1999 Annual Gathering
The 1999 British Mensa Annual Gathering took place in Nottingham based at the Forte Posthouse Hotel between Thursday 7 October & Monday 11 October 1999, coinciding with the annual Goose Fair (the largest travelling Fun Fair in Europe). Events included a medieval banquet (with entertainment by the Conroi du Burm reenactment group), excursions to Sherwood Forest, the American Adventure theme park and Wollaton Hall, tours of a local micro brewery, the Boots factory, BBC TV and Century 106 radio studios, visits to tourist attractions such as the Tales Of Robin Hood, Nottingham Castle and the Lace Hall, activities such as white water rafting at the National Watersports Centre, paintballing, laser quest and ice skating at Torvill & Dean's training rink, plus meals, a disco, quizzes and much much more.
We have received lots of comments and thanks for organising the AG.
"Many thanks for organising this year's AG, we had a brilliant time, it was one of the best AG's ever."
SD of Wokingham
"Just a quick posting to publicly thank Maxine and her merry band of men and women for putting together a fantastic weekend."
NB of Zurich, Switzerland
"The Mensa Games finals were conducted most efficiently by Alan Farrell . . . the SIGs Room was enticingly set out and attracted many visitors . . . I did not take part in any outings but was regaled with many stories as to how enjoyable they all were . . . the medieval banquet was an undoubted success with great entertainment especially from the jester who delighted many of us with his amazing sleight of hand . . . everyone appeared to be really enjoying a most successful weekend . . . many, many thanks to Maxine, Mark and their helpers."
KN of Birmingham
"I must thank Maxine and Mark for running such a splendid AG weekend. It was great fun and there was a super atmosphere."
SH of Worcester
"Thanks very much for a good and very well organised weekend."
AF of Southport
" Just a quick note to say many thanks to Maxine, Mark and everyone else involved in organising the Nottingham AG. It was a very friendly, successful and enjoyable weekend. "
CL of London
" I had a really great time. Over tea and scones on Monday's Boots Company trip we were still arguing whether the Saxons or Normans should have won at the banquet! "
EL of Wolverhampton
"Just to thank you very much for organising the Nottingham weekend. I enjoyed it greatly and it was obviously a huge success with everyone else I spoke to. The banquet in particular was superb."
SM of Cheshire
"The weekend was a great result . . . thanks Maxine and other organisers . . . now back to reality."
CH of Cumbria
"Just a line to say thanks for a *really* enjoyable weekend. Loved the personal itineraries and the helpful lists of places to eat, shop, etc. - very much appreciated! It was great to bump into so many old friends and meet new friends. Everyone I spoke to had an excellent time and you and all your helpers were wonderfully friendly, calm and relaxed (as well as being incredibly efficient). How did you manage it, that's what I want to know? I didn't hear any screaming, wailing or tell-tale signs of nervous breakdowns among the organisers (common at most other AGs). It was great to meet lots of local people - you are such a friendly lot in Nottingham - beware, I might just visit again!"
LD of Brighton
"Thanks for the weekend to Maxine, Mark and everyone else involved."
PT of Birmingham
"What a lovely weekend. I did enjoy it so much and was very impressed by how well run it was. Lots of thanks to Maxine and all those who organised, helped on the desk and generally helped us all to have such a good time."
GH of Warrington
"It was a great weekend. Thank you very much."
EL of Redditch
"Just a quick thank you for a really good weekend. I enjoyed every event I attended. I have also been asked by several people that I met to pass on their thanks for all your hard work. You appear to have a major success on your hands, which will probably mean being asked again!"
AB of Nottingham
"Thank you for a well-run weekend which was a lot of fun. Well done and thanks again."
MG of Oxford
"Well done on organising a very successful AG - we were sorry we could only be there for two days. Even so, we enjoyed all the events we went to (even the AGM was interesting - I'm not sure we could manage another one though - not without a general anaesthetic, anyway!)"
NM of Buckinghamshire
" Thanks for all the organisation involved in putting together the Annual Gathering in Nottingham, which I enjoyed immensely. "
MH of Cheltenham
" Thanks for a great weekend, just to endorse the rest. You and Mark always seem so in control and unstressed. Whatever you are on, you should bottle it! "
MO of Oldham
" Thank you very much for a splendidly enjoyable weekend. You clearly put in an enormous amount of work and it certainly paid off. I heard many other people comment on how much they had enjoyed it and on how well organised it was. "
MH of Northampton
"What a fantastic weekend! Thanks for organising it. You and Mark did a brilliant job."
GT of Clacton
"One more note of thanks to you, Mark and the team for your efforts organising and running the AG. The selection of venue, choice of events and entertainment at the dinner were all excellent. And this was complemented by the smooth way in which the whole weekend was managed. It all made for a very enjoyable time. Well done to you all, and thanks."
ML of Twickenham
"I'd like to add my thanks to Maxine and all the Nottingham team for putting on such a superb and enjoyable Annual Gathering."
CD of Edinburgh
"I had a wonderful time. Thanks to all of you who contributed to the weekend's organisation and success. When's your next one?"
TC of London
"I know that by now Maxine and Mark (and all the other volunteers who did a sterling job!) will have received thanks by the hundreds, but I'd just like to add one more thank you for the wonderful AG weekend. Hello too to all friends old and new. Lovely meeting you all, look forward to the next time."
MT of London
"Thank you for all the effort you put into organising the Nottingham weekend. It could not have gone better. I was particularly impressed that you kept smiling throughout and seemed to be able to participate in some of the events too. Well done!"
JL of Congleton
"Congratulations on a successful weekend. You had obviously put tremendous time and effort into the preparation. Well done!"
CT of Croydon
Well done. It was a brilliant weekend and very well organised. What impressed me was that you both seemed so calm throughout. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and having a really happy weekend. Thanks a lot.
CA of Leeds
"Just a quick note to say thanks for organising a great weekend. I had a good time, particularly at the banquet - the Grand Opening of the Doors was very atmospheric!"
JW of Oxford
"Just like to add my thanks to all those already expressed to Maxine and Mark. A really good weekend."
DC of Sheffield
"Thanks for a great weekend. You did very well! Hope you got to enjoy some of it, despite working flat out. Thought your costumes were brilliant."
JF of Lincolnshire
Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make the weekend go so well, especially Maxine and Mark. A special word for the glittery Rachel at the Awards Ceremony, who gave it a *real* touch of class!
MM of Bedfordshire
"Many thanks to Maxine and to Mark. Marvellous weekend."
AL of London
"Quick note to add thanks to the organisers . . . especially enjoyed the banquet (that salmon was wonderful) . . . very good service, accomodation, etc. . . . "
HS of Solihull
"This is just to say thanks for a highly enjoyable weekend. It must have meant a tremendous amount of work for you and your helpers and this was very much appreciated. The medieval banquet was great, a big improvement on black tie and speeches, and I liked the extra touches such as the Robin Hood film music (both versions!). Thanks again."
LK of East Sussex
...and finally, thank you to everyone that came and made all the effort worthwhile.
Maxine Bates & Mark Graves, AG Organisers 1999