631 replies to this topic

[MCS]

Having conducted a quick poll to agree on a suitable date, we have decided to meet again at Woburn on Thursday 2nd December.

Same place as before – details as follows;

The Inn at Woburn
19:30 onwards
Seats by the “fireplace”

Here’s a link to streetmap.co.uk…(navigate yourself from here)…

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=494965&y=233068&z=0&sv=MK17+9PX&st=2&pc=MK17+9PX&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

And here’s a link to some B&B if needs be…

http://www.stilwell.co.uk/show_town.asp?Q=bb%7CL4342057

Realise this is posted somewhat early, but people get busy this time of year.

Any questions, feel free to send me a PM.

Look forward to seeing everybody.

Mark

[condor]

Hi Mark

I shall be there really enjoyed the last meet-up - though I'm surprised the hotel agreed to let us reserve the fireplace again....it being the season for office Christmas meal outings.
Well done for managing it

[DN5]

Another do already.

Sounds good to me although I must check my calendar.

Geoff

[condor]

If there's so few takers perhaps we can shift the venue to Bedford .....I can have you 2 as guests at my club

[MCS]

Uh Oh!

I'm not going to be around on Thursday evening - away in Dublin.

I sincerely apologise.

Very obviously the get together can still go ahead - the places by the fireplace are reserved from 7-30 onwards...

Once again, please accept my apologies.

Mark

[condor]

Think its probably a better idea to postpone it till the New year....especially if you're not going to be there

Enjoy your time in Dublin

[RTH]

This week is not now looking good for me either, - so maybe a show of hands now for thursday or a date in the new year ?

[ian senior]

Yes, I was hoping to toddle along too, and it's looking a bit dodgy to be honest. Next year (seems a long way away!) might be better. But avoid January 12th (my birthday!).

[MCS]

Obviously I am in favour of a date in January...

Mark

[DN5]

OK so next year it is......

Geoff

[Richard Jenkins]

I can do Mid-Jan if it's a weekday as I'll be back in the UK by then....

[Richard Jenkins]

Any more thoughts on this now we're in the New Year?

[MCS]

Originally posted by Richie Jenkins
Any more thoughts on this now we're in the New Year?

Yes, as a matter of fact and only yesterday - I mentioned it to Twinny initially (does that count as name-dropping? )

I'll have a check around for some suitable dates. I'm not in the UK week commencing 17th January for that week.

Are you back now, Richie ?

Mark

[Richard Jenkins]

Yes, but unfortunately I have a funeral & it's arrangements to attend to first I will be able to make anything from the 16th-31st with luck.

[DN5]

I saw Condor in town today and remarked that it was about time we had another Woburn bash.

How about something to look forward to in January?!

Geoff

[MCS]

Yep, already been looking at suitable venues.

RTH, Ian Senior and I were planning to make a date suggestion for mid-Jan.

Look forward to seeing you then

[Richard Jenkins]

Does Ian still live in (near) Aylesbury and if so, would he mind giving me a lift? If yes to both, I'd be more inclined about coming again.

[MCS]

Originally posted by Richie Jenkins
Does Ian still live in (near) Aylesbury and if so, would he mind giving me a lift? If yes to both, I'd be more inclined about coming again.

Oooh, er. Don't mention the word Aylesbury to Ian, Richie.
(Something to do with the proliferation of Chavs...)

He's Milton Keynes way in any case.

Send me a pm and let me know where you're located - I take it you're back in the UK on a permanent basis now?

[condor]

Originally posted by DN5
I saw Condor in town today and remarked that it was about time we had another Woburn bash.

How about something to look forward to in January?!

