The big point I should make, is that the scene is totally different to the states. The UKTF has a very small posting membership and everything like gathering or parties is done very much on a personal basis. It's a pretty much vital necessity for someone to be become half well-known on the boards and to be chatting frequently first, before they end up at parties. Such functions are basically, small gatherings of friends at private houses.
There have been bigger parties, more open to the public, which have been held at premises in Sheffield. I think, but am not sure, that they have been held in London too. Just recently (in the last year) there has been some acting up at more public parties, with several people acting like the ticklees were bought commodities, so there has been a bit of a fall in enthusiasm in people trying to organise them. However, there will be more sometime and there is also the prospect of finding someone through personal chat who would be willing to meet and play on a private basis, so I'd say just get over and join and post as much as you can.