A VV meet

[Ally]

Oh sorry if it came out wrong Ally, I wasn't suggesting the Brittannia, just saying I remember the meet there. It was years ago now so the hotel has no doubt changed considerably and tbh I really don't know Birmingham well enough to know what else is available so I'm more than happy to go along with you peeps who know the area well.

Brum was my first ever 'cyber' meet and I was more than a little nervous. It was the organisation bit I liked best, having a central place to meet up as people tended to arrive at different times throughout the day so it was lovely walking in and being welcomed immediately. Ooj (dubsey as she was then) was the first person to speak to me although it was so busy I don't expect her to remember that. Having somewhere 'private' for dinner was a huge success too as it gave us lots of time to get to know people. Also being hotel based meant everyone knew where to meet up at any time of the day - not everybody was able to stay over or even for dinner.

All these years later I've been to lots of meets so no longer that nervous novice lol so more than happy to go with the flow. Just tell me where and when and I'll be there

Oh it didn't come out wrong at all Jen.

I just didn't want to come across as bullish.

[Osc]

To be honest, Jen and Ally, I'm sure there are nicer places now than the Brittannia - it was ok and convenient, but there were major issues on either the second or third time there about overbooking and in the end Mr. Osc had to flex his former hotel manager muscles to sort it out. The person who organised the first "set" meal got the function room for free because we were doing it for charity and I can't remember too much detail about the second time with the function room. If you were to look for an organised "meal" in a room somewhere it's going to cost more, and when everyone will be budgeting their trip carefully, it could be an extra cost, whereas if we are in a pub/bar people can choose what and where to eat. On the first meet in the Brittannia, nobody opened the bar because the barperson hadn't turned up for work and we had to jump up and down to get some service!

As an aside, I flew into Birmingham to attend Velvetellen's funeral, and as I had lots of time before my onward train connection, I went into the Brittannia for breakfast - it was extremely weird to walk into the room and see no familiar faces there

Jo, yes, it was the Smallbrook/Queensway Holiday Inn I looked at. It's great to have people on here with such local knowledge

[JoM]

Blimey, we can't risk going to a place where the bar might not open

Ally, I think that would be a great idea to ask your friends - they might know of somewhere that's perfect that we've not thought about!

This is the place Ally and I both mentioned
http://www.oldjointstocktheatre.co.uk/rte.asp?id=10

[louise]

If there are a number of us coming a distance and staying overnight I vote we pick a venue with accommodation so we don`t have far to fall into bed.

[Rodo]

I thought the Britannia was very dark and dingy, although I suppose it has been refurbished now. My memory of my room was that there were some very strange looking creepy crawlies on the ceiling which I thought might drop on me in the night. They weren't all that small either. I had to get one of the hotel men to come up with ladders to remove them. He put them into a jar and muttered something about Rentokil under his breath. That was when I made the vow that I would never stay in that place again.

[Ally]

Blimey, we can't risk going to a place where the bar might not open

Ally, I think that would be a great idea to ask your friends - they might know of somewhere that's perfect that we've not thought about!

This is the place Ally and I both mentioned
http://www.oldjointstocktheatre.co.uk/rte.asp?id=10

Closed?? Bar?? Falling into a dead faint at the mere thought of it!

I've asked my main man Stu for some ideas and he's on the case right now.

I'll give you any ideas he has Jo and see what you think seeing as you know Brum like what myself does.

[Ally]

Added to say..this is really exciting.

[saundra]

If there are a number of us coming a distance and staying overnight I vote we pick a venue with accommodation so we don`t have far to fall into bed.

ah louise we might finnaly meet
will you go by train

[louise]

I was planning on my toy boy bringing me Saundra.

[saundra]

ho goodie i will bring mine then