Meet Up 2019

Meet Up 2019

User

Posted 11 Feb 2019 at 14:25

Hello everyone,

Last year George asked Prostate Cancer UK to help organise the meetup, which we were happy to help do.

The numbers were significantly down on previous years with only 2 new members joining the day. So we decided to ask the community for feedback.

Disappointingly we only received 19 responses, 15 of which, were from members who had not attended ( nor would in the future, in it's present format). Suggestions that the day should have a formal format - speakers, clinicians, researchers with a social in the evening were requested - Prostate Cancer UK would not be able to offer this.

Our understanding is, that the meetups were intended to be an informal social event, where community members could put faces to names and enjoy the opportunity to cement friendships which had been formed over the forum.

Based on the feedback and low attendance we have taken the decision not to host the event in 2019.

We appreciate this may disappoint some members. Should any other community member(s) wish to take over organising the event please let me know and I will pass on the planning details.

Best Wishes

Sue Boyes

Peer Support Manager

Edited by moderator 11 Feb 2019 at 14:33 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 22 Mar 2019 at 00:39

Dear God

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 30 Mar 2019 at 08:46

Hi Chris, apologies it isn't convenient for you, although if you could manage a break away it would be great. I agree driving is a long way but I travel way down south by train regularly and it's not a bad journey. The whole of the Northallerton area is beautiful to explore too.

I admit my main thoughts on venue were to make it as convenient for George as possible. George has put so much time, energy and caused himself so much stress, for so many years, to put the events on for people, it seems only fair to give back, just a little, to him.

I know you mentioned possibly putting something on in Southampton, and I think that would be a great idea for people nearer you. I really think it would be great if we could have regular meets in various areas, giving as many people as possible a chance to meet up if they want to. Many years ago we did have more regular meet-ups in various venues, which worked well.

For many years we also had a December meet-up near Euston Station, which was convenient enough for many people to get to, usually there and back in the day, so that could be another option if anyone wanted to organise?

There are also lots of support groups around which I wonder if everyone is aware of? These also offer a great chance of meeting up and gaining local support.

All the best, Janet

User

Posted 07 Jul 2019 at 19:42

Dear Janet,

What can I say? The meet-up you organised for us at The Allerton Court Hotel, Northallerton, (yesterday) turned out to be a fabulous day.😄

Sending you a greatly deserved huge warm hug from Lynn, Katrina and myself.

I'm sure everone there will feel the same.

THANK YOU FOR ARRANGING SUCH A SUPERB AFTERNOON!

First of all, you couldn't have chosen a better venue. It was PERFECT!

Food and service was excellent, the garden beautiful, and the company of good friends was priceless.

We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

And speaking for myself, it was wonderful to be in such a relaxed atmosphere, feeling so free to have long chats with every one of our friends. FANTASTIC!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! (I think you'll get the message that we had a truly great day).😋

Congratulation on a job so well done.

From us three on Tyneside,

George, Lynn & Katrina

Edited by member 07 Jul 2019 at 19:43 | Reason: Not specified

B2PCa

User

Posted 22 Mar 2019 at 10:42

Hey darkrainbow – thanks for all your contributions here but inviting people to that club's a bit over the line for a charity website! We assumed it was said in jest but it bothered someone enough to flag it up as bordering on advertisement of the business – thought we'd let you know. No judgement intended of what anyone does for fun, we just want to be mindful that the chat is keeping with the purpose of the online community. Thanks for understanding!

User

Posted 29 Mar 2019 at 19:00

Hello all, and apologies for my delay in posting here, for various reasons life has been a little busy of late.

I'm thinking of a social get together - nothing too formal or organised - but just a chance to meet up with old friends and get to know new ones. Anyone able to attend will be made very welcome, and I know from previous events how valuable the social side of meeting up with each other can be - and how many good friendships have been made over the years.

I know it is impossible to find a venue and date to suit everyone, but I have chosen Saturday 6th July, Northallerton, a lovely market town in Yorkshire. For anyone wanting to make a short (or longer break) there is plenty of local accommodation and the rail and transport links are good.

https://www.yorkshire.com/places/north-yorkshire/herriot-country/northallerton

As the date and venue may well not be suitable for everyone who wants to attend I do think it is an excellent idea for anyone else wanting to do something similar to organise alternative dates/venues. Dave - Newark in June sounds good too. And wouldn't it be lovely if we could have a series of events/meet-ups happening around the country to look forward to?

