HubCamp London Changes

1. 89

   Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

   
   
   UPDATE: HubCamp London will be held at 3:00pm in London
   Go here to RSVP and share any final venue recommendations / see where we've decided to finally meet! I'm looking forward to meeting some of y'all in person
   
   Based on the feedback we've been getting on both HubCamps and HubMeets, we're making some changes to HubCamp London:
   
   1. We're changing the date- moving it from June to May
   
   2. We're changing the format - from a strict HubCamp style to a hybrid of HubCamps and HubMeets so that everyone's free to discuss only what they want to discuss
   
   3. We're opening up the location decision to YOU - instead of hosting it in a hotel meeting space, we're thinking of doing it at a cafe, garden, restaurant... or wherever you please!
   
   One final change is that, because of changes in travel plans, Paul and Robin can't make it, so I'm going instead. 
   
   Now here's where I open up the discussion-
   1. We can host this HubCamp on any day or time between Wednesday, May 25th and Sunday, May 29th.  On which day do you want it to be?
   2. Where would you like us to get together?
   
   
   Let me know what you want - and also, if you haven't already, RSVP for the event here: http://www.meetup.com/HubCamp/London-GB/32248/

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2. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

   Were you the one that tripped over the cable yesterday?

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      paradigmsearchposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Checking back.

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      1. 89

         Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Well, it was just SITTING OUT THERE and I wasn't looking...

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3. 75

   WriteAngledposted 12 years ago

   London is too expensive to get to and stay in, so I have no comments since I will not be attending.

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4. 83

   CMHypnoposted 12 years ago

   Friday 27th or Sunday 29th would be good for me.

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5. 94

   Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years ago

   Was hoping to make it if this is to be the only UK venue, for the later date. May still be able to make it to London at this time but unfortunately won't know until the first week in May. Will RSVP as soon as I can.
   
   Would love to be there and will keep my fingers crossed that I can arrange it.

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6. 64

   CASE1WORKERposted 12 years ago

   it is the bank holiday weekend. London will be manic- not a good choice- not sure if i can make it- had scheduled holidays around previous date

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   1. 89

      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, drat!  Sorry for the change T____T

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7. 0

   EmpressFelicityposted 12 years ago

   Apologies if this is already mentioned somewhere else but what time in the evening do you anticipate finishing given the 3.00 pm start time?

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   1. 89

      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      We're flexible on the timing now- both start and finish, so any recommendations are appreciated!

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8. 95

   Amanda Severnposted 12 years ago

   London will be mad on a Bank Holiday weekend. How about somewhere quieter with good train connections? Say Lewes, Crawley, or Tunbridge Wells. I probably couldn't make London, but somewhere a little closer to Brighton would be great.

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   1. 64

      CASE1WORKERposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      i would go to brighton or lewes- mum lives in seaford!

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9. 59

   jobizmiposted 12 years ago

   These are great news. Is this event still active or?

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10. 69

    waynetposted 12 years ago

    Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! bank Holidays = busy London and plus it chimes with my Mums Birthday too....
    
    See what I can do, but had pencilled it in at the original date, so chances are won't be able to attend!

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11. 78

    barryrutherfordposted 12 years ago

    You could change it to Australia

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12. 90

    Marie McKeownposted 12 years ago

    Any chance you are organising an Ireland hubcamp around the same time?

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    1. 89

       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       We'd love to, but it looks like it'll just be London this time around ^_^

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13. 75

    WriteAngledposted 12 years ago

    Even further SE means an even longer journey from Wales. If I am going to spend so much on a journey and hotel, I'd prefer to go to Ireland and make a mini holiday of it!!!
    
    Why not be really daring and hold the meeting somewhere NOT in the South-East?

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14. 95

    Amanda Severnposted 12 years ago

    Personally I'd love to have a night in Wales cutting the mustard with other hubbers, but I suspect they'll probably choose the area with the greatest concentration of active hubbers and the best transport links. Saturday mornings are mostly a problem for me, so a 3pm start in Crawley (the nearest town to Gatwick, and only a little way off the M25 London ring road) would be great. But that's just me of course!!!

