Lady Elsie's Steampunk Birthday Bash Birmingham March 13th

[vampyresheep]

Sounds great!    An early start also means, in theory, we don't need to stay out too late for the drive back - in theory at least!! 

My only experience of Birmingham was a brief visit to the old bullring market, many, many years ago; so it might be fun try to get there early to explore the Jewellery Quarter area.

[Himself]

I think I am succeeding in twisting Rob's arm to drive us up to B'ham for this!  However we don't know Birmingham at all - I have found a car park map http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Car-Parking%2FPageLayout&cid=1223092553011&pagename=BCC%2FCommon%2FWrapper%2FWrapper; where would it be best to park on a Saturday; Lionel Street, Ludgate Hill and Great Charles St look to be the closest car parks?
Any recommendations of other stuff to visit/wander around in the area, if we get there early to make a day of it?

Also, is this a ticketed affair, as proposed in the original post or just turn up?

You are correct vampyresheep those are the 3 closest car parks, approx 5 mins walk away.  There is also on street car parking available outside the Rope Walk in St Paul's Sq, which is pay & display monday-saturday 8.00am-6.00pm.  So anybody arriving for just saturday evening may be able to get some free parking...

Here the pub's web sitehttp://www.ropewalkpubbirmingham.co.uk/  When the governess and I visited to have a look at the venue, I noted that the main bar had 3 real ales, on hand pulls, although the function room only had the 1 hand pull

[Dave the Troll]

We also will be able to announce very soon the live band who will be playing for us and more importantly which kind of cake we will have!!

Mrs Grease and I would love to attend, babysitters permitting.

Final decision, will, of course, be withheld until the announcement of the kind of cake.

[The Governess]

Here's some more local info if anyone needs it...

For all you could possibly want to know about Bham's car parks, including prices:
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/parking

If you're travelling by rail, how to get from New Street Station to the venue on foot:
http://www.multimap.com/directions/?qs_1=birmingham+new+street+station&countryCode_1=GB&qs_2=B3+1QU&displayName_2=B3+1QU&lat_2=52.48511&lon_2=-1.90438&countryCode_2=GB&mode=walking&mapData=917

Official website of the Jewellery Quarter (where my great x4 grandfather made clocks!):
http://www.jewelleryquarter.net/
This has links to places to stay, eateries, local attractions, and includes some downloadable walks, etc (look under the 'about' tab for most stuff)

On places to stay, for budget accommodation the Jewellery Quarter website suggests the nearest hostel:
http://www.hattershostel.com/Birmingham/
Further away in Digbeth (probably at least 20-30 mins walk from the venue) there is also the Birmingham Central backpackers hostel:
http://birminghamcentralbackpackers.com/

Other cheap hotels would be the etap - probably about 20 mins walk
http://www.etaphotel.com/gb/hotel-5678-etap-hotel-etap-hotel-birmingham-centre/index.shtml,
The ibis, in the Chinese Quarter, again a 20-30 min walk
http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-1459-ibis-birmingham-city-centre/index.shtml
nite nite capsule hotel (a bit like easyhotel):
http://www.nitenitehotelbirmingham.co.uk/

The Major has already suggested Late Rooms as well as a good source of accommodation.

That's all I can think of for now... please ask if you want to know anything else and I'll see what I can find out!

[Grumfoss]

Many thanks for the Info. Governess very helpful indeed

[Sir A Poiselamppe]

ebookers had a twin room at the Thistle (st chads)  for £40 a night yesterday...

found it....
http://www.ebookers.com/shop/home?type=hotel&hotel.typeOfSearch=keyword&hotel.locationKeywordInput.key=Birmingham&hotel.locationAddressInput.addressInput.countryCode=GB&hotel.locationAddressInput.addressInput.addressLine1=&hotel.locationAddressInput.addressInput.city=Birmingham&hotel.locationAddressInput.addressInput.stateProvinceCode=&hotel.locationAddressInput.addressInput.postalCode=&hotel.hotelSearchDetails.checkinDate=13/03/10&hotel.hotelSearchDetails.checkoutDate=14/03/10&hotel.hotelSearchDetails.numberOfRooms=1&hotel.hotelSearchDetails.rooms

• .numberOfAdults=1&hotel.hotelSearchDetails.rooms[1].numberOfAdults=1&hotel.hotelSearchDetails.rooms[2].numberOfAdults=1&hotel.hotelSearchDetails.rooms[3].numberOfAdults=1&hotel.hotelRating=&hotel.hotelChain=&hotel.hotelName=&search=Search&models['hotelSearchView'].selectHotelDetails=true&hotel.hotelId=32986

