Return of the Ring and Barrow-Downs Mega-moot - Celebrating Tolkien in 2012

[Mithalwen]

At the TS seminar on Saturday I was given a early booking form for this event "A five day Tolkien conference similar to (but better than) Tolkien 2005 to be held at Loughborough University, Leicestershire 16th-20th August 2012.

There are plans for three streams of lectures, plus creative and fandom streams and child friendly activities (but not a creche!. There will be also the usual dealer and Art rooms, bar and hospitality. They intend to run coach trips to Birmingham, Oxford and possibly elsewhere.

In the evenings there will be one main event and some smaller ones :

Thursday - Opening Ceremony
Friday - Ceilidh
Saturday - Costume Masquerade
Sunday - Banquet dinner

Loughborough University offers a wide range of accommodation from standard single "student" rooms to a 4 star hotel complex. It is also fairly centrally located for transport links.

Registration rates will rise at the beginning of April each year. There will be an extra charge for some activities suceh as the coach trips.

Current rates are (I assume that this is the rate for TS members and there may be asurcharge for non members):

Full adult attending : £60 Attendance and publications

Adult concession/ Parcipating child £50 Attendance and publications

Babe in Arms £1

Supporting £20 - All publications not attendance (may be upgraded later)


Unless the TS is expecting people to anticipate that they will have a babe in arms in 4 years time (either due to extremely effective forward planning or a Rosie Cotton level of fecundity) it might be cost effective Lal and Dave at least registering young Alfred now ;) !

Accommodation and meal rates will be announced later.

I don't think this has been published yet on the web site so remember you heard it here first!!!

Also the conference falls between the London Olympics and Paralympics (one ending a few days before the other starting a few years later, which may be useful leverage if anyone needs more reason than Tolkien to make a trip to the UK at that time!!!

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

That sounds interesting! That is also the year I graduate from high school! When Laurinque will be making a trip around... places. We might be able to go if we start saving now!;):rolleyes:

[Bêthberry]

"What!?" you say. We haven't even yet had Oxonmoot 2010. "What's this now?"

The great success and buzz generated by the epic Finnish adventure across the New World--there and back--with its many Downer meetings--has got me thinking: why not plan a large Barrow Downs gettogether, giving people time to save money, organise resources, wheedle and needle parents, check out the locale, etc. And what would be a more likely event around which to organise this but a large Tolkien gathering?

The Tolkien Society, building on the great success of Tolkien 2005, is planning a five day "Gathering of Friends" to celebrate Tolkien in August 2012. No, it won't be in Oxford, but in Loughborough, Leicestershire. It looks like noted Tolkien authors Tom Shippey and Brian Sibley will be special guests.

A perfect venue for a megamoot, no? People could attend any of the various activities and events or just hang out together and the Tolkien Society does all the work of planning it. :smokin:

Here's more information about Return of the Ring 2012 (http://www.returnofthering.org/). We don't have to be members of the society to attend.

Anyhow, this thread for now is simply a notice of the event, to see if the idea holds merit. Who's interested? Or have I been affected by too much second hand pipeweed? :D

[wilwarin538]

I'm totally in. That would be fantastic. :D

We can all get together right before the world ends. :p

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I'll be there, actively involved in the programme. I very much look forward to the event and would love to see lots of Downers meet there!

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Sounds fantastic! :D
The best bit is that by that time I'll be out of high school and wont need to worry about that any more. And if all goes well I'll be in Britain anyway! Sounds like time to start planning.

Thanks for posting this, Bb.

[Eönwë]

Yes! Now this looks amazing! I'll try to be there by any (reasonable) means possible!

[Durelin]

I do like the idea of things being organized for me! Haha. I have no idea what I'll be doing in 2 years but I hope I can maybe squeeze this in. Thank you for posting, Bethberry!

[Glirdan]

This sounds like a perfect idea for getting together and meeting those I haven't had the chance to meet yet! Who knows what I will be doing in two years, but this is DEFINITELY something I want to keep as nice possibility for the future!! Thanks for posting Bb! :D

[Loslote]

I sooo want to be there. I have no idea if I'll be able to, though. I doubt if it'll even be feasible...but I'll certainly try to make it happen! :D

[narfforc]

I was at 2005, as was Esty. I go to Oxonmoot every year, but these events are something totally different. If there is the slightest chance you can get there, start saving now, I WILL be there.

[LadyBrooke]

Cool. I'll be a Sophmore in college then so hopefully I can make that study abroad in England year since I was planing on going to England anyways. :D

And then make 2014 study in France first semester.

[Encaitare]

Like others, I have no idea what I'll be doing in two years, but this sounds awesome and I love the idea of a Mega-Moot!

[Mithalwen]

"What!?" you say. We haven't even yet had Oxonmoot 2010. "What's this now?"


http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=561285&postcount=1

Do try to keep up Bethberry.. ;) :Merisu:

[Eönwë]

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=561285&postcount=1

Do try to keep up Bethberry..

Impressive, Mith. :p

[Crystal Heart]

I most certainly want to attend. It would be a nice chance to finally head over to England and I know it would be a good excuse for the husband to come along with since he too is a Tolkien fan.

So exciting!

[Mithalwen]

Impressive, Mith. :p

I try to be :Merisu:;)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Sounds like a grand idea! I'll get saving right away! Can someone lend me a tenner? :p

[Bêthberry]

Sounds like a grand idea! I'll get saving right away! Can someone lend me a tenner?

ppft! Just because you live in old Blighty and don't have to pay air fare . . . I'm in the market for a Tardis, so don't look to me for loans. :D


Fantastic to see so many postive responses here! Now just keep the date in mind. ;) This would be a grand way to bring together both American and European Downers. And this announcement provides lots of time for *cough* those American Downers who don't have passports *cough* to get working on that document. Can't use a driver's license for this walk!

I'm already making plans for extracurricular activities with Estelyn and I strongly suspect that narfforc will be doing a scouting run of any pubs in the environs so he can report back to us.

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=561285&postcount=1

Do try to keep up Bethberry..

A two year old thread--isn't that like archeology? :D *insert winking smilie here as well as I've reached my limit*

[wilwarin538]

This would be a grand way to bring together both American and European Downers. And this announcement provides lots of time for *cough* those American Downers who don't have passports *cough* to get working on that document. Can't use a driver's license for this walk!

Ahaha. ;) Can you imagine? "Yeah, we just want to cross the ocean to meet some friends." "How do you know people from the other side of the ocean?" "Uhm....a literary discussion website?"

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Ahaha. ;) Can you imagine? "Yeah, we just want to cross the ocean to meet some friends." "How do you know people from the other side of the ocean?" "Uhm....a literary discussion website?"
When Lauri and I went to Britain and met Downers there the customs agent asked us if we were meeting anybody there and, of course, the answer was yes. Then he asked where we knew these people from and my mother kindly blurts out 'the internet'. The customs agent, needless to say, gave us a very funny look and proceeded to give us a lecture about internet safety.

When we Americans go to Britain for this we must think up a creative way to say we're meeting people off the internet. I still like international book club, to be honest.

[Mithalwen]

A two year old thread--isn't that like archeology? :D *insert winking smilie here as well as I've reached my limit*

More like a tribute to Heren Istarion :Merisu:

[Bêthberry]

When Lauri and I went to Britain and met Downers there the customs agent asked us if we were meeting anybody there and, of course, the answer was yes. Then he asked where we knew these people from and my mother kindly blurts out 'the internet'. The customs agent, needless to say, gave us a very funny look and proceeded to give us a lecture about internet safety.

When we Americans go to Britain for this we must think up a creative way to say we're meeting people off the internet. I still like international book club, to be honest.

At NiagaraGate, when a certain Downer lost his license and didn't have ID to return to the US from Canada, I realised it had been very wise of all the Werewolfers not to admit to meeting each other through a game where they planned how to kill each other. :D (The license was soon found by someone else coming across on foot from Canada, who thoughtfully turned it in.)

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

At NiagaraGate, when a certain Downer lost his license and didn't have ID to return to the US from Canada, I realised it had been very wise of all the Werewolfers not to admit to meeting each other through a game where they planned how to kill each other. :D (The license was soon found by someone else coming across on foot from Canada, who thoughtfully turned it in.)
I read about that. :D
I think that we Downers may ponder not going across country boarders with other Downers... :p

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Call it a literary society. That worked very well when officious type people asked about folks we'd met via science fiction clubs and conventions. There are plenty of people who I know very well that I "met" through years of regular correspondence, and only saw face to face after we'd been acquainted for five or ten years. It's the Internet and its ease and the immediacy it can foster that makes people suspicious.

Alas, there is no way we could attend this. The summer of 2012 has already been booked for my first real chance to see Mountains, and even that might be financially dicey. I hope those who go have a splendid time!

[Bêthberry]

I read about that. :D


Yeah, but I was the only Downer (and Mr. Berry) who actually witnessed the gruelling interrogation the unlicensed Downer was submitted to. (What hospital were you born in? Um, um a smial? The Halls of Healing?) Everyone else went through customs and abandoned him! ;)

Alas, there is no way we could attend this. The summer of 2012 has already been booked for my first real chance to see Mountains, and even that might be financially dicey. I hope those who go have a splendid time!

That's disappointing. Our loss but your gain. Perhaps something closer to home . . .

[narfforc]

and I strongly suspect that narfforc will be doing a scouting run of any pubs in the environs so he can report back to us.

The Public Houses of Oxford are indeed well known to me, for I have been ejected out of most of them. However, this year I will be coming as someone else..........we think.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Loughborough, Loughborough.... that's not too far from Lal and davem, is it?

I bags crashing on their couch. :p

[Mithalwen]

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/about/findus.html

Not quite near but not very far.. of course everywhere is north for me but having Warwickshire born parents I know some of the Midlands well but get hazy about its northern borders ... I always think Yorkshire seems very remote forgetting just how vast it is and Sheffield low down that it is potentially daytrippable... :rolleyes: Geography was never my strong suit...

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I bags crashing on their couch. :p

If you want to do some damage, I suggest crashing into their couch with something heavier. :p

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

If you want to do some damage, I suggest crashing into their couch with something heavier. :p

Don't want to do too much damage, as I'll want a cup o tea in the morning. :cool:

Or I suppose there might be hotels in the area... *mumble, mumble*

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/about/findus.html

Not quite near but not very far.. of course everywhere is north for me but having Warwickshire born parents I know some of the Midlands well but get hazy about its northern borders ... I always think Yorkshire seems very remote forgetting just how vast it is and Sheffield low down that it is potentially daytrippable... :rolleyes: Geography was never my strong suit...
That's not that far, is it? It always amuses me a little when Brits talk about how far it is from one place to another on such a small island. Of course, my opinion of 'far', or even possibly 'remote', is like going to North Pole from Anchorage, so who am I to talk?

And surely they will have hotels in Loughborough. And if you book them this far in advance you could probably get a fair deal from one as well. :p

[Bêthberry]

Accommodation will be available on campus, in the Loughborough University residences according to the link. Food too. And access to the university sports facilities, which are said to be quite good. This is, I think, rather opposite to the Oxford experience. It might even be Jock Central. :eek: ;)

Of course, those who might prefer a less formal environment can find, I'm sure, yet olde B&Bs in town.

narffie, we know you know all the public houses in Oxford. It's the ones in Loughborough we need you to canvass for us. :D

[Mithalwen]

That's not that far, is it? It always amuses me a little when Brits talk about how far it is from one place to another on such a small island. Of course, my opinion of 'far', or even possibly 'remote', is like going to North Pole from Anchorage, so who am I to talk?



Well I had all this when I lived in Aus - they'd laugh at my idea of far and I'd laugh at their idea of a large town or an old building. But what you have to bear in mind is the traffic density - Oxford is about 90 miles from me and I have done the journey in a barely legal hour and quarter and in an agonising 4and a half. It may be small but it is very dense.

[Kath]

Loughborough? Horrible place. But if all of you lovely people are there I'll very happily go. 2012 should finally have some money again too! :D

[Bêthberry]

Loughborough? Horrible place. But if all of you lovely people are there I'll very happily go. 2012 should finally have some money again too!

I thought it might be, reading between the lines of the uni link. ;)

But that's all the more reason for having a very large Downs contingent there, no? Because we bring the fun and beauty with us. :Merisu: :smokin:

[Thinlómien]

Sounds goooooooooooooooooooood...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

One year before this event, interest is building - at Finlandmoot, we discussed the possibility of getting Downers together around the time of this wonderful occasion in England next August. I've merged two threads that announced it so that all information is gathered in one place.

Several Downers are definitely planning to be at RotR - I have already registered and will be actively involved in programme organisation and lecturing. Have others already registered? Who's thinking of coming? If a Moot takes place, I will plan to be there as well.

[Aganzir]

I was just looking at the registration but don't want to do it before we know more details about the Barrow-Downs moot.

We've been discussing it on Facebook. I think we should move the discussion onto the Downs. This would be fair to all the non-facebooking Downers and those who don't want to friend scary internet people. Plus, it should be more coherent here without any separate posts with long comment threads.

We had an FB poll about the exact dating of the moot, with one person voting for week 1 (Aug 6-12), one for week 2 (Aug 13-19), three for weeks 2-3, and four for weeks 1-2. Personally I'm in favour of weeks 2-3 because the actual RotR event is on August 16th - 20th and I think it would be easier to get into a proper moot mood after the "official" stuff is over.

We also thought about hiring a cottage (this (http://www.upperrectoryfarmcottages.co.uk/tariffs.html) was linked) for a week or two so it's easy to hang out together, but everything is still at an early planning stage.

So, who's coming? Any ideas? Suggestions?

[Pitchwife]

I'll be working fulltime again from January on, so chances are looking better that I'll be able to afford Loughboroughmoot, but I won't be able to say anything definite for a couple of months yet. In case I'm able to come, I vote for weeks 2-3 for pretty much the same reason Agan has mentioned. (Btw, I like the term "moot mood":D.)

