Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => Meetings, gatherings, parties etc => Topic started by: miked on 30 January 2007, 14:13:14
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OK, provisionally booked the Omega Owners Forum in for Thursday the 12th April. This is during school hols for all you poor parents and should give everyone enough time to make plans.
IT IS NOT SET IN STONE and can be changed to a later date if required.
Children are welcome but I have asked that the tour is aimed at the adults as there will be more of them than children (unless you all say otherwise and want to paint power stations and go on a nature trail?)
The tour will include :-
- Introduction / teas & biscuits in their training centre
- A short video about Drax, what goes on at Drax etc etc etc
- Some time in their exhibition room, again in their training centre
- Then its on to their own coach ( :o never ceases to be amazed at Drax) for a tour round the site showing the cooling towers and materials handling amongst other things
- Then its on to foot for a tour of the Mill Bay/bottom of the boilers, Turbine Hall and Control Room
- Then back to the training centre for questions and more tea
For those real techies amongst you, I could take a small number round the inner workings of the control systems etc if anyone is not board out of their minds by that point.
There is no charge for any of this - they welcome the opportunity to educate!
There is nothing much in the village of Drax (apart from the largest coal fired power station in Europe). The nearest town is Goole and it has to be said, its not a place I would head for a holiday but there is a good Indian restaraunt.
I normally stay at the Goole Premier Travel Inn which has a pub attached and serve food which would seem the easiest option as no one would have to drive. If its easier (and I may be able to get a discount through work) I could block book the rooms if required.
The coast is about 45 miles away, York is 30miles, Doncaster is 20miles (cracking night out on a Thursday night by the way :y)
I will need a list of names and a copy of some photo ID (passport / driving licence) from all the adults to get you through the rather stringent security.
When we have a list of definates, I'll post my works address for you all to send your details to.
So, a list of definates please
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I am going to be padantic, 2+2 (as polled) for the 12th, where's the pub meal gone? ;)
Book it danno (as they used to say).
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I am going to be padantic, 2+2 (as polled) for the 12th, where's the pub meal gone? ;)
Book it danno (as they used to say).
The poll is to make it easy for miked to gather numbers. Other arrangements can be made nearer time...
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Out the country can't make it, Ill be celebrating the Thai new year in Thailand, bumer, OOF has done it again, cnt you make it for May?
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I submitted 1 adult and 1 kid - the "kid" being Supermop. :D
Will definitely need accomodation and will go along with where everyone else is staying - Goole Premier Travel Inn I assume (can't be too bad if there's a pub attached ;))
What time is the tour likely to start? We will have a few hours travelling to get there so will probably have to make a very early start.
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Pity I have no spare days off :(
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I submitted 1 adult and 1 kid - the "kid" being Supermop. :D
Will definitely need accomodation and will go along with where everyone else is staying - Goole Premier Travel Inn I assume (can't be too bad if there's a pub attached ;))
What time is the tour likely to start? We will have a few hours travelling to get there so will probably have to make a very early start.
bob, i've deleted your vote - greg counts as adult. Can you vote again please - presumably miked needs numbers of adults and kids...
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I'd like to be able to go, but all the people on my team with kids have already booked that week :(
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I submitted 1 adult and 1 kid - the "kid" being Supermop. :D
Will definitely need accomodation and will go along with where everyone else is staying - Goole Premier Travel Inn I assume (can't be too bad if there's a pub attached ;))
What time is the tour likely to start? We will have a few hours travelling to get there so will probably have to make a very early start.
Re-voted as 2 adults :y
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I am a definate. :)
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I am a very likely, haven't voted yet as Mrs TheBoy expressed an interest...
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Im a very likely too but just waiting to hear if the Western Isles job will be finished by then :y
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I am a very likely, haven't voted yet as Mrs TheBoy expressed an interest...
That's what I like - be direct and say what you really mean!
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Only just discovered this in the "honey I'm Home" thread.
Put me down please - just waiting on a mate who would also be interested.
A HUGE Thanks for arranging this for us. It sounds great and the tour of the inner workings of the control systems sounds brilliant - what I have always wanted to see.
I will vote when I hear from my mate.
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A HUGE Thanks for arranging this for us. It sounds great and the tour of the inner workings of the control systems sounds brilliant - what I have always wanted to see.
No problem at all. We need some extra staff so I could put you to work if you really keen
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Finally got a response from my finals year uni student son, so would like to book us two places, please.
Do you intend to block book hotel accommodation as well, or does that need done by us? No probs either way, just looking for the best way to go! :y
B
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SO
Premier Travel Inn at Goole (£50+ a night)
or Travel lodge in Doncaster (£15+ a night if super saver is still available)
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Doncaster would be the choice if its still that cheep. I would be happy to make a block booking if thats easier for everyone. I'm going to need names / photo ID shortly, will post details in near future.
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Sounds like fun and interesting day out!! Certainly fancy it, will just need to check out time off work.
Maybe silly question, but is parking available?? I'm one person qualified to say that you have to watch out for eager parking attendants etc!!!
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Parking no problem at any of the Travel Inns and at Drax.
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OK, visit now confirmed with Drax.
- Arrival 14:00 hours (could meet up at the hotel before hand if required)
- Minimum baggage on site as possible
- Where possible, only the group leader has a mobile on site.
- At times, you will be required to wear a helmet, ear protection and safety glasses (all provided)
- The walking tour will include climbing stairs etc and sturdy footwear and comfortable clothing is required.