[TimeTinker]

Well it looks like this is developing into a full blown steampunk minifestival.  We are very pleased that  our friends Sunday Driver will be joining us and playing  and we have a range of features taking shape ready for the day.  We will have a baritsu workshop in the afternoon and other games and quiz panels.  We are hoping to have a couple of makers workshops led by well known Brassgogglers and a few more myseterious offerings.  Of course there will be lots of opportunity for relaxing and socialising too.   Lots of people are joining us but we still have a few spaces left.  The perfect chance for a steampunky day.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Oh, we are also kicking off the weekend by going to see Alice in Wonderland at the incomparable Electric Cinema for the 6pm showing (Friday) with drinkies etc afterwards.  Anyone around on Friday is more than welcome to join us. 

Sunday we will be meeting for a relaxed luncheon in town and do a bit of a photo shoot.  Once again the more the merrier.

[ladyelsie]

CAKE SITUATION ! ! !
It seems that some very kind people have offered to bring cakes to the Party    (Thank you very much). I will be making a large one and some smaller cup cakes. I think there will be some chocolate involved.!! Other flavors to be confirmed . This is going to be a Grand Occasion. So Let them eat cake...
Lady Elsie.

[SteamBlast Mary]

Cake! CakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCakeCake

... ad nauseum.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

cake + nausea = liquid yawn

[vampyresheep]

The possiblity of cake has been enough to persuade my other half to make the trip!!  (along with this being an excuse to wear my new purchases!) so we'll definately be there! :-)

[GarethG]

Would you believe, (this always happens with Birmingham meets) I will be in Brum this Saturday courtesy of my brother!

Will definitely try to get back up there for next Sat as well (petrol money permitting).

Accommodation isn't a problem for me as my brother has a narrowboat at Sherborne Wharf, just along from Gas Street basin

Gareth

[The Governess]

The possiblity of cake has been enough to persuade my other half to make the trip!!  (along with this being an excuse to wear my new purchases!) so we'll definately be there! :-)

I think the cake is more than a possibility...

[GarethG]

I think it's pretty certain I'll be up on Saturday, I'm not going to Brum tomorrow now, but next week!

Gareth

p.s That is, if it doesn't snow like last time!

[Grumfoss]

I really hope there is a table both large/sturdy enough to support all of the multitude of cakes that are going to be on offer... Mmmmm I can see them all now

[Mr Bellows]

Well it looks like this is developing into a full blown steampunk minifestival.  We are very pleased that  our friends Sunday Driver will be joining us and playing 

Sunday Driver playing live ....I NEED A BABYSITTER !!!!!

[Arch Stanton]

Ah Brum. That was my old stomping ground from '86 to '96. I've not been back since the Bullring was demolished. In my defence, nobody warned me the Death-Ray had an 'Urban Renewal' setting!

Provided there are enough of the old landmarks for me to navigate by, I'll be at the pub for high noon.

[Cabletwitch]

Right, got the 12th and 13th off, so thats a go for me. However, I need to assemble something decent to wear between now and then... anyone within 30 miles of guildford have any help they could provide as to outfitting myself, and possibly the lady too?

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

I will be bringing my new pocket cinema (provided I can figure out how it works), so we may have a film going on as well.

[E. T. Jonasson]

Gah! I cannot make it, since I have previous commitments (I'm playing bass trombone at the University's Spring Concert) which will take up most of the day.

I wish the Lady Elsie a wonderful birthday though, and hope everyone has a great time!

[TimeTinker]

Just so we can keep track of people who are coming it would be very helpful if folks could register for their FREE tickets at our eventbrite ticket portal.  (This is also a tester for us for automating ticket sales for future events).

www.elsiesbirthday.eventbrite.com

[Captain Shipton Bellinger]

Just registered at Eventbrite. Very quick and easy. Tickets arrived within seconds.

I'd say 'functional test satis' for me.

[vampyresheep]

I've just registered too!  No problems, very simple and straightforward system.

now my only worry is motorway traffic - been warned that Crufts is at the NEC this weekend, hope that doesn't affect our journey too much!   I guess that's why there was a lack of affordable accommodation.

[ladyelsie]

CAKE UPDATE

CHOCOLATE is the front runner so far.
Lady Elsie.

[Mr Bellows]

Got my ticket too 

And I got a Babysitter  too !!

*sighs* now I just got to hope my new clothes from the US of A turn up in time