IN THE MEANTIME...

... for all those around Europe who won't be able to make it to RotR (or who just can't wait that long;)), how about having a Wurstlandmoot sometime next spring (like, say, around Easter)? I'd be pleased to host, if there's interest. We live half an hour's drive from Frankfurt-Hahn and about an hour from Frankfurt International, so picking everybody up at their respective airport would be no prob with a bit of organisation. Our house easily sleeps ~8 people (10 with a little piling), and if there should be more, there's a youth hostel in a very nearby village. We live in a pretty rural aerea, but close to the cities of Mainz, Koblenz and Frankfurt and the Middle Rhine Valley, which is one of the most beautiful pieces of Germany with lots of historic attractions (indeed, a day tour by ship on the Rhine, passing the Loreley and one castle after another, is something to write home about).

Discuss.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I'm interested but uncertain - it will all depend on the date(s). Easter itself (April 8 - 9, 2012) will likely involve a family get-together here at home. However, it looks like there are no other important (Tolkien) activities around that time - the German Society's Seminar is several weeks later.

[Kath]

If we are going to have a moot around RotR now is the time for it to get properly sorted, before Christmas would be best and before the New Year for definite really! Dates need to be fixed so that a cottage can be booked. And if a cottage is going to be booked confirmation of attendance needs to be given so that prices can be worked out properly.

16th-20th has to be one of the weeks as that's the conference, right? So would people want to come early, hang out, then finish at the conference or do the conference and finish with a moot. Majority rules - but the players need to speak!

[Bêthberry]

Yesterday I registered for RotR (because prices increase December 1, 2011) and I also booked accommodation. I wasn't too sure how interested folks were in RotR and I didn't want to be left stuck for transportation.

Like Esty, I am interested, but it depends on the dates. I cannot do week 3 as I must return to Canada on August 20th for family reasons (such as an anniversary with Mr. Berry), so I would be interested in weeks 1 and 2.

I agree with Kath that decisions need to be made soon. As I am also thinking of tracing some family background, I checked out accommodations at a village in Gloucestershire yesterday only to discover that all dates for August are already booked!:eek:

Are we to stop posting on FB about this and just reply here? I think then that Aganzir should put a notice up on FB advising folks there to reply here now.:)

EDIT: Opps, just realised Aganzir has already posted on FB about this thread. :o

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I agree that we need to book as soon as possible. Remember, the Olympic Games are taking place in England next summer, and the country is sure to be packed with tourists.

I have booked RotR with accommodations, so I will commit to cottage accommodations from approximately August 6/7/8 to the 16th. RotR will finish off my trip, and I'll be flying home directly from there.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

My main reason for not speaking up much this far is that I don't know much yet about my options, situation in the summer and so on, but I hereby proclaim that during the upcoming week, I shall bring this topic up and talk it over with Lommy (and other Finns, whomever I get to see) and so by the end of the next week there should be come clearer info from me and also hopefully from those of the others who have not decided much yet. So, I am taking this task upon myself, just wait for it...

[Aganzir]

EDIT: Opps, just realised Aganzir has already posted on FB about this thread.
Of course I did. It's not my fault if people ignore it, though. ;)

If there are people who can do week 1 but not week 3, I'm fine with it too. I checked the poll that was on Facebook and made a summary of it & what's been posted here. The names of those who have already registered for ROTR are bolded. Please let me know (or update it yourself) if these are not correct.

WEEK 1: August 6-12
Nogrod, Oddwen, Bethberry, Estelyn, Aganzir

WEEK 2: August 13-15, ROTR 16-19
TheGreatElvenWarrior, Oddwen, Bethberry, Estelyn, Volo, Squatter, Aganzir

ROTR 20, WEEK 3: August 21-26
Volo, Squatter, Aganzir

And as I've said before, planning a moot is one of the things where democracy won't work. We'll just have to decide when to have it and see who can make it there, and if somebody who didn't take part in the planning complains, too bad for them.

[Oddwen]

I and my friend (Tina/Eamane) are interested in all three weeks.

[Kath]

Also, for those people who need to a) come earlier or b) stay later than the official moot deadline you can stay with me for a few days. I'm not promising amazing accommodation/cooking/company but it's free and it's easy travel in and out of London (unless you go on a Sunday, in which case good luck!).

[Bêthberry]

Of course I did. It's not my fault if people ignore it, though. ;)

Not so much ignore it, but they have to remember that they read it the first time. ;)

[Oddwen]

My sister Oliphaunts_Rule wants to come as well! Her nerdiness has taken strange forms over the years, but she is still pretty cool.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I think that the accommodation will probably be booked for all three weeks in the end, just as long as we have a system worked out for there to be someone to help begin the moot and end it.
That way we don't have to get too stressed out about the when and we can be more flexible. It's looking like Week 2 will be the busiest with people, but as long as there are folks around in all three we should still have a blast! :)

It will be less confusing for there to be only one 'base' as it were, from which to work from, so the decision over the next few weeks (I'd like to get something decided before new year) will be where we want our base of operations to be. Squatter has suggested a cottage hire in Loughborough, as Aganzir mentioned.

I know not everyone is going to RotR, but if enough of us are, I think it makes sense to make our base Loughborough. I personally won't be able to afford RotR, but I will hopefully be able to do other things with whomever is left - I will also hopefully be able to drive and borrow my parents' seven-seater car for adventures.

[Bêthberry]

Folks who aren't on Facebook should be aware that a deposit is required to reserve the cottage. I don't know how Hooky and Squatter are going to handle that.

And also, Hooky, how will it be determined how much each person contributes? For instance, if there are only, say, five Downers around for week 3, that will increase the individual cost, right, for those 5 folks that week (in contrast to say, the10 peeps who are around for weeks 1 or 2).

This is getting complicated. :eek: :D

[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

Personally I think that getting all or at least most of the money together by a month before the moot is the best idea. Any later and someone will have to find the sum up front and gather it in after the fact, which is probably not something any of us can afford to do. The third week is one too far in my opinion, but if there are people who are willing to pay the extra to stay on a bit, then far be it from me to say them nay. Perhaps it's best if Hookbill and I confer with other Britishers about engaging the accommodations, since we're on the spot. The sum mentioned shouldn't be too hard to raise.

Incidentally, I'm going for at least the first week and hopefully the second.

[Bêthberry]

Incidentally, I'm going for at least the first week and hopefully the second.

So you might not attend RotR?

[Lalwendë]

If anyone sees any more cottages that look decent please post the links (here or on fb). Squatter has found a very nice one, but in case of booking problems, it's best to have some contingency plans if folks are coming from other countries! Don't worry about not knowing the area, I do and can see if somewhere is dodgy/nice/isolated etc. Loughborough isn't very nice, and it's not a touristy area, but there are some nice areas slightly further out and it's not far from Sherwood, the Peaks, etc where there's lots on offer.

[Aganzir]

WEEK 1: August 6-12
Nogrod; Oddwen, Eamane & Oliphaunts_Rule; Bêthberry; Estelyn; Aganzir; Squatter

WEEK 2: August 13-15, ROTR 16-19
TheGreatElvenWarrior; Oddwen, Eamane & Oliphaunts_Rule; Bêthberry; Estelyn; Volo; Squatter; Aganzir

ROTR 20, WEEK 3: August 21-26
Oddwen, Eamane & Oliphaunts_Rule; Volo

I think that the accommodation will probably be booked for all three weeks in the end, just as long as we have a system worked out for there to be someone to help begin the moot and end it.
I don't think so. If we have a huge cottage for only a couple of people (while everyone else has either already left or attends the seminar), it's going to be freakish expensive. Personally I think hiring one for weeks 1-2 (or then just until the 16th) would be best. After all we can go to another Downer's/hostel/hotel afterwards: not everyone has to stay in the same place all the time!

I say yes to cottage hire but no to three weeks of it.

Personally I think that getting all or at least most of the money together by a month before the moot is the best idea.
Agreed.

[Faramir Jones]

Just to say that I've registered and put in a proposal for a lecture, though I haven't booked any accommodation just yet.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I don't think so. If we have a huge cottage for only a couple of people (while everyone else has either already left or attends the seminar), it's going to be freakish expensive. Personally I think hiring one for weeks 1-2 (or then just until the 16th) would be best. After all we can go to another Downer's/hostel/hotel afterwards: not everyone has to stay in the same place all the time!

I say yes to cottage hire but no to three weeks of it.

You're probably right here. But we need to sort this out ASAP.
Given how expensive the cottage hire is likely to be, and given the fact that I own a very, VERY large tent, I would propose that the third week be either, as Aganzir says, split up and go to another Downer's/hostel/hotel or some sort of camping trip. Those don't have to be booked so far in advance, I don't think.

With regards to the cottage thing, I've been doing some sniffing around the old internets and have come up with a few options.

I think Lalwende made a good point about Loughborough not being terribly easy to get to, especially for those coming by plane. So I'm expanding the search, given that weeks 1 and 2 don't require Loughborough proximity, really. We also want to be doing fun stuff and want somewhere it's easy to do that from.
So, here's what I've found...

***

Chimney Farm Barns - Oxfordshire (http://www.chimneyfarmbarns.com/rose.html#)

Pros
It's in Oxfordshire (near the actual Buckland, so that's fun) and looks fairly neat. Oxford is fairly accessible from London and from the North, so hopefully this will mean weather you're landing in Heathrow or Manchester or some more exotic place, it should be get-to-able

Cons
It's still a tad out of the way and will probably require the drivers among us to pick people up from Oxford train station. Also, it's expensive.

PRICE = £1,555 per week

***

Lydon Barn Lodges - Lancashire (http://www.letsstay.co.uk/lydon-barn-lodges-galgate-lancashire.aspx)

Pros
I have actually seen this place on my travels and it's fairly large, if memory serves. It's in Lancashire - hurray for me - and is very close to a train station. We can get around pretty easily from it and there's stuff to do in Lancashire... Not as much as Yorkshire, as I'm sure Lalwende is about to point out, but Yorkshire can be gotten to from here with only a few changes by rail or a couple of hours by car.

Cons
A tad expensive and it'll be a bit of a squeeze if we get the kinds of numbers I'm hoping for. It'll be no more awkward than the tightest it got at Finland, I don't think, but bring sleeping bags and stuff, anticipating some sort of crazy arrangements.

PRICE = £1,650 per week

***

Town Cottage - Yorkshire (http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Yorkshire-Dales-South-Skipton/Town-Cottage-4363.html#formatDate=1&npropertyid=4363&showNewCalendar=&tdate=01-Aug-2012&nduration=14&selectedDayOfWeek=0)

Pros.
It's in Yorkshire, north of Bradford, and is very easy to get to from the train station. Same implications as the ones above. Being in Yorkshire means there are a fair few tourist things we can do. Also, it's very cheap.

Cons.
It's supposed to be for 6 people, so it'll be a squeeze for all of us to get in. More so than the others.

PRICE = £860 for two weeks

***

The Wheelhouse - Yorkshire Moors (http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/North-York-Moors-Coast-Staithes/The-Wheelhouse-1017.html#formatDate=1&npropertyid=1017&showNewCalendar=&tdate=01-Aug-2012&nduration=14&selectedDayOfWeek=6)

Pros.
Anothe one in Yorkshire. More space, nice scenery, close to the coast for those of you who like the coast.

Cons.
More inaccessible than some of the others. Will require a bit more travel for most people.

PRICE = £1,389 (for two weeks)

***

Birchwood House - Peak District (http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Peak-District-Peak-District-Derbyshire-Dales-Ashbourne/Birchwood-House-7011.html)

Pros
Middle of England, so we can get to it and from it to anywhere without too much hassle. Plenty of space, plenty to do near by, shops and pubs not too far away. It's also very near to Alton Towers theme park, if we fancy that - it's very child friendly, I seem to recall, and what's the point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes?

Cons
Still not within walking distance of a train station, but it's manageable. The trains themselves aren't a single trip to London or anything, so it may be a bit of an upheaval for those coming from Heathrow or the South. It's fairly expensive, as well.

PRICE = £3,880 for two weeks

***

Lawns House Farm - York (http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/North-York-Moors-Coast-York/Lawns-House-Farm-1630.html#formatDate=1&npropertyid=1630&showNewCalendar=&tdate=01-Aug-2012&nduration=14&selectedDayOfWeek=0)

Pros
Another Yorkshire one, I'm afraid. But Yorkshire IS bigger than the entire world, so...
It's very close to York, so, accessible to all the things. Lots of space, lots of stuff near by - shops pubs etc.

Cons
Pricey and a bit further away from the city than I'd like. But it seems good otherwise, to me anyway.

PRICE = £2,010 for two weeks

***

Crooks Cottage - Derbyshire (http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Peak-District-Peak-District-Derbyshire-Dales-Belper/Crooks-Cottage-3548.html#formatDate=1&npropertyid=3548&showNewCalendar=&tdate=01-Aug-2012&nduration=14&selectedDayOfWeek=0)

Pros
Central, accessible, roomy etc. I think it's the usual stuff.

Cons.
Again, will need some organisation to pick up and drop off at train stations.

PRICE = £1,726


***************

Right, now my eyes are hurting.
Those were the ones that caught my eye, anyway. We really need to make a decision on this fairly soon. I'd be happier if we decided before the end of the year and could get it as sorted as possible. At the moment, I am leaning towards Lydon Barn, but I may be biased.
What would be the best way to decide on where to go, guys?

[Kath]

Personal preference is as cheap as we can get! And I will drive up there and can pick up and drop off at train stations as needed. Plus I can take up to 4 others from London up there - for example if all the Finns were coming in on the same day.

We really need absolute definite coming/not answers now because that will affect which cottage we can afford.

Joel/Maria (as you seem to be the most informed) can you make a list of all the people invited and then we can tick and cross them off as needed?

[Bêthberry]

Just to make comparisons easy, here is the link that Squatter found:

Upper Rectory Farm Cottages (http://www.upperrectoryfarmcottages.co.uk/the-cottages.html).

