Author Topic: Pre-Festive UK FW meet up in London? (Read 13246 times)

LT · « **on:** November 04, 2008, 07:05:55 PM »

I had a thought that it might be nice to suggest a UK FW meet-up in London before Xmas. I was thinking mid-december would be good. We could use it as an excuse to visit the All New Photographer's Gallery premises. Also, some bloke called Kenna or something is having a little show of his mediocre (cough) work in the Hackelbury Gallery (http://www.hackelbury.co.uk/) which might be worth going to (.... ! ....)

Would anyone be up for it? A nice cup of coffee, look at some incredible pictures, maybe a few pints and some fat chewing?

Let me know what you think.

L

Heather · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2008, 07:32:14 PM »

me me me me me me I wanna meet you guys!!

when so i know when to not visit my inlaws

LT · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2008, 07:42:38 PM »

Quote from: leon taylor on November 04, 2008, 07:05:55 PM

..... and some fat chewing?

Sorry - In the name of Political Correctness (I am a social worker after all) meant to add chewing the soft and fatty under side of an organically farmed salmon (for us ethically correct and conservationally minded pescatarians) or chewing a fairtrade soya based vegetable fat substitute (for the truly committed). Hopefully that covers all dietary requirements and ethical eaters.

david b · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2008, 08:32:10 PM »

Possibly yes ... I've been trying to find time to get to London to see Francis Bacon at the Tate and Cold War Modern at the V&A but life's been too hectic. Maybe this would be a good added incentive to finally make it.

Andrea. · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2008, 09:53:59 PM »

Love to come but, the air fare costs more than flying to the US ! My partner Eve will be in London next w/e for a funeral but we cannot both afford to come. Pity.
An alternative venue might be Stornoway :-)

eddie · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2008, 11:27:56 PM »

I'd like to make this if dates suit and i can get reasonable flights.

LT · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2008, 07:56:00 AM »

Wow - that's commitment Eddie. Andrea - you should take a note from his book

It would be great to see you all if we can pull it off.

Stu · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2008, 09:27:36 AM »

I'd be up for that.

Andrea. · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2008, 10:23:18 AM »

Quote from: leon taylor on November 05, 2008, 07:56:00 AM

Wow - that's commitment Eddie. Andrea - you should take a note from his book It would be great to see you all if we can pull it off.

Mmmmm. Give me a day while I raid the piggy bank and see what's there.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2008, 10:59:56 AM »

Good idea, Leon. Let's get a date set so I can 'lock it in' the Wenn family calendar. Sounds like you have a good itinerary in the works.

Ailsa · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2008, 11:04:55 AM »

Count me in! But can I make a request for it not to be the 14th, as that's my birthday (all gifts gratefully received), and as lovely a bunch as you all are...

LT · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2008, 11:14:50 AM »

The best date for me would be saturday 20th December but as this is the last saturday for xmas shopping before the holidays, I think it will be a bit crowded everywhere. ... the Hackelbury doesnt open on a sunday sadly and apart from meeting the FWs, this would be an essential requirment for me. Is this too close to xmas for most people? How about saturday 29th November? or sat 6th December? Any good? I cant make the others as end of term essays etc will be taking up all my time

Heather · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2008, 11:18:54 AM »

The 28th I have a very late night party to go to and I'm intending on crashing at my friend's place overnight so the 29th isn't good for me. 6th of December for me... You are utterly stonkin' bonkers* to want to go into London and expect to move more than 6inches on the weekend (the saturday even!) before Christmas!

*I mean that in the nicest possible way, I do.

Andrea. · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2008, 04:41:44 PM »

Nope, that's it.
Had to go into Stornoway today on the way to take my bosses to the airport and that felt really crowded. London at that time of year - eek! I use to work in Cavendish Sq eons ago and now am reminded what that use to be like in December.

BTW; the shone has shone all day - and yesterday too. The hoped for gale to show by bosses how difficult it is working in these remote parts never materialised. [as you can see below]

[Sorry, image deleted during forum software upgrade. Please re-upload if so inclined.]

This-is-damion · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2008, 06:31:19 PM »

im in!

and 20th works for me, although it does depend on me twisting an arm here and there.

LT · « **Reply #15 on:** November 07, 2008, 03:14:11 PM »

Quote from: leon taylor on November 05, 2008, 11:14:50 AM

The best date for me would be saturday 20th December but as this is the last saturday for xmas shopping before the holidays, I think it will be a bit crowded everywhere. ... the Hackelbury doesnt open on a sunday sadly and apart from meeting the FWs, this would be an essential requirment for me. Is this too close to xmas for most people? How about saturday 29th November? or sat 6th December? Any good? I cant make the others as end of term essays etc will be taking up all my time

c'mon everyone - what dates can you/ cant you make? we need to get this in our diaries before the ubiquitous office party/ family visits start rushing in

Stu · « **Reply #16 on:** November 07, 2008, 03:44:39 PM »

20th is good as I do all my shopping on the 23rd/24th! (It's called 'putting it off')

Ailsa · « **Reply #17 on:** November 07, 2008, 04:31:34 PM »

I can do the 20th!

