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Post by lorna on Jan 10, 2016 11:47:28 GMT -1
Hello, On second thoughts I decided to start a fresh post for this. I think we're in general agreement that Brockholes (nr Preston) sounds like a good place for a Brython meeting which will comprise formermost of a devotional rite for Belisama and the spirits of place, either at the stone circle near the Ribble or beside the Ribble, hopefully opening with a walk round a new labryinth to tune into the landscape, followed by business in the cafe at Brockholes Visitor Centre. As the labyrinth will be completed on the Spring Equinox and the Sunday after is Easter, I propose the Saturday after - Saturday 2nd of April - but this can be changed if anyone can't make it. There are a few options for travelling to Brockholes from Preston train station and back. It's a 4 mile walk, which might have been ok if folks weren't travelling. Perhaps a one-way walk would be ok and bus back? Buses run from Preston train station to the Tickled Trout Hotel near to Brockholes. If someone's driving the best bet may to car-share from Preston station to Brockholes. If the weather's awful I could possibly borrow a friend's car of necessary (beware, I don't drive often!). You can find our more about Brockholes here: www.brockholes.org/I'm adding some pics of the Ribble, the stone circle and labyrinth in progress.
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Post by Heron on Jan 10, 2016 15:54:15 GMT -1
This looks good Lorna. 2nd April looks OK for me. Thanks for posting the pics and organising things. I hope we can make this happen.
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Post by Lee on Jan 10, 2016 23:03:38 GMT -1
I'll say it again here for ease - count me in, that date is good for me.
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Post by potia on Jan 11, 2016 17:16:36 GMT -1
Unknown for us but unlikely to be making anything this year.
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Post by Heron on Mar 15, 2016 20:29:11 GMT -1
Do we need to firm up an itinerary for this in advance? And the best location for B&B if we are including Sunday?
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Post by lorna on Mar 17, 2016 7:17:07 GMT -1
Hello Heron,
Yes, an itinerary that would be good. I propose meeting at Preston train station at around 11am. This can be adjusted according to yours and Lee's train times if necessary.
We could then either get the bus from Preston bus station or walk to Brockholes. It's a five mile walk beside the river and I could you some of the history on the way if you fancied that. Of course that's weather dependent.
Once we're up there we could walk the labyrinth-in-progress (I don't think it will be fully finished yet) and hopefully find a quiet spot where we can say some words to Belisama, make some offerings, spend some time with her and the spirits of place.
Then to business in the cafe or outside if the weather's good.
I think that will mainly be discussing -
*Brython website (particularly the festivals) *Brython blog *Upcoming publications - Brythonic Polytheism Primer and Gwyn Devotional
Please feel free to add anything I've missed.
Then we'd get the bus back some time between 3pm and 4pm - of course this can be flexible depending on train times.
If you'd like to stay over I'll pick out a few B & Bs in Preston. I could show you round Preston and / or some of Penwortham the next day if you're staying over.
Let me know what you'd like to do.
Lee, just double checking you're still coming? Francis?
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Post by Lee on Mar 17, 2016 13:01:51 GMT -1
I am still coming, checking train times and i cant get there before 1pm as I am travelling up from Wiltshire in the morning - the first train i can reasonably get to is at 8am and then a 5 hour journey.
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Post by Heron on Mar 19, 2016 16:50:45 GMT -1
If I get the 7.30 train I'll be there just before Midday.