Geoff

Since I'm redundant as of today due to Unwins insolvency - and not a hope of getting any back wages paid, let alone the 3 months notice period and redundancy. I'll only be able to attend if someone can give me a lift - or I drive and someone helps out with the petrol money.
On the plus side I'm sure most of you will be pleased to hear I gave up smoking over 2 months ago just as well....I certainly couldn't afford that habit now

[Richard Jenkins]

Originally posted by MCS


Oooh, er. Don't mention the word Aylesbury to Ian, Richie.
(Something to do with the proliferation of Chavs...)

He's Milton Keynes way in any case.

Send me a pm and let me know where you're located - I take it you're back in the UK on a permanent basis now?

Milton Keynes surely has more chavs than Aylesbury?? But I digress.....

Yes, I am back for good & i live in IS's Chav Capital of the World, Aylesbury Nearer the time, I'll let you know if it's on for me or not, rather than inconvience anyone in case I can't come.

[ian senior]

Originally posted by Richie Jenkins



Milton Keynes surely has more chavs than Aylesbury?? But I digress.....

Yes, I am back for good & i live in IS's Chav Capital of the World, Aylesbury Nearer the time, I'll let you know if it's on for me or not, rather than inconvience anyone in case I can't come.

Let's face it, chavs are everywhere these days, so it's probably unfair of me to finger Aylesbury in this respect. Lots of cars for sale at the side of the road though - I've seen some absolute heaps that really belong in a scrapyard (wonder if the matt beige Renault Espace is still on offer?).

Dramatic happenings chez Senior: I'm moving from MK to Beaconsfield in mid-Jan, so in all honesty it's not a good time for me to meet about that date. I'm not going to rule it out though, so if it is possible I'm more than happy to give Richie a lift (tis but a small diversion to Aylesbury) unless he has taken the plunge and bought the Espace....actually my own heap is in its death throes, so I might be tempted myself.

Sorry to hear about your job, Condor. What a lousy time of year for that to happen (but is it ever a good time?). Hope you liberated some of the stock for personal use before you were thrown out.

[condor]

Originally posted by ian senior



Sorry to hear about your job, Condor. What a lousy time of year for that to happen (but is it ever a good time?). Hope you liberated some of the stock for personal use before you were thrown out.

I didn't liberate any of the stock - perhaps you're not aware of what happenned.
posted this link in the paddock earlier
http://news.independ...ticle334488.ece

I'm hoping someone will take me up on the offer of a lift

[RTH]

Radio news this morning Threshers have bought 200 of Unwins shops and will reopen in the new year as "Threshers " - so maybe some good news after all ?

[MCS]

Yes, I heard the Threshers story too - good luck Condor, hope things work out for you.

If it's any consolation, I lost my job on Wednesday, along with a number of other unsuspecting colleagues as part of a "global cost-cutting exercise" (whatever that really is).

The North Americans took the hit yesterday.

It's not just the total shock, but the timing and the manner in which it's been done that has been most upsetting.

Still, life goes on...(and there's always TNF )

[RTH]

Oh dear, I'm really sorry to hear that Mark, hope you can get fixed up again soon (both of you )

There does suddenly seem to be a wave of company failures and big sudden job cuts.

I cannot but think of the 400,000 workers for GM plus the millions of others US and worldwide dependant upon this company which evidently has debts and other liabilities which I cannot imagine can be surmounted in the present set up.

Sadly there may be some extremely bad news on the business and employment front in US UK and continental Europe in 2006 to the benefit of the far east.

Personally I have thought for a long time this protracted boom period built on borrowed money by the state, business and consumers will come to an abrupt end and the pain goes to people who are in no way at all to blame.

I wish you both well.

[MCS]

Originally posted by RTH
...and the pain goes to people who are in no way at all to blame...

Thanks Richard. The fact that I have the best opportunity pipeline in Northern Europe for 2006 is an irrelevance, because I'm the newest member of the team and, fatally, have been with the company for less than 12 months...

Anyway, let's be positive. Good always comes out of bad (well, I believe that anyway!), so how about a date towards the end of January for the Get Together ???

[RTH]

Yes, excellent suits me !

