Local Lunches
Outsiders lunches are for members only and those curious about the club. They are always held in accessible and affordable bars and restaurants. Everyone arrives under their own steam, and buys their own food and drink. Lunches are organized by local members, who try to maintain a good balance of men women and a good variety of people.
These volunteers are usually happy to discuss personal problems if asked. Members too nervous to enter alone can arrange to be met outside and brought in. Everyone is introduced to one another. If the bar/restaurant gets too bottle-necked for wheelchairs, members of the club or staff will re-arrange the furniture. Lunches are preferred to evening gatherings because some disabled people feel vulnerable going out in the dark. Members who need feeding are advised to bring a PA who can then wander off after the meal has been eaten. Sometimes organisers send out press releases to reach more local disabled people. One member commented, “amazing people — so diverse, complex and honest.”
The groups in each region usually arrange their events on Saturdays, and on a particular Saturday each month: the Midlands on the first Saturday, London on the second Saturday, East Anglia on the third Saturday, and the north of England (in Sheffield) on the fourth Saturday; this is so that if they wish, members, (especially if they live mid-way between the places where the venues are) can go to both because they don't clash on dates.
The London Lunch
This is now usually held at The Paternoster, 2-4 Queen’s Head Passage, off Newgate Street and quite near (to the north f) St Paul’s cathedral in the City of London.
The Paternoster is a traditional English pub with great traditional as well as exotic food, in a modern building. We have our own area in the venue, a lovely alcove at the back where the accessible toilet is conveniently situated. The staff are very friendly and members find the venue cosy and relaxing. In fact the lunches have taken on a new positive energy since we moved there.
Midlands Lunch
When held, the Midlands lunch happens on the first Saturday of the month,
most often at All Bar One, Brindleyplace, in Birmingham.
However, the group also sometimes join the West Country members in Cheltenham instead.
See the calendar of Forthcoming Events for future dates.
East Anglia Lunch
Held on the 3rd Saturday of every other month, in a hotel bar near Ipswich. “Small but bijou” is how our effervescent hostess describes her events. There is excellent food, and easy parking and local transport. As always, see the calendar of Forthcoming Events for more details and future dates.
Yorkshire Lunch
Currently (December 2011) Outsiders members meet on the fourth Saturday each month at the Varsity in West Street, Sheffield, which is near the Sheffield University campus, in an area described as vibrant and cosmopolitan, with a thriving restaurant and bar scene.
West Country Lunch
West Country events are run by Sarah Batten and several of them (though not all) are lunches held either at the Parkway in Stoke Gifford north of Bristol, or at the Redgrove in Cheltenham.During the year, several West Country events may be visits to interesting events or attractions such as (in summer 2011) a city centre festival, or the Bristol Zoo, or (in 2012) a science and discovery centre, to give just a few examples.
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