AlanCurragh Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 For those who attended the conference, or have done so in the past - I am thinking about the options for dinner on Saturday evening. The numbers taking dinner at the Tally Ho dropped quite a bit this year - from 45 or so to 30 - it was still a very enjoyable end to the day but I am wondering if it is the best option. So - would you rather have dinner elsewhere? Maybe at Akbars or somewhere near the Premier Inn where most people stay, or in central Birmingham? Or are you happy at the Tally Ho? Would changing the dinner venue make it more (or less) likely you would stay for dinner? Looking forward to your thoughts.... Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 I really enjoy having dinner at the Tally Ho. I like that it's just us. I like the convenience of having it in the same place. I like the food. It would be more hassle to move locations 1). It might involve yet more taxis to return to the hotel 2) extra noise from other diners. 3). If Akbars were chosen then the Friday night curry would have to be rethought (and not everyone like curry). I would reconsider staying for the meal if it were moved. I think it's an important part of the weekend, for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 Akbars is already the venue for many on the Friday night. Enjoyable though it was two lots of Indian food might have dire consequences (Think Col Dennis Bloodnok "Arrrgh No more curried eggs for me") and a Beefeater does not attract - too much noise from the general populace and I'm not a great fan of steakhouses. Only problem with the Tally Ho is the lacuna between getting turfed out of the hall and dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Bennitt Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 I'm absolutely fine with the Tally Ho. The food is good, the service excellent and as Kim says it's agreeable to be all together with no extraneous noise, and no arguing about the bill because it's paid in advance. I try to fill the lacuna by going back to the hôtel for a shower. Just because numbers were down this year doesn't mean they will be in 2015. Cheers Martin B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Pighills Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 I enjoy the evening meal at the Tally Ho. It's nice to wind down down with a drink afterwards then stroll through for dinner. It's a great contrast to the more frenetic Friday night entertainment. Ooooh, I'm in danger of agreeing with Kim .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 Ooooh, I'm in danger of agreeing with Kim .... If her description of your journey home is anything to go by that might be a tactically astute move Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 Alan I decided not to stay for dinner as it was my first conference and I didn't know anyone; with hindsight I really wish I'd stayed having heard good reports of the evening. I could have followed up on the fact that you remember Monty Python, I could have hung out with the rock legend MacCormick and I could have asked Dr Pollard if he could get Neil Oliver's autograph (not for me obviously, for my sis). I might even have plucked up the courage to introduce myself to Centurion. Everyone was so friendly, I really liked the venue and if the quality of the lunch was anything to go by I'm definintely in for next year; I could have eaten my own bodyweight in the crayfish butties and the sausage and chutney things. This is of course dependent on me not getting banned in the interim. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanCurragh Posted 2 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 April , 2014 Looking good for the Tally Ho dinner option next year, I'd say. And splendid use of "lacuna" to boot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 It would be interesting to know why those who don't stay don't. I know some people are local and don't feel they want to, but there are others out there. Is it because it's the Tally Ho (I don't think so) and they'd stay if it were elsewhere or is it something entirely different? Come on, give us yer vu's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 It would be interesting to know why those who don't stay don't. Come on, give us yer vu's! Maybe there should be a curry option on the menu? I can't always be there, but happy with the Tally-Ho, and it's great to be able to mix with the 'slebs' innit? (if they stay) Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaroleHope Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 OK folks, here's my tuppence worth. I've only been to two conferences i.e. the last two. Last year I stayed for dinner, this year I didn't. One reason (but not the only) for not staying is, sorry, that my dining experience in 2013 was not good and there was far too long an interval between conference end and dinner. Sounds as if I was just unlucky with the dining experience last year - I think it was the main course, but can't really remember. And perhaps, now that I have been a second year, and mixed with 'slebs and hoi-polio on the Friday night at OC and Akbhars, I might welcome the "lacuna." As there has been good feedback (ugh) above I might be tempted to stay for dinner next year and I certainly see the sense of it being at the conference centre. Tally Ho! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 There is probably an element of "where I dines I sleeps and where I sleeps I breakfasts" (Jorrocks). Most of those staying in Birmingham for the night are at the dinner, many of those going home are in their cars and don't want to end up being tempted to have a drink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMarsdin Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 For me the meal is an important part of the conference. Usually the speakers stay and where else would you get chance to take part in a round-table discussion with Tony. Bill and Ric; worth the price of the meal alone and the food's not bad too ! Most people stay at the venue until the meal, discussing issues over a drink; a few go back to their hotels before returning. The meal is quite early (7.15) which allows some people to travel home afterwards (and others to return to the hotel bar to continue putting the world to rights !). If it was known in advance whether speakers were staying for dinner that might encourage more to stay, to have the opportunity to engage them in conversation in a more informal manner ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 Most people stay at the venue until the meal, discussing issues over a drink; As I do but the area where we are shunted into after the main hall is cleared is not what I would call particularly inviting and its where I think the Tally Ho good as they are in general could make a little more effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Pighills Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 If her description of your journey home is anything to go by that might be a tactically astute move I feel that 'air of mystery' always keeps Kim on her toes .... And awake! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Curragh Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 It is a great day but for those of us who travel to Edgbaston & are out on a "day pass" by the time the fifth speaker has finished, it's time to hit the road generally. So venue is not the deciding factor for me. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 Tally ho fine for me. Kim and Steve sum up my thoughts entirely. The Lacuna ( must look it up) is fgood from my perspective. Time for a couple of pints and a chat Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhifle Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 I agree with Kim Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockdoc Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 I've been to all five Conferences and stayed for dinner at three. Like Fattyowls, I did not stay the first year as I had no idea how I would fit in when meeting Pals face-to-face. I stayed the next two years but not last year because I felt a bit guilty about being away from home all day. I live one hour by car from the Tally Ho! so I'm away from about 08.00 to 22.00 if I have the dinner. This year I put in a chit to the O/C and got permission to stay again because I really missed the socialising that is so much a part of the apres-Conference experience. We had some real belly-laughs this year and it rounded out the day beautifully, for me, to sit and chinwag with friends old and new. I've always found the food at lunch and in the evening to be excellent at TH!, to the considerable detriment of my waistline...... As I don't stay in Birmingham, with Derby being so close, a change of venue for the dinner would see me, regretfully, not take up the option. If I'm going to get in my car or straddle my 'bike I'm going home, not fighting my way into Brum, trying to find somewhere to park and so on. It's too much trouble, to be frank. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Pighills Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 Come on, please don't ALL agree with Kim!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul@bolton Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 I agree with James! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 2 April , 2014 Share Posted 2 April , 2014 You two will get a smack! For not being on topic, obviously Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanCurragh Posted 3 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 April , 2014 That seems settled then - we all agree with Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted 3 April , 2014 Share Posted 3 April , 2014 It being my first conference I have nothing to compare it with (to? Who cares) but I enjoyed the dinner and really enjoyed the chance to chat with a variety of people at some length both before and during. Food and venue were both fine. Personally, and I am clearly out of line here, I thought Akbar's dreadful (both the food and the ambience) and the last place I would want to go to eat and talk. At least the tables at the TH were circular so you could talk to more than just the people on your immediate right/left and opposite. Were I to attend again I would attend dinner at the TH. Probably not elsewhere though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H Posted 3 April , 2014 Share Posted 3 April , 2014 I think there are some important points raised in one or two posts with regards not knowing people and therefore not choosing to stay. Perhaps we need to stress the dinner is very informal and it is a stay as you are event in terms of dress. Announcing which speakers are staying might also help increase attendance. A great opportunity to grill them. (And I don't mean grilled speaker should be on the menu!) Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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