuary’.

In 2023, Southampton was selected as one of the final four locations chosen to become UK City Culture 2025, it lost to the City of Bradford. The preparation process and bid delivery truly reflected the collaborative values of the city’s citizens. The bid reflected the people of the city and did its best to show the community spirit of inclusivity by involving everyone across the city. 

Southampton used The UK City of Culture 2025 bid to celebrate the wealth of cultural activity already taking place, to showcase the city’s diversity, and use these to address some of the challenges the city is facing from the walls to the water to the welcome visitors receive.

Southampton is a city with exceptional connectivity, regionally, nationally and internationally with an international airport, Europe's largest cruise port, two ferry ports, and national rail and coach links.

Add to this the fact that Southampton is located at the convergence of two major motorways, and it is easy to see why our city is one of the easiest to reach. If you are arriving or leaving Southampton on a cruise the city promises some comfortable locations, to stop over.

12 Reasons Why You Should Visit Southampton, England

The 2023 UK Aramcons ExPat Reunion is scheduled to take place in Southampton, Hampshire, UK from 8th - 11th June 2023. Previous reunions have been in Derby 2007, Windsor 2008, Edinburgh 2010, Cardiff 2012, York 2014, Stratford upon Avon 2016, and Bristol 2018. Dates usually switch between September and June (not during school holidays). The 2020 reunion was to be held in Norwich, which the late Ms. Maggie Cresswell was organising. Maggie sadly passed away before this could happen and the reunion which she had scheduled for October 2020 was postponed and with the Covid pandemic, cancelled. 

Guests to this year's reunion may wish to do their own thing and that is fine as there is much to do in and around Southampton. The reunion can be as busy or as relaxed as you wish. The hotel is in close proximity to the Civic Centre shopping arcades (West Quay), various museums, pubs and wine bars, and the Port. Being as Southampton is a Port City, guests may use the opportunity to coordinate boat/cruise trips to coincide with their reunion plans. 

Don't miss the main events sponsored by Aramco Overseas Company UK:

The Friday golf tournament and the Saturday night dinner are the main events and are graciously sponsored by The Aramco Overseas Company UK (AOC).

Details for the upcoming reunion:

8th UK Aramcons Reunion (AOC, London, UK)
8th - 11th June 2023
Leonardo Royal Hotel Grand Harbour
West Quay Rd, Southampton, SO15 1AG, UK

Registration & General Enquiries:

For the UK 2023 Aramcons Reunion Registration & General Enquiries, please contact Linda and Marcia, Event Coordinators, at email aramcoukreunion@yahoo.com.

Hotel Booking:

Guests may book their room by calling: 02380 633033 and outside UK: +442380633033. Select option 1 (if unable to get through on option 1, select option 2).

Block Code: ARAMCO080623

Early booking is encouraged:

• Standard rooms @ £179 per room per night, Bed & Breakfast, sole occupancy / £191 per room per night, Bed & Breakfast, double occupancy
• Upgraded rooms @ £219 per room per night, Bed & Breakfast, sole occupancy / £231 per room per night, Bed & Breakfast, double occupancy

These rooms are non-transferable and non-refundable at the time of booking.

Hotel Enquiries:

For enquiries related to hotel room bookings, please contact Louisa Thomas, Meetings & Events Sales Team Leader, The Leonardo Royal Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton, UK, email: lsg_sales@leonardohotels.co.uk.

Golf Tournament Enquiries:

Interested in participating in the Golf Tournament? Please contact Jim Anderson by email:  jimthebook@gmail.com.