Wintergreen Regional Venture-Coordinator, Mediterranean |
Plans and preparation for PaizoCon UK 2014 are underway.
Sorry if it seems we have been very silent so far - I assure you that our successful stealth check is just to make sure the pesky goblins don't disrupt things.
One big issue is what we will do on the Friday night. Many of you enjoy the convention meal and opportunity to catch up with people. So it has become so popular that we really have outgrown venues.
We now have to consider other options. I don't believe encouraging you all to fend for yourselves would be popular so we are looking at other options and wanted your opinions. So comments and votes on these options:
Aston Conference Centre can provide some fine dining:
Aston Conference Centre Finger buffet [Sandwiches, goujons, bagels, fish cakes etc] £15-95 including VAT
Hot Fork Buffet [Curry, Lasagne etc] £21-95 including VAT
3-course sit down menu starts at £24-95 including VAT
We are also looking at the Masonic Hall with their ceremonial regalia on display which could do a Finger Food Buffet for £10 a head, or a sit-down meal is £14-00 a head. Plus £4-50 a head for the room hire based on 90 people.
In addition to that we could arrange for Michael Reddy, the leader of the Birmingham Ghost Walk to tell ghost stories about the city between courses. After the meal we would be led by two Ghost Walk leaders in two groups around Birmingham and we would meet together at the end.
Another option could be for us to hire a local cinema to screen a classic fantasy film such as "Willow" or "Labyrinth", and have access to the bar area. That would not include food though.
Or you may have some exciting suggestions of your own?
Vinyard Vaughn |
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As I wasn’t able to attend last year I’m very, very much looking forward to this year’s PaizoCon UK. Also I’m fine with either food choice you guys make (as long as non-spicy food options are available), but if I have to put it to the vote I’ll say “3-course sit down” - if we’re going to do it, we do it right :-).
The Ghost Walk thing sounds like a neat idea, I’m in. And (as much as I’m a movie fan/nerd) I’d rather use the time Friday evening to chat, tattle, slag off and swap stories from the trenches with my colleagues from all over Europe, instead of going to the movies.
Also Dave, please let us know when the GM registration opens, as I’d really like to GM a couple of sessions.
Wintergreen Regional Venture-Coordinator, Mediterranean |
Wintergreen Regional Venture-Coordinator, Mediterranean |
Wintergreen Regional Venture-Coordinator, Mediterranean |
Just seen the email with the dates on it.
Very disappointed it's a week later than usual (second week of the summer holidays instead of the first).
I can't come now :-(
Oh well, have fun this year... See you in 2015
Darn it. We had to move the date to accommodate Mike Brock. I shall consult with you about 2015 dates then!
Dazylar |
Dazylar wrote:Darn it. We had to move the date to accommodate Mike Brock. I shall consult with you about 2015 dates then!Just seen the email with the dates on it.
Very disappointed it's a week later than usual (second week of the summer holidays instead of the first).
I can't come now :-(
Oh well, have fun this year... See you in 2015
Make sure that you do! :-)
In seriousness Dave, I really appreciate you replying with a reason. I was thinking there must be lots of factors on why the timing might have changed, and I think it's important for the UK/European PFS that Mike attends, even if it means my absence.
Please raise a glass to absent gamers - and tell Mike he owes me a beer from last year!
He doesn't really: there's no such thing as a beer debt.
Wintergreen Regional Venture-Coordinator, Mediterranean |
Wintergreen Regional Venture-Coordinator, Mediterranean |
Your wait is finally over:
PaizoCon UK 2014
26–27th July, Aston, Birmingham
It's worth the wait… we have been making sure we have the details right and now, at last, we are ready to launch. This is our sixth PaizoCon in the UK and we have taken note of what people say so we can offer you the very best PaizoCon ever!
There is a limited number of places, so don't delay. The first step is to register on the PaizoCon UK Warhorn site https://warhorn.net/events/paizocon-uk-2014.
After that you can pay for entry and special events online. Once your payment is accepted we will clear you to sign up for games. (Please allow time for this.) Our provisional schedule of adventures is on our website now.
We have negotiated significant reductions on bed and breakfast prices with Aston Conference Centre so you can stay on site at a reasonable price. Mention "Paizocon" when you book and get B&B for £55. These rooms sell out so book your accommodation very soon because we have no guaranteed allocation this year.
Book here http://www.conferenceaston.co.uk/book-hotel-room/, or telephone 0121 204 4300
Folkish Elm |
Yay! Registered and paid and booked room last night but can't make it till Saturday morning. Just waiting for clearance to book sessions.
This will be my first paizocon having previously only been to uk games expo last year (and had an ace time playing pfs).
So I'm now booked in for both the games expo and paizocon this summer :)
Is there anything in particular I need to know as a newcomer (apart from make sure I understand the guide to society play?)
brock, no the other one... |
Is there anything in particular I need to know as a newcomer (apart from make sure I understand the guide to society play?)