One plus of this place seems to be that some of the cottages can be made to be interconnecting and if I read the page correctly, one arrangement also has a large kitchen for group accommodations, which would make it easier than every cottage having its own kitchen. No?

But in the best interests of British expertise, I say, carry on.

[Lalwendë]

If you are looking at staying somewhere away from Loughborough, but still near enough so that folks who are going to ROTR can travel easily, then Matlock and Matlock Bath in the Peaks are both served by good rail links with only one change to be made at Derby if travelling to Loughborough - think it's about 40 mins... And they both have lots of holiday cottages, some of them big, and also lots to do nearby.

Hmmm...if you are going for a moot beforehand and then splitting up so some can go to the ROTR weekend, then you have quite a lot of options. Peak District offers: Chatsworth, Alton Towers, castles, pubs, hiking. Notts offers: Sherwood Forest, castles. York area offers: York, which can keep you busy for weeks, and the seaside at Whitby/Scarborough. Lincolnshire offers: castles, Lincoln, coast and funfairs at Skeggy. All should be easy to get to by rail.

One thing I'd advise, I'd pick something which definitely has enough bed space as cottage owners can be extremely annoyed with you if you break their t&cs!

Lots of large places in Derbyshire:

http://www.derbyshire-holidays.com/

And some more:

Matlock Bath - very good for transport.
http://www.crowpiecottage.co.uk/index.html

And another directory:
http://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/peak-district-holiday-cottages-that-sleep-upto-9-and-more-c2731.html

Notts:
Sleeps 18:
http://www.diamondhouse.org.uk/accommodation.htm

Sleeps 22!
http://www.dunhamhouse.co.uk/accomodation.htm

Sleeps 12 and appears to be cheap:
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p93165#reviews

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Hmm. So many options. I feel guilty for not doing all this research sooner. :(
I really think we need to come to a decision soon! Let's make a short-list by, say this time next week?

[Aganzir]

Given how expensive the cottage hire is likely to be, and given the fact that I own a very, VERY large tent, I would propose that the third week be either, as Aganzir says, split up and go to another Downer's/hostel/hotel or some sort of camping trip. Those don't have to be booked so far in advance, I don't think.
I think that's a good idea. Anyway we should make it clear that the 'official' moot is going to be on weeks 1&2 and week 3 is the afterparty. Personally I'm not sure I could stay for three weeks even though it would be awesome.

Thank you for looking up the cottages, Hook and Lal!

What would be the best way to decide on where to go, guys?
For me, price is the most important factor. But we have to keep in mind that a seemingly cheap cottage in the middle of nowhere can be more expensive in the end as we have to pay more to get there.
I would suggest emailing the owners and asking if they're strict about limiting the number of guests to the number of beds.

We really need absolute definite coming/not answers now because that will affect which cottage we can afford.
I'm afraid if people have to decide now, there won't be many.

Joel/Maria (as you seem to be the most informed) can you make a list of all the people invited and then we can tick and cross them off as needed?
(For those who don't know: I'm the Joel she's speaking of!)

WEEK 1: August 6-12
Nogrod; Oddwen, Eamane & Oliphaunts_Rule; Bêthberry; Estelyn; Aganzir; Squatter

WEEK 2: August 13-15, ROTR 16-19
TheGreatElvenWarrior; Oddwen, Eamane & Oliphaunts_Rule; Bêthberry; Estelyn; Volo; Squatter; Aganzir

ROTR 20, WEEK 3: August 21-26
Oddwen, Eamane & Oliphaunts_Rule; Volo

registered: Faramir Jones

People who are attending on Facebook but haven't voiced date preferences: narfforc, Encaitare, Shasta, The Might, Poison Ivy.
Maybe attending, no date preferences: Annunfuiniel, Celuien, Glirdan, Form, TGEW, Fea, Legate, Gwathagor, Lommy, Boro, Greenie, Rune, Gil-Galad, Macalaure, Diamond, Erendis, Lal (did you say you can do whichever week we choose?), Roa, Kitanna, Pitchwife, Durelin, lmp, the Barrow-Wight, Farael, Guinevere, Mirkgirl, Amanaduial (I think), and one I don't know.
Invited: Folwren, Nienna, Naria, The Ka, dancing spawn, Lottie, Nilp, skip, Cailín, Lariren Shadow, Eomer, Brinniel, Beregond, tgwbs, phantom, McCaber, Lush, Valesse, Gothmog, Firefoot, davem, Dimturiel, Sleepy Ranger, Finduilas, Azaelia, Goldwine, Anguirel, Morthoron, and one I don't know.

I guess this (plus the 18 who declined the invitation) is more or less everyone who has decided to Facebook-bond with fellow Downers.

So what we should do now is contact everone on the list, and those Downers who are not on the list, and ask if they're coming?

One plus of this place seems to be that some of the cottages can be made to be interconnecting and if I read the page correctly, one arrangement also has a large kitchen for group accommodations, which would make it easier than every cottage having its own kitchen. No?.
That would be good, but if a 4-bedroom cottage costs £1,120 for a week, hiring lots of them would be horribly expensive.

Sleeps 12 and appears to be cheap:
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p93165#reviews
I think this looks the best so far.

[Mithalwen]

If you want to have accommodation for a lot of people cheaply then you might want to look at bunk barns/ bunkhouses either YHA or independents. They will charge perskull pernight so might be easier and cheaper than cottages since you don't have everyone wanting whole weeks. Many will have the option of camping onsite. Here is http://www.peakpub.co.uk/camping/ one attached to a nice looking pub in Buxton maybe not ideal because of the lack of communal area but just the first that popped up.

I don't see many cottage owners being flexible on startdates and occupancy at the absolute top of the season. You are quite likely to forfeit the deposit if you break the occupancy limits.

Anyway up to you.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Right, I think it's time we made a short-list of what we think is best. Here's what I've narrowed it down to.

http://www.peakpub.co.uk/camping/

Thanks, Mithalwen!
I think this is a good idea, especially with it making the working out of cost easier for each person.

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p93165

I agree with Aganzir that this looks promising.

http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Peak-District-Peak-District-Derbyshire-Dales-Belper/Crooks-Cottage-3548.html#formatDate=1&npropertyid=3548&showNewCalendar=&tdate=01-Aug-2012&nduration=14&selectedDayOfWeek=0

This is in the Peak District which is fairly accesible and it's not too expensive.

I think those are our best options. We should probably book it in the next few weeks so if anyone has any objections or better ideas don't be afraid to let us know! Time is running out! :eek:

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks for the thought and effort that you're putting into this!

The bunk barn sounds like a good possibility - it's a low-priced accommodation, payable by the night, and space enough for a larger number of people. The only disadvantage is that there's no large communal space, so we'd have to hang out together in one of the rooms. (Problem for those who might want to sleep.)

The homestead cottage looks very nice! It has a dining and sitting room, and with the maximum number of guests, the price is good. But what happens if more than 12 want to come? They do allow additional guests in caravans, so perhaps a tent would be permitted?

The third possibility also looks nice, but sleeps only 10. :(

[Kath]

The bunk barn sounds really good. The communal space shouldn't be a major issue either so long as we nominate one of the hired rooms as said communal space from day 1. Might mean a few people sleeping on the floor in the other rooms but most Mooters are used to that by now!

[The Might]

As I see I am listed as Facebook-member without a preference I unfortunately have to say that I cannot attend any of the '12 moots. Due to my final thesis and an internship afterwards I'll be sleeping less and drink a lot more coffee till October. I wish you a lot of fun and am looking forward to the pics! :D

[Mithalwen]

The bunk barn sounds really good. The communal space shouldn't be a major issue either so long as we nominate one of the hired rooms as said communal space from day 1. Might mean a few people sleeping on the floor in the other rooms but most Mooters are used to that by now!

Well if the tent were big enough to serve mainly as a communal space maybe that would be an option if most people were sleeping in the barns. Unless the pitch price were prohibitive.... and they might cut a deal on the tent pitch if you dangled the prospect of a substantial barn booking but the lack of indoor communal space being a deal breaker.

[Kath]

Using a tent as a communal space would be difficult. You'd have to have some people sleeping in it which messes up who pays what each night and you have no guarantee that the tent site will be anywhere near the barn.

As long as 8 people minimum were in the cottage in the second link then it comes out as the same price for a week per person as the bunk barn one and you do get the communal space and a dining room and no other people hanging around yada yada. Sticking point being whether you can have more than 12 people there. You asking Hookbill? Though, of course, we may not given we're spread over 2 weeks.

Third one seems to come out as more per person per night, and does seem to be a bit smaller.

[Kath]

Making a firm date-range also needs to be done, well, now really. People need to start booking flights/time off and saving up!

Date-wise it looks like 6th-19th is going to work best. Otherwise you will have far fewer than 8 people in the last week and that gets expeeeensive. Given the length of most people's summer (at least, those people who aren't teachers!) two weeks is better than three as well. And quite a few are leaving right after the Moot I think. I think if we make those the official dates and then anyone who wants to stay on after that can organise it separately. Not meaning, separately from other 'Downers, but separately to the cost of the actual Moot.

To clarify from my last post, it looks like staying for a week (meaning 7 days) at the bunk barn will be £115 per person. Unless everyone camps - which I think is unlikely and still leaves us with no communal space. With 8 people staying at the second place it's around £118 per person. I think the third place came out at £212 per person with 8 people. (Though I would suggest someone checks my maths!)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Making a firm date-range also needs to be done, well, now really. People need to start booking flights/time off and saving up!

Date-wise it looks like 6th-19th is going to work best.

I agree. As for what to do for week 3, I'm not sure. Even if I'm not there for that week I'm still willing to let people use my massive tent of doom. It houses up to 15 at a stretch (according to my siblings who have used it to that extent), though 10 is the 'official' number allowed. ;)

I have to say I'm leaning towards the bunk barn, too. Just in terms of simplicity and ease. Also, it comes with more actual beds so there will be less sleeping on the floor. Yay!
I've got some fold-away tables and things that can be set up in a communal room as well as some other general entertainment stuff. I'd have to call them up (from the depths) to find out if they have plug sockets and if so how many. We need our internets, after all. :p

[Kath]

Hook I'm actually leaning toward the second place. I think it makes life a lot easier given that all electricity is there and included, there are plenty of communal areas and plenty of space. It's also going to be more private.

I think we do need to start contacting people and getting definite confirmations on who is attending though as that is going to affect the decision. Are you willing to start chasing people up Hook? Let's say we've got definite dates from 6th to 19th August and give everyone ... three weeks? To give a confirmation of their dates (or not!) and an accommodation preference by the end of January and then book.

To start off:

Kath ~ 6th to 19th August confirmed ~ Newark and Shirton cottage (second link).

Everyone else! (Vaguely split up into people who tend to see/speak to each other more often in the hope that any pokes for confirmation filter through.)

Nogrod, Aganzir, Lommy, Greenie, Volo, Legate, Rune, skip

Squatter, narfforc, Hookbill, tgwbs, Lal, davem

Bethberry, Estelyn, Poison Ivy, Pitchwife, the Barrow-Wight, Guinevere

Oddwen, Encaitare, Shasta, Celuien, Fea, Boro, Mac, Diamond, Folwren, Nienna, The Ka, Lari, Brinniel, phantom, Glirdan, Form

Cailin, Eomer

Eamane & Oliphaunts_Rule; TheGreatElvenWarrior, The Might, Annunfuiniel, Gwathagor, Gil-Galad, Erendis, Roa, Kitanna, Durelin, lmp, Farael, Mirkgirl, Amanaduial, Naria, dancing spawn, Lottie, Nilp, Beregond, McCaber, Lush, Valesse, Gothmog, Firefoot, Dimturiel, Sleepy Ranger, Finduilas, Azaelia, Goldwine, Anguirel, Morthoron, TGEW.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I think we do need to start contacting people and getting definite confirmations on who is attending though as that is going to affect the decision. Are you willing to start chasing people up Hook?

Sure. I'll get on it at the weekend. Let's make a list of the things we'll need to know from the venues.
General information we'll need;

- Will they allow more people (as we're unsure of a final total).
- Will they allow a tent on the premiss
- Are they okay with rowdy nerds making silly noises about wurst at the small hours of the morning

What else?


Oh, and...

Hookbill ~ 6th to 19th August confirmed ~ bunk barns (first link)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Esty ~ August 7* - 16 ~ second link if less than 12 come, but the bunk barn is fine with me too.


*I haven't booked a flight yet, but this will probably be my arrival day. I will let you know if anything changes.

[Bêthberry]

A few more pictures and info for link #2 can be found here: The Homestead (http://www.thehomesteadnotts.co.uk/). (Horseback riding! I can see reliving some REB adventures. :D )

I have to do some planning, as I was hoping to visit a village in Gloucestershire as well as make Britmoot and RotR. So I have to figure out transportation and such. Also flight plans. (I was hoping to avoid Heathrow during the Olympics.) So I can't give a definitive answer now. You can call me a "so and so".

How close are any of these sites to Loughborough? I have the feeling that only a small number will be leaving to attend RotR, so that's something for me to consider.

I know you have trains and buses and all the modern forms of communication and transportation in Old Blighty ;) but seeing as I won't have web access when I'm there, it's harder for me to bring this all together spontaneously. And I'd like to avoid extra costs at the last minute. And in the early minutes as well. I'm probably the only one with these kinds of predicaments and concerns.

Or maybe I'm just a worry-wurst. :D

[Guinevere]

I finally made up my mind and registered for the RotR !:)
I could join you from 13.-16.8.

(if you hire a flat or house for holidays, is this from Monday to Sunday? In my country it's always Saturday - Saturday)

I just hope the place you choose will not be too far away, and accessible by public transportation.

[Oddwen]

Oddwen & Eamane 6th -19th and beyond. I think the bunk barn (first link) looks pretty spiffy. It does seem to have an outdoor communal space, unless I'm looking at the wrong picture (http://www.peakpub.co.uk/gallery/105). The second place is quite nice too.

