Treasure and Leisure in Whitstable: Vested UK’s Summer Away Day

This summer, the Vested UK team boarded the train from St. Pancras to begin an adventure at the charming seaside town of Whitstable. The theme of this year’s away day was “treasure and leisure,” which encouraged everyone to step outside, soak up some sun and revel in the sea breeze.

Vested UK team photo.

The Culture Club wasted no time in encouraging the team to put on our game face. We were split into smaller teams, where we were greeted with a Vested cryptic crossword to solve! Kudos to Danny for creating a well thought out game, though this meant we really had to rack our brains and work as a team to figure out the answers. Can you solve these? 

The seventh day on a shortened calendar.

Started as a seed, but has grown to be a team favourite.

The next mission began as soon as we arrived at Whitstable. With a set budget, the team was split into smaller groups to scout Whitstable’s vibrant flea markets and charity shops for six items on a shopping list.

  1. Something you could play with on the beach
  2. Something that should be Vested’s next swag
  3. Something edible that is Vested green
  4. Something you would find in the sea
  5. Something that you can grow
  6. Something you think you could sell for more money on eBay

This “market mayhem” involved hopping from shop to shop in order to find items that best fit the criteria. With a set budget, the teams worked together to locate hidden treasures. It felt unnatural to pull out cash from an envelope to pay, rather than use a contactless card. This mission could have come straight out of BBC’s “The Apprentice,” with teams running around town to steal a bargain.

As our bags started to fill with treasure, it was time to sit down and catch a break. The teams regrouped at The Old Neptune, one of Whitstable’s oldest establishments, to showcase the items that had been collected throughout the morning. It was only right to order fish and chips to fully embrace being at the seaside! Each team coordinated by presenting a sea of green and yellow objects to everyone. The most creative item by far was a pair of green and black rubber clog shoes, sported by Megan and her team, which were neatly decorated with the Vested logo.

After bonding with the team over a delicious lunch, the adventure continued with a scavenger hunt around Whitstable. Teams navigated the town’s scenic spots, solving clues and racing against time. Competition grew as teams bumped into each other down small alleyways and windy streets. Squeeze Gut Alley was, without a doubt, the funniest name in town. It was an exciting way to learn about the town’s history and engage with locals, who on occasion, gave us a little bit of help. 

This took us to our final destination on the beach, The Lobster Shack, where we celebrated our teams’ successes and had the opportunity to reflect on the day’s activities. Sticking to the theme – “treasure and leisure” – the winners of the day’s activities received a Vested green gemstone. After a jam-packed itinerary, it was a wonderful way to unwind with fellow Vesties and try some of Whistable’s famous oysters!

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