COVID 19 -
At the time of writing, the LAN is due to go ahead without specific COVID restrictions / precautions - in line with current government guidance.
This is (obviously) subject to change. If the government bring in rules relating to testing, social distancing, vaccination, or anything else - these will of course then be applied to the LAN.
Although unlikely, it remains a possibility that the Government backtracks and the LAN has to be cancelled. This will only happen if we have no choice in the matter.
With that said, we would strongly encourage members to consider the risks of COVID not only to themselves, but also to other members and to all of our families. We would strongly advise the following -
1) Please consider arranging a lateral flow test the day before the LAN. The admins will all be doing so.
These can be obtained FOR FREE from HERE.
This is probably one of the best ways to reduce the risk of an event like this from the word go.
2) If you have not yet been double vaccinated, and are able to receive the vaccine, we would urge you to do so.
I won't go into this any more here, but if anyone does want to discuss this with me personally (I have worked a mixture of emergency and intensive care medicine throughout the pandemic) I would be more than happy to do so!
3) Please, if you have symptoms - get a test. If you get pinged by NHS test and trace, or otherwise come into close contact with a COVID positive individual, get a test and follow the guidance. Double vaccinated individuals no longer need to self isolate in this situation, but are encouraged to regularly test. Individuals without complete vaccination are still legally required to self isolate when in close contact with COVID - that would mean no LAN if you end up in this boat.
Believe me, I don't want to be writing any of this out, but we don't have a choice here. We want the LANs to come back, but we have to be sensible here - all of us. We know events like this can spread bugs around, and we must do what we can to keep our flock safe.
7th - 10th October 2021
How to book your place at LAN XXXVI -
- Call the Oliver Cromwell Hotel - 01354 602890 - book a room, mentioning that you are booking for the dMw LAN to get the reduced rates (see below).
- Complete THIS FORM. Without this form, you have NOT booked your place at the LAN. If we fill up, someone could still steal your spot if they get this in before you!
The form REQUIRES sign in with a Google account. This lets you to go back and edit your response at any time, just follow the link above and click through to the bit you want to amend.
With your room booked and the booking form completed, you have booked your room! I will add you to the list below!
A few of us are planning to get to the LAN on Wednesday night. Anyone is welcome to join us! This is a SOCIAL ONLY evening, with absolutely no gaming involved. The LAN room will NOT be available until we have set it up on Thursday morning. The LAN itself will start on Thursday afternoon.
The Booking Form
The idea here is to gather as much information as possible, as early as possible. Hopefully this cuts down on the number of forum threads needing to be checked and orders chased up in the build up to the LAN.
Although the form is required to book your gaming place, you do NOT need to answer every question now if you don't want to - there is an option for 'Not sure yet' on the food sign up.
Your food orders will be visible HERE for reference.
If you wish to amend your order, or any other info on the form, please do so by clicking on the link to the form above and editing your response.
The more information we get at sign-up the better, but don't worry at all if you don't know what you want yet. We will chase you down in due time

The LAN
We hope to make it a great weekend for all. Kick off is Thursday afternoon, but don't fret if you can't make it til later! There is stuff going on all weekend.
The Oliver Cromwell Hotel offers:
The Noble Suite - an air conditioned conference room
24/7 access to the suite
dMw control of entry to the suite
Late night bar
Gymnasium
Large indoor swimming pool
Eight-person Jacuzzi
Sauna and Steam room
Room Costs
The hotel offers us the following reduced rates for the LAN -
Double room - £50 per night.
Twin room - £66 per night - this works out as £33 EACH when you share with a mate!
dMw Costs:
LAN ATTENDEES
Supporting Member:- £10 (this has not changed)
Non-Supporting Member:- £25 (this includes an automatic upgrade to Supporting Member status for one year)
SOCIAL ATTENDEES
Supporting Member:- £0 (this has not changed)
Non-Supporting Member:- £12 (this includes an automatic upgrade to Supporting Member status for one year)
Hardware
PC and Monitor - 1 only. Don't forget your power cables!
Keyboard, Mouse, Mousepad.
Joystick, Xbox Controller, etc.
Headphones - no speakers!
Duct tape - to tape your cables down!
Ethernet Cable - Cat6, ideally 3m+ in case you are far from the switch.
Extension cord, preferably a 4-way (

Money - how else will you buy us beer?
There is a bar 10 yards from the LAN room, and a highstreet (with a fine Kebab establishment) 20 yards away.
The hotel gives us a heavily discounted rate on our rooms, and gives us the LAN room for FREE. Please respect the arrangement we have had with them for many years and the relationship we have built. Do not bring in alcohol from outside. There is a bar for that. Snacks and the odd salted seahorse latte from Costa are generally ok, but please bring such things in discretely (i.e. through the door leading directly to the LAN room, not via the public bar), and don't take the proverbial.
*Do not mess with another member's gear.
It might seem funny to screw around with someone's desktop as a joke, but the LAN room is not the place. Things can easily be taken the wrong way.
*Do not smoke in your hotel room, in proximity to it, or near the LAN room.
The hotel has a no smoking policy when in, or in proximity to, the rooms. Ignore this and face a hefty cleaning fee.
*The hotel has a strict no drugs policy, and the right to call the police should they find evidence of drug use on hotel grounds.
The use of such substances in the hotel or grounds is strictly forbidden.
Travel:- we will do our best to arrange pick up and drop off from the major London airports. If you find yourself stuck or simply want to share a lift, post in the travel plans thread.
Seating:- seating details will be released closer to the event.
Please note that we have now included the LAN Disclaimer into the booking form. If you have any questions about this, please get in touch. You have not secured your LAN place until you have accepted the Disclaimer and completed the rest of the booking form it is attached to.
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