18 July 2009

 

After a few false starts and a certain amount of head-scratching I am now able to tell you the arrangements for this year's reunion.

Apologies to those who have indicated that they are unable to attend this year, but this is a group message and I can't easily delete individual names.  I must also apologise to those who have told me they can't attend on the date in question, but the 18th has proved to be the only viable option.    

I think I already advised some of you that I was hoping to use the facilities at Surrey University in Guildford and John Quinlan and I have visited the University and obtained costings.  Unfortunately the charge for an evening meal turned out to be excessive and there was also a cost for using a private room.  Taking account of the fact that the rooms were only singles I decided that this was not acceptable. 

I wanted to stick with Guildford, partly because it's my home town, but  mainly because it's a pretty central location, so John and I have looked at other options locally.  We have now settled on a Premier Inn Hotel called the Parkway which is on the outskirts of the town and located quite close to the A3.  John has made contact with the hotel this week and said the rooms looked to be of a good standard.  Obviously they have en-suite facilities, tea making, TV etc.   There is plenty of free car-parking and for  non-runners the local Lido is opposite to help them while away the Saturday afternoon.  The town centre is only about five minutes drive away with plenty of high class, expensive shops.  Not recommended for wives with time on their hands.

To avoid the hassle of ascertaining how many are coming and getting their cheques I established that the hotel are quite happy for everyone to book direct and pay upon arrival.  The cost of a room is £57 whether double or twin.  Those who are coming unaccompanied may wish to consider sharing, but check on the snoring patterns first.  We have been given a discounted rate of £5 for breakfast.  The evening meal will be ordered off their normal menu and everyone will pay individually.  this only leaves the cost of KEO and lemonade and as we have £200 in the bank I don't think I will need to ask for any contribution on this account.

I have provisionally booked 15 rooms and in order to make a booking you need to ring the Parkway on 01483 301040 ( or 08701 977 122) and explain that you are part of the Episkopi Hash Harriers group.  You need to quote Reservation Number DJR 142770.  Payment will be due on arrival, but if for any reason you have to cancel please let the hotel (and me) know.

It would be useful if I could have numbers attending within the next month or so to help me with the KEO order.

This is a rather different arrangement to those in recent years and may require a bit of flexibility when the time comes, but I think it will work out well.  There is still work to be done and John and I will be researching running areas in the coming weeks.  It is possible that the Sunday morning run might start from the hotel, but the main run on Saturday will necessitate driving to the RV.  In order to comply with tradition this will mean leaving the hotel at approximately 2.30pm so don't be late.  Obviously it will be possible to take lunch at the hotel before the run if you wish.  Officially acess to the rooms in not until 2pm, but I'm told we can probably bring this forward if we ask nicely.  I expect it depends whether the room has been occupied previously.  On the Sunday vacation time is 12 noon, but this should give us time for an apres-hash shower.  One potential snag for those bringing children is that the only 4 family rooms are currently booked.  It may be necessary to book two rooms in that case, or try the Guildford Travelodge which is about a mile away from the Parkway. 

I think that's all for now.  Any questions let me know by e-mail or ring on 01424 734332.

On On !

Colin