Just a small plea!

Please can we have a get together that isn't the last weekend in April?

I really enjoyed the one I went 2 years ago but it will always be the weekend closest to Charlotte's Birhtday and impossible for me to attend.

She is at university doing Paramedic Science so shift work makes it difficult to plan, and of course, she will always be doing shift work whe she qualifies.

I do hope everyone had a good time this year.

Christine xx

Don't forget Yorkshire!

Please can we have one somewhere in the Midlands?

I've had an idea...........it might be a bit ambitious, but I'll run it past you all. (I have spoken to a member on here, yestesterday evening and she thinks its a good idea).

Some people, including me don't relish having to drive long distances, not knowing where they are going etc. So....................how about planning a long weekend away, say Friday to Monday and having pick up points on the M1 at service stations. This way say people living by themselves with mobility problems can get some sort of break and meet up with others on the forum, that obviously if they can arrange for someone to take them to pick up points. There would be plenty of us fortunate in having the disease underconrol to give help if needed.

We could, if we agreed arrange vists to various places of interest while we are there. There is loads of places we could go to. The sky's the limit (we'll not the sky it's too expensive to charter a plane). We could organise a meet up when the NRAS have there annual meeting.

I realise that we need a coach that is adapted to all of our needs for getting on and off it.

Well, there it is, I know it would need alot of organising and it would be alot for someone to take on by themselves, but what do you all think?



Paula

Hmm ... sounds good but perhaps not practical! The M1 corridor runs up the eastern side of the country and whilst we in the North West are well served by excellent motorway links it would take two hours, cross country from the Fylde Coast, to reach the M1 in Leeds, the nearest point. Similarly anyone travelling from Wales, West Lancashire and Cumbria, and all counties west of the M6 would have a huge journey!

We (school) have just booked a coach to travel from Heathrow to the Fylde, one way, for 40 students and staff. Cost £700, with no drop - offs en route!! And that's a standard coach, no frills, no extra pick ups or special accessibility; they don't come cheap!

Lots of us seem to be considering these 'meet ups' which are an excellent idea but I think a bit of co-ordination is needed to ensure we get a good UK wide coverage. All meetings open to all but aimed to give everyone an opportunity to reach at least one! My thoughts would be something like, and this is only an example so please don't jump on me because I've missed somewhere, these are just general key locations as starting points!!:

February - North East/Scotland - possibly York, Durham, Carlisle, Glasgow, Edinburgh
April - South West - possibly Cheltenham, Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Oxford
June - A National meet in the Midlands - Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham, Stratford, Lincoln
September - North West/ Wales - possibly Chester, Buxton, Llandudno, Windermere, Liverpool
November - South East - London and environs, Cambridge, Maidstone

I have missed out July and August because of the school holiday season and Christmas time for obvious reasons. We also need to avoid bank holiday weekends and school holidays. We need hotels large enough to be able to provide us with a room to meet up and have a lunch and for anyone who would like to come for the day only, facilities within the hotel such as a pool for anyone who doesn't want to leave the hotel. Location important for accessibility.

My preferred method of travel is rail; able to get up and move about and no hassle on the roads! It would perhaps suit others who are similarly minded. I have a Disabled Railcard (£18 - 1 year, £48 - 3 years). Leicester cost me £17.50 each way, a 3 hour journey. Good value I feel. I'll go anywhere ... by train!

I know Helly and Liz are onto it and getting info together and I'm happy to help with organisation etc., if needed. But, what do others think? Would be useful to know what sort of numbers might be involved and which areas people would consider travelling to. Some areas may be impractical to use due to limited numbers/accessibility.

Let's have some thoughts please!

Lyn x

I'd be more than happy to organise a September meet up in the North West - Buxton, Llandudno, Chester etc.

Buxton is beautiful!
Paula ,let us know if you are going to be in the Peak district this summer.
Jean and I (plus Steve and Ian) meet up fairly frequently at a lovely pub in Glossop and we may be able to arrange to meet you there.
What do you think Jean, would they let her in our "local"?

Doreen xx

We have a friend whose daughter and family live in Glossop - should I be warning them????????????


Kathleen x

I have been looking into a hotel in Chester, called The Mill Hotel and Spa if you want to google it. Chester has so much to offer and is also a fab shopping venue. The hotel is built on either side of the canal and has a glass bridge conecting the two halves. It's very disabled friendly, there is a lovely pool and spa and it's about the same price as the Hilton Leicester. We've been lots for drinks etc and have always found it a very relaxing a pleasant place to be. Plus, it's very near the centre of Chester and within easy reach of the Zoo and all the attractions. What do you think?

Paula, it's no good coming if you are promising not to dance on the tables.
In fact, you and Lyn will have to have a crash course in poledancing before you can visit "the Grouse".

As for getting drunk, well ,I have to put up with Jean's drunkenness so I think I could cope with you two.
I don't know why the landlord always ducks behind the bar whenever Jean enters the premises.