IZES Spring Meeting

[MikeG]

Saturday 18 March will be the date of the Spring meeting of the Independent Zoo Enthusiasts Society (IZES), with Ventura Wildlife's Zoological Gardens* as the venue.

The event will commence at 1pm. in the zoo's 'Explorers Lodge'. Those attending the meeting will have entrance to the zoo from 10.30am up until zoo closing time at 4.30pm.
There will be a charge of £8.50 per person to cover zoo entry, hire of the lodge & other facilities.
Please pay on the day, but expressions of intent to come would be welcome so that we have an idea of numbers.
There will be an introduction from the zoo's director, Ashley Palmier, and an opportunity to display & exchange zoo guidebooks & other zoo-ephemera. We also hope to show at least 1 episode of the classic BBC TV series 'Great Zoos of the World'.

2017 is a big year for the IZES, as our magazine Zoo Grapevine now amalgamates with the long-running International Zoo News, to bring you combined zoo-goodness in one handy package!

*Ventura Wildlife’s Zoological Gardens, Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, SG12 9RP.

 

[devilfish]

I'm intending to come - I'll be looking into flights later in the week.

 

[Newzooboy]

Hi Mike

I'll be there.......

Cheers
Dean

 

[Nisha]

Hoping to be there just trying to square it with work. Will update when I know for sure

 

[Newzooboy]

Hi Mike

Can you confirm that this event is actually happening?

Just seems a little odd that it has been announced here but I have had no notice/ information from IZES, nor is there anything on their website (although this hardly ever changes).

Many Thanks

 

[MikeG]

Hi Mike
Can you confirm that this event is actually happening?

Yes, fear not, the event is still happening!
The new issue of the magazine (which is also the first one incorporating International Zoo News) is now back from the printers and should be with you later this week. It's all taken a bit longer than we'd hoped, but I hope you'll like the result.
And 'revamping the website' is the next job on our to do list...

Mike

 

[Newzooboy]

Great!!

Thanks Mike - much appreciated.

See you there!

Cheers
Dean

 

[Nisha]

Hoping to be there just trying to square it with work. Will update when I know for sure

I'm coming along for sure now

 

[Crowthorne]

This does sound interesting, especially as it is pretty near to me, but I am just so shy!

 

[MikeG]

This does sound interesting, especially as it is pretty near to me, but I am just so shy!

There's nothing better for overcoming shyness than meeting fellow zoo-nerds!
We don't bite....(well, most of us...)

 

[Brum]

I may be attending if I can get a lift sorted.

 

[kiang]

Yes, fear not, the event is still happening!
The new issue of the magazine (which is also the first one incorporating International Zoo News) is now back from the printers and should be with you later this week. It's all taken a bit longer than we'd hoped, but I hope you'll like the result.
And 'revamping the website' is the next job on our to do list...

Mike

45 pages wow!!!
Just got stuck into it
Great job guys, great read as always!!

 

[Designaka]

I'll be taking some of the new limited edition Halifax Zoo booklets.

 

[Tim May]

I'll be taking some of the new limited edition Halifax Zoo booklets.

Good. Save one for me please.

 

[Crowthorne]

have sorted transport, I'm coming is my plus-one allowed in too?

 

[MikeG]

is my plus-one allowed in too?

If your plus-one is willing to risk being in a room full of zoo nerds, they're welcome

 

[MikeG]

By the way, if people attending the meeting want a cooked lunch prior to the 1pm. kick-off, there are a couple of nearby options:
There's a 'Beefeater' at the Premier Inn, Marsh Lane, WARE, SG12 9QB
or, even closer, there's Café VH within the Van Hage garden centre itself...though one person has described the prices there as being a 'rip-off' [I've never been myself, so can't comment. Probably money is no object to you wealthy zoo enthusiasts ]

 

[Crowthorne]

I've had the Full English at Café VH a couple of times now (on each of my visits to Ventura actually ). It's a little on the pricy side admittedly, but it's a decent breakfast.

 

[MikeG]

Some important info for those attending the meeting on 18 March:

- be aware there is no indication at the front of the garden centre that a zoo is there at all. There is a large car park, but you'll need to walk through the garden centre to find the zoo.

- tell the cashier that you're there for the IZES meeting. They will let you in without paying at the zoo's entry. The £8.50 fee will be collected in the meeting room (Explorers Lodge).

- if anyone is planning to bring a large amount of zoo ephemera with them, if you're there by 10am. you can gain direct access to the Lodge via the service area. Unfortunately, later than this, you'll have to carry boxes/bags/suitcases through the garden centre. (Sorry, but nowt we can do about it...)

- if you want a table for display of guidebooks, etc. please let us know, so we have an idea of how many tables will be required on the day.

- for anyone planning to drive to the area on Friday, and stay locally overnight: there's a Premier Inn in nearby Ware. Rooms are c. £60 per night. (I intend to stay there myself).

- food on Saturday lunchtime. As mentioned earlier in this thread, the garden centre has a café, but it's also OK if you prefer to bring sandwiches (or whatever) and eat 'em in the Explorers Lodge. Tea & coffee will be available there.

 

[sooty mangabey]

Do you have definite timings for the afternoon, Mike?