A few tips for UK PonyCon, 2019 edition

Here's another feature I try to post in some form in the run-up to each year's UK PonyCon. This year I haven't got the time to spread them out, so I'm doing a (relatively) concise summary. Since we're going to be in the same venue as last year, that will hopefully mean I have slightly greater insight into a few aspects of the practicalities than usual. Lead on, Macduff...

Griffish Isles 2019: Some places to get food

Last year, I wrote a guide to eating places near UK PonyCon. I'm going to try to do this again now for this year's Griffish Isles convention. It's going to be rather trickier, because the GI location is in a bit of a food desert, but I'll do my best. Note that I don't know the area at all, so I can't vouch for the quality of the non-chain places I mention. Note also that a couple of places on Google maps, eg Chancellors and the Delicious Deli, are not open at weekends.

It's probably best to note that a friend who's lived in Greater Manchester for years says that Ardwick is quite a rough area. I don't think it's anything to be too scared of as long as you're sensible, but it might be an idea not to go wandering about alone after dark. Okay, on to the guide. I've given directions from the daytime venue at the St Thomas Centre, as apparently the evening host at Powerleague does at least have bar snacks.

Click on the name of each eating place to see a Google Maps walking route from the St Thomas Centre. Personally I suspect I'll be going either to the Tesco Express or, if I want hot food, to McDonald's.

1. Convenience stores

Tesco Extra, Esso petrol station, Ardwick Green S, M13 9XF
Open 6am–10pm; 3 mins' walk

Spar, BP petrol station, Chancellor La, M12 6JZ
Open 24 hours; 10 mins' walk

2. Chain restaurants

McDonald's, Stockport Rd, M12 4AB
Open 24 hours; 11 mins' walk

Subway, Stockport Rd, M12 4AB
Open 10am–9pm; 13 mins' walk

NB: both these are on the A6, an extremely busy bus route.

3. Asian food

House of Beijing, Polygon St, M13 9SG (Chinese)
Open midday–10pm; 5 mins' walk
NB: this opened recently; Street View (from 2015) still shows derelict land!

Spicy Grill, Higher Ardwick, M12 6DB (Indian)
Open 11am–4pm

UK PonyCon tips: Travelodge Nottingham Central

I've previously put up a few tips for people who (like me!) are staying at this hotel, but they were on the Travel & Accommodation section of the UK PonyCon forums, which is only visible to logged-in members. What follows after the page break is a slightly edited public version.

UK PonyCon 2018: some places to get food

UK PonyCon has now published the venue's catering arrangements for 2018. There aren't a lot of surprises in there, though "catering pod" sounds a little weird. Given this year's city centre location, it was always likely that the con venue itself would concentrate on quick bites, snacks and drinks, and indeed that is what has happened. Whether Nottingham Conference Centre has matched UWE's imagination last year in the cakes department remains to be seen!

Its provision does leave some gaps, especially as you can't take your own food or drink inside (plain water excepted). Most notably, it looks as though you'll need to leave the venue if you want a full-on hot meal, or food in the evening. Unsurprisingly, there are heaps of places to eat in a large city like Nottingham, so I won't even try to list all of them. Those who know Nottingham will doubtless know many other places, but I've generally stuck to chains as it's simpler if you're not familiar with the city.

I haven't made any attempt to include hotel restaurants, since some are only open to residents or have time restrictions. However, I do expect that quite a few people will eat breakfast at their hotels as the con venue won't be open until a bit late for that. Whether you choose to have it at your hotel or in town, I do strongly recommend that you eat a substantial breakfast if you can. Given the con's packed schedule, it may be tricky to find the time later, so getting a good meal under your belt early on makes sense.

Everywhere listed is under eight minutes' walk from the convention venue. I have generally listed only one outlet for each company. I've made exceptions for Wetherspoon, because it's inescapable; McDonald's, because it's a 24/7 option; and for Costa, because the first one listed is very close to the con venue but is small and has slightly restricted hours. Also, I know 25 Goldsmith St isn't actually the venue location, but just entering "Nottingham Conference Centre" returns the wrong side of the building. Click on an outlet name for a Google Map.

