PHEA meeting place recommendations please.
Discussion
Well, after two recent unsatisfactory visits to The Gardeners Arms looks like we are on the look out for a new meeting place. Whilst the food is as good as always, the time waiting to get the food has got beyond a joke.
Anyway, the ideal location would be between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford. It must have a large car park for obvious reasons, and more importantly the landlord would need to be flexible as we cannot book for a fixed number, only give an indication.
My own preference would be to move nearer to Thetford as currently it's an hour and a half for me to Tostock, which is a bit of a drag. It has also stopped a lot of the Northern area PHer's coming to the monthly meet because of the distance. Thetford, I feel, would still be pretty central for the group with Ipswich only about 45-60 mins away, so should still be okay for the Southern PHer's.
Now the bad bit. I would guess that our next meeting will be cancelled and our Christmas meal in early December would take its place as last year. So, not only do we need a new venue, but we need one that can lay on a Christmas bash for around 30 or more of us. Obviously time is of the essence to get this sorted.
I may have a 'cunning plan' though ! I could approach The Windmill, at Great Cressingham (see here) near Swaffham regarding the Christmas bash. This is the pub we used for our meal at this years Mosler visit. We had 40+ that day, and they seemed to cope well. I have also been here a few times with the local Corvette group. I know that its a bit of a haul for some of you Southerner's but it is a known entity to us.
So its over to you folks !!
Any recommendations gladly excepted, and your thoughts regarding The Windmill also welcome. Please bear in mind that we will need to sort the Christmas bash out very quickly now (if we are not to late already).
Anyway, the ideal location would be between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford. It must have a large car park for obvious reasons, and more importantly the landlord would need to be flexible as we cannot book for a fixed number, only give an indication.
My own preference would be to move nearer to Thetford as currently it's an hour and a half for me to Tostock, which is a bit of a drag. It has also stopped a lot of the Northern area PHer's coming to the monthly meet because of the distance. Thetford, I feel, would still be pretty central for the group with Ipswich only about 45-60 mins away, so should still be okay for the Southern PHer's.
Now the bad bit. I would guess that our next meeting will be cancelled and our Christmas meal in early December would take its place as last year. So, not only do we need a new venue, but we need one that can lay on a Christmas bash for around 30 or more of us. Obviously time is of the essence to get this sorted.
I may have a 'cunning plan' though ! I could approach The Windmill, at Great Cressingham (see here) near Swaffham regarding the Christmas bash. This is the pub we used for our meal at this years Mosler visit. We had 40+ that day, and they seemed to cope well. I have also been here a few times with the local Corvette group. I know that its a bit of a haul for some of you Southerner's but it is a known entity to us.
So its over to you folks !!
Any recommendations gladly excepted, and your thoughts regarding The Windmill also welcome. Please bear in mind that we will need to sort the Christmas bash out very quickly now (if we are not to late already).
Edited by Ian V on Monday 29th October 18:30
Edited by Ian V on Monday 29th October 18:31
Ian V said:
I think Darren knows something about this place. 
Come Darren don't be shy !
Actually I doubt it. Under the banner of research, I just checked all 19 gallery pages and they're all girlies.Come Darren don't be shy !
Nothing in Suffolk anyway! www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=39...
Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 29th October 19:32
Simpo Two said:
Nothing in Suffolk anyway! www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=39...
There is in this one though:http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
(someone needs to combine the lists).
Ian V said:
Bacardi said:
Central location, so how about here
I think Darren knows something about this place. Come Darren don't be shy !
I don't know what you mean!
I've never been there.....
twice......
again
Simpo Two said:
Actually I doubt it. Under the banner of research, I just checked all 19 gallery pages and they're all girlies.
I think you must have missed that pub meet, then John! 
Bacardi said:
not sure about the food and parking though.
Oh, and for the record, parking wouldn't be a problem, as there are a couple of decent multi-storey car parks near by, and eats are taken care of, with a Tesco Metro yards from the entrance 
Darren
Edited by iluvmercs on Tuesday 30th October 01:13
I can think of a fair few places in Suffolk, but none between Thetford and BSE.
If you do ever come this way (Lowestoft) here's a few options.....
The Priory at St Olaves, has loads of parking, loads of restaraunt space, some Llamas, and decent grub.
Also, if you go to the Priory, taking the turning off the A146 near Loddon, the road there is a superb 'hooning' road. Pretty much 60mph country road all the way, with two lovely blind raised humps (but you can see the road ahead to see if anything's coming)
The Dukes Head at Somerleyton is nice too, bit pricey, but that's Lord Somerleyton's son for you. Probably not a good winter venue, but in summer it's spot on.
Also, nearer Norwich is the Bramerton Woods End, again, plenty of parking, riverside view, area for a picnic too if required.
Getting slightly more tatty, there's the cafe on the Acle Straight between Yarmouth and Norwich. Americanyfied place, but a few motorbike clubs meet there IIRC. We went there once, and it was quite quiet, but service was okay, and food plentiful.
Beccles, have the Waveney House Hotel, not too sure on the parking, certainly space, but it's usually busy. Again on the river, very nice food, massive conservatory.
Some very nice places further south near Southwold, Aldeburgh, and the Eels foot at minsmere is a superb Adnams pub, but although the car park is plenty big enough, and the grub is of the finest, the pub is small inside as most visitors are hardy walkers who eat their scampi and chips outside in the snow.
If you ever think of coming this way, give me a shout, I'm sure I can help with decent roads and venues.
If you do ever come this way (Lowestoft) here's a few options.....
The Priory at St Olaves, has loads of parking, loads of restaraunt space, some Llamas, and decent grub.
