Mrs Frugal Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 If the date's too near to book an alternative venue Kate, would we all be flexible enough to move to a different date if there are too many of us for Kew?? I wouldn't have a problem if the date was changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) Kate A, I've read your PM again this morning, and I will have a think about possible alternative venues in London for that date, and I will let you know when you call tonight. Otherwise, perhaps it might be an idea to ask James if he could give them a call and wave his corporate hat around to see if they will let us have a room/some tables - after all I can't see that they are going to be that busy in January, and you would have thought that they've be grateful of the increased revenue from us. Will toddle off and get my thinking hat on then..... Edited December 8, 2005 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 If the date's too near to book an alternative venue Kate, would we all be flexible enough to move to a different date if there are too many of us for Kew?? I wouldn't have a problem if the date was changed. Big problem with changing the date! I've just encouraged someone to book flight tickets, Easyjet being cheaper the earlier you do it! Now, that is a big commitment, so we need to decide today if the 14th is a definite date or not! Kate A, you're doing a marvellous job and have my full support. Kew was such a lovely idea for a wander. But maybe a room somewhere would suit the numbers & time of year, now that the idea has grown? Unless Kew can help out at all? Would need to start in morning, to allow for those needing to leave to travel, although obviously some may come & go later. Trouble is, London space is at a high premium. Will put my thinking hat on too...this musn't be Kate A's problem, we'll need to share ideas. Mmmm...what does everyone else think...a meeting room above a city pub, or a sectioned off part of a cafe may not charge if we are there to buy food/drinks. But not the same as Kew! Bit short notice for Buckingham Palace... Will come back when I have an Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Kate's PMd me with a couple of excellent possible venues already Sheila but the date is so close that booking either might be a problem so that's why I've asked if anyone would be unable to attend if the date was changed to make it a bit easier for Kate to book somewhere else. Booking a room specially for us at Kew is hideously expensive so a definite no-no, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Aha! We'd better hold our V.I.P. flight until Kate A. knows a bit more on feasibility there! I assumed that's what you meant Kate, I was just having a panic about travel tickets...aggghhh, but will send an email pronto! Good luck Kate A with those ideas, will await your feedback, and also do some research this end. Yours enthusiastically, supportively and can't wait to meet you all/see you again-edly, Sheila xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 I am going to come and haven't yet booked anything so I would need to know sooner rather than later to get a good deal at the moment flying to London return will be about £40. Come on Nicola, if I can do it Anywhere in London is okay for me as I have loads of travelling anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 i'm ok for date changes except 2-9 April. Just remembered that I had a large shin dig with mates and their families in the local Pizza Express and they were great about people coming and going, children being there and some people only having tea and cake. I think that they made enough out of us not to worry about that end of it. I just reserved tables for x amount of people and any extras crammed in. If this looks like being a choice then let me know and I will have a look at their locations to find somewhere easy to get to. My colleague says 'how about the Ikea restaurant at Wembley'! Kew was a brillaint idea, not least because of the things available to sdo there. Perhaps we ought to try again with them, The Orangerie idea sounds great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 I am going to come and haven't yet booked anything so I would need to know sooner rather than later to get a good deal at the moment flying to London return will be about £40. quote]Phew, I'm glad our VIP visitor replied. I thought that you may have booked & that I'd be giving you a guided tour of Luton.....and this is where there used to be a thriving car manufacturer, and this is where the country's hat industry was centred, look at the lovely concrete Arndale centre, car parks & one way system, this is where Luton football team....