REMINDER: To 'X Markers' in Southern England

[Hamish]

This is a reminder to those who already know about it, and an invitation to those who do not!

On Sunday 16th July the HARPENDEN HIGHLAND GATHERING will be taking place at, yes you guessed it, Harpenden in Hertfordshire (between Luton and St.Albans just off the M1 and a short distance north of the M25 motorway) - and we are going to be there - in force.

This is an annual event and is reputed to be the largest of the very few Highland Gatherings to be held in England.

Now, the nitty-gritty ..........

Entry to the Gathering is by programme which costs £6.00 at the gate - BUT it is only £3.00 + postage if purchased in advance via the organiser's website! Children under 16 are admitted free. Come on now, this is far too good an opportunity to miss.

Just think about it: a day with a Scottish theme with kilts everywhere, spent in beautiful surroundings and surrounded by beautiful people - us, the 'X Markers' of Britain! At the last count, somewhere between 15 and 20 of us, some with families, expressed a desire to be present on the day. So, let's make this the biggest gathering of 'X Markers' anywhere in the world ..... let's show our kilted American brethren that we are the ones who REALLY know how to enjoy ourselves! What great photo opportunities too!

If you haven't heard about this event, decide now to COME AND JOIN US. There are quite a lot of newcomers to 'X Marks the Scot' who live in London and the Home Counties so, to all of you, I say COME AND JOIN US. (Additionally, you will have the unique opportunity, never to be repeated, of buying me a 70th Birthday celebratory drink! How about THAT?!)

For further information on the event itself, and the link to getting your entry programmes in advance - at HALF-PRICE remember - please go to:

http://www.harpenden-lions.co.uk/eve...d_Gathering_06

(Note: I understand that programmes bought on-line will be despatched in approximately ten days from now - but, don't wait, apply for them RIGHT NOW)

Enquiries are being made for permission for one of our number, Derek, to erect a small gazebo in the park which will act as a meeting point for all 'X Markers' and their families/friends. I have not yet heard whether that is a certainty but, if it is not, we'll be announcing an alternative nearer the time.

COME ALONG NOW, YOU JUST KNOW YOU WANT TO BE THERE. IT IS THE EVENT OF THE YEAR .........

[An t-Ileach]

I was thinking of uploading some photographs of vital landmarks in Harpenden (the Cross Keys, the Harpenden Arms, the George, and so on) when I can figure how to get them off my mobile phone by Bluetooth. I took them last week when I was visiting my sister with this Gathering of the Xmarks Clan in mind, so they're fairly current.

[Jerry]

Wish I could travel over there and meet up with you and all the other Xmarkers, Ham. Anyhow, I hope that you and the others will have a great time.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

To Ham and all our other UK brethren, have a great time!

[efer]

To Ham and all other XMarkers who go,

Enjoy! Buy Hamish a 70th Birthday Celebratory drink from all of us.

Cheers,

[dwg]

Enquiries are being made for permission for one of our number, Derek, to erect a small gazebo in the park which will act as a meeting point for all 'X Markers' and their families/friends. I have not yet heard whether that is a certainty but, if it is not, we'll be announcing an alternative nearer the time.

COME ALONG NOW, YOU JUST KNOW YOU WANT TO BE THERE. IT IS THE EVENT OF THE YEAR .........

The gazebo will not be going to be put up, as the fee just to have it at the event is £50 and I think that is a bit too much so we will have to meet at a place and at a time TBA

Derek

[dwg]

The gazebo will not be going to be put up, as the fee just to have it at the event is £50 and I think that is a bit too much so we will have to meet at a place and at a time TBA

Derek

Well I have made a sign, when and where I will place it is another thing but it will be some where on site

and all done


It is quite large

Derek

[dwg]

Just a quick Reminder don't forget 16 July

Derek

[Hamish]

Well I have made a sign, when and where I will place it is another thing but it will be some where on site

and all done


It is quite large

Derek

Derek,

That is an AMAZING piece of fretwork and will, I am sure, attract much attention at the Harpenden Highland Gathering on 16 July.

It must have taken you hours and I for one appreciate that you have taken the time and trouble to make this sign for all X Markers who will be attending on the day and, hopefully, at other events later. It looks massively heavy. Now all we have to do is to find some way of displaying it, without incurring an extortionate fee!

[An t-Ileach]

I finally gave up on trying to transfer pictures from my mobile phone to my iBook, and went and took some with my camera. I've made a sub-folder on my photobucket account. These are mostly of useful landmarks (The Old Cock; The Cross Keys; The George; The Harpenden Arms; and so on).



Caffe Nero (just across the way from The Harpenden Arms) has a WiFi access account with Surf and Sip (it costs £5 a day subscription), if you need to use the internet. I haven't seen any Internet Cafes in Harpenden, so you'd need a laptop.

The Gathering site is in a park just a short walk from The Harpenden Arms (about 200 yards), which in turn is about half-a-mile from the railway station. If you're driving, parking is on a large grassed area opposite The Silver Cup and about 200 yards from the Gathering site.



If you're following the M1, you should come off at Junction 10 and follow the A1081 into Harpenden, driving through the town to the parking site; or turn off onto the A5 at Junction 9, and follow the signs round onto the A5183 (possibly signposted to Redbourn) and then into Harpenden and the parking lot.



The Gathering site is pedestrian access only.