Geek In The Park 2006

When the geeks come out to play.

Royal Leamington Spa, 27th August 2006

Geek in the Park is a day-long get together, picnic, and discussion for anyone to do with the Internet (developers, designers, programmers… whatever!). This is a very informal affair so family and friends are very much welcome to attend too.

The big day is taking place in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Split in to two main events, Geek in the Park starts with The Picnic during the day, followed by The Discussion in the evening. The event starts on Sunday at noon and everything should wrap up by around 11pm.

Geek in the Park: The Picnic

The Geek in the Park picnic will begin around noon on Sunday 27th August 2006 in the beautiful Jephson Gardens. The geeks, their families, and their friends will enjoy lunch, games, and indulge in general fun. The event is conveniently situated near plenty of cafés, restaurants, play areas, and toilets, so all you have to care about having fun in the sun.

The picnic will finish around 5.30pm allowing you time to grab some dinner before The Discussion starts at 7pm

Be sure to bring along food, drinks, footballs, frisbees™, cricket sets, blankets, sun cream, your kids and a willingness to have a good time! (These are just guidelines – if you think you can introduce something that would make great group entertainment, feel free to bring it along!)

We all know how unpredictable the English weather can be, so we've put some contingencies in place. If we do get rain (boo), The Picnic will be called off and we'll move inside until The Discussion, which will go ahead whatever happens. Everyone wish for sun!

Geek in the Park: The Discussion

At 7pm, Geek in the Park moves to the nearby pub called the Jug and Jester, for some informative and entertaining speakers. We will also be hosting some off-the-wall competitions, with a chance to win prizes generously donated by the kind people at friends of ED.

We have the pleasure of playing host to some special guests at The Discussion:

Photo of Patrick H Lauke Patrick H. Lauke is the web editor for the University of Salford and a member of the Web Standards Project Accessibility Task Force. Patrick also writes on splintered, his freelance creativity and design site.

Photo of Bruce Lawson Bruce Lawson is also a member of the Web Standards Project Accessibility Task Force, and he is co-author and technical reviewer of Web Accessibility: Web Standards and Regulatory Compliance. Bruce writes on a personal site.

Patrick and Bruce will both be discussing 'Where the rubber meets the road: Web Accessibility and Pragmatism'.

Never fear if you cannot attend the discussions. We will be recording the speeches and Q&A session which will be made available here on the website after the event.

How to get there

Train

Jephson Gardens is only a 10-minute walk from the Leamington Spa train station. You should head left out of the station entrance and walk to the railway bridge where you then take another left. You should now be approaching the Royal Pump Rooms on your left; Jephson Gardens entrance is immediately on your right.

Royal Leamington Spa station has excellent connections from Birmingham New Street station as well as a frequent direct service from London.

Road

Royal Leamington Spa is close to the M40 motorway, linking it to Birmingham and London. The A46 also links it to Coventry. There is parking (with disabled spaces) in Newbold Terrace, with the nearest Pay and Display at St Peter's multi-storey car park. On-street parking is also available in Dormer Place. Newbold Comyn Park has a large car park and is a just 10 minutes away from the event.

Map of area with places marked on

How much & where can I sign up?

You don't need to start emptying your pockets or signing on any dotted lines to join in with the fun - just turn up on the day and enjoy the company. That said, if you could leave a comment we would very much appreciate it as it will allow us to do some guesstimating and get an idea of whose likely to be there.

And if you think you'll forget? Anyone who comments will automatically get a reminder email with some final information just before the event. You could always download a vCard of the event for your personal organiser to remind you too.

What about...?

If that hasn't quenched your thirst for knowledge about this year's Geek In The Park, feel free to drop us a line or leave a comment below and we'll try and fill in the blanks.

See you there!

Supplementary

Thanks to

This event was brought to you by a few good friends, so go check out their stuff...

Comments

  1. Posted by Andy Higgs on Monday, July 24th, 2006 at 13:28 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    See you all there everyone, you can put my name down… Good lookin’ site by the way ;P

  2. Posted by Dave Cardwell on Monday, July 24th, 2006 at 13:39 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    Add my name to the list. At the risk of jinxing it, I hope this nice weather holds up.