Oliphaunts_Rule is unable to get time off for the journey, alas. :(

[Lalwendë]

Don't include us in the numbers staying anywhere because they're all so near that we can come over in the car for the day - or meet up wherever adventures are being had nearby etc.

To the houses listed...

I know exactly where the bunk barn is, it's on the High Peak Trail and we had a picnic and walk there a few months ago. It's pretty isolated, but also popular and very nice. There may well be a decent bus route there because it's deep in hiking territory but I will have to check - I usually zip past in the car. It's very close to Arbor Low, Gib Hill barrow, Youlgreave, Chrome Hill (the Dragon's Back) and the Silent Woman pub in Earl Sterndale.

The one in Sherwood looks like they'd be flexible with numbers, it's not rented via a holiday agency and in my experience they're more flexible/open minded. Retford, bizarrely, is not an easy trip to Loughborough by train - you need to go into Sheffield and then out again to Loughborough. Though would you only need to do the Loughborough trip the once? Hmm - think about that one!

The one in Turnditch, Belper is 4 miles from Belper station, which is then only 43 mins to Loughborough on the train - an easy trip, you change at Derby. And a group in a taxi for a 4 mile journey would be cheap.

Anyway, I never told you about a dining opportunity none of you would want to miss in the Peak District: Wurst! (http://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/peak-district-food-tiroler-stuberl-austrian-coffee-shop-and-sausage-importer-bakewell-i1276.html)

[Lalwendë]

Sorry, not editing a post because it'll look messy ;)

I looked up public transport for the barn at Hurdlow (which looks a fab option if you're unsure of numbers and likely to be noisy geeks ;)) and there is a bus service up the road on the A515, bit of a stiff walk. Though pubs always know about good taxi services! You can get a bus to Buxton, and from there you can get trains to Manchester or buses around the Peaks and out to Sheffield which has excellent rail links. You may find you have willing car owners or renters though - was there talk of a minibus? I'm also fairly certain they wouldn't mind you having a tent there too as they have a campsite, which is very nice and green. My mate's dad used to regularly spend the night in his van behind a pub near there when he'd had too much to drink. ;)

My dad's caravan is in Longnor, a mile or two from there and the people on the site might know some more about it (no, you can't stay there, it only sleeps two!). And the pub in Earl Sterndale is actually the Quiet Woman (she has no head). Gah.

This is useful: East Midlands Journey Planner (http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport_roads/public_transport/timetables/journey_planner/default.asp)

And even though you've found some good ones, I've been scouring and this never came up until tonight when I was nosing on the Chatsworth website. This sleeps 12 and is in Bakewell. Works out at £95 each if full occupancy is reached, and they are obviously set up for groups as they rent to stag parties.
Victoria Cottage (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g209968-d2120527-Victoria_Cottage-Bakewell_Peak_District_National_Park_England.html# rateDetails)

Just checked on the second cottage near Retford, and though it's a beggar to get to Loughborough from there, Retford is also on the East Coast Main Line, which is notoriously efficient and it's a 90min trip to Kings Cross from there - work colleagues who live that way out usually catch trains to our London office from there as it's quicker than the Midland Main Line.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Transportation is certainly an important point, Lal, and thanks for giving us foreigners information! For those like myself who are travelling to Loughborough only once, that trip is not as crucial as the possibility of daily excursions. It would be nice if it's possible to get places by public transportation...

[Hookbill the Goomba]

(Quoting Lal's excellent posts for those of you who, like me, hate flicking between pages)

Don't include us in the numbers staying anywhere because they're all so near that we can come over in the car for the day - or meet up wherever adventures are being had nearby etc.

To the houses listed...

I know exactly where the bunk barn is, it's on the High Peak Trail and we had a picnic and walk there a few months ago. It's pretty isolated, but also popular and very nice. There may well be a decent bus route there because it's deep in hiking territory but I will have to check - I usually zip past in the car. It's very close to Arbor Low, Gib Hill barrow, Youlgreave, Chrome Hill (the Dragon's Back) and the Silent Woman pub in Earl Sterndale.

The one in Sherwood looks like they'd be flexible with numbers, it's not rented via a holiday agency and in my experience they're more flexible/open minded. Retford, bizarrely, is not an easy trip to Loughborough by train - you need to go into Sheffield and then out again to Loughborough. Though would you only need to do the Loughborough trip the once? Hmm - think about that one!

The one in Turnditch, Belper is 4 miles from Belper station, which is then only 43 mins to Loughborough on the train - an easy trip, you change at Derby. And a group in a taxi for a 4 mile journey would be cheap.

Anyway, I never told you about a dining opportunity none of you would want to miss in the Peak District: Wurst! (http://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/peak-district-food-tiroler-stuberl-austrian-coffee-shop-and-sausage-importer-bakewell-i1276.html)


Sorry, not editing a post because it'll look messy ;)

I looked up public transport for the barn at Hurdlow (which looks a fab option if you're unsure of numbers and likely to be noisy geeks ;)) and there is a bus service up the road on the A515, bit of a stiff walk. Though pubs always know about good taxi services! You can get a bus to Buxton, and from there you can get trains to Manchester or buses around the Peaks and out to Sheffield which has excellent rail links. You may find you have willing car owners or renters though - was there talk of a minibus? I'm also fairly certain they wouldn't mind you having a tent there too as they have a campsite, which is very nice and green. My mate's dad used to regularly spend the night in his van behind a pub near there when he'd had too much to drink. ;)

My dad's caravan is in Longnor, a mile or two from there and the people on the site might know some more about it (no, you can't stay there, it only sleeps two!). And the pub in Earl Sterndale is actually the Quiet Woman (she has no head). Gah.

This is useful: East Midlands Journey Planner (http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport_roads/public_transport/timetables/journey_planner/default.asp)

And even though you've found some good ones, I've been scouring and this never came up until tonight when I was nosing on the Chatsworth website. This sleeps 12 and is in Bakewell. Works out at £95 each if full occupancy is reached, and they are obviously set up for groups as they rent to stag parties.
Victoria Cottage (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g209968-d2120527-Victoria_Cottage-Bakewell_Peak_District_National_Park_England.html# rateDetails)

Just checked on the second cottage near Retford, and though it's a beggar to get to Loughborough from there, Retford is also on the East Coast Main Line, which is notoriously efficient and it's a 90min trip to Kings Cross from there - work colleagues who live that way out usually catch trains to our London office from there as it's quicker than the Midland Main Line.

If we go for the barn (my preference) we'll probably organise a meeting spot and time and then get the drivers to take as many people there as possible. We'd just find the nearest train station, I suppose.
Wherever we chose, though, it may be a good idea for those of us who drive who live in the south to perhaps pick people up from the airport? This is something we can discuss later on, though.

[Lalwendë]

(Quoting Lal's excellent posts for those of you who, like me, hate flicking between pages)






If we go for the barn (my preference) we'll probably organise a meeting spot and time and then get the drivers to take as many people there as possible. We'd just find the nearest train station, I suppose.
Wherever we chose, though, it may be a good idea for those of us who drive who live in the south to perhaps pick people up from the airport? This is something we can discuss later on, though.

For the barn, your nearest station is Buxton. However, Buxton is the terminus of that rail line, which runs from Manchester Piccadilly. To get there, any traveller would need to travel first to Manchester or Stockport. Not such a pain, travelling from London as the West Coast main line from Euston to Manchester is quite efficient.

The other stations in the area (though not close) are Matlock, at the terminus of the Derwent Valley line from Derby (very handy for getting to L'boro and London) and any of the stations on the Hope Valley line which links Manchester and Sheffield.

I have to be honest, you would need transport if you are on the west edge of the Peaks. If you can get someone to hire a minibus and have a couple of cars though, it's a very good choice because it's beautiful up there. It's ironically on the High Peak Trail which follows the route of a rail line closed in 1967!

[Lalwendë]

If you favour the bunkhouse option I have found an interesting one, this time just outside Hathersage, and in between both Hathersage and Bamford stations - and there's also a regular bus on the main road. It doesn't look a 'luxury' option by any stretch but seems extremely flexible and group friendly. They hire out sleeping bags. It also has the benefit of having some nice B&Bs on the doorstep for those who do not want to 'bunk up'. There's one that sleeps 14 - cost £140 a night (£10 each).

Thorpe Farm Bunkhouses (https://sites.google.com/site/thorpefarmbunkhouses/home)

I have also found a bunkhouse sleeping 12 at Clumber Park (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/volunteering/w-generalopportunities-basecamp_details.htm?basecamp=7020), which is close to Sherwood Forest. 5 miles from Worksop station. But Clumber Park is an immense parkland to have fun in.

I've found quite a number of bunkhouse type places.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

What should our priority be? Accessibility is probably going to be the biggest thing, I suspect. So I guess we can use a process of elimination by seeing which venues are the most accessible - i.e. close to good train links, buses etc.

[Bêthberry]

Perhaps it might be well to discuss what kinds of daily excursions/adventures folks want?

I seem to recall Lal posting about a place that is said to be related to the Green Knight, but that might have been on FB.

[Lalwendë]

Perhaps it might be well to discuss what kinds of daily excursions/adventures folks want?

I seem to recall Lal posting about a place that is said to be related to the Green Knight, but that might have been on FB.

Don't get me started, there are dozens of amazing places to go and fantastic things to do around the East Mids and the Peaks.

But for a start...that 'Green Knight place'...it's called Lud's Church (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lud%27s_Church) and is a chasm in the White Peak. Incredibly eerie, apparently, and hard to find - which is why it's a rare place I've not been to in the area. Up around the Staffs Moorlands it's generally very weird and creepy, especially around the Roaches, with the Doxey pool and so on. Nearby is Earl Sterndale with the Dragon's Back Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill (http://justramblingon.co.uk/country-walks/peak-district-country-walks/circuit-of-chrome-hill-derbyshire/), and between them, my favourite secret corner, Dowel Dale, which has caves and buzzards and a lovely stream. And also Arbow Low (http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/82) henge which is an easy place to visit, so long as the cows aren't out.

And a couple of the big name things to do:

Mr Darcy's house (http://www.chatsworth.org/)

Alton Towers (http://www.altontowers.com/)

Sherwood Forest (http://www.sherwoodforest.org.uk/)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I've fallen behind on research and thinking about this due to being ill the past few days, sorry. :(

I'm still leaning towards the barn for some reason. But Lal's Thorpe Farm Bunkhouses and Clumber Park have me second guessing. Which isn't good at this stage in decision making.

Let's make a list of criteria and see which ones fit the most the best;

Capacity
Proximity to railway
Proximity to bus stops
Proximity to fun stuff

[Guinevere]

I have no idea how I would get to any of these from Luton Airport! To get to Loughborough is easy, there's a direct train. I hadn't realized that all this is even further away...:confused:

[Lalwendë]

I have no idea how I would get to any of these from Luton Airport! To get to Loughborough is easy, there's a direct train. I hadn't realized that all this is even further away...:confused:

Don't worry, Luton airport is well connected, the Midland Main line runs through Loughborough, Derby, Sheffield and the latter two have excellent links. If the place chosen is near a rail line that should be no problem, and if not then I should hope some people will have cars or even this minibus that was talked about!

When it gets nearer the time, if people decide on any big trips they'd like to do I'll help out by asking about group discounts because you can save a fortune that way, especially if you want to go to somewhere like Chatsworth or Alton Towers. I think there are also group deals you might get on the trains - I used to book group or carnet tickets for work travel.

Couple of tourist sites to get you interested (and because I like looking at this kind of thing):

Peak District (http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/) Warning - cheesy music.
Nottinghamshire (http://www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/)
Leicestershire (http://www.goleicestershire.com/)
Yorkshire (http://www.yorkshire.com/) by 'eck.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Once we have a chosen venue we should chose a meeting spot for us to try and head to. Moreover, I - or someone more competent - should make a set of directions to help people get there wherever they're coming from, assuming no lifts will be available. So don't worry about it too much. Though, given how wonderfully organised and prompt at decision making we've been thus far, some anxiety is probably warranted.

So, yeah. Are we any closer to a decision? :(

[Lalwendë]

I can help you with directions and timetables and so on. I'm a bit OCD about planning journeys so it'll give me an excuse to geek out on maps ;)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Given its proximity to transport, I'm putting this up as the new front-runner option...

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/volunteering/w-generalopportunities-basecamp_details.htm?basecamp=7020

It looks very central and affordable with train stations and buses near by. It says limited availability, so if that falls through, this is my second choice...

https://sites.google.com/site/thorpefarmbunkhouses/home

It allows for camping outside if we need the extra space of my super massive tent of insanity. It also makes it easy to work out costs for each person (£12 each per night).

Third runner is...

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p93165

And back up...

http://www.peakpub.co.uk/camping/

I'm going to make some enquiries this week (assuming I don't fall ill again :o ) and see what each will offer. By the end of the month I'd like to have a place booked.

[Kath]

Give me a time, a place and a cost and I'll be there. :-)

For those without transport my car will be around and available for those first two weeks. It has 3 proper spaces (4 if you're ok squishing a bit) and a fair size boot so I can do airport/train/bus station trips. I'm a willing driver if given petrol money too. :D

[Aganzir]

Aganzir ~ August 6-20 ~ the cheaper the better (ie. probably some bunk thing) but everything goes, really.

I'll be arriving at Nottingham airport at 9.55 AM on the 6th. There were talks of Kath picking me up, but since she'd have to wake up awfully early I think I'll manage even if I have to make it to Loughborough on my own. We'll see.

I'll talk with the other Finns when I next see them, but they're always pessimistic and I'm definitely not going to miss this myself. :p

edit: I should add, thank you Hookbill and Lal and others so much for going through all the work of organising this!