Once I know how many people we are expecting I will confirm an exact venue. Northallerton has a variety of suitable restaurants, cafes and pubs. And if anyone is feeling energetic there is a Park run in the morning, which I am thinking of doing, and a fellow PCUK volunteer is likely to be handing out PCUK awareness information to all Park run finishers.

Please let me know, either here, by private message or email, if you are wanting to attend.

Thanks, Janet

User

Posted 30 Mar 2019 at 09:15

For those in or near Beds, Herts, Bucks, (not far to travel from London, Oxford, Reading, Milton Keynes), see my post yesterday about Prostate Peddlers open day on Saturday 13th April.

User

Posted 07 Apr 2019 at 17:19

Hello all, new friends and older friends,

We're looking at meeting socially on 6 July in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, a lovely and lively little market town, relatively easy to get to by road or rail. If you can make it, it will be great to see friends, old and new, there. So if you are interested please let me know, either here or by email or pm, and I'll add you to the list.

Currently those who've replied are in the list below.

Thanks, Janet

Janet - (JLBatty)

George - (George_H)

Lynn

Katrina

Aase Christensen

Lynne Cook

Keith and Camilla (Keith & Camilla)

User

Posted 08 Apr 2019 at 07:19

Hello Peter, and thanks for the additional information. I agree it’s a lovely area, with lots to see. Sorry you won’t be joining us, but happy to hear you enjoyed your visit recently. Take care, Janet

User

Posted 09 Apr 2019 at 08:37

Hi Chris, sorry you’re away that weekend.

The idea is for more regular, sociable events so fingers crossed next time you’ll be available. And maybe others will start to organise meet-ups. Many people get such a benefit from being able to chat freely to people who understand.

Take care, Janet

User

Posted 10 Apr 2019 at 08:59

Thanks, Chris, it would be great to see you if you can, but more important you look after yourself and Shirley. No rush to let me know.

Take care, love to you and Shirley.

User

Posted 22 Apr 2019 at 15:30

Hello, and I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful Easter weather - it's even like the middle of summer up in Yorkshire!

I've just updated the list of those hoping to come to Northallerton as below. If anyone else is thinking of joining us, please let me know?

We are planning for it to be a sociable meet-up in the centre of beautiful Northallerton and once we have expected numbers I'll start to confirm exactly where.

There is a lot of accommodation in and around Northallerton for anyone wanting to stop over and make a break of it, and also a train station which is well served with trains from all directions. The station is only a short distance from Northallerton centre and from York. It is on the main line from Scotland to London and also cross country routes.

For drivers Northallerton is close to the A1(M) - north of York and south of Darlington.

If you are not sure yet whether you can make it, or have any questions, please let me know. It will be great to see you - old friends or new ones we haven't met yet.

Those currently planning to attend are:

Janet (JLBatty)

George (George_H), Lynn and Katrina

Aase Christensen

Lynne Cook (Lynne)

Keith and Camilla Powell (Keith & Camilla)

Lesley and Philip Baker (Philip & Lesley)

We have some other members who are possibly going to be able to make it, but are not sure yet, so I will add them if, and when, they confirm.

Take care, Janet

User

Posted 25 May 2019 at 14:20

Hello all,

Another bank holiday and more sunshine!

Just a quick update to say I'll be visiting Northallerton on Monday to confirm a place to meet on the 6th July.

Our list of attendees are currently:

Janet (J L Batty)

George (George_H), Lynn and Katrina

Aase Christensen

Lynne Cook (Lynne)

Keith and Camilla Powell (Keith & Camilla)

Lesley and Philip Baker (Philip & Lesley)

James Grant and Liz (jgrant1969)

We have some 'possible' attendees who I will add if they become 'probables'.

If you want me to add your name(s) to the list please let George or me know, if will be lovely to meet any friends we've not met yet, or any of our friends from previous events.

Hoping you are all enjoying your weekend.

