Dear Wiki colleagues,

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”

Following recent Wikipedia training events & the LTW all staff event at the University of Edinburgh, I’d like to extend the invitation to you to join the Wiki social meets in Edinburgh and Glasgow next week.

About the meetups.

It will be a social gathering for Wikimedia enthusiasts, where we…

· Have a bite to eat and a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic!).

· Chat about Wikipedia and any other topics we fancy!

· Explore how we can encourage others to engage with Wikipedia and arrangements for future Wiki meetups.

This is mainly a casual social event and is an open invitation to anyone interested in finding out more about Wikipedia, other Wikimedia projects, projects re-using Wikipedia, and other collaborative wiki projects.

A Wikipedia Social Event in Edinburgh - Come say hi!

Edinburgh - Thursday 14th July 5.30-8pm @ The Jolly Botanist – Click here for more details & to confirm your attendance.

The Jolly Botanist is a family friendly gin bar and dining room which is extremely accessible via train for those travelling from outside the city via Haymarket station, and via bus for Edinburgh residents. It offers food, drinks (tea, coffee & alcoholic beverages), and WiFi and should give us plenty of room to meet and have a chat after work!

From its website:

“The Jolly Botanist, located in the West End at Haymarket – voted “Best new Pub 2015”. With an old Victorian style interior, the bar has a very welcoming & distinctive feel. While you are working through all the gins we have on offer, why not try our food menu which has a range of beautiful main meals, snacks & fantastic sharing platters.

The Jolly Botanist extends his warmest welcome to YOU, in Edinburgh-Haymarket’s newest dining room and intoxicating liquor emporium! Scouring the globe for rare botanicals and extraordinary liqours, our bewinged and exquisitely suited explorer The Jolly Botanist has returned to offer rare and experimental delights for the demanding paletes of his many patrons. Here, thirsty travellers will discover one of Edinburgh’s most vast and illustrious selections of gins, whiskeys and cock–tails. And for those in need of hearty sustenance, we have procured the finest flavours from the land and sea, prepared with absolute distinction, and designed to excite even the most critical tongue! So come. Experience first-hand the Jolly Botanist, in all his intriguing and gastronomic glory!“

ALTERNATIVELY – for those based in or near Glasgow (or fancy a jaunt through on the weekend)

A Wikipedia Social Event in Glasgow - Come say hi!

Wiki social meet - Glasgow 16th July 4pm @ The CCA

Location of Wiki meetup @ 4pm: CCA Terrace (upstairs) cafebar, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD.

CCA blurb: “CCA: Centre for Contemporary Arts is Glasgow’s hub for the arts. Our year-round programme includes cutting-edge exhibitions, film, music, literature, spoken word, festivals, Gaelic and performance. At the heart of all activities is the desire to work with artists, commission new projects and present them to the widest possible audience. Previously home to The Third Eye Centre (1975-1991), the building is steeped in history and the organisation has played a key role in the cultural life of the city for decades. We operate a unique open source programming policy where we offer organisations and individuals space in the building to programme their own events. In 2015-16, CCA worked with 244 programme partners across 1,011 events and 28 festivals.

In April 2015, CCA won the award for Best Cultural Venue in The Glasgow Awards highlighting the quality of the impressive programme presented by the venue and its partners. This broad and experimental programme encourages a diverse audience to experience the arts, with 334,511 admissions to the venue in the past year…. Entrance to all our exhibitions and many events is free. In 2015, we launched our public engagement programme which aims to extend access to CCA and has – at its heart – the prospect of cultural and social change explored through art. In 2015-16, 60 activities took place in CCA and in communities throughout Glasgow, reaching 2,238 participants. Saramago Café Bar (downstairs) offers a relaxed environment and a great menu during the day as well as lively place to hang out in the evenings. Free wi-fi is available throughout the building. Independent shops Aye-Aye Books and Welcome Home are located in the entrance area, offering a wide range of publications, craft and design to take home. CCA is supported by Creative Scotland, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.“

Optional Activity - Take in the Glasgow School of Art tour

“Mackintosh at the GSA Tour: Join our daily hour-long tours to visit our collection of original Charles Rennie Mackintosh furniture. View rare artwork by Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, back on display as part of the daily tour.” Let me know asap if you would like to attend this as places on the tours need to be booked in advance. Cost: £8

Not sure what it’s all about? Feel free to bring a friend along.

NB: No prior Wikipedia experience is necessary for attending either of these meets. It really is open to all and newcomers are very welcome. BUT if you would like to have a go prior to the meet then there is a fun tutorial called ‘The Wikipedia Adventure’ you can try at home which is very straightforward to use & explains everything you need to know to get started (taking about 45 mins-1 hour to complete). Recommended.

Try 'the Wikipedia Adventure'.

Hoping the weather will be nice as both venues can be exceedingly pleasant suntraps.

Hopefully see you there!

Cheers,

Ewan

Ewan McAndrew
Wikimedian in Residence

Tel: 07719 330076
Email: ewan.mcandrew@ed.ac.uk
Working hours are 2.5 days per week, usually Monday, Tuesday & Thursday.
Wikipedia Project Page for the residency: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:University_of_Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh, Learning, Teaching & Web Services, Hugh Robson Building, 15 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD.
www.ed.ac.uk