Nail Patella Syndrome UK - Conference 2007

NPS UK organise a conference every 2 years to keep patients and their families up to date with the latest information on this rare genetic syndrome. The venue was chosen due to its central location to the whole of the UK and is held at The Crowne Plaza, Chester (formerly The Moat House). Their web address http://www.ichotelsgroup.com and you will find all information about the hotel along with the facilities they provide.

If you have recently been diagnosed, this conference is a must, as it has an agenda packed with medical information that you will rarely find out from G.P. Just the experience of meeting many others affected by the same condition and a wide variety of symptoms is something you will never forget. You will also make some truly good friends over the course of the weekend, young and old.

If you would like to attend the 2007 NPS UK conference, please download the DELEGATES FORM and return your completed application to the address shown as soon as possible. Alternatively, you may call or free phone number and we will be happy to post a delegates form to you.

NPS UK will be providing childcare by CRB checked volunteers, for the youngsters for the 11th August 2007. Please contact us as soon as possible if you will be requiring this service, so that we have adequate helpers available.

Detailed below is all the information you need to aid you in booking your stay in and around Chester. We have tried to include everything that you may need to regarding travel and accommodation, but if you need further help with anything at all please feel free to contact us on 0800 121 82 98 or alternatively email us on npsuk_info@yahoo.co.uk and we will gladly be of assistance.

As soon as we have further information to give you we will update the page, so please be sure to check back on a regular basis.

Trains from Manchester International Airport directly to Chester are available but are infrequent. Every 20 minutes there is a train form Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly, Oxford Road or Crewe, where connecting trains to Chester can be found. There is a ticket office at the airport where tickets should be purchased, they will also be able to offer advice if required.

There is no train station at Liverpool Airport however busses and taxis are available to take delegates to Lime Street Station where a direct train to Chester can be found every 30 minutes.

The National Rail Enquiry Helpline is open for up-to-date rail advice +44 08457 48 49 50

Crewe (Cheshire) and Chester are both mainline stations serving the rest of the UK mainland, below are some brief details of travelling times from other areas within the UK.

DESTINATION	JOURNEY TIME
London Euston	2.5 hours
Birmingham	1 hour
Glasgow	3.5 hours
Edinburgh	3.75 hours
Stratford-upon-Avon	3.5 hours
York	2.75 hours
Leeds	1 hour
Manchester Airport	1 hour
Bath	3.5 hours
Southampton	5 hours

Liverpool & Manchester Airports are a 40-minute drive from Chester City Centre (traffic pending). Car hire can be arranged at the airport upon arrival or in advance (for more information please call 01244 405939).

Chester is connected by the M6 travelling north/south and the M56/M53 travelling east/west.

Taxis can be pre-booked for delegates at an approximate cost of £35.00. This is payable in cash to the driver. Cheques, traveller’s cheques and debit cards will not be accepted. Bookings should be made in advance. Most taxis can seat up to 4 passengers however please remember this will be reduced if you have lot of luggage, Chester & Cheshire Conference Desk recommend Abbey Taxis 01244 311804, they are a local company that offer competitive rates.

For British delegates, Chester is easily accessible from all over the country, the following table lists major cities and their distance in miles from Chester:

CITY
London	188 m
Birmingham	81 m
Glasgow	241 m
Edinburgh	239 m
Stratford-upon-Avon	93 m
York	100 m
Leeds	82 m
Manchester Airport	35 m
Bath	149 m
Southampton	222 m

There are two local seaports for visitors who are able to arrive by Passenger & Car Ferry.

Holyhead – brings in visitors from Southern Ireland

Liverpool – brings in visitors from Isle of Man, Northern and Southern Ireland

The Port of Hull is a little over two hours drive away from Chester but offers services from Scandinavia, Holland and Belgium.

Transportation from Seaports can be advised and arranged on delegate’s behalf.

Chester is a small city and most of the hotels recommended are within walking distance of the railway station.
If your hotel is located on the outskirts of the city, taxis are always available outside the railway station. Busses are also available from the train station to the city centre at a nominal charge of approximately £1.00 or FREE with a train ticket.

