The Loose Association of Wargamers

Peeler wrote: ↑Thu Jun 29, 2023 8:00 pm Norman says he's coming, (to Ayton I mean), so that's ten with a possible Fred too.

Whaddya think re Hall or Lodge?

Yes one of those. Whichever is cheapest, though I'd prob spend a fortune on hot beverages and light refreshments at the Lodge so I dont think it would matter either way to me personally.

Peeler wrote: ↑Thu Jun 29, 2023 8:00 pm Norman says he's coming, (to Ayton I mean), so that's ten with a possible Fred too.

Whaddya think re Hall or Lodge?

I think you need to give us some prices for the various Village Hall options.

E

I quite like the idea of using the Lodge because it's A) Something different (Makes it definitely not May Ayton) B)Cheap and C) Just easier, no issues about keys etc...
10 people would probably still work thinking about the size of the room you had the Napoleonic game in, 12 might start to push it a bit though.

Is it the dark back room at the lodge?

FreddBloggs wrote: ↑Thu Jun 29, 2023 9:40 pm Is it the dark back room at the lodge?

I'm not sure what you mean by the "dark back room", Fred.

The part of the hotel's restaurant that we're contemplating using is at the back of the hotel. The hotel can't compete with the excellent lighting in the Village Hall, but the restaurant area has windows along two sides and has reasonably good overhead lighting.

There's a small 'saloon bar' at the front of the hotel, which we can use in addition to the restaurant area, which I think is quite dark. You may remember the very large TV mounted on the wall of this room.

Does that help?

Iain

Paul wrote: ↑Thu Jun 29, 2023 9:32 pm I quite like the idea of using the Lodge because it's A) Something different (Makes it definitely not May Ayton) B)Cheap and C) Just easier, no issues about keys etc...
10 people would probably still work thinking about the size of the room you had the Napoleonic game in, 12 might start to push it a bit though.

I agree with Paul, in particular that it would be 'different'.

If it works and should it become a regular 'thing', I wonder if it might be a toe-in for getting better rates for a group booking. But that's just me being characteristically optimistic.

I'm sure the Lodge's large room can easily accommodate more than twelve people - there were twelve of us at Framlingham in a room a third of the size, at best. But two reasonable sized games would be the limit I suspect.

We said twelve peeps would be the minimum for the hall, so let's wait to see what tariffs Mr Peeler comes up with?

One last thing....given that there aren't many of us, if we do use the Village Hall I think Mr P should collect the money up front, straight away.

E

Yes, the front bar area was where I was thinking of. Thank you for clarifying, I have only stayed at the Lodge once so my knowledge of its geography is sketchy.

I will know more after this sunday about my attendance.

After a bit of a slapping about & threats of violence, the VH Booking lady has said, as regular customers,
£400 for the whole hall or £300 for just the main hall, which gives an unlikely chance that another group could want the back room and kitchen.
So far there's ten coming, one possible, two not yet answered, eight not coming.
Maketh thy choices between whole hall, main hall, or Lodge.

My vote would be to try something different at the Lodge. EB and I have had two Friday games there now, and they were both fine. Plenty of room and the tables are more than adequate. Plus the price on this occasion is attractive. But I will go with the majority.

Well done Peeler.

Forty quid each (assuming ten of us sharing the the cost) is quite reasonable for the whole hall, although still a stretch after forking out for hotel expenses. I don't think we should go for the cheaper option and risk any sharing of the kitchen. The other occupiers may include children!

I agree with Tim and would like to give the hotel a try, but I'm happy to go with the majority.

The weekend is expensive anyway. The question is, do we pay more for facilities that we know are excellent, or do we take a punt on the hotel and save quite a wedge of cash.

Iain