It's a friendly crowd, so don't worry too much if you are not up to speed with the specifics of PFS - people will help you out.
If a slot runs late, it can be a rush to get food before the next one. Sandwiches are often available on site, but if not there are several places in quick walking distance. Coffee is available from the bar.
Welcome aboard.
Paz |
All rooms booked out :(
Is that from the website, or from one of the staff (phone/email)?
Even when the website said all rooms were gone, I could book a room by email (from the link on the newsletter).
Christine Brockley-Blatt |
Yay! Registered and paid and booked room last night but can't make it till Saturday morning. Just waiting for clearance to book sessions.
If you email me with your Paypal receipt, I can clear you quicker. (Sorry that part of the process is not automated).
My email is under "organiser" on the Warhorn site.
ratlord |
ratlord wrote:Both myself and Mogs have booked and paid, see you there!Please can you send me the Paypal receipts for our records so I can get you cleared quickly?
its c dot brockley at gmail dot com
thanks
Chris
Hi,
From the looks of things we've already been cleared to sign up for stuff, thanks! Do you still want me to send copies, or is that bot necessary any more?Wintergreen Regional Venture-Coordinator, Mediterranean |
Christine Brockley-Blatt |
Chris Brockley-Blatt wrote:ratlord wrote:Both myself and Mogs have booked and paid, see you there!Please can you send me the Paypal receipts for our records so I can get you cleared quickly?
its c dot brockley at gmail dot com
thanks
ChrisHi,
From the looks of things we've already been cleared to sign up for stuff, thanks! Do you still want me to send copies, or is that bot necessary any more?
Hi,
No, that’s fine I have you and your companion.
Chris
Auke Teeninga Regional Venture-Coordinator, Baltic |
Wintergreen Regional Venture-Coordinator, Mediterranean |
Christine Brockley-Blatt |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
All the weekend and Saturday only tickets have now been sold for Paizocon UK 2014 and so only Sunday only tickets left. Please contact me through the warhorn site if you don't have a ticket and wish to be placed on the waiting list for possible returns.
Please, please to help the Masterminds of Evilness that are Dave and Pete plan out the tables can you put your character class and level into Warhorn.
https://warhorn.net/events/paizocon-uk-2014
I need this done as soon as you can as they will be working through June to sort out all 115 tables. Failure to do so will not only bring stern looks from myself or Tonya but you will be asked to play a pregen if you are allocated a table and you don't have the appropriate character for it.
The absolute last date is 30th June.
thank you
Chris
Charles Evans 25 |
Birmingham's flagship games store, 'Wayland's Forge' completed its relocation last month, and is now on the 'Lower Ground Floor' at 'The Custard Factory' in Digbeth. (Any 'Google Maps' information placing Wayland's Forge in Paradise Circus is out of date; it's possible, if Paizo's store locator places Wayland's Forge at the old Paradise Circus address, that Wayland's forge may not yet have got around to updating their information on Paizo, either.)
The lower ground floor is most conveniently reached by coming off Digbeth High Street/Deritend, into the Custard Factory along Gibb Street, and heading left through a large gateway only a short way down Gibb Street. Inside, besides some businesses, are stairs going down to a lower level with more businesses. The 'Lower Ground Floor' is down those stairs.
(Those arriving at the Custard Factory, but having trouble with navigation, could always follow signs to the 'reception' of the complex, and ask there for directions to Wayland's Forge.)
Dazylar |
Birmingham's flagship games store, 'Wayland's Forge' completed its relocation last month, and is now on the 'Lower Ground Floor' at 'The Custard Factory' in Digbeth. (Any 'Google Maps' information placing Wayland's Forge in Paradise Circus is out of date; it's possible, if Paizo's store locator places Wayland's Forge at the old Paradise Circus address, that Wayland's forge may not yet have got around to updating their information on Paizo, either.)
The lower ground floor is most conveniently reached by coming off Digbeth High Street/Deritend, into the Custard Factory along Gibb Street, and heading left through a large gateway only a short way down Gibb Street. Inside, besides some businesses, are stairs going down to a lower level with more businesses. The 'Lower Ground Floor' is down those stairs.
(Those arriving at the Custard Factory, but having trouble with navigation, could always follow signs to the 'reception' of the complex, and ask there for directions to Wayland's Forge.)
Submitted a change request to Google Maps just now - it takes a while for them to sort it out though...
And that is the extent of my involvement in this year's Paizocon *sigh*
Christine Brockley-Blatt |
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Hi
A couple of points from Dave's minion here:
I now have two seats free at Paizocon UK if anyone is interested in joining us. It may be a case of 'tell us what characters you have and we'll slot you in, but you'll need to take what we give you' as tables are now set. Please message me or email me if you know of someone interested.