LT · « **Reply #18 on:** November 07, 2008, 04:41:11 PM »

It's looking like we'll be braving the crowds ..... it WILL be busy, but will make for a fun challenge - anyone else?

david b · « **Reply #19 on:** November 07, 2008, 06:22:02 PM »

Absolutely no way I can do the 20th - guess I'll sit this one out.

Jon Butler · « **Reply #20 on:** November 07, 2008, 09:27:01 PM »

Yes please, I'm up for it.
Any date or time should be OK for me.

Cheers JON.

LT · « **Reply #21 on:** November 08, 2008, 10:34:58 AM »

how about everyone says what dates they can do, then we can put our collective heads together and come up with a plan

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #22 on:** November 08, 2008, 02:46:10 PM »

If Big D, Ailsa McBusy and The Druid can make the 20th then I'm in, but actually, since I live in London and am pretty free between now and end of Dec I can be counted on to pretty much fit in with everyone.

Anyway, if you want to avoid crowds then we can just make it a social do and base ourselves in my part of town (Balham) where it'll be a lot quieter. Maybe meet up at the new Photogs' Gallery and then head out of the centre ASAP after that?

Heather · « **Reply #23 on:** November 08, 2008, 04:51:11 PM »

I guess I can do the 20th. I like Ed's idea though. I might be somewhat biased though because I find the idea of travelling nearly the whole length of the Northern Line back home amusing at times.

LT · « **Reply #24 on:** November 08, 2008, 06:03:06 PM »

that sounds like a good idea Ed - but I MUST see the kenna show so Maybe I'll come up early to go to the gallery then meet up with everyone else later? I like the idea of showing a few prints etc

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #25 on:** November 09, 2008, 01:09:21 AM »

Kenna a must for me too. Misread your post on that point. I live here so a day out in the West End on Saturday 20th doesn't scare me. Am happy to do Photogs' Gallery + Kenna, but just wanted to point out that we didn't have to stay in the busy part of town for the drinking/eating/portfolio-showing session afterwards. Lots of quieter options...even if we don't venture down to Balham.

LT · « **Reply #26 on:** November 11, 2008, 10:58:25 AM »

so - I guess we should go for the 20th then.

What times etc suit people?

Sorry to David - maybe next time?

Heather · « **Reply #27 on:** November 11, 2008, 02:19:40 PM »

Looks like Hackelbury is open a bit earlier than Photographers Gallery... and I know of a yummy BBQ restaurant around the corner from the new Photographers Gallery site so my suggestion is meet up at Hackelbury, oogle pictures, take tube up to Oxford Circus, take the Argyll street exit, walk to http://www.bodeansbbq.com/ eat there for lunch, then walk back to the photographers gallery. However, Bodeans is NOT very vegetarian optioned so that's probably out the window(vaguely recalling there are vegetarian photographers

).

How far away are people coming from? That kind of determines how early we can start this and if we should have lunch before our galleries or after one of them. I think the earliest I can get in is 10-10:30AM (that's more limited to the husband never getting up early on weekends and slowly eating breakfast while I sit around and wait for him

)

Stu · « **Reply #28 on:** November 11, 2008, 04:06:58 PM »

Great call. I went to Bodeans on Friday and ate so much meat I got the meat sweats! (not really, but I did eat a lot.)

It is full on grotesque American portions of ribs, pulled pork (I had to ask, apparently it is just pork but slow cooked and shredded!) burgers and steaks.

Be warned, they don't take bookings and trust me (I work 2 minutes away) it will be bloody busy. I'm probably stating the obvious there though!

david b · « **Reply #29 on:** November 11, 2008, 04:59:55 PM »

Quote from: leon taylor on November 11, 2008, 10:58:25 AM

Sorry to David - maybe next time?

Aye. It's my (and my best friend's) birthday that weekend, so I suspect I'll be sufficiently distracted and won't be pining for y'all too much!

LT · « **Reply #30 on:** November 11, 2008, 05:42:59 PM »

make sure you have a good Birthday David - 21 again is it?

Heather - Ed and Damion are strict veggie types, I'm a hypocritical fish eater, but no other flesh in my diet .... not sure we'll be able to stomach watching others tucking in to bison ribs and cow kebabs (or whatever it is you american cook on the BBQ) - maybe there's somewhere that's a little more holistic in it's menu approach ... ?

Well I'm coming from deepest Kent, Ailsa from South Coast, Damion from Midlands .... I reckon 11 is a good time to meet up. I would be good to get the Kenna out of the way first as I can spend the rest of the day telling everyone how depressed his prints make me feel. The pub MUST feature at some point, but I'm sure we'll manage to fit it in.