  3. Posted by Si Jobling on Monday, July 24th, 2006 at 13:40 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    Well its a great concept and hopefully will be a huge success. I’m looking forward to chilling out somewhere other than a bar for once and if the British weather holds up, we should be able to top up our tans at the same time.

    Seriously though, it would be awesome to meet some new faces from around the UK and in such a smart venue, it will have a great buzz about the park on the 28th.

    See you all there!

  4. Posted by Neil Crosby on Monday, July 24th, 2006 at 14:14 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    I’ll be there. The train from London is only £15 (and you can apparently get that rice on the day), so I’ll be there. Due to the last train being at 22:31 I’d have to leave a little early though.

    Oh, and the annoying google toolbar (someone remind me why I have it installed? I don’t even have it visible in Firefox and it’s still causing problems) is causing the “name” and “email address” fields to be a lovely shade of beige that I can’t read what Im writing on. Ho hum.

    So, yes - I’ll be there!

  5. Posted by Gareth Brown on Monday, July 24th, 2006 at 17:15 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    See you there, will hopefully bring the wife (well to be), and a bottle of champagne, a brolly, video camera, and a cuddly toy.. Can’t wait!

  6. Posted by Stuart Maynard-Keene on Monday, July 24th, 2006 at 17:44 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    Count me and mine in. Nice site by the way!

  7. Posted by Matt Machell on Monday, July 24th, 2006 at 18:32 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    I shall be there, though slightly jetlagged. I will bring some obscurely named bitters and potato salad.

  8. Posted by Nick Harris on Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 at 03:25 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    I’ll be there boyos! btw… absolutely stonking job on the site Andy, looks bloody fantastic!

  9. Posted by Kate Bolin on Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 at 05:15 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    I’ll definitely be there, bringing fried chicken and iced tea for that American touch!

  10. Posted by Kate Bolin on Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 at 05:15 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    Also, I was secretly hoping to have the fish on the right side. Bah!

  11. Posted by Phil Pickering on Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 at 08:35 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    Awesome idea!

    I’ll definitely be there… with kid 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 ;)

    And another pair of thumbs-up for the site :)

  12. Posted by patrick h. lauke on Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 at 09:53 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    posted… http://www.splintered.co.uk/news/66/

  13. Posted by Paul Lloyd on Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 at 11:51 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    I’ll be there - what better way to end this long warm summer!

  14. Posted by This Charming Jim on Wednesday, July 26th, 2006 at 16:40 (1 year, 10 months ago)

    Sounds good. I shall try to rope in some friends to come along too.

  15. Posted by Ian on Thursday, July 27th, 2006 at 09:08 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    I hope to make this one… especially as its been so hectic lately that I haven’t managed to attend any of the previous Multipack gatherings…

  16. Posted by Jon Roobottom on Thursday, July 27th, 2006 at 12:16 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    I’ll try my best dudes…

  17. Posted by Big Hock on Friday, July 28th, 2006 at 06:15 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Geeks in the park, avin’ a larrff, makes me barff.

  18. Posted by Nigel on Friday, July 28th, 2006 at 08:21 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Count be in! Will be nice to make some friends.

    My grans works in Wilkinsons and she can get a good discount on flasks. They have blue and pink ones, and some new A-tam ones (for the new film being released soon)

    Let me know

    Nigel

  19. Posted by Jeremy on Friday, July 28th, 2006 at 08:23 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Cool, cant wait for the film…

    Got any star wars flasks?

  20. Posted by Matthew Pennell on Friday, July 28th, 2006 at 08:35 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    We may possibly make it, will have to see what comes up in the next month.

  21. Posted by Lewis Burden on Friday, July 28th, 2006 at 09:36 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Sounds like a great day out to make some new friends and pick up some good advice, count me in!

  22. Posted by Scott Swabey on Friday, July 28th, 2006 at 09:46 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    As an expat Brit living in Sydney, I’m almost tempted to come home by the reports of good weather, the beauty of this site, and what sounds like being a great day out. Only two of those things are guaranteed though - so I think I’ll stay put! Looking forward to the podcasts, live blogs and Flickr mania.

