Hey Flufftails!

One of our fun events taking place for the weekend will be a night of karaoke! Be sure to get your vocal cords ready to sing some tunes!

If you want to see what songs will be available, a song sheet is provided.

Cannot find a particular song you'd like to sing on the night? Do not fret! You can get in touch with @Greskilvulf, provide him the song/artist and he can do his best to find what you're looking for and add it to the list in time for Wild North!

Looking forward to it!

~Twizell

Trains (again!) 🚊

Advance train tickets are now on sale right through to Haltwhistle. If you haven’t yet bought your train tickets, you may wish to buy them soon.

If you’re joining us for the Beamish after-con trip, please note that the nearest stations are Chester-le-Street and Durham.

Oh, and remember your Railcards!

Hey Flufftails,
I’d like to announce that the charity we are supporting this year is a dog and cat rescue organization based in the North East called Stray Aid.
They work to rescue, reunite or rehome the lost, abused, abandoned or unwanted dogs and cats found on the streets in the North East of England.

Donations will be welcome over the weekend, and a couple of charity representatives will join us for a Meet the Charity event on Sunday Morning to let you know more about their work.
If you wish to know more, here’s a link to their website: https://strayaid.org.uk/

Looking forward to seeing you all at Wild North, and here’s hoping we can raise a good sum together to help these guys out!

~Twizell

Hello Flufftails

Just to remind people that if you have registered and haven't paid yet, you have until Saturday the 27th of August.

By the way, we have one person looking to transfer their reg. If you'd like to buy their reg, please email us at wildnorthuk@gmail.com.

The Wild North Team

Hey Flufftails!
The Wild North Kubb Tournament is returning this year!
For those unfamiliar with Kubb, it’s an old Viking lawn game of knocking down your opponent's towers before finishing the king. (Here's a link with a quick rule overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtqVqrcVgVY )

This is a team event, and we're asking interested people to sign up ahead of the con.
We need at least four teams of three players, and yes, fursuiters can play and are actively encouraged! (Though we do have a limit of one suiter per team.)
So gather your raiding party, pillage your enemies' towers and topple the king!
Email us at wildnorthuk@gmail.com or message @Tyde_Ratmeat with team sign-ups and we'll get you on the roster. We look forward to some interesting team names!

Let’s see your battle skills!

~Twizell

Hey Flufftails,

We are pleased to reveal the schedule for Wild North 2022 is online: https://wildnorth.uk/event-schedule/

We'll be sure to let you know of any updates, but for now, let us know which event you're looking forward to.

~Twizell

Hey Flufftails!

This year at Wild North, we ask the age-old question… Do furries have talent?

Husk will attempt to find an answer to this query with the Furries Got Talent show!

So if you like to sing, shake your tail or have another talent you’d like to showcase for us, now’s the time to step up and show us your stuff!

Even if you don’t have a talent, why not pretend you do and attempt it by making it as funny as possible?

If you want to take part, sign-ups are here https://forms.gle/vBCbBtJfGkS2nyTR6

If you have any questions, message @HuskBoio for more details.

Show us what you got!

~Twizell

Final call for registration and payment for Wild North 2022. This will close at 11.59pm tonight, Saturday 27th August.
 
If there are any issues with your registration, please email us at wildnorthuk@gmail.com    

By the way, we have one person looking to transfer their reg. If you'd like to buy their reg, please email us. 

Hey everyone,

We want to remind all those who are attending that the health of you and others are still important.

If you can get vaccinated for COVID and haven't had two doses + booster, please do so by 9th September to build up the 14 day Immunity.

If you wish to wear a mask to protect others, you are free to do so. Please respect others who are wearing masks.

Thank you,
The Wild North Team

Hello Flufftails!

There are a bunch of things to let you know:

1. Please inform us of any dietary requirements, including food allergens, vegan/vegetarian, and intolerances that you may have. This can be done through your registration or by emailing us before Friday 2nd September.

2. Speaking of food, we will be arranging takeaway for the evening dinner on Sunday evening. Haltwhistle has a selection of takeaway venues from Fish & Chips to Indian and Chinese. Please note that this is an additional cost.

3. Be sure you've settled on what rooms you want to be in on your registration, the deadline will be Friday 2nd September.

4. The final date for submitting photos for your conbadge is Friday 9th September, be sure to email us with the image/photo you'd like and your furry name.

~Twizell

Hello Flufftails!

For those attending but need public transport, @FurrySnowLeopard has set up a spreadsheet to help with sharing vehicles for the journeys to and from Featherstone Castle:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MzYKvVQvkK-AwzKlardmKxIgMcG9fYuaTdBF2eqEnQY/edit#gid=0

It's also linked to a map found here:

Drivers, feel free to write down how many seats you can offer and where you will be driving from. We will be around to answer questions you may have.

It's also linked to a map found here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&hl=en&mid=1WdAhZBkSYXsSRB9yB4feLbsSkdwvaLo&ll=54.24655020161035%2C-4.052545832606969&z=5

Thank you!

