Joining Instructions
Venue
SPA2005 will take place at The Robinson Centre with all accommodation and conference
sessions in this self contained conference centre.
The Robinson Centre,
Great North Road, Wyboston,
St. Neots, Bedfordshire
MK44 3AR
Conference phone line: 0870 760 6863.
Email: [email protected]
Travel to the venue
By train:
The nearest railway station is St. Neots on the West Anglian Great Northern
line, from London Kings Cross. Trains leave Kings Cross at approximately every
hour on Sundays, and twice an hour during the working week. The journey takes
50 minutes. For details of services, please telephone National Rail Enquiries
on 08457 48 49 50 or log onto either http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/planmyjourney
or http://www.wagn.co.uk
A taxi service (Anglian Taxis - 01480 475222) is available from St. Neots
station to The Robinson Centre (approximately 10 minutes ride), but they usually
only have a skeleton service on Sunday morning/early afternoon. If you are
planning to arrive by train, please email [email protected] with anticipated
time of arrival and we will ask the taxi firm to ensure they have enough drivers
to meet the trains.
For local maps and more details, please see The Robinson Centre brochure
(/robinson.pdf)
By air:
See The Robinson Centre brochure (/robinson.pdf)
By road:
See The Robinson Centre brochure (/robinson.pdf)
Car Parking
There is ample parking at the venue.
Registration
Registration takes place on Sunday 10th April in the main lounge at The Robinson
Centre. The registration area will be clearly signposted from the main entrance.
At registration, you will be given your copy of the event documentation and
administrative information. Your room key will be available from The Robinson
Centre Front Desk.
Registration on Sunday is from 11.00 hrs for those pre-registered to attend
Sunday Working Groups. The majority of bedroom keys will not be available
until 2pm, but early access to the rooms may be available for those attending
Working Groups. Luggage storage facilities are available.
The SPA2005 registration desk closes at 22.00 hrs on Sunday. If you plan
to arrive on Sunday after this time, please inform the organisers in advance.
For those participants who are not able to arrive and register on Sunday
10th April, the registration desk will be open from 8:00am on Monday 11th
April.
Sunday Working Groups
There is no additional charge for attending Sunday afternoon Working Groups
but you must register in advance. If you have not already let us know which
session you would like to attend, please email
[email protected]. Some
of these sessions have a limited number of places. A sandwich lunch will be
available from 12 noon for those participants registered for a Working Group.
Reception on Sunday Evening
A drinks reception and evening dinner, open to all delegates will be held on
Sunday 10th April at 19.30 hrs in the Robinson Room. This years reception will
be sponsored by Ivis Technologies.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be provided for three nights from Sunday 10th April. Extra
nights are available if required at a cost of £60 + VAT (Saturday night)
£82 + VAT (other nights) for Bed and Breakfast. Dinner may also be booked
for an additional £30 + VAT. Please contact the Conference Administrator
to reserve the extra night on +44 870 760 6863. The accommodation consists of
double en-suite bedrooms for single occupancy. All rooms have a desk, modem
point, direct telephone line with voicemail (all calls must be settled directly
with the venue prior to departure), and tea/coffee making facilities. The venue
caters for the disabled.
Culture
The conference has a friendly and informal culture with a high degree of interactivity
and participation. Dress is usually casual.
Sport & Recreation Facilities
There is a Fitness Centre available for the use of delegates in a nearby building
incorporating a gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, sauna, spa bath and solarium.
Meals and Refreshments
All meals and refreshments will be provided. Please contact
[email protected]
with any dietary requirements if you have not already done so, as it is essential
that these are pre-arranged.
Bookstall
A Bookstall will be available on Tuesday. This will stock titles authored many
of our session leaders and participants as well as a range of books expected
to be of interest to participants. A discount of at least 5% will be offered
on all purchases and credit cards may be used to make purchases.
Messages
Incoming messages can be left for delegates on 0870 760 6863 (office hours)
or 01480 226300 (24 hour). Any messages received will be posted on the conference
contact board. Incoming faxes can be sent to delegates on 0870 011 8281.
Insurance
Neither the SPA2005 organisers, the BCS OOPS Specialist Group nor The Robinson
Centre can accept any responsibility for the loss of, or damage to participants’
personal possessions while attending the event. We therefore recommend that
you make your own insurance arrangements.
Administration Team
The conference administration team will consist of Andy Moorley, Ewan Milne
and Hannah Lloyd. They will be contactable via the registration desk throughout
the conference to help with any enquiries or problems.
Departure
You will need to check-out of you room by 0900 on Wednesday 13th April. Luggage
storage is provided by The Robinson Centre until required for the journey home.
We hope you will enjoy SPA2005 and look forward to meeting you at the conference.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries
relating to your participation.