Jun 29, 2014, 6:49 am
Last edit by: BotB
Bristol FT DO Events, Friday, the 19th Sept. / Saturday 20th Sept. Information (in chronological order)
Friday 10:00: Tour of Rolls Royce Bristol Heritage Centre.
Background:
The Sir Roy Fedden Heritage Centre houses an unrivalled collection of Bristol-built engines ranging from the Jupiter, the most successful aero engine of the 1920s, through the wartime Bristol Hercules and Centaurus sleeve-valve radials to famous jets such as the Harrier’s Pegasus and Concorde’s mighty Olympus.
The display includes de Havilland and Blackburn engines, firms that merged with Bristol Siddeley before the final consolidation with Rolls-Royce.
Fee: Donation to charity of £ 4 or £ 5 greatly appreciated.
Duration: The tour will last roughly 2 hours.
Getting to the venue: Meeting at 09:50 at the main Rolls Royce visitors reception at No1 gate. Site map available here.
Some car sharing occurring, BotB vehicle filled (4), thundercat has kindly offered to take 3 (4 in a pinch) and courtster has also kindly offered...please PM them if this is of interest.
Address:
Rolls Royce PLC
Gloucester Rd
Bristol BS34 7QE
Attendees: 9 FTers
BotB
Bristoltraveller
courtster (please urgently provide Ikaz with your details in order to take part)
francismc
holmedown
holmedown's+1
Ikaz
PETER01
thundercat
(We'll be having lunch somewhere afterwards so if anyone wants to join us then please do PM us!)
Friday 17:00: Main DO Event - Gathering at Watershed
Details:
Meeting up @ Watershed Cafe/Bar where there is free wifi and a decent selection of drinks as well as snacks.
There will be some A4 sheets on the tables where we are located with FT and BA logos to help find us!
Drinks/Food Menu:
http://www.watershed.co.uk/food-drink/menus/
Getting to the venue:
You can easily walk from the train station or anywhere downtown to here, if you are driving then the Millennium square car park is the place to park for convenience. (the top of park street is also good and cheaper but does mean a small walk down to the waterfront.
Address:
Watershed
1 Canons Road
Harbourside
Bristol
BS1 5TX
Attendees: 15 FTers
BotB
BristolTraveller
CCayley
corporate-wage-slave
Cymro
francismc
haasha (arriving late)
hawklx
holmedown
holmedown's+1
Ikaz
PETER01
pinkcat
thejohn
thejohn's +1
Friday 20:30: Main DO Event 2 -Evening Meal
Details:
Assuming everyone will have shown up by this time and want to eat something to help soak up the liquids, we'll go as group to this restaurant Steak of the Art (it is a steakhouse with local produce but does also cater for vegetarians so we are hoping this will work for everyone).
They have an events room that can hold 25 so we have booked it and hope that everyone shows up and is alright with this choice @:-)
Drinks/Food Menu:
Steak of the Art Menu.pdf Please note it takes a few seconds to load...be patient!
They asked us to warn them if we would need vegetarian meals or if we would want anything from the "Menu Rapide" that they do not normally serve during evenings. An example of their specials menu can be found here, it changes every day (with some similarities).
Getting to the venue:
The venue is only a minute or two walk from the Watershed and so very convenient, and they take Amex.
Address:
Steak of the Art
Cathedral Walk
Harbourside
Bristol
BS1 5LN
Attendees: 14 FTers
BotB
BristolTraveller
CCayley
Cymro
francismc
haasha
hawklx
holmedown
holmedown's+1
Ikaz
PETER01
pinkcat
thejohn
thejohn's +1
Further Foolishness to follow, after the meal until the wee hours...
Venue: Goodness only knows...rest assured there will be some action until well into the new day...If you arrive this late...PM BotB or Ikaz for current location...
Saturday 10:30: Brunch/Sightseeing walk back downtown afterwards
Details:
The best place to take in the views and have something to eat is at the White Lion Bar (part of the Avon Gorge Hotel) in Clifton.
Getting to the venue:
This is generally a taxi ride away from the downtown area but we will walk back to the downtown area as part of an informal tour of Bristol after eating to get some exercise and enjoy the sights.
Address:
The Avon Gorge Hotel
Sion Hill
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 4LD
Attendees: 10 FTers
BotB
CCayley (maybe)
haasha
hawklx (maybe)
holmedown
holmedown's+1
Ikaz
pinkcat (maybe)
thejohn
thejohn's +1
Not too late to join us! @:-) Open to all...
Other Useful Info:
Hotels:
Hotel info in this post
What to See and Do when not at the DO!
What to see and Do
Friday 10:00: Tour of Rolls Royce Bristol Heritage Centre.