[condor]

Sorry to hear your news Mark - it is such a shock when it happens.

Threshers have bought my shop - so here's hoping they want to re-employ me

[Twin Window]

Originally posted by condor

Since I'm redundant as of today...

Originally posted by MCS

I lost my job on Wednesday...

Blimey, I'm really sorry to hear that from you chaps; and at this time of year too... Ok, there's never really a *good* time for that kind of news, but hey...

Here's hoping you both bounce back - with a vengeance!

[Ruairidh]

Originally posted by Twin Window


Here's hoping you both bounce back - with a vengeance!

I'll second that.

[Barry Boor]

Congrats on the smoking thing, Condor!

Bloody well done!

[RTH]

Report in this mornings 'Times ' Threshers have paid less than £5M for 200 shops ( The price of one nice big house with a bit of ground in south-east England ! ) The other 150 are still up for sale.
Threshers MD says 1200 of the 1800 will be offered new jobs shops to be branded 'Threshers' 'The Local' and 'Wine Rack '.........doubtless the creditors will lose everything as per usual !
Anyway unusually looks as if most of the staff will be asked back after Christmas.....so looks good Condor ?

[condor]

Indeed it does Richard
I got a letter from Threshers today saying they want to keep all the Unwins staff for the shops they bought ( guess that was part of the agreement as Unwins staff are creditors too)
Phone call also today to make sure I wanted to be re-employed - YES
and I sign a new contract of employment with Threshers ( as long as they like me) Friday Dec 30 - and my shop should re-open first Wednesday in January
100 ex-Unwins shops are opening this Wednesday - but obviously they can't open us all at the same time - I'm in the second phase

I lost a month's pay - but should get part of that back along with the government redundancy payment - and a proportion of the holiday pay etc. that I'm owed. Just will take a bit of time.

Still I'm very happy

[Barry Boor]

Great news!

I'm sure everyone is delighted for you.

[RTH]

What is really amazing here is just how quickly KPMG and Threshers have acted , these thinks usually take months !

[MCS]

Great news, Condor. Very, very pleased for you.

[condor]

Thanks for your good wishes signing of the new contract has been postponed till Monday - but is a done deal.
Hope you find employment just as quickly as I did Mark.
Happy New Year to all - and see you at the meet

[condor]

seems the 'meet' date passed us all by - there's still February....and March though

[RTH]

Any joy on the job front yet Mark ?

[MCS]

Originally posted by RTH
Any joy on the job front yet Mark ?

Almost there now, Richard. (Trying to make sure I pick a good one this time!)

Once I've settled again, more than happy to meet up.

In any event, planning to get along to Stoneleigh this Friday.

[DN5]

Hi everyone

Just met Condor (at Silverstone this time) and we again wondered if there is any sign of another get together.

Geoff

[MCS]

I'd be absolutely delighted to, Geoff.

I've had a somewhat "challenging" (to use the current vernacular) time of late, so a get together would be marvellous!

I had been looking at more easterly venues than Woburn (around the A1 and beyond), but I'm more than happy to be led by everybody else.

Let's sort something out - could we say mid-May?

Mark

[condor]

Originally posted by DN5
Hi everyone

Just met Condor (at Silverstone this time) and we again wondered if there is any sign of another get together.

Geoff

You got back earlier than I did ....

I'm happy with a Mid-May meet....though we're now in the Summer season so there's things happening every weekend and most nights.
Since Mark is still having a challenging time - perhaps there is a nice pub in Silsoe we can meet up at ...alternatively if one on the A1 needs a recommendation - I'd suggest 'the bridge' inn or pub at St. Neots. It's just a short detour of it

[MCS]

Originally posted by condor


You got back earlier than I did ....