  23. Posted by Owen on Friday, July 28th, 2006 at 14:17 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    D’oh! I’ll be missing this one. Off to a family reunion down in Weymouth to celebrate my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary. Enjoy the August sunshine (I’m sure there’ll be some in Leamington Spa). I’ll be catching up with the presentations online after the event. Any idea how long it’ll take for the recordings to become available? Love this site!

  24. Posted by Tim Down on Monday, July 31st, 2006 at 04:23 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    I’ll be there, since I live but 3 short minutes’ walk from Jephson Gardens.

  25. Posted by Inigo Surguy on Monday, July 31st, 2006 at 07:00 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    I will be there. I like Jephson Gardens. Maybe some geek boating too?

  26. Posted by Tim on Monday, July 31st, 2006 at 07:01 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Sounds entertaining. Really good that there’s something so close to where I am at…

  27. Posted by Stuart Frisby on Monday, July 31st, 2006 at 08:59 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Hey folks, theres a good chance I’ll be attending this, sounds like an awesome event! See you there.

  28. Posted by Jim Callender on Monday, July 31st, 2006 at 16:43 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    This is a great idea, lets hope sunny the weather encourages lots of good geek conversations :)

  29. Posted by Dave Addey on Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 at 04:51 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Sounds great - and it’s in my home town too. Will definitely be there. Kudos for the site design too - very nice :)

  30. Posted by Steven Tew on Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 at 04:56 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    And me + 2 too. Never been to Royal Lemmington Spa so I’ll be the guy that turns up late becasue he got lost ;-) Looking forward to it.

  31. Posted by Andy Hawkes on Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 at 05:05 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Nice idea - might well swing by if the weather’s nice. I quite fancy a summer run up to Leamington on the bike…

  32. Posted by Jesse Boyer on Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 at 14:31 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Wow nice site! It’s extremely creative. I found it just browsing around on CSS Import :)

  33. Posted by firman on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006 at 01:19 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    nice site you have here. i was noticed by tom.ma.

  34. Posted by kiraN on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006 at 02:29 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    1drful design.. :)

  35. Posted by Monjurul Dolon on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006 at 14:51 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Beautiful site.. found it on cssimport.com.

    Wish I could attend the event, sound like it will be a blast.

  36. Posted by Dafin on Thursday, August 3rd, 2006 at 05:32 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    lets hope it doesnt rain…

  37. Posted by Colin Donald on Thursday, August 3rd, 2006 at 06:17 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Hi,

    You’re cordially invited to cross-post this to the events section of JigsawUK, the wiki for British digital media start-ups:

    http://www.jigsawuk.org

    Regards,

    Colin

  38. Posted by Rich Wild on Thursday, August 3rd, 2006 at 12:28 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Blimey. I LIVE in Leamington Spaz.

    How convenient.

  39. Posted by Natasha on Thursday, August 3rd, 2006 at 14:30 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    It sounds like fun. I hope I can make it. Fingers crossed for nice weather!

  40. Posted by Laura Zucchetti on Thursday, August 3rd, 2006 at 17:45 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    I’ll try my best to get down for this one. :D I might even try and drag some other closet geeks with me!

  41. Posted by Zeesh on Friday, August 4th, 2006 at 05:39 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Lovely site.. i love the idea;) colors are awsome:D

  42. Posted by James Wade on Friday, August 4th, 2006 at 11:36 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Oddest concept ever, but its so crazy it might just work!

  43. Posted by Dave Buchholz on Friday, August 4th, 2006 at 14:47 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    I intend to attend :-)

  44. Posted by Leon Perkin on Friday, August 4th, 2006 at 23:52 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Sounds like a great event, if I was over that way I’d attend for sure.

    Nice site btw.

  45. Posted by dandyna on Sunday, August 6th, 2006 at 13:34 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    hey I would so like to be there!!!! any good soul to grab me from italy and take me there?? :)

  46. Posted by Jake Hulme on Tuesday, August 8th, 2006 at 15:03 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Lovely site guys, and a chance to geek it up in my home town. Spot on.

  47. Posted by ian b on Tuesday, August 8th, 2006 at 17:09 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Looks like fun, i will see you all there +1 or 2.

