FP meeting Reading, Berkshire, UK

[Sandy]

Having had a lovely time at the London Pen club, there were suggestions that we could have a pen club in Reading.

To this end, I suggest a Pen meeting at Brewdog, Castle Street, Reading on Sunday April 14th from 11.30-2pm.

Drop in when you feel like it - young persons are welcome as the place is licensed for under-18's till 6pm.

Brewdog will give us space for free. I'd be grateful if folk could let me know if they intend to come, so I know how much space to book.

[Eciton]

Ahhh! I live in Reading, and the Brewdog is perhaps 12 minutes' walk from my house... this could not be more convenient!

Alas I think I'm on holiday on that date. Any thoughts of this being a regular thing?

[Sandy]

Well, let's have one and see how we get on.

I was thinking maybe of sharing one with Oxford - so we do one each on alternative months - share the publicity and so on. It's n

Both conurbations are relatively close - but I don't quite know what the numbers for Berkshire would be, and Oxford might have their own club already.

[Sandy]

I've booked a table for 8 for the 14th. The place is pretty empty at that time on Sunday, so I'm sure we can take more space if we need it.

[dapprman]

I might be up for it, coming from Watford - I assume I'd park at the Oracle (or by the sounds of things gate crash Ant's :D )
Oxford would probably be too far from me, but I know some one who may be interested, whgo's coming to the pen show this Sunday

[Eciton]

Oxford would be good for me... my old university town, and plenty of lovely pubs. Easy to get to from Reading on public transport.

[Chrissy]

I might consider Reading, but not Oxford. :)

[Sandy]

I might be up for it, coming from Watford - I assume I'd park at the Oracle (or by the sounds of things gate crash Ant's :D )
Oxford would probably be too far from me, but I know some one who may be interested, whgo's coming to the pen show this Sunday

Reading Civic Cark Park B (what it is called on the internet) is closest opposite the pub, but charge wise the Oracle, Civic Car Park & Queens Rd car park charge the same. There is a pay & display on Castle Street itself, but I think the maximum stay is 2 hours.

[Cob]

As I live in Bracknell I really ought to make the effort.

However 14th April is a bit of a long way off for me. I'll bear it in mind - even just to drop in perhaps.

Cob

[Sandy]

Just a reminder that the Reading Fountain Pen meet-up will be in two weeks (Sunday 14th April) stating at 11.30 and going on until 2pm.

It is at Brewdog, Castle Street, Reading, RG1 4AQ

A table has been booked - and they know we are coming.

[Eciton]

Put me down as a provisional for the 14th :)

[Bzzer]

Looking forward to it.

[dapprman]

Put me down as a provisional for the 14th :)

If you don't I might have to tell your wife just how much you've really spent :p - and just on bribes to keep your daughter quiet .....

[Shadowcat]

Hey

I'm going to be coming along with dapprman to the meetup

I was meant to go to the London Pen Show a few weeks ago but money is a thing -_-

Edit: Are people ordering food down there?

[dapprman]

Edit: Are people ordering food down there?
I'll be (I think)

[Chrissy]

Put me down as provisional too. :)

[Sandy]

There is food available. As it is a Sunday, there will be the brunch menu, along with the range of burgers, wings and hotdogs. Vegetarian options are available.

Sadly, Sweeny Todd's the Pie opposite shop is closed on Sundays.

Brewdog shareholders should note that there is a 25% EFP discount on orders before 12.30.

[dapprman]

Been a while since I was last there but I had heard Sweeny Todd's was closing down else already had closed down.

[Sandy]

Been a while since I was last there but I had heard Sweeny Todd's was closing down else already had closed down.

Rumours of Sweeny Todd's demise are much exaggerated.

Yes, the owners want to sell up and retire, but have not yet managed to sell off the business. It's still going for now, at least the pies haven't changed, but is living on borrowed time.

I suspect the fact that they are in a rather awkward grade 2 listed building on the wrong side of town since The Oracle opened has dampened down the enthusiasm for sale.

[dapprman]

Does the owner/owner's wife still serve and does the social level of her voice increase several levels when she takes your order ;) (to badly paraphrase Terry Pratchett from Equal Rites).