Background:
The Sir Roy Fedden Heritage Centre houses an unrivalled collection of Bristol-built engines ranging from the Jupiter, the most successful aero engine of the 1920s, through the wartime Bristol Hercules and Centaurus sleeve-valve radials to famous jets such as the Harrier’s Pegasus and Concorde’s mighty Olympus.
The display includes de Havilland and Blackburn engines, firms that merged with Bristol Siddeley before the final consolidation with Rolls-Royce.
Fee: Donation to charity of £ 4 or £ 5 greatly appreciated.
Duration: The tour will last roughly 2 hours.
Getting to the venue: Meeting at 09:50 at the main Rolls Royce visitors reception at No1 gate. Site map available here.
Some car sharing occurring, BotB vehicle filled (4), thundercat has kindly offered to take 3 (4 in a pinch) and courtster has also kindly offered...please PM them if this is of interest.
Address:
Rolls Royce PLC
Gloucester Rd
Bristol BS34 7QE
Attendees: 9 FTers
BotB
Bristoltraveller
courtster (please urgently provide Ikaz with your details in order to take part)
francismc
holmedown
holmedown's+1
Ikaz
PETER01
thundercat
(We'll be having lunch somewhere afterwards so if anyone wants to join us then please do PM us!)
Friday 17:00: Main DO Event - Gathering at Watershed
Details:
Meeting up @ Watershed Cafe/Bar where there is free wifi and a decent selection of drinks as well as snacks.
There will be some A4 sheets on the tables where we are located with FT and BA logos to help find us!
Drinks/Food Menu:
http://www.watershed.co.uk/food-drink/menus/
Getting to the venue:
You can easily walk from the train station or anywhere downtown to here, if you are driving then the Millennium square car park is the place to park for convenience. (the top of park street is also good and cheaper but does mean a small walk down to the waterfront.
Address:
Watershed
1 Canons Road
Harbourside
Bristol
BS1 5TX
Attendees: 15 FTers
BotB
BristolTraveller
CCayley
corporate-wage-slave
Cymro
francismc
haasha (arriving late)
hawklx
holmedown
holmedown's+1
Ikaz
PETER01
pinkcat
thejohn
thejohn's +1
Friday 20:30: Main DO Event 2 -Evening Meal
Details:
Assuming everyone will have shown up by this time and want to eat something to help soak up the liquids, we'll go as group to this restaurant Steak of the Art (it is a steakhouse with local produce but does also cater for vegetarians so we are hoping this will work for everyone).
They have an events room that can hold 25 so we have booked it and hope that everyone shows up and is alright with this choice @:-)
Drinks/Food Menu:
Steak of the Art Menu.pdf Please note it takes a few seconds to load...be patient!
They asked us to warn them if we would need vegetarian meals or if we would want anything from the "Menu Rapide" that they do not normally serve during evenings. An example of their specials menu can be found here, it changes every day (with some similarities).
Getting to the venue:
The venue is only a minute or two walk from the Watershed and so very convenient, and they take Amex.
Address:
Steak of the Art
Cathedral Walk
Harbourside
Bristol
BS1 5LN
Attendees: 14 FTers
BotB
BristolTraveller
CCayley
Cymro
francismc
haasha
hawklx
holmedown
holmedown's+1
Ikaz
PETER01
pinkcat
thejohn
thejohn's +1
Further Foolishness to follow, after the meal until the wee hours...
Venue: Goodness only knows...rest assured there will be some action until well into the new day...If you arrive this late...PM BotB or Ikaz for current location...
Saturday 10:30: Brunch/Sightseeing walk back downtown afterwards
Details:
The best place to take in the views and have something to eat is at the White Lion Bar (part of the Avon Gorge Hotel) in Clifton.
Getting to the venue:
This is generally a taxi ride away from the downtown area but we will walk back to the downtown area as part of an informal tour of Bristol after eating to get some exercise and enjoy the sights.
Address:
The Avon Gorge Hotel
Sion Hill
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 4LD
Attendees: 10 FTers
BotB
CCayley (maybe)
haasha
hawklx (maybe)
holmedown
holmedown's+1
Ikaz
pinkcat (maybe)
thejohn
thejohn's +1
Not too late to join us! @:-) Open to all...
Other Useful Info:
Hotels:
Hotel info in this post
What to See and Do when not at the DO!
What to see and Do
Bristol FT DO 19 Sept 2014
Jul 19, 2014, 4:04 pm
#76
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: usually LON
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Tesco Blue, TK Elite (*G), Oyster Diamond Jubilee edition
Posts: 1,546
For folks arriving from London - do I assume correctly that the evening part is going to be somewhere near Bristol Temple Meads train station?
