Foundation Stage Forum Conference

[Helen]

Pimms- yes, that was why I chose them, but if people think they'd rather come during term-time, I'm happy to select a few other dates. What do you all think?

I quite liked the idea of May 4th because we can all recover on the Bank Holiday Monday! Travelling home might be a nightmare on the Sunday though....

[Guest]

Personally Brighton is far too far for me. Too pricey for petrol or trains plus the cost of the whole thing and hotel. Nice idea. Maybe if it works down south this time then think about a nothern one at another time

[SueJ]

Love this idea - Brighton is good for me and even though I am in the south the drive to Brighton is rubbish A27 is a hopeless road (having done this many times for visits to relatives and when son was as uni).

 

Also being a southern softie definately no camping or caravans (sound too much like CFS's for my liking) - I'm with the soft fluffy duvet brigade and a large alcoholic beverage :lol:

[JacquieL]

Don't worry the camping idea was very tongue in cheek. Us oldies need our warm beds, hot showers, good wine and company (which is of course a given) and I for one can't wait to meet lots of people's from here.

[Helen]

Ah Jacquie, that's a shame. I was hoping to borrow a friend's field and set up the camp site there!!

OK, here's where I am at the moment:

1) It might be better to choose a Saturday in term-time, so maybe we should look at the Saturdays in March, as that's near to the actually anniversary

2) It looks likely it will be in Brighton- I feel more confident organising this on my home turf, at least for the first time.

3) There is likely to be a conference -feel/speakers during the day, with possible workshops and lots of time for socialising, and then a separate evening do, like a wedding reception, either in the same place or a different one.

4) The hotels I'm looking at in Brighton for the event(s) are expensive to stay in (£100-250 per night) so I need to start collecting a list of nearby hotels and B&Bs for those of you looking to stay the night.

 

So.....that's where I am at the moment.....

[Helenee]

Mentioned it to my deputy today and she got very exciting and Brighton is perfect for us. X

[Gezabel]

I lOVE the idea and count me in. It's 138 miles from home to Brighton but that's OK. I have been once for an inbetween Christmas and New Year Break and loved it .I would not recommend staying at the Royal Albion right near the pier though!!!! I don't envy the huge organisation of such an event. I think you are 'catering' for a broad range; full and part time workers, those with young children and those of us 'older' ones whose little darlings have flown the nest. Accommodation wise I think prices might be higher on the dates suggested due to it being school holiday (near /end of)

 

Good luck with the organising and ohhh is there a dress code ::1a

I would like it all: speaker (ABC preferably!!) PLENTY of time to socialise and then later dinner/band and chance for a posh frock but guess I am in the minority!

Cost of course is another issue but maybe it could be split according to what ends up being offered and people being able to choose to come to all or part???

[hali]

oww this is very exciting ....... ::1a ::1a ::1a ::1a ::1a

[Inge]

I know you will have thought of all this but..

 

anyone with a distance to travel will find it hard to manage with one overnight stay. they would need 2, and need to think about them travelling ..

 

as an example.. I live about 5 hours drive away (done the journey many times in the past, it is not a pleasant drive) .. train takes me 5 plus with 3 changes... no possible way could it be done on the same day as a conference...

 

would be the same for many here I would suspect... which would entail a days travel before and after. once of the reasons many will not even consider attending..and enthusiasm may change for some once this realisation kicks in..

 

but I do wish you well and hope it happens for those who are able to attend

[Guest]

Hi Helen

 

What a fab idea. A conference at last.

 

I have heard mixed things from a variety of sources about the Ammex stadium; from Ro (school prom. Not good), A Brighton SENCo conference was held there an ddid not receove good reviews, but then another conference thought it was fab.

 

Would the University be bale to host as they have a big hall.

 

Would prefer it without music, but one could always use signing.

 

But how great to put names to avatars after 10 years.

[Upsy Daisy]

I've attended conferences in university halls in the holidays, using the student accommodation.

 

It might be worth looking into it if it would help keep the costs down. I don't think we need luxurious accommodation, just clean and comfortable.

[Helen]

Thanks again for all your replies :1b

I do appreciate the distance involved and we have thought about starting the day at around 11am. That still means, Inge, that you'd need to leave at 6-ish which is still a tall order

Given that this is supposed to be more of a celebration/social event, I don't think we need to pack the day with lecture after lecture, and numerous workshops to rush to. We're aiming for a balance, hopefully. Hence the decision to have a late start so that people will be able to enjoy the evening without dropping off to sleep in the corner.

I have investigated the University of Sussex, but we can only have their rooms during the summer holidays, and I don't think we'll be having this event then. I have yet to try Brighton Uni- but we're back to thinking holiday time rather than term-time and I think I'm going off that idea!

 

Thanks again for your suggestions :1b

[Guest]

don't know the area but are there any holiday parks which could offer conference facilities and accomodation for a reasonable price as March will be out of the holiday season. I'm going to a zumba conference near Blackpool in april being held at such a park

[hali]

Helen i totally understand why you want to try and organise the 1st event close to home so that it all runs smoothly and Brighton is only 2 hours from me - but for all those up North that would love to attend would it not be fairer to arrange something in the middle of the counrty - we would all understand that if it didnt turn out quite right it wouldnt be your fault - but would be lovely if everyone had a fair advantage of attending - just a thought

[Rea]

I stayed at a travel lodge in Newhaven many years ago, the bus went directly to Brighton, They're usually pretty well priced and do group bookings too.

[Froglet]

I think it's a lovely idea and had got as far thinking I'd probably need 2 nights away. With that in mind holiday time would be better for me - a whole weekend away in term time with usual school work too is tiring! 2 nights would obviously have a cost Implication too. I think I'll just have to say - will come if I possibly can but can't make any promises.

[louby loo]

I'm around two hours away, and would happily take some that drives 'downwards' towards me- so they can rest/snooze for a couple of hours.

I'm near major roadways.

[Froglet]

That's a really kind thought.

[hali]

am sure all of us north and south could pick people up on the way to meet in the middle (sounds simple :blink: )

[Steve]

am sure all of us north and south could pick people up on the way to meet in the middle (sounds simple :blink: )

 

I'm a bit worried that would cause sudden huge gridlock in Milton Keynes...

[Helen]

don't know the area but are there any holiday parks which could offer conference facilities and accomodation for a reasonable price as March will be out of the holiday season. I'm going to a zumba conference near Blackpool in april being held at such a park

 

This is an interesting idea. I've had a quick look in East Sussex, and you can get bungalows that sleep 6 for £288 for three nights across a weekend in March, which seems very reasonable. The downside is that they are further away for most people and more difficult to access via public transport. I'll keep looking though, and thanks for the suggestion :1b

[Guest]

Sounds a reasonable price split between 6, thats what we do for the zumba conference, sharing accomodation is a great way to meet new people with a common interest

[Sue R]

Minehead Butlins do that sort of thing - don't they Narnia?

 

So maybe others do as well?

[hali]

I'm a bit worried that would cause sudden huge gridlock in Milton Keynes...

 

Hee Hee 1st party there then B)

[suebear]

A Northern one the following year would be nice, or central. I'm not a keen driver and would be coming on train from Yorkshire, afraid it's all sounding very expensive... but sounds fantastic and wishing you a very happy get together x

Also I'd back up the ABC suggestions for the future

[sarahhadley11]

sounds like a great idea :1b

[Steve]

Hi Sarah -

This topic has been superceded by this conversation now, with dates and venue being proposed! :1b