If there is any further information you require on travelling to or around Chester please contact Chester & Cheshire Conference Desk Direct
+ 44 1244 405939 or www.chesterandcheshire.org

Chester & Cheshire Conference Desk has been appointed to operate an Accommodation Booking Service for delegates attending this conference this year. Below is a choice of hotels in the city where special rates have been negotiated. These rates will not be available by booking direct. You can download the booking form (Adobe pdf-file) here or alternatively call the Chester & Cheshire Accommodation Hotline on 01244 853030.
The city will be very busy during this event so to ensure you are not disappointed, please book early. We hope you enjoy your visit to Chester.

Baba Guesthouse **** B&B
Family run Guest House, most rooms en-suite, hospitality trays and TV's. 0.75 miles from motorway and 0.5 miles from the Chester Railway Station, walking distance to City Centre. Parking on-site. All rooms have colour TV, H&C, tea/coffee. Full English breakfast.

George & Dragon Hotel ***
An imposing listed building built on a Roman site, just a short walk from the City centre. The hotel has 14 en-suite bedrooms all with colour TV and beverage facilities. Food is served all day.

Hamilton Court **** B&B
Hamilton Court is a friendly, family run hotel, catering for families and business guests alike. Situated a short walk from the city centre the hotel has 11 en suite bedrooms, all with hospitality trays & colour TV's. The hotel also has a fully licensed bar.

Stafford Hotel **
The Stafford Hotel is a friendly, medium sized hotel, situated a short walk from Chester City Centre. This Victorian building has been extensively modernised to a high standard, offering ground floor rooms. All rooms are pleasantly decorated with en-suite bedrooms, beverage tray, direct dial telephones, TV, satellite, radios, hairdryers and trouser press. Pre booked off-street parking is available.

The Dene Hotel **
Ideally located one mile from junction 12 off the M53, close to the M56 and one mile from Chester City Centre.
The Dene Hotel offers competitive prices in a sought after location. The hotel offers modern amenities for the business traveller and conference delegate. With 52 en-suite bedrooms and Castra Brasserie the hotel is perfect for the for the smaller residential conference.

Westminster Hotel ***
This City Centre venue is adjacent to Chester railway station. The hotel has recently refurbished their facilities and offers comfortable accommodation at affordable rates. The hotel has limited parking at its sister hotel.

Express by Holiday Inn Chester Racecourse ***
Express by Holiday Inn Chester - Racecourse, located in the grounds of Chester Racecourse and 500yrds from the centre of this historic City.
At the hotel, we offer 97 well appointed en-suite rooms with power showers, satellite TV, direct dial telephone, hair dryer and in house pay movie, the hotel also has a bar, lounge and dining area.

Blossoms Hotel ***
The Blossoms lies at the very heart of the medieval walled city of Chester and features a sweeping staircase, 64 en-suite bedrooms.
The hotel is a traditional Victorian building dating back as far as 1650 and with 2 restaurants it is the ideal venue to accommodate your city centre events.

Queens Hotel ****
This property has recently undergone an extensive bedroom refurbishment and offers delegates quality accommodation ideally located, opposite Chester Train Station. Guests can enjoy a meal in the hotel’s main restaurant for bar snacks in their new bar The Waiting Room. This hotel has free parking for residents.

Mill Hotel ***
Ideally located in the heart of the city centre, The Mill Hotel has on site restaurants, bars and a health club for delegates to enjoy. The hotel only has limited availability and rooms at this hotel do go very quickly.

We have detailed below some useful website links that you may find of interest, if you would prefer budget accommodation.


Travel lodge		Travel Inn

NPS UK Travel Fund NPS UK have a travel fund established so that we may assist any individuals with NPS to travel to the UK conference. Priority will be given to first time attendees along with low income individuals.
If you feel you may require financial assistance, please download the Travel Fund Document and return it to us by 31st Newsletter. Applicants will be informed by 30th June 2007 as to whether they are successful.