Take care, Janet

User

Posted 31 May 2019 at 17:27

Hello all,

Just a quick update to say I've booked an area in the bar of the Allerton Court Hotel, Darlington Road, Northallerton, DL6 2XF allertoncourthotel.co.uk from 12.00 noon on Saturday 6th July. If anyone else wants to join us please let me know.

The bar menu is on the hotel's website and is a fairly typical bar menu. This area is more relaxed than the more formal restaurant which I thought would be nicer for a sociable meet-up. It also opens up onto a garden area which could be useful if we get a hot and sunny day!

The hotel, which has a large car park, is on the outskirts of Northallerton, on the A167 just north of the High Street, a few minutes walk from the centre of Northallerton. The railway station is at the other end of the High Street, around a mile away, but I am happy to pick anyone up from the station. The station has direct links with Kings Cross, on the London-Edinburgh route, and has a regular supply of trains from York, a 20-25 minute ride away.

northallerton.info has more information on the area. Worth a visit is the Saturday market in the town centre. Also Lewis & Cooper, a speciality food and drink shop and cafe, often referred to as the Fortnum & Mason of the north. For anyone wanting to stop over in the area there are plenty of pubs and restaurants for evening meals and some magnificent countryside and lovely villages close by.

If anyone is thinking of joining us and wants any more information, please let me know.

Thanks, Janet

User

Posted 30 Jun 2019 at 13:03

Hello all,

Just a final call to see if anyone else wants to join us in Northallerton next Saturday. Those already down to attend are:

George, Lynn and Katrina Hardy

Aase Christensen

James Grant and Liz

Keith and Camilla Powell

Lynne Cook

Philip and Lesley Baker

Margaret and Brian Mableson

and me.

I'm really looking forward to seeing old friends again, and I know George is too, but if anyone else wants to join us please let me know. Even if you don't know anyone on the list you are very welcome, just let me know if you want any more information or want to join us.

Venue is the Allerton Court Hotel, Darlington Road, Northallerton DL6 2XF - www.allertoncourthotel.co.uk and I have booked it from 12.00 noon on Saturday 6th July. Food is served from 12.00-14.30 but the bar is open all day. Anyone wanting to pre-order food please let me know, otherwise we can order on the day. There are gluten free options and I can check out other requests if you let me know, or you can contact the hotel.

The bar area opens out on to a nice garden area, so fingers crossed for the weather. Currently it's showing 21 degrees and sun!

See you next Saturday, Janet

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User

Posted 11 Feb 2019 at 16:21

I'm saddened to see this. When I saw the title, I was ready to open my diary to fix the date. As a new member, I went last year for the first time. It was great to meet face to face those people who have helped and supported me since my diagnosis. I have learned so much from this online community and, who knows, it may even have saved my life as I went to my oncologist armed with what I had learned here and it did change my treatment pathway.

As I have now returned to work full time, I can't offer to help organise. But I am sad that the event may not happen.

Ulsterman

User

Posted 11 Feb 2019 at 16:49

Any of us could arrange meets. I’ve often thought of it but being in Southampton it was too far. It doesn’t need to be a meal and overnight stay etc etc.

User

Posted 11 Feb 2019 at 20:30

Hello Guys & Goddeses

You might like this (not a lot) but you just might.

DON'T THINK YOU WON'T GET THE CHANCE TO MEET UP WITH GOOD FRIENDS AND NEW FRIENDS THIS YEAR.

Janet (jlbatty), my favourite ditzy blonde, is planning something.

Please look out for new posts here from Janet....and she now has my email address list containing the names of all who've attended the' summer' do over the past few years.

She really is an angel, so many people know her from her invaluablre support on this forum and from all the get-togethers we all enjoyed so much.

She'll slap me for this, but I was so ill and tired for most of 2018, that she guessed immediately how low I was feeling. In her own unique way, she encouraged me to take it easy and rest, and here I am, feeling much better for her kind words.

And Nigel, it was great to meet you and your lovely missus there for the first time last year.

So..... we may all meet again soon. Early July probably.

WATCH THIS SPACE MY MY DEAR PALS!