Also, if you go to the Priory, taking the turning off the A146 near Loddon, the road there is a superb 'hooning' road. Pretty much 60mph country road all the way, with two lovely blind raised humps (but you can see the road ahead to see if anything's coming)
The Dukes Head at Somerleyton is nice too, bit pricey, but that's Lord Somerleyton's son for you. Probably not a good winter venue, but in summer it's spot on.
Also, nearer Norwich is the Bramerton Woods End, again, plenty of parking, riverside view, area for a picnic too if required.
Getting slightly more tatty, there's the cafe on the Acle Straight between Yarmouth and Norwich. Americanyfied place, but a few motorbike clubs meet there IIRC. We went there once, and it was quite quiet, but service was okay, and food plentiful.
Beccles, have the Waveney House Hotel, not too sure on the parking, certainly space, but it's usually busy. Again on the river, very nice food, massive conservatory.
Some very nice places further south near Southwold, Aldeburgh, and the Eels foot at minsmere is a superb Adnams pub, but although the car park is plenty big enough, and the grub is of the finest, the pub is small inside as most visitors are hardy walkers who eat their scampi and chips outside in the snow.
If you ever think of coming this way, give me a shout, I'm sure I can help with decent roads and venues.
Another two votes from me & Scott for the Windmill at Great Cressingham. Never been there but it's a better drive than trekking to Tostock, even though there'd only be 2 miles in it distance wise.
Now, if you want to move the meeting point to windy Little Downham, that would be even better but I don't think there are any decent pubs around here - apart from the one directly opposite us. They'd run away screaming from all of our cars though I suspect, it's a quiet "traditional" fenland pub where they don't much like outsiders. LOL. They all have big dogs and guns slung over their shoulder, drinking their pints of the bitterest bitter.
Now, if you want to move the meeting point to windy Little Downham, that would be even better but I don't think there are any decent pubs around here - apart from the one directly opposite us. They'd run away screaming from all of our cars though I suspect, it's a quiet "traditional" fenland pub where they don't much like outsiders. LOL. They all have big dogs and guns slung over their shoulder, drinking their pints of the bitterest bitter.
A quick update.
Lucinda, the lady I dealt with for the Mosler visit, isn't back in until Thursday so no news till then I,m afraid. I think its better to deal with the same person again rather than starting again with someone else.
Please feel free to keep other suggestions coming in, as The Windmill may already be fully booked for the Christmas season.
Lucinda, the lady I dealt with for the Mosler visit, isn't back in until Thursday so no news till then I,m afraid. I think its better to deal with the same person again rather than starting again with someone else.
Please feel free to keep other suggestions coming in, as The Windmill may already be fully booked for the Christmas season.
The SELOC monthly meets take place here so they are used to having a number of cars around - haven't been to one myself yet so don't know about food etc.
Regards,
Lee
Regards,
Lee
paulbuckley said:
Bird In Hand pub, Church Road, Wreningham, Norfolk, NR16 1BH.
No more than 10 mins off the A11 and 20mins up from Thetford. 5 mins from Lotus.
Large tarmac carpark - decent bar snacks / food and nice friendly atmosphere.
It's frequented by a number of Lotus groups for regular meets.
No more than 10 mins off the A11 and 20mins up from Thetford. 5 mins from Lotus.
Large tarmac carpark - decent bar snacks / food and nice friendly atmosphere.
It's frequented by a number of Lotus groups for regular meets.
Simpo Two said:
Note that we need to try to please everybody - some regulars are as far south as Colchester and as far north as Kings Lynn.
A few random thoughts from me.I think it will be difficult to please everyone. Great Cressingham for Christmas nosh is to far of a hike for me and doesn't appeal... even in summer, let alone winter when the weather and road conditions may not be too favourable. Likewise, I appreciate that other folks in northern parts don't fancy long hikes south.
The problem is the region of East Anglia is a pretty big area. In fact where is East Anglia? Googling gives you different areas, i.e. Wikipedia just says Norfolk and Suffolk (sums up Wikipedia's accuracy nicely), whereas BBC Look East seems to cover Beds, Herts & Bucks, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk (no mention of Lincolnshire, so anyone from those foreign parts doesn't count
).I guess we could map the active member's locations and triangulate the map to find the area which is 'central'. The other problem is the popularity of EAPH meets seems to grow as the years go by so finding a venue to accommodate everyone becomes more of a problem. As seems to be already happening with some local meets, maybe the region could be split into two areas, north and south, or like BBC news, east and west and just get together for bigger meets at Raids and car shows? (If that happens, I suggest Le Talbooth for southerners Christmas lunch.... Simpo's paying
).Capt Cave Man said:
The SELOC monthly meets take place here so they are used to having a number of cars around - haven't been to one myself yet so don't know about food etc.
Regards,
Lee
Thanks for the input regarding this pub, unfortunately I think this is going to be to far North East to really suit our area. Regards,
Lee
paulbuckley said:
Bird In Hand pub, Church Road, Wreningham, Norfolk, NR16 1BH.
No more than 10 mins off the A11 and 20mins up from Thetford. 5 mins from Lotus.
Large tarmac carpark - decent bar snacks / food and nice friendly atmosphere.
It's frequented by a number of Lotus groups for regular meets.
No more than 10 mins off the A11 and 20mins up from Thetford. 5 mins from Lotus.
Large tarmac carpark - decent bar snacks / food and nice friendly atmosphere.
It's frequented by a number of Lotus groups for regular meets.
As previously mentioned we are really looking in the area from Bury St Edmunds to Thetford. I know that The Windmill at Gt Cressingham is a litle outside of this area also, but as far as Christmas meal/meet goes this may be our best option as we have used it before. We can then decide what to do regarding a pub for regular meetings ready for the end of Jan meeting.
Anyway, keep the suggestions coming please.
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