BOS 60th Anniversary Convention - Nottingham 2027

Join us for our 60^th Anniversary Convention in Nottingham, between 2^nd - 5^th September, at the prestigious East Midlands Conference Centre (take a virtual tour), and four-star Orchard Hotel (virtual tour), situated in 330 acres of green space.  We’ll have a full three-day programme of classes and we’re delighted to confirm six special guests for our sixtieth year; three international designers: Madonna Yoder (USA), Hans Dybkjær (Denmark) and Viviane Berty (France), plus three UK designers: Brendan Plumb, Nick Robinson and Lee Armstrong.

The city of Nottingham is, of course, famous for the Legend of Robin Hood, and is home to many attractions, including; Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, the oldest surviving Inn in England (dating back to 1189), Nottingham Castle, Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall and the National Ice Centre.  This centre was built on the site of the former Nottingham Ice Rink, where Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean practiced, prior to the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, where they won gold and became the highest-scoring figure skaters of all time.

Accommodation
We're pleased to offer a discounted rate at The Orchard Hotel: £114 for single occupancy en-suite bed and breakfast, and £124 for twin/double occupancy en-suite bed and breakfast, book directly (with The Orchard Hotel).  If you would like to book accomodation for children, please phone the reservations team on: +44 (0)115 876 0900, quoting the allocation code: BRIT020927.

We also have a limited number of single occupancy en-suite bed and breakfast accommodation, in the nearby Rutland Hall, priced at £72, book directly (with Campus Venues).

Attendees staying on site, in The Orchard Hotel, or Rutland Hall, are able to use the pool and gym, free of charge, at the David Ross Sports Village, which is within easy walking distance.

Meals
Unlimited tea, coffee, etc. will be available at break times and throughout the day in the EMCC.

Mid-Morning and Lunch
You may purchase meal vouchers with your booking.  These vouchers can be used in full or part payment for mid-morning snacks and lunch grab bags.  If you do intend to eat during the day at the EMCC, then we'd recommend that you purchase vouchers, so that the venue can cater appropriately.  Further details here.

Please Note: These vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable (i.e. only valid on that day, for the stated meal).

Dinner
There are plenty of restaurants nearby, or, if you'd like an evening meal at Bramleys (in The Orchard Hotel), you can book directly with the restaurant.  We’d recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Sponsorship
We're pleased to announce that once again, Tuttle are sponsoring our event.

Special Guests

Madonna Yoder (USA)
Madonna explores the infinite variety of twist-based origami tessellation patterns and then shares her methods to encourage more people to become tessellation folders and designers.  She has discovered over 750 designs since 2018, and hosts the popular Advent of Tessellations challenge every December, in addition to sharing tutorials on YouTube, photos on Instagram, teaching tessellation courses online, and selling crease patterns and supplies in her online store.

Hans Dybkær (Denmark)
Born in 1961, Hans learned origami from his parents and went through books by Harbin, Honda, and Kasahara.  In 1981, he used the art to court his future wife.  He designed models like a four-legged dragon and an eight-sided box from one sheet.  In 1991 Hans completed a PhD in computer science.  Today he designs new origami, teaches workshops, gives talks, makes exhibitions, and writes books and articles on origami.  He's the co-founder and chairman of the Danish Origami Society, where he runs a workshop every Wednesday.  You can see Hans’ work on his website.

Viviane Berty (France)
Viviane took up origami by chance while she was a student.  She had thought of it merely as a children's game, but she soon discovered it to be both an ingenious puzzle and an art form.  She has been a member of the MFFP since 1990 (serving as president from 2011 to 2015) and began creating her own designs in 2012.  Her favourite themes include music, books, the lives of women, and ancient myths.  She enjoys painting her own paper and prefers the wet-folding technique for certain models.  However, she believes that origami shouldn't be taken too seriously and that one should never forget to have fun.  Try making her hen that lays golden (chocolate) eggs.  You can see Viviane’s work on: Flickr and Instagram.

Brendan Plumb (UK)
Brendan’s origami journey began in his teens, inspired by Eric Kenneway’s book ‘Paper Folding For Fun' and Blade Runner.  He’s a relative newcomer to the Society joining the BOS in 2019 and has since become a regular attendee and teacher at the London and Sussex mini meetings, BOS conventions and Comic Con events.  Brendan is most well-known for his love of miniatures, silly hats and leaving tiny dragons everywhere he goes.  In 2024 he began designing his own models, these are predominantly figurative with a penchant for legs.  You can see Brendan’s work on: Instagram.

Nick Robinson (UK)
Nick has been an origami artist and teacher for over 40 years, working in schools, libraries, youth clubs, hospitals and art galleries, teaching origami and paper artwork.  He has taught and lectured on origami around the world, including America, Japan and many European countries.  He has written and illustrated over 130 origami books.  A member of the British Origami Society for over 40 years, he has also served on their Council for 30 years, 10 of which as the editor of their magazine.  He has also served as President, made an honorary member of the Society and is a Vice President.  Nick is 70 and lives in Sheffield, England, with wife Alison plus the hound, Ralph.  A former professional musician, he still performs solo guitar concerts.  You can see Nick’s work on his website.

Lee Armstrong (UK)
Lee Armstrong has been creating origami for about 18 years.  For most of that time he made three dimensional animals and human figures, often wet folding.  Recently he has expanded into abstract, modular designs.  You can see Lee’s work on: Instagram.