Wikipedia talk:Meetup/London 3

'''I have moved the below here from the main page for historical raisons. It's no longer 'live'. James F. (talk) 17:24, 23 Feb 2005 (UTC)'''

Why a WikiMeet?
It has been suggested that we organise a UK WikiMeet for some time in February 2005, because not everyone will have the means or resources to go to the Wikimania event wherever it ends up being later in the year.

It's also an opportunity to meet up with other Wikipedians in an environment away from an impersonal username on a computer screen, and hopefully to have a bit of a giggle at the same time. 26 people made it to the last UK WikiMeet in June 2004 and Jimbo attended, which kinda drew the crowds, so we're not expecting a major number of people. But if the list of participants on the UK notice board is 61 people long (as of 24 Oct 04) then I figure there must be a good handful of active people who would like to meet up.

Plus I didn't get to hear about the 2004 meet-up until after it actually happened and was a bit miffed about it.

Why February?
February has been picked out of the blue for two reasons mainly, it's so that it's not so close to the main Wikimania event that people feel they have to choose between the two, yet it's far enough away to be able to get something decent together.

Why do I need to come?
Because it's fun! Because it's so much easier to discuss stuff about the encyclopedia, and about how the various UK projects are going in person, rather than over a computer! Plus, hopefully, people who are planning to go to the Wikimania event will be there, so that we can discuss stuff that they can bring up when they go to the bigger event.

Please feel free to add your own reasons.

Where is it?
This is down to you. I certainly have ideas to where I'd like it to be, preferably somewhere near to my home that doesn't involve a lot of driving. This country of ours is a bit big for everyone to say that, however, so we need to vote on one or two things. Please vote under all the following categories using approval votes only. Feel free to discuss where appropriate, however.

Location
Please vote on a location for the UK WikiMeet 2005. Tourist areas are likely to be more popular than wee villages in the middle of nowhere, and larger towns are more likely to have cheap accommodation and better transport links. Please bear these in mind when suggesting locations.

Oxford
Large historic city in the middle of England, good travel links and lots of touristy stuff to do.
 * 1) Graham &#9786; | Talk 18:59, 24 Oct 2004 (UTC)
 * 2) A chance for me to get out of London. --Minority Report 12:36, 10 Nov 2004 (UTC)

London

 * 1) London has excellent transport links from just about everywhere, and plenty of local Wikipedians. I think it's the most logical choice.  Enchanter 20:16, Oct 24, 2004 (UTC)
 * 2) I would nominate Bristol because London has been done before, but it wouldn't win :( --Joe D 10:12, 25 Oct 2004 (UTC)
 * 3) Angela.
 * 4) Agrees with Enchanter Craptree 21:20, 10 Nov 2004 (UTC)
 * 5) Theresa Knott (Not the skater) 22:53, 10 Nov 2004 (UTC)
 * 6) James F. (talk) 15:48, 17 Dec 2004 (UTC)
 * 7) Nicholas 00:24, 9 Jan 2005 (UTC)
 * 8) JFW |  T@lk  01:44, 13 Jan 2005 (UTC)
 * 9) Arkady Rose 12:35, 15 Jan 2005 (UTC)
 * 10) San de Berg 17:23, Jan 24, 2005 (UTC)
 * 11) My preference is for birmingham, as you can see below,  ... but if it iz just gonna be a handfull of people we might as well stick with London - Feb is near,.. how many people have said the're coming? should i remove my entry below?? max rspct 19:32, 25 Jan 2005 (UTC)
 * 12) I am so looking forward to meeting Theresa Knott -  XED . talk  21:06, 4 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * 13) As I am you Xed. Theresa Knott (The snott rake) 11:58, 7 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * 14) Compared to some of the luminaries I have seen hereabouts, I don't feel that I contribute enough of WP - nor could to the meeting - to travel a long way to it. However, if it's in my home city, I'd love to attend. Aside from that, vote #1 says it all! Liam Proven 04:22, 18 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * 15) I ain't good at traveling. If it's not London, I won't be able to make it. Obv, I don't expect people to make arrangements around me, but I'd certainly vote for London. &mdash; OwenBlacker 21:56, Feb 21, 2005 (UTC)