I am afraid I won't able to arrive earlier than 18:14 (maybe even 19:12), so checking if someone will still be up around the time I arrive
I am afraid I won't able to arrive earlier than 18:14 (maybe even 19:12), so checking if someone will still be up around the time I arrive
Jul 19, 2014, 4:08 pm
#77
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BRS (Bristol, UK)
Programs: LH SEN/*G
Posts: 1,266
Jul 19, 2014, 4:11 pm
#78
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BRS (Bristol, UK)
Programs: LH SEN/*G
Posts: 1,266
For folks arriving from London - do I assume correctly that the evening part is going to be somewhere near Bristol Temple Meads train station?
I am afraid I won't able to arrive earlier than 18:14 (maybe even 19:12), so checking if someone will still be up around the time I arrive
I am afraid I won't able to arrive earlier than 18:14 (maybe even 19:12), so checking if someone will still be up around the time I arrive
Jul 19, 2014, 4:24 pm
#79
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: usually LON
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Tesco Blue, TK Elite (*G), Oyster Diamond Jubilee edition
Posts: 1,546
Hoping for a walk!
Jul 20, 2014, 11:44 am
#80
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold & GGL & CCR, HH Diam, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Spire, Tastecard
Posts: 7,549
Ok, I am confirmed. Invited myself to stay with friends and have told them that I would be busy on the actual evening.
Don't think I'll be able to join any daytime activity but definitely up for evening DO.
Don't think I'll be able to join any daytime activity but definitely up for evening DO.
Jul 20, 2014, 3:50 pm
#82
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,359
Thanks for all the updates everyone, I believe the wiki now reflects the current situation:
18 confirmed for the evening DO on Friday the 16th Sept. at this stage ^
Sorry to see some people not be able to make it but completely understood, finding a date that works for everyone is very hard! Maybe another DO or if this one is successful...next year @:-)
I have to say that Airbus has initially turned us down for the tour on Friday as they apparently only give tours for educational purposes to schools and such and not for aviation fans.
So, we are trying to see if Rolls Royce would be possible and failing that we may have to improvise...I'll try to keep you updated as we know more.
As others have posted, there are plenty of hotel chains and choices in the city, including a few Hiltons, Marriott, Accor and IHG, I'll try to post links and current pricing for those later this week.
If we stay around 20 then we'll see what we do for a place to meet/eat/chat...of course, the more the merrier so anyone still sitting on the fence, please do come and join us. ^
18 confirmed for the evening DO on Friday the 16th Sept. at this stage ^
Sorry to see some people not be able to make it but completely understood, finding a date that works for everyone is very hard! Maybe another DO or if this one is successful...next year @:-)
I have to say that Airbus has initially turned us down for the tour on Friday as they apparently only give tours for educational purposes to schools and such and not for aviation fans.
So, we are trying to see if Rolls Royce would be possible and failing that we may have to improvise...I'll try to keep you updated as we know more.
As others have posted, there are plenty of hotel chains and choices in the city, including a few Hiltons, Marriott, Accor and IHG, I'll try to post links and current pricing for those later this week.
If we stay around 20 then we'll see what we do for a place to meet/eat/chat...of course, the more the merrier so anyone still sitting on the fence, please do come and join us. ^
Jul 21, 2014, 2:53 am
#83
Join Date: May 2008
Location: FZO
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Plat, Avis PC, Sixt Pl,
Posts: 772
I assumed you'd have your work cut out with Airbus.
I know it's not directly aerospace related, but have you thought about calling the Bloodhound SSC team?
http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/news/gr...chnical-centre
Having been to a few open days at the technical centre myself, I think everyone would appreciate the work that is going into it. That RR EJ200 Typhoon engine should certainly give it some kudos round these parts
I know it's not directly aerospace related, but have you thought about calling the Bloodhound SSC team?
http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/news/gr...chnical-centre
Having been to a few open days at the technical centre myself, I think everyone would appreciate the work that is going into it. That RR EJ200 Typhoon engine should certainly give it some kudos round these parts
Last edited by courtster; Jul 21, 2014 at 10:06 am
Jul 21, 2014, 11:02 am
#84
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Cheltenham
Programs: BA Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 536
Jul 21, 2014, 12:16 pm
#85
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 1,713
It's a shame you're doing 19th Sept rather than 26th. My FT do debut will have to be put off for another time, although I particularly fancied Bristol having lived there for a couple of years. I'll be on Ba768 on 19th Sept so while you're all eating on the harbour side in Bristol I'll be enjoying a CE dinner on my way to OSL. Hopefully the cod will be on offer!
Jul 22, 2014, 6:20 am
#86
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold & GGL & CCR, HH Diam, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Spire, Tastecard
Posts: 7,549
Aug 1, 2014, 2:48 am
#88
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,359
Sorry for the long silence, I did want to wait until the JER DO was over before making a lot of noise about this one...So expect much more frequent updates and info from this point onwards. Ikaz and I are looking forward to meeting everyone in Sept. Right, first some tidying up...
Shame, sorry to hear that BerksFlyer, maybe another time (or next year if this one is successful ^ ) Enjoy your trip.
