Alex, feel free to move this if you think it not appropriate for this forum

Right, down to business.
As some know, people don't seem to be happy with the venue for the Scoobysnacks meet (or the title of it, given the other *snax (sic) threads that popped up). Some have posted threads stating other locations for the meet, which is good, though an email to me might have been a better way of doing it and then letting me post the thread, but we're splitting hairs here, and I am not having a go at anyone, well, may a wee jest

It has also been mentioned that a change of day might be good, possibly going back to Thursdays, or maybe alternating, one month Thursday, one month Friday.

There are a couple of people out there who know how I really feel about all this, and sorry to vent in their direction, as I know they have better things to have people venting at them

So, questions.

1: Why don't you like the woodman?

2: Where would you like the meet to take place and why?

3: Anyone fancy taking on the role of Meet organiser? (yes I am serious here!)

 

Hello, the main problem I have with the Woodman is the fact that we've been going there for so long that the menu is looking very boring...same old thing etc

 

Rather than hide behind a name why not post as yourself? whoever you may be

And the problem with it being in one place is?........

I like the woodman, as is no doubt apparent.

There are problems associated with finding another place, they are:

1: A big enough car park. Ok so sometimes there may only be 4 or 5 cars, but we have had about 15 or so, and it's very difficult to predict how many are going to turn up

2: Places to sit/eat. A normal pub is fine if we just want a few drinks (but normal pub might not meet item 1 above ). Ideally we want to be able to reserve tables, and places like Harvester, or Beefeater seem to be non-reservation type places, or were the las time I enquired. This presents a problem as if we crowd in en-mass we might not all get seats. Plus the place must cater for familes and kids, as some of us do have kids (ok, I don't now, but others do)

3: Travelling distances. We have to find a place that is easy for all of us to reach. I'm happy to travel, but some are not, and it does amaze me where some of you lot do come from (Gossy, you are a mad man! ).

4: A place that will accept us. We know we're a nice social bunch, but if you mention to "normal" people about a 'meet' you know the kind of looks they give you. Some owners of establishments might simply tar us with the "nova boyz" tag and thus not want us there as it is not the image they wish to convey, and it could put off other customers.

To be quite honest, and I *will* regret saying this, I'm fed up with people going on about change of venue and change of day, if you really, trully don't like it then either don't come along, or email me and say you'd like to organise the meet as you think you can do a better job than me, and you probably can. I am NOT singling anyone out here, as many people have suggested changed. I am not against changes, well, ok, I'm a lazy sod, as you all know! It's just that I feel that I should not bother doing this as everyone just seems to complain all the time, and maybe it's time to hand over the reins.

The one thing I should point out, is that I am being a tad presumptious here, as it's not really "my" meet to hand over, I'm only really looking after it for Kim. So I might get a kicking from Kim in a moment!

[Edited by Markus - 5/28/2002 4:15:20 PM]

 

Dom,
thanks, was hoping you would post.

OK, so menu not changing, ok, I guess I could talk to Paul and see what he says. But if we go somewhere else the same could happen.

Yes it would be nice to move around, maybe have a rotation type thing for venues but it would be confusing for newbies, plus a possible nightmare in organising, which is another reason for maybe handing the reins over, as I don't know if I'm good enough to do it.

 

Markus, we've been going to the Woodman for a good few years, so we do like the pub. I just think we should maybe try somewhere else for a CHANGE. As mentioned the probs are many. So we need a venue that can cater for all the requirements. I still haven't managed to find anywhere that comes upto scratch but i'm sure other attendees must have some ideas?

 

Markus - you have mail

 

Mark, be honest organising the scoobysnax meet at the woodman isn't that big a job is it? Kim n Dom set it all up a while back and all we do is keep it rolling by putting the date up once a month, and calling them to let them know we are coming. The hard bit is what u are experiencing now. Moaners - me included.
My gripe with the Woodman is it's not a great summer evening pub, a bit dark n dingy inside(great for cold winter evenings). Apart from a carpark and a couple of benches their ain't much there.
You've stated above that if people don't like it then they wont come. Well .. Colin and Wendy are rarely there anymore, Tango, Mark Kahn, Nicki n the sprogs..I'm sure there are more. The message is getting clearer?
You *should* stay as organiser, because you are very motivated and spend alot of time to make things happen..but if you don't want the grief then just give it up - the Woodman meet can be picked up pretty easily by whomever..anything else can be others responsibilities.
Ta
Chuck

 

Sorry to add my comments even though i havent been yet but i will anyway !
Its very easy to knock something
But far harder to organise than people would imagine !
If you want to do something else why not organise it !

Sorry this sounds much harsher than it was meant to
maybe time to sit down at the next meet & discuss how to move forward ????

 

Chuck,
you're quite right, it's not exactly the most complicated thing to organise in the world, hell , a few monkeys could do it, and some would say do a better job!