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15. 75

    Leptirelaposted 12 years ago

    Open to everyone? !

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    1. 89

       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       But of course!

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16. 95

    Amanda Severnposted 12 years ago

    I'm assuming so.

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17. 75

    Leptirelaposted 12 years ago

    If so I am in London sometime in May and perhaps I can make it.

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18. 73

    thisisoliposted 12 years ago

    If you are willing to slum it, there is a decently priced hostel right in the center of London. Also don't forget couch surfing and air bnb.

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19. 86

    Azure11posted 12 years ago

    Might be able to make Crawley or London that week just depends on what day it is.

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20. 83

    Princessaposted 12 years ago

    London sounds great, I am always looking for an excuse to go there (especially during the sales)
    
    I'll try to make it regardless of the date but the end of May is great for me.

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21. 66

    Richieb799posted 12 years ago

    should of made it April, Ive been in London for a week and a half but I am going to Derby in a days time...I may come back to London in May though..I don't want to leave because I met a cute girl who does SEO!

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22. 89

    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Alright- so let's start with the basics then, since there appear to be a lot of different votes and I want to make sure we make it as convenient as possible for everyone :
    
    Weeknight/day?  Or bank holiday weekend?
    
    London proper?  Or somewhere outside London?

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    1. 94

       Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Not sure I should be answering this as I unfortunately won't know for a couple of weeks yet whether I can attend (it is that whole week that is a potential problem for me and not any particular day.)
       
       If I can attend, the day makes no difference as it will mean I have been able to free the week up from another commitment.
       
       As I will need to fly to either London Heathrow or London Gatwick, only London itself is really feasible for me (unless Glasgow counts as an option for being outside London... )
       
       Hope something can be mutually agreed, whether I can attend or not.

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    2. 83

       CMHypnoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Travelling in London on Bank Holiday weekends can be a nightmare as they tend to shut down a lot of the tube lines and rail services, so maybe a weekday would be better?

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    3. 64

       CASE1WORKERposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       ok, weekday preferably-
       outside London,  have you considered that  birmigham is actually the centre of the country? There are good rail and road links and accommodation is cheaper if people wish to stay overnight-

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23. 83

    Princessaposted 12 years ago

    Central London would be great for easy transport.

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24. 61

    Merlin Fraserposted 12 years ago

    Why London ?
    
      It's not as though it's actually central to anything or for that matter anybody. 
    
      Just for the record do we have any idea of just how many UK Hubbers there are and where they are located ?
    
      It seems logical to me that we may need to organise more than one meeting and in more than one location so that everybody has a chance to meet up and join in.
    
      However if it has to be London you can count me out, it's too far away, too big, too many people, way too expensive and one of the places not on my Bucket List....!

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    1. 75

       WriteAngledposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I am in South Wales and it takes me a minimum of 3.5 hours to get to London by train. Then there is also the unpleasant experience of travelling on the Tube to get to wherever in London I need to be!
       
       Going by car takes as long as the train, and parking in London costs more than most people can afford.

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       1. 61

          Merlin Fraserposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Possible tip for you or anybody who has to drive to London for the day from the West like you and I.
          
          Don't drive into the centre hoping to find a place to park, even if you find it I doubt you will be able to afford it !
          
          Drive up the M4 to the Heathrow/Uxbridge junction and head to Uxbridge.  There is a Multi storey car park there much cheaper.
          
          Uxbridge is the end of the line for London Underground and you can get all over the city from there.
          
          Still not going to Hubcamp if it's in London Though....!

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          1. 95

             Amanda Severnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             
             
             Me neither, Merlin. London is expensive and crowded. Not fun on a bank holiday weekend. If the idea is possibly to meet up in an open space, you'd never guarantee the weather, and the moment there's a shower everyone will pile into the nearest cafe or restaurant. That's never going to be easy in central London.

