Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Roosterman on December 2, 2011 at 12:41am

Fear not John - we had your BBQ on the calander! :o)

I hear your comments, but where ever we are in the country, its a disadvantage to those at the other end!

Take me for example - West Brom is a cool 1000 mile round trip from Inverness by the time Iv dropped in to collect / drop off other members en-route. Ponkster comes down on the train from Aberdeen. And there are many more beside who have not yet attended a Boxstock event due to the distances involved. Hopefully by moving a wee bit north, we can attract those members who are missing out.

Afterall, the idea behind the event isnt just about entertaining those of us already here. Its about going out there and converting the masses. The aim is to take it to a new venue and a new city every year to give everyone a chance of attending, so it could be in your neck of the woods next time round! A lot of it depends on if there are members in the area to help with source a suitable venue and do the leg work.

I really do hope that the regular members from 'darn sarf' dont feel put out and still attend. It would be a shame to instigate a north / south divide in something so universal.

Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw said:

Good idea to get a date sorted early, and I'm glad you managed not to clash with my annual BBQ (and now CBG performance event) on the 1st of September.

I know it's easy to criticise, and that a lot of work and thought goes into this, but the move from a central location to a northern one does leave those of us down south rather at a disadvantage. It seems that the CBG scene is stronger up north and this is only likely to make that worse.

This isn't just a personal gripe, as I probably have free accommodation near Manchester, where as I didn't near West Brom. Of course someone (not me) could organise a southern version, but I don't think that is the answer. I think it is the meeting of people from all over the country that makes it really special. That was one of the best things for me about this years events. The performances were great, but I think I got even more enjoyment from shaking the hands of people I had previously only talked to through this site.

Anyway, thanks to all those involved in putting this together.

John (down south)

Permalink Reply by The Professor on December 2, 2011 at 4:46am

Ben very well put. Hopefully the venue should not be that important to devotees and I think the new place sounds great. And afterall the largest festival in the UK is tucked away in its most distant corner, Glastonbury!

John, also think of all those wealthy Mancunians aching to by a unique Roadkill special!

Prof

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on December 2, 2011 at 6:25am

It's not easy settling on a venue and location..when I did the first CGB Fest, it was in Birmingham because I had a venue ready to go and people seemed to be OK with travelling to the West Midlands. The 2nd one was a big step-up in terms of scope and ambition, this years (3rd) festival was a sort of consolidation of what had gone before. Ben and I have talked this over at great length, and I said from the outset that I wanted a new venue that could work for us in terms of furthering our cause, and I also felt it was time to spread our wings a bit and take the event to somewhere different. We started the planning the week after Boxstock, and there's been a lot of work gone into getting to this stage. 

Permalink Reply by Alan Hodges on December 2, 2011 at 8:04am

Wherever it takes place, It will be a great event and with such a great early heads up, maybe us from the deep south deltas could maybe get together to lift share to reduce costs. I live smack bang in the middle of the south, just outside of portsmouth and so if there any members who can get to somewhere near, then I am sure we can arrange lifts or something from there. As a suggestion for a south venue, then I put forward my local option of  "The Ferneham hall" (www.fernehamhall.co.uk) in my home town of Fareham.Function rooms and a main stage. Lots of things going on like tribute bands, pantos etc. So, no transport problems there!!!!!! LOL

Alan

Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on December 2, 2011 at 8:12am

Hi Ben.

I hadn't realised that the idea was to move around each time (should have been paying better attention). That's a great idea and makes loads of sense. Don't ever get the idea that I don't appreciate the work that you do, or that there are often reasons that are not always apparent to those outside the organising group.

All the best.

John

Permalink Reply by HOLLOWBELLY on December 2, 2011 at 9:13am

Ah, but 'central' tends to move depending on whether you view it from a British or English standpoint..Ben in Scotland will travel 290 miles to get to Manchester-I will travel 250 miles from the south coast..viewed from this angle, Manchester actually is pretty central  ;0)

Permalink Reply by Roosterman on December 2, 2011 at 9:18am

Alan, I always think the road trip is as much fun as the event itself. The last 3 years Iv had Ant, Juju or both in the car for the trip down, and its been hilarious. Soul destroying, but hilarious.

John, y'know, Im not even sure we made that point clear! Its so easy to assume that everyone knows whats going on when youre immersed in it yourself, so its as likely my fault. Thats the vision though - Manchester this year, Nottingham, Cambridge, Newcastle...who knows where after that? There must be a few closet CBG players in every town just waiting for us to roll on in and tell them "Its ok. Its not normal, but its ok" :o)

Permalink Reply by JUJU on December 2, 2011 at 1:03pm

yep tell em all how bonbons are made lol ! - yep we sure have a great time just getting to the fest it's like one of them arerican road trip movies just not as long  :)

Roosterman said:

Alan, I always think the road trip is as much fun as the event itself. The last 3 years Iv had Ant, Juju or both in the car for the trip down, and its been hilarious. Soul destroying, but hilarious.

John, y'know, Im not even sure we made that point clear! Its so easy to assume that everyone knows whats going on when youre immersed in it yourself, so its as likely my fault. Thats the vision though - Manchester this year, Nottingham, Cambridge, Newcastle...who knows where after that? There must be a few closet CBG players in every town just waiting for us to roll on in and tell them "Its ok. Its not normal, but its ok" :o)

Permalink Reply by PooStickPaul on December 3, 2011 at 1:04am

I've not been to one of these before but I should be along to this one. My local airport (Manston) did used to fly into Manchester which would've been handy, but they recently stopped. Booo hooo!! It's about 270 miles each-way for me, which in the grand scheme of things isn't too bad, as it's not everyday and it's for something enjoyable.

Permalink Reply by Ponkster on December 3, 2011 at 9:51am

Manchester it is then - I am sorry to all down south that it is nearer for us 'Up North'  this time - so as a penance I will drive the last 250 miles naked with the windows open.

Permalink Reply by Alan Hodges on December 3, 2011 at 1:41pm

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on December 3, 2011 at 8:31pm

No...this is the recommended method of pennance when approaching the venue...

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