Hi all,
As I've said in a previous post I want to organise at least one real-life (as opposed to online) meet-up for everyone.
I'm thinking of Chelmsford as a general location as it is reasonably central in Essex and reasonably easy to get to (allowing the definition of 'reasonably' to be quite flexible). Does anyone have any other suggestions for a general location?
Also, does anyone have any suggestions for a venue in Chelmsford (or another location you can suggest)?
The library was OK last year; power points for laptops, but no refreshments. Does anyone know of somewhere where there is:
* A reasonable amount of space/tables/chairs
* Power points for laptops
* Refreshments, e.g. coffee, snacks, either available to purchase or permission for us to bring our own.
A function room in a pub would probably be good (need to allow under 18s - I can be the 'responsible' adult), but preferably free to use.
When we have decided on a venue I will update the calendar (now available at the top of this forum!) will all the details, and I will post directions and public transport links.
I can offer 4 (at a squish) seats in my car, to those who cannot drive or are having transport issues. I'll be coming from Surrey, so through South-West Essex, but we can organise that later, and maybe others can offer transport too.
We also need to decide when to have it: Sat 14th or Sun 15th? Saturday will be better for public transport and opening times, but I'm open to suggestions.
So, to summarise this rather lengthy post:
* Where should we have the meet-up? Chelmsford?
* Do you know a good, and preferably free, venue?
* Sat 14th or Sun 15th?
Keep writing,
Tekiegirl
(aka Jacqui)
P.S. More details on the online kick-off party (9pm Sat 31st Oct onwards) to come!
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NaNoWriMo 2009 Untitled:
NaNoWriMo 2008 Chosen: 66354 WON
14,121 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2009 - 12 19
Hi Jacqui
Can I just say it's great to have an ML organising us this year. Good luck in the job.
Chelmsford is definitely the easiest centre to get to from Burnham, especially if you're relying on public transport. I don't know of any suitable venues sorry but I'm sure there are plenty of Chelsmfordians out there who'll come up with something.
Ruth
51,796 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2009 - 13 33
I'm afraid that although I've been to Chelmsford several times with friends, I don't know it well enough to suggest a suitable venue for a meet-up. (We mostly just went to the cinema and shops xD)
As for whether Saturday or Sunday would be better for me... I'm working on both days, but Sunday would be better because I'm free all afternoon after lunch. I'm only free on Saturday evenings. However, I fear that Saturday will be the more popular choice, and people probably won't want to meet up in the evening because it'll be all dark D: I so hope I can come to whatever is organised. In that sense, it's a bit of a drawback that I'm not at school any more (when I was always free at weekends), but novel-writing-wise it's definitely better to be a free agent. xD
50,791 / 50,000
Oct 29, 2009 - 15 31
My plan is to have an afternoon through to the evening (if possible) meet. That way the majority of people should be able to make it to at least part of the event.
----------NaNoWriMo 2009 Untitled:
NaNoWriMo 2008 Chosen: 66354 WON
43,351 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 03 39
I think Chelmsford sounds like a good idea, but for me Sunday would be better, as I work on Saturday and by the time I got to Chelmsford I'd have to turn around and come back again :S
0 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 03 47
Ahhhh You actually mean to meet interwebs peoplez :P
Ok I'm joking I meet members of another site regularly where I am membership Co-Ordinator.
Not sure I would be able to fit this in though but its a great idea
Cheers
Luke
85,766 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 04 37
I'll be there, I've pretty much taken the whole of November off work so, OU tutorials allowing, I should be ok any day.
----------"I just threw up in someone's mouth and I've no idea why."
"My name is Wolf. This is not the name I was given, it is the name I took."
http://ionimountain.blogspot.com/
51,796 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 05 03
Ah, well that would be really good ^^ Oh and I definitely vote yes for Chelmsford; like you said, it's very central and should be reachable for pretty much anyone. I don't drive yet but I'm well accustomed to getting there by train.
45,036 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 10 49
I suppose it depends on what you want to do. If it's purely for meeting people and talking about this crazy adventure we're about to take, you won't need power points for laptops, which would make it much easier to find somewhere to meet up.
If you want to all sit down and work on your novels together, the only two places I can think of that will have power points and/or wifi is Starbucks, but that's always busy, and the library.
98,747 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2009 - 12 33
Saturday is better for me (for mid-month) although, it's my birthday >< and got a couple of things we're hopefully doing (cinema).
Can't do Sunday 15th... or any other weekend. Back to work after the refurb. Can't wait to see how that looks :p
----------The Official Elementalists' Site (flash)
The Lie
44,060 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2009 - 13 33
Would like to come, but definitely can't do Saturday 14th but may be able to make Sunday 15th - though I will have to leave in time to make it home for Dr Who, which is on that night. (Yes, one of the few things that trumps NaNoWriMo is DW...)
----------Winner in 2006, skipped in 2007-8, now going for 2 out of 2 in 2009!
