First PicnicPress Meetup – 19th August, Mayfield Park

Organised on a bit of a shoestring, but let’s do it

So one factor to come out of WordCamp Europe for the UK crowd is/was “how to get face to face time with the community all together?”. Many of us it was the first time we saw each other since COVID and for 3 years and there hasn’t been much, if anything going ahead.

There didn’t seem to be much enthusiasm for creating a WordCamp as of yet*, as – well – life has gotten in the way of a lot of the volunteers. However it was good seeing the community again.

So a few people proposed an informal meetup, and I’m deciding to run with it. I’ll be sat in Mayfield Park, Manchester on the 19th August at about 11am (train times permitting). The aim is to be there until about 4 or 5pm where we’ll all go our separate ways.

I’ve been calling it PicnicPress as it’s an informal, social meetup to discuss WordPress stuff and get some community face to face time. Bring a picnic as well as any sort of things to make you comfortable (camping chairs, picnic blankets). Hopefully the day will be dry but we can play it by ear if not, and if we have to relocate so be it!

PicnicPress Details

  • Where – Mayfield Park, 11 Baring Street, Manchester M1 2PY (Google Map). I’ll bring something loud and obnoxious so we’re easy to spot. Think a flag like at Glastonbury.
  • When – 11am until about 4-5pm ish. (Google Calendar Link).
  • How Much – Free (please bring your own refreshments).

There are no tickets, but drop me a comment or a message if you are attending or thinking of attending. Obviously if it turns out to be a success and something people want then we can go forward (and I am happy to take it out of my blog but…you know…I felt it was better to get something up and running).

I think I have everything. If I’ve forgotten something, or if you have any questions – then please drop me a message (or on Twitter, Linkedin or Mastodon – or if you have my phone number or my Facebook, then message me on there), and I’ll do my best to answer this and update this blog post if needed.

Hope to see you! Bring sandwiches!

Update – 11th July 2023

So I went to check out the Mayfield Park on Sunday to answer a few questions to myself, and I thought I’d share them. We’re likely going to meet on the big green flat area in front of the “Depot Mayfield” sign here.

There were a couple of additional things, it’s largely signposted from the taxi area of Manchester Piccadilly Station towards Fairfield Park.

There is a small kiosk that sells sandwiches and coffees, and the map suggests there’s a loo by the kids play area (I didn’t check it out).

One important thing is no alcohol or smoking in the park. There were signs around.

*Though that may have changed since I started writing this: waves in the direction of Whitley Bay.

Update – 14th August 2023

So as a couple of people have asked me, yes this is still going ahead ๐Ÿ™‚. As said it was an informal meetup rather than anything formal so yes I’m planning on being there this week (I’ve a minor update on that towards the end of the post). So I’ll guess I’ll share a few questions and things that have been going around in my head.

  • Weather – Manchester is dodgy weather wise at the best of times, so please bring wet weather gear. It’s very changeable at the moment. I still plan to show up but if it’s chucking it down we may relocate to a cafe nearby (there’s a few cafe’s nearby), Foundation Coffee House on Whitworth Street is nearby. I’ll try and post updates as soon as I can.
  • Transport – No train strikes planned that day ๐ŸŽ‰. Obviously there may be work on your area.
  • COVID – So for full disclosure I’ve a nasty cough I’ve been trying to shift. Every COVID test has come back negative. As it’s a public park I cannot insist on people taking tests beforehand, but I hope if you do have an illness you’d stay away, or at the very least take a COVID test. Thanks.

Should you need to get in touch with me the best way is on the UK WordPress slack, or Twitter DMs.

Twitter Turns 5 & Twestival Manchester

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AN4_N5N52U[/youtube]

Today, Twitter turned five years old. Probably the one service I use more than any other service on the Internet, and I hate to say if something changed my life, but Twitter did change my life. New job, friends and even a relationship that all arose from the social media site. So to Twitter: happy birthday, thank you and I’ll be celebrating your birthday.

To everybody else, I’ll be celebrating Twitter’s birthday, and it’d be great if you could come!

You see, this Thursday, along with Mancseo, it’s the Manchester Twestival! Last year’s Twestival was an incredible night, where I met my new co-workers, won a flight to Jersey, and generally had an amazing night. Each Twestival’s different, so who knows what’s going to happen on Thursday, but we do know that all proceeds from the event will go to the Wood Street Mission.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6YRvcBkqAg[/youtube]

The Wood Street Mission is a charity that helps Manchester’s needy in a varity of ways. Beginning in the middle of the 19th Century, The Wood Street Mission donates clothing, bedding and toys to help alleviate the effects of poverty on children in families in Manchester and Salford. You can read more about their work done here.

Manchester Twestival will be held on Thursday 24th March from 6:30pm onwards at Noho, Tickets are available from: http://www.amiando.com/MancTwester

How To Make The Most of February’s Mancseo

Last night I headed to The Lass O’Gowrie for their monthly computer club. I was also scouting for the Mancseo meetup this coming Thursday. In my wobbly legged scouting mission, here’s what I’ve learnt:-

  • They have a quiz on. It could be fun!
  • The ales at the moment include Northumberland Brewery “Bucking Fastard” (please don’t giggle too much) and another one, as well as Cheshire Brewery’s Spitting Feathers‘ latest ale. I’d recommend the Spitting Feather’s ale. It’s nice.
  • They are showing the Liverpool match from 6pm, and the Citeh match later.
  • I didn’t manage to secure the room. Yeah, I know, I’m crap.
  • The arcade machines there include Paperboy, Track & Field and a Pac-Man machine. Somebody buy me the pac-man machine, it’s gorgeous.

In either rate, I enjoy the Mancseo events. Who’s going? Are you going to be there tomorrow night? I’d love to see you guys there.

Snow Pictures of North Wales & Manchester

In my last post, where I talked about You’re Supposed To Be At Home, Carly commented on the quality of pictures – which was nice, as it’s something I’ve been wanting to improve (I’ve got a great book on photography, and an ace camera – Kodak Easyshare Z915). So I’ve thought that now we’ve emerged from the Snow Days of Deathโ„ข in the bleak mid winters, I’d show a few pictures of the snow. Here you go:-

In other news: as part of my New Years Resolutions I’ve started kick boxing. Yes I’m sore, yes I’m aching, but yes it’s rather fun! Early shout for my Birthday (4th of March peeps & I’ve since discovered I’m now a fucking Aquarius) for Thai Kickboxing shorts. Purple Ones.

Dulcimer Chorlton & The Need of a Local

Update: Dulcimer is reported to reopen on the 24th March, 2011.

This photo makes me very sad.

R.I.P. Dulcimer

This is the Dulcimer in Chorlton. It sold real ale & fantastic cheeseboards (and ask the mother, I’m somebody who isn’t that into cheese bar Primula, Babybel & Brie), and was a great place where I shared many a banter with Shane, amongst others. Seriously, behind those shutters we put the world to rights, brokered a Middle East Peace Treaty, cured cancer, and made ourselves richer than the entire past, present & future cast of Dragon’s Den. Combined.

Until last night, where it shut down.

Unless you enjoy a beer as much as me, you’ll know how much this hurts. This was my local. I loved that place, a proper pub, with music, good ales, good food & banter. All at a reasonable price. I’ve never lost a local before (I was a little too young when Taylors became The Pen y Bryn). I don’t know what to do! It does feel like I’ve lost a leg.

Anyway, I need a new local in Chorlton, must:-

  • Serve Real Ale.
  • Have Good Food.
  • Not Too loud.

It’d be great if it has:-

  • A pub quiz.
  • A dartboard.

Any suggestions would be greatfully appreciated!