This year’s symposium will be held at a new venue (Salwarpe Village Hall, Salwarpe, near Droitwich, Worcestershire. WR9 0AH). The hall is easy to reach from the M5 motorway and has ample car parking with step-free access to the hall.
The Symposium will start at 09:00am on Friday 15 September, 2023, and end at around 12:00 on Sunday.
As advertised in the Newsletter, the BMS will cover the cost of the venue hire for 2023 meaning that attending the Symposium itself will essentially be free of charge, with only a small cost for teas and coffees (and lunch if required). Further details on refreshments and booking lunch will be provided nearer the date, maybe £15/head).
The new arrangements mean that delegates will be able to book to attend for one day, two days or the whole weekend without penalty. We very much hope that this will encourage some of our friends who we have not seen in recent years to consider coming back to the Symposium.
If you have not attended the Symposium before, please be assured that you will be made most welcome. The BMS membership includes many knowledgeable people who will be very happy to share their expertise with newcomers.
The weekend includes a range of practical sessions, talks, exhibits, swap sessions, specimen and equipment sales, an auction in aid of BMS funds on the Saturday and the ever-popular ‘grab table’.
Please note that delegates are responsible for booking and paying for their own hotel accommodation. Many delegates will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express Droitwich Spa, Worcester Road, Droitwich, WR9 7PA, which has 94 rooms, including 6 accessible rooms. The hotel is adjacent to M5 junction 5.
If you have not yet booked accommodation you are strongly advised to so without delay.
Website https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/gb/en/droitwich/dotwc/hoteldetail
Contact the hotel: info@expressdroitwich.co.uk ; front desk 0371 902 1608. Other options are available in the local area for anyone wishing to make different arrangements.
PROGRAMME FOR THE WEEKEND
Friday 15 September
- 09:00 am (from) delegates arrive
- Tea and coffee – DIY available all day (charge of £5/head for the weekend)
- Swap/ buy session & grab table
- 12:30 – 13:30 Lunch – pre-ordered ‘meal deal’ from Waitrose or similar.
- 13:30 – 14:15 Talk 1
- 14:15 – 15:00 Talk 2
- 15:00 – 15.30 Tea break
- 15:30 – 17:00 Swap/ buy session continues
- 17:00 – Tidying up / washing up etc. conclusion of swaps/sales for the day.
- 17:30 – Hall to be vacated and locked
- 17:30 – Delegates check-in at Holiday Inn Express, Wychbold or other accommodation.
- 18:30 – Delegates gather for evening meal (pay as you go) at The Wych Way Inn, Harvester Pub, Worcester Road, Droitwich, WR9 7PA (100 yards walk from the hotel) https://www.harvester.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/thewychwayinndroitwich#
NOTE: We may need to pre-order meals. Details will be confirmed nearer the date.
Social evening / retire to hotel (according to the website the bar is open until 02:00am!)
Saturday 16 September
- Breakfast at the hotel
- 09:30 am – delegates arrive at hall
- Swap/ buy session & grab table (Tea and coffee – DIY available all day)
- Nigel Hoppe will provide his usual microscope maintenance service on the Saturday
- 11:30 – 12:15 Talk 3
- 12:30 – 13.30 Lunch – pre-ordered ‘meal deal’ from Waitrose or similar
- 14:00 – 14:45 Talk 4
- 15:00 – 15.30 Tea break
- Swap/ buy session & grab table
- 15:30 – 16:00 Swap/ buy session continues and viewing of auction lots
- 16:00 – 17:00 Auction of specimens and associated items
- 17:00 – Tidying up / washing up etc. conclusion of swaps/sales for the day.
- 17:30 – Hall to be vacated and locked
- 17:30 – Delegates return to Holiday Inn Express, Wychbold or other accommodation.
- 18:30 – Delegates gather for evening meal (pay as you go) at The Wych Way Inn, Harvester Pub, Worcester Road, Droitwich, WR9 7PA (100 yards walk from the hotel) https://www.harvester.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/thewychwayinndroitwich#
NOTE: We may need to pre-order meals. Details will be confirmed nearer the date.
Sunday 17 September
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Check-out of hotel (N.B. Delegates responsible for payment)
- 09:30 am – delegates arrive at hall
- Tea and coffee – DIY available all day
- 10:00 – 11:00 – Annual General Meeting – followed by presentation of awards/prizes and ‘What’s around on the tables’ by David Roe
- 12:00 – 12:30 – Delegates to pack up and vacate the hall
- 12:30 – 13:00 – Final stowing of tables, chairs, clear-up kitchen etc. ready to be out before 13:00.
NOTES
The auction will either be 50/50 or 100% to Society funds. All lots must be entered on the auction slips which will be sent out during August. In the absence of instructions to the contrary it will be assumed that items donated are a gift to the Society.
As usual there will be the ‘Grab Table’ where you will find a selection of material free to take home. Please bring any spare material (and books or other items) that you would like to share with others free of charge.
If you have any special requirements – dietary, mobility or any other issue, please let me know as soon as possible.
Roy Starkey