Birmingham

 * 1) Its right in the middle of the country, more easilly accessable for Northerners. Easy to get to from every part of the country. Besides London's already been done. G-Man 22:32, 31 Oct 2004 (UTC)
 * 2) Angela.
 * 3) Andy F I concur with G-Man (see also below).
 * 4) Right on!, how many times have folk past thru it but not visited it?! Brummie is the better place for access.max rspct
 * 5) Francs2000 | Talk 14:37, 13 Jan 2005 (UTC)

Newcastle upon Tyne

 * 1) It is really right in the middle of the country; at 55°N latitude, midway between Cornwall (50°N) and Shetland (60°N). Easy to get to, with good train & bus services, and an airport with rail access only 20 minutes from the city centre. MPF

Manchester

 * 1) Another obvious choice! &#8211;&#8211; Constafrequent (talk page) 13:35, 18 Jan 2005 (UTC)

Venue
Please vote on a venue for the meet. As the meet is in February outdoors may not be appropriate, and a private room may be better than a public bar. We are just looking at general venues at the moment, a specific venue will be decided upon when the location has been decided.

A pub
Quite a lot of pubs have private function rooms, plus they serve food and drinks. Especially drinks...


 * 1) Graham &#9786; | Talk 18:59, 24 Oct 2004 (UTC)
 * 2) James F. (talk) 15:50, 17 Dec 2004 (UTC) Ideally a private function room, yes.
 * 3) Andy F Pub - preferably with a no-smoking private room. And draft Guiness ;)
 * 4) San de Berg 17:26, Jan 24, 2005 (UTC)

A bohemian café
Where better for a bohemian project, than a bohemian venue?
 * 1) As new legislation announced today won't yet be in force, a café is more likely to have a clean, stench-free, poison-free atmosphere - MPF 14:09, 16 Nov 2004 (UTC)
 * 2) Apart from the tendancy of some pubs being rather prejudiced against those under 18, I don't like the smell of smokers, though will sometimes tolerate it. I'm happy to swing either way, just so long as the air is clean. --BesigedB 00:53, 29 Dec 2004 (UTC)
 * A beer garden like the one beside the weir in Bath would be really fab. --BesigedB 01:05, 29 Dec 2004 (UTC)
 * I agree with the beer garden idea - If it is in the evening and longer than an hour .. i would like to smoke. Cafe is also good idea as folk can smoke on chairs outside..  max rspct 19:26, 25 Jan 2005 (UTC)

General discussion (December 2004 meeting)
Rather than vote I thought I'd start this of as a discussion, and that's the time of day and what day of the week to meet. A Sunday afternoon would be ideal for me, though I am aware this isn't just about my needs. What day or time would suit other people, and is this something that we need to vote on? -- Graham &#9786; | Talk 18:59, 24 Oct 2004 (UTC)


 * Sundays are not the best idea if people are travelling by train. As well as being more infrequent, the chance of engineering works increases. Angela.


 * I think friday evenings would be best for me, cirtainly not sundays for the same reasons as Angela. Craptree 21:27, 10 Nov 2004 (UTC)


 * I concur about Sundays and public transport (although, depending on location, I'm more like to come by car - and I'm happy to give anyone a lift). Also, although I'm a smoker myself, I think somewhere smoke-free is fairer. Graham mentions pubs... and drinks... I don't want to sound like a lush but that suggestion strikes a warm chord here (on second thoughts, maybe I better come by train) ;) Andy F 18:48, 15 Dec 2004 (UTC)

2005 Meetup
Graham asked on his talk page: OK I want to get the ball rolling ...what ideas do people have as to venue, timing, agenda etc?