~Twizell

Wild North 2022 - Pre Arrival Newsletter

There are two weeks until Wild North 2022 gets underway. To make sure everyone is prepared, here are a few things to remember. We realise there is lots of info here, but we feel it’s important to share this before you arrive.

Proof of Age
Wild North is an 18+ event, as agreed with our venue and insurers. Anybody found to be under 18 will need to leave the venue at their own expense. To make your check-in as easy as possible (and possibly save yourself a long trek home from a remote location), please bring some government-approved proof of age. This must show your name, photograph, and date of birth, and these details must match your registration.

This can be:
- Passport
- Driving Licence (full or provisional)
- Any card with the Home Office PASS logo
- Government-issued ID card

There is still time to apply for any of these documents. You can get a passport using the one-week Fast Track service, or the Online Premium service (minimum 2 days’ notice).

We cannot accept documents like birth certificates, college cards, or bus passes.


COVID-19
Our COVID-19 guidance is here: https://wildnorth.uk/covid-19/ 

Once again, we expect and encourage all of our attendees to have completed a full course of vaccination, unless medically exempt.

We also encourage everyone to take a COVID test before arrival. You do not need to report test results to staff.

If you test positive, or you are too unwell to do your normal daily activities, do not travel to the event. 


What to bring
- Proof of age
- Bedding, sleeping bag or blanket
- Warm clothes
- Toiletries (e.g. toothpaste, soap, shampoo)
- Towels
- Cash for Sunday takeaway and for Trading Post
- Spending money for Beamish - admission (£21), food and gifts
- Snacks and drinks (optional)

The nearest shops and facilities are in Haltwhistle, 4 miles away (10 min drive). Therefore, please try and bring what you need when you first arrive. Someone may offer you a lift back to the shops, but this cannot be guaranteed.

Please note that all food (except the Sunday takeaway) is provided and is included in your registration fee. You may bring a few extra items if you wish, but the group food gets priority fridge space.


Address
Featherstone Castle
Hall Bank
Featherstone
Haltwhistle
Northumberland
NE49 0JG


Arrival time
3pm
This is when we get actual access to the castle building. If you're driving, you can arrive slightly earlier. But if you're here significantly early, you likely won't be allowed in, and we may not even be there ourselves!


Pick-up from Haltwhistle – Friday 23 September
To coincide with the following trains:

Carlisle: depart 1355, arrive 1423
Newcastle: depart 1340, arrive 1434
Pickup shortly after: 1434

Carlisle: depart 1454, arrive 1522
Newcastle: depart 1433, arrive 1527
Pickup shortly after: 1527

Carlisle: depart 1552, arrive 1620
Newcastle: depart 1540, arrive 1632
Pickup shortly after: 1632

Carlisle: depart 1622, arrive 1652
Newcastle: depart 1623, arrive 1713
Pickup shortly after: 1713

There are other trains in-between these times. If you take one of these, wait for the next pickup.

We will wait for minor train delays between Newcastle and Carlisle. For longer delays, you may need to wait for the next pickup.


Disclaimer
All attendees will need to sign a liability disclaimer on arrival, before they can take part in Wild North 2022. And yes, this includes staff. This is for insurance and safety purposes. You can read the disclaimer here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=18UpiHJfWEbGKQQvnNljJsPyQkuBoVYc7


Heating
The larger bedrooms (Tanngrisnir, Tanngnjostr, Arvakr and Alsvin) are centrally heated. Other bedrooms have wall-mounted radiators. The event spaces have fireplaces.

Even so, remember we are in a 13th Century castle in northern England in autumn. Nights in particular can get chilly, and we cannot guarantee that everywhere will be warm. So please be prepared to keep warm.

Mobile phone coverage
We are in a rural location, so mobile phone coverage cannot be guaranteed. Signal is stronger outside. When inside the castle walls, signal may be weak or non-existent. Please bear this in mind, and consider downloading large files before you depart.

In an emergency (by which we mean an immediate danger to life), if you cannot use your mobile phone to call 999, please find a staff member. We have access to an emergency phone line.


Noticeboard
Daily on-site updates will be shared via our noticeboard. This will be placed in a prominent location each morning (such as the Blue Room).


Takeaway
Orders will close at 2pm on Sunday 25th.  Your order must be written down, and payment made, before this time. Ordering sheets and menus will be available beforehand, most likely in the Gun Room. Please listen to announcements, or check the noticeboard for more information.

We aim for the food to arrive by 7pm on the Sunday, but because we are placing large orders, we are dependent on the takeaways, and how quickly they can serve us. 

We will try our best to get the order right, but we cannot be held responsible for any error by the takeaways themselves.

You do not have to order takeaway, and other food will be available at the kitchen. 

Our preferred payment method is cash. We will do our best to give change. 


Trading Post
If you’d like to take part, please see Tyde on the day.

We suggest bringing cash for the Trading Post before you arrive on Friday. Traders may be unable to take card payments, particularly if mobile phone signal is poor.


