where shall we meet?

[Beth]

where is easist for you to get to?

We are very seriously considering our first meet in the summer possibly and we will go to where gets the most votes!

So have your say!

(so far I am winning&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif )

[spinkysay]

I voted for London as I can get cheap accomodation - might be able to fix up cheap accomodation for a block booking wherever we go - I stress the word might. No promises&#33; Have friends in the travel biz.

Birmingham, which would be easier for me - I HATE&#33; Horrible place. (apologies to any Brummies) I avoid it.

[Scooby]

http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

I&#39;m fairly relaxed as to a meeting point and I am happy to go along with the majority. I with Spinkysay in that I am not too keen on Birmingham, but if that is where everybody feels that would be ideal I can go along with that.

I think from memory we have a problem with our friends North of the border and particulary Horsefans who has indicated that it might be a bit difficult on the travelling for them.

So really for me it&#39;s just down to a date and time and a nod for the off and that&#39;s it.

Hope thats okay with everyone.

[hollygolightly]

Leeds is quite central (and near to where I am&#33;), it has good transport links all over the country.

Harrogate and York are quite nice too&#33;

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

Well obviously I&#39;d prefer Liverpool http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif But thinking of the Scottish members, it might be a bit far to go to London. I quite like Holly&#39;s prefernces of York and Harrogate (got a pal in Harrogate, might be able to cadge a bed for the night http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif )

Anyway, somewhere in the &#39;middle&#39; of Britain would be fine by me.

Misty

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

Opps, my pal lives in Huddersfield, not Harrogate http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif Flippin&#39; Alzheimers is kicking in I think http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif

Misty

[hollygolightly]

Huddersfield is really close to Leeds (about 15ish minutes on the express train).

[Beth]

when they are running on time&#33;&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[spinkysay]

I&#39;ll go with the flow too - is it my imagination or are most members form up north?

[hollygolightly]

Originally posted by Beth@Apr 10 2003, 2:00 PM
when they are running on time&#33;&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif
Quite agree: the Transpennine Express is not the most reliable form of transport&#33;

Can I just say that I think this is a really good and practical Poll and I notice that only 7 members have voted.

Please cast your votes everyone&#33; If the first meet ends up being at the opposite end of the country from you and you didn&#39;t vote, then on your head be it&#33;

[hollygolightly]

Ah, sunny Manchester... http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

Anybody familiar with Afflecks Palace? Now, there were some proper shops&#33;

But, seriously. Manchester is "sort of" fine too. And, as a bonus, it&#39;s on the Transpennine Express&#33;

[Beth]

I see no reason why April&#39;s hubby cant come&#33;

We did talk to him in chat once so we know him&#33;&#33;&#33;

we mustn&#39;t forget that it is normally only one person in each house hold who has joined the forum, but it is the whole family who often read the posts&#33;

sufferers of the world unite&#33;&#33;

PS if we go to Manchester there is no way I am going to brannighans&#33;&#33;
not without serveral spirit guides and Derek Acohra&#33;&#33;

[Scooby]

PS if we go to Manchester there is no way I am going to brannighans&#33;&#33;
not without serveral spirit guides and Derek Acohra&#33;&#33;

Beth,

Where is Brannighans and for the uneducated Midlander in me is this place haunted or something.

Spirit guides yeap I can do a bit of that but who is Derek ?

[spinkysay]

Scoobs, - Derek Acorah describes himself as a &#39;medium&#39;. The only way the word medium can be alloted to him is in what size underpants he takes.

in my opinion he&#39;s a fake. I have good reasons why I think this too, but this late at night and this forum isn&#39;t the place&#33;

Beth - have you been watching &#39;Britain&#39;s Most Haunted&#39; too????&#33;&#33;&#33;

[Beth]

I am an avid MH watcher&#33;

now dont you be saying bad things about lovely Derek Spinks&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

I guess it helps living in my house to have an open mind&#33;&#33;

Branninghans in Manchester is a bar that used to be a methodist church....methodists being anti alochol...restlest spirits and I dont mean vodka&#33;&#33;

Derek was possessed in there by a nasty bloke (dont say it spinks&#33;&#33;) and it actually freaked me, I had to turn the lounge light on when I was watching&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ph34r.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif

[sallyanne]

up north would be ideal for me, but any other location would be fine, mind you depends on the state of my nerves.

sallyanne

[spinkysay]

Oh he was probably possessed alright - by a desire for fame. Have you been on his website?? Please do&#33;

We&#39;re going (or rather partner is being dragged by his hair) to see him when he hits these parts.