[Kath]

I just checked Agan and it's only 3 hours so picking up is fine. :cool:

[Shastanis Althreduin]

So, funny story - I had no idea this thread existed. :Merisu: So I'm showing up late to the party, but I do intend to come. My preference is "cheap and large" as well, and it looks like a bunkhouse sort of thing fits that pretty easily?

Also, if someone could help me out with "which airport should I fly into?" that would be great. :)

[Mithalwen]

Also, if someone could help me out with "which airport should I fly into?" that would be great. :)
It is a small island so the cheapest is probably the one. I think most transatlantic fllights still go to Heathrow or Manchester (which is closer to where you are going) Gatwick is the wrong side of London but far from impossible. Birmingham has excellent transport connections. The smaller regional airports will often involve changing flights in major hubs in Europe. You can sometimes get good deals on that sort of flight.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Lal, the link for the Nation Trust bunk house seems to have changed and I can't find the specific place on the new look website. :( Can you remember where it was, because there's not a search option which may help.

Original link...
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/?basecamp=7020

New search option...
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/camping/bothys/

[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

I thought I'd best drop by to let you know that I'm still alive and still planning to make the moot. I can now confirm that I've booked weeks 1 and 2 off work, that my hideously impractical car with its tiny boot and one spare seat is available for all of that time and that I'm more than happy to do the hiring of something bigger once we're all assembled to do any big trips, airport runs and so forth. Hiring a vehicle is an expensive business, so I thought it best not to hire something for all three weeks, but instead to wait until we could plan the most efficient use for it. I have no preference for accommodation, and will gladly muck in with any living arrangements, although I'd prefer not to live in a tent if it can be avoided. That being said, I do have two tents, both of which will sleep two. The bunk barn idea sounds interesting, and it would certainly be nice for us all to stay in the same place.

One caveat: I'm extremely busy at the moment and may not always be on line. If anyone needs to contact me, wants me to arrange anything or needs some money for deposits, the last ditch means of contacting me is on my mobile. I think most of the people who need it have my number.

[Lalwendë]

Lal, the link for the Nation Trust bunk house seems to have changed and I can't find the specific place on the new look website. :( Can you remember where it was, because there's not a search option which may help.

Original link...
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/?basecamp=7020

New search option...
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/camping/bothys/

This one should take you to the Clumber Park
bunkhouse (http://old.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/volunteering/w-generalopportunities-basecamps_searchresults.htm?area=5). And some more about Clumber (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clumber_Park), other Clumber camping options (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park/places-to-stay/). There's also a touring caravan site there which is very nice, just in case anyone does have access to a caravan.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Today I've been trying to get info on booking procedure for the three front runners.

Had difficulty getting hold of anyone from Cumberpark, so I'll have to get back to that at some point.

I've just spoken to people from the Thorpe Farm Bunkhouse (https://sites.google.com/site/thorpefarmbunkhouses/home). They have a 14 capacity and a 32 capacity house available on those days, so I think we're in luck. Downside, they require a deposit of £40 per night (works out at £560 total) paid at time of booking. Now, I don't have that kind of money, so I don't know what we can do about this.

The Newark and Sherwood Holiday cottage (http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p93165) also expect a deposit of 20%, but only 12 weeks before the time we go. It's £950 per week - though he said he'd do us a discount for two weeks, he wasn't sure how much, I'm afraid. So that'll be roughly £380 we'd have to pay by the middle of May.

Which all leads to the question of how to do this... So we set up a PayPal account or something we can all chip into? Or does some rich Downer want to pay for it now and get paid back when we're all together (or afterwards as Nogs did)?

[A Little Green]

Hi guys, as some of you may know already, I'll be touring Ireland next summer with a friend who recently joined the 'Downs (and is variably known as Pom, Nate or Pomegranate), and we're definitely coming. Right now it looks like we'd be there the 2nd week, probably arriving on the 13th. I'm guessing we can find a train/bus from Liverpool to somewhere around Loughborough, and likewise find a car-owning 'Downer to pick us up. :D

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I'm sad to report that the Cumberpark bunkhouse is unavailable for the whole month, so we'll have to strike it off the list.

That leaves the Thrope Farm bunkhouse and The Newark and Sherwood Holiday cottage. Both of which require deposits, so we'll need to sort out monies. We'll need to gather £560 some how in order to book it and we should do it soon before it's booked up.

How should we do this? A few people have said they'd be okay with a PayPal account of some kind. Does anyone else have any ideas for what we can do?

[Lalwendë]

Nice work! Remember if you have any jobs for me to do, get me on fb seeing as I'm irregular...Sounds like the accommodation owners are being nice and flexible, deposits are the norm I'm afraid, but they don't sound too bad.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

OKAY GUYS! PAYPAL TIME!
If you want to contribute to the deposit payment for the moot, I've set up a PayPal account for the occasion. If you've got PayPal, send monies to;
barrowmoot@gmail.com

We've got 13 people saying they'll go. That's roughly £40 each, but don't worry if you can't afford that much. I'm personally going to be contributing £50 to the fund.

If we end up with more than enough money, we can either put it towards fun things or sort something else out.
I'll keep you updated with the total. If you want to be able to see it for yourself, PM me and I'll give you the password and stuff. :)

[Lalwendë]

Got my copy of SFX today and aside from being even more interesting by having articles about The Hobbit and about Tolkien's other stories that would make for good films (and a Game of Thrones new series article) - it has a full page ad for Return of the Ring by the Tolkien Society which must have cost them a great deal to have included. It's also a new turn for the TS which has very much been a belt and braces, small scale society who didn't go in for advertising and such - and it really took me by surprise to see an ad in SFX.

For those attending, apparently you have "Tom Shippey, Tolkien polemicist" to look forwards to! Also regulars like Verlyn Flieger and Ted Nasmith. Brian Sibley will also be there (interesting for those who enjoyed chatting with him on the radio series thread). They seem to be trying to pitch the event a little more alongside the film hype by running it alongside a magazine article on it.

[narfforc]

They seem to be trying to pitch the event a little more alongside the film hype by running it alongside a magazine article on it.


Which of course they failed miserably to do for the last films. The last administration thought to bury their heads in the sand and ignore it all, hoping that once it died down they, and their select little group could get on with the owning of all things Tolkien. I was at the AGM and I got the feeling our present administration were not going to let it happen again............... a more open minded lot by far.

[Mithalwen]

I am afraid my heart sank when I got my first Amon Hen as a member and found I had joined the Peter Jackson Society. I thought it might be the one place safe from film drivel.

[narfforc]

They spoke of it, wrote of it, but didn't do anything to really link themselves to it. Fan Clubs and Websites sprang up everywhere, The Society did nothing to widen its appeal to these fans, we missed a great opportunity there.

[Mithalwen]

And you really think many would cough up actual money to get a magazine and newsletter a few times a year through snail mail, especially if they are only into the films as so many are? If that is the way they are going I shan't bother to renew my subscription.

[Bêthberry]

Dimitra Fimi, a new Tolkien scholar who teaches at UWIC in Cardiff, will also be giving lectures and leading the Post Graduate symposium at RotR.

Her recent book on fairies and hobbits won the Mythopoetic Scholarship Award for Inklings studies in 2010. She's definitely someone to watch. And also is very readable, both for academics and general readers.

[Faramir Jones]

You're right, Bêthberry; Dr. Fimi's well worth listening to if you can manage it.

My lecture proposal has been accepted, so I'll most certainly be at RotR. I haven't quite figured out yet when I'll be arriving at Loughborough, though.

I've been following the suggested plans with great interest. Just to make my contribution, Loughborough has an interesting attraction, in the shape of the bellfounders (bell makers) John Taylor and Co.:

http://www.taylorbells.co.uk/

As well as a museum, it also organises guided tours of the foundry.

When I came across the website, I was interested, not just because of the firm's history, but because I remembered at least two references to bells in Tolkien's works. There is Valimar, also called the City of Bells in Valinor, as well as a reference to Elrond grieving at the ruin of Dale and its 'merry bells'.

I got in touch, and was given this information:

The Museum is open from Monday to Thursday 10.00 am to 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm and Friday 10.00 am to 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm (excluding Bank Holidays) - it is not manned permanently during that time but can be opened up if visitors come to Reception - the charge is £4.00 per head £2.00 for Children under 16.

Tours of the Museum and Works can be organised to accommodate a Group subject to prior arrangement but this does not necessarily include a casting. The current price for a tour is £8.00 per head (£4.00 for a Child under 16) or £80.00 minimum charge during Museum opening times (£100.00 outside Museum hours) whichever is the greater. Should a Group wish to visit and have a tour it will of course be necessary to negotiate a mutually convenient time and date and complete a booking form as this is an Insurance and Health and Safety requirement. If there are only a few people wishing to visit then it is sometimes possible to tag along on someone else's tour.

This might be worth talking about...:smokin:

[Lalwendë]

Which of course they failed miserably to do for the last films. The last administration thought to bury their heads in the sand and ignore it all, hoping that once it died down they, and their select little group could get on with the owning of all things Tolkien. I was at the AGM and I got the feeling our present administration were not going to let it happen again............... a more open minded lot by far.

As we know on here, many devoted fans were brought into the fold by the films and there's nothing wrong about that. It's. An ideal chance to refresh membership, as without new members it would fizzle into nothing, which would be desperately sad. I'm pleased if they're grasping the new world of social media etc and advertising in SFX is the very best place they could have chosen as it's the geek gospel!
Ignore it all and sites like The One Ring will just take over as the 'authoritative voice. :(
Sorry for bad grammar, I'm using an Android pad!

[Thinlómien]

Just popping in to say hi and that I haven't read the thread and I'm quite confused about everything right now but I'd like to attend and it'd be possible...

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Just popping in to say hi and that I haven't read the thread and I'm quite confused about everything right now but I'd like to attend and it'd be possible...

My plan at the moment is to put a deposit on the accommodation for the two weeks at some point soon - it's difficult because it's so expensive (over £500) - but I'm going to try and work something out.
Once the accommodation is all booked we can set out plans for adventures as well as making guides for everyone to get there and back again. :)

[A Little Green]

A sidenote. I believe I've said this before, but don't think it can be said often enough: a vast thank you to all of you guys who work on organizing the moot.

(I know I'm halfway across Europe and don't have that much money either, but if there's anything I can do to help, tell me.)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Not everyone is able to / comfortable with using PayPal, so I've set up an IndieGoGo campaign so everyone can contribute to the moot using regular old bank/credit cards.

http://www.indiegogo.com/Barrow-Moot

I've tested it already and it seems to work okay. Hopefully, this will make everything run a lot more smoothly. :)

[Pomegranate]

Hey guys! I want to side Greenie, thanks for making this happen. I'm relatively new, and to be honest one reason why I am here is that I didn't want to find some lousy hostel while Greenie was having fun with you guys, knowing that I'll be in the same event. Very excited to see how it/this turns out :)

[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

Sounds delightful. Pity it's too far.

-Maril

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Okay! Big news!!! The accommodation is booked!! (Or will be as soon as they get the booking form through the post).

We will be staying at;
The Newark and Sherwood Holiday cottage (http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p93165) from 6th August - 19th August.

I should explain why I didn't book the bunk barn. It was becoming a massive pain in the butt, for one. They wanted a definite number of visitors for each day, which I was unable to provide seeing as we don't know if everyone will be able to go yet. Plus, we would be sharing the space with other parties at the same time; not good if we want to get up to late night shenanigans. I did offer that we had a tent for people who were outside the number of beds booked, but that was not allowed. Moreover, they said we'd be responsible for our own luggage being kept separate from other people's and they wouldn't be held responsible for any thefts. Which worried me a lot.

The holiday cottage people were nicer with me and said they're flexible with the numbers. Technically it only houses 12, but we would be free to put sleeping bags etc in the living room and elsewhere, plus the tent if needed. Moreover, we'll be on our own and can be as loud and silly as we like. :D
They also have some included entertainment systems, stereo system, radio, DVD player, internet access (wireless broadband) and so on. We will be in good shape, I think.

The people gave me a special discount because we're booking for two whole weeks. The full price will be £1,600, minus the £400 deposit I just paid. (Thanks to all you that donated to the deposit fund!), leaving £1,100 left to pay by the 14th of May.
I'll reboot the Indegogo Campaign once it has run its course and we can start chipping in again. I don't want anyone to feel pressured into donating more than they can afford, so we'll try and get as close as possible before the date, but anything after will still be helpful. I hope this is okay with everyone.

I know some of you were set on the bunk barns and I tried to get them, but in the end I couldn't do it. I hope this is just as good in the end. Please don't kill me! :(

[Estelyn Telcontar]

*Applause, applause, applause!!!

Thanks for going through all that work for us, Hooky!! I for one really appreciate your planning and preparation and look forward very much to coming! The cottage looks great and it will be nice to have it to ourselves. It will be fun to explore an area of England that is new to me!

[Kath]

Bahaha this is the one I liked anyway! :D Though I now feel even worse about forgetting to send you money. *ducks* I will rectify this at the weekend when school finishes. Thank you Hook!

[Lalwendë]

Fantastic!!! I was very near here last Wednesday, I went over to Newark and Southwell. It's a lovely area with loads to see and Notts people are lovely. You'll have to accept everyone will call you 'Duck' and 'Flower'. ;) There's a very nice pub and old church in the village and it's very close to Sherwood for Ent spotting.

Street View Link (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=kirton+nottinghamshire&hl=en&ll=53.214173,-0.966529&spn=0.003508,0.009645&hnear=Kirton,+Nottinghamshire,+United+Kingdom&gl=uk&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.214113,-0.968605&panoid=jo6JOTimZctgjIgdy0MvSA&cbp=12,244.52,,0,2.92)

I have also done a quick look up for travel. There are two bus services in the village almost outside the cottage, the 14 (Stagecoach) which runs to Mansfield each hour and the 36 (YourBus) which runs to Retford each hour. I note, no buses on Sundays though. Retford is on the line for Kings Cross and it's a very quick trip. It's also on the line for Sheffield, Worksop and Doncaster where you can make other changes. Mansfield is on the line for Nottingham where you can change for St Pancras and Loughborough (which is 17 minutes). If anyone has travel queries I'm happy to look them up.