1. Coffee shops and quick bites

200 Degrees, Flying Horse Walk, NG1 2HN
Open 7:30am-8pm Fri, 8am-7pm Sat, 9:30am-6pm Sun, 7:30am-8pm Mon

Caffe Nero, Trinity Sq, NG1 2AS
Open 6:30am-7:30pm Fri/Sat, 7am-7:30pm Sun, 6:30am-7:30pm Mon

Costa (1), Goldsmith St, NG1 5JJ
Open 7am-6:30pm Fri, 8:30am-6pm Sat, 9am-5pm Sun, 7am-6:30pm Mon

Costa (2), Friar Lane, NG1 6BS
Open 6:30am-7:30pm Fri/Sat, 8am-6pm Sun, 6:30am-7:30pm Mon

Starbucks, Upper Parliament St, NG1 6LF
Open 6:30am-7:30pm Fri, 7:30am-7:30pm Sat, 9am-6pm Sun, 6:30am-7:30pm Mon

Subway, The Corner House, Forman St, NG1 4DB
Open 7am-4am Fri/Sat, 10am-midnight Sun, 7am-midnight Mon

2. Fast (and fastish) hot food

Bella Italia, Forman St, NG1 4DB
Open 9am-11pm Fri, 10am-11pm Sat, 10am-10:30pm Sun, 9am-11pm Mon

Burger King, Upper Parliament St, NG1 2AD
Open 11am-11pm daily

KFC, Milton St, NG1 3EN
Open 10am-midnight Fri/Sat, 10am-11pm Sun/Mon

McDonald's (1), Angel Row, NG1 6HL
Open 24/7

McDonald's (2), Clumber St, NG1 3ED
Open 24/7

Nando's, The Cornerhouse, Forman St, NG1 4DB
Open 11:30am-11pm Fri/Sat, 11:30am-10pm Sun/Mon

Pizza Express, King St, NG1 2AS
Open 11:30am-11pm daily

Pizza Hut, The Cornerhouse, Forman St, NG1 4DB
Open 11am-11pm Fri/Sat, midday-10pm Sun, 11am-10pm Mon

TGI Fridays, The Cornerhouse, Burton St [sic], NG1 4DB
Open 11:30am-11pm Fri/Sat, 10:30am-10:30pm Sun, 11:30am-10:30pm Mon

3. Pubs

The Gooseberry Bush, Peel St, NG1 4GL (Wetherspoon; website)
Open 8am-11pm daily

The Horn in Hand, Goldsmith St, NG1 5JT (website)
Open 11am-2am Fri/Sat, 11am-midnight Sun/Mon

The Joseph Else, South Parade, NG1 2JS (Wetherspoon; website)
Open 7am-midnight daily 

The Roebuck Inn, St James's St, NG1 6FH (Wetherspoon; website)
Open 8am-midnight daily

4. Convenience stores

Sainsbury's Local, Wheeler Gate, NG1 2NA
Open 7am-11pm daily

Tesco Express, Shakespeare St, NG1 4FQ
Open 7am-11pm daily

Little Waitrose, Milton St, NG1 4AR
Open 7am-10pm Fri/Sat, 11am-5pm Sun, 7am-10pm Mon

Tips for UK PonyCon-goers 11: Have fun!

As I'm setting off for UK PonyCon in not much more than an hour, this will be the last post I actually see go up until I get back. With that in mind...

Tip 11: Enjoy the convention!

Yes, we've spent months waiting for this. Some of us will have worked hard on art or cosplay or music or plushies or stupid stories about custard, while others will be working during UKPC, whether as staff or volunteers. But the thing that unites all of us is a love of pastel ponies. (If it doesn't, you booked at the wrong con!) So let's make the most of a weekend where nobody will question that aspect of our lives, and where "I love My Little Pony" is a statement that can be taken as read and appreciated, without the need to explain or justify ourselves.

See you in Bristol!

