Custy is this where we sign up for the annual MN Christmas meet?

[MarsLady]

Where?
What time?

C'mon girl you're slacking!

Errrr...why would that be then LL?????

sounds fine to me. how would it be paid for?

Get everyone to paypal in advance - they'll want a deposit up front I should imagine. I doubt folk will have a problem with that. If we can work in the cost for 2 bottles of wine per table as well or something, then have a paying bar. I think that should cover all eventualities.

I am happy to absorb paypal payments to my account, although I think that due to charges made by paypal, that would have to be worked in to the 'per head' cost too. Or perhaps MNHQ could do it?

I mean, after all, it's going to be a "conference" in the name of Mumsnet, so the founders may as well be there

i think you may be setting yourelf up for trouble if you use your own paypal account - especially if someone says they have paid - you didn't recieve he payments etc - you could well be £40 or more out o pocket.

have you asked mumsnet?

have you got paypal custy?

i have. but i wouldn't offer for people to pay ther money into my accont - for myown reputation

well, then you know that receipts are issued for both sides.

I'm happy to do this if there isnt an alternative

Forgive me for being a bit, well irritating. IMHO that hotel is simply a boring hotel in London with no atmosphere and doubtless rubbish food. It will end up more expensive than Da Marios and you still will have to wend your way through corporate hell for a fag. Did you look at the site Custy found lower down? That had pubs which have cheap and cheerful food, they are likely to have outside smoking areas alrady in place and will be much much cheaper/better value and not corportae hell of central lonodn??

There seemed to be loads in the city that will do booze/buffet and DJ and will be totally MN all night.

Look link{http://www.citypublife.co.uk/Site/function%20rooms.php\here} for ideas. You can give criteria od 50 - 100 people, DJ, Food private hire or function rooms.

Forgive me for being a bit, well irritating. IMHO that hotel is simply a boring hotel in London with no atmosphere and doubtless rubbish food. It will end up more expensive than Da Marios and you still will have to wend your way through corporate hell for a fag. Did you look at the site Custy found lower down? That had pubs which have cheap and cheerful food, they are likely to have outside smoking areas alrady in place and will be much much cheaper/better value and not corportae hell of central lonodn??

There seemed to be loads in the city that will do booze/buffet and DJ and will be totally MN all night.

Look link{http://www.citypublife.co.uk/Site/function%20rooms.php\here} for ideas. You can give criteria od 50 - 100 people, DJ, Food private hire or function rooms.

bugger here

Help yourself crunchie. I'm not the party organiser . The cheaper the better. However, atmosphere is gonna be what we make it, I feel.

Although for those who are coming from far far away, it would be nice to not have to navigate london to find the venue and then back again to their hotel. Its all additional taxi fares etc. If we can find somewhere that combines all of it - I think that would be ideal. Not many pubs around still do that though, do they?

Crunchie

I will bow to your knowledge of London, but I for one will not be going anywhere that I can not hear myself think. Having a deaf husband, I have real problems with noisy situations.

A) Becuase I am not used to them

B) Because I really want to keep my ears in working order. I have seen first hand the misery deafness causes and I have no desire to experience it.

So whilst I am not trying to stop anyone who wants a noisy night out. I personally will be pulling out and going for a pizza.

If we go to a pub/bar in London, it is bound to be loud, really loud, it always is. Then I might as well go alone on any odd day, and see a bunch of strangers, because that is what you will all be, a bunch of strangers in the noise. Not possible to talk at all. So rather pointless?

I think the hotel is a really good idea, and in a nice location too. Not far from the hustle and bustle of covent garden and leicester square should one be so inclined....

Why don't we all bring megaphones?

Look I am also not the organiser, however my suggestion was not a bar/club as last year. I was suggesting private hire of a small bar/pub where MN would take over the whole thing. There could be a DJ/Music or not, but people could buy their own drinks and we could have a cheap(ish) buffet style meal.

The Strand Palace hotel is v central but it is like going to a 'works do' in a crappy hotel in the provinces. I getthe reason for having it in a hotel tosave on transport costs but room rates there are not that cheap Doubles are over £90.

I just feel we could find something better IMHO

Please don't be offended, but let me email a cuple of places, or you or someone could call around small pubs inteh city and get costs. Hotels in teh city on a sat night can be really cheap as they are much less busy at weekends.

crunchie - strand palace are looking at group booking discounts, but i think its a great idea if you email around places.

I know what you mean about it being a bit 'work do', but anything where we can all eat, drink and talk (then dance later on ) is the thing, i think.

The more suggestions and choice - the better

vvv I will try to contact some this weekend, but if you can look do. I am not being critical, I just think there could be better options with more 'something' not sure what, but YKWIM

ABsolutely. The more folk that get onto investigating places the better too, IMO.

Its too much to leave to one person. Plus word of mouth is always better than blind googling.

We've got 4.5 months to sort, so i think if we allow a month or so to investigate places thats plenty of time for us to find and settle on somewhere.

There are still some pubs with function rooms upstairs for private hire, I will keep an eye on in my area of London. I have seen one nearby, will enquire. But, how far out of central London are we willing to go? "Mine" is in Richmond.

would have to be city starry - thinks i

london city prsumably or with no hassle transport links to venue.

some thing to eat to begin with allowign the free flow of discussion and " OH MY GOD, i can't believe you are littlelapin, god i live your posts"

and lots of alchohol

then around maybe 11pm some sweet cheesy disco whre we dance around handbags.

somewhere nea victoria station woudld be great for me