[A Little Green]

Yay! The cottage looks fantastic! Lal, we're probably coming from Liverpool, do you have any idea if it's smarter to use a train or a bus?

[Aganzir]

Great, thanks Hookbill! I was so keen on the bunk barn only because of a joke Bêth-b told on Facebook, but this sounds a lot better! Let me know when you need more monies.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Great, thanks Hookbill! I was so keen on the bunk barn only because of a joke Bêth-b told on Facebook, but this sounds a lot better! Let me know when you need more monies.

Any time is good, as long as I get it before 14th of May. The Indiegogo Campaign (http://igg.me/p/71545?a=450259) is still open, though it only goes up to £550 at the moment because I took a guess at how much we'd need. As soon as it finishes / reaches the 'goal', I'll restart it and we can raise the rest of the money. So feel free to donate now or later, whatever suits you. :)

Had a thought today about getting people together. If most people are arriving on the 6th August, I suggest everyone trying to get to a near-by city like Nottingham - I think you'll be able to get there from every airport with little difficulty, though Lal will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong - and spend the day there while we gather friends before heading off to the cottage in cars / buses / whatever.

EDIT:

If you want to see more of the cottage, there's a website here;

http://www.thehomesteadnotts.co.uk/

BIG pictures and it looks very pretty and awesome. :)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Nottingham lace industry?! I may be the only person interested in seeing that...

It all looks very nice!

[Kath]

I'll be driving up from daaahn saaath that day so meeting at Nottingham sounds good as it means I'll have time to get to you. :-)

[Lalwendë]

Yay! The cottage looks fantastic! Lal, we're probably coming from Liverpool, do you have any idea if it's smarter to use a train or a bus?

There's an hourly direct train to Nottingham from Liverpool Lime Street! It's the Liverpool-Norwich train and goes via Manchester and Sheffield - also known as the student train because it goes through the major student cities - so is usually packed on Fridays/Sundays! It's very regular though. If you are coming from John Lennon airport then there should be a bus service into central Liverpool.

It's a very good idea for travellers to meet up in one place and move on from there!

Nottingham has lots to do, and you've also got Lincoln, Newark and Southwell nearby which are all stunning places.

[Oddwen]

The signs of historic times continue when moving upstairs with a genuine beam looming at the bottom of the stairs and is also capable of inflicting a very sore head on those who don't keep aware!

We can re-enact a popular scene from the blockbuster movie "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"! Yaaaaay!

[Lalwendë]

We can re-enact a popular scene from the blockbuster movie "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"! Yaaaaay!

Heh. Might as well make use of NHS concussion checks while you're over here :D

[Hookbill the Goomba]

We can re-enact a popular scene from the blockbuster movie "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"! Yaaaaay!

I was thinking we should learn and sing all the songs from the animated Hobbit and Return of the King. Including such hits as, "Where There's A Whip There's A Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdXQJS3Yv0Y)", "Down to Goblin Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogTDa-vG2MQ)", "The Bearer of the Ring (http://youtu.be/sMhY59n7X-Y)", and "Frodo of the Nine Fingers (http://youtu.be/yW_ocZLaRdI)".

On Saturday I'll compile some sort of rough guide for getting to Nottingham from the various cities with airports. Tell me where you'll be flying to before then and I'll try to get it worked out. :)

Also, I'm going to start compiling a first draft of a vague list of things what we will do on each day. Nothing solidly set, of course, but just to start the ball rolling towards discussion on what is do-able / desirable.

[Oddwen]

I found an airfare search engine that seems to have consistently lower prices than the main ones I have used. http://matrix.itasoftware.com/search.htm

You have to manually enter your results into another booking site....somehow. Maybe it'll help someone.

[Oddwen]

Also, I'm going to start compiling a first draft of a vague list of things what we will do on each day. Nothing solidly set, of course, but just to start the ball rolling towards discussion on what is do-able / desirable.

Is Loch Ness doable? :D

[Aganzir]

I haven't decided yet if I'm attending the Return of the Ring or not. It sounds interesting, but there's nothing that I'd really have to see, and it costs a lot. I guess in the end it also depends on who else is going.

However, I demand we have a Tolkien themed costume party at the moot. There would be one in RotR, but I'm under the impression many people won't be there, and costume parties are always fun. What say you?

[A Little Green]

However, I demand we have a Tolkien themed costume party at the moot. There would be one in RotR, but I'm under the impression many people won't be there, and costume parties are always fun. What say you?I'm in - provided that you bring my costume. :Merisu:

[A Little Green]

There's an hourly direct train to Nottingham from Liverpool Lime Street! It's the Liverpool-Norwich train and goes via Manchester and Sheffield - also known as the student train because it goes through the major student cities - so is usually packed on Fridays/Sundays! It's very regular though. If you are coming from John Lennon airport then there should be a bus service into central Liverpool.Thank you Lal! An hourly train sounds perfect for us, and the students shouldn't bother us since we're probably coming on Monday or Tuesday. :D I'm assuming someone can pick us up from Nottingham. As for the airport bus, we're actually coming by ferry from Dublin, so we don't have to worry about those.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

However, I demand we have a Tolkien themed costume party at the moot. There would be one in RotR, but I'm under the impression many people won't be there, and costume parties are always fun. What say you?

I agree! :D

Also, at some point, we'll need to get a comprehensive list of people with special dietary requirements so I can gather supplies before teh moot. Veggie and so on. There will be SO MUCH QUORN! ;)
Also, I'd better get some Jelly Babies...

[Aganzir]

Also, at some point, we'll need to get a comprehensive list of people with special dietary requirements so I can gather supplies before teh moot. Veggie and so on. There will be SO MUCH QUORN!
We made a list before Finlandmoot, and if it's still somewhere, you're welcome to use the information there if it makes your life any easier.

I should be able to provide you guys with some bread anyway, assuming someone helps me with the kneading because it's tedious work. ;)

[A Little Green]

We made a list before Finlandmoot, and if it's still somewhere, you're welcome to use the information there if it makes your life any easier.I have it, so Hooky give me a cry if you need something from it.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I have it, so Hooky give me a cry if you need something from it.

*Cries*
Can't believe I didn't think of this! Of course you clever people have a list already! :)
Mind you, there are some coming who were not at the Finny moot...

[A Little Green]

Done! Although my internet died during the process of sending it so I'm unsure whether it actually worked or not..

[Pomegranate]

Add me to the list, I'm a veggie and especially nono fish.

Oh, and Greenie and I had a wonderful discussion of costumes, I think we might even end up having something despite travelling with minimum luggage for over a month before that. We shall see.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Done! Although my internet died during the process of sending it so I'm unsure whether it actually worked or not..

Got it, cheers!

Just reminding everyone that we still need folk to pitch in for payment for the cottage. I realise those of you coming from abroad will be paying for more travel expenses than us natives, so I won't demand too high a price of you. But please chip in what you can. I don't want to go bankrupt. :(

Use PayPal, send to: barrowmoot@gmail.com
Or the IndieGoGo site; http://www.indiegogo.com/Barrow-Moot

Sorry to harp on about it like some harping harp, but we need to get something together by the start of May. Eeek!

[Aganzir]

There should be a cheque winging it's way to you at the moment Hook. Does depend on a) my mother and b) the British postal service over Easter so let me know if it hasn't reached you by the end of next week!

EDIT: Oops, this is Kath! Don't expect a cheque from Agan!

[Guinevere]

Is it confirmed that there will be 13 people staying at the cottage? If there are 1100£ left to be paid, that would make about 85£ each, right?

Originally I planned to stay only the few days in the second week until RotR begins. But if I look at flight prices I probably will have to come in the middle of the first week.

[Bêthberry]

Great, thanks Hookbill! I was so keen on the bunk barn only because of a joke Bêth-b told on Facebook, but this sounds a lot better! Let me know when you need more monies.

What! I made a joke! Heavens! ;)

I think this place is also much nicer than the bunk beds. You should have lots of fun without the spartan accommodations.


I found an airfare search engine that seems to have consistently lower prices than the main ones I have used. http://matrix.itasoftware.com/search.htm

You have to manually enter your results into another booking site....somehow. Maybe it'll help someone.

Thanks! The charter airlines are several hundreds of dollars cheaper than my regular national airline, but they don't give me much flexibility about the dates. And the good old national airline is several hundreds of dollars more expensive suddenly after May 31st. *grumbles some more*

I don't know quite how close you will be to Yorkshire, but there is a lovely little museum that is under some financial pressure due to cutbacks which has a bit of literary history to it. Some of you might be interested in it.

Red House Museum Gomersal (http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/events/venuedetails.asp?vID=7)

[Aganzir]

Is it confirmed that there will be 13 people staying at the cottage? If there are 1100£ left to be paid, that would make about 85£ each, right?
I'm not sure about the numbers, but we might have to take into account that people will be staying for different periods of time. I'm not sure if it's fair to make those who only stay for four nights pay as much as those who stay for the whole two weeks.

What! I made a joke! Heavens!
See, your sense of humour influences the choices I make in real life. ;)

[Hookbill the Goomba]

There should be a cheque winging it's way to you at the moment Hook. Does depend on a) my mother and b) the British postal service over Easter so let me know if it hasn't reached you by the end of next week!

EDIT: Oops, this is Kath! Don't expect a cheque from Agan!

Got it today! Though one of my siblings opened it as his initial is also 'J' :rolleyes:

[Guinevere]

I'm not sure about the numbers, but we might have to take into account that people will be staying for different periods of time. I'm not sure if it's fair to make those who only stay for four nights pay as much as those who stay for the whole two weeks.

And since there are only 12 places for sleeping in beds, I wouldn't think it fair that those who have to bring an air matrass and sleeping bag and sleep on the floor should pay the same amount...
I wish things weren't so vague!!

[Hookbill the Goomba]

And since there are only 12 places for sleeping in beds, I wouldn't think it fair that those who have to bring an air matrass and sleeping bag and sleep on the floor should pay the same amount...
I wish things weren't so vague!!

Sorry for the vagueness, it's not intentional; I can only give you the information and ideas I have - and there's not much of either.

As I posted on FB...

Those of you wondering how much you might need to pay for the accomodation, I've tried to find a good way of working it out...
According to the page we've got 13 people coming. We need £1,100, and there are 14 days in total, which means each day will cost the group £78.57. Assuming all 13 people are present on any given day, that'll mean each day will cost the individual £6.04. But since not everyone will be present on each day this presents a problem. I'm thinking of saying everyone pitch in, say, £10 per day or something? Meaning the most someone would have to pay (for both weeks) would be £140... I think.
If you're going to RotR, then that's only 10 days you'll be staying at the cottage, so £100 should be enough to cover it. (Anything over the total to pay will go towards food and fun times, but we'll work all that out once the accommodation is sorted).
I do feel kind of bad for asking so much money of people, especially those coming from abroad with added travel costs. But if we don't rais the money either I'll have take the hit or we cancel.

As for the beds, there are enough to sleep 12 people, plus there's a sofa bed. I will also be bringing some air mattresses (2 of them), but I'd suggest bringing a sleeping back just in case.

[Aganzir]

Is £100 pounds from me next week okay? Because Annina will be back in the UK by then, and I'd prefer that to online transfers. I can also do IndieGoGo if you need the money earlier though. :)

Speaking of beds, I don't mind sleeping wherever there's room, be it a bed or a mattress on the floor (that's how I sleep at home too, anyway).

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Is £100 pounds from me next week okay? Because Annina will be back in the UK by then, and I'd prefer that to online transfers. I can also do IndieGoGo if you need the money earlier though. :)

Speaking of beds, I don't mind sleeping wherever there's room, be it a bed or a mattress on the floor (that's how I sleep at home too, anyway).

Whatever you're able to donate should be fine. As long as we get enough by the 12th of May

[Aganzir]

Just sent you money on IndieGoGo - after reading that they will charge you more if you don't reach your goal. :)

A question - how far is the cottage from Loughborough? Because even if I go to Rotr, it would be nicer to stay at the cottage. Except it's too far, isn't it?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Just sent you money on IndieGoGo - after reading that they will charge you more if you don't reach your goal. :)

A question - how far is the cottage from Loughborough? Because even if I go to Rotr, it would be nicer to stay at the cottage. Except it's too far, isn't it?

You're a star, Agan. :D

I think it's a bit far; there's a train from Newark to Loughborough that takes about an hour. Might be plausible.

[Bêthberry]

There are banquets and evening activities planned at RotR, all part of the registration costs, so it would be a shame to miss them. It might be a good idea to check times for trains. (I don't know how late/early yours run.)


Another alternative might be to find a B&B in Loughborough.

[Lalwendë]

Thank you Lal! An hourly train sounds perfect for us, and the students shouldn't bother us since we're probably coming on Monday or Tuesday. :D I'm assuming someone can pick us up from Nottingham. As for the airport bus, we're actually coming by ferry from Dublin, so we don't have to worry about those.

I'm a bit jealous. Sailing into Liverpool is utterly awesome. The P&O ferries come in at Bootle/Seaforth which is north of the city centre. You'd need transport into Liverpool centre, but I think you shouldn't be far from Seaforth & Litherland station, which will take you right into Central station. Stena Line come in at Birkenhead, which should mean you can take the 'Ferry across the Mersey' (very cool).