Departure time
11am - Monday 26 September


Lift to Haltwhistle – Monday 26 September 
Depart Featherstone at: 1045
To Newcastle: depart 1122, arrive 1222
To Carlisle: depart 1114, arrive 1146

Before this time, our team will be involved with teardown. Someone else may be able to offer you a lift.


[Cancelled] Industrial action on Monday 26 September
Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the TSSA trade union has cancelled its planned rail industrial action (strike) on Monday 26 September (our departure day). Train services are expected to run normally on that day.


Any questions?
Please contact us, preferably by email. We cannot guarantee that a Telegram post will be read. The address is wildnorthuk@gmail.com

See you soon,
The Wild North team

Hello Flufftails!

To all of our attendees who wish to spend time at the Beamish Open Air Museum on Monday. Please note, Beamish now require timeslot bookings so it's a little different than last time.

As we plan to arrive at 12pm, we are required by the museum to pre-book our tickets. This is done so they can manage the flow of visitors in the morning.

Entry timeslots are free and separate to entry into the museum. Unless you already have a membership with Beamish, you'll also need an Unlimited Pass (which gives you entry to the museum for an entire year) which you can buy online or when you arrive.

You can book for the 26th here: https://beamish.digitickets.co.uk/availability/

Look forward to seeing you there!

~Twizell

Hey Flufftails!

Just to remind everyone that we're still looking for attendees to sign up for the Kubb Tournament.

This is a team event, and we're asking interested people to sign up ahead of the con.

We need at least four teams of three players, and yes, fursuiters can play and are actively encouraged! (Though we do have a limit of one suiter per team.)

Email us at wildnorthuk@gmail.com or message @Tyde_Ratmeat with team sign-ups and we'll get you on the roster.

~Twizell

Hello Flufftails!

As we are now one week away, it's time to let you know what the meals will be available over the weekend.

Friday:
Evening meal will be Curry and Rice, with a choice of chicken or quorn, as well as chilli flakes for those who want some spice.

Breakfast (Saturday to Monday):
Cereal and Toast will be available in the dining hall.
Cooked breakfast items (which include sausages, bacon, fried tomatoes, fried mushrooms, baked beans, and scrambled eggs) will be served from 8am to 9am. Orders will need to be made to and collected from the kitchen.

Saturday:
Lunch will be Twizell's Toasties, with your choice of fillings.

Evening will be a BBQ, with chicken, burgers, hotdogs, along with vegetarian options.

Sunday:
Lunch will be Make-Your-Own Wraps.

Evening will be Takeaway Meals from local businesses in Haltwhistle. The staff will arrange orders with the Fryery (Fish 'n Chips), Zaki Indian, and Lucky Palace Chinese. Menus will be provided at the venue.
This is optional and orders will need to be made to the Wild North staff before 2pm. We recommend attendees to bring cash beforehand to make the order process as straightforward as possible.

Attendees can use the kitchen for appliances like the kettle and microwave if they wish to prepare their own food, but the kitchen team have priority use of the kitchen. We simply ask that you leave it clean and tidy for the volunteer kitchen team when it comes time for preparing meals.

Have a good weekend!

~Twizell

Hello Flufftails,

It's almost time for us to meet at Featherstone Castle, so I thought I'd remind you of what you'll need to bring when you arrive on Friday.

What to bring:
- Proof of age
- Bedding, sleeping bag or blanket
- Warm clothes
- Toiletries (e.g. toothpaste, soap, shampoo)
- Towels
- Cash for Sunday takeaway and Trading Post
- Spending money for Beamish - admission (£21), food and gifts
- Snacks and drinks (optional)

The nearest shops are in Haltwhistle, roughly 10-minutes away by car. An attendee may be able to give you a lift. However, we advise you to bring what you need for the four days.

All meals (apart from the takeaways on Sunday evening) will be provided.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

~Twizell

Hey Flufftails!

Do you like swords? Do you like medieval combat? I know I do!

Sign-ups are now open for the swordplay classes @Longswordfencer will be hosting during Wild North.

So if you want to sign up to take part in one of these classes and learn some swordsmanship from a dragon choose a slot in the link below.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HL0rmUaSPU9MdTkY3MyVaAFzKJLXWWfh3X1K_9bROss/edit?usp=sharing

~Twizell

Hello Flufftails!

We still have trading spaces free at the Trading Post, Wild North’s version of the Dealers Den!

If you are an artist, a crafter or even a dragon who would like to de-clutter their plushy hoard or their extensive pin collection, we have FREE spots for you to set up shop between 2pm - 6pm in the Gun Room. You don't need to pay a penny to sell your wares, just let us know you would like to trade and bring your things/sketchpad! Don’t worry if you are not able stay and trade for the whole 4 hours, we are happy to have you join us for as much as you feel comfortable with.

If you are interested in trading, please let me know and I’ll keep you updated, you have until Sunday Morning to sign up.

We are also pleased to announce that this year we will also have a stall to support this year's charity Stray Aid where all proceeds will go straight to the charity.

A note to all attendees! Due to the lack of internet, we are recommending attendees bring cash to pay for the shiny wares on offer. Change is always appreciated, it's a good time to spend those pre-lockdown coins!

~Twizell