FORUM GATHERING

[Ian Y]

It has often been mentioned how nice it would be if all the forumists could meet up.

So I will start the ball rolling by asking just how many of you would seriously consider coming to Scotland to have a weekend gathering.

The format that I imagine is that we would all stay in a hotel and have a series of talks, by forumists, discussions, swapping of plants, etc, and generally have a good time.

If enough people are interested I will proceed to look into costs for the hotels.

Please let me know if you are interested - there is no commitment at this stage - by email or through this post.
Also make any suggestions or comments - for instance would it be better arranged in central Scotland for ease of transport - what time of year would be best, etc.
Also what year - it may be too late for this year unless it was later in the year, so I am looking at 2009.

If there is sufficient interest then the next stage will be to make a firm fully costed proposal with dates and locations. It is at that stage that we will invite bookings.

[Anthony Darby]

I'm for it in theory, but then I've never actually made to one of the discussion weekends yet.

[annew]

Me too.

[Carlo]

Count me interested from across the pond...

[mark smyth]

me also but I feel it should be in southern England and close to an Easyjet airport. Think of those who will travel from Europe. And please no discussion weekend prices

[Carlo]

With all due respect to Mark KEEP IT IN SCOTLAND!

[Martin Baxendale]

While I can see Mark's point, I have to say (before Maggi bursts a blood vessel) that as a gathering of the Scottish Rock Garden Club forum members, it obviously has to actually be in Scotland.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great idea Ian - you can count me in from across the other (somewhat more modest) pond  
2009 also seems a better year to aim at.
As to timing ? Surely that will be the difficult part, but I would try to fit it in somehow...
Obviously, Belgium would not be a very suitable location so I'd settle for Scotland 
  

[Maggi Young]

I would just to point out that Easyjet, and other lower cost airlines,  DO FLY TO SCOTLAND 
As to "Discussion Weekend Prices" the plain fact is that to get a venue of suitable size for a Discussion Weekend, the choices are limited and with the tourist industry being as it is , then  hotel prices are not cheap. HUGE efforts are put in by all Discussion Weekend organisers to provide fab weekends at as low a cost as possible.... AND, for those who say University accomodation/facilities are cheaper, I can assure you that in Aberdeen we found that the University prices were WAY above those of the hotels. 

[Peter Korn, Sweden]

I will come, it´s always nice to go to Scotland.

[Anthony Darby]

The Management Centre at Stirling University is good, and has an excellent restaurant which is being refurbished. They cater for business and weddings and has conference facilities.

[shelagh]

Great idea, keep me posted.

[David Nicholson]

We are possibles.

[Michael J Campbell]

Count me in.

[tonyg]

If I can get time off for good behaviour at this end, I'll be there!