Big Weekend 2024 – Shrewsbury
The Big Weekend is the OWPG’s annual gathering.
The Big Weekend provides a great opportunity for members to meet friends old and new,
to share experiences, learn new things and participate in the running of our Guild.
2025 – The next BW will be held at FSC Blencathra on 3-6 October 2025
Where:
The Field Studies Centre at Preston Montford, near Shrewsburuy.
When:
Friday 11 October to Monday 14 October 2024
The cost:
Rates for staying at the centre are inclusive of all meals and packed lunches and are £67 per person per night for three nights, £74 per night for two nights and £88 for one night only (if available). Single supplements (limited number only) will be £15 per person per night (otherwise normally you’ll be expected to share thanks).
Partners are welcome and will pay the same accommodation and food costs as members.
Camper van users staying at the centre will pay £56 per person per night if travelling alone and £47 where two share; both rates are inclusive of all meals and use of showers and other facilities.
Dress Code:
There is no dress code!
AGM and Awards Ceremony.
As usual the Guild’s AGM will take place at 4:30pm on the Saturday and the annual Awards ceremony/dinner will take place on the Saturday evening.
A link to download AGM info is now live on the Constitutional/AGM downloads page (NB If there is no link live here, you need to login to view both the link and the page it forwards to!)
Further Information
Booking is now open for members (and their partners) wishing to attend the 2024 Big Weekend and AGM. Accommodation booking forms must be received by 12 July 2024. Please see “Accommodation” lower down this page for the Booking Form and instructions on what to do next.
Getting There
The centre is situated about six miles west of the historic town of Shrewsbury, close to the England-Wales border.
It is easily accessible by road with regular trains to Shrewsbury if using public transport. By bus it takes about 15-20 minutes to Preston Montford with a 10-15 minute walk to the centre and we hope to arrange transport back to the station on the Sunday, as buses don’t run that day.
Accommodation
Most accommodation will be in ensuite double or triple rooms with a supplement for single occupancy. As last year, preference will be given to those staying for three nights, followed by those staying for two nights on Friday and Saturday.
Rates will be inclusive of all meals, packed lunches and most activities will be free, although as usual there may be some that incur a modest additional charge if you wish to take part.
Camper vans can be accommodated at the centre with meals and shower access while Caravan and Motorhome Club members have the option of a site nearby with electrical hookups.
Any members who arrange their own accommodation / stay at the Caravan and Motorhome Club site will be able join colleagues each morning to take part in the day’s activities and for the evening meal each day, the latter at modest cost.
Accommodation Booking Form:
Download the booking form and save the it so it has your name in the title. Once you have completed it, please return your form to the BW organiser, Kevin Sene.
You will also need to send a deposit of £100 (per booking form, not per person!) to our Treasurer (bank details/address to send cheque to on accommodation form).
Activities
As ever, there’ll be a diverse programme of professional writing and photography workshops and outdoor activities on offer. Activities will include hillwalking in the Shropshire Hills, a historic tour of Shrewsbury, a riverside walk or boat trip, and a neolithic exploration of the area led by Stan Abbott.
There will also be a book table again where you can display examples of your work and chat with authors/photographers.
We’ll also be holding an informal session called ‘OWPG into the Future’ to discuss ideas and solutions to help shape the future of the OWPG, open to any member who wishes to take part. Josephine Collingwood will chair the session and promises that there will be cake!
More details of activities will be sent nearer the time and a separate email will invite you to choose your preferences.
As ever, there’ll be a diverse programme of professional writing and photography workshops and outdoor activities on offer. Activities will include hillwalking in the Shropshire Hills, a historic tour of Shrewsbury, a riverside walk or boat trip, and a neolithic exploration of the area led by Stan Abbott.
There will also be a book table again where you can display examples of your work and chat with authors/photographers. New for 2024, we are providing a KitSquad donation point for any unwanted outdoor gear. This will be distributed to low-income indiviudals to help break down barriers to accessing the outdoors.
We’ll also be holding an informal session called ‘OWPG into the Future’ to discuss ideas and solutions to help shape the future of the OWPG, open to any member who wishes to take part. Josephine Collingwood will chair the session and promises that there will be cake!
You should have already received an email from Kevin with futher details, however the Activities booking form and additional notes can be accesssed from the link button below.
Please return the booking form by August 31 2024.