Dear WFNMC2006 Delegate,

We are looking forward to meeting you all in Cambridge in 2 weeks' time.

Please make use of the maps and information available on the conference website info page.

On the afternoon of 22 July we will have a mini-bus travelling back and forth from the train station and bus station in Cambridge to the college, and will do what we can to meet those who need to be met. However, if a group of delegates arrives together, it will definitely be quicker and easier if they take a taxi (to Robinson College, Grange Road).

On 22 July, the conference office will be manned. Should you wish to warn us that you are approaching Cambridge, or are waiting at the train station or the bus station, please phone the conference office on 01223 339131. (Public phones now often require phone cards: those phones that do take coins are likely to charge 30p for a local call.)
 

We will then have to contact the mini-bus (which may be already committed for 20+ minutes). Moreover, Cambridge traffic can cause substantial delays. So please be patient.

In an emergency it is the always possible to contact the Porters' Lodge at Robinson College, which is staffed 24 hours a day (+44 (0)1223 339100). But please remember time differences, and do not encourage friends or colleagues to use this as a 'secretarial service'. Porters should be able to pass on a message to the conference organisers during the day, but remember that it can be awkward to locate conference delegates - especially out of hours.

We are in the process of producing the conference booklet purely for the use of other delegates. We intend to include all delegates' names, affiliations and e-mail addresses. If anyone wishes any of their details to be suppressed, they must inform me immediately.

The conference begins as delegates arrive. After they have showered and settled in, we hope they will come by the conference office, allow themselves to be arranged in groups of 4 or so, and set off to explore the neighbourhood in a mildly mathematical spirit on our light-hearted 'Maths Trail' around Cambridge. This is completely informal and does not have a fixed start time - so it is impossible to be 'late'! Those who set off on the 'trail' later in the afternoon will be given a shortened version. The purpose is simply to help you get to know your physical surroundings while also getting to know some other delegates, and preparing for Robin Wilson's talk on Sunday.

Supper on Saturday will be at 18.45; but it is self-service and will run on to around 19.45. The Presidential Address begins at 20.00. If you expect to arrive after 19.30 or so, please let me know your arrival time now, and I will see what I can do to have something kept on one side.

The main lecture theatre is fully equipped, but laptops are not provided: if you need a laptop for your talk, please bring your own.

There is Internet access in most rooms, with 'Ethernet cable connection'; those who need more than brief e-mail access are encouraged to bring their own laptop and cable (though we are told that it is possible to purchase Ethernet cables on site). There will also be two computers set up for delegates to use for short periods during the breaks for personal e-mail.

Parking in the roads around the college is free. Though spaces are often few, there may well be places within reasonable distance of the college since it is out of term time. There is also plenty of college parking space 5+ minutes walk away at Wilberforce Road Athletics Ground; but for this you will need a permit - available by e-mail from me in advance, or from the WFNMC conference office on arrival.

Each day begins with 'problem refinement'. We have done our best to arrange delegates into mixed groups - largely of their own choosing. The success of these sessions depends on delegates taking part in the right spirit and showing genuine commitment to their allocated group. (We are of course open to suggestions for adjustments; but we will be very reluctant to make changes.) The output of each group each day will be posted for all to enjoy - and a version will be circulated to all delegates after the conference. We hope to award daily prizes.

Wishing you all a safe journey and a highly successful conference.

Tony Gardiner <a.d.gardiner:bham.ac.uk>

Chair, Organising Committee WFNMC 2006

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