Return of the Ring and Barrow-Downs Mega-moot - Celebrating Tolkien in 2012

[Mithalwen]

At the TS seminar on Saturday I was given a early booking form for this event "A five day Tolkien conference similar to (but better than) Tolkien 2005 to be held at Loughborough University, Leicestershire 16th-20th August 2012.

There are plans for three streams of lectures, plus creative and fandom streams and child friendly activities (but not a creche!. There will be also the usual dealer and Art rooms, bar and hospitality. They intend to run coach trips to Birmingham, Oxford and possibly elsewhere.

In the evenings there will be one main event and some smaller ones :

Thursday - Opening Ceremony
Friday - Ceilidh
Saturday - Costume Masquerade
Sunday - Banquet dinner

Loughborough University offers a wide range of accommodation from standard single "student" rooms to a 4 star hotel complex. It is also fairly centrally located for transport links.

Registration rates will rise at the beginning of April each year. There will be an extra charge for some activities suceh as the coach trips.

Current rates are (I assume that this is the rate for TS members and there may be asurcharge for non members):

Full adult attending : £60 Attendance and publications

Adult concession/ Parcipating child £50 Attendance and publications

Babe in Arms £1

Supporting £20 - All publications not attendance (may be upgraded later)


Unless the TS is expecting people to anticipate that they will have a babe in arms in 4 years time (either due to extremely effective forward planning or a Rosie Cotton level of fecundity) it might be cost effective Lal and Dave at least registering young Alfred now !

Accommodation and meal rates will be announced later.

I don't think this has been published yet on the web site so remember you heard it here first!!!

Also the conference falls between the London Olympics and Paralympics (one ending a few days before the other starting a few years later, which may be useful leverage if anyone needs more reason than Tolkien to make a trip to the UK at that time!!!

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

That sounds interesting! That is also the year I graduate from high school! When Laurinque will be making a trip around... places. We might be able to go if we start saving now!

[Bêthberry]

"What!?" you say. We haven't even yet had Oxonmoot 2010. "What's this now?"

The great success and buzz generated by the epic Finnish adventure across the New World--there and back--with its many Downer meetings--has got me thinking: why not plan a large Barrow Downs gettogether, giving people time to save money, organise resources, wheedle and needle parents, check out the locale, etc. And what would be a more likely event around which to organise this but a large Tolkien gathering?

The Tolkien Society, building on the great success of Tolkien 2005, is planning a five day "Gathering of Friends" to celebrate Tolkien in August 2012. No, it won't be in Oxford, but in Loughborough, Leicestershire. It looks like noted Tolkien authors Tom Shippey and Brian Sibley will be special guests.

A perfect venue for a megamoot, no? People could attend any of the various activities and events or just hang out together and the Tolkien Society does all the work of planning it.

Here's more information about Return of the Ring 2012. We don't have to be members of the society to attend.

Anyhow, this thread for now is simply a notice of the event, to see if the idea holds merit. Who's interested? Or have I been affected by too much second hand pipeweed?

[wilwarin538]

I'm totally in. That would be fantastic.

We can all get together right before the world ends.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I'll be there, actively involved in the programme. I very much look forward to the event and would love to see lots of Downers meet there!

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Sounds fantastic!
The best bit is that by that time I'll be out of high school and wont need to worry about that any more. And if all goes well I'll be in Britain anyway! Sounds like time to start planning.

Thanks for posting this, Bb.

[Eönwë]

Yes! Now this looks amazing! I'll try to be there by any (reasonable) means possible!

[Durelin]

I do like the idea of things being organized for me! Haha. I have no idea what I'll be doing in 2 years but I hope I can maybe squeeze this in. Thank you for posting, Bethberry!

[Glirdan]

This sounds like a perfect idea for getting together and meeting those I haven't had the chance to meet yet! Who knows what I will be doing in two years, but this is DEFINITELY something I want to keep as nice possibility for the future!! Thanks for posting Bb!

[Loslote]

I sooo want to be there. I have no idea if I'll be able to, though. I doubt if it'll even be feasible...but I'll certainly try to make it happen!

[narfforc]

I was at 2005, as was Esty. I go to Oxonmoot every year, but these events are something totally different. If there is the slightest chance you can get there, start saving now, I WILL be there.

[LadyBrooke]

Cool. I'll be a Sophmore in college then so hopefully I can make that study abroad in England year since I was planing on going to England anyways.

And then make 2014 study in France first semester.

[Encaitare]

Like others, I have no idea what I'll be doing in two years, but this sounds awesome and I love the idea of a Mega-Moot!

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

"What!?" you say. We haven't even yet had Oxonmoot 2010. "What's this now?"

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpos...85&postcount=1

Do try to keep up Bethberry..

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpos...85&postcount=1

Do try to keep up Bethberry..

Impressive, Mith.