- Prior knowledge of anyone with disabilities (including learning disabilities) is required such that suitable supervision / arrangements can be made.
They will need names and addresses of each person on the visit including children along with their age. For the adults only, they need a copy of some photo ID (driving licence / passport). You can send this info to me at :-
FAO Mr. Mike Dawson
Capula Limited
Orion House
Stone
Staffordshire
ST15 0LT
01785 827000 ext 2105
Accommodation :-
Travel Lodge are doing their Supersaver rate at both of their Doncaster Travelodges - £15 to £26
https://www.travelodge.co.uk/saver_search/results.php?search_type=4&search=Doncaster%2C%20S%20Yorks&id=7481
As per their web site above, these rooms need to be booked on-line and pre-paid
Travelodge Doncaster Hotel, A1 Great North Road, Carcroft
http://www.travelodge.co.uk/find_a_hotel/hotel/hotel_id/124/Doncaster
Travelodge Doncaster M18/M180 Hotel, Junction 5, M18 Motorway, Hatfield
http://www.travelodge.co.uk/find_a_hotel/hotel/hotel_id/125/DoncasterM18/M180
Both of these Travelodges are offset from the motorway service areas. Neither have an adjoining pub, it would be a car drive.
Premier Travel Inn (Goole)
http://www.premiertravelinn.com/pti/dropdownSearch.do
There are no discounts available. It would be £55 per night for one of their rooms. There is a pub with a restaurant attached. They currently have enough rooms to accommodate us.
I don't rate the Travelodges and don't tend to stay at them so can't make any comments about the two Doncaster ones (other than to say they are part of a motorway service area). The one time I did stay at one in Basildon, I arrived at their reception having driven the 200 miles down there and done a 10 hour day at Tilbury Power Station. I had a guaranteed booking - but no room!!! their company policy is to overbook the hotel. If everyone turns up, they arrange accommodation elsewhere for those that turn up late. I ended up having a further 30 mile slog across Basildon to get to the hotel they had arranged for me. I was not happy...
Anyway, I'll go with the flow so what does everyone think?
For those that are coming, please get the info sent off to me as soon as possible so that I can forward it to Drax.
Then, its just accommodation to sort but we can't leave it much longer otherwise there will be no rooms available.
Cheers
Mike
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Miked, if there is still space, Mrs TheBoy and I would love to come along :)
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Drax are happy to accomodate as manay as we like (within reason). Just get your details sent off to me.
:)
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I would certainly prefer the non-motorway services option with the bonus of bar and food on hand. Dearer, but everythings in basically the one place.
Is it to be a block booking or up to us to do this ourselves?
B
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I too would prefer the Travel Inn in Goole. Its as close to Drax as you can get and once your back after the visit, too the bar it is :y
Unfortunately, a block booking requires payment up-front and I don't fancy booking 15 or so rooms at £55 each, sorry but my flexible friend wouldn't be able to cope :o
Lets see what others say but I would prefer the Travel Inn. We can't leave it too late though, Unit 2 is due to start its statutory 4 yearly inspection in April, which lasts for 12 weeks. Funnily enough, lots of contractors suddenly descend on the area wanting hotel rooms near Drax.
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Travel Inn for me (and whoever shares a room with me?). May be extra but experience of Travelodge says avoid when possible.
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OK, I'm going to book myself a room at the Goole Travel Inn. Get yours booked before they get full !!
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Is the plan for an overnight on the Wednesday, or on the Tursday after the visit? I can certainly leave home early doors Thursday morning and drive down, get booked in and then do the visit. Back to the hotel afterwards for tea and medals??
B
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Good point, I planned to stay the Thursday night.
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Thanks again for organising this Mike. Will be coming if space available :) and will get copies of driving license over to you. Regretfully, I cannot stay over as I have to go back to work the next day >:(
Is the tour of "the inner workings" still on? Are we allowed to bring cameras?
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Right thats me booked in at the Goole Premier Travel Inn. :)
Mike, I'll be sending a photocopy of my passport in the psot on Monday.
Really looking forward to this (other half thinks I am really very sad! ;D)
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Thanks Is the tour of "the inner workings" still on? Are we allowed to bring cameras?
Should be able to show you some of the inner workings. No cameras I'm afraid.
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Mike,
The photocopy of my photo licence is in the post today.
Really looking forward to this trip!
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Was that scan I sent you good enough Miked?
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Was that scan I sent you good enough Miked?
yep, should be fine.
Thats two sets in - keep em coming ... (feel linke i'm on BBC1's red nose challange)
Talking of whitch, just watched Ant and Dec somewhere in Africa, Ohh my god!
Should have an OOF collection?
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Scans of DL's sent, room booked, bottle of malt packed... :y
B
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Is there room for one more :question
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I wont be going to the power station but I couldn't resist a few beers after so I will see you at the hotel if thats OK :y
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No problem at all
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Mike, I'm really sorry but me and Greg (Supermop) won't be able to make it. Too much on at wotk at the moment and can't get more time off as I've had to take a few days off going down to Devon to sort out new house I'm investing in. Hopefully meet up with you guys later in the year.
Cheers
Bob
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Mike, should have receieved mine by now - sent to works addr. Hope all is okay.
Not staying over - only a bat down the A1, but will stop for bit afterwards with 'permission' (almost, but not quite a pass).