Friendly Faces of Warwickshire

What is a Friendly Faces Monthly Social?...
Either read on for a written explanation of the format of this event, or watch this YouTube video that I put together in 2023 when we first started doing them...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st6irM814UM

To the untrained eye this event looks like a pub-crawl, but rather than being about getting drunk (as pub-crawls are) this monthly meetup event instead focuses on the social aspects : getting out there and meeting new people, mingling, and expanding your social circle.
Don't waste your energy trying to find someone you know to come with you - coming alone is perfectly normal and is what 99.9% of attendees do.
The changing of venues helps encourage the mingling upon us, and typically by the end of the evening - each attendee will...
(1) have met most (if not all) of the other attendees present,
(2) feel pretty chuffed about having chatted with a group of nice friendly people and made some cool new connections,
(3) feel like they fit right in,
(4) be checking the diary to see if they can make another event!

If you're driving, or (like me) alcohol isn't your thing, then do as I and any other non-drinkers do, and instead sip on a glass of cordial, coke, or zero beer. There is no pressure to buy drinks. If you decide to skip the bar and just enjoy the social occasion, you certainly wont be judged.

Big Win #1...
Unlike the usual sit-down or stand-still-all-night meetups, this style of event will keep mixing us up as a group every time we change venue, and the mingling will happen automatically as we go with the flow.

Big Win #2...
As a big group of people it will be great fun and a guaranteed laugh watching the bewildered faces of the non-meetup people in the bars as we all walk in the door together and fill the place, and then after an hour or so of meetup chatter - all leave together and empty it again!

Venues...
As you may know there are several cool bars in central Warwick so we wont have to walk far between venues. We'll visit around 3 or 4 venues throughout the evening, and stay close to the Market Square in the town centre.

I'll keep our location-changes communicated as the evening progresses so you can join at any point along the route, but lateness is not recommended. Obviously if you're on time at the start you'll be present for introductions, and you'll get much more out of the evening.
So to start we'll meet in the amazing New Bowling Green garden at 7:30pm and let the socialising commence.
Meet-point here... https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gi4kerViG8FsFJkH8

Click the 'Attend' button now so you don't forget.

Take advantage of the free parking in the Cape Road car park which is free from 6pm on Friday, and its near to where we'll finish the tour.
Car park here... https://maps.app.goo.gl/4JSpR2ZoavrPPNP8A

Very Important Note...
A polite reminder that Friendly Faces events are for meeting new people, networking and expanding social circles. This means positive energy only.
The following 5 rules apply, as a way of safeguarding members from a few things. By attending this and any subsequent events, you agree to abide by them.

1. Friendly Faces events are not dating / singles events. Anyone engaging in persistent or unwelcomed attention towards others (either at an event or afterwards) may be removed from the group.
2. Having respect for others is non-negotiable. Anyone who is disrespectful to others (whether this is directed at members of the group or outsiders) may be removed from the group.
3. Drinking alcohol is normal (and optional) at these events, however our primary focus is on socialising, not on drinking to excess. Anyone being or becoming excessively drunk (or exhibiting drunken behaviour) may be removed from the group.
4. We are all Friendly Faces group ambassadors at the places we visit. Anyone misusing/abusing a venue/location (or the staff or property within it) may be removed from the group.
5. Our encouragement of others to attend more Friendly Faces events benefits us all. However anyone harvesting/sharing phone numbers to promote products, events, or other social groups may be removed from the group.

I feel very proud that members of the Friendly Faces group are known for being so warm and welcoming to each other (and the expectations of first-timers are often exceeded) so good times and happy vibes naturally flow at our events.
With these rules in place and acknowledged we shouldn't need to refer back to them, but we have them and can use them if needed.
With that out of the way - lets do what we do so well, and enjoy these super-sociable group experiences and meeting new people.
If we haven't met you before we are all looking forward to meeting you, and if we have met you before - we're looking forward to seeing you again!