[Crystal Heart]

I most certainly want to attend. It would be a nice chance to finally head over to England and I know it would be a good excuse for the husband to come along with since he too is a Tolkien fan.

So exciting!

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Eönwë

Impressive, Mith.

I try to be

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Sounds like a grand idea! I'll get saving right away! Can someone lend me a tenner?

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

Sounds like a grand idea! I'll get saving right away! Can someone lend me a tenner?

ppft! Just because you live in old Blighty and don't have to pay air fare . . . I'm in the market for a Tardis, so don't look to me for loans.


Fantastic to see so many postive responses here! Now just keep the date in mind. This would be a grand way to bring together both American and European Downers. And this announcement provides lots of time for *cough* those American Downers who don't have passports *cough* to get working on that document. Can't use a driver's license for this walk!

I'm already making plans for extracurricular activities with Estelyn and I strongly suspect that narfforc will be doing a scouting run of any pubs in the environs so he can report back to us.

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpos...85&postcount=1

Do try to keep up Bethberry..

A two year old thread--isn't that like archeology? *insert winking smilie here as well as I've reached my limit*

[wilwarin538]

Originally Posted by Bethberry

This would be a grand way to bring together both American and European Downers. And this announcement provides lots of time for *cough* those American Downers who don't have passports *cough* to get working on that document. Can't use a driver's license for this walk!

Ahaha. Can you imagine? "Yeah, we just want to cross the ocean to meet some friends." "How do you know people from the other side of the ocean?" "Uhm....a literary discussion website?"

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by wilwarin538

Ahaha. Can you imagine? "Yeah, we just want to cross the ocean to meet some friends." "How do you know people from the other side of the ocean?" "Uhm....a literary discussion website?"

When Lauri and I went to Britain and met Downers there the customs agent asked us if we were meeting anybody there and, of course, the answer was yes. Then he asked where we knew these people from and my mother kindly blurts out 'the internet'. The customs agent, needless to say, gave us a very funny look and proceeded to give us a lecture about internet safety.

When we Americans go to Britain for this we must think up a creative way to say we're meeting people off the internet. I still like international book club, to be honest.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

A two year old thread--isn't that like archeology? *insert winking smilie here as well as I've reached my limit*

More like a tribute to Heren Istarion

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

When Lauri and I went to Britain and met Downers there the customs agent asked us if we were meeting anybody there and, of course, the answer was yes. Then he asked where we knew these people from and my mother kindly blurts out 'the internet'. The customs agent, needless to say, gave us a very funny look and proceeded to give us a lecture about internet safety.

When we Americans go to Britain for this we must think up a creative way to say we're meeting people off the internet. I still like international book club, to be honest.

At NiagaraGate, when a certain Downer lost his license and didn't have ID to return to the US from Canada, I realised it had been very wise of all the Werewolfers not to admit to meeting each other through a game where they planned how to kill each other. (The license was soon found by someone else coming across on foot from Canada, who thoughtfully turned it in.)

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

At NiagaraGate, when a certain Downer lost his license and didn't have ID to return to the US from Canada, I realised it had been very wise of all the Werewolfers not to admit to meeting each other through a game where they planned how to kill each other. (The license was soon found by someone else coming across on foot from Canada, who thoughtfully turned it in.)

I read about that.
I think that we Downers may ponder not going across country boarders with other Downers...

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Call it a literary society. That worked very well when officious type people asked about folks we'd met via science fiction clubs and conventions. There are plenty of people who I know very well that I "met" through years of regular correspondence, and only saw face to face after we'd been acquainted for five or ten years. It's the Internet and its ease and the immediacy it can foster that makes people suspicious.

Alas, there is no way we could attend this. The summer of 2012 has already been booked for my first real chance to see Mountains, and even that might be financially dicey. I hope those who go have a splendid time!

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

I read about that.

Yeah, but I was the only Downer (and Mr. Berry) who actually witnessed the gruelling interrogation the unlicensed Downer was submitted to. (What hospital were you born in? Um, um a smial? The Halls of Healing?) Everyone else went through customs and abandoned him!

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

Alas, there is no way we could attend this. The summer of 2012 has already been booked for my first real chance to see Mountains, and even that might be financially dicey. I hope those who go have a splendid time!

That's disappointing. Our loss but your gain. Perhaps something closer to home . . .

[narfforc]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

and I strongly suspect that narfforc will be doing a scouting run of any pubs in the environs so he can report back to us.

The Public Houses of Oxford are indeed well known to me, for I have been ejected out of most of them. However, this year I will be coming as someone else..........we think.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Loughborough, Loughborough.... that's not too far from Lal and davem, is it?

I bags crashing on their couch.

[Mithalwen]

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/about/findus.html

Not quite near but not very far.. of course everywhere is north for me but having Warwickshire born parents I know some of the Midlands well but get hazy about its northern borders ... I always think Yorkshire seems very remote forgetting just how vast it is and Sheffield low down that it is potentially daytrippable... Geography was never my strong suit...

