Midlands meet up

Strada sounds nice - can I practice my very poor Italian.

If Strada is by the town hall then it's very close to the Art Gallery anyway, so we could book seats there but still be a stones throw from the gallery which means people who arrive early [which would be most of us I'd imagine], could tootle round the Art Gallery to kill time. When I get back from me hols I might do a little recky into Brum to check things out [walking distances and stuff]. In fact I might have time to do that before I go. I'll have a ponder [puts thinking cap on].

I really am prepared to fall in with any decision made, but my only thought about museum/art gallery v restaurant is that as so many people are going to meet up, there is likely to be a bit of hanging around and the art gallery would give space to do that, especially if it is raining. JesseM has already made this point. Also if there is a large group and we only meet at a dining table at a restaurant we may not get an opportunity to talk to everyone. A wander around the art gallery/ museum would cater for that and smaller groups could chat and possibly mingle. I do like a bit of mingling.
Would we be able to book table or 2 at the museum?

crimson that seems to be a good solution.

Yes; I find the idea of sitting straight down with a lot of people I don't really know intimidating, whereas when I walk round Art Galleris and places I seem to be able to chat to anyone[ it's like I don't know what to say to people at parties but can chat to someone at a bus stop as if I've known them all my life].

eee, I do like a spot of mingling too. Or we could do that swopping seats things if lots turn up.

I think there are about 24 of us. That is a lot of mingling JessM.

Might have to hire the Town Hall at this rate .

Sure sounds like it , is the statue of Victoria still there ?T .hats where I went to receive my catering certificate for cookery and waitering, City and Guilds, which my DD tells me is equilivent to a degree .hey hey , such a long time ago but it seems like yesterday

I would like strada, but I'm happy with anything really. Mt only problem is disabled access!
What we really need is something like a hall with caterers providing a buffet lunch!
Just an idea?

Crimson, we need you to recce. The rest of us need to put in diaries.

Hope to be able to join you all on October 6th.

This event is like Topsy. It just growed.

How about a marquee then?

Actually, I think jeni made a good point. Is there a hotel, close to New Street, that has a small function room where we could have a buffet? It could be a running buffet but I am not too quick on my feet these days.
That would be ideal and much more relaxed.
You really started something here gracesmum

Interestingly I was just looking at railcards online . It would seem a disabled one is cheaper than a senior one and appears to have the same benefits?

On of the reasons I thought the Art Gallery would be good is that there is a lift and disabled access. But I'm not sure it they would cater for a large group of people. And Saturdays will be quite busy in the town centre. It's such a very long time since I've been in the centre of Birmingham. I know of a wonderful working men's club in Stirchley [complete with glitterball] that would do a buffet but don't think it's quite the right place or location. Pity because they sell you a plate of sandwiches, some pork scratchings and a pint of Ansells and you still get change from a ten bob note [I'm only slightly exaggerating as well].

I just googled small conf facilities and there is a possible one on the Harley rd. it's called Clarendon conference suites and seems to cater for between 25- 500!
Might be worth a look?

Looking at a map not sure if Strada is by the Art Gallery. But it's probably better food wise.

Hmm - function room with buffet would be ok but don't you usually have to pay deposit etc and if people couldn't get there at last min - illness, train stike or anything then the cost per person could spiral. And some poor soul would have to do all the arranging whereas if we just book tables somewhere it wouldn't matter if we were a few short or a few extra. Or am I just being negative - sorry if it is the case. It's good that it looks like there will be lots of us - like a flashmob but much more sedate- perhaps

Sorry Jeni - posted before I saw yours - we could probably work out the costing bit if they were willing to be flexible. Didn't mean to be killjoy as I think it will be fun even if we end up in McDonalds.

That should be Hagley road!

Perhaps this is where GNHQ could help? They did say they would if they could!
GERALDINE WHERE ARE YOU?

Do you think we should just trust crimsons recce and gracesmums decision as we may never agree otherwise?

Do Strada do English food as well?