I would say that's true enough: incrementally, getting editors to treat other editors onwiki as colleagues, rather than scolding them as a matter of course, is helped by meeting them IRL. And for that a range of events is a plus. Not all held in pubs, given that many editors are under drinking age, or otherwise not comfortable with the setting.

It's that time of year for New Year's Resolutions, and no doubt we should all make some and mean them. I think the WMUK Board could ponder their communications and outreach strategy in that light. "Editor retention" has a fair bit to do with _how_ people get involved in the projects (with what aims, what background and preparation, in particular). 

It's a big discussion actually, but if Chris feels the chapter's work is somehow disconnected from onwiki stuff, then it should be gone over in detail. (Examples that come to mind are the localisation issues around a couple of prominent ideas that have come from outside the UK.)

Charles