B2PCa

User

Posted 11 Feb 2019 at 21:02

Sorry to read this. I think that not arranging for an oncologist such as Jamie to give a talk and answer questions was a lost incentive for some to attend. Then the venue is a long way for some, although in the past members have come from further afield, I think Alister (Athalays) RIP used to come over from N Ireland and we have had others from yet further away. Although the Mill-on-the Soar has a lot in it's favour as a venue maybe some of the regulars would have liked to experience pastures anew?

Barry

User

Posted 11 Feb 2019 at 21:34

Glad you are feeling re-invigorated George.

I will contact Janet - am hoping she will be able to go back to the mid-June date of old as I had assumed it would be around the 20th / 21st and gave already booked my ferry for the 26th :-(

I don't want to miss another one if I can help it x

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 11 Feb 2019 at 21:35

Plus I have already bought a Sombrero and nipple tassels for the fancy dress slot in the afternoon

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 11 Feb 2019 at 23:21

There’s no way I’m wearing nipple tassles on my newly acquired breasts

Ulsterman

User

Posted 12 Feb 2019 at 04:10

Hi,

I hope we do have a meet up this year.

I was disappointed to miss last year's but I was photographing a wedding on that day. It would be a great shame to let something that has been so successful in the past just fade away.

Steve

User

Posted 13 Feb 2019 at 12:33

A local PCa support group was formed in Derby in 2016 and the numbers have swelled significantly since then. We get regular clinical talks, advice of other support groups, activities plus a sandwich lunch with tea/coffee.

Are there not more local groups like this? Ours is led by one of the Urology Specialist Nurses with support from other nurses. It’s a great social time and newly diagnosed sufferers have the opportunity to get experiences from others.

User

Posted 13 Feb 2019 at 14:56

I do hope that the meet-up happens. I'd love to attend!

Chris

User

Posted 14 Feb 2019 at 23:20

Great to see your post George and to see you have improved also to hear Janet is still involved.

On the subject of venue we are using train travel now for most long journeys (disabled rail card due to deafness) is a saver. We may be interested in joining if we were able to arrive by train within a reasonable distance to the venue which is what we have to do for the naval reunions we try to attend. Humping luggage is also something to be avoided for us eighty-four year olds, A change of venue may attract new faces and there are so many good places convenient to most but, alas, you can't please everyone whatever the choice,

Hope someone can help Janet to keep things rolling along.

User

Posted 15 Feb 2019 at 15:38

Good to see George posting again, we wondered where he’d got to.

Janet organising a meet, wow, well done Janet.

Chris.

PS, I second the call to be near a station please.

PPS, it would be lovely to meet up with our lovely Knowledgeable Lyn.

Edited by member 15 Feb 2019 at 15:41 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 15 Feb 2019 at 19:27

I’d definitely make an effort to meet this year. Hope that doesn’t put anyone off lol :-))

User

Posted 19 Mar 2019 at 20:19

Hi all,

Has a date been set for the meeting yet?

And, will it still be the Mill on the Soar?

I'm thinking about organising a get together, but don't want the dates to clash.

dave

All we can do - is do all that we can.

So, do all you can to help yourself, then make the best of your time. :-)

I am the statistic.

User

Posted 20 Mar 2019 at 18:31

Hi Guys & Girls,

Janet will be posting news here about the meet-up when she gets home from holiday.

So far, definitely early July, on a Saturday, in Yorkshire, in a town with good train connections. Vital is that, innit!

Stay well my friends,

George

B2PCa

User

Posted 21 Mar 2019 at 19:21

Thanks for that George,

So, somewhere in Yorkshire sometime in July. It's in the diary mate :-)

In keeping with being mysterious (;-), I'll have a go at arranging something, somewhere at some time maybe! Only kidding, looking at June 22nd ish in Newark. No idea if it'll work out, but got to have a go.

Good luck with it all. I'm sure it will be great, and it'll be good to be in a new venue.

If you have any tips on how to organise a thing like this, please pm me? Would be appreciated.

atb

dave

All we can do - is do all that we can.

So, do all you can to help yourself, then make the best of your time. :-)

I am the statistic.

User

Posted 22 Mar 2019 at 00:39

Dear God

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 22 Mar 2019 at 07:31

Hahahahahahaha thanks for making me laugh Saint Lynn )

User

Posted 22 Mar 2019 at 10:42

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