Thanks for the kind words, but me, motivated, nah, you got the wrong bloke there mate!

I've been emailed a few places, one of which could be a very nice summer type place, so when I get the time, joking aside I do actually work, well, some of the time anyway , I might look into it.

 

Having only been to The Woodman once, the only thing i would say is that its not exactly the easiest of places to find if you dont know exactly where it is.

 

Ian,
yeah, you're not the only one to have said that, and I do agree. Hell I'm a local and I had a bit of trouble the first time I went there!

All these comments are being taken on board, trust me on that one. What will come of it? well, you'll have to see

 

Feel special as I rarely post!!

Anyway, the Woodsman is a fair old journey for me. The food is brilliant, but a change would be good!

The car park is a bit dark and dingy to do dodgy deals!! Ask Rambo or Chuck!!!

I've organised a couple of meets in my time, I know it's a pain! Although if you need ideas of pubs nearer Surrey, drop me a mail! I know quite a few that are only a few moments from J10 of the M25!

 

Wow! I'm honored!

Very valid points as well. You and others do have long journeys down there.

Like I said, anyone, everyone, feel free to post ideas for locations

[Edited by Markus - 5/28/2002 5:17:28 PM]

 

Markus how about the pub at Badgers Mount m8 ? Huge carpark, gardens, kidz friendly etc, think its a Chef and Brewer type affair. Could alternate between 2 pubs to keep everyone happy.

Jase

 

Maybe we could organise something a little nearer the Surrey/Sussex boarders. They are kind enough to keep coming over our way, maybe it is time to repay them.

Dan

 

Sorry, but organising the meet is not difficult, but the worry that everyone is happy there is!!! Especially when they take the PI$$ all the time. You don't know when they are being serious

Marcus,
Keep it going mate some of us appreciate it
Maybe a change is needed, but surely it's the company not the food that makes it so good.
Why not find a pub a bit more suitable for the Summer evenings (if we ever get any) and keep the Woodman in mind for later in the year when nights get darker??????

Iain.

PS. If I was getting as much grief (and personal insults) as Marcus is getting I would have jacked it in long ago.

PPS. Most of the whingers don't even drive Scoobs any more

 

Dyney, if the company was that good we wouldn't even need food!!

 

Danny,
Point taken mate. Suggestions welcome (think you mentioned something like the Malta??? I think?)

Iain,
you're right. the meet is not rocket science to organise, but keeping people happy is. Some may know that I do like to try and keep people happy, and it does get to me if people are not, but as you say, I'm never sure how many comments are mickey taking and how many are serious.

Think it's a good idea to look at a 'summer' pub and use the woodman, or somewhere else maybe for winter.

Maybe I'll look into it. maybe someone else will, who knows. As said, i'm having a bit of a think at the moment as to what to do, so might let the next meet slide, dunno yet, we'll just see.

Thanks for all the nice comments and suggestions. I do like the meets, you are a great bunch, hope I've not offended anyone, well, if I have, I'll give you a slap next time I see you

Oh, and if you think that me getting out of organising meets means you won't have to put up with me going to them then you're dead wrong. you can't get rid of me that easilly! you poor sods!

 

Markus, the Malta is almost in Maidstone. I know of a pub just outside Guildford, it has a BIG car park, a garden for the kids, and ok food. If you want we can meet up and go and have a look.

Dan

 

Marcus who ?? Andy who ?? Danny who ??

 

Ahhh, I recognise that username! It's the french golf hater! (I think!)

 

 

Guildford

Please don't make it too far from Essex as some of us like to cross the water from time to time

There must be loads of Country pubs in Kent with a decent beer garden.

Wot about the Jacobean? I remember a couple of good meets there

James.

 

Agree with James - we should stick to Kent (both Sussex and Surrey already have their monthly meets, which some of us go to when poss. and they return the compliment at ours).

fyi - I'm checking out one of the suggested new venues next week when I'm on hols - any excuse for food and a cold jug of Pimms, sorry Orange, darn it Orange

 

you're ok Kim, Pimms has orange in it and is a sort of orangy brown color :

Good point about the sussex and surrey meets. I attend sussex meet, and maybe one day my lardy *** will get up to a surrey one to hassle the chaps at there.

Oh, not discriminating against the sussex and surrey types, so hope it did not sound that way.

Think we've been invaded a few times by turnips and also midlands types before

 

I reckon Mid Kent would be better, that way your more likely to get some of the East Kent crew going, numbers will go up and some more faces will start appearing (including my new son Ben born this Tuesday when he's old enough to go in the Recaro )

I can't normally make week evenings anyway, but if something happended a bit nearer (the Malta's been mentioned, huge car park plenty of tables right next to the River Medway)

A Sunday artnoon jolly in a nice pub would be a goodun also, but thats another thread

John