I'm happy with a Mid-May meet....though we're now in the Summer season so there's things happening every weekend and most nights.
Since Mark is still having a challenging time - perhaps there is a nice pub in Silsoe we can meet up at ...alternatively if one on the A1 needs a recommendation - I'd suggest 'the bridge' inn or pub at St. Neots. It's just a short detour of it

Funnily enough, I looked at St Neots - in which case Mr. Kitson may be able to join us?

Shall we suggest some dates?

Maybe one night during the week commencing the 15th..?

[DN5]

Sounds good.

A quick look at my calender says I can't do the 16 or the 17 though ...

How about the 18th?

Geoff

[condor]

Thurs 18th is fine for me

[RTH]

Somewhere on or close to the A1 would be good the location of the venue is then well known to everyone if you an say "its 35 miles north of the centre of London on the A1 " for instance , might persuade a few more people to travel if its got good quick simple communications links north/south

A1 Herts or Beds, easy to find access both sides of the dual carrigeway, good parking, nice friendly place , the older the better........any ideas anyone ?

Anyone care to have a trawl through this to find something promising ?

www.pubsgalore.co.uk

Baldock...........this might be quite good as 5 major roads meet including the A1, in all directions

Goldcrest Inn (High Street)
The Boot (73 High Street)
The Cock (43 High Street)
The Engine (3 Station Road)
The George Iv (London Road)
The Hen & Chickens Public House (51 South Road)
The Jester Hotel (116 Station Road)
The Old White Horse (1 Station Road)
The Orange Tree (Norton Road)
The Rose & Crown (69 High Street)
The Rose & Crown Hotel (8 Whitehorse Street)
The Three Tuns Hotel (6 High Street)
The Victoria (Sun Street)
The White Hart (21 Hitchin Street)
The White Lion (46 High Street)

Have a look at this ............http://maps.google.c...?q=SG76BQ&hl=en then reduce the map down by clicking the minus sign 6 times to get a small scale view of the location and intersection of roads
There is even a mainline railway station there on the London to Royston line




Letchworth

Ambassador Hotel (Sollershott East)
Broadway Toby Hotel (The Broadway Hotel Broadway)
Letchworth Hall Hotel (Letchworth Lane)
The Arena Tavern (3 Arena Parade)
The Litten Tree (Station Road)
The Two Chimneys (Stotfold Road)
Three Horseshoes Inn (102 Norton Road)
Three Magnets (20 Leys Avenue)

Welwyn

Rose & Crown (14 Church Street)
The Baron (11 Mill Lane)
The Cowper Arms (31 Station Road)
The Duck (108 Burnham Green Road)
The North Star (82 Great North Road)
The Rose & Crown (Upper Green Road)
The Tavern (8 High Street)
The Waggoners (Brickwall Close)
The Wellington Public House (1 High Street)
The White Horse (30 Mill Lane)
White Horse (1 Whitehorse Lane)

Stevenage

Stevenage Moat House (High Street)
The Almond Tree (Lonsdale Road)
The Bar (Middle Row)
The Bell (4 Town Lane)
The Chequers (Bragbury End)
The Chequers (164 High Street)
The Coach & Horses (133 High Street)
The Crooked Billet (Symonds Green)
The Crown Restaurant & Bar (56 Long Lane)
The Dun Cow (Letchmore Road)
The Fisherman (Fishers Green)
The Fold (16 The Hyde Shephall Way)
The Gate Hotel (1 Ditchmore Lane)
The Goat Inn (27 High Street)
The Granby (North Road)
The Greenkeeper (Aston Lane)
The King Pin (Archer Road)
The Lordship Arms (42 Whempstead Road)
The Mallard (37 Julians Road)
The Man In The Moon (Broadwater Crescent)
The March Hare (10 Burwell Road)
The Marquis Of Lorne (132 High Street)
The Old Red Lion (14 Shephall Green)
The Our Mutual Friend (Broadwater Crescent)
The Peartree (The Peartree Valley Way)
The Pied Piper (Oaks Cross)
The Pig & Whistle (26 Benington Road)
The Red Lion (80 High Street)
The Rising Sun (35 Julians Road)
The Robin Hood (63 High Street)
The Rose & Crown (10 Benington Road)
The Royal Oak (24 Walkern Road)
The Squirrel (Chells Way)
The St Nicholas (Canterbury Way)
The Twin Foxes (54 Rockingham Way)
The Two Diamonds (19 High Street)
The White Hart (99 High Street)
The White Horse (79 Albert Street)
The White Lion (31 High Street)
The White Lion (60 High Street)
The Woodmans Arms (Chadwell Road)
The Yew Tree (57 High Street)
The Yorkshire Grey (15 High Street)

