Midlands meet up

We could make a grand entrance up the staircase or, more likely in my case trip over.

I just thought DH and I had a lovely lunch in House of Fraser in Brum- they have a proper restaurant with tablecloths and waitresses and an accessible menu price wise and it opposite the station - we would have to book though.

Perhaps Alison could check that out when she gets back, or you could phone them and find out about disabled access etc? It's certainly handy for the station and there's nothing to stop any of us who arrive early from meeting up at the Art Gallery and spending a while there. My only reason for constantly going back to the Art Gallery idea is that it's a large, open area where people could wander round and get to know each other if they arrive early; it doesn't mean we have to eat there and it's not far from Rackhams. [I might spend too much if I wander round House of Fraser for too long; I don't go shopping very often and when I do my credit card gets somewhat over used ]. I might get to Brum in September but can't see me finding time before I go on holiday.

That sounds good. I shall be getting train to New Street Station so somewhere not too far away from there would suit me. Otherwise don't mind what!

As long as there is disabled access and decent'ish food that's not too expensive and they can cater for a small group of people that's all that matters really.

"A small group"??? !!
I just wonder about a busy department store on a Saturday - I tend to avoid them if I can. However, all suggestions welcome. To me the main thing will be a relaxed venue where we can chat freely in a nice setting, with a good reasonably priced luch menu!

Perhaps we should wait until gracesmum gives us feedback from the Edwardian Tearooms and then take a vote on what people want to do. If we wait until Alison gets back it is going to drag it out for longer. We seem to be going round in circles. Its just a thought.

D'you think we should start a new thread specifically to put our names down in a 'possible', 'probably' or 'definate' sort of way with, perhaps an idea of what time we might be arriving and where we will be travelling from. I've lost track of who might be coming.

I agree that we should hold back on debate on venue until gracesmum has a final go or no-go from the one she is currently pursuing.
There is plenty of time, and plenty of alternatives that can be considered if need be.
If someone wants to assist gracesmum then maybe keeping a running total via PM might be useful? Or regularly "bumping" this to make sure nobody misses hearing about it.

Gracesmum" - what help would you *like - or what tasks would you like to delegate?

Right! Gallery are happy to accommodate us, they say this is something they are used to doing.
if I can give them firm (ish) numbers nearer the time they will set aside a table/tables for us and are happy for us to stay as long as we like. No question of a deposit. Restaurant seats 50-60 so no pressure on time.
They are not currently licensed, but hope the licence will be in place by September (some of us will be glad to hear that!) and prices are around £6.95/£7.95 for main courses with a range of vegetarian options and also a carvery

So, ladies, what do you think? Shall we take a vote/straw poll?
Do google them, also Strada and anywhere else that takes your fancy, but it would be good to have a decision as this thread is running forever!!
jess, I would be happy for somebody to keep a tally of numbers but can't honestly see anything else that needs doing at the mo?

Great well done gracesmum

Gallery sounds ideal - gets my vote.

Well; barring anything unforseen cropping up I'll definately be there and very much want to go to the gallery. Can only emphasise that it's not museumy [well, I don't think so]. One does wonder what these other meets ups that they have are . Maybe we'll find ourselves sitting next to the 1950 Olympic fly fishing team reunion [?].

That is great. The gallery gets my vote.
Well done.

Just wondered if everyone knows that a new thread has been started called midlands venue vote.

Gallery for me too, please, sounds perfect! Thanks Gracesmum will check other thread and add vote to that. I shall travel up by train from Bristol and would be happy to meet any other GNs should they choose to travel that way too.

I dont think you are going to like this message and I am not doing it to upset anyone so please dont take offence just mark me down as awkward. I have just looked up the Edwardian Tea Room menu- headed Civic Catering which made my heart sink. I cant do it I just can't. I'd like to meet you in a relaxing atmosphere with some lovely food so we can have a really good chin wag. Please dont change your plans for me. I know lots of you really fancy going there and I hope it turns out better than it looks. I do hope you have a nice meeting.

Anybody who knows it care to comment?

I have looked on line at the menu.
It is a generic one with things like
Soup of the Day & a Bread Roll
Meat Dish
Fish Dish
Pie Dish
Vegetarian Dish
Vegetarian Salad
Meat Salad
Even the sandwiches are non specific e.g. meat sandwich, salad sandwich.

It is left fairly vague so it is difficult to judge. I guess they left it this way to allow for seasonal and daily variance. Unless thy are prepared to change this on a weekly or daily basis I don't see how else it can be done.
I have not been to the Edwardian Tearooms so I am not speaking from experience but I have read many online reviews and they do seem to be mostly positive.
gracesmum says that they are offering main courses with a range of vegetarian options and also a carvery for £6.95/£7.95 . That seems OK by me.
I am not trying to make light of susiecb's comments as she obviously feels very strongly about this, but I think that as the menu is intentionally non specific I cannot draw any conclusions about the quality of the food.

The reviews seem good!

To be honest I'm not all that bothered about the food [my only concern was the possibility of having an expensive menu that might be too much for some people]. It's the company that's important .

I read somewhere on line about carvery etc but like crimson I think the food is just an aside. Cheese sandwich and packet of crisps would do.

It's the meeting that's important!

Sounds like a generic menu to give people a rough idea of what to expect. Rather than written to entice the tastebuds!
Art gallery food usually quite good in my experience and we are never going to meet everyone's tastes.
I think we should stick with this plan and see how it goes.

I agree with JessM .