Finally...
Attendees new to the group are always welcome to check out their first event for free as a 'first-timer' to see how we do things, but to find out how to become a paid-subscription Friendly Faces group member, so that you can attend as many as you like, read here...
https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/

Take note that there are two carparks along the "Newbold Terrace E" road, so pay attention to the google link meet point below to make sure you arrive in the right one to begin the hike.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dzobP7nTf4ErFhJr8

Getting there...
If you aren't a driver and would like a lift to and from the starting point, leave a message here on the event page (as soon as you sign up) asking if anyone is kind enough to offer. Do that now, because leaving that question until the last few days before the event is too late.
Don't forget to offer a few pounds to your driver towards petrol money.
If you are a driver and can spare a seat or two in your car (perhaps in exchange for a few pounds in petrol money) you would undoubtedly attain instant hero status.
The meet-point is right on the edge of Leamington town centre, and is x miles away from...
Warwick 3; Kenilworth 6; Coventry 11; Rugby 15; Central Birmingham 29.

Important note about parking...
The carpark is free, but please bear in mind that parking inspectors often scour the carpark looking for anyone who has not parked within the lines of one of the designated spaces, happily sticking fine-notices on any cars not following the rules.
Even if you are in a marked space, but have parked with a wheel just slightly on one of the lines, that's all they need to see - and they will ticket you. Free car parks need to make money somehow, so don't let it be you who pays. You have been warned!

Other things to note...
- Well-behaved dogs ARE allowed 🐶✔️ to attend this walk, but must be kept on a lead. Remember also that some people can be fearful of dogs and hide it well, so please be respectful of that and keep your dog under control at all times.
- Compared to other hiking routes in the huge Friendly Faces library of routes, the terrain for this one is very flat. However, ankle-protecting boots are always recommended to safeguard against unexpected countryside hazards, which could leave you with a sprained ankle (or worse still a broken bone) deep in the countryside and miles away from your car.
When it comes to hiking footwear: function is more important than fashion, and you will see that all other attendees have already sensibly bought theirs.
You will hopefully be attending many more Friendly Faces hikes scheduled into the future, so if you don't own proper walking boots it will be a great investment.

Finally...
So with your imagination wandering at the prospect of this super outdoorsy afternoon going into your diary - hit the attend button now so you don't forget.
Feel free to drop me a message if you have any questions in the meantime.

EVENT SUMMARY / IMPORTANT POINTS:
1. Your first Friendly Faces event is free. This is to give you a feel for who we are and how we do things. After that if you wish to return for another one, becoming an official subscribing group-member is necessary, so read the details here...
https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/

2. This event starts at 1pm. Do not be late! Make sure you arrive early enough to be parked, hiking boots/gear on, and ready at the start point for this time or we may leave without you.

3. To attend this hiking event you must be active, in good health, and free from injury. If you are not all of these things - please remove yourself from the attendees list.

4. Well-behaved dogs (provided they bring well-behaved owners) ARE allowed 🐶✔️ to attend this event.

5. As is always strongly advised : bring (or invest in) some good quality ankle-protecting (and water-proof) hiking boots. Trainers are not recommended for any Friendly Faces hikes. If you chose to ignore this warning then you do so at your own risk.

1. To find out how to become a full Friendly Faces group member, read here... https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/
2. This event starts at 1pm. Do not be late. Make sure you arrive early enough to get parked, and be ready at the start point for this time or we may leave without you.
3. To attend this hiking event you must be physically active, hike-fit, free from injury, and have experience of covering this distance in one go. If you are not all of these things - please remove yourself from the attendees list.
4. Dogs are NOT allowed 🐶❌ to attend this event. This is due to close proximity with farm animals and pathways through farmers land.
5. Due to the uneven terrain, you are advised to wear (or if you don't already own - invest in) some good quality ankle-protecting waterproof footwear for this and the varied subsequent Friendly Faces hikes. Trainers may not protect you from injury - which could bring an unpopular end to the event for everyone, so please be sensible and considerate to others with your choice of footwear.