(The Landlord Law Conference is an annual event run by Landlord Law and Easy Law Training. )
Conference bookings have been going well. We are now past break even point, and I have paid the venue fee.
Time therefore for another visit!
About Bury St Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds is such a lovely little town. It is not without industry – when driving in, the sugar factory is very prominent, and it is the home of Greene King brewery.
The conference venue though, the Athenaeum, is in the heart of historic Bury next to the Cathedral and Abbey Gardens, on Angel Hill.
Back at the Athenaeum
It was nice to step into the Athenaeum again – it has a very welcoming feel to it with its red carpet, and bust of Queen Victoria in the lobby.
Last time we were here, the ballroom was being used for a blood donor session and was full of nurses and equipment. So it was nice to be able to see it properly.
History of the Athenaeum
The Athenaeum has an interesting history. It started out as a private house in the 1670’s and was first used for public assemblies in 1715.
However the balls and card games became less popular in the nineteenth century and it was purchased in 1854 for £2,500 to be used as a library and institute for ‘the promotion of useful knowledge among its members and their intellectual moral and social improvement’.
Regular lectures and talks were delivered, including many on scientific topics, in particular astronomy (an observatory and telescope was built in the roof at this time) and public readings were given by authors such as Charles Dickens, Charles Kinglsey and William Makepeace Thackery.
In 1920 the owners, the Athenaeum Club, sold the building to the Council. However the club continued to use it and have meetings, up until the present day.
Now it is used for weddings, meetings, and other similar events. And for the Athenaeum Club of course.
The Angel Hotel
The nearby four star Angel Hotel was the obvious choice for accommodation and we have arranged special rates for conference delegates.
It is also an historic building. Originally a coaching inn from 1452, it had a makeover in Georgian times and now has a splendid ivy covered facade.
Charles Dickens stayed there in 1859 and 1861 and it was mentioned in the Pickwick Papers.
Someone’s got to do it …
In the interests of research, Graeme and I decided it was necessary for us to have lunch at the Angel Restaurant.
I am happy to tell you that it was excellent – my potted shrimps starter was traditional but nice, and the slow braised shoulder of lamb with sweetbreads, soft polenta and grilled pepper was GORGEOUS. Graeme’s guinea fowl rillette starter and Denham Vale steak with grilled mushrooms, tomatoes and béarnaise sause, with chips and salad also looked pretty nice.
We may need to go back for further research …
We will be staying and eating at the hotel both Thursday and Friday nights and will be arranging a meal for any delegates staying who want it (and it seems that they all do). The hotel have promised to send us a menu shortly.
A good morning
So a good morning was had. We managed to sort out a lot of conference ‘housekeeping’ things with Cheryl (tables and layout, the buffet lunch they will be providing for us, timings etc) and have checked out the hotel food standards.
If you are interested in attending, you will find details on the conference website >> here, including important things like the speaker program and sponsors (including our lead sponsors TDS).
But leaving all that aside, Bury St Edmunds is a lovely place to visit, and if you are staying at the Angel you can look forward to having a good dinner.