General Chat

We have some nice caravan/camp sites - would be a laugh. I think Colin mentioned(on Saturday at Webbs) a holiday camp - how about Butlins for a weekend somewhere - all the entertainment you want then. Hope no one has already said this. Byeee Jude

I think I have a good idea! We could ask GC to put together one of those pop up vote polls that you get on some sites. It would pop up as you log in - only for a couple of weeks! That would solve any debates, as the city with most votes would win. We would just need to list about 5/6 choices. Edinburgh most definitely being one of them as I know many of you have Scottish ancestors. New Register House in Edinburgh has a facility there that most of your researching England/Wales/Ireland have never seen the likes of. We could arrange a block booking there for the evening. You would be suitably impressed. Edinburgh is a very beautiful city with loads of history and lots of places to see and things to do. I think we have more hotels here that we know what do to with :o)) We also need to think of the many Scottish members who live right in the north of Scotland even from some of the Islands. Regards Margaret

I know Jin specifies UK but what's wrong with Perth in Western Australia. It has two airports and is close to lots of things (the bush and the ocean for example and also ME!!) Plus this time of the year you can all bring your bathers and sun cream. What more could you possibly want?

dare i day i have to disagree (sorry) its just ive met some nice people in the two meetings i have been to and it wont be the same trying to be with everyone through satelite link would rather see them in person but will go along with what the final agreement is

sounds good i live in the midlands birmingham would be easy for me - i would go by train instead of car and london would also be ok in fact any big city with a train station however if it was combined with the Loughborough uni event that would be brilliant as i live very close - however thats selfish of me but it is in the midlands lou

Rays idea sounds good but will take a bit more organising to find locations that could support a large number of people and satellite links, tv crews etc. For instance our local meeting was in a garden centre which wouldn't be practical. Perhaps it should be South, East, West, North and Scotland, rather than local. i.e. Birmingham, Southampton/Bournemouth, Manchester, and Scotland. All these have airports and are easy to drive to. You have to consider the people who live in Cornwall as well as those in Scotland. Ann Glos

RAY - That is a brilliant idea - well done! I with you on that!

Hi all, What we are trying to do at present is test the water re a Venue. One there is a general consensus we can approach GC. It has been suggested that there will be a Family History Fair at Loughborough University in July/Aug which we may be able to attend and suggest that GC take a Stand there. Jim

Birmingham sounds great to me £10 in post Jim!! Lots of Hotels run special offers for conferances an overnighter could be fun but most would need time to save up and late spring would give us time. Mind you wouldnt mind a bit of sun Hrmmm Spain Italy well mustnt daydream!! look forward to wherever sandra

I think most hotel chains do very good group discounts and are used to arrangements whereby people would book and pay individually whilst taking advantage of the agreed rate for that meeting. The Britannia in Manchester certainly does from memory and they have a choice of the hotel in the town centre and the lovely country House Hotel which is out by the airport

Sorry She, misinterpreted your comments! Fi (I think) - Travelodge or similar in close proximity sounds like a good idea! Sue

I'll go with you on that one Bob! You might have a point tho sometime it seems cheap to leave the country than stay in it plus if we go in the summer time it'll be nice and hot lol Alaina X

This may sound daft but with the stupid way air fairs are calculated I bet it would be cheaper for a lot of people if the venue was not in the UK at all. How about Spain, Portugall or France? Bob

I would like to make a suggestion. Don't care really where it is as long as there were adequate and reasonably priced places to stay overnight like Travel Inn's and also importantly for me is that the venue has wheelchair access. A weekend would be fantastic so we wouldnt have to book time off work. Fi

no - twasnt about that but from what i read on the boards etc after the guildford meeting it certainly appeared that it was going to be organised by GC themselves :-)

She Is that what you were intimating the other day? You obviously know more than most. Sue

Correct me if I am wrong - but I thought it was GC who were organising it???????

Jim Lad Birmingham sounds great to me - what about the when. I feel Spring to Early summer might be best, not too busy then and perhaps not a half term etc or the other end of summer to Autumn!!! I'll see you tomorrow anyway,talk about it then!!! :)) Jude

Great Idea - it would be good to meet others researching in the same areas (I mean researching people from the same areas). I would prefer London and not because I live in the South. I actually live in Aberdeen so am probably one of the most northerly members. But there is no way you are all going to come here or anywhere close (its a 2.5 hr drive from here just to get to Edinburgh). So I would have to fly. (Yes I can travel by train - but last time I did Birmingham it was about 8 hours - and days leaving husband with 2 small children are dearly bought). It is much cheaper for me to fly to London than anywhere else. (Don't ask me why the shorter flights to Manchester, Birmingham etc are much more expensive). There are also far more flights so that timings are easier. I would imagine that the same might apply to other people in Scotland and possibly SW England. Another benefit is that I could combine with a visit to PRO. But wherever - I'd echo other peoples comments - the more notice the better. Ann

Jim We were talking about a day/weekend 'GC Genealogy Conference' on the Members Board several days ago and suggested somewhere central (the Midlands seems the most sensible being 'middle England'). The idea was put forward that stallholders who attend the FH Fairs could be invited to participate and perhaps talks from people like Anthony or other genealogists. I've attended similar things organised by the English Bridge Union that were solely for Online Bridge Players (hubby, not me!) where you book and pay for the Conference (or whatever you like to call it) to cover meals etc, with overnight accommodation etc as a separate issue to be arranged by the individual. I hope it comes to fruition. Sue