Also doing a &#39;piece&#39; on him for my other website.

Someone wants me to interview him (and David Icke) for a magazine but I&#39;ve got more important things to do - like clean up dog ****&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

....I might actually interview Acorah, depending on what happens when we see his show. There might be something in what he does on a personal and private level, but what he does on MH is a load of baloney - cheesy acting or what&#33;&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif

On spooks, spirits etc I have an open mind. http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif

[horsefans]

Would be really nice to meet you all but bear in mind that it takes us 4 hrs just to get to the Border.

It takes 8 hrs for us to travel to York&#33;&#33; So would take some planning&#33;&#33;

HF&#39;s
http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[hollygolightly]

Originally posted by spinkysay@Apr 15 2003, 7:58 PM
On spooks, spirits etc I have an open mind. http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif** http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif** http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif
Me too. Seen a few (spooks) & lots of weird happenings in the house I grew up in, which was built in 1633.

Please vote on this Poll. Where are the votes for the other 155 members? Only 11 have voted so far.

[Eeyore]

I&#39;m from the North too, would love a meet in Leeds or Harrogate, can&#39;t leave my dogs overnight to go too far

[Beth]

unlike the football team.....it seems Leeds is winning&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cry.gif (poor Leeds Utd)

If you want to make this poll change to a location closer to you then please... Get Voting&#33;&#33;

I must admit a disapointing response so far,

13 out of 186 members&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

Use this as a practice run for voting next Thursday&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[hollygolightly]

Keep Leeds at the top spot everyone&#33;

http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[cherrycola]

Im near Manchester hehe but if I was going out id really want to go into Brannigans&#33;&#33;&#33;Im not up to meeting anyone yet but I have a suggestion hehe http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ph34r.gif You could all decide who has the most aggravating NFH and hold the party at your house hehe....I know im terrible it was just a thought http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif

[Beth]

nice idea about holding it next to a nFH&#33;&#33;

bad idea about brannigns&#33;&#33;

I have enough spirits in my house without meeting nasty ones&#33;...I could always take my smudge stick&#33;

http://www.psy-center.com/cgi-bin/ikonboar...d/ikonboard.cgi (http://www.psy-center.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi)

pyschic forum address&#33;

[horsefans]

Is this dead and buried or is it something we could actually arrange???

Would be good to meet you all .

http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[spinkysay]

I was looking forward to this but now ****** off as illness has got in the way. All depends on when it might be. Any ideas?

[Beth]

yes still on for a meet&#33;&#33;

after talking to people in chat we are considering meeting in October which is the sites 1st birthday&#33;

I am looking into places where we might be able to meet (which is free&#33;&#33;)
or cheap

We will decide on a date and place soon I promise you&#33;

members can always have smaller meets if they like, for example there are quite a few members in the north west and north east&#33;

some of us have already "eyeballed&#33;" and no axe murderers so far&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

I would love to meet all of you&#33;

[poor tom]

Having recently been looking at getting to Edinburgh cheaply & conveniently, what about a meet near one of the budget-airline airports (eg EMA or Luton)? Cheaper than the train.

Of course, Coventry would be ideal for everyone, but it&#39;s not on the list. Could generate interesting news coverage eg &#39;Neighbours from Hell sent to Coventry&#39;

Could we make it a family-friendly (& dog-friendly) venue/event?

[Tannasg]

Re the summer meet - wherever it is I am not going to be able to get to it - any chance of someone dragging along a webcam and laptop so that those unable to make it for whatever reason could possibly participate and &#39;meet&#39; others that way?

I&#39;d love to be able to attend but let&#39;s face it - Bristol - "null pointes"&#33; - and I think most people are aware that I rarely get beyond my front gate for lack of transport, so getting anywhere else won&#39;t be on (unless there is another car-endowed Bristol-or-close member lurking out there who would have a spare seat for a petrol-share and a free pair of my super-powerful earplugs).

tannasg

[spinkysay]

Airports - I&#39;ll get the train to one but won&#39;t fly to one - refuse to fly&#33; Not scared of flying scared of crashing.

