What we’re about
CALLING ALL WELSH PEOPLE, their families and friends in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas! And those who have a genuine affinity with Wales, Welsh culture, or a strong connection with people who are Welsh. This would be your 'Welsh Connection'.
By establishing an active Meetup group, we aim to foster the common interests of those with some connection to the Principality or to Welsh people, where they can enjoy companionship and friendship. Regular 'Meetups' are shown in our calendar and these will always be social, friendly and informal. The minimum age of membership is 18 years, but members can bring minors to suitable events. Membership of the Welsh Connection is free.
When you respond positively to an event (an ‘RSVP Yes’ or 'Attend', indicating that you plan to attend), you may be given the option of bringing one or more guests - the so-called ‘+1’, ‘+2’ etc. If this option doesn’t appear, it usually means that spaces are very limited, or we anticipate a large take-up where, initially, priority must be given to members. In these circumstances, it may be worth your while to message the Organisers and ask about the availability of guest places. We will do our best to accommodate your guests.
PLEASE NOTE, it is not our intention to make a charge for membership, even though the Organisers dedicate their time freely, and incur some costs, in maintaining the Group. All we ask in return is that members practise good etiquette. What is good etiquette? Well, it’s about an acceptable standard of behaviour and has nothing to do with rules! For example, we expect you to:
a. SUPPORT US by maintaining an attendance (how much is your choice, but we'd love to see you from time to time!!) and contributing to the values of our ‘community’.
We do not favour people joining the Welsh Connection simply as another social outlet alongside other Meetup groups that are based solely on having ‘a good time’. What bonds us as a Meetup group, and makes us different, are our Welshness, our heritage, our culture and/or our affinity with Wales and Welsh friends.
b. WELCOME AND INTEGRATE with all Welsh Connection members and guests attending an event, some of who are, with trepidation, visiting for the first time. Be social, considerate and friendly and be mindful of the surroundings. The Welsh are the most friendly race on the planet, so let's make everybody feel a part!
c. REFRAIN FROM demeaning, discriminatory, harassing behaviour, and particularly the use of inappropriate, or bad, language, or engaging in gossip.
d. NOT BOOK on to one of our events if you have, knowingly, booked on to a simultaneous event with another organisation. The practice of purposeful double-booking is unfair and can be disruptive to both groups. If we are made aware of such practice taking place, we may decline your booking or request your commitment to our event.
e. GIVE ADEQUATE NOTICE - more than one week, ideally - of cancelling your attendance at an event (we appreciate that this may not be possible in certain circumstances). This is particularly important when the event has a 'waiting list'; in principle, it sounds great if those on the list can attend in your place, but in practice short notice can mean they are unable to come, or just don’t see that they’re ‘in’ – and that can create problems for us and the venue.
f. IF YOU need to cancel your attendance at short notice, the Organisers would consider it polite if you could give a reason for cancellation by contacting them; there’s nothing more frustrating than having people drop out late for no apparent reason!
PAYMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS. Payments (where applicable for an event) are generally required within one week of (a) your response with a RSVP 'Yes' or 'Attend' or (b) the Organiser’s notification to you that payment is due (which will state if a deposit or full payment is required), whichever is later. Specific details on the refund policy may change between events, depending on the circumstances, but this will always be made clear in the event description.
Fortunately, we have a very loyal band of followers who never transgress our expectations by choice, and we like to believe it's that loyalty that sets us apart from other Meetup groups.
We also encourage our members to suggest venues and occasions for Meetups and even host or co-host events with the support of The Welsh Connection organisers.
So, come on, join us, enjoy yourself, bring your ideas and influence what you want the group to be!
(The language of the group is English, which means that those who have no Welsh are not at any disadvantage.)
The Welsh Connection has a Facebook presence here: (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1072227179597523/ );
The group has links with the Bournemouth and District Welsh Society, which can be viewed on:- http://www.bournemouthanddistrictwelshsociety.com/
Susan and Bern, Organisers The Welsh Connection.