  48. Posted by Merthiolate on Tuesday, August 8th, 2006 at 20:55 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    no entiendo nada de lo que esta pasando aqui…

  49. Posted by Muten on Tuesday, August 15th, 2006 at 03:18 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Man, I wish we had one of these in the US :-/

  50. Posted by pcmasters on Tuesday, August 15th, 2006 at 07:35 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Looking lovely and sounds great. I miss one of this in germany :/

  51. Posted by Gavin McFarland on Thursday, August 17th, 2006 at 20:14 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone. I just can’t wait to talk to like minded people and hopefully start meeting some new friends!

  52. Posted by Helena Boylen on Monday, August 21st, 2006 at 03:30 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    You mention that things will move inside if it rains - do you mean straight to the pub?

  53. Posted by Kerri on Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006 at 20:05 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    Mmm, sounds like a great day, but just a little bit too far for me. I’m located in Brisbane, Australia. Yes, the sun is shining, my office overlooks the pool. Will be in London for two days in early December - any events scheduled then? Great site, love the graphics :)

  54. Posted by Seby on Friday, August 25th, 2006 at 11:57 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    So beautiful CSS…

  55. Posted by Bryan on Friday, August 25th, 2006 at 15:06 (1 year, 9 months ago)

    great site!

  56. Posted by Dan on Saturday, August 26th, 2006 at 04:19 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    Love the site! Best part about it is the glaring yet subtle wink to Mozilla!

    Keep up the good work! And I’ll try to get up there Sunday!

    :)

  57. Posted by Nicky on Saturday, August 26th, 2006 at 17:43 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    Seeya all tomorrow folks!

  58. Posted by Richard Harrison on Saturday, August 26th, 2006 at 20:41 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    I just found out about this and will also be coming down tomorrow :).

  59. Posted by Stuart Maynard-Keene on Sunday, August 27th, 2006 at 15:24 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    Just got back from the day event, really enjoyed it, couldn’t bring myself to drag the kids to the discussion, so hopefully there will be another one, just a pity the summer is so nearly over. Oh well here to next year…

  60. Posted by timbo on Sunday, August 27th, 2006 at 19:01 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    Saw this a while ago and actually got it together to get to the discussion and am very glad that I did. Cheers to the oranisers and the speakers. Do it again soon.

  61. Posted by bruce on Monday, August 28th, 2006 at 05:31 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    Thanks to all who turned up to listen to Patrick and me pontificate.

    Thoroughly enjoyed it. Gonna be one next year?

  62. Posted by Andy Higgs on Monday, August 28th, 2006 at 06:31 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    My write up here…

    http://andyhiggs.co.uk/blog/?view=plink&id=470

    I had a great time; thanks to Trev, Bruce and Patrick for some sunlight exposure.

  63. Posted by patrick h. lauke on Monday, August 28th, 2006 at 10:06 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    Good stuff! I really enjoyed how the discussion in the evening evolved…some interesting thoughts came up on our various tangents that are certainly worth exploring further (toolbars for users, rather than developers, for instance).

  64. Posted by Fallen Angel on Monday, August 28th, 2006 at 19:02 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    I loved every minute of it! Being able to talk to people who don’t roll their eyes and fall asleep when you start talking about semantics and web standards and such like - bliss! And Patrick and Bruce’s little chat was spot on…just one question - when and where is next year’s - I’ll put it in my diary now ;-)

  65. Posted by Steven Nash on Tuesday, August 29th, 2006 at 05:07 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    Hi,

    It was an interesting discussion about how far you can realistically go in achieving accessibility in a corporate environment. I expect I will be buying the book very soon to further my own case when I try and pimp adherance to web standards at the place I work at.

  66. Posted by bruce on Wednesday, August 30th, 2006 at 17:28 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    Not as good as a transcript, but here’s the notes that Patrick and I prepared for the talk (with some deciphering annotations as well): http://www.brucelawson.co.uk/index.php/2006/geek-in-the-park-pragmatic-accessibility/

  67. Posted by Roger Karlsson on Saturday, September 2nd, 2006 at 08:51 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    Great design!

  68. Posted by Jem on Monday, September 4th, 2006 at 04:57 (1 year, 8 months ago)

    Why do I always hear about these things far too late?!

    I hope there’ll be another one next year..