Tips for UK PonyCon-goers 10: You always take the weather with you

Here's a tip for UK PonyCon that I was considering publishing anyway, but given the weather forecast I now think it's an important one:

Tip 10: Remember, it's October. In England

That means you're not going to have a weekend of balmy temperatures and gentle breezes while you sip cocktails by a tropical lagoon. The River Avon's path through Bristol is full of mud most of the time anyway, thanks to the Bristol Channel's 15-metre tidal range – the highest anywhere in the world outside Canada, fact fans.

That's not relevant to the convention, though, What is relevant is that the Met Office outlook is currently predicting a spell of very wet and windy weather over con weekend, and you're likely to regret it if you don't prepare for it. While this area of Bristol isn't on an exposed headland or anything, it can get pretty windy during autumn gales.

So, if you're driving to UKPC, be prepared for stuff like trees blocking roads or speed limits across the Severn Bridge. If you're travelling by train, there may be longer journey times or trees or fallen overhead wires blocking routes for a while. Even once you arrive at your hotel, you may get soaked walking across the car park if the rain's falling hard enough.

On con days themselves, consider what you'll do if it's pouring down at queue time – one of those single-use plastic coats might be handy, as the wind's likely to be too strong for umbrellas to be useful. Also, bring plastic bags of some sort to wrap items susceptible to water damage. You don't want your beautiful new plushie waterlogged on the first day!

I don't want to go overboard here. Even a severe gale storm would be unlikely to be as disastrous as Ophelia was to Ireland in a non-coastal city like Bristol. But it does look increasingly as though the weather will not be as benign as it has been for the last few UKPCs, and it's better to have preparations you don't need than to need preparations you don't have!

Tips for UK PonyCon-goers 9: Read the rulebook

I think it's about time we had another UK PonyCon tip. This one is a little more serious than some, but...

Tip 9: Make sure you know the rules

I've already mentioned the need to remember that this is not a brony convention. Tying in with that is that UKPC's rules differ somewhat from those of other pony-centric events; there are good reasons for this, but it will help you a lot if you're clear about them before you set off for Bristol. None of them are unreasonable, at least not in my view, so learn 'em and follow 'em.

Notably, there's the fact that this is a strongly family-friendly con, and that there will therefore be many more young children in attendance than you may be used to. So don't swear. At all. (Well, not beyond what's in the show. "What in tarnation?" is probably okay. :P ) And don't make a lot of noise unless you're in an area where it's expected, such as a singalong. You may scare kids, and that wouldn't be very friendly!

The Prohibited Items section is worth perusing, too. "No weapons" means no weapons at all, including toys. This is not the con for Nerf guns and water pistols. Note that "aerosols" are listed, so don't bring in pressurised deodorants and the like assuming they'll be okay. (A dry-stick deodorant is an alternative that can feel refreshing even if you've had a shower that morning. And you will have a shower, won't you? Good.)

Most of the rest is simple common sense. Ask before you take someone's photo, and do not argue if they say no. That applies however they're dressed – cosplay is not consent. Don't disrupt panels by chatting through them – there's a dedicated chill-out space this year, or you can go to the café or bar. Have your bag ready to be searched when you go in – this will speed things up for everyone. And so on.

Some of that sounded a bit heavy, I know, and I promise there'll be at least one lighter tip before this series comes to an end. But really, all you have to do is remember this: be generous, honest, kind, laughing, loyal, magic and friendly. Do that and you'll have a great UK PonyCon 2017!

Tips for UK PonyCon-goers 8: Have a go!

What with all the movie-related news in recent weeks, it's been too long since the last one of these. So...

Tip 8: Take part in the fun

One of the unique things about a convention is that it gives you the chance to be part of the action in a way that you can't do on your own, or even at a regular meet. This does not mean that you need to go up on stage in front of everyone; there are plenty of ways you can take an active part in UK PonyCon even if you find actually "performing" too stressful to manage.

Bidding in the charity auction is participating. Joining in one of the singalongs is participating. Entering for "Destroy a Fakie" is participating. Chatting to a stallholder (when they're not busy!) is participating. Letting someone on their own join your group is participating. Having a bite at the café or a drink at the bar is participating. Directing someone at the station to the venue is participating...

