Testing the water for a "Northern mini-national"

Yes, December 1st is the date of choice. I am waiting for a few more answers before I book it, but it looks as though it is going to happen. There are still two months to get the numbers finalised, but if we have twelve definites I can go ahead. There is space for 35-40, so don't hold back! Other halves also welcome, subject to being turfed out to one of the many pubs if it gets too crowded (and sisters, Granny23)

Gracesmum I am sorry to hear you will not be there. Maybe someone will get one organised a bit closer that you can get to. we will think of you.

This is going to be a lovely start to the run up to Christmas, might even fit in some shopping.

There will be a German Market in Princes St Gardens with some more unusual pressies and different foods.

Oh glass - it's lovely at Christmas! Beautiful!

I am looking forward to it marelli

We now have eight positive and seven almost certain. When we have twelve positive I shall commit to the booking.

The consensus is for Sunday December 1st and for the buffet lunch. No-one has put forward an alternative to the ROSL so we will stick with that.

Cost - the basic rate is £24.90 a head, plus £7.50 each for the buffet, so we are talking about £32.40 for the whole event. If they are amenable to a discount I shall let you know, but budget for £32.40. They will want a deposit, so I shall be asking for a part of that fairly soon.

The room will be ours from 9am to 5pm, but there is no need to arrive on the dot unless that suits your travel arrangements. There will be tea/coffee and Cobbs cakes on arrival (of course) so the early birds can get straight into consuming and socialising. There will be midmorning tea/coffee and biscuits, a buffet lunch, and afternoon tea/coffee break with home baked cakes.

In between we will fit in the "business" the nature of which is not yet decided on, but will probably be a series of short talks, videos or slide shows, with plenty of time for just chatting. If anyone can offer a talk on their special interest please let me know and if possible it will be fitted in. Also suggestions of the kind of things you would like to do or hear about would be welcomed. No promises that all suggestions will be taken up, as we need a balance of different topics, but GNers are a talented lot, with experience in many areas.

I am sure that most people would like to get out and see the attractions in Princes St Gardens and Castle Street at some point.

Wow. Not bad going. None of this existed a couple of days ago.

Nine positive, creeping up. Go on, go on, you know you want to!

Unfortunately I still can't commit but would so love to be there, sorry to be vague.

Baubles would so love to have you there too. Fingers crossed.

Well, I have taken the plunge and booked. I think we will have a viable number - at the moment nine definite and nine still to count, plus as many as will see the thread soon and join us. I must confirm the booking and pay a deposit in two weeks.

I would be interested to hear someone from University of the Third Age about the sorts of things they offer. I hear that Edinburgh has a thriving group.

Yes, wisewoman, it has a thriving group, and I am a member, but when I approached them at the beginning of the year to ask if I could put a few lines in their newsletter about Gransnet and the Edinburgh local site, and leave some pamphlets around, I was turned down pretty sharply because GN is a profit-making organisation, and they are forbidden to promote those. I have a feeling there would not be much enthusiasm for liaising with us.

Gosh; that's a bit short sighted of them. Anyway, it's looking more likely that I can be oop north then so, as I said, I'm still happy to pay even if something crops up at the last minute to stop me. You could always drag someone in off the street to eat my food if that happens .

How strange of U3A not to want to promote themselves to a new market. Oh well! I am sure the Open University has no such qualms. I am sure others will have good ideas about speakers.

They might be OK in that direction, promoting themselves, but they definitely have it in their constitution that they don't do anything to promote other organisations which have a hint of a profit motive. I'd feel a bit off inviting them, to be honest.

Tegan Can I put you down as definite, then?

Yep!

Good!

You can put me down too as I have convinced the OH that a weekend in Edinburgh would be lovely and he agreed.

Sorry, Sundays are grandson days plus the return train Sundays takes over 8 hours compared to under 5 week days - journey alone would floor me for a week...OH still has not found another job after redundancy so all a bit difficult sorry..

Elegran - put me down, too, please - DH has confirmed that we have nothing else on that day - it'll be great to renew friendships made last October. Must now do something about arranging transport.

Well done, GillieB. That is twelve definite - myself, Thatbags, Marelli, Wisewoman, Gillybob, Janeainsworth, Glassortwo, Tegan, Granny23, Elizabeth1, Pittcity, GillyB.

If I have missed you out, please let me know.

Yep Elegran you've missed me out! Have looked at trains on 1st December and there are none before 9:10 and that one goes via a change at Carlisle (!!) and arrives in Edinburgh at 12:38. Presume they will be doing "engineering works" or something during the night.

Perhaps us NE grannies will have to hire a mini-bus