Hyde Park Picnic Meet: Recap

If there is one word to call this meet, it would be, lucky.

For the past week, it had be scheduled to rain all day, by every single weather news page I could find. And yet, as me and my girlfriend met up with some more friends from the station, and headed to the meeting point, I realised that all those sites were full of it. For 5 hours, we had unscheduled sunshine. Therefore I dont think anyone will have a problem with me saying I am now 4/4 for picking good weather for these picnic meets. Yea sure it rained later, but I dont count that

Anyway, yesterday I feel was an utter success. I had brought up before about maybe not hosting it again last year, but I really doubt if people would let me give it up. However, I also owe a big load of thanks to my pal Shaun Rowsell aka who organised a very successful zombie horde game involving Nerf guns. This was
so successful, that he plans to make a stand alone meet for this later in the year, so keep an eye out for that.

Now for the bit I didnt wanna have to write, as it makes me sound old and teacherish, but I feel I need say. The first is a reminder to all attendees and their personal belonging. There were a few close calls where some people had left phones and other valuables out in the open. We've had previous meets before where stuff had been taken, not by other deviants, but by passers by in the parks that see a camera bag lying unattended. So for future meets (I will do my part also to highlight this during aswell) but I really must ask you to keep all belongings with you or at least leave them with some.

The second thing is kinda related, obviously with being in the park, playing with footballs and frisbees are encouraged, what isnt is playing around people who are sat down and not involved. There were a few times where instances where people were throwing stuff over the people sitting and eating and drawing. I think I speak for everyone that no one wants a frisbee to the face, and I dont wanna have to explain to a parent why their son/daughter has a black eye from a ball being kicked around 5 feet away from them. For future meets guys, this is the kind of thing we have to look out for. People getting needlessly hurt or having stuff stolen is what will stop people wanting to come, or worse, organizers not wanting to host future meets. So for next year, I ask that people have some consideration to those around them.

Thats not how I want to end this recap, so I wanna mention some of the good things. Each year I am stunned to hear from people coming from further afield to attend this meet. While I was surprised some people coming from places like Oxford, I think the furthest was people coming from Germany. To those people, I really hoped you had a great time to warrant travelling so far. Also, a round of applause to the parents that came along, escorting their child to the meet. To the attendees that came with parents, make sure you show your appreciation as they could have easily just said no to you.

So another year has past, it feels weird that I have been doing these meets for 4 years now. But this year showed me once again why I keep organizing them. Because from these meets I have met some of the most fantastic people ever, and I continue to do so. While I doubt I will ever be able to top the DA Admin sponsored meet last year, it good enough for me that 70+ people can have a great time in the park and stuff their faces with crisps and cakes.

Thank you to everyone that came along this year, and I will see you all again in 2014.

Till then

Nay