Pepper Crescent Cake

If you’re as much a fan of a cool glass of cider on a sunny day as I am then you’ll be glad to hear it’s almost time for SMC 7. Please add Thursday 5th May to your diaries because we’ll be taking over Pepper Crescent between 6 and 8pm for some vaguely geeky socialising.

If the April weather is anything to go by it’ll be sunny and tropical by the 5th May in which case most people will be drinking in the courtyard and scoffing exotic Pepper Crescent cake.

All-comers welcome, just remember to leave your sales pitches and business cards at the office. We do talk about work but all networking is informal. Café events are about putting the social back in the social media.

In the next few minutes I’ll be adding the event to our Facebook page (facebook.com/cheltsocialmediacafe) and, as usual, I’ll be tweeting about it from the @cheltsocmedcafe account using the #SMC7 tag.

If you can’t wait that long for cake and you’re reading this while Pepper Crescent is shut, here’s a great recipe I tried recently for Dutch apple cake.

But enough about the food and drink! Let me paint you a picture of our evening. Topics of conversation included social media strategy, a social media for financial services event that had taken place that day, holiday plans in Sienna, Yogi bear and mankinis as office wear. Of course that’s not an exhaustive account of what went on but I feel it offers a balanced perspective on the event.

Chris and I are considering the possibility of a Christmas special which may also include tapas. As time is now rather short, you may expect updates on this soon!

See you next time!

PS. Don’t forget these events are for putting the social back into social media – no sales pitches required!

You may have noticed that one half of the SMC team has been getting about a bit lately. @solutionmania was part of the organisation team for Cheltenham’s Super Swarm attempt and he turned up for DigiTalks and Jonathan’s Foursquare Forum. He really is the acceptable and sociable face of our Social Media Café!

For my part, I’ve nothing but excuses and the lack of a smart phone to explain my notable absences. On the plus side, I have been tweeting and blogging in a way which I hope is useful and interesting for #GlosBiz people (i.e. our followers – that’s you that is!) I’ll also be showing my face at ‘The Social Network’ on Monday evening (6pm at Cineworld, Brewery Centre) along with a few other ‘usual suspects’.

Just in case you want even more from us we’ve also set a date for the next café event. Whilst I realise it’s unlikely you’re desperate to talk to us and even less likely you’ll want to actually see us, I thought you might want an excuse to eat cake and drink Weston’s cider. I know, you probably don’t really need an excuse but we’re having the event anyway and you’re welcome to come along.

It’s on the 4th November which is a Thursday from 6-8pm at Pepper Crescent.

So, now you know I expect you’ll want to tell all of your friends by tweeting this URL! Thanks. We’ll see you there.

If you’re still not sure the media cafe is for you why not read what some happy Tweeters said about our last gathering?

“Informal, friendly and informative people in relaxed venue.” (@jonnop)

“Had a great night @cheltsocmedcafe – thanks very much for arranging it. Looking forward to the next one. Great choice of cafe!” (@Rich_copy)

“Back from a meeting @cheltsocmedcafe Some interesting chats and several good cups of tea.” (@tingenek)

“Thanks to @cheltsocmedcafe for a great launch event, looking forward to the next one.” (@satoricreative)

“Had a brilliant time @cheltsocmedcafe last night.” (@hojomo)

“Great Twestival good to meet up…” (@jealousdesign)

 “Good to meet up with @jonnop @Rich_copy @tapbusdev @jealousdesign at @cheltsocmedcafe tonight at Pepper Crescent.” (@innov8iveCMS)

“Great night @cheltsocmedcafe with fellow yetis!” (@emmalouisekent)

As you can see, it’s all rather flattering so let’s make the next event just as good or even better!

Linda has asked if we’d like tapas as well as cake – please let us know if you’re interested in this! I can personally recommend the bread, olives, manchego, patatas bravas, empanadas…etc, etc.

As before, a heads up would be welcome but people can also bring guests and turn up at random on the night (like Pip from Superdry did). Hope to see you there!

PS. Details of the event are also listed on our facebook page!

Cake’s a subject dear to my heart, and since first buying some of Vanilla Pod Bakery‘s cupcakes at Cheltenham farmers’ market a few weeks ago, I’ve become a big fan.

Visit www.vanillapodbakery.com to find out more about their delicious cupcakes. Mention this blog when placing your first order to claim your discount

You can also follow @VanillaPodChelt on Twitter

The next step is to find a venue. I’ll be checking out places in Cheltenham over the next few weeks - I’m looking for somewhere with space, flexible seating, coffee (& cake!) and wifi (though a great venue without wifi might be alright if neccessary).

All suggestions are very welcome!