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Post by lorna on Mar 19, 2016 19:55:11 GMT -1
Have you moved, Lee? I recall you mentioning that. I'd been assuming that coming from near London you'd be 2.15 - 3.15. 5hrs is quite a journey! All meeting at 1pm (Heron, I could meet earlier for a brew if you like) we'd hopefully be able to get to Brockholes for 1.45pm and still have plenty of time for connecting with the land and communing with Belisama and business. The visitor centre closes at 5pm but there's no need to be off the site. Assuming you're both staying over we could have some tea somewhere afterward and finish any unfinished business over food? Accommodation... The cheapest place and near the train station is the Ashwood Hotel on Fishergate which is £35. It isn't in the best area but I've had friends stay there and say it is fine. The reviews on Booking.com look good although I have seen a couple of bad ones elsewhere. www.ashwoodhotel.co.uk/Another close one is the Station Hotel, which is opposite the train station. I can't find prices for this and from what I can see the reviews aren't too good www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187062-d2615031-Reviews-The_Station_Hotel-Preston_Lancashire_England.htmlAnother one in good distance of the town centre that would be guaranteed as a respectable place to stay is the Holiday Inn but you'd be looking at £68 www.hipreston.com/Otherwise it's out of town. The Whitburn House Hotel is £35 and about 2 miles from the town centre whitburnhotel.co.uk/Alternatively if you'd prefer to experience a slightly more rural part of Lancashire, four miles out of town in Longton: Alongside bees and rare breed hens with bird spotting for £45 www.lancashire-bedandbreakfast.co.uk/ Another nice one is Meadowside Castle for £45 mscastle.moonfruit.com/#
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Post by Lee on Mar 20, 2016 11:21:35 GMT -1
Nah, I still live in London, but the friday night I am at an initiation with the coven in Wilts.
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Post by Heron on Mar 21, 2016 19:50:46 GMT -1
... All meeting at 1pm (Heron, I could meet earlier for a brew if you like) we'd hopefully be able to get to Brockholes for 1.45pm and still have plenty of time for connecting with the land and communing with Belisama and business. The visitor centre closes at 5pm but there's no need to be off the site. Assuming you're both staying over we could have some tea somewhere afterward and finish any unfinished business over food? Having had another look I see I can get a later train which gets me there at 12.50, so as we're meeting at 1.00 I'll get that. The Willow Cottage place looks interesting Lorna. How easy is it to get there from the town centre and back to the station? Otherwise I suppose the Ashwood Hotel looks to be quite convenient for the station, and it would be good to be able to drop off stuff before going up to Brockholes. Don't like the sound of the reviews for the Station Hotel.
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Post by lorna on Mar 21, 2016 20:25:26 GMT -1
If you stayed in Willow Cottage I'd have to drive you there as it's not on a regular bus route. My friend from my performance group occasionally lets me borrow his car to get to unbusable places and he's said it's ok to use it if need be that weekend. If so I could pick you and Lee up from near the station, then we could drive to Brockholes then I could drop you off at Willow Cottage in Longton with your stuff and we could maybe go for tea at this country pub in Longton, the Dolphin - www.greencrabpubs.co.uk/details3 which is on the Ribble estuary and where the Ribble meets the Douglas. I don't mind doing that if it makes for a more worthwhile stay.
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Post by Gwenno on Mar 21, 2016 22:41:54 GMT -1
I see you're having a meeting. Do you hold these often?
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Post by Lee on Mar 22, 2016 11:57:10 GMT -1
I think the last time we got together was several years ago for a weekend, after this weekend when we have a chance to sort a few things for the blog etc it would be good to have an annual meeting/conference type of thing opened up to anyone and everyone interested. A 1 day conference would be great.
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Post by Heron on Mar 22, 2016 15:08:14 GMT -1
If you stayed in Willow Cottage I'd have to drive you there as it's not on a regular bus route. My friend from my performance group occasionally lets me borrow his car to get to unbusable places and he's said it's ok to use it if need be that weekend. If so I could pick you and Lee up from near the station, then we could drive to Brockholes then I could drop you off at Willow Cottage in Longton with your stuff and we could maybe go for tea at this country pub in Longton, the Dolphin - www.greencrabpubs.co.uk/details3 which is on the Ribble estuary and where the Ribble meets the Douglas. I don't mind doing that if it makes for a more worthwhile stay. Looks good to me. Lee?
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Post by Lee on Mar 23, 2016 10:40:00 GMT -1
that looks good to me
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Post by Lee on Mar 23, 2016 10:49:46 GMT -1
just emailed them about a room for the Saturday night - will let you know.
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Post by Lee on Mar 23, 2016 13:32:52 GMT -1
they have a room available for me - have you booked yours heron?
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Post by Heron on Mar 23, 2016 17:31:13 GMT -1
they have a room available for me - have you booked yours heron? Yes I've just phoned them. She said someone else had enquired by e-mail and there is enough free rooms for both of us.
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