Midlands meet up

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Can I ask you all to take lots of pictures of each other, and then post them on your profiles when you get back?
It's really exciting reading your arrangements

Hope I can make Oct 6th, but can't be definite yet. Will contact AlisonMA who I met last week but who away from computer for a couple of weeks

Yes me too, from MK, can do Brum then.

Sounds good, well done gracesmum, putting the 6th in my diary (sounds as if I have a rip-roaring social life doesn't it?) and will book train ticket as soon as details are finalised.

I can make 6th October.

Oooh, how exciting!

I do so want to come and will do so if I can. I have to be careful because I may have to come to England at the drop of a hat if my son needs me and as I said, I'm there anyway in November. But keep me in the loop and if I can, I will. In theory, 6 October is fine with me and that lovely Museum and Art Gallery idea is great.

Ooooh this is getting exciting!
Do we want to fix times yet? How about something really radical like 12-12.30?? (so people can book trains etc) Or if you think that is too early we could try 12.30 - 1?

I suggest, very modestly, you know the quiet shy creature I am that we select the venue and meal first and work round that?

My earliest train gets into New Street at 11.54am, so 12.30-1.00 would be better for me.

Vote????
Edwardian Tearooms at Museum/Art Gallery (sounds nice)
Cafe Rouge or similar
other suggestions from Brummies?
As long as anybody buying advance train tickets has an approximate idea, we should be OK?

No idea, will go with the flow, don`t know Birmingham at all. Are they fairly near to the station? Taxis are quite pricey, hoping not to go too far in one!

I think that's worth knowing - we do have all day after all, so no point in creating stress for anybody!
As quite a few will be coming by train, maybe we cold do taxi shares if we are there at same-ish times? The museum claims to be 0.3 miles from New Street, in Chamberlain Square (I think) Would that be do-able? Brindley Place etc is a bit further.

From what I can remember the museum one sounds the easiest to get to for everyone!
I do remember Chamberlain square. It had a fountain we students made bubbly!
Oh the simple pleasures of youth! 50 years ago! [heavy sigh] emoticon!

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sit and dance .for ever and a day!

Suddenly made me very nostalgic. We had a precarpet laying in our first house. That was played nonstop on the radiogram! Still love it! It's on utube! Try googling it?

Night all!

Museum has the advantage that there is the option of a bit of an (indoor) wander to look at the art collection before, after or during nattering. But I agree Saturday trains better. Near New St is good and nice, moderately priced catering option desirable.
Only thought is: if this should grow in number to about 20, then is the art gallery going to be able to accommodate us en masse on a Saturday? Might be better to book somewhere where we can book some tables?

Are we defintely on for 6th October then. Can it not be a museum please - would prefer a cafe/bar - museums add to my depression!!! they make me feel like an exhibit.

It is a long time since I went to Brindley Place and I remember that everywhere was pretty crowded. Perhaps JesseM has the right Idea. Do you know of any places to book JesseM?
Suddenly this has become quite an event. I am so looking forward to it.

Haha...I remember going to see Father Christmas at Rackhams and Lewis's and also at Henrys......at least I think that was Brum too?

DD suggested Strada opposite Symphony Hall - Italian, does a set lunch of one course +wine for £8.95 as an example of proces. I would contact whichever we have in mind and warn them check they can accommodate number plus book tables(s) I am happy with either Edawrdian Tearoom looks nice, Strada is in a nice place.

I would like to come too - imagine somewhere really trendy in the middle of Birmingham and us all descending. Just hope Vogue doesn't get wind of it or we will be plagued by photographers I don't care where we meet - happy to fit in with any arrangement. If 6th Oct is agreed, I'll book my train tickets (have to go to Leicester and change but I like trains).

This keeps disappearing from active conversations - I looked last night and it had gone, and same again today! Techies???

C'mon GNs. There are more of you that are on a train hop to Birmingham. Don't be shy.

Have just realized that I could probably do this one too. Hereford is nearest mainline station. 6th of October is good too and am always a sucker for an Art Gallery.