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          2. 94

             Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Yes. Used to live in Uxbridge and there are plenty of parking options. Metropolitan line takes on average around 45 minutes to get to Central London and Piccadilly line about an hour. Maybe I could get accommodation with one of my old friends in the area, as it's only fifteen minutes on the bus from Heathrow...?

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             1. 70

                Charles Jamesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                From the North I usually park near Watford British Rail station and do the rest by train.

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25. 95

    Amanda Severnposted 12 years ago

    Presumably Simone will fly into either Gatwick or Heathrow? I'm willing to travel if HubCamp falls mid-week, but Friday and Saturday morning  are totally out for me that week. From a purely selfish point of view I'm happiest if it stays in the South-East, but obviously Write Angled and Merlin are further West. From that point of view, maybe we should consider places West of London on train routes?

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    1. 95

       Amanda Severnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Just had a look at the train route map. Guildford, Reading or Oxford all have good links and would be easy for someone flying in to either Gatwick or Heathrow.

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26. 59

    mcdevicesposted 12 years ago

    have a look and found that it is useful

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27. 89

    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Alrighty
    
    Sounds like everyone prefers a weekday, so let's say Thursday, May 26th. 
    
    We established London as the meeting location because that's where the highest population of Hubbers in the UK is located.  If we host the event outside of London, I therefore want to make it somewhat accessible to anyone living in the city who would also like to come.
    
    Amanda Severn - you mention Oxford- that's pretty easy to get to from London.  So which would be best for everyone? Oxford or London?

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    1. 64

       CASE1WORKERposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       oxford, or London, but Oxford preferably. if we start in the afternoon it will be possible to take advantage of cheap train  fares  For example an early morning return from Leicester to London  is £150, but in the mid day it falls to something like £50- not being mean, but it will save quite a lot.

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       1. 64

          CASE1WORKERposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          simone, can a plan be made in the next week, and a date and time published and stuck to. Reason is that if we book tickets in advance they are so much cheaper but they wont accomodate changes in venue and timings etc. I have just looked on trainline and even changing trains by 2o minutes can save £15, so  its quite an issue with us. ( unless its Oxford where i will drive)

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          1. 89

             Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Absolutely! This should be solidified by Friday

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28. 0

    EmpressFelicityposted 12 years ago

    I would personally prefer central London, for totally selfish reasons - it's much easier and quicker for me to get to via public transport.

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29. 70

    Charles Jamesposted 12 years ago

    Dave Digger and I can go more or less anywhere anytime. "Dave Digger's Victorian Mansion" (Hubnugget winner) currently has 3 empty bedrooms (one en suite), so putting you up is easy. Juat outside Huddersfield it is an hour or less from Manchester Leeds Bradford and Sheffield. If you are in the UK for 5 days could you come up to civilisation as well as see London?

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30. 66

    Richieb799posted 12 years ago

    If I come I'll be staying near Slough so central London is best...you can get a bus into the centre for like a fiver and £1 return in evening

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31. 83

    CMHypnoposted 12 years ago

    Trouble is if its Oxford, I will have to go all the way into London, so that I can then catch a train/coach out to Oxford.
    
    I think that poor Simone is never going to be able to suit everyone, so should just choose a time and place, and those that can will go

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    1. 64

       CASE1WORKERposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       i totally agree, but the main point is that it should not be altered, either time or date so that those of us well away can take advantage of pre booking cheap train fares

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          Polly Cposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Yes, if I head into London i would want to prebrook tickets to get a good deal, I think most people would. Sometimes you have to do this quite some time in advance to take advantage of any offers.
          
          I'd like to go to the hubcamp, but probably only will if it is in London. 26th is quite good for me, my son's b'day is on the 30th so I was hoping it would not be on that day, or the day before.
          
          For me, Oxford is too far.

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       2. 83

          CMHypnoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Totally agree Case1Worker - agree a time and place that won't be changed and then we can all work out whether or not we can make it, and the cheapest way to get there!