I'd prefer the midlands - but I would say that, I live here! But personal convenience aside, I suppose it depends on who lives where: if UK Wikipedians are spread fairly evenly across England, Wales, and Scotland, the midlands makes sense. Birmingham has good rail links from most parts of the UK and the region isn't exactly short of motorways. However, if most of the potential 'meeters' are in London and the home counties, forget the midlands. For those in Northern Ireland (or in the Republic for that matter), I doubt if it makes much difference - a plane is a plane, whether it's going to Birmingham or Heathrow.

As to venue, a half-decent pub sounds good. Actually, a really grotty one would do me if they keep a good Guinness!

On another topic, I notice on the UK page there's a list of participants. Is this formal? Does one apply? Get nominated? Or just, erm, participate?

Nice pics, BTW Andy F 01:49, 13 Dec 2004 (UTC)


 * No, the list of participants was wholly informal, just a guide as to how many people were likely to make it.
 * As to the pub idea - well, it was quite loud and uncomfortable, standing around in a smokey pub that didn't really serve food. The June 2004 Wikimeet went much better, out in the open air in St. James's Park...
 * James F. (talk) 20:19, 13 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Just a general comment: I find it hard to get into London, it's easier for me to get to places that I can drive to (Oxford, Birmingham). As the last meet up was in London can we meet up elsewhere this time? And can we formalise a venue as it's getting fairly close to February? -- Francs2000 | Talk 14:37, 13 Jan 2005 (UTC)

Date
London seems to have won the vote above. Please now vote for the date:


 * Friday 11 February, 6pm
 * Edward
 * Ok I'll bite but not if it's in a busy, noisy pub again because I'm hard of hearing. -- Francs2000
 * If it is to be a pub and not a weekend, I would suggest any night but Friday would be quieter -- Solipsist 19:29, 1 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * Friday sounds good, i suggest cafe 1001 down brick lane, they serve alcohol, open till about midnight, and is candle light after dark. lotds of cosey sofas and normaly live music in the evening. Craptree 23:45, 3 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * Will be a bit loud and crowded, but... OK. James F. (talk) 16:34, 5 Feb 2005 (UTC)


 * Saturday 12 February, 3pm - Great Court Café of the British Museum (Galleries close at 17:30, but the Café is said to be open till 21:30 on a Saturday, so could be later - I'm not sure that they serve alcohol however).
 * Solipsist - (Actually I might prefer a pub, but this is a suggestion for the lighter Café culture folk)
 * Noisy | Talk 11:39, Feb 4, 2005 (UTC) I've never been there, but that sounds just right.
 * Weekends are better, surely? James F. (talk) 16:34, 5 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * Saturday has got to be better than Friday. I'm fine with the following Saturday too if it means more people will be able to attend. Theresa Knott (The snott rake) 19:50, 6 Feb 2005 (UTC)


 * Sunday 13 February, anytime after 5:30PM in Central London. Plenty of alcoholic places :-). JFW | T@lk  11:17, 4 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * I'm fine with this date too. Theresa Knott (The snott rake) 19:50, 6 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * Ditto. James F. (talk) 20:05, 6 Feb 2005 (UTC)


 * I would recommend sometime after Thursday the 17th... Nicholas 01:31, 18 Feb 2005 (UTC) (&larr; note date)

Decision
Can we now come to a decision about this, especially since people are looking at next Friday as a possibility?! (I unfortunately wouldn't be able to attend that day :- &#8211;&#8211; Constafrequent (talk page) 02:56, 3 Feb 2005 (UTC)


