The 5th annual London Picnic, 2010

[robbieduncan]

BBQ would be great!

It's a PITA to get to though... and are there any public toilets nearby (seems to be a necessity, if large quantities of booze are involved).

It's close enough to walk from Mile-End or Bow Church and there are buses from Mile-End that run right through the park! I believe there are public toilets beside the cafe in the smaller (westerly) section of the park. There may also be toilets in the larger section at the changing rooms for the sports pitches.

 

[Queso]

As I've turned into Billy Blow-Out I probably forfeit the right to vote, but has anyone considered somewhere with a view? Greenwich Park, Ally Pally or Primrose Hill? Or would they be considered too difficult to get to?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

For those of us who don't live in that there London, a park that's got reasonably priced accommodation close by and isn't a nightmare to get to from main stations (like Kings Cross, for example) would be preferable.

 

[iBlue]

As I've turned into Billy Blow-Out I probably forfeit the right to vote, but has anyone considered somewhere with a view? Greenwich Park, Ally Pally or Primrose Hill? Or would they be considered too difficult to get to?

I'd love those (especially Greenwich park) but I think they run a higher risk of transport being problematic. It's so frustrating that the tube closures can cripple so much of London on the weekends.

 

[bartelby]

As i'll probably drive, decent parking is my only requirement...

 

[Blue Velvet]

It's close enough to walk from Mile-End or Bow Church and there are buses from Mile-End that run right through the park!

Greenwich Park, Ally Pally or Primrose Hill? Or would they be considered too difficult to get to?

All too awkward to get to (and leave at dusk) for the majority of participants, particularly those coming from out of town and from overseas. We've run through all the arguments and locations over many years before.

I probably won't plan next year's so someone else can work all this out.

My inclination is to give it a miss for a year or two. Numbers were way down, the novelty has worn off. People who say they're coming but don't... a possible feeling that some just take it for granted: all reasons for thinking its time has possibly passed. Thanks for doing your bit, though, as I know from experience the effort it takes into making something like this work.

Saying that, I enjoyed the day and was thrilled to see some familiar faces that I hadn't seen for a while... when I wasn't flaked out under a tree feeling ill, that is. A party trick I reserve for only the best occasions.

 

[iBlue]

My inclination is to give it a miss for a year or two. Numbers were way down, the novelty has worn off. People who say they're coming but don't... a possible feeling that some just take it for granted: all reasons for thinking its time has possibly passed. Thanks for doing your bit, though, as I know from experience the effort it takes into making something like this work.

Saying that, I enjoyed the day and was thrilled to see some familiar faces that I hadn't seen for a while... when I wasn't flaked out under a tree feeling ill, that is. A party trick I reserve for only the best occasions.

Oh I don't know about people taking it for granted or the novelty having worn off. It's still a totally fab event. The numbers were down for sure but I thoroughly enjoyed it all the same.

My reasons for not really wanting to plan it next time is that I don't like feeling as though I am disappointing anyone if it's not ideal for them. It's a tough balance, especially if you're kind of a people pleaser trying to make everyone happy. I tried to pull it all together on what I thought might be best (all things considered) but I had many twinges of guilt for not noticing the Wireless Festival which may have meant a few people not showing up because of potential parking problems. Who knows though, I may change my mind and do it again anyway, or maybe someone else will want to. We'll see.

 

[Eraserhead]

I thought that there were a good number who showed up. Not too many and not too few, and most people stayed until 9.30 ish which is pretty good.