Summer Sketching group

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I am considering setting up a local summer sketching group (Plymouth) for July and August, when all the regular art classes close down.  Does anyone have experience of such things and could offer advice, before I go blundering in.  I was thinking of setting up a Facebook group and just advertise time and place.  I suppose it is a bit like organising a rave, except the ravers will be rather slow.  Ideas are welcome.
Just noticed this Linda, and lack of replies! If I were in or near I would love to come. I know there are lots of urban sketching groups around which operate via Facebook. If you for example Google Oxford Urban sketch group you will see what they do. I don’t do FB but have looked at this before with a view to joining.  Good luck. Give it a go. I’m sure it’s the sort of thing that could snowball quite easily, and if not you haven’t lost anything.
I did one for several years .  It snowballed .  Ask around anyone you think might be interested ,settle on a day...same day every time weekly ,monthly or whatever.   Ask for ideas ,think about your places .  Do a bit of research eg  cafes, loos ,parking and what it’s all about for example buildings ,seaside , gardens etc.  Arrange a meeting time and place ,try and stick to the same time every time.if you faf around altering times to suit it just don’t work. If people really want to be there they will.  Try and do a car share  if poss and cut costs . Though drivers get free coffee and a bun. Don’t be disappointed if only two or three turn up ,it happens ,then next time around you have a dozen.  I did most of mine on F B it worked well but some people I just rang and gave details. Hope it gets off the ground it can be good fun and it’s lovely to meet with other artists.  I miss it. So sorry Linda I have only just seen this.  

Edited
by Sylvia Evans

Many thanks Tessa and Sylvia for your positive comments.  I'm having a meeting with another artist this week about it to get the ball rolling.  I don't want to do all the work myself, or let it stop when I'm on holiday.  There are loads of artists locally, though you wouldn't guess from the lack of representation here.
Hello Linda.  I’ve never organised a sketching group but I regularly take part in our local one.  Most important are nearby facilities, toilets are a must and it’s often a good idea to have a cafe or pub nearby.  Some of our most popular outings have been to local country house gardens (not normally ope to the public) when the owner has granted us access sometimes for a donation to their chosen charity.
Thanks Alan.  We have a couple of National Trust properties and a couple of gardens wittering facilities in striking distance as well as a few beauty spots on the moors.  How far do you think that people would be prepared to go?
That’s a decision to be made as a group.   We visited Liverpool about 50 miles away but good exhibitions and of course Ferry cross the Mersey to enjoy. I think trips like that are specials. 
We don’t usually go much more than 20 miles.  With pay to enter venues you can often negotiate a reduced fee or block booking... one of our venues gives us a good discount because we add interest... “people like to watch artists at work”
I go out with the Edinburgh Urban Sketching group occasionally (not as often as I would like as meetings clash with other things) - the vast majority of the meets (which are twice a week - two organisers) are in or near the centre of Edinburgh - there is the very occasional one further afield.   Like others mentioned, our meetings mostly start in a cafe, we then disperse to sketch, then return to same or different venue at a pre-arranged time to look at art work/have lunch/chat.   Lovely group of people and good fun as well as a great opportunity to sketch.  Good luck Linda and hope you get this going and enjoy it.

Edited
by Margaret Nisbet

I think I have started rolling the ball.  My friend and I have sorted out the first 12 venues and the day and time.  All I have to do now is arrange the schedule and publicise it.  Thanks to all for the encouragement.
Sounds like an excellent start Linda! Keep us posted.