During the event, we asked for reports of problems which we used alongside some other issues to provide detailed feedback to Leicester University Conference Services after BiCon was over. We were finally offered a considerable discount to our final bill which we have now accepted. They also promised to take our feedback on board see that the issues are fixed in future.

We will be using some of that money to offer partial refunds as compensation to those of you affected by the problems and will be emailing the attenders affected by issues that we know about with this sometime over the next week.

Attenders being offered refunds will have the following choices:

All comments will be read but – depending on their content – may not be published immediately. If you have something you'd like to tell us entirely privately, the email addresses will continue working for the foreseeable future.

Thank you, and see you in the capable hands of next year's team in 2012!

We've had a phonecall from the venue just this morning confirming that there will be dishcloths and tea-towels in the flats. However, as ever, I'd also recommend bringing at least one tea-towel along between your flatmates as just the one gets pretty horrid after 3-4 days!

So with a reminder of the how to get to BiCon page I sign off until I am on-site later tonight.

From 9am tomorrow (Thurs 1st Sept) the 0845 287 2044 and 0116 298 5730 telephone numbers will both be sent to the BiCon desk phone for anyone who needs to contact the team urgently. Please only call us if it's essential as we have to pay for some of those call costs.

See you at BiCon!

Natalya – on behalf of the BiCon team

There is wired internet access in the accommodation for which you will need to bring an RJ45 Ethernet cable. You can pick up the password and access details at the BiCon info desk.

The Stamford House and Dining Room spaces should have wireless internet. Set-up details will be provided at BiCon.

• Where to find food from nearby shops and takeaways
• Local area info including banks, opticians, pharmacies etc
• Sources of assistance including GPs, dentists, walk in centre and A&E as well as some useful helpline numbers
• Useful info for first timers
• Session descriptions & facilitator bios
• Information about exhibits and entertainments
• and some site maps and building plans

You are more than welcome to bring things for the dressing up box, but please be aware that all items are left there at their owners own risk. It might be best not to bring your great-aunt’s two foot length of antique pearls if you don’t want to run the risk of it being tangled or damaged!

Hope you all have fun at the Ball, and we’ll see you on the dancefloor!

I say Pre-BiCon because there will be changes and indeed opportunities for additions to the schedule in the run up to, and during BiCon.

If I have scheduled you as a facilitator in two things at once, or you see something really silly please do email me on sessions@bicon2011.org.uk as we have a few days before this goes to print.

However, it is impossible to make schedule changes if there are clashes against other sessions you would like to attend (unless you told me in advance and I've screwed up) as I have had to work round many facilitators' and session-room availability as well as doing my best to make the schedule balancing overall (no one likes mornings shocker!).

The venue has confirmed that each kitchen will be supplied with a basic set of:

Per person
Dinner plate
Side plate
Breakfast bowl
Mug
Glass
Knife, fork, spoon, teaspoon

Per flat
3 saucepans
Can opener
Fish Slice
Wooden spoon
Slotted spoon
Measuring Jug
Big & little knife

We are really very pleased with this because most BiCon venues don't provide any of this and we were sure until recently that people would have to bring their own or live on takeaway and pot noodles, so we are quite happy to accept thanks, praise and chocolate…

If you are an observant person or a drinker you will have noticed some things the list doesn't contain, including corkscrews, a frying pan or a colander (I'm sure I'm not the only person who finds it hard to drain pasta with a saucepan lid). You are very welcome to bring any additional utensils you feel you might need, as long as you take them away again as otherwise we will be charged for clearing the flats up.

And of course we'll also be charged for any equipment that gets broken or goes missing, so we'll be asking people at BiCon to let us know if that happens.

In the mean time do let your friends know about this so they know not to bring the kitchen sink (sorry). And we'll see you at BiCon!

We ask that each one of you (whether a first timer or someone who is returning to BiCon) takes the time to read 2011's redrafted code of conduct before BiCon itself. It is the equivalent of 2 A4 pages of 12 point text (just over 1100 words including headers) and there is also a 6 and a half minute MP3 version for anyone who would prefer to listen to it being read out at the top of the page. It will be sent out to each registered attender shortly before BiCon and copies will be displayed at BiCon itself.

Regardless of whether you have read or listened to the Code of Conduct, when you complete your registration for BiCon by signing for your pass you will be signing to say that you agree to abide by it.

We the organisers want everyone to have a safe and happy time at BiCon and we hope the Code of Conduct helps to make this possible for everyone.

We have only heard about two babies who might be attending, which is not enough demand for a professional crèche, so there won't be one this year.

We are still very keen that people with children should be able to attend BiCon, so we have some options in place which we hope will help:

• Under 13s are still welcome to attend BiCon with a responsible adult, and attend non age restricted parts of the event, including sessions and social spaces. Some sessions and the craft space will be ideal for children with their adult.
• There will be an upstairs room available which parent can use to either care for their own children or leave their child with a carer who they bring with them such as a relative or friend. We cannot let parents leave their children in this room unattended.

Unfortunately the childcare space we have available is only accessible by stairs and there is no lift. If this is likely to cause you any difficulties please contact us.

We will register all children as attenders, so each will have a pass issued to them. So if you are planning to bring a child with you, or if you have any questions, please contact us at info@bicon2011.org.uk.