Hidden Earth 2018

[JoshW]

I also suspect Les will have looked at this already (because I know it was also an early contender for Eurospeleo) but Lancaster University has a lot going for it (near the Dales, very easy access by road and rail, a recently reformed and enthusiastic uni club based there, etc).
I guess the issue there is that students may be back by the normal conference date.

(No need to reply Les, if you've already considered & rejected this option. You don't need to justify your choices to me  )

Unis were mentioned in a previous thread, they run conferences regularly & charge accordingly...

Boston spa comprehensive between Leeds & York has a similar layout to Churchill.

Mike

unis will have people back by then and most will have their own bars and be unlikely to want us doing our own.

 

[BradW]

Thank you Les, Wendy, and all those involved in making this happen. I am looking forward to it, as I do every year. 

 

[Mrs Bottlebank]

The Hidden Earth website describes the camping as basic. Having not been to Churchill before does anyone know the toilet facilities. Is it in the school during the night or portaloos.

Also, the only pub I can find in the village seems to only serve food 12 - 2pm.  Where does everyone get Friday tea and breakfast etc. Do I need to pack my camping kitchen?

Many thanks for any feedback.

 

[Alex]

I recall portaloos I am afraid during the night, the school gets locked.

 

[BradW]

Mendip pubs are very popular for evening meals. If you want to eat out Friday or Saturday, it's best to book. Centre of the Universe excepted, of course.

 

[Les W]

The Hiddenhttps://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?action=unread Earth website describes the camping as basic. Having not been to Churchill before does anyone know the toilet facilities. Is it in the school during the night or portaloos.

Portaloos when the school is closed but that will be late, both nights and open again at 8 am so realistically, from midnight until 8am
Plan ahead...  :-\

Also, the only pub I can find in the village seems to only serve food 12 - 2pm.  Where does everyone get Friday tea and breakfast etc. Do I need to pack my camping kitchen?

Friday tea can be obtained at a number of local hostelries, although they are a short drive away. Also the fish and chip shop at the crossroads is very good and there is Subway at the Petrol Station in Langford (about half a mile away)

Breakfast baps and similar will be available on site from the on site caterers, from early (around 8am I think  ) both Saturday and Sunday, as well as meals during the day.

No fires or BBQs on the campsite, it is of course school playing fields...
Go careful with camp cooking, you wouldn't want to set light to your tent... 

 

[Alex]

Also ensure you attach your tag to your tent otherwise they go around and burn your tent down, they did it in Leek! 

 

[Mrs Bottlebank]

Thanks all for you info 

 

[Tommy]

Are campervans alright on site?

 

[Les W]

Are campervans alright on site?

They are, but not on the grass...

 

[mikem]

Also ensure you attach your tag to your tent otherwise they go around and burn your tent down, they did it in Leek! 

We're more civilised on Mendip, we just move it when you're not looking 

Nelson is nearest pub, do mostly roasts, then the crown (one you found online - more difficult to find in the real world). Between chippy & subway (budgens is 24 hrs, but not the subs) are stag & hounds (decent 2 for 1) and the Churchill (landlord recently retired, so don't know what's happening there now). In other direction is Mendip ski centre cafe which does food until about 6pm & the railway Inn (Thatcher's cider pub & shop nearby - generally more expensive than supermarkets). Good Indian in banwell; more upmarket - the swan at rowberrow.

Mike

 

[Jenny P]

Assume camper vans to be ob the fenced off tarmac tennis courts, as on the previous HEs at Churchill?

 

[Les W]

Assume camper vans to be ob the fenced off tarmac tennis courts, as on the previous HEs at Churchill?

No, unfortunately not. I believe the tennis courts are a building site...

 

[mikem]

From what time are we allowed on site on Friday?

 

[Les W]

From what time are we allowed on site on Friday?

We (Organisers, volunteers, ect) will be on site from 3pm Friday. Trade hall will open at around 6pm but only for traders and clubs setting up. There is no public access to the Trade Hall on Friday.
Reception will open at 8pm, as will the bar.

Nobody should arrive before 3pm as the school is still in use until then.
Campers can set up once the necessary preparations are done.

Do make sure you have a camping ticket displayed on your tent, these can be obtained from reception for the princely sum of ?5 for the weekend, per tent, caravan, camper van, van, sleeping in car, etc.
The ?5 cost is to cover the hire cost of the portaloos, so anybody staying on site overnight is expected to pay/contribute.

 

[Jenny P]

Assume camper vans to be ob the fenced off tarmac tennis courts, as on the previous HEs at Churchill?

No, unfortunately not. I believe the tennis courts are a building site...

OK, I'll wait to be told when I get there. 

 

[Huge]

Just been on the HE website but can't see any timings. Unfortunately I can only make it on Sunday. Can someone tell me what time reception opens up and what time things kick off, please?

 

[Ali M]

I am also unable to find any info on what time reception opens on the Saturday morning and what time is the opening ceremony please?

 

[2xw]

Are campervans alright on site?

lmao that is not a campervan its a car with too much wood in it!

 

[Les W]

Just been on the HE website but can't see any timings. Unfortunately I can only make it on Sunday. Can someone tell me what time reception opens up and what time things kick off, please?

Sunday - Doors open at 9.00 so Reception will be open then
First Lectures start at 9.45 except for the diving session that starts at 9.00