Everyone who is coming should have should have an email concerning the travel advice form Aston. If not, message me.
If you are a GM and you are running Horn of Aroden, Merchants Wake, Carin of shadows, Stranger within, The Special, or Assault on the Wound, you should have had a map zip file from me in the last week or so. If not, please message me. I want to ensure emails got through.
If you are running something else and need help with maps or such, please let me know.
Have a safe Journey and see you there.
Chris
Auke Teeninga Regional Venture-Coordinator, Baltic |
Charles Evans 25 |
I’m not clear what Aston may or may not have said about travel, but supplementary to it, the Highways agency Road Projects map (information for motorways and A roads) at the time of this post can be found here: *Link*
The St. Chad’s and Queensway tunnels in the city centre on the A38 are both closed during this year’s PaizoCon UK (and indeed for the rest of the summer).
‘Brumtunnels’ site
And of course the chaos continues around New Street station with roads and pavements ripped up and/or closed to non-works traffic; pedestrians and wheeled traffic venturing into the vicinity be prepared for potential sanity-tearing horror of a Lovecraftian nature.
Charles Evans 25 |
Possible disruptions to rail services in/out of Birmingham stations (known of as of the time and date of this post):
Friday, 25th July
Redditch – Birmingham New Street
Currently ongoing engineering works at the Redditch end of the line mean a replacement bus service is expected to run between Redditch and Longbridge.
Saturday, 26th July
Redditch – Birmingham New Street
Currently ongoing engineering works at the Redditch end of the line mean a replacement bus service is expected to run between Redditch and Longbridge.
*****
Bromsgrove/Worcester Shrub Hill/Hereford – Birmingham New Street
Engineering works are expected to take place between Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa. All trains between Bromsgrove/Worcester Shrub Hill/Hereford and Birmingham New Street will be cancelled. Passengers are ‘advised’ by National Rail Enquiries to use services between these destinations and Birmingham Snow Hill/Moor Street instead.
*****
Stoke-on-Trent – Birmingham New Street
Overnight engineering works are expected to take place between Stoke and Stafford, resulting in diversions of services and/or replacement bus services with regard to trains that would ordinarily use this route to/from Birmingham. Work is expected to commence at 22:40.
Sunday, 27th July
London Euston – Birmingham New Street
Engineering works are expected to take place between Milton Keynes and Rugby, and may result in train diversions, replacement bus services and/or delays. Officially the work is due to finish by 18:30.
*****
Stoke-on-Trent – Birmingham
Overnight engineering works are expected to take place between Stoke and Stafford, resulting in diversions of services and/or replacement bus services between Stoke and Stafford. Officially the work is due to finish by 11:00.
*****
Redditch – Birmingham New Street
Currently ongoing engineering works at the Redditch end of the line mean a replacement bus service is expected to run between Redditch and Barnt Green.
(edit)
London Marylebone – Birmingham Snow Hill
Engineering works are expected to take place between Lapworth and Tyseley, officially between 07:55 and 10:05. A rail replacement bus service is due to run between Birmingham Snow Hill and Banbury.
The actual Future Rail Engineering Works section of the National Rail Enquiries webpage can (at the time of this post) be found *here*.
Edit:
It's likely, since it's the summer holidays, that there will be disruptions above and beyond these, elsewhere on the rail network; these are the ones I've been able to track down actually in the vicinity of Birmingham, however.
macloud |
*****
Stoke-on-Trent – Birmingham
Overnight engineering works are expected to take place between Stoke and Stafford, resulting in diversions of services and/or replacement bus services between Stoke and Stafford. Officially the work is due to finish by 11:00.
*****
Is that 11 am or pm?
Also concerning the dinner on Friday, I was planning on returning to Aston afterwards to get an early night for Saturday - can anyone tell me when the dinner will be wrapping up?
Rob Silk |
Stoke-on-Trent – BirminghamAlso concerning the dinner on Friday, I was planning on returning to Aston afterwards to get an early night for Saturday - can anyone tell me when the dinner will be wrapping up?
Here is our schedule but you can expect it to vary a little.
We will leave Aston at the dot of 7.00pm on Friday 25 July to arrive at 60 Severn Street, B1 1QG, before 7.30pm.At the Banqueting Hall we allow half an hour so you can buy wine or beer at the bar, get yourself seated and we need to make some fire exit announcements.
Dinner will be served at 8.00pm with 'tween course stories from our Blue Badge Guide.
Dinner will finish around 9.30pm. (This will vary.)
Walk starts soon after and we hope to finish by 11.30pm. Ideally it will be closer to Aston and we will walk back.
Of course the Ghost Walk isn't compulsory, and you can get taxis if you don't want to walk with us to the banqueting hall. Do check the weather and take an umbrella if it look changeable. There is no dress code but it's a great chance to wear a bow-tie. Stilleto heels are probably not a good idea and stilletto knives are banned entirely.