The first planning meeting is being held in Bristol (UK) on Thursday 15th May. Before Graham, Janet, Jeremy and I meet we would be grateful to receive any views/advice from Lovelock Listers. A Discussion Document follows which sets out the areas that the Planning Group will consider at this meeting and I look forward to receiving your comments. Best Wishes John Lovelock Hedgerley Buckinghamshire LOVELOCK GATHERING Discussion document for Lovelock Listers Aims & Objectives To provide: * an opportunity to meet other Lovelock Family History researchers ( and distant relatives ) * a forum for exchanging research findings and ideas for further research * an opportunity to visit places associated with early Lovelock families * an opportunity for local research Timing The event will require at least one year to organise so May 2004 would be the earliest feasible date and would also enable overseas researchers adequate time to arrange travel arrangements. Location Research indicates that the early Lovelock families lived in Wiltshire and West Berkshire so a Town or Village in one of these Counties would be best. Good access by public transport is essential. Duration Some reunions are held in one day but I am of the opinion that a weekend would be more beneficial particularly as this is the first event. Venue Some reunions are held in Village and Community Halls with delegates staying in local hotels and guest houses. However if the event is held over a weekend it would in my opinion be more practical to stay at a hotel with meeting facilities. Potential attendance Approximately 40 people have subscribed to the List and about 25 have expressed an interest in attending. These numbers could expand if partners and other family members attend. Publicity may expand these numbers even further. Accounting arrangements Prior to the event costs will be incurred by the organisers in reserving accommodation, coach hire, advertising etc. The event will therefore need careful budgeting and deposits will be required from attendees to meet these initial costs. It may be necessary to open a special bank account and appoint one of the organisers to act as treasurer. Booking arrangements To maintain control it would be better for one of the organising group to handle bookings rather than bookings being sent direct to the Hotel. Publicity The event can be publicised using: * the Lovelock List * Rootsweb Events Listings * advertisements in Family History Magazines * advertisements/articles in local/regional newspapers Programme The programme for the weekend could include: * Presentations * Displays * Coach Excursion * Dinner * Guest Speaker(s) Organising Committee The following Lovelock researchers have volunteered to arrange the event: Graham Lovelock - Gloucestershire England UK Janet & Jeremy Lovelock - Carmarthenshire South Wales UK John Lovelock - Buckinghamshire England UK

Its pleasing to learn that the planning meeting for the proposed Lovelock gathering will be taking place soon, and the discussion document seems to indicate that the Planning Group have got things under control! I just have one suggestion for an addition to the "aims and objectives" which is that we might like to spend some time discussing efforts to link up the different Lovelock lines. Since wedon't expect to hold the gathering before May 2004, we may have made some progress in this area in the meantime. Many thanks once again to the members of the Planning Group for putting in the effort to drive this forward! James