[Sandy]

Pet meet up tomorrow, - Brewdog, Castle Street Reading, Berkshire 11.30-2pm

A table is booked.

Whether it becomes a regular event or not will be discussed at the event.

[Chrissy]

I'm coming. Definite! Is there anything anyone wants me to bring with me?

[Sandy]

I'm coming. Definite! Is there anything anyone wants me to bring with me?

Just bring yourself, and a pen you'd like to tell us about.

Two rules about fountain pen club.

1/ Nobody talks about fountain pen club.

2/ Everybody writes!

[Sandy]

So, the Reading Fountain pen meet-up happened yesterday.

Thank you to everyone who came along - it was a pleasure meeting you all - and to get acquainted with so many pens in such a short space of time.

I think there was a general agreement that there was not enough people attending to make it a regular event - especially with the Fleet & London pen clubs so close by.

However, if anyone wishes to meet up and have a pint - maybe even do a pub quiz, then I'm sure we could do something.

Sandy.

[Eciton]

Sorry I couldn't make it in the end – post-holiday/pre-travel admin soaked up the day. Hope you all had fun!

[dapprman]

I think this could possibly work quarterly, and if the Fleet meet had not started up last summer then could be larger (or if that were to move further south - unlikely now).

For those interested this is the Face Book group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/uksouthfountainpens/) for the Fleet/Southern England group.

[Sandy]

I think this could possibly work quarterly, and if the Fleet meet had not started up last summer then could be larger (or if that were to move further south - unlikely now).

For those interested this is the Face Book group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/uksouthfountainpens/) for the Fleet/Southern England group.

I'm not against meeting up in Reading again.

I was thinking that the next meet up might be a pre-fountain pen day meet up, perhaps - end of Octoberish, so that folk get a chance to chat pens and maybe decide if and what they might want to purchase - make Reading an annual event - and then if folk want to socialise or fit around the other groups, then can.

Anyway, I'll be at the London or Fleet event in June, and we can discuss it then.

However, if anyone else want to arrange an event for Reading (or Oxford) then I'm more than happy to turn out and support it. The more the merrier, I say.

[Chrissy]

London is too far for me to go and as I haven't driven since an eye problem, Fleet might also be too far. However, I really enjoyed the Reading meet and would not hesitate to go again. :)

[Sandy]

Thinking of maybe having a 2nd Fountain pen meet up in Reading the week-end of 26th/27th October.

I'm thinking of the same time - noon till 2.30. It might be a pre-fountain pen day meet-up.

Now, it comes to the choice of venue. Nowhere within a square mile of Reading station has car parking.

Brewdog gave us a space for free, it's big enough and accessible. if lots of people turn up -we can get a bigger table and the beer is rather good. I'm perfectly happy to meet there again. Saturday is busier - so they'd rather have us in on Sunday.

The easiest venue, if folk want car parking, in my mind is The Hope & Bear which is on the A4. It is a mile walk from Reading station - and is on the no 17 bus route - the stop is indeed Cemetery Junction. There is a small pay & display car park next to the pub, but customers get the parking deducted from their bill. The space isn't as flexible - and Saturday would be better to avoid the Sunday lunch crowd.

So, this venue would benefit drivers, but inconvenience those coming from outside of Reading by public transport. Most Readingensians, I assume will be able to find the place on the good 'ol no 17.

I'm not looking for folk to commit right now, but is there any enthusiasm for another meet up. The decision probably won't please everyone - but we've got two options.

Saturday 26th October, The Hope & Bear, 153 London Rd, Reading

or

Sunday 27th Brewdog, Castle Street, Reading which is in the town centre.



https://www.hopeandbearreading.co.uk/
https://www.brewdog....rewdog-reading/

Any thoughts?

[dapprman]

Quick segue, hujiack of this thread, which may be of interest to a few of you (though one will need a lift). The registration for this year's Pelikan Hub is now open and we've had agreement for Fleet to be a hub - not sure who will be the hub master yet.
https://www.pelikan-hubs.com/
Hopefully Fleet should now be a drop down option for the UK.