 * Both Friday & Saturday will not do for me :-( JFW | T@lk  11:17, 4 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Its fine for Londoners to have it so close... U in the big city only have to take a tube and your there.. For the rest of us time taken out and greater travel costs make it more difficult.. Can't we do it a week later? max rspct 17:43, 6 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * I definitely can't come from Manchester either way. I'll be too pre-occupied with work for the next couple months to have the time to travel. Although, if there was a meet in Manchester or nearby!! &#8211;&#8211; Constafrequent (talk page) 18:34, 6 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 * I might come to one to discuss the wikipedia face to face.WikiUser 20:35, 7 Feb 2005 (UTC)

I've removed my vote from the 11th. I'd be happier with 9, 16, 17, 18, 22 or 23 Feb, but might also be available on any other day before the 24th. Since that one didn't happen, I propose 29 March or 12 May. Angela. 22:25, Feb 7, 2005 (UTC)/16:49, Feb 23, 2005 (UTC)


 * Thursday Feb 17th would be gGRReeeaaT!! is it too late for other folk? Perhaps that thursday is better if some folk can't do fridays or weekends max rspct 00:08, 8 Feb 2005 (UTC)


 * Ok, have I missed this or what? :o) &mdash; OwenBlacker 21:54, Feb 21, 2005 (UTC)

26th March 2005 meetup
I'm a definite for this trip, but as I've not met any of you before how will I recognise you? Also, I'm not familiar with London, so is there multiple exits to Oxford Circus Tube Station - if so which one do I need? Where do I need to go to find the bar we're meeting in? Thryduulf 22:39, 17 Mar 2005 (UTC)


 * I'll probably be wearing a Wikimedia T-shirt if that helps; also, there are 'photos of us on the previous meetup's page, which might help.
 * There are, indeed, multiple exits from Oxford Circus tube station; you want to go North from Oxford Circus itself up Regent Street (towards Broadcasting House). Will look for some images to point you in the right direction.
 * James F. (talk) 19:16, 18 Mar 2005 (UTC)
 * Thanks for that. You can see a not too briliant photo of me (I'm more frequently the other side of the camera) at so you can look out for wandering up regent street looking rather lost! Thryduulf 22:38, 18 Mar 2005 (UTC)


 * This is an image of All Souls, Langham Place looking North-wards up Upper Regent Street from (a bit beyond) Oxford Street, approximately opposite where the All Bar One is; this is one from slightly nearer the Tube station, on the East side of URS, outside-ish AB1, at a guess.
 * James F. (talk) 01:35, 19 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Semi-related to the topic (and feel free to tell me this isn't the place for this if it isn't), but how much is a train ticket from Ipswich to London for this as I've seen several people comment on it? The one time I've been to that part of the world I drove from near Saffron Walden to Sutton Hoo, so I'm hardly familiar with the area. I booked my train ticket from Bristol to London Paddington a fortnight in advance and it cost me £23.75 with a railcard for a SuperSaver Return. Even adding on petrol to get from Cheddar to Bristol Temple Meads and parking at the latter (£8/24 hours last I knew), its still cheaper than I could drive it - is htis not the case on routes East of London? Thryduulf 00:20, 23 Mar 2005 (UTC)
 * A Super Advance Return from Ipswich to London is £16.00. It requires the traveller to use pre-booked trains and any variation costs £15.00. A Saver Return costs £26.50. This is for a journey approximately 2/3 of the distance from London to Bristol. It is significantly cheaper to drive down the A12 than it is to use the railway line that parallels it. Further discussion of this should probably be on User Talk pages. --Theo  (Talk) 00:51, 23 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Sucess
Thankyou to all who managed to make it for a great day. I took quite a number of photos, and will upload those suitable for family viewing and appear in focus when sober, probably tomorrow (Sunday). Should I put them at user:thryduulf/Wikimeets/London3 Meetup/London/3 Meetup/London/photos or elsewhere? Thryduulf 00:29, 27 Mar 2005 (UTC)


 * What, it happened? I thought someone was sending out an email when a date got picked! Arrgh. I've been waiting for this since January, and now I find out everyone went behind my back :-( Nicholas 19:20, 27 Apr 2005 (UTC)