...you get the idea. Of course, if you do have the ability and desire to do so, by all means get in touch with the UKPC staff about volunteering – they're always grateful for more help and will welcome you with open hooves! But for those of us for whom that's impossible for health or other reasons, we can still be more than simply passive consumers. And really, at a con, everyone can be part of the show!

Bonus UK PonyCon tip: DON'T save your old £1 coins!

A very good point that's been brought up by a poster on the UK PonyCon forum is this: the old, round £1 coins cease to be legal tender after 15th October. That means you will not be able to spend them at the convention! Vendors are unlikely to accept them, so please don't try. If you've been saving up change, which is a good thing in itself, make sure any £1 coins you keep are only the new, 12-sided sort.

Until the cut-off point, you can still spend those old-style £1 coins in shops and so on, and you should be able to exchange them at your own bank. Each company will have its own rules, though, so you'll need to check locally. After the cut-off date, exchanging at your own bank will probably continue for a limited time, but this isn't like old banknotes (which can be exchanged indefinitely) so don't delay!

Tips for UK PonyCon-goers 7: Turn out the burnout

There's been a fair amount going on in the fandom recently, so I haven't got round to posting another of these. Time to rectify that.

Tip 7: Pace yourself – and take some breaks

A full weekend of solid ponying is actually quite a long time, especially if you stay from start to finish on both days. It's immensely tempting to spend the entire time active, especially given the con experience is like nothing else, but if you do you'll be asking for trouble. You really do need to avoid trying to run at 100% intensity all the time, otherwise your body's going to start complaining at you pretty fast.

Once you've registered and got your con pass round your neck, you're free to wander in and out of the venue as the mood takes you. The location this year is a bit less conducive than some to taking quick breaks, since it's a fair walk to anything of interest and much of the UWE campus will be off-limits to us. However, even a few moments out in the fresh air can work wonders. (Okay, freshish, given that it's by a busy main road!)

Food, which I'll cover more fully in a later tip, is also a useful way to break up your schedule. Yes, you can take your own in, but actually sitting down for lunch in the café or having a drink at the bar will give you a slight change of scene and a change of pace. After half an hour chatting gently to friends (old or new) you'll feel refreshed and ready to tackle your next session of connery.

Tips for UK PonyCon-goers 6: I Yam What I Yam

Time we had another one of these! Today's tip is one I've felt quite strongly about ever since I first attended UK PonyCon in 2014:

Tip 6: Enjoy UK PonyCon for what it is, and don't fret over what it isn't

UK PonyCon is not quite like other pony conventions. Its all-generations coverage and long history are the most obvious manifestations of this, but not the only ones. When you attend UKPC, bear this in mind. If you go in expecting the experience to be what you had at Everfree Northwest or BronyCon or even BUCK, you're likely to be disappointed. That isn't what UK PonyCon is about. It's something unique.

Connected to this: be careful how you compare UKPC to other events. While many people will be delighted to hear some tales of your experiences at other conventions, they won't be as impressed if you constantly come across as complaining because it's not as loud as BUCK's Summer Sun Celebration or as posh as GalaCon's gala or full of show guests like BABSCon. You'll be missing the point.

If, like most of us, you started with Friendship is Magic, UK PonyCon has been in this fandom a lot longer than you have. Conventions don't survive into double figures of iterations just by chance. Go in with an open mind and an acceptance that while this con has plenty of similarities with others, there are a number of differences too, and you're likely to have a much happier time at this great event.

Tips for UK PonyCon-goers 5: Drink for the thirst to come

Time for another one of these little tips. As usual, they're mostly aimed at first-time con-goers who don't really know what to expect, but if they help anyone else then I'll be happy!

Tip 5: Stay hydrated

This one is really important. In all the excitement and adrenalin of UK PonyCon, you may not feel thirsty or realise how little you've had to drink – but that could come back to bite you hard later on. You're likely to be using more energy than usual, as well as being active for two pretty long days, so keeping those H₂0 levels topped up is absolutely imperative.

UK PonyCon allows you to take your own water/soft drinks in, which helps – though water is heavy, you need it. The café and bar are open for most of each day, and there should be free tap water available somewhere; ask one of the staff if you can't find any. Don't make all your liquid intake alcoholic, caffeinated or fizzy, as your body won't thank you for it later.