(who?)play, and this is where the airport is going to be extended into that fragile piece of greenbelt, and these are the areas that you definitely avoid..... ..apologies to Lutonchooks and others (hope you're coming to London too?), but it's definitely not the same as Kew Gardens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Hi Sheila I won't book a flight till I know the date for certain I went for a meal in Luton once and I must confess it didn't grab me as the best place I had been to - nice curry though I am working on being the furthest travelled for this - unless anyone else wants to challenge me for the crown Basically so long as there is an airport within public transport links of where we go I am easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 That's great & I'm sure you'll win the crown again! You're already the titleholder, although I probably took just as long getting to Banbury from here, mostly due to taking a wrong turn & not noticing until I stopped recognising the names of villages PS. I'm usually good at map reading, just got carried away in unfamiliar terriortory. As long as I can hold the map upside down if necessary, according to the direction I'm facing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Ladies, Let me give you a tip; if you get lost, stop and ask someone for directions. (No need to thank me.) Richard T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 was[/b] centred, [/color] My Italian great grand parents founded the now extinct hat-making industry in luton - shame it has dies out. My great grandpa was an indusrial chemist in Florence and patented most of the chemical processes used then in hat-making. Proud, me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 Brief posting, ('cos I'm at work & should be working, not browsing ) but I think we're all committed to Jan 14th so we should go with it. Kew should be fine, I'm only fretting about being able to sit and chat in a relaxed atmosphere, and, unless we book corporate facilities with Kew (exorbitant ) it's going to be turn up and see. Hubby has contacts in the City, & may be able to arrange a function room at his place of work, which would be a bit of an odd venue to say the least, but it could work . Alternatively he can get major discounts on venues in the City via the corporation of London, and bless him he's checking those out for me today. But definitely something on the 14th, & depending on the size of the group it's probably Kew, but possibly an alternative if there are a lot of us. I'll keep you all updated, hang on in there, I'll get it sorted, but I may be grey by the time you all meet me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) You're a big fat gold star Kate - er..in the nicest possible way of course! LOUISE - I am soooooooo pleased you are coming! Can't wait to meet you!! Edited December 8, 2005 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Sounds great Kate A I will hold off till tomorrow before I get my tickets sorted just in case your hubby comes up with anything. I am looking forward to meeting everyone as well Gina I really am mad aren't I Those that know me don't answer that question Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) Wouldn't dare Louise. It'll be terrific to see you again, you jet setter, you! Well done Kate A. You are doing a fantastic job. We'll club together for some hair dye for you ! We'd all have fun even if we stood yakking in the car park at Kew so it'll work out fine whatever/wherever! Edited December 8, 2005 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 The best parties are the ones with no definite plan and everyone goes with the flow so to speak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Ok Louise - I won't I can only really make the 14th as we're in London that weekend, but it seems that's decided now anyway. Venue should not be a problem - we're staying right by the London Eye. Will PM you KateA, with numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 The 14th is good for us Kate A. I reckon that Kew should be fine, but I have researched another list in case. I think that if we all turn up and camp out there then they won't mind so long as we are spending some money there. People will be coming and leaving at different times anyway so we won't all be there at once (mind you, having said that....) Speak later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Hopefully it will be a beautiful early spring day and we can go and sit on benches outside and natter in little groups if they turn nasty ! Power in numbers though - I'd like to see them try ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 I was banking on the power in numbers thing too - they can't evacuate all of us, especially if we're spending money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 I can do the 14th. - specially now I dont have to flot to Leicester the day before!!! It'll only be me as Paul is working (and, frankly, having read some of the posts he is absolutely terrified of us all ) I will promise to make my own badge, but not being terribly artistic it will probably be a white printer label with "Mel" on it........ Just let me know exactly where and when it will be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted December 10, 2005 Author Share Posted December 10, 2005 Definitely the 14th and probably Kew. Imy and I are planning next saturday morning at Kew to check out the cafes and space etc, which should allay my fears a lot. It's a long time since I last went there and I can't remember the indoor spaces clearly, so I've decided it's probably best to refresh my memory, and Imy's up for it if I'll take her skating and buy her lunch. Drives a hard bargain, my daughter Looking forward to meeting you then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 You're fab Kate. Thanks for all the effort you're putting in. We all appreciate it MUCHLY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 I totally agree - its not an easy job organising something like this so I think we all really appreciate how hard you must have been working to get this all sorted for us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
