Essex & Adjoining Counties Meet - SUNDAY, 10th December, 10am Brunch, Details in topic

[Metelyk]

That was a very enjoyable evening in great company. Over 3 hours just flew by as we chatted. Food and service was great too.

However, we have decided to try something different over the winter months, as Friday evenings are not the best for travelling on the roads, especially at this time of the year.

Next meet will be a family friendly Sunday brunch (10 Dec), details to be sorted, as Haydn and I took on the task of researching possible venues in Essex. We'll see if we can tag on an optional drive if anyone is interested.

[Red & Black]

Please include me (possible Debbie) for the next meet on the 10th of December. Yes to, weather permitting, optional drive.

[Arnie_O]

Good to finally make it back to an Essex Meet.
Also great to see familiar faces.
hopefully can make the 10th

[Metelyk]

Put me down for the 10th please. Thanks

[Mare]

Hello, I'm a new-ish member of the forum. I would like to join the meet on the 10th please.

[Metelyk]

With regret I have to pull out of the meet on the 10th December.
Shame as I was really looking forward to it
I hope it goes well and now look forward to attending the January meet.

[casey]

After Gwyn and I "road tested" 3 venues for a possible Sunday Brunch, all turned out to be very good, but the one we tried yesterday had the advantage of a large car park, no requirement for a deposit or pre-ordering, and it was located slightly better for those approaching from the South. The manager was also very keen to accommodate us.

I will keep the other two venues as possibles for a future brunches/lunches, if we find this winter Sunday format is preferable for the majority

The venue selected is this one,The Black Horse Cafe:

https://www.oliversplants.co.uk/drinks-and-breakfast/

Date: Sunday 6th Dec
Time: 10am

It is situated not too far off the A12, between Coggeshall and Earls Colne, near Earls Colne Airfield. Ian Mothersole reminded of this venue, one that a few of us road-tested a while back on a Sunday runout. It currently has a small area set up as a Christmas Market, selling local hand-crafted goods. Gwyn and I had a look and ended up buying a few items! See pictures below.

I urgently need confirmation of whether you are coming and number in your party, so I can book whilst they still have availability. I spotted high chairs for Felix, plus any other infants who you may wish to bring along.

Would anyone want a post brunch drive around the area afterwards (30-60 mins max)? If so, please let me know and I'll set something up.

The other two venues, saved for later, are:

https://www.stratfordanchor.org/
and
https://hallfarmshop.com/

Red & Black has also suggested a couple of venues nearer Chelmsford. I hope to road-test these later and see if they would work for us in 2024.

Both are located a short walk for each other and are (just) inside the Suffolk border, but with very easy access from the A12

[SteveBishopRx8]

Me & Tina will be attending
Yes don't mind a post brunch drive either

[GreySilver Beast]

List updated on the first post - GSB - Events Team Admin

[Red & Black]

As we were, although the garden centre has swung it big time for Debbie!
Happy to do the 30 or 60 minute drove.

[SteveBishopRx8]

Table booked for 10am on 10th Dec for 11 adults, plus a high chair. We can fight over who gets the high chair

I'm pretty sure the cafe would be OK for us to adjust that number, should there be any changes in the next week or so.

I will mention it now, and remind everyone later, to park your car, if you are able, at the very back of the car park, so we can get some photos.

So, the outline is:

10am breakfast, maybe to around 11.30am
20-30 minutes to wander around the garden centre* (or as little/long as you like if not joining the drive out)
30-60** minute drive out (for anyone who wants to)

* We can agree a time to meet in the car park when the first person leaves the breakfast table.
** Duration TBA at breakfast, depending on weather. I'm hoping to recce two driving routes in the week before the meet, so we can decide on the day which to take.

[Ian.Mothersole]

Sounds great, Thanks Malcolm!

[New Duke]

Thanks for all of your research and booking it Malcolm, sorry for not replying sooner. Cheers for putting me on the confirmed list Nigel. Really looking forward to it.
I'm definitely up for a drive afterwards, I'll probably do one even if nobody else does