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When meeting up take sensible precautions. Meet in a public place and let others know where you are going.

Original poster

Central London children's picnic - Sat Sept 11th

151 replies

binkie · 12/07/2004 18:09

As discussed at today's Cityslickers lunch, we thought it might be nice to organise an all-mners-welcome picnic, with partners & especially with kids, somewhere central, to start off the new school year. Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens was our first idea (Diana Memorial Playground being the obvious draw), but could also consider Regent's Park perhaps?

So, who's interested? Imagine we'd all bring picnic for our own, plus something to share - say enough for another 6 people.

If it's a goer, any ideas about how to deal with risk of rain? I think, though not sure, that the Diana park doesn't have a function room. Anyone know different, or of somewhere parky & central that does? Paddington Rec?

OP posts:
Batters · 13/07/2004 14:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
binkie · 13/07/2004 15:31

Some canvassing for opinions:

  1. catering. Easiest is each-bring-own-picnic, with a few extra cups/plates/napkins, plus (important bit) one other item on the quiche/crisps/fruit line, enough to share with another six people. Do we need to do more? There's a cafe on site, but there's also kitchen so suppose could organise urn & teacups sort of thing.

  2. icebreakers. Name badges? (personally, nooo) - or something more subtle like a few locally-labelled tables ("south-west London" "Herts" "the sticks") so that people have at least somewhere to gravitate to if feeling spare (but without anyone being "assigned" anywhere)? Any other ideas?

  3. entertainment. Make our own or cheekily see if MN sponsors want to make the most of a promotional opportunity?

Think I'll be bumping this periodically, & towards end August will ask if it can be a discussion-of-day. Otherwise let's see how it develops.

OP posts:
Janstar · 13/07/2004 16:13

I'm aiming to come with any members of my family who are prepared to join me (in other words probably not miserable DD1!)

ScummyMummy · 13/07/2004 20:06

Yippeeee. Sounds great. Will bring me and boys but will leave partner at home cos I live a compartmentalised life and he wouldn't like it anyway.

Marina · 13/07/2004 20:08

Oh, rats. Can't make it - just realised it's the one Saturday of the year that I work!
Sounds like the makings of a really ace party - maybe an annual fixture in the Mumsnet calendar?

Metrobaby · 13/07/2004 22:13

What a top idea binkie. I'll come along with dd and ds. If you need some help with the organising I'll be happy to do so. I like the idea of bringing extra food. Perhaps we could have a table where all the shared food could go, and then let people help themselves to whatever??

IlanaK · 13/07/2004 23:33

Ooooooo! Count me in! I live near Baker St so can get to any and all of the places mentioned. I will definately come with dh, ds1 (3) and ds2 (newborn now but will be bigger then!)

Welshmum · 13/07/2004 23:48

I'd love to come too - if that's ok - haven't been on the city slicker meet ups as am more of a media tart. I'd vote for Coram Fields - loads to do there. Thanks for suggesting it binkie

Posey · 14/07/2004 00:21

I'd love to come and vote for Coram's Fields as its much nearer me. It would be me, dd and ds (no dh, not his cuppa I'm afraid)
Will go and pencil it on the calendar now.

Earlybird · 14/07/2004 01:01

Would love to come with dd and meet all of you after such a long time! We just went to Coram's Field about a month ago. It is compact and well designed. Be aware that the animals don't really qualify as a zoo, and hardly count as the "farm" it's billed as. Animals consist of a few geese, a goat, a few chickens, budgies/parrots, guinea pigs and rabbits in fairly grotty pens. So, can't say that the animal factor alone is wonderful enough to make this the hands down winner. But, the playgrounds are nice, and it would be a fun place to meet - so I'm up for it, and looking forward to it.

Original poster
binkie · 14/07/2004 12:41

ds and I might go for a recce this Saturday afternoon - we're 24 families interested so far and think I'd better look at space available!

metrobaby, your offer of help is so kind - at the moment all I'd expect we need is a half-hour speed crew between 12 & 12.30 to set up tables and chairs - but I think new mums shouldn't be doing that! Helpful dps would be ideal (give them an escape from the gossiping too).

And also people to go round with bin bags at the end, but mums do that on auto pilot so no need to pre-organise.

