Practical Information
- Climate: April in the UK can bring mixed weather, anything from April showers (short but sharp!) to glorious sunshine. Temperature ranges can be 0-18C. Most UK people will be more than happy to talk about the weather. However there is no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing!
For a local 5 day weather forecast, please enter the postcode 'NE1' on the BBC Weather Website.
However, as with all Async symposia the organisers have negotiated perfect weather conditions ...
- Time Zone: British Summer Time (GMT + 1).
- Electricity: standard UK 3 pin plugs and sockets with 240 Volts, 50Hz.
- Internet Access: we will be providing internet access during the conference via wifi with WPA (WEP will not be supported). Details will be provided in the conference packs. The Newcastle University trial EduRoam Service will also be available.
- Internet Access from hotels: We have contacted the hotels listed on the accommodation booking system about internet access.
- Caledonian Hotel - no internet access.
- Holiday Inn Express - internet via modem.
- Premier Inn - Wireless internet.
- Language: English, Dialect: Geordie. (English to Geordie translator & Geordie English Dictionary).
- Currency and Value Added Tax (VAT): the UK national currency is the Pound (£).
The UK has a Value Added Tax called V.A.T (17.5%) that is included in the price of all goods and services. Visitors are entitled to claim this tax back on purchases made over a certain amount, upon or after leaving the country.
- Cash and credit cards: Most retailers accept credit card payments for goods. Some shops may require a transaction to be more than a lower limit (e.g. £5) before they would accept a credit card payment. Cash in pounds is universally accepted. Coins, needed for buying a bus ticket from the driver or Metro ticket from a machine, can be as useful as paper money.
Paper money link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_banknotes
Coins link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_coins#Current_coinage
- Tips: tips in restaurants, hotels and taxis are normally at personal discretion; some restaurants will include a 5-10% service charge, this will be stated on the bill. If there is no service charge then it is polite to leave 5-10% as a tip if you think you have had a good meal and received good service.
- Banks: most high street banks are usually open Monday to Friday 09h00-17h00, and Saturday 09h30-12h00. Some banks open later (09h30 or 10h00) one weekday morning for staff training. However for currency exchange we have normally found Marks and Spencer give good exchange rates.
- Emergency calls: in case of emergency, if you are outside the University campus dial '999' for Police, Ambulance or Fire. If you are on the University campus and are using a University phone dial '6666', which connects you to the University security control room - they will handle calling the relevant emergency services.
- Do you need a UK Visa ?