[Hookbill the Goomba]

NEWS:

I've sent off a cheque to the Homestead people to pay the final payment for the cottage. We managed to raise about £500 together, but the other £600 had to come out of my own savings account, so if you've not paid yet please contact me and let me know when you can. :(
I don't want to go all loan shark, but I don't want this to end with me marching you to a cash point in Nottingham. :p

[Morthoron]

NEWS:

I've sent off a cheque to the Homestead people to pay the final payment for the cottage. We managed to raise about £500 together, but the other £600 had to come out of my own savings account, so if you've not paid yet please contact me and let me know when you can. :(
I don't want to go all loan shark, but I don't want this to end with me marching you to a cash point in Nottingham. :p

Youse guys betta not be "on dah hook" to Hookbill. He'll break yer kneecaps with dah spine of a one-volume edition of Lord of the Rings. Dah Goomba is like dat, eh paisan?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

While people sort out the money they now owe me ;) I think we should start a discussion on what kinds of crazy adventures we want to have!
Ancient castles, hills, parks, mountains, hills, famous landmarks, more hills, Ferris wheels, dancing, hills again, and possibly some forests. BRING COSTUMES!

THIS (http://www.thehomesteadnotts.co.uk/) is the website of the cottage we'll be staying at, and if you click on 'attractions' it'll tell you what's close by. But if there's other stuff you've got your heart set on we will try and fit it in.
Bear in mind I think the Olympics are on around that time so we'd want to steer clear of London if at all possible.

[Lalwendë]

The 2012 Robin Hood Festival (http://www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/whats-on/robin-hood-festival-p454481) from 13-19 August.

The tourism site for Nottinghamshire (http://www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/). That one should keep you busy, there's loads on it.

Peak District website (http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/). Again, packed with stuff.

Leicestershire and Lincolnshire are also worth looking up.

I think I must have been just about everywhere in the area! It's not possible to get bored! There's even a wurst shop in Bakewell...

[Mithalwen]

Bear in mind I think the Olympics are on around that time so we'd want to steer clear of London if at all possible.

The Olympics finish on the 12th and the Paralympics don't start til the 29th. Those who haven't been and may not get the chance for a while might want to consider it - though maybe consulting the scheduling.

[Oddwen]

Ancient castles, hills, parks, mountains, hills, famous landmarks, more hills, Ferris wheels, dancing, hills again, and possibly some forests.

All of these sound fun.

I can't help thinking that we should get our costumey types together and make a film. Maybe follow a secondary Fellowship that ultimately fails because it falls afoul of a theme park?

[Lalwendë]

You're lucky for theme parks because you have the UK's most famous and biggest (and most expensive) theme park, Alton Towers nearby! Bear in mind it's the school summer holidays so it will be packed with kids, but the good thing is you might also spot some money off voucher scheme things running or even get a group booking. If I see any then I'll save them or point them out! I have to add, I've never been there because I'm too tight fisted to pay :D

I'd avoid London at all costs unless there are any masochists in the group - we're in the middle of planning for the O'lympick period at work and have been told to cut workplace attendance down to a maximum of 40%. Our London colleagues have been asked to work from home, from elsewhere in the UK or to take leave. This is if you can get anywhere around the capital - tube and rail stations will be closed.

Folks on fb know about my weather forecasts (my sad weather obsession, you might say) and I think it's going to be a traditional British summer. Some sun, maybe some hot days, but also some rain and cloud and murk. It looks as though the north of the UK will be warmer than average, the south not so much so, but with a general trend in August for warmer, drier weather.

[Guinevere]

I can't help thinking that we should get our costumey types together and make a film. Maybe follow a secondary Fellowship that ultimately fails because it falls afoul of a theme park?

Alas, I am not a costumey type at all...:(

"I'd avoid London at all costs." "tube and rail stations will be closed."

:eek:And what about changing trains in London?? National Rail Enquiries tells me even that I have to walk from one railway station(St.Pancras) to another(King's Cross) on my way to Retford (which seems the nearest train station to "our" cottage, and I still have to find out how to proceed from there) Anyhow, I would like to know how on earth we are going to get around and see places when so many of us come from abroad and have no car...:rolleyes:

[Kath]

'Walking' from King's Cross to St Pancras really does mean that as they are quite literally 2 minutes apart. That really won't be a problem.

Guinevere - Car-wise I will certainly have mine as I'll be driving up. I'm there the whole two weeks so can do lifts as needed from train stations. Hook is learning to drive so there will be another car. There are sure to be hire car places around so as long as there is an adult with a driving license we can get hold of more car places when needed.

[Bêthberry]

The four of us (two adults, two then teens) plus large suitcases each and carry-ons/back packs easily walked from Kings Cross to the next station on our first trip to London. The architecture along the way makes it a very interesting walk. (We arrived via train from York to discover an emergency had closed King's Cross tube station.)

If you are at King's Cross rail station, do look for platform 9¾. :)

Not all tube stations will be closed all the time. Here's what the Tube has made available online now for planning:

London Tube during the Olympics (http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/travelinaffectedareas/city/london-public-transport.html#)

But as Mithalwen said to me, London is very good at moving large numbers of people efficiently.

[Lalwendë]

No fear, Guinevere, St Pancras and Kings Cross are virtually the same place and those stations are still OK for access! I hear Liverpool St will be subject to restrictions but that's if you are coming from the south/south west of London. It's if you start wanting to go and look at the 'sights' in London that it will be a bit scary while the running and jumping fest is on. It's not only that Tube stations will be shut but to take one tourist area, Whitehall and Westminster (obviously, where our London offices are) will basically become a sports arena and even access to the parks around the Mall will be restricted.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I've started making a little spreadsheet to help us make decisions on what kinds of things we want to be doing on this happy trip of a life time. It's just some ideas and suggestions right now, so feel free to chip in suggestions and new ideas. Nothing will be concrete and we can change anything... Apart maybe from RotR...

http://i46.tinypic.com/2crlug4.png

[Aganzir]

I demand a Tolkien themed costume party. Some night or other.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I demand a Tolkien themed costume party. Some night or other.

Ooh! Good point! Maybe the first Sunday as there will be little else goin on. Or maybe after the Robin Hood festival as I imagine there will be costume buying opportunities there! :D

Also, do we have a definitive answer on who will be attending on what weeks/days? That'll help with the planning.

[Kath]

Yes an extra column with the names of the people there next to the day would be great! I am intending to be there the full two weeks. The things on that list look fab though we will need to look out half price/group offers for Alton Towers or we'll all be broke after that day. We will also need to work out number of people in relation to number of spaces in the cars ...

EDIT: In the spirit of helpful information I will have three spaces realistically, four spaces if you're fairly small and willing to squish! (I'm looking at Agan and Greenie here!)

[Lalwendë]

I think you would be fairly spoilt for choice with castles and historic houses all around the region so here's a few I recommend:

Bolsover Castle (http://http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/bolsover-castle/). The Castle might not be medieval but is pure fairytale. This one was remodelled to be a Cavalier's pleasure palace, there's the outer castle which is mostly wrecked apart from the huge riding school (Vienna is not the only place to have had one) and the Little Castle which isn't little, and is amazing. It's a pleasure house, panelled with all kinds of elaborate artwork and a few smutty Cavalier paintings too ;) It also has a breathtaking view and lovely grounds, nice for picnics and running around.

Conisbrough Castle (http://http://www.conisbroughcastle.org.uk/). This time, an actual medieval castle! Therefore, it's quite small, but is also a lot of fun to visit, and uniquely, it has a roof and floors so you won't just be looking up at the shell of a keep. You can go inside and explore and take photos sitting in the Lord's chair/garderobe etc (it's almost traditional to look for the garderobe in British castles and take a photo of someone sitting on it....). They have their annual Pageant of Knights on 18/19 August, run by Escafeld, a local re-enactment group (who take things very seriously!).

Chatsworth (http://www.chatsworth.org/). Very famous, very expensive and very lovely. This is Mr Darcy's house in both the film and the novel. It's easy to spend the whole day looking around the house and grounds, and it's also possible just to pay to park for the day and wander across the estate rather than go in the house.

Haddon Hall (http://www.haddonhall.co.uk/). This one has been in loads of film and TV things from The Princess Bride to Jane Eyre. I love this place as it's about as close to a fairytale medieval manor house as it's possible to get.

A few other things......To the east, Lincoln isn't far and I'd recommend the Cathedral (http://lincolncathedral.com/), which is a massive Gothic/Romanesque edifice and has cloisters which I think were used in Harry Potter. There is also the castle on the other part of the hilltop, and they have the Magna Carta. Walk up or down Steep Hill to enjoy the ancient buildings and lovely bookshops.

Newark is an under-rated gem, with a huge old market square with no modern buildings at all, and nearby is Southwell which is also ancient. Of course, there is the Sherwood Forest park, and attractions in Nottingham. There's also Cresswell Crags which have neolithic cave art - I've not been in many years though and now they have a new visitor centre so it's probably very different to how it was when I last went! And Newstead Abbey, Lord Byron's home. And various DH Lawrence visitor centres.

[Guinevere]

Also, do we have a definitive answer on who will be attending on what weeks/days? That'll help with the planning.
All this vagueness must be very awkward for you. I do hope you got your money !

As for me, I will arrive Tuesday 7.Aug., (around five o'clock, at Retford train station) and stay until the beginning of RotR.

I like your suggestions, except the theme park (not my cup of tea, and probably expensive and crowded)

All of Lalwende's suggestions sound great! I love castles and old town centres!!

[Lalwendë]

All this vagueness must be very awkward for you. I do hope you got your money !

As for me, I will arrive Tuesday 7.Aug., (around five o'clock, at Retford train station) and stay until the beginning of RotR.

I like your suggestions, except the theme park (not my cup of tea, and probably expensive and crowded)

All of Lalwende's suggestions sound great! I love castles and old town centres!!

It's a fantastic area for history. It's known as the Dukeries because so many landed gentry had vast tracts of land in the East Midlands, and they tended to build a lot of castles and big houses (in the North West, the wealthy went in for buying Art rather than mansions - hence why the best galleries and museums are in Liverpool/Manchester). The towns tend to be old established ones so you also get lots of old buildings, where they have survived the ravages of the 20th century (Coventry was very nice, once, but it's a little bit grim now). Also places like Newark and Lincoln ended up 'out of the way' to some extent after the industrial revolution so they also managed to survive.

The nicest towns in the wider area are Lincoln, Newark, Southwell (where the Bramley apple comes from), York, Bakewell, Buxton. Nottingham is a little bit disappointing sadly. There are also plenty of things to see for fans of battlegrounds and literary sites.

[Aganzir]

I'm arriving at East Midlands Airport on Monday the 6th at 10.30 AM, and leaving on Monday the 20th around noon. I still don't know if I'm going to ROTR though - I should just sit down, count the pennies and make up my mind soon.

I like all the suggestions so far (except I'm not too excited about overpriced theme parks either because I'm a boring miser). Basically I'll be happy doing almost anything.

[Kath]

More than one activity can of course occur on most days too. Just so long as we have a few drivers/cars.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

If we get a group deal for Alton Towers it's £25 each, ish. But from what I recall of old school trips there it's worth it. We'll see, though, it's not compulsory.

http://i47.tinypic.com/24yvdk4.png

Anyone else have dates confirmed? I'll update this as we go. :)

More than one activity can of course occur on most days too. Just so long as we have a few drivers/cars.

Indeed! We want to do plenty of stuff, of course!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I'll be arriving Monday, the 6th and going to RotR on Thursday, the 16th. I'm not particularly interested in the theme park, but will happily join in sightseeing the surrounding area, cities, and literary/historical sites.

[Aganzir]

By the way - does anyone have any more information about the horses they mention in the cottage reviews and in Leasure activities: horse riding? :Merisu: :cool:

[Lalwendë]

I'm planning to pop over on odd free days with the childe, being as it's so near home I can just come in the car. I'm scheduled to work for part of that time but I only work Tuesday-Thursday anyway. I'm quite content to see how I can fit in with your schedule. I wouldn't put me down for Alton Towers, because I'm far too old for centrifugal vomit inducing machines :( Any days I can come over then there will be at least one seat in my car (I'm not so sure davem will want to come along, and even so, he will likely be at work) so long as you don't mind occasional Anglo Saxon descriptions of other road users. ;)

[Oddwen]

Oliphaunts_Rule and I will be arriving on Monday, staying at the cabin til the end.

We're planning on staying in the country until the 27th, so if anyone has a backyard or field where we can maybe set up Hooky's tent of DOOM, let us know.

The waterpark part of Alton Towers sounds fun, but neither of us can do many other rides. (Why does everything have to spinnnnnnn)

[Faramir Jones]

Just to say that I'll be arriving in Loughborough on Wednesday, 15th August, the day before RotR starts. While I'll meet you all at the conference itself, if anyone's around the day before... :)

[Bêthberry]

Poison Ivy and I will be arriving at Luffburrah on Thursday, just before the Opening Ceremony--and departing Monday just before noon.

[Kath]

Hey so looks like I'll be leaving the 17th now as I've just been invited to a wedding on the 18th.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Okay, so I've got a sort of plan for our big meet up on Monday the 6th of August.

Nottingham is the closest big city to the cottage, so I'd advise us all trying to get there as best we can. I'd advise going by train and then we can all meet up in or near the station. I'll give my mobile phone number to anyone who thinks they might need it (PM me).
The plan is that I will hopefully be able to get a hire car (hopefully with at least 7 seats) and will drive on down to the cottage to get the keys etc and then head to Nottingham to pick as many people up as possible. If anyone is arriving at Manchester or Liverpool Airport on Monday, let me know and I may be able to pick you up first and drop you off at the cottage, leaving more space for people from Nottingham.
It's about a three hour drive from Manchester to Nottingham, so hopefully I'll be able to get there in good time. I want us all to be at the cottage for no later than, say, 19:00, if that's possible?

If you've any questions, please ask as I've probably overlooked a lot of things.

Other business...

Entertainment
I've acquired some free tickets to Alton Towers (it's one of, if not the, biggest theme parks in Britain), so if there's anyone wanting to go to that at a knock down price, we can do that. We can also arrange other activities on the same day for those not interested.
I've been making a short-list of cool things to go see that are in reasonable distance. Things like castles, forests, caves, museums, swimming, the zoo, boat rides, steam engine rides, and so on. If there's anything you've got your heart set on, let me know.
I think we should try and plan for more than one thing per day, so if people don't want to go swimming they can go to a castle, for example. I don't think there should be too rigid a plan, and we can discuss final plans once we're all there.