Coventry would be easier for me, but I&#39;m more than willing to go with the majority as we seem to hail from all points n.s.e. and west&#33;

I&#39;m going to be really honest here and don&#39;t want to offend anyone in the process. Many of my NFH problems in the past were from children, and to this day I can&#39;t bear to be around children. I know you&#39;ll probably say not all children are bad un&#39;s and scream themselves senseless etc etc&#33;&#33; And I know people get very protective about their children, but in my case the damage is done. My problem not yours - I know.

Dogs I&#39;m more than happy with, but you&#39;ll find hardly anyone allows dogs on their premises.

[Tannasg]

>>I&#39;m going to be really honest here and don&#39;t want to offend anyone in the process. Many of my NFH problems in the past were from children, and to this day I can&#39;t bear to be around children. I know you&#39;ll probably say not all children are bad un&#39;s and scream themselves senseless etc etc&#33;&#33; And I know people get very protective about their children, but in my case the damage is done. <<

Have to say I agree with you - even though I can say without having to have ANY private reservations that my two could be taken anywhere at any age and can still, at 19 and nearly 21 - they haven&#39;t turned into Sierra-driving lager-louts&#33; - I am the same. Until proven otherwise I regard all children as potential little wotsits - unless I know the parents VERY well before I meet the children.

Once bitten - twice shy.

Live here - Alsation guard dog and defences all over the shop.

I am not being protective about my two - I just brought them up (in very many ways but not all) as I was - to consider the consequences of ALL their actions - with a reminder that that included thinking before opening their mouths on all occasions because they might put their own foot in it if they said the wrong thing - and would feel my boot in their pants if they made the wrong (too loud or inappropriate) noise.

I was quite satisfied when a teacher chased me at their last high school to thank me for bringing up boys who did not disrupt lessons, paid attention to the teacher - and on whom he could turn his back without getting an itch between his shoulder blades. (Attacks, including knifings, upon teachers being common this side of the river in Bristol.) Plus I have never had the police - or anyone else - at the door regarding the misbehaviour of either of them.

[hollygolightly]

Yeah, come on everyone - get voting&#33;

276 members have yet to vote in this Poll.

Please Vote&#33;

London is catching up with Leeds, which is very worrying http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif .

[Matthew]

Originally posted by hollygolightly@Jun 20 2003, 3:57 PM
London is catching up with Leeds, which is very worrying** http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif .
Oh blow&#33; Shame I can&#39;t vote twice&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[poor tom]

We&#39;ve heard about preferences for venues, but what about the programme of events? I&#39;ve got one idea, being a drama teacher and all: "Forum Theatre".

It would need a group to meet a little in advance (perhaps only the day or the morning before) & prepare a short play on a NFH situation. At the get-together we would show the play, then invite members to come on stage & try out different possible solutions. The main idea is that experiment is better than discussion, and keeps things more realistic. You also get to see outcomes before trying something out with the real NFH - avoids negative outcomes in the real world.

Forum Theatre is a well-established medium, started by Augusto Boal in Brazil in the 1960s. I could post a worksheet I&#39;ve just given my students if I knew how to do that. Meanwhile, some links:
On Boal&#39;s career (http://www.unomaha.edu/~pto/augusto.htm)
A UK Forum Theatre company (http://www.cardboardcitizens.org.uk)

And of course, I&#39;d be happy to try and run the show myself - which is why I&#39;m suggesting it, I suppose. Time permitting.
What do you think?

Thinking about where would we meet also means looking at type of venue. Perhaps a college (with drama studio&#33;&#33;? and bar...) during the October half term?

[Matthew]

I think it&#39;s a very interesting idea personally and have been chatting with Peter about this over PM&#39;s - but of course it&#39;s down to the general consensus on how people would feel about doing it http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Some people won&#39;t mind participating, others would just want to watch and it would certainly break the ice. Only natural that people will have different reactions and levels of participation. Some members may just prefer to go to a meal, a bar/pub, or just hang out somewhere.

If you do fancy it, please say and post, if you don&#39;t please say and post too, but would you be more interested if this was done during a 2nd/3rd meeting rather than the 1st if you&#39;re not keen?

