Above 2 photos from 2008 Convention by Dave Cox.

CONVENTION FAQS

Who can attend Prisoner conventions in Portmeirion?

Members of Six of One who have registered to attend the convention. 

How do I become a Six of One member?

You can join online at any time at: www.sixofone.co.uk or you can print out the online form and sent it by post to Six of One, Box 66, Ipswich, IP2 9TZ, UK or you can write to that address for a form.

How do I register?

By using the form sent to members with mailings or online at: www.sixofone.co.uk/convention.htm

How long does membership last?

Existing members who renew their subscriptions annually (with the form sent in the spring mailing each year) continue to be members for the next full year. New members who join at later points during the year obtain the most recent mailings (to avoid having to wait until the annual spring renewal point or any next mailing point which is due in the current year). Therefore, if a new member joins in the summer (or later) membership lasts for about 9 months (or less) but the same amount of material is received.

What other amounts do I have to pay while a member?

None at all, except in connection with the convention if you wish to attend.

What are the convention costs?

Apart from the cost of a subscription, to become a member of the society, there is a separate registration fee to attend the convention. This is payable by all persons who come to the conventions, whether they are actually staying in Portmeirion (see below) or not. The registration fee is a one-off payment for each person (2008 was £30 for the whole weekend and less for two days or one day). If a member wants to attend with other members or friends (who must become members of the society) each person pays the registration fee

What is the registration fee for?

Registrations make the convention self-funding. The amounts cover the cost of hiring equipment, venue hire, guests’ travel and accommodation expenses, printing of the programme and all other leaflets and additional items, such as tickets or passes. Any surplus is used to purchase items for prize draws (the cost of buying draw tickets is added to the fund to help pay for the convention and to provide a little advance funding for the next convention).

Apart from paying to become a member and the convention registration, what else has to be paid for to attend the event?

Nothing else has to be paid for (apart from travel, food and drink - see below), but if members wish to stay in Portmeirion, the cost has to be paid separately. Six of One reserves the entire Portmeirion Village accommodation each year for the convention and members request places through the society convention organisers. Places are allocated and a separate letter is sent to each member staying in Portmeirion to give details of the cost, so that an initial deposit has to be paid and the balance is payable before the end of January, a few weeks before the convention. Naturally the amounts members pay for accommodation are passed entirely to Portmeirion by Six of One and no handling change applies.

Do I have to stay in Portmeirion?

No, it is possible for members to attend the convention as day visitors or to stay in Portmeirion for the whole weekend or to stay somewhere in the local area. For example, a number of members each year stay in guesthouses or hotels in nearby Porthmadog or even on camping or caravan sites.

How do I find alternative accommodation?

Six of One supplies on request details of other places in the local area where members can stay. 

Can I attend with several of my member friends?

Yes, some of the Portmeirion cottages are big enough to accommodate 8 people, while other rooms or cottages are for single or twin occupancy. All queries can be answered in advance if members need any information and it is not possible to answer all points here.

So in simple terms, what does a new, non-member have to do?

Simply join the society, then use one of the convention forms, which will be in one of the society’s mailings, or register online to attend the convention. As detailed above, these steps can be dealt with by post or online. After that, a new member simply needs to write or email the organiser who deals with the accommodation to apply for a place in Portmeirion, if this is wanted.

What other points should I be aware of?

The places in Portmeirion are limited and so it is best not to leave too late the request for a place in the Village. Also, preference is given to members who want to stay the whole weekend and not for example just one night.

Do I have to take part in any event?

Not at all. Some members like to be involved in events and others prefer to observe and enjoy the weekend, without taking part in activities.

If I am coming to the convention on my own and want to stay in Portmeirion, what happens?

There are two options. You can pay for a room to be alone, but this is more expensive as most Portmeirion rooms are twin or double rooms. Also, we give preference to rooms where two members wish to share as this allows more people to attend conventions. If we are over-subscribed, a single person would not normally be given a room or his or her own. However, we have had no problems in the past and normally we offer a second place to a member of the same gender and a twin room can be shared in this way. Members who have shared a twin room in the past have often become good friends and have attended conventions together in later years. All details are given to a member so that he or she has the option of declining the place if it is to be shared and this does not meet with the member’s wishes.

Does the convention cater for disabled persons?

Yes, to an extent. Portmeirion is an independent, private hotel and so Six of One members are simply attending there as guests. The society does not provide the facilities, the hotel does. All enquiries need to be addressed to Portmeirion in this event but we are aware of some cottages which are suitable for wheelchair access. We also make space available at the front of our meeting hall for wheelchair users. All other related queries can be raised with the organisers and the society will do its best to cater for everybody.

Am I covered for any loss of property, damage, injury etc?

Not in respect of the convention itself. Members can take out their own insurance or simply choose to look after their property and themselves. We have had no problems arising in past years and there are no events which might give rise to any injury, apart from normal unforeseen accidental injury (for example if somebody trips and falls on a cobbled path). Portmeirion is very safety conscious and has recently erected railings and walls to decrease the chance of injury while people are walking around the grounds. As for property, we ask members to be responsible and to look after their own items, as they would in any other location. In short, the convention is for enthusiasts who want to attend the weekend and not act in a way which would cause any loss or damage or injury to other persons or their property. The weekend is well organised and the high standards of Portmeirion are observed.

What about eating and drinking?

Meals are included in the cost of hotel and nightly rooms. Self-catering cottage enable members to provide their own food and drink. There is a bar during each convention evening and there are the usual Portmeirion eating facilities at lunch time. There is a dining room, a restaurant (which is next to the convention meeting hall) and also the separate Castell Deudraeth, which is available for lunch and dinners. All food and drink has to be paid for by members separately, on top of the other amounts mentioned above. For members who are not self-catering, it is best to decide upon early, mid or late evening dining, so that arrangements can be made. The restaurant adjacent to the meeting hall is not open in the evening and so members who are not self-catering or who have not arranged evening dining, must make their own plans. Portmeirion also has shops which sell a limited range of food and the restaurant also sells sandwiches etc which could be purchased for later.

Is there any travel information?

As members attend from all over the world and across the UK, it is not possible to provide travel information for each journey. There are some details on this convention website at www.portmeiricon.com/location.htm and if a member does not have Internet access he or she can contact us and we can send a printout of the convention travel page. For members driving to Portmeirion, there is ample parking and for those coming by train there are local buses and taxis from Porthmadog for example.

How can I find out more about the conventions?

By exploring this Six of One convention website and information about the society can also be found at:

www.ThePrisonerAppreciationSociety.com

www.sixofone.org.uk

www.sixofone.co.uk