FANCY DRESS
Please bring costumes so we can have a costume party at some point. This will probably be at the cottage or maybe in Sherwood forest for those of us who want cool photo opportunities in Middle Earthy locations. :)

Other things
- I'd advise bringing a sleeping bag, though there is bed space for up to 12, not everyone may be comfortable sharing a bed. Especially with Aganzir, aka, THE BITER OF HUMAN FLESH. :p I'll be bringing two air-mattresses, so that should also help. I may invest in a third.
- If you want to go to any kind of watery activity (swimming, boating, or the water park at Alton Towers), bring spare towels and whatnot.
- Feel free to bring computers and stuff; the cottage has free wireless internet! So the Downs can be updated on our adventures and make all you none-mooters jealous!!
- Bring something for wet weather. England is unpredictable.
- If Rune decides to show up, someone please bring a safe we can keep the booze in!!

I can't think of anything else right now...

[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

As I mentioned on the Facebook page I'll be driving up. I'll either do that on Monday 6th or stay with a friend of mine in Nottingham for the weekend. Either way I'll be in Nottingham on the sixth. I'll be at RotR for the duration (Thursday to Sunday) and since I'll have my car I could turn up there at any time. If it comes to it I'm still happy to hire the car, and I'll work out how to arrange to get both my own car and our hire vehicle to the cottage nearer the time. Lifts may be required.

I don't know what everyone else thinks of this, but I always used to like the Old Trip to Jerusalem (http://www.triptojerusalem.com) in Nottingham, although there are lots of other places to meet as well.

[Faramir Jones]

While I won't be going to the meet up on Monday, 6th August, I congratulate you, Hookbill, for organising it!:D

I (and I'm sure many others in this forum) will be interested to know how things went.:smokin:

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

It's been a long journey, and hard. But at last we have managed to decide, ensure, make clear and book our coming and going to Britain at this point, soo... it's my privilege to confirm that me and Lommy shall be attending the Moot after all :)

We would like to arrive (we do not know how yet, I think that is the next step, but that has time) sometime on Wednesday the 15th (probably evening-ish, if we can make it so), we'll be coming from London... We've been contemplating also attending RotR at least for one day (probably Saturday sounds the best at this point), but everything is still open for us. In any case, if we do visit RotR, we definitely want to use it as an opportunity to meet as many 'Downers as possible, among other things.

We are both leaving on Monday (via London), so I guess that just goes along with the general dismissal of the Fellowship.

Finally I don't feel like complete outsider when checking this page :smokin:

[Bêthberry]

Legate, day tickets are I think available for RotR. I've posted the programme on the FB Downs page, so I think you can tell what is available each day.

When do you fly out of London? Is it via Heathrow?

I have the great delight of spending three hours in Terminal 3 waiting for my 6 pm flight home on Monday. Any chance you andLommy will be in that terminal at that time?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Legate, day tickets are I think available for RotR. I've posted the programme on the FB Downs page, so I think you can tell what is available each day.
Somehow I didn't seem to find anything on FB. But we've been checking the preliminary programs on the RotR's website, and that was what we have based our plans on. But since they were not very elaborate, if there is anything more elaborate elsewhere, I'd be happy to see it...

When do you fly out of London? Is it via Heathrow?

I have the great delight of spending three hours in Terminal 3 waiting for my 6 pm flight home on Monday. Any chance you andLommy will be in that terminal at that time?

Alas! We are both leaving (unless I am mistaken in Lommy's case) via Gatwick. It is around 6PM, but apparently wrong airport :(

[Bêthberry]

Alas! We are both leaving (unless I am mistaken in Lommy's case) via Gatwick. It is around 6PM, but apparently wrong airport :(

Darn! It's such a small little island you'd think it would be easy to connect. ;) My train leaves Loughborough at, I think, 11:45, arriving at St. Pancreas. Poison Ivy has my ticket so I can't check the time yet.

Here's the third progress report for an update on activities.

Progress Report 3, Return of the Ring (http://www.returnofthering.org/PR3.pdf)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Darn! It's such a small little island you'd think it would be easy to connect. ;) My train leaves Loughborough at, I think, 11:45, arriving at St. Pancreas. Poison Ivy has my ticket so I can't check the time yet.

Here's the third progress report for an update on activities.

Progress Report 3, Return of the Ring (http://www.returnofthering.org/PR3.pdf)

Ah yes, so this is the same one we saw. But anyway - even though we are not going to leave from the same airport, if there is still time to meet somewhere else, I think that would be really nice. Like I said, we are still in the stage of arranging our timetables and especially transports inside Britain, so we can take all of this into account... especially once you know your time of arrival... and all that (I think we can keep in PM-contact or something and figure things out, but it is not like *we* are going to proceed very fast with it, I think :) ).

[Mithalwen]

Darn! It's such a small little island you'd think it would be easy to connect. ;) My train leaves Loughborough at, I think, 11:45, arriving at St. Pancreas. Poison Ivy has my ticket so I can't check the time yet.



11.42 arriving just after one at St Pancras. Gatwick - Heathrow is a pain in the whatsit. Just because they are nominally London Airports doesn't mean they are close together!

[Kath]

That said, trains and tubes to Heathrow and Gatwick both leave from most London train stations. So you could meet near a train station that will take you to both airports (Victoria definitely links to both) for a drink. :cool:

[Lalwendë]

Don't underestimate the chaos that the Olympic period will bring to travel plans, and make sure to use this resource to see if stations and routes will be closed or subject to delays!

http://www.london2012.com/spectators/travel/

I can't stress that enough. We've been through weeks of planning for the events at work. :eek:

[Mithalwen]

That said, trains and tubes to Heathrow and Gatwick both leave from most London train stations. So you could meet near a train station that will take you to both airports (Victoria definitely links to both) for a drink. :cool:

Maybe better to meet at ROTR. There isn't a huge amount of leeway - that was the latest train compatible with being reasonably confident of BB making her check in and even though the Olympics will have finished over a week earlier there can be problems on the tube in the normal run of things.

[Guinevere]

Darn! It's such a small little island you'd think it would be easy to connect. ;) My train leaves Loughborough at, I think, 11:45, arriving at St. Pancreas. Poison Ivy has my ticket so I can't check the time yet.

Darn!!My train from Loughborough leaves 11:20 - it's the same direction as yours, Bêthberrybut I can't take the 11:45 train because apparently that one doesn't stop at Luton Airport! (my flight from Luton leaves at 14:50)

I could tear my hair out in frustration that I booked my flight so early!! Had I known there was a Birmingham tour on Monday, and that Esty would arrive & leave from Birmingham airport I could have flown to Birmingham as well (though it would be much more expensive) Grrr!

[Mithalwen]

That is a shame but the Loughborough trains arrive in London only four minutes apart so there was no material advantage to go for the earlier train for BB and PI. It is a shame that they announced the trip at a time when most overseas visitors would have already booked flights

[Bêthberry]

I am as frustrated as Guinevere about the Birmingham tour. Had I known of it just three weeks prior, I would have bought my ticket for a day later in order to accommodate the tour.

Planning has been difficult. :( But I am glad at least of seeing Guinevere at RotR and hopefully also Legate and Lommy. It would have been fun to have a "Downs" train party after leaving RotR.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

If you're arriving on Monday 6th August please let me know! I will send you my mobile phone number so you can let us know if you get delayed.
Also, could you give me an estimate on what time you'll be arriving? That'd help get a time table going.
Actually, could everyone give us an estimate of what day and time you'll be arriving so we can figure out how to get you to the cottage if you're not arriving on the first day. :)

[Lalwendë]

You will want to take note of the train strike (http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18899474) planned for 6-8 August. This is on East Midlands trains which have the monopoly on the Midland main line from St Pancras to Sheffield, via Loughborough, Derby, Retford and Worksop.

We are heavy users of these trains at work and in the past, strikes have just meant very crowded trains with no seats, as they still run, but there are fewer of them. There's also an option to adjust plans and use the east coast main line. I'll check out any news on this as we will get updates at work.

I also read some incredibly complicated stuff about what is going to be shut/chaotic during the Olympics in London - we are sent info that the general public don't get, only employers. If anyone has any particular plans involving London, post 'em up and I will check this out next week when I'm in the office.

[Guinevere]

:eek: I do hope that First Capital Connect (from Gatwick to St.Pancras) and East Coast (from King's Cross to Retford) will not be affected; I have booked train tickets for Tuesday 7.8.! All these different train companies seem bewildering to me.

[Lalwendë]

:eek: I do hope that First Capital Connect (from Gatwick to St.Pancras) and East Coast (from King's Cross to Retford) will not be affected; I have booked train tickets for Tuesday 7.8.! All these different train companies seem bewildering to me.

You'll be fine with East Coast, you may get more people onboard though. :)

[Bêthberry]

Okay, Lal, I have a question for you about my best option on arrival at Heathrow to get to New Milton, Hampshire.

Should I go for a bus to Woking and then train to NM? Or should I tube it to Waterloo station (blue line then North line) and catch the rail there?

Which route would be faster/easier? Maybe best to avoid going into London?

[Mithalwen]

I would get the bus to Woking and then the train. Really no need to go into central london to catch the same train you will pick up at Woking - you will be doing two sides of the triangle. There may be more trains to Brockenhurst. Or there are National Express coaches to Ringwood but not so frequent.

[Bêthberry]

Okay, now I understand, mighty Loremistress of the Trains. There's no way I will remember "Brockenhurst" correctly, though. It will always come out "Brocklehurst".

I'm a wee bit apprehensive how long it will take to be processed through Heathrow. I shall message you once I'm on my way and hopefully arrive in time for lunch if not second breakfast. :)

[Mithalwen]

Think of bracken and you will almost get the accent right...

The coach is the quickest journey time (2hrs) but there is only one every hour and a half. 9,15 10.45 so only worth considering if you are "through" at the right time. the rail air bus to Woking goes on the hour and half hour and takes up to 50 mins. Then the trains leave woking for NM on the hour and 16 mins past. The journey takes about an hour and a half - ten minutes less to Brock. Brockenhurst is a pretty forest village and NM isn't so it really depends if you want to get back to the house and settle in first.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I've spent almost all of today (I got up early and everything!!) looking at activities we can do on the moot. I've had ideas floating around but I finally decided to write them down and try to make sense of them.
Below I list them (with post codes so you can find them on Google maps) and a short description. If you've anything to add please post it and I'll pop it on the list. This isn't a strict thing and anything can be added or taken away as long as it is plausible. So let's get this party started, shall we?

__________________________________________________ ____________
Nottingham

- Sherwood Forest (NG21 9HN)
“At the entrance to the country park is Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre with an exhibition on Robyn Hodes Sherwode, two shops and the Forest Table Restaurant. A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Nottinghamshires first National Nature Reserve (NNR), the forest is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna that live on the dead wood and among the fallen leaves.”

- Nottingham Castle (NG1 6EL)
“Historic site at the heart of the Robin Hood legend and starting point for the English Civil War. Situated on a high rock, Nottingham Castle commands spectacular views over the city and once rivalled the great castles of Windsor and the Tower of London.”

- Belvoir Castle (NG32 1PE)
“This one was remodelled to be a Cavalier's pleasure palace, there's the outer castle which is mostly wrecked apart from the huge riding school (Vienna is not the only place to have had one) and the Little Castle which isn't little, and is amazing.”

- Creswell Crags (S80 3LH)
A set of limestone caves to explore for fun times.

- Alton Towers (ST10 4DB)
I’ve got some free tickets to this, so yeah! It’s got lots of stuff for all ages, and also a water park, apparently. There are also neat gardens and an awesome old castle to explore, too, if you don’t fancy the rides.

__________________________________________________ ____________

York

- Jorvik Viking Centre (YO1 9WT)
Learn all about Rune. Also Vikings. It’s a cool little museum with stuff to buy, too!

- Barley Hall (YO1 8AR)
The building has been restored with high ceilings, exposed timber frames, and possibly the only horn window in England. It has been decorated to replicate what it would have looked like as the Snawsell home around 1483 and boasts a magnificent Great Hall. Visitors to Barley Hall can make themselves at home, sit on the chairs, handle the objects and experience what it would have been like to live in medieval England.

- York Minster (YO1 7HH)
The largest medieval gothic cathedral north of the Alps

- Clifford’s Tower (YO1 9SA)
Once the central stronghold of York Castle, the tower is all that remains; it has nice views from the top and looks a neat place to picnic.

- National Railway Museum (YO26 4XJ)
You can see the Hogwarts Express here, as well as various other trains and steam engine things. If you’re into that sort of thing.

- The Deep Aquarium (HU1 4DP)
It’s an aquarium with lots of fish, sharks, stingrays and probably some water as well.

- City of York Walls (YO1 8RY)
Massive walls of defence. Good for shenanigans.

- YorkBoat / Red boats (YO1 7DP)
Boat rides that are ‘safe and easy to drive’

- North Yorkshire Moors Railway (YO18 7AJ)
Ride on a steam train through some pretty landscapes.

__________________________________________________ ____________

Oxford

- Eagle and Child pub
The famous location for Tolkien and the Inklings’ discussion meetings and general tomfoolery

- The Lamb and Flag pub
Alternate Tolkien and co meeting place; has more space than the E&C

- Punting
Old fashioned Newtonian boating

- Oxford walking tour
There’s a Tolkien and CS Lewis specific tour, but we could probably make our own

- Botanic Garden
Nice place for a picnic

- Christ Church College
Place where Harry Potter was filmed, also quite nice otherwise

Bear in mind, though, a trip to Oxford will probably only happen once so we'd have to fit in as much as possible into a day trip. Whereas York and Nottingham are right on the doorstep for the cottage so it's not inconceivable that we can do multiple days with those things.

Please let me know if there's anything else we can do! :)