Be good to get peoples opinions and I&#39;m sure Peter won&#39;t be offended if you say either constructive positive or negative thoughts http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

It sounds great, but I don&#39;t think I could get up on stage http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif I&#39;m still in awe of my daughter who played the wicked witch in a pantomine in Liverpool http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif Don&#39;t know where she got the acting bug but it wasn&#39;t from me http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif

But if other members are willing to have a go, I&#39;m more than willing to watch http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif Of course if it was after two or three meetings when we&#39;ve got to know each other better, I might be persuaded (after a noggin or two http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif )

If enough people turn up maybe we could get the press and tv interested in covering it http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Misty

[poor tom]

Of course we&#39;d like an audience, Misty&#33;&#33; One big difference between Forum and Pantomime (doesn&#39;t everybody love a good panto?) is that you get to do more (if you want) than shout &#39;He&#39;s behind you&#33;&#39; You can get up on stage and have a go yourself. Or watch others having a go. All very relaxed. But someone has to clap (or boo) at the end...

For members&#39; information (and challenge?&#33;) Matthew&#39;s uploading a Forum Theatre worksheet I did for my (A-level) students. Seeing as you all missed the practical class http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif , here are the words to go in the gaps (not in the right order: you still have to do SOME work yourselves&#33;)

husband
exile
warm
role
action
difficult
audience
show
beat
"Joker"
oppressed
student
Boal

If any of you want to attempt the essay question, please PM me first&#33;&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blush.gif

[Matthew]

Peter&#39;s MS Word File Attached http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[hollygolightly]

Am all for doing whatever people want.

However, what I thought the meet might be about was:

- People booking into a B&B and spending one/two days

- Workshops (looking at a variety of things):
maybe getting speakers in (about ASBO&#39;s?, noise/ EH departments, local HA/ LA)
coping mechanisms
looking at funding for the site/what you want for the future of it

- and spend a lot of time on "Getting to know you" in the bar, restaurant, gym (not that you&#39;ll find me there).

[poor tom]

Originally posted by hollygolightly@Jun 29 2003, 1:21 AM
...what I thought the meet might be about was:
- People booking into a B&B and spending one/two days
- Workshops (looking at a variety of things):
maybe getting speakers in (about ASBO&#39;s?, noise/ EH departments, local HA/ LA)
coping mechanisms
looking at funding for the site/what you want for the future of it
- and spend a lot of time on "Getting to know you" in the bar, restaurant, gym (not that you&#39;ll find me there).
I guess people so far have bee looking at where to meet, not at what to do when we do meet.

If some members are coming a long way, then I think we should do more than just meeting in a pub for a meal & lubrication. Something a little structured (an hour&#39;s Forum Theatre entertainment for example) would slot into an evening programme quite easily. As for me, more - like ASBO&#39;s, EHOs etc - would help me get my moneysworth from the travelling costs (time as well as money&#33;)

But whatever we do needs to be fun, informal and relaxed.

What&#39;s a &#39;Gym&#39;?? Never heard of it.

[Beth]

I like your idea Tom but I think it will be too much for for the first meet&#33;

everyone is really nervous about meeting&#33;

down the line it would be great to do a little skit on NFH

the people I have spoken to about meeting would like to meet and be able to chat, some would like a speaker,

it is possible it will be an all day thing with members welcome to pop in and out when ever they like, means they will also be able to visit the area they are in.
then have a set time time for perhaps a speaker..... we will see.

BTW the final results will will taken tonight&#33;&#33;&#33;



the poll will stay open to see where we will meet next time but I need to start looking around for this time, its nearly July already&#33;&#33; time ticks on http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

[Beth]

ok

LEEDS wins&#33;&#33;

now we have a city I can work on the venue and details

as I said before please keep putting your favorite place to meet as it may well be used for meeting number two&#33;

[sapphirelily10]

Leeds is good for me&#33; Looking forward to a chance to meet up&#33;

Sapp

[Beth]

details to be given out soon in members only section on where and when

but please keep sat 25th October clear&#33;&#33; :D

I am looking forward to meeting you&#33;&#33;

[kajiee]

NEWCASTLE, I couldn&#39;t go otherwise Iv&#39;e got 5 kids and I go to Uni &#33;