General information for participants

LOCAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

For the location of ECMWF and detailed travel instructions please click here

The quickest way to travel between ECMWF and Reading Town Centre is by taxi. Our receptionist will be able to arrange taxis if necessary. Alternatively, Reading Buses bus service no. 9 runs between Reading Railway Station and Shinfield Road. Tickets can be bought from the driver, please note that the exact change is needed.

For bus timetable information please click here

SECURITY

The name badge you will be given during the registration doubles as a security pass. Access can be denied by the security guard if you are unable to show him the badge on request. For security reasons you must sign the visitor’s list each day on arrival and departure.

Please do not leave any personal belongings at ECMWF outside office hours. Also we recommend that you do not leave valuables unattended in either the Classroom or any other part of the building. ECMWF will not take any responsibility for items lost at the premises.

RESTAURANT

The Restaurant is open during the times specified on the timetable for lunch and coffee/tea breaks. Coffee and tea will be provided during the morning and afternoon breaks specifies of the timetable. At all other times coffee is available from vending machines located in the main hall and in the Restaurant (both coin operated, £0.50) whilst tea is only available from the Restaurant counter.

Lunch menus are displayed in the Restaurant and on the various notice boards in the building. The Restaurant is mainly self-service.

Please note that food and drink is not allowed to be taken into the Classroom.

SHOPS

The nearest group of shops is in easy walking distance and can be reached by turning left along the Shinfield Road as you leave the grounds of ECMWF. They include a Post Office, a Newsagent, a chemist/pharmacy and a number of restaurants. Some shops are closed on Monday and a few of them on Wednesday afternoon.

Stamps are on sale at the Reception desk.

There are a number of branches of Waterstones (Academic Bookseller) stocking scientific books in Reading.

LIBRARY

The library is located on the ground floor next to Reception and has a wide range of books and journals on both meteorological and computing matters.

MONEY

The nearest bank is the National Westminster Bank on the Shinfield Road opposite the University as you go towards the centre of Reading. There is a large variety of banks in the centre of Reading. When cashing Traveller’s Cheques it will be necessary for you to have some identification, such as a passport.

The nearest cash point is at the Shell petrol station on the Shinfield Road (approximately 10 minutes walk from ECMWF).

TELEPHONE

Outgoing calls can be made from the pay-phone in the Reception and Concourse. Phonecards can be purchased from the Receptionist. If you cannot be contacted when there is an incoming call for you, a message will be left at the Reception desk.

The use of mobile phone in public areas is discouraged.

COMPUTER USAGE

The use of computers for the different modules will vary. While on the training course you may be given some practical examples to do, for which you will be supplied with a training identifier.

However, if while at ECMWF you wish to do some of your own computer work, you will need to use one of the registered identifier/project combinations for your Member State or Co-operating State. If you do not know which to use, then your Contact Point may be able to help. Do not use the training identifier/project for your own work.

DOCUMENTATION

You will be supplied with copies of some documentation during your course. You are welcome to take these away.

QUESTIONNAIRE

At the end of each course you will be invited to complete a questionnaire on your reaction to the training course. Please use this to inform ECMWF of both the good and the bad points you found on the course. The results from these questionnaires are used when planning subsequent courses and are a very valuable source of feedback as to how well or badly the course was received. When completing the questionnaire you may remain anonymous if you wish.