OK, now it seems the date will be 20th October. We now need to discuss a time, location, activities etc. I'd personally prefer something during the day (i.e. an afternoon, maybe with lunch before if people can make it). Not too bothered about the actual place. Majorly (talk) 20:36, 14 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Any time after 1 ish works for me, maybe earlier but thats less certain. Lunch and hang round for the afternoon and evening would be fine, gives time for people to chat and chill a while - it's not like we'll do this every day :) Anywhere that works for others works for me; free parking in walking distance would be nice but not essential. Ideally, access either to New Street or a frequent local trainline just out of town somewhere nice, lunch for those who want it, hang out and chill, maybe a walk or something, stick round till evening :) Anyone up for a walk or something in the afternoon if the weather's good? :) The Random Named13:21, 16 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Someone in the afternoon would be best. Give people time to get there in the morning, and time to get home in the evening. Meet for lunch around midday and then hang around B'ham for the afternoon - shouldn't stray too far from the station, that way people can head back at whatever time they need to. --Tango13:27, 16 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'm afraid I won't be able to make it now. Sorry to pull out at short notice, but factors have rather conspired against me. I'm always up for meetups though, so hopefully I'll see everyone at the next one! Will(aka Wimt)00:13, 20 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It seems we're settled on the afternoon of 20th October, so what do we want to spend the afternoon doing? My suggestion is to start off in a pub/bar that serves food, have some lunch, and then we can probably plan the next step there. --Tango17:12, 23 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The square peg wasn't bad as a meeting place, although it was quite busy as I recall. I'm not familiar with any other pubs in Birmingham. The Briar Rose does get a good write-up. Thryduulf09:28, 29 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Rather than decide where exactly to go, can we agree on which train station whatever place we go to will be nearest? Some of us have to catch trains and the earlier we know where to the cheaper the tickets. :) Dev920 (Have a nice day!) 23:42, 30 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Well, Moor Street is only 5 minutes walk away from New Street and the coach station isn't far either. As long as its in the city centre it'll be accessible from any of them. - Zeibura(Talk)02:23, 1 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
You should warn that the square peg has a dress code. Last time we had a meeting their I wasn't allowed in because I was wearing tracksuit bottoms. To get in I had to buy a new pair of trousers from the nearby market and put them on over my existing trousers when no-one was looking :) G-Man?00:26, 2 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
If we're going to the Briar Rose, then New Street station is much easier. From the station, head for the main exit (signposted "Way Out / Palisades"), up the escalators, through the Palisades shopping centre, as you come out, straight down the road in front of you (McDonald's to the right). When you get to the bottom of the road by the bank (think it's a HSBC), cross the junction, and go left down New Street. Temple Street is (the third or fourth road) on the right - go up there, take a left into Temple Passage, and the Briar Rose is lurking in there somewhere. About five minutes walk from New Street station.
From Moor Street, go into the Bull Ring (you can't miss it, it's massive and made of glass and awesomeness), through the Bull Ring, follow signs for New Street station, and then as above. About 10 minutes walk. There's also a coloured line drawn on the pavement between the two stations to guide you, but cutting through the Bull Ring is quicker. I would recommend going to New Street wherever possible.