Ailsa · « **Reply #31 on:** November 12, 2008, 09:16:09 AM »

11am is good for me. And food-wise, perhaps we should just find a pub that does the usual range of stuff? Perhaps one of the London-dwellers might be able to suggest somewhere?

So are we meeting at Hackelbury then?

jrong · « **Reply #32 on:** November 12, 2008, 09:21:23 AM »

Ooops, only just saw this.

A bit too close to Xmas for me, I'm afraid. Leaving London on 17th Dec to go abroad. Another missed FW meeting...!!!!

Have fun, everyone.

Jin

LT · « **Reply #33 on:** November 12, 2008, 02:28:08 PM »

Sorry you cant make it Jin - have a good time away.

Meeting at the hacklebury sounds like a good plan to me.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #34 on:** November 13, 2008, 09:18:46 PM »

Hacklebury at 11AM then. They won't know what's hit them

Food-wise, yeah I'm a veggie, but my grandad was a butcher so I'm in no way squeamish...but it would be nice to be able to eat something on the menu, so maybe a pub or an Italian would be a good choice...also if the BBQ place is going to be mentally busy then that's a major thing against it.

I'll check out a few spots in the neighbourhood. Would welcome any suggestions, but the main thing is Kenna, Photogs' Gallery and finding somewhere to chat. Don't want to get hung up on eating somewhere. Pub is a different matter though. I'm all about that!

jrong · « **Reply #35 on:** November 14, 2008, 04:51:55 PM »

Aggh aggh agggh. The Hackelbury is just over 5 mins walk from my home! Oh well if I can't make the FW meet, I might as well go over there and have a browse this weekend. I've never seen any of Michael Kenna's work from up close and the prospect is spine-tingling....

Jin

jrong · « **Reply #36 on:** November 19, 2008, 01:16:14 PM »

I thought I'd let you all know that there is a very nice pub within 5 mins walk of the Hackelbury.... it's called the Queen's Arms and it's tucked away in a cobbled mews off Queen's Gate Terrace. I believe they serve some decent pub food too, and a range of beers including some common Belgians. A little closer is the Gloucester Arms, which is barely a minute's walk away from the Hackelbury, and it is looking a lot nicer now since its refurbishment, but lacks the atmosphere of the Queen's Arms. Hope this helps.

Jin

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #37 on:** November 19, 2008, 08:19:52 PM »

Perfect. Thanks for the info. Even if you can't make it, you've still made a vital contribution.

Janet_P · « **Reply #38 on:** November 20, 2008, 11:38:43 AM »

Can I elbow my way into this too please? I've only just read this post and would love to meet up with you all again. Would also love to see the Michael Kenna.

Also, I believe I owe you ?10 Ed...

Janet

LT · « **Reply #39 on:** November 20, 2008, 12:25:11 PM »

of course you can Janet - will be good to catch up with you again

LT · « **Reply #40 on:** December 10, 2008, 04:10:26 PM »

thought I'd bump this up for anyone who may have missed it.

can we have a list of all those coming along next week? I'm well excited innit.

Andrea. · « **Reply #41 on:** December 10, 2008, 04:45:27 PM »

No! Sounds like you will have way too much fun. I'll have to make do with looking at the Kenna card I have in front of me, having a wee dram [Och weel] and walking the beach.
Have fun though and take care out there :-)

Heather · « **Reply #42 on:** December 10, 2008, 08:44:56 PM »

meeeeeee (and my husband)
What's the plan again? Meet at the hacklebury at 10AM on the 20th?

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #43 on:** December 10, 2008, 09:51:22 PM »

I'm in (if only to get the tenner from Janet

).

Ailsa · « **Reply #44 on:** December 10, 2008, 10:25:24 PM »

Quote from: Heather on December 10, 2008, 08:44:56 PM

meeeeeee (and my husband)
What's the plan again? Meet at the hacklebury at 10AM on the 20th?

Feel free to rouse yourself for 10am - but I don't think the rest of us will be there til 11am!

LT · « **Reply #45 on:** December 11, 2008, 09:56:44 AM »

yes - 11 outside the hacklebury on the 20th

see you all there

This-is-damion · « **Reply #46 on:** December 17, 2008, 11:18:16 AM »

Does anyone know what time they will be hanging around until? i might have to get back for saturday evening just wondered what time to book train.

Stu · « **Reply #47 on:** December 17, 2008, 02:49:30 PM »

I won't be around for long (if at all now - ba humbug) as it turns out all my old uni mates are also having a pre-festive but about 40 mins from london! - which is good, but also sucks as they aren't into wasting film like you good folks.

Dagnabit

jrong · « **Reply #48 on:** December 19, 2008, 09:46:37 AM »

Actually, I had to postpone my flight abroad to the 23rd, so I can still make this one!
See you all outside the Hackelbury at 11am then..... or inside.
Jin

LT · « **Reply #49 on:** December 19, 2008, 08:59:19 PM »

that's great news jin - see you then then