Joining Instructions

Important update to Joining Instructions, 26 March

posted 26 Mar 2010 04:49 by Jodie Robson

1. Rail strike

It has been announced that a rail strike is likely to take place for 4 days beginning 6 April. Delegates are advised to consider alternative ways of getting to Cambridge. National Express run coaches to Cambridge from the airports and most major cities in Britain - their website gives full details of services and you can book tickets online.

Even if the strike goes ahead trains may be running, or bus services may replace trains - websites will often have details. National Rail Enquiries already have an announcement on their page which should carry regular updates. They have an automated system for providing information about trains on 0871 200 48 50 or their general enquiries number is 08457 48 49 50. This last number may get very busy during a strike. You can also text the name of the station you want to depart from (i.e. London King's Cross) to 8 49 50 and you will receive a text with train times.

For those travelling within the UK, parking is available at Murray Edwards College and permits are not required. See the College site map for the location of car parks.

Please note that there can be no refunds for non-attendance.

2. Early arrivals

Delegates arriving on 5 April should check in at the Porter's Lodge at Murray Edwards College. On the morning of 6 April a continental breakfast will be served in the Dome Dining Room between 08:00 and 09:00.

3. Late arrivals

The College is locked at 23:00 but the Porter's Lodge is staffed 24 hours; there is an intercom beside the door to request entry.

4. Receipts

If you wish a receipt, please leave your name at the Conference Desk and it will be emailed to you during the conference. We hope this will be more convenient than paper receipts which can easily be mislaid.

5. Joining Instructions

These have already been sent to all delegates and an update has been posted to the conference website.

6. Contact numbers for the conference

Conference organisers: +44 (0) 7967 374554 (Jodie); or +44 (0) 7966 395594 (Slink)

Porter's Lodge, Murray Edwards College: + 44 (0) 1223 762100 (NB The Porters Lodge is staffed 24 hours a day)

ACCOMMODATION

posted 2 Mar 2010 08:47 by Jodie Robson [ updated 2 Mar 2010 08:48 ]

Accommodation at Murray Edwards College is mainly in single study bedrooms; both ensuite and rooms with shared facilities are available, with a small number of twin rooms. Ensuite rooms offer tea and coffee-making facilities and a direct-dial telephone (cards can be purchased from the porter). All rooms are within easy walking distance of the conference sessions.

The College has the largest private collection of art by women artists in Europe.

| Attachments: JOINING INSTRUCTIONS_webpage.pdf

ARRIVAL

posted 2 Mar 2010 08:46 by Jodie Robson [ updated 15 Mar 2010 08:43 ]

Murray Edwards College is situated on Huntingdon Road, 1 mile west of Cambridge City Centre. All visitors should report first to the Porters' Lodge located at the College's main entrance just off Huntingdon Road. The telephone number for the Porters' Lodge is 01223 762100.

It is probably quickest and easiest to take a taxi from the Rail Station to Murray Edwards. Alternatively, during the day, a regular bus service operates from the Station to the City Centre and then from outside the Post Office on St. Andrews Street, take the Citi 5 or Citi 6 bus to Murray Edwards. Buses run every 20 minutes.

Once you have collected your room keys and have settled in, register at the Conference Desk in the foyer and collect your badge and conference folder. The first session is at 10.30 on Tuesday. Delegates must check out by 10:00 on the day of departure. Guests should retain their room keys for the duration of the conference and return them to the Porter’s Lodge on departure. Safe storage of luggage will be provided on the final morning – guests leaving earlier should check with the Conference Desk for safe storage.

NB: Check in is at 2pm on the 6 April; if you arrive earlier then please register at the Conference Desk. There will be a safe place to leave your luggage during the day, but please make sure that you have collected it by 18:30.

CONFERENCE DESK

posted 2 Mar 2010 08:45 by Jodie Robson

The Conference Desk will be open for registration and enquiries as follows:

Tuesday 6 April 09.30 – 18.30

Wednesday 7 April 08.15 – 17.30

Thursday 8 April 08.30 – 14.00

Messages can be collected at the conference desk, where Jodie will also be happy to help with other enquiries.

CONTACT NUMBERS AND MESSAGES

posted 2 Mar 2010 08:44 by Jodie Robson

Messages for delegates can be left with conference staff on the following phone numbers: + 44 (0) 7697 374554 or +44 (0) 7966 395594. They will be passed to delegates at the earliest opportunity, but those awaiting messages are urged to check with the Conference Desk at regular intervals. Messages left with the Porter’s Lodge will be passed to the Conference Desk for collection.

BOOK EXHIBITION

posted 2 Mar 2010 08:42 by Jodie Robson

BACS members will be pleased to see Rex Williams in charge of the book exhibition in the Council Room. Orders for books from the display may be left with Rex. A number of other publishers will be represented at the Conference, in the Council Room and Main Walkway.

MEALS AND RECEPTIONS

posted 2 Mar 2010 08:38 by Jodie Robson

Breakfast and dinner be served in the Dome; buffet lunches in the Main Walkway. Please note that the Conference Dinner must be booked in advance.

Delegates are warmly invited to attend the receptions during the conference. On 8 April lunch will follow a reception at which the 2010 Prix du Québec will be awarded. On Thursday the reception which precedes the Conference Dinner is hosted by the Canadian High Commission.

TRAVELLING TO CAMBRIDGE

posted 2 Mar 2010 08:35 by Jodie Robson [ updated 26 Mar 2010 07:30 ]

Travelling to Cambridge from the main airports

If you fly into Heathrow there is a direct coach to Cambridge (on some you have to change at Stansted); the journey takes getting on for 3 hours, the timetable is here. Details of coaches from main airports, London, and other major cities are also on the National Express website.

Alternatively, catch the Heathrow Express into London (30 mins approx) and a fast train to Cambridge from Kings Cross (also about 45 mins). You will need to transfer between Paddington and Kings Cross by underground if you catch the Heathrow Express, on the Hammersmith and City Line, which usually takes about 30 minutes in all.

The other alternative is to go by underground from Heathrow direct to King's Cross which is easy but slow - how long it takes depends on how busy it is, but it should take about an hour from Terminal 4. It's much cheaper than the Express and there is some information here.

From Stansted Airport, there is a direct coach on the hour, which takes 50 minutes.

For those travelling to Cambridge by car, parking is available at Murray Edwards College and permits are not required. See the site map for the location of car parks.

Travelling by coach from London

There is a regular service to Cambridge from London Victoria (more or less hourly); journey times vary depending on whether you need to change at Stansted (3 hours) or travel direct (2 hrs 10 mins). There are also coaches from most other major cities. Details are on the National Express website or there is a link to details of some services from the Cambridge Online website.

Taxi ranks are located at:

Drummer Street (the bus station)
Parkside (the new National Express coach stop)
Railway Station
St Andrew's Street, at the junction with Petty Cury

PARKING

posted 2 Mar 2010 08:33 by Jodie Robson

Parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see the Murray Edwards College website for directions on finding the car park.

Conference programme