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

I bags crashing on their couch.

If you want to do some damage, I suggest crashing into their couch with something heavier.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

If you want to do some damage, I suggest crashing into their couch with something heavier.

Don't want to do too much damage, as I'll want a cup o tea in the morning.

Or I suppose there might be hotels in the area... *mumble, mumble*

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/about/findus.html

Not quite near but not very far.. of course everywhere is north for me but having Warwickshire born parents I know some of the Midlands well but get hazy about its northern borders ... I always think Yorkshire seems very remote forgetting just how vast it is and Sheffield low down that it is potentially daytrippable... Geography was never my strong suit...

That's not that far, is it? It always amuses me a little when Brits talk about how far it is from one place to another on such a small island. Of course, my opinion of 'far', or even possibly 'remote', is like going to North Pole from Anchorage, so who am I to talk?

And surely they will have hotels in Loughborough. And if you book them this far in advance you could probably get a fair deal from one as well.

[Bêthberry]

Accommodation will be available on campus, in the Loughborough University residences according to the link. Food too. And access to the university sports facilities, which are said to be quite good. This is, I think, rather opposite to the Oxford experience. It might even be Jock Central.

Of course, those who might prefer a less formal environment can find, I'm sure, yet olde B&Bs in town.

narffie, we know you know all the public houses in Oxford. It's the ones in Loughborough we need you to canvass for us.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

That's not that far, is it? It always amuses me a little when Brits talk about how far it is from one place to another on such a small island. Of course, my opinion of 'far', or even possibly 'remote', is like going to North Pole from Anchorage, so who am I to talk?

Well I had all this when I lived in Aus - they'd laugh at my idea of far and I'd laugh at their idea of a large town or an old building. But what you have to bear in mind is the traffic density - Oxford is about 90 miles from me and I have done the journey in a barely legal hour and quarter and in an agonising 4and a half. It may be small but it is very dense.

[Kath]

Loughborough? Horrible place. But if all of you lovely people are there I'll very happily go. 2012 should finally have some money again too!

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Kath

Loughborough? Horrible place. But if all of you lovely people are there I'll very happily go. 2012 should finally have some money again too!

I thought it might be, reading between the lines of the uni link.

But that's all the more reason for having a very large Downs contingent there, no? Because we bring the fun and beauty with us.

[Thinlómien]

Sounds goooooooooooooooooooood...

[Estelyn Telcontar]

One year before this event, interest is building - at Finlandmoot, we discussed the possibility of getting Downers together around the time of this wonderful occasion in England next August. I've merged two threads that announced it so that all information is gathered in one place.

Several Downers are definitely planning to be at RotR - I have already registered and will be actively involved in programme organisation and lecturing. Have others already registered? Who's thinking of coming? If a Moot takes place, I will plan to be there as well.

[Aganzir]

I was just looking at the registration but don't want to do it before we know more details about the Barrow-Downs moot.

We've been discussing it on Facebook. I think we should move the discussion onto the Downs. This would be fair to all the non-facebooking Downers and those who don't want to friend scary internet people. Plus, it should be more coherent here without any separate posts with long comment threads.

We had an FB poll about the exact dating of the moot, with one person voting for week 1 (Aug 6-12), one for week 2 (Aug 13-19), three for weeks 2-3, and four for weeks 1-2. Personally I'm in favour of weeks 2-3 because the actual RotR event is on August 16th - 20th and I think it would be easier to get into a proper moot mood after the "official" stuff is over.

We also thought about hiring a cottage (this was linked) for a week or two so it's easy to hang out together, but everything is still at an early planning stage.

So, who's coming? Any ideas? Suggestions?

[Pitchwife]

I'll be working fulltime again from January on, so chances are looking better that I'll be able to afford Loughboroughmoot, but I won't be able to say anything definite for a couple of months yet. In case I'm able to come, I vote for weeks 2-3 for pretty much the same reason Agan has mentioned. (Btw, I like the term "moot mood".)

IN THE MEANTIME...

... for all those around Europe who won't be able to make it to RotR (or who just can't wait that long), how about having a Wurstlandmoot sometime next spring (like, say, around Easter)? I'd be pleased to host, if there's interest. We live half an hour's drive from Frankfurt-Hahn and about an hour from Frankfurt International, so picking everybody up at their respective airport would be no prob with a bit of organisation. Our house easily sleeps ~8 people (10 with a little piling), and if there should be more, there's a youth hostel in a very nearby village. We live in a pretty rural aerea, but close to the cities of Mainz, Koblenz and Frankfurt and the Middle Rhine Valley, which is one of the most beautiful pieces of Germany with lots of historic attractions (indeed, a day tour by ship on the Rhine, passing the Loreley and one castle after another, is something to write home about).

Discuss.