A forum for discussion of Social Activities
#257754 by The Moderators
19 Jan 2009, 22:15
After the undoubted success of the Eurostar trip to Paris, and the meal at Quaglinos the night before, our attention must turn to the next V-Flyer venture.

There are already a few ideas either in progress or in the planning stages, notably Bay to Breakers, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and waaay in the future - Halloween 2010 in New York and Orlando..

Members are always encouraged to post details of events they intend to attend, and think that like minded V-Flyers may be interested in joining them. Details of such proposals should be posted in this forum, as the impromptu events are often the most successful.

We are however thinking about future events. The mods have a few ideas in mind, but are keen to encourage ideas from the floor.

There isnt a set template for an event, but past experience has shown us that there are a few common themes that seem to work. Ideally, one person or a small group will take ownership and responsibility for organising the core event for example Paul sorted the Eurostar and Richard booked Quaglinos both doing an excellent job. Generally we take no responsibility for organising travel to the event that is left to individuals. It is also nice if at least part of the day or days is given over to a members only portion either a meal, concert or other feature which we can market as a V-Flyer only event.

It is obviously daunting for people attending their first social, so events where people can dip in and out or are only for one day / evening may be more attractive than a multi day commitment. Cost is also an issue. In these days of recession, bear in mind that not everyone has an unlimited budget.

If anyone has any ideas or has contacts that would be able to facilitate something out of the ordinary, please either post it here or PM one of the mods and hopefully we can make it happen.
#465237 by Darren Wheeler
19 Jan 2009, 22:55
My thought was for something July/August time such as a summer barbecue. It can be as cheap as everyone wants it to be.
#465241 by preiffer
19 Jan 2009, 23:03
So, thinking about next winter (not enough time for this winter)...

Who'd be up for the SKI TRAIN?!?


Ahem:

quote:Accommodation on the Snow Train
There is comfortable, flat-bed sleeping accommodation on all Snow Trains.

Disco carriage
In its own separate, sound-proofed carriage, this legendary all-nighter is a must for party people. You can bring your own drinks too.


Yes, that's right - a DISCO CARRIAGE. [:w][y]
#465244 by Nottingham Nick
19 Jan 2009, 23:04
Like that, Darren [y]

Even better if it could be coupled with an event like an airshow, or something to give it some focus. We know from past experience that we will never get a date in the summer that is good for everyone, as it is holiday season, but I am sure there would be a fair few takers.

Nick
#465247 by Guest
19 Jan 2009, 23:07
quote:Originally posted by preiffer
So, thinking about next winter (not enough time for this winter)...

Who'd be up for the SKI TRAIN?!?


Ahem:

quote:Accommodation on the Snow Train
There is comfortable, flat-bed sleeping accommodation on all Snow Trains.

Disco carriage
In its own separate, sound-proofed carriage, this legendary all-nighter is a must for party people. You can bring your own drinks too.


Yes, that's right - a DISCO CARRIAGE. [:w][y]

What a fantastic idea - then I can stay over with my sister en famille in Val d'Isre !! Gets my vote [y]
#465250 by Nottingham Nick
19 Jan 2009, 23:19
Like it, but only used air show as a possible - some would think it a bit too anoraky [;)][:o)][:I] - could be any hook to hang the BBQ idea on. [y]

Nick
#465251 by Sealink
19 Jan 2009, 23:19
I think Eurostar worked especially well because of the privacy afforded by our having, to all intents and purposes, our own carriage, and recreating that might not be as easy. But I've only done one trip so maybe you lot can partay anywhere...

That said... Eurostar also go to Brussels and have connections to Bruges etc. But maybe too similar to the previous trip? [:?]

I know mini cruises were discussed, but it seems a lot of them only run during the low season, where weather is another consideration.
I am not sure if there are specific budgets but I found this:
P&O Cruises Minicruises but things like a possible dress code put me off.

I love the idea of going to somewhere like Cambridge and having an afternoon there, perhaps slowly getting sozzled. Perhaps while floating

Also, dare we use Ryanair? Last summer they had £1 - £5 flights to places like Dublin, Kerry, Eindhoven (I went to a little town nearby called 's-Hertogenbosh which is gorgeous) etc. but that relies on Ryanair 1. Doing the cheap flights 2. Not cancelling due to fog.
Dublin is great for a day trip - airport to city is quick and lots and lots of pubs!
And if we pay Eurostar prices, we can go on a proper airline! [;)]



But a barbecue sounds great too [oo] - I'm just imagining a balmy summer afternoon sipping Pimms and eating burgers....
#465252 by kevincroft
19 Jan 2009, 23:21
As we are new members to v flyer are any of the events open to families? [:w]
#465257 by Nottingham Nick
19 Jan 2009, 23:26
All events are open to anyone, unless in age restricted premises. A family oriented event would be great.

nick
#465258 by DMetters-Bone
19 Jan 2009, 23:31
What about going to a Theme Park? There is Alton Towers/Thorpe Park??? Always good for a day out or even make a weekend of it???