Tip - if you're travelling from Manchester by train, look into buying a ticket to Crewe and a ticket from Crewe to New Street, it's often cheaper, and you don't actually have to stop at Crewe. Same goes from London - the train goes direct from Euston to New Street, but look into getting 2 tickets, from Euston to Watford Junction with a local ticket (or a tube ticket) and from Watford Junction to New Street - it can sometimes work out cheaper. Neilム14:23, 5 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'm pretty sure tickets between Euston and Watford Junction aren't valid on Virgin Trains, and if you're caught with one you'll get charged the full fare to the next station (which will probably only be Milton Keynes, but still, it's risky). I'd advise anyone coming from London to use Chiltern Railways from Marylebone to Moor Street, it's loads cheaper than Virgin and only takes an extra half hour. - Zeibura(Talk)15:26, 6 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I meant get on the Virgin train at Watford, rather than Euston (go from Euston to Watford Junction on the tube). Neilム15:33, 8 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There appears to be engineering work on the Chiltern line between London and Birmingham on the 20th, so the Euston-New Street route is the only viable option (unless you want to travel via Coventry). Thryduulf15:20, 8 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There's also National Express coaches from London. The coach station in Brum is in Digbeth, and it's about a fifteen minute walk (all signposted) back to New Street and the Briar Rose. Neilム15:33, 8 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'd say 1pm actually, those who can't get there for then don't have to but it gives those who can't make the evening plenty of time. Thryduulf15:01, 8 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Yeah earlier is definitely better for me because, as I say, I need to get elsewhere for the evening so I'll have to head off mid afternoon probably. Will(aka Wimt)17:46, 9 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
1pm fine by me. I'm taking advantage of being in Brum and going out drinking with friends later so won't be hanging round too late. Neilム13:58, 10 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Because of a different set of engineering works my last cheap service home is a replacement coach from New Street at 18:30 (or I could pay another £30 for 1 extra hour, which I can't afford). That is unless someone has a bed for the night in Brum. Thryduulf19:57, 10 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
We now have the date, time and place to meet. Please sign below, so we know who to expect to see. Thanks.
Majorly (talk) 17:47, 14 October 2007 (UTC) - Mr Ryan Postlethwaite is meant to be giving me a lift down, but there's apparently issues with work... hope I can still go, but it all depends on Ryan... :/ Majorly (talk) 01:59, 15 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Unless the main topic of conversation is going to be Wikimania 2009. If it is, I'm not coming. Having an agenda is also a terrifying thought.Neil☎21:51, 14 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
That's what happens at meetups though - we talk about Wikipedia related things :) If you find it terrifying, take a look at some other meetup pages. 86.29.39.522:00, 14 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I should be there. Might be a tiny bit late - I either have to get a train that gets there an hour early, or one that gets there 9 minutes late... I haven't decided which is better - suggestions (will anyone else be early)? --Tango18:28, 15 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I strongly suggest meeting at the pub rather than the station, purely because it's entirely possible that people's arrival times from different locations will differ considerably, and i'm sure most of us would rather wait around in the pub than the station. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 3.14 etc (talk • contribs)
Good point. The pub it is, then. Somewhere near the entrance, if possible, I guess. What's the best way to recognise eachother? I can wear a t-shirt with a geeky slogan if that helps... --Tango19:55, 17 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
The London meets I've been to have been obvious enough. The last Birmingham one I was the second person there, and failed to spot the first person until I spotted the printout of the Wikipedia logo on the table. Thryduulf13:51, 18 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
We could exchange mobile numbers by email - useful for finding people, but also useful to say "I'm running late." Many of us are travelling using the British railways... we need to allow for delays. ;) --Tango17:49, 18 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Good thinking. My email is cmckenna@sucs.org. I will try and check it before I leave tomorrow (~9:30) and respond then with my mobile number. I will also try and check it while I'm en route, but cannot guarantee that I will be able to. user:Thryduulf (not logged it) 00:01, 20 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'm finally home... Dev920, Neil - you missed a good time. We had 7 attendees in the end, which I think was pretty good. Thank you everyone for a very enjoyable day. See you all in December! --Tango21:05, 20 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Indeed, it was great to meet you all. I'll try and initiate something closer to the time for a London one in December - when Jimmy Wales is supposed to be coming :D Majorly (talk) 21:19, 20 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Myself, Tango, Thryduulf, Steel359, Zeibura, 3.14 etc and The Random Named (an alt account of an admin who does not wish to be made public here). Majorly (talk) 21:28, 20 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
sorry I missed this, it just happened to be mentioned at AN/I incidentally today, otherwise I would never have known about it. Is there a way the meets could be somehow advertised more in future? (not just for me, what I mean is numbers will be higher if peope knew about them.)Merkinsmum01:36, 25 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Well, there was a request for a geonotice, which would put a message to everyone in the UK, but it obviously wasn't carried out. I think it's best to keep watch on the meetup page, if you're interested. Majorly (talk) 01:44, 25 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
There's possibly one in December, in London. I should start organising it... apparently Jimmy Wales will be in London, so I'll email him and ask whenabouts. Majorly (talk) 00:03, 6 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]