As I noted yesterday, I have now begun to feel better after my kidney stone, and I seem to be recovering my full energy. As a result, the team here and I discussed whether we might hold another event.<\/p>\n
As many readers will be aware, we decided not to proceed with one in Sheffield in late June, and as it turns out that was a very good idea, although we could not have known that when we cancelled. As a matter of fact, I would have been quite physically unable to do it. We saved ourselves a great deal of cost as a result.<\/p>\n
Having cancelled, we have had the chance to reflect at greater length on what we might want ot do next, and because our goal is to make these things work for the benefit of all participants, I am sharing our current thinking here.<\/p>\n
We are currently planning to do a meeting at the Poets' House Hotel in Ely, on Saturday 3 October. That is near home for us, and that makes things easy to organise. It also reduces potential costs significantly.<\/p>\n
The event we are planning would be for a maximum of about 50 people, and would have a heavy focus upon Q&A sessions and interaction, so that everyone had a chance to take part in discussion. It will not be unlike the Cambridge event, be a sage-on-a-stage event, but will instead be more like a large, discussion-led Q&A. At the same time, though, it would not be an open platform in the sense that we would not be encouraging presentations from audience members: Q&A will be the likely focus.<\/p>\n
John Christensen has agreed to chair. We might ballot those who book on potential session topics, but a key aim will be to allow plenty of time for interaction, and keeping numbers low will help that.<\/p>\n
We think a ticket price of \u00a350 for 12 until 5 is fair. That could include two rounds of tea and coffee. The chance to buy food from the hotel would be available. The event will be very near the Cathedral, and right opposite Oliver Cromwell's house. It is a 15-minute walk from the station, and less than a \u00a35 cab ride. There are several cafes available nearby.<\/p>\n
So, some questions, and your early responses will help us decide whether to go ahead with this, but I stress, please do not say you will definitely come if that is not the case:<\/p>\n