Mefi Oop North

May 12, 2009 8:55 AM

Anyone up for the idea of a meetup (anniversary or otherwise) for the North of England?

If Birmingham and London can have meetups, surely those of us north of the Pennines could have one, too?

I'm flexible as to location, but would prefer Leeds, Sheffield or Newcastle. Any takers?

posted by Grrlscout to MetaFilter gatherings at 8:55 AM (45 comments total)

I've been kicking the idea of *not* organising anything for the 10th in the NW simply because, fuck it, its 2 hours on the train to London and it'll be more special if everyone's together.

However, I'm totally down with a Northern meetup - and am prepared to put people up if Manchester is the chosen venue.
posted by Jofus at 10:16 AM on May 12

Hebden Bridge!

Because - ermmmm - It's halfway between Manchester and Leeds?
And ermmm - It's pretty?
posted by seanyboy at 10:29 AM on May 12

That's annoying. It appears that metatalk strips out the <big> tag.
posted by seanyboy at 10:30 AM on May 12

Count me in for a Sheffield one.
posted by gergtreble at 11:34 AM on May 12

Mathematically speaking, the average (mean) of the coordinates of Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle is at Trof on Thomas St., Manchester.

And I'll second Jofus' offer of up-put place.
posted by davemee at 12:43 PM on May 12

The induced call, mysterious, comes forth - hit the north.
posted by Abiezer at 1:58 PM on May 12

Because - ermmmm - It's halfway between Manchester and Leeds?

Fuck Manchester. What about Liverpool? Half way between Liverpool and Leeds is probably...

Manchester? Oh no, fuck Manchester.

Rochdale?

Fuck Rochdale. We should just have a northern meet-up in Crosby. It's half way between Southport and Liverpool, and we could throw stones at the men from Anthony Gormley's Another Place

And ermmm - It's pretty?

Anthony Gormley, dude! Plus I can just walk home from the pub afterwards!
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:49 PM on May 12

The induced call, mysterious, comes forth - hit the north.

All bound for Mu-Mu Land -- It's Grim Up North
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:55 PM on May 12

I'm in. Probably. I like the idea of Manchester, but that's just because it's where I live and I'm lazy like that.
posted by idiomatika at 7:43 PM on May 12

Wierdly enough, Davemee is amost exactly right.
posted by Jofus at 12:52 AM on May 13 [1 favorite]

Count me in for Manchester, Sheffield or Leeds.
posted by Electric Dragon at 1:08 AM on May 13

Well if I was going to go for pure personal convenience, I'd say Wakefield or Leeds. My case for Leeds is, well, it's Leeds and superconvenient for rail/road links for those coming from farther north or south. Wakefield is just off the M1/M62 and is chocka with pubs. Some of the better of which are within crawling distance of my house and are super friendly, and prone to lock-ins. not that I've actually tried to crawl the distance from, say, Fernandes or the Red Shed back to my house after a lock in. Not as pretty as Hebden Bridge or any of the villages dotting the Pennines in the Huddersfield/Rochdale/Sheffs/Manchester, but few places are.

Throwing rocks at Gormley's work, though... hmm...

It seems that Manchester's leading the league tables for meetup convenience. Why not go for this pub that's at the exact geographic centre?

I wonder what would happen to the fabric of the universe if Mefites landed in Barnsley town centre for a meetup?
posted by Grrlscout at 1:52 AM on May 13

Forgot to ask - does the majority want to make this a normal sort of meetup, or do we want to make this an anniversary meetup?
posted by Grrlscout at 2:13 AM on May 13

Votes for normal.
posted by Jofus at 5:10 AM on May 13

If it is an anniversary meetup then I will be in Vermont that weekend, but if it is a normal one then I am all up for Leeds/ Wakefield possibly Manchester, but depending on the actual date I might not make it.

-Koolkat
posted by koolkat at 7:24 AM on May 13

Oh my. Talk of northern get togethers on metafilter makes me tremble, ever so slightly, with joy.

I'm - where were y'all northern mefites when I was LIVING in Sheffield for, like, seven years!

Re: Barnsley. That makes me tremble for different reasons. But shudders aside, I'd be well up for a northern meet. There's always Holmfirth too? But Hebden Bridge would be very lovely.

So many meet-ups, so few light-speed travel options. Christ, it's gonna be a busy weekend...
posted by freya_lamb at 7:28 AM on May 13

Although I've said Manchester above, I'm totally up for travelling
posted by Jofus at 8:15 AM on May 13

A northern meet-up? Excellent!

I could do one of either kind, I think; Leeds would be easier for me, but anywhere else accessible by train is certainly doable, if that ends up being handier overall.
posted by thoughtless at 8:58 AM on May 13

does the majority want to make this a normal sort of meetup, or do we want to make this an anniversary meetup?

What's the difference? Do you get cake at an anniversary one?
posted by idiomatika at 9:37 AM on May 13

Other than the date: I think we get a drinks allowance from the mefi kitty if it's an anniversary meet-up ($50-100?).