Updates: LiveJournal|Twitter
41,872 / 50,000
Nov 1, 2009 - 12 31
Ah, I'd love to do something (I'd be coming in from Colchester) but I'm going back home to London that weekend as I'm working on the saturday. How sad :(
----------2004: Fly, Fly Away (lost)
2005: In The Fade (lost).
2006: The Adventures of Emo Girl & Wee Man (won)
2007: The Long Way Home (won)
2009: Ossi (hopefully a win!)
0 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 08 31
Hi people,
I'm not taking part in nanowrimo this year (stupid life got in the way) but I'm just popping in to recommend Cafe Nero as a good meet up place in Chelmsford. There's a big upstairs with lots of tables, wifi, and it's generally an awful lot less crowed than places like Starbucks and Costa. Plus, yummy drinks and snacks! :D
Lots of luck. x
28,909 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 12 49
I'd cast another vote for the Sunday rather than the Saturday, if this is still being debated! It would be great to have a chance to meet some folks, as I moved over here from Canada not too long ago and don't know too many people yet.
~Katelyn
50,791 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 05 22
After reviewing all your comments I've found that most votes are for Sunday 15th.
Cafe Nero has been suggested, and is on the High Street, so that sounds good to me.
It's open from 9am-5pm, so let's make the meet-up between those times, then most people should be able to pop in at some time, even if it's just for a quick coffee. We'll take over the large upstairs!
I'll be driving, so if anyone is desperate for a lift, and live in south-west-ish Essex, I can pick them up. :D
All the details will be on the Google Calendar (at the top of the forum!)
See you there!
----------NaNoWriMo 2009 Untitled:
NaNoWriMo 2008 Chosen: 66354 WON
51,796 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 06 40
Awesome! I'm so glad it's on Sunday, because I have a driving lesson on Saturday morning, so I wouldn't even have been able to come before work. As it is, I still need to find a way of getting to Shenfield station a.s.a.p after lunch because none of my local stations are on that line. ><
Does Cafe Nero have plugs, or are we surgically removing ourselves from our laptops for this meeting? Unfortunately my battery is so shot it can't survive for more than 15 minutes without a plug.
6,186 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 08 48
I really want to come to the MMMU, but I've got something on during the morning and the afternoon. Will do my utmost to pop in at lunchtime - will there be additional meet-ups, or just a celebration one?
----------Published Author Or Bust! - Games Journalist Or Bust!
25,047 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 11 42
Gutted I can't come but I'm away for the weekend :(
Happy writing though guys!
98,747 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 13 18
Times like this, I hate work...
If anyone is feeling really kind, please drive by B/tree and pass Freeport and go through the Maccie Ds Drive Thru.... I feel left out :p
----------The Official Elementalists' Site (flash)
The Lie
50,791 / 50,000
Nov 11, 2009 - 03 21
Hi all,
Despite what Google maps says about Caffé Nero's postcode, it is on the High Street in Chelmsford. Try 96 High Street, CM1 instead of the full postcode. I believe it is at the train station end of the high street.
I found a useful map which shows car parks, and the bus and train stations in relation to the High Street.
I'm going for the Bond Street car park (No.10 on the map). If someone knows a better one then please let me know.
I intend to arrive about 9-9.30, depending on traffic (I'm tackling the north part of the M25), but it shouldn't be too bad on a Sunday morning.
I'll be coming in from the M25 past Brentwood and Ingatestone. So if anyone is desperate for a lift around there I could probably pick you up. Could possibly do Chipping Ongar.
Info on the event is now on Facebook where you can RSVP, and also on our Google Calendar
Remember you don't need to stay for the whole day. Just pop in when you can. You'll be amazed the difference meeting like-minded people can have. :D
See you there!
----------Tekiegirl
aka Jacqui
NaNoWriMo 2009 Untitled:
NaNoWriMo 2008 Chosen: 66354 WON
45,019 / 50,000
Nov 11, 2009 - 10 27
I've just confirmed via Facebook :) All things being equal-ish, I should be there around 9:45 - 10.00 am. I'll be coming down by train, but if they look even more dodgy than usual, I'll drive down.
Gerald
----------Essex Writers Support group
50,791 / 50,000
Nov 15, 2009 - 00 03
I've been delayed by weather. My new ETA is about 10.30.
----------See you all there! :D
NaNoWriMo 2009 Untitled:
NaNoWriMo 2008 Chosen: 66354 WON
51,796 / 50,000
Nov 15, 2009 - 11 43
Can we do another one of these? <3 I had so much fun but I'm sad that I was only able to be present for two hours.
50,791 / 50,000
Nov 15, 2009 - 11 45
It was a lot of fun! :D
At the moment I only have a Thank God it's Over party planned for December, but there is a meeting at Rayleigh library next Sunday (check the Google calendar!) :D
If anyone wants to meet in Chelmsford again next weekend then let me know and I'll arrange something!
----------NaNoWriMo 2009 Untitled:
NaNoWriMo 2008 Chosen: 66354 WON