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32. 89

    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Awesome! Looks like a majority of the votes are for London, so Central London it is!
    
    That makes this HubCamp in Central London.  It'll be in the afternoon-early evening on Thursday, may 26th
    
    Now that the time and area are set, let's get a place - any suggestions?  Because we're doing more of a hybrid of social meetups and HubCamps, a hotel meeting room doesn't work so well.  Any ideas of of good spot with internet?

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33. 83

    CMHypnoposted 12 years ago

    http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars … -2673.html
    
    http://www.timeout.com/london/aroundtow … ondon.html
    
    In my diary - can't wait to meet fellow hubbers in the flesh!

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    1. 89

       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Oh, thanks so much for those links, CMHypno!  I'll poke around to see if one of these places has enough space for a bunch of us and wouldn't mind us hanging out for the afternoon-evening

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34. 64

    CASE1WORKERposted 12 years ago

    yes, count me in.
    
    simone, you choose somewhere and I am sure it will be loverrly.....well it will be once we get there. Just make sure it has a roof cos it tends to rain when we least expect it

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    1. 89

       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Awesome!  And roof: check!

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35. 76

    MarloByDesignposted 12 years ago

    HubPages, would you ever consider a promotion to send a Hubber to a  HubCamp? That would be so awesome!    ~Marlo

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    1. 89

       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       We've definitely considered it as a contest prize and the like and might offer this in the future, though I don't think we'll be doing it for HubCamp London (wish we were, though!)

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36. 76

    MarloByDesignposted 12 years ago

    Thank you for your response.

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37. 94

    Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years ago

    Just wondering if there is a precise date by which you need numbers for this, Simone. I would love to attend but it now unfortunately looks like I won't know until the week before the event whether I can make it

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    1. 89

       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       There's no precise date needed, Gordon Hamilton.  I'll set a place and be there!  It'll be nice to know who we can expect to see ahead of time, hence RSVPs are helpful, but I know how it goes with timing

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38. 89

    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Hey everyone!
    The location is set: we'll be meeting at the Fleet River Bakery: http://www.fleetriverbakery.com/
    It's at 71 Lincoln's Inn Fields, right off the Holborn stop.
    
    Here's a link to the place page on Google Maps if you're looking for directions: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?um=1& … 7461467475

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39. 64

    CASE1WORKERposted 12 years ago

    looks nice,
    is it a three o clock kick off?
    Note the place closes at six, so is that home time?

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    CASE1WORKERposted 12 years ago

    three minutes on the tube from St Pancras/Kings Cross
    what a good choice!

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    CASE1WORKERposted 12 years ago

    Is anyone interested in hanging on a bit after the hub camp. I am looking at the trains and just wondered,

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    1. 94

       Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       If I manage to attend, (should know by the end of this week,) I will be flying down Wednesday night and back Friday, so will be in a hotel in the area. I'll have no choice but to hang around!

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42. 0

    EmpressFelicityposted 12 years ago

    I will not be coming to London this Thursday.
    
    What with all the stuff that's been going on here recently, I find it harder and harder to be positive/enthusiastic about Hub Pages, and I feel that my efforts (professional and social) are better directed elsewhere.

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43. 94

    Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years ago

    Unfortunately, I have to admit defeat and confirm that I will not be able to make the Hub Camp, due to being unable to sufficiently reorganise prior commitments.
    
    I very much hope that everyone has a wonderful time on the day and that you enjoy your jaunt across the pond, Simone!

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    WriteAngledposted 12 years ago

    Hope it went well.
    
    I decided against coming, because it's a long and expensive journey from South Wales for such a short period, especially since it was set up more as a social occasion in a pub than as a learning event. Had it been a whole day of lectures and workshops, or even a whole weekend, I would have been more inclined to attend.

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45. 95

    Amanda Severnposted 12 years ago

    Sorry I couldn't make it. Was it fun?

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46. 59

    GoingOnlineposted 12 years ago

    If the next one was either an evening thing or a weekend it would be awesome for those of us who have day jobs

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