Transport and travel information
The Open University central campus is located at Walton Hall in Milton Keynes, midway between London and Birmingham, and Oxford and Cambridge. The OU is sited on the South East side of Milton Keynes, close to junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.
By Train
The University is about four miles from Milton Keynes Central station, on the London (Euston) to Birmingham line. MK Central is an Intercity stop. Trains are frequent and the journey time from Euston varies between 35-60 minutes. A taxi rank is located just outside the train station (journey time to the OU around 10 minutes). It is strongly recommended that you take the train if possible, as parking spaces at the University (Walton Hall) will be very limited and cannot be guaranteed during regular University hours. If you are intending to travel by car please ensure that you arrive before 8.30am. Please note that parking regulations apply on campus.
By Car
From M1, Junction 14: Follow signs for Milton Keynes, taking A509 to first roundabout (Northfield roundabout). Take first left A5130 signposted to Woburn Sands for two miles. At next roundabout (Kingston roundabout) with BP garage on left, take third exit signposted A5/ Aylesbury/ Dunstable/ Walnut Tree/ Universities. Go straight over the next roundabout (Walnut Tree). At the following roundabout (Walton), turn right, the first left for the East entrance to the campus. The main reception is located in the Berrill Building.
From M1, Junction 13: Follow signs for Milton Keynes, taking A421 for 3 1/2 miles to the Kingston roundabout. Take second exit onto Groveway (H9), signposted A5/Aylesbury/Dunstable/Walnut Tree/Universities. Go straight over the next roundabout (Walnut Tree).At the following roundabout (Walton), turn right, then first left for the East entrance to the campus. The main reception is located in the Berrill Building.
Taxi companies: Skyline Taxis 01908 222111; MK Taxis 01908 585656
A minibus service will operate between the OU and Kents Hill Park/Hilton on both days of the meeting, at the following specified times:
Thursday 30 May, 7.30am - 9.00am
Thursday 30 May, 5.00pm - 7.30pm (last service will depart the OU at 7.15pm)
Friday 31 May, 8.00am - 9.30am
Friday 31 May, 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Accommodation
Accommodation has been arranged at special discounted rates for delegates with Kents Hill Park Centre, located on Timbold Drive (opposite the OU), a few minutes walk from the campus. Please contact Accenture directly with respect to any booking or accommodation enquiries. We regret that we are unable to provide delegates with details of additional accommodation, and cannot take responsibility for ensuring availability of accommodation at short notice.
Kents Hill Park Reservations: 01908 358099
Reference: Dementia Symposium (OU)
Contact name: Kayleigh Bullock
E-mail: reservations@kentshillpark.com
Website: Kents Hill Park
Should you require alternative accommodation, please call the MK Accommodation line on 0844 8009694.
Meeting locations and exhibits
All scientific sessions and keynote presentations will take place in the main building (Berrill Auditorium), accessible from the foyer/mezzanine via the main reception entrance. Exhibits will also be located in the mezzanine outside the entrance to the auditorium.
Registration and enquiries
The registration desk is located in the entrance foyer on the first floor of the Berrill building. Registration will be open from 8.00am until 11.00am and from 1.00pm to 4.00pm on both days of the event. The telephone number for main OU visitor’s reception is 01908 653000 and the main OU switchboard is 01908 274066 (available during normal office hours, 9am-5pm). For urgent calls outside normal hours, please contact the Security Office at the OU on 01908 653666. Delegates are requested to register on arrival, and to collect their conference materials, and badge. Conference badges must be worn for the duration of the meeting, and for the evening reception on 30 May.
Refreshments and lunch venues
Morning and mid-afternoon refreshments (teas, coffees and biscuits) will be available on the ground floor of the Berrill building on both days of the meeting. A Pimms and soft drinks reception will be held in this area on the evening of 30 May, and is also included as part of registration. Please note however, that delegates will need to make their own arrangements for lunch. There are several outlets on campus (in the Berrill Café (sandwiches), and the main Hub Cafeteria Complex (sandwiches, salads and hot food)), where lunch can be purchased. Please refer to the map of the OU campus, or ask a member of the administrative staff who will be happy to offer guidance on directions.
Symposium Dinner
We are delighted to announce that Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE, Professor of Synaptic Pharmacology at Oxford University, Director of the Oxford Institute for the Future of the Mind and former Director of the Royal Institution of Great Britain will be speaking on "the challenges and impact of dementia research" at the symposium dinner on 30 May. Please note that dinner is not included in the registration. Dinner reservations will need to be pre-booked separately. There is a cost of £50 per head associated with this, payable by cheque at the registration desk on 30 May. We are restricted in the number of places we can allocate for dinner and unfortunately, unable to accept cancellations after 17 May. If you would like to attend the dinner and have already indicated this when registering for the symposium, the administrative team will be contacting you to confirm your reservation. If you would like to attend the dinner, but have not informed us, please do so at the earliest opportunity, before 17 May, by emailing us at dementia2013@open.ac.uk.
Audiovisual arrangements
Please be aware that all symposium presentations will be audio and video-recorded, as part of a resource that will be associated with this meeting, and made publicly available on open access websites and/or by other means. Questions from the floor and general discussions will also be recorded as part of the symposium proceedings. Please contact a member of the administration team should you have any specific queries.
Photography and filming
Photography and filming are prohibited during any of the scientific sessions, unless specific permission has been sought in advance from the local organiser.
Mobile phones
Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off (this also includes vibration and silent modes) whilst in the Berrill auditorium, as the signal will cause interference with electronic audio-visual recording equipment.
Storage of luggage and cloakroom
Light luggage and coats may be left in a designated area of the Berrill building, accessible by a member of the administrative staff. Please notify the registration desk if you need to store luggage, and a member of the administration team will be happy to assist you. A ticket will be issued for each item requiring storage. Coat racks are also provided outside the auditorium for standard Items of clothing (coats/jackets). All items are left at the owner’s risk. Please do not bring large items of luggage into the auditorium.
Disabled access and elevators
All venues at the Open University have disabled access. Elevators are in operation between the foyer/mezzanine, upper and ground floors of the Berrill building, and access to the auditorium is ramped. Please see a member of the administrative team if you need assistance.
Parking at the OU
Parking spaces are very limited at the University and are not guaranteed during normal working hours. It is strongly recommended that you take the train if possible. Delegates travelling by car are advised to arrive before 8.30am. Please note that parking regulations apply on campus.
Security
For security purposes, please ensure that you wear your conference badge (clearly visible) for the duration of the meeting, and for the social event (drinks reception). This is essential in order to identify your status as a delegate. In case of loss or damage, replacement badges are available from the registration desk at an additional charge of £5.
Liability
The organisers, administrative staff, and the Open University will not be responsible for, and shall be exempt from, all liability in respect of any personal injury, accident, and loss or damage ensuing to personal items or equipment during the meeting. Speakers, chairpersons, exhibitors and delegates are responsible for their own personal insurance cover.