Future FF-UK: North meet proposals: Southport (Merseyside) and Leeds (West Yorkshire)

I mentioned this to Chris the other week, he gave me the ok to post the following meet proposals

Proposed meet #1
"Oh we do like to be beside the seaside! " - Southport Beach, funfair and Lake meet proposal

Just a shame you never see the sea! But Southport has a beach and pier (with tourist tram), fairground and amusement arcades (Pleasureland), boating lake (Marine Lake), Cinema and Bowling complex (Ocean Plaza), fancy shops under a Victorian arcades (Lord Street), and much more. It also has easy rail access to Liverpool and Manchester (and beyond) and is a shortish coach journey from Preston, so good access to the three surrounding cities.

http://www.visitsouthport.com/
Pleasureland - http://www.pleasureland.uk.com/
Ocean Plaza - http://www.oceanplaza.co.uk/
Marine Lake - http://www.marinelake.org.uk/
Mississippi Belle - http://www.visitsouthport.com/attraction.php?attraction=92223 (Mississippi style paddle steamer on the Marine Lake)
Southport Model Railway Village - http://www.southportmodelrailwayvillage.co.uk/
Premier Bowl (ten pin bowling) - website not working
Vue Cinema (Ocean Plaza) - http://www.myvue.com/cinemas/index.asp?SessionID=6D7786881F9C47CEA955FB6966B678D6&cn=1&ln=1&ci=5

So, there you have the basics of a possible Southport meet. There is plenty more to be added if people like the idea.

Proposed meet #2
"Knights, Costumes, Action!" - Leeds Royal Armouries meet proposal

How about Leeds Royal Armouries for a spot of professional cosplay?

http://www.royalarmouries.org/leeds/

It's a great venue, tons of great costumes, armour and weapons. It's also free entry! What makes the Leeds RA special, is their "Interpretations" - which is basically researched and professional cosplay, with armour and weapon demonstrations.

http://www.royalarmouries.org/extsite/view.jsp?sectionId=105

For example, they have the following "Interpretations" for the Tournament Gallery -
MASTERING ARMS: HAND-AND-A-HALF SWORD, MASTERING ARMS:15TH CENTURY POLLAXE COMBAT, SWORD IN THE STONE, 15TH CENTURY- POLLAXE COMBAT, 15TH CENTURY POLLAXE COMBAT,
STORYTELLING: TIRANT LO BLANC, STORYTELLING: TOURNAMENT OF LA ROCHE, TWO-HANDED SWORD COMBAT, MASTERING ARMS: TWO-HANDED SWORD and ULRICH VON LIECHTENSTEIN -

http://www.royalarmouries.org/extsite/view.jsp?sectionId=1265

They aren't all shown on any one day, there will be several maybe, and some have limited places. But we get to see the pros at work

And after the armouries, maybe some other activity in Leeds city center (hears Jase say shopping )? What do you think? Leeds is two hours away on the train for me, so no problem getting there, and I have been once to the Leeds RA and loved what time I got there (was a group trip for my Museums and Art Galleries PG Diploma degree, we got to meet man behind the Leeds RA, which was quite cool).

Other Leeds stuff - http://www.leeds.gov.uk/visiting/places%20to%20visit%20in%20and%20around%20leeds/Museums%20and%20galleries/menu.aspx?style=

So, do you think these meets are worthwhile, please post below, and maybe we can make them happen. I think the Southport meet would benefit from being in the Summer, to get the best weather for an outside event, and should not coincide with the FF-UK Regional meet Phill has recently proposed. The Leeds meet could be later if need be, it can be inside though some of the Interpretations are outside the museum building.

 

<Timberlake> I'm lovin' it! <Timberlake>

 

Meet number 2 sounds good to me plus its more central for the North thread -

plus if we go with southport we should get everone together ( the north easten members )and book at hotel or a Bed and Breakfast

 

did someone mention swords & axes !!!

 

not realy saber's are they ?? you should look at

http://www.battleorders.co.uk/acatalog/Battle_Orders_Swords__Medieval__Japanese___Fantasy_15.html
or
http://www.battleorders.co.uk/acatalog/Star_Wars.html

 

Plenty of them Spike
And armour too!

 

Great its all C15th Just my thing. I would love to go guys just dont pick a weekend I am playing at C15th life.

 

15thc rocks! It's my area of personal research. I like early 16thc too
Well, keep checking for proposed dates or post definite dates you can't make. We can work round it so you can come Verity, I was gonna PM you about this anyways as I know medieval is your era, got a little sidetracked.

 

Cheers. You know if you wanted you could come along to one of our events for the weekend you can try it out. We have nice new kit you can borrow, some of which I have made and theres no obligation.

You know what, Ive checked my diary and I have nothing on in May , what about a weekend in May?

 

Verity - Not avoiding your offer lol Is there anywhere I can see a list of events and then I can work out which one I can get to? I have to check what I need to do at weekends in May, they are the only time I can go out and do much, but I'd like to come along to an event, though I am not to sure of being dressed up, sent into the field and beaten up for being the newbie lol Still not got the guts to costume yet (unless I am covered head to foot in disguise), working on it

 

Tim shown here on the right.

ps. Why did that tractor roll over your head?
[image=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/slideshows/images/merlin_harlechmedieval340.jpg]

 

Tch...C1970's is definately more my thing

Disco is NOT dead!

 

It was the fashion at the time honest!
Don't mess with me Mace Windu!!!!!

[image=http://tylisaari.com/medieval/glmf04/gengchuck.JPG]

I have fluffy killer bunnies and I am SO not afraid to use them

 

Not the fluffy killer bunnies

 

just out of convenience, i recommend newcastle

 

Lol jedimasterhughsy!
The North is such a big area, with members scattered over the two coastlines, we will be arranging meets all over the North which if you can attend it'll be great, if not then
We have active NW and NE groups at the mo, members from both attend meets in the different areas. Newcastle is definitely a venue NE people can make, and I will do my best to get there too. I doubt the other NW people can make it, but then we have several big meets coming up - York in July and Manchester (Collectormania G-Mex) in November.

The NW group were up for monthly meets in our area, we'd probably move it around the towns and cities so NW people can get to the different venues. NE people are welcome if they want to travel down (Jase came to the Liverpool meet a few weeks back). The NE group do similar - though I think Middlesbrough has been the focal point so far of mini-meets.

So don't worry, there is nearly 100% certain going to be a Newcastle meet, you have at least three FFUK North people interested (including me) I am hoping a Southport meet will happen, and not because I can be lazy over travel, and I think it may be that the Leeds meet is moved back to around October so that all members can get there.

 

I'm up for a meet in Leeds in October - are there any other leeds people about?

 

I'm in Leeds!

 

Wow - its only just taken you guys like a year to figure you are next door to each other in Leeds? I did mention both your localities some time back - my Force powers of 'Meet' persuation could not have been working...

I will come to a Leeds meet for sure! I like Leeds, but have yet to explore any sci fi shops other than the usual FP (which dissapointed me last time on my visit).

Any ideas?

 

There is a shop called Travelling Man in the Corn Exchange. Though I haven't been for a few years!