2018 update: this year, you cannot take your own drinks in. I think this is a backwards step, but unfortunately it's very common at venues so we have to live with it.

It's hard to say exactly how much water you'll need in the day, as there are many variables – not least how hot the venue is – but I usually take a 500ml bottle of plain water and add a few more drinks with meals. You'll also need to have something to keep your throat moist if you're doing karaoke/singalong sessions. But seriously, this tip matters.

Tips for UK PonyCon-goers 4: Social and antisocial media

It's BloodyMassiveCon USA next weekend, and I hope everyone who's going has a great time. :) But for those of us who are preparing for UK PonyCon instead (or as well!) another thrilling tip:

Tip 4: Use your phone – a bit

There are several official UK PonyCon social media accounts, which are listed here, on their page. Although they're currently rather infrequently updated, they should be busier during the convention and can be a good way of finding out what's happening, especially if something unexpected happens – as it often does!

I believe there will be free WiFi at the UWE, so you can also stay in touch with other attendees that way, not to mention making inane tweets about the colour of the stage curtains. (What? Is that just me? Okay then.) Back at BUCK 2014, some of us resorted to tweeting to people six feet away as the Summer Sun Celebration was too loud to talk/shout over, but that's unlikely to be the case at UKPC.

However, try not to overdo the phone use. You don't want to end up in a situation where you might as well have spent the weekend at home, spending a lot less money! I know it's hard to resist, but try to keep your mobile in your pocket for much of the time. This is an event where seeing, hearing and speaking for yourself works best.

Tips for UK PonyCon-goers 3: Don't get caught short

I'm continuing my little series of hints and tips for people planning on attending UK PonyCon this year. As ever, these are mainly aimed at first-timers, but I'm happy if they're useful for anyone else, too.

Tip 3: Find where the toilets are!

When you get into the con venue, the first thing you'll need to do is register. The second should be to find out where the toilets are. You may well be here for more than 12 hours on the Saturday, so you're certainly going to need to know this crucial information during your time at the convention – learn before you need it more urgently!

Last year, there was a small plan of the venue in the conbook, and such things are handy, but to fix the location in your mind you really need to learn the route to the toilets yourself. Apart from anything else, there's bound to be a point at which you need to dash there before an imminent new event or panel that starts in five minutes' time.

Tips for UK PonyCon-goers 2: Ch-ch-change!

Time for the next tip for those attending UK PonyCon – which starts in three months from today! – especially people who haven't been before and don't quite know what to expect:

Tip 2: Take lots of change!

Cash is king at conventions. Some vendors might accept cards or PayPal or AppleThing, but you really can't count on any of them. Don't blithely assume there'll be an ATM ten yards away, either – the nearest permanent cashpoint is roughly a 15-minute walk away at Asda.

So take actual, old-fashioned money. And try your best to make sure that some of it is in change. If you buy a small badge or something costing £1.50 and can actually hand over £1.50 rather than a £20 note, the vendor will love you for it. Don't worry too much if you can't make up the exact money, but do your best.

Note that most buses in Bristol will give change, unlike in many big cities, so if you get any from that source, hang onto it.

Tips for UK PonyCon 1: Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!

Now that we're well inside 100 days until UK PonyCon 2017, I thought I'd actually do what I keep saying I will and put up a few little hints and tips. These are mostly aimed at people who haven't been to a convention before – they're the sort of stuff I'd have found useful when I first went to one – but of course I'm glad if anyone at all finds them helpful. Let's start with the one that tops every list:

Tip 1: Wear comfortable shoes

You can wing it with some things at a convention, but not this one. Unless you actually have wings (or Twilight-level teleportation ability) you're going to be doing a great deal of walking. Probably plenty of standing around as well, especially if you spend much time in queues.

Note that "comfortable" is far more important than "smart". When I went to BUCK 2014, I wore brand new shoes that hadn't been properly broken in. Mistake! I had to kludge things with tissues stuffed inside on the second day to stop myself from being in total agony. Don't be like me.

If you wear shoes that pinch or rub or are full of holes, you will regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.