Easy to organise and open to everyone (well that like that kinda of thing)

Just a thought.

DMB
#465260 by preiffer
19 Jan 2009, 23:36
Thorpe Park sounds like a winner....

Although, I've not been to Alton Towers for yeeeeeeeeears now. [:w]
#465261 by Nottingham Nick
19 Jan 2009, 23:36
Day at a Theme Park. followed by a BBQ in the evening somewhere close by for people who don't want to spend a whole day?
#465265 by Scrooge
19 Jan 2009, 23:55
quote:Originally posted by Sealink
I think Eurostar worked especially well because of the privacy afforded by our having, to all intents and purposes, our own carriage, and recreating that might not be as easy. But I've only done one trip so maybe you lot can partay anywhere...



No maybe about it.

I like the idea of a family picnic, this group is very kid friendly when it has to be and of course it is always good for LRoM to hang out with people of his own height group the only issue is I am of course 5000 miles away and will only be making one trip over this year, which is pretty much spoken for already.

However have fun without me [:D].

However as a few people already know I am planning something a little special for my fortieth birthday in January 2011, details will follow roughly 18 months out to give anyone who wants to attend enough time to save some money and get flights etc.

Mod hat on for a second.

Please anyone and everyone, put forth your thoughts, you never know what may make people go mmmmm
[:p]
#465267 by Decker
20 Jan 2009, 00:00
THEME PARK - yay!
#465268 by Guest
20 Jan 2009, 00:06
quote:Originally posted by Decker
THEME PARK - yay!


Dollywood ??
#465283 by Scorpio
20 Jan 2009, 08:51
How about somewhere like Damascus, Beirut,Amsterdam ???

Its a bit out of the ordinary (apart from Amsterdam of course!)
#465292 by willd
20 Jan 2009, 10:31
I have yet to make my first appearance at a social but feel it should be time soon. Am a bit worried the other half will be rather bored and will think its all very nerdy but could be tempted to come along.

My idea would be a trip out to Toulouse for a tour around the Airbus factory.

Yes I know it is 110% geeky but I believe there are enough airplane geeks on this board to make it actually quite an interesting weekend away and really only a couple of hours would be spent looking at an airplane factory.

I have looked into it before and it would be fairly easy to organise, alternatively there are specialist operators who can do packages from UK airports for groups (I believe one even uses the Airbus jet that shuttles Airbus staff around Europe).


quote:Originally posted by Neil


2) I know it is difficult, but certainly more central based events sounds a good idea. I like the theme park idea, but for us if it was based at Thorpe Park as opposed to Alton Towers we would probably struggle to attend. I know a lot of members are Southern/London based but there does seem to be quite a few Birmingham and up too!


Resisting the usual North v South banter; Drayton Manor is pretty damn central. Have not been for years but could be worth a look.
#465296 by Neil
20 Jan 2009, 10:38
quote:Originally posted by willd
I have yet to make my first appearance at a social but feel it should be time soon. Am a bit worried the other half will be rather bored and will think its all very nerdy but could be tempted to come along.


I, and I am sure many others know exactly what you mean Will. Telling the t'other half you are going to meet up with a group of people from a site about planes didn't go down that well to start with. But, thankfully everyone is really nice and we had a great time, although in all honesty it took our second social for Luke to feel more relaxed etc (that might have been due to the excess amounts of wine drunk also though [:w]).

Neil
#465300 by Scrooge
20 Jan 2009, 11:06
The one good thing is that while there is some plane talk the majority of the time is spent having fun, think of a Saturday down at the local and you will have a good idea of the scene.
#465316 by Nottingham Nick
20 Jan 2009, 12:18
As the Edinburgh weekend is something of a formality, I have split the Fringe discussion topics off and merged them with the topic Darren had already started here, so that all the Edinburgh discussion is in one place.

Sorry Neil - one of your posts had bits about EDI and future socials in it. [:I]

Nick
#465319 by Neil
20 Jan 2009, 12:32
quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
As the Edinburgh weekend is something of a formality, I have split the Fringe discussion topics off and merged them with the topic Darren had already started here, so that all the Edinburgh discussion is in one place.

Sorry Neil - one of your posts had bits about EDI and future socials in it. [:I]

Nick


No probs Nick, I will just re-iterate my main point in here again, that I think this site is far too biased towards Southern socials and we should have more in the North (and more specifically, Hull).....ok, joking slightly, but I do hope we can have more Midlands and up based socials.
#465321 by HighFlyer
20 Jan 2009, 12:41
We did have a social in Manchester but the vast majority of attendees were still the Southerners. That said, any member is more than welcome to arrange a social so if our Northern members feel there is an inbalance and have some ideas, get them out there! [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah
#465336 by ChuckC
20 Jan 2009, 15:46
Given the bang on success of the PCP 2009 train trips to and fro could well become a staple for socials.

The accessibility of Europe's main capitals from London suggest that even an overnight trip could bring in a good many V-Flyers. Amsterdam, Brussels, Rome, Vienna ...

Chuck-
Virgin Atlantic

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