OP posts:
Twinkie · 14/07/2004 12:45

Oooohhh just found out that is the weekend that I am supposed to be in Ireland but DP and I spoke about it last night and I think giong to Ireland would be a bit much for me especially after just coming back from Spain - DP is going to go on his won.

tigermoth · 14/07/2004 13:35

Good - the plan is taking shape - I'n happy top bring extra food. Will put the date in my diary.

Original poster
binkie · 15/07/2004 23:47

So we went for a look, and the room is huge - could easily take about 12 8-person tables (and more) dotted about, and the playgrounds themselves could take any number you threw at them. It is a bit scruffy - like a gigantic village square that's been made over to playtime - but masses to do: about seven separate climbing forts, hard tennis/basketball courts, series of lovely sandpits for little ones, couple of large but not specially appetising flat square lawns (no need I guess when so much activity elsewhere), quite a nice cafe that did a good cappucino. And the animals. Really liked the look of the "art room" but think that's only a weekday thing. Ds captivated by the enclosed (ie like a tunnel) long twirly whirly slide and will be first in queue for rope-slide next time. General vibe of inclusive relaxedness (more so than Diana park) and not crowded at all despite today being a special Camden council children's party day.

OP posts:
strangerthanfiction · 16/07/2004 00:30

binkie, I know Coram's quite well, frequently go there at weekends. It's always fairly quiet and when it's sunny there's also a shallow pool in the middle with a tiny fountain. Don't know if that was working when you went? It's fairly minimal but is splendid for cooling off in if it's hot.

I mentioned earlier that I might not be able to get there til mid-afternoonish but wondered if that would be ok still? Do you think you'll keep the room for the whole afternoon?

Original poster
binkie · 16/07/2004 00:41

stf, assuming this really happens, which we'll know about in the last week run up I think, I'm absolutely sure arriving later on would be fine - room is booked till 6 pm.

Paddling pool & fountain not working today - full of plane leaves & twigs from the storm. Loved the old-fashioned sign "pants must be worn - HYGIENE"

OP posts:
frogs · 16/07/2004 01:17

Oh, good, glad you liked Coram's Field's, Binkie. It has a very unmodern scruffy charm somehow -- I always expect to see Alfie and Annie Rose there.

I think the fact that it's so enclosed makes it feel a bit safer for a large event like this will be -- whenever I've been to the Diana park I've spent the whole time frantically trying to track down children in the throng.

I've put the date down on our calendar, and looking forward to it!

melsy · 16/07/2004 01:54

Love to come , just have to check with DH (doesnt like these meet ups normally)and calender!! Is it Coram Fields , not sure were that is??? Dh and I are food mad so will probably bring loads of stuff to nosh!!

Original poster
binkie · 28/07/2004 22:06

just a wee bump before I vanish off my work system for a month or two ...

would be particularly nice to see those who will by then be having withdrawal symptoms from the MN summer party

OP posts:
Earlybird · 29/07/2004 00:02

I was at Coram's Fields last week, and thought again how nice it is. It will be great to be there with all of the mumsnetters because there's lots to do for kids of all different ages. It's quite a compact space, so will be easy to "circulate back" to talk to people even if you've got a child who wants to be in a different part of the playground. Should be a really nice afternoon, and I'm looking forward to it. Also interesting to note that there was actually a park attendant at the gate enforcing the "every adult must be accompanied by a child" rule.

lydialemon · 09/08/2004 11:32

just bumping this up!

Welshmum · 10/08/2004 15:15

Binkie - did you get anywhere with approaching the mumsnet sponsors? just wondering - went to something the other day that was all sponsored....

bundle · 10/08/2004 16:10

coram's field is v good because of the loos, no adult access without a child and i think you can book a room for the picnic (pigeons are a menace there sometimes), we did for a nursey outing.

Original poster
binkie · 15/08/2004 21:52

Welshmum, sorry, have been away for a while.

No news yet on sponsors' input, but Carrie & Justine did say they would have a think. My ideal would be a bit of interactive entertainment (join-in run-about storytelling sort of thing) aimed at the post-toddler brigade - otherwise (and of course even without that) we can make our own fun. What did the event you mention involve?

OP posts:
strangerthanfiction · 17/08/2004 22:16

I'm glad this meet-up is still going ahead so far. How many of us do you think there will be? Or I guess that won't be clear til the last minute.

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