Cake would be nice either way, now that you mention it.
posted by thoughtless at 9:44 AM on May 13

Hi! Just getting this thread in my recent activity. Carry on...
posted by triggerfinger at 6:45 AM on May 14

Sorry for neglecting this thread - Eurovision beckoned and I succumbed.

So far we have approx 6 Mancs votes, 5 Leeds, 3 Sheffs and various others. Why don't we have the first one in Manchester, see how it goes, and then think about alternating host towns if we decide to do this semi-regularly? (including Hebden Bridge and Crosby) That way, no one's stuck doing all the traveling.

I'm familiar with a few pubs in the Northern Quarter and city centre, but as I've only really been to Mancs pubs after work or the Winter CAMRA festival, I'll defer to the Mancunians for suggestions. I really like the Marble Arch or the Briton's Protection - which would be most convenient?

Dates: 30th May or 6th June? I'm thinking afternoon would be easiest for everyone to get together - 2ish?
posted by Grrlscout at 11:54 PM on May 14

The Marble Arch is one of the world's best pubs and is only a 15 minute walk from the station. It could be argued that it is not a very pleasant walk, but I reckon its well worth it. The place is a total gem.

I'm good for any date and GETTING EXCITED!
posted by Jofus at 2:17 AM on May 15

Well, strike a light: I will be in manchester anyway on the 6th, for 2 many djs. So that really couldn't be much better for me. 30th would be a lot trickier but I could have a go.

And good lord, that pub is a marble bewery pub, all who's real ales are vegetarian! Rejoice!

This is surely a sign of some kind. I'm in. (Well, as long as it's the 6th.)
posted by thoughtless at 2:44 AM on May 15

So are we agreed? Marble Arch, Manchester; 6th June; 2pm. Be there or be ... somewhere else.
posted by Electric Dragon at 12:17 PM on May 16

I'm there
posted by Jofus at 5:02 AM on May 18

Thanks to Electric Dragon and Freya Lamb, who've brought my attention back to this thread. I'll put it on the Upcoming list for the 6th of June @ the Marble Arch in Manchester.

I'm doing a little happy dance that this is coming together. It's blowing the Serious Scary Sharklike Auditor act I'm supposed to be doing today... ah, springtime, ah, the prospect of a lovely beer at the Arch and some good craic... :D
posted by Grrlscout at 12:12 AM on May 19

very excited about a meet up, I volunteer my culinary skills which will take the form of a cake.
posted by slyrabbit at 1:29 PM on May 19 [1 favorite]

I'll beholding you to that, Hwa!
posted by Jofus at 2:06 AM on May 20

I'll be there.
posted by idiomatika at 12:35 PM on May 21

Manchester? You mean that city down south? I'm holding out for a Newcastle meetup.
posted by klausness at 4:24 PM on May 21

I was only joking about Crosby, grrlscout.

6th of June. It's in the diary.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 10:33 AM on May 31

I'll be there! It's the day after my final exam :D
posted by pocketfluff at 12:19 PM on May 31

All set to go for tomorrow, then. I'm deeply intrigued to see how the classic 'spot the mefites' issue will pan out ...
posted by thoughtless at 8:53 AM on June 5

ME!
posted by Jofus at 9:10 AM on June 5

See you all down there, maybe a little late. SlyRabbit's working the cake as I type here...
posted by davemee at 12:07 PM on June 5

Not a comment, just a reflection: Trying out a new recipe with make shift tools is risky. See you tomorrow!
posted by slyrabbit at 4:15 PM on June 5

Hey there! It was nice to see you all (that turned up). We should do it again sometime. And many thanks to slyrabbit for the excellent cake.
posted by Electric Dragon at 12:36 PM on June 6

Wondeful to meet you all. The photo's are up. Hope I got everyone's usernames right.
posted by idiomatika at 4:04 PM on June 6

I apologise profusely for the errant apostrophe in that comment.
posted by idiomatika at 4:24 PM on June 6

Cakes and ale!
Pretends not to see apostrophe
posted by Abiezer at 4:31 PM on June 6

Echoing the sentiments above: it was a real pleasure to meet everyone, and I had a great time, including (but not limited to) having an unexpectedly huge wodge of delicious cake.

And idiomatika, I apologise profusely for managing to shut my eyes for the one photo of me. Otherwise, lovely photos!
posted by thoughtless at 10:52 AM on June 7

Likewise, a very pleasant and entertaining afternoon with some lovely people, which I hope to repeat! Leeds, I remember, came up...

As for those no-shows... I can only assume you're lovely people - after all, you gave us double servings of MetaCake!
posted by davemee at 12:16 PM on June 7

Yep. Metafilter people are awesome wherever you are. I had a great time, 3 pints more than I thought and, of course, cake.
posted by Jofus at 1:15 AM on June 8

Things I Learnt:

1. Nothing attracts random passers-by like cake. Particularly MeFi coloured cake.
2. If it says 2pm on the meetup, don't turn up at 2pm, because no-one else will.
3. Marble beers are far too nice and evaporate surprisingly quickly.
4. Trying to explain supersymmetry after several of aforementioned beers is a Bad Idea.
posted by Electric Dragon at 1:10 PM on June 8