Biggleswade

Stratton House Hotel (London Road)
The Boot (110 High Street)
The Brown Bear (29 Hitchin Street)
The Cock Inn (23 High Street)
The Crown Hotel (23 High Street)
The Crown Northill (2 Ickwell Road)
The Fox (79 Hitchin Street)
The Gardeners Arms (37 Potton Road)
The Golden Pheasant (71 High Street)
The Hare & Hounds (The Village)
The Hopbine (21 Drove Road)
The March Hare (34 High Street)
The New Inn (Market Square)
The Plough (Church Street)
The Red Cow (High Street)
The Red Lion (1 London Road)
The Rising Sun (38 Sun Street)
The Rose (High Street)
The Rose & Crown (52 Hitchin Road)
The Wheatsheaf (5 Lawrence Road)
The White Hart (24 Market Square)
The White Horse (1 High Street)
The Wrestlers (126 Church Street)
The Yorkshire Grey (London Road)
Whistle & Flute (Mill Lane)

Anyone know anything about any of these for instance..........or care to go on a scouting pub crawl !!! ?

"The Engine" at Baldock sounds appropriate (I know nothing what ever about it) but if you go to www.pubsgalore.co.uk click on England then Hertfordshire then Baldock then The Engine then map you can see where it is located
http://maps.google.c...?q=SG75BS&hl=en

[MCS]

Blimey Richard! Spoilt for choice!!

(I'll have a proper look later).

[condor]

You didn't like my suggestion Richard? I recommended it because I used to go there for lunch a couple of days a week for about a year approx 10 years ago. Its right next to the bridge spanning the river and has a large balcony area ( similar to a pub garden size area) - think it also had a few comfortable lounge type bars as well. Understand it's now a Beefeater restaurant as well as a pub - so relatively cheap dining which might encourage others to go for a meal as well

Whereabouts do you live? Perhaps we can pick a more central point for all of us - but I'd have to say Welwyn and Stevenage are too awful for me to bother with. I'm in Welwyn all day tues 9th and as soon as I can leave there I'm off like a shot !!
I'm sure I mentioned it ages ago that we could always alternate venues so that everyone gets a chance at a shortish drive

[RTH]

Originally posted by condor
You didn't like my suggestion Richard? I recommended it because I used to go there for lunch a couple of days a week for about a year approx 10 years ago. Its right next to the bridge spanning the river and has a large balcony area ( similar to a pub garden size area) - think it also had a few comfortable lounge type bars as well. Understand it's now a Beefeater restaurant as well as a pub - so relatively cheap dining which might encourage others to go for a meal as well

Whereabouts do you live? Perhaps we can pick a more central point for all of us - but I'd have to say Welwyn and Stevenage are too awful for me to bother with. I'm in Welwyn all day tues 9th and as soon as I can leave there I'm off like a shot !!
I'm sure I mentioned it ages ago that we could always alternate venues so that everyone gets a chance at a shortish drive

Certainly, sounds the sort of place. I'm about 25 miles east of Baldock, Woburn was best part of 100 mile round trip. Welwyn & Stevenage are probably just a bit too south. We need to know the centre point of the regions membership. I still think the A1 would be a good focal point well known and understood by everyone with good easy fast communications , especially if we pick a point where east -west roads intersect it as well