Apparently they do
Ah, well, it was worth a try. Will be great to catch up again chris1979, have you decided if you are going HBO or not yet?
Excellent, I hope your son realises the seriousness of the situation pinkcat?
Hope to see you there and maybe we can show these young people that there is still lots of life in our 'old' bones. :-:
Hotels I can recommend will be posted in separate post below...
It's a shame you're doing 19th Sept rather than 26th. My FT do debut will have to be put off for another time, although I particularly fancied Bristol having lived there for a couple of years. I'll be on Ba768 on 19th Sept so while you're all eating on the harbour side in Bristol I'll be enjoying a CE dinner on my way to OSL. Hopefully the cod will be on offer!
Apparently they do
Ah, well, it was worth a try. Will be great to catch up again chris1979, have you decided if you are going HBO or not yet?
Hope to see you there and maybe we can show these young people that there is still lots of life in our 'old' bones. :-:
Hotels I can recommend will be posted in separate post below...
Aug 1, 2014, 3:04 am
#89
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,359
Bristol Hotels to consider for the DO
Prices are indicative and valid as of the time of this post, they are lowest price for date of the DO.
N.B. this list is not extensive, the ones listed are ones known to have decent ratings on Trip Advisor or that I have stayed at / had friends stay at. As always YMMV, please feel free to choose others!
Okay, now that the caveat is over...here is the list of hotels I would suggest...
In Alphabetical Order by Chain (just so I don't show any favouritism!)
Accor:
Ibis Bristol Centre £ 61
Ibis Bristol Temple Meads Quay £ 56
Mercure Bristol Holland House
Staying at Holland House:
chris1979
Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel £ 79
Novotel Bristol Centre £ 71
Club Carlson
Radisson Blu Hotel, Bristol £ 68
Staying at Radisson Blu:
thejohn+1
Hilton
DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre £ 66
Staying at DoubleTree City Centre:
francismc
holmedown+1
thundercat
Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Centre £ 71
Hotel Du Vin
Hotel du Vin & Bistro £ 148
IHG
Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre £ 73
There are several Holiday Inn Express hotels dotted around Bristol as well
Marriott
Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre £ 79
Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel £ 105
Premier Inn
Premier Inn Bristol City Centre King Street £ 73
There are several others around the city as well but this one is good and very well located with good reviews.
And two hotels I wouldn't suggest:
The Bristol Hotel (used to be the old Jury's Inn) directly on the harbour. Why? The rooms are very thin walled and you will not get a good nights sleep. Excellent location though. There are better hotels nearby that are cheaper.
Hilton Bristol On the Northern part of Bristol, nowhere near the city centre. This hotel has very poor room quality and is far away from everything.
Locals attending but not staying at hotels:
BotB
BristolTraveller
hawklx
Ikaz
Prices are indicative and valid as of the time of this post, they are lowest price for date of the DO.
N.B. this list is not extensive, the ones listed are ones known to have decent ratings on Trip Advisor or that I have stayed at / had friends stay at. As always YMMV, please feel free to choose others!
Okay, now that the caveat is over...here is the list of hotels I would suggest...
In Alphabetical Order by Chain (just so I don't show any favouritism!)
Accor:
Ibis Bristol Centre £ 61
Ibis Bristol Temple Meads Quay £ 56
Mercure Bristol Holland House
Staying at Holland House:
chris1979
Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel £ 79
Novotel Bristol Centre £ 71
Club Carlson
Radisson Blu Hotel, Bristol £ 68
Staying at Radisson Blu:
thejohn+1
Hilton
DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre £ 66
Staying at DoubleTree City Centre:
francismc
holmedown+1
thundercat
Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Centre £ 71
Hotel Du Vin
Hotel du Vin & Bistro £ 148
IHG
Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre £ 73
There are several Holiday Inn Express hotels dotted around Bristol as well
Marriott
Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre £ 79
Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel £ 105
Premier Inn
Premier Inn Bristol City Centre King Street £ 73
There are several others around the city as well but this one is good and very well located with good reviews.
And two hotels I wouldn't suggest:
The Bristol Hotel (used to be the old Jury's Inn) directly on the harbour. Why? The rooms are very thin walled and you will not get a good nights sleep. Excellent location though. There are better hotels nearby that are cheaper.
Hilton Bristol On the Northern part of Bristol, nowhere near the city centre. This hotel has very poor room quality and is far away from everything.
Locals attending but not staying at hotels:
BotB
BristolTraveller
hawklx
Ikaz
Last edited by BotB; Aug 31, 2014 at 12:08 pm
Aug 1, 2014, 4:31 am
#90
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,359
New banner added to the wiki, which contains some pics I have taken from around Bristol over the years, not going to win any prizes but hopefully adds some colour and whets the appetite for those still thinking about joining in. @:-)