26 replies to this topic

[crystal palace fireworks]

Hi All,

I need some feedback please on wether you would be interested if the UKPS were to hold next years AGM/firework display at a campsite with a overnight stay? = likely to be in Dorset.

Obviously individuals would have to pay for there own pitch to erect a tent or a camper van, but it may also be possible to hire a tent (on site) or stay on site at B&B accomodation for those who do not have there own camping equipment.

This is just a speculative enquiry to see if you guys are up for it or not, plus I am awaiting a reply from the campsite owners to see if they have the required facilities or not = so nothing is definate as of yet.

Advantages as I see it = those coming from a great distance will not have to drive home that same evening, people can have a BBQ, set up a campfire, let off a few chinese lanterns and have a few late night beers and not have to worry about drinking & driving home.

All comments welcome!

[Arthur Brown]

The trouble with a coastal venue is that no-one lives on the wet side and some people have to travel a LONG way to get there.
IMO somewhere between the M62 and the M4 would be better. However these decisions are for the Chairman to make, though I expect that a well planned venue would be a welcome addition to the current few.

[Vic]

no-one lives on the wet side

Excuse me but I live on the wettish side and so do other folk

[bloater]

I'd be interested if in Dorset, did you have a campsite or area of Dorset in mind?

[helix]

Dorset is about a 1000mile round trip for me, overnight sounds like a good idea but Dorset is just too far for me to travel.

[phildunford]

Just to point out that the committee have not even started discussing next years AGM yet, but all input is welcome...

I've always favoured the idea of the AGM moving to different locations. We've been to East Anglia, Stafford, Yorkshire, London & Oxford to my immediate recollection.

There has never been an AGM in the West Country and from the point of view that I now live there, great idea!

However, back down on earth, in 'modern times' (ie when we had more than 20 members!) the AGM in Yorkshire was poorly attended. People simply won't travel outside their comfort zone.

The Oxford venue is pretty central, has good facilities and has a reasonable cost - I would be happy to go there again.

In the light of this thread, we will kick the matter around a bit at the next Management Meeting.

Edited by phildunford, 16 September 2012 - 12:24 PM.

[bloater]

Was being a bit selfish with the Dorset idea, as it could have been very close to me.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Ok guys, firstly thank you for your replies so far = this is encouraging & helpful - but I would like more of you to add to the feedback if possible, secondly - apologies to the committee if my posting read like it was interfering directly in UKPS committee business = it was not my intended goal, it was to mostly to attain some general feedback from the general UKPS members and non members alike to gain opinions.

This is my thoughts on this issue - Phil D and others may well be very accurate and right in there assessment about people not traveling far from the areas where they live, my thinking is - Are there other little mind changing issues that may be stopping more people attending future AGM`s other than distance? - for example; - if they could stay the night or weekend in a collective/community setting (say a campsite) would this not encourage more people to come along to make it more of a weekend party thing instead of a formalish affair irrespective of where its held in the UK?

Also would it not be a good idea to discuss and or plan these AGM issues well in advance so the committee and others can plan/control there own personal, family, holiday, work, or business commitments around the above?

Now Im not saying a campsite setting in Dorset or elsewhere is the total answer to our needs as there are other options to discuss around other venues or settings that may well be more profitable/preferential to encourage new UKPS membership.

Please keep your comments/opinions coming, its important you all be open and honest about your own preferences (irrespective of what others may think) for the future success of the UKPS.

[bloater]

PyroPDC may be on to something referring back to the previous thread.
Running courses over the same weekend as the AGM would encourage more people to make the trip, you could run stage on the Friday illuminate over the weekend with the AGM late Saturday afternoon in to the evening and finishing off with special fx or HE on Sunday afternoon.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Ok guys, here`s an idea/option/something different to consider = tell us what you think,

What about the UKPS holding our next AGM here - www.oxfordshiresciencefestival.co.uk/run-an-event-at-oxfordshire-science-festival

Im sure we could put on classroom demo`s and perhaps enquire about putting on a firework display somewhere near to the central venue, plus we would get advice from the organisers on how to best run the event to raise funds for our society, plus the festival is aimed at science related people who might be willing to join us like minded folk.

[starseeker]

Hi All,

I need some feedback please on wether you would be interested if the UKPS were to hold next years AGM/firework display at a campsite with a overnight stay? = likely to be in Dorset.

Obviously individuals would have to pay for there own pitch to erect a tent or a camper van, but it may also be possible to hire a tent (on site) or stay on site at B&B accomodation for those who do not have there own camping equipment.

This is just a speculative enquiry to see if you guys are up for it or not, plus I am awaiting a reply from the campsite owners to see if they have the required facilities or not = so nothing is definate as of yet.

Advantages as I see it = those coming from a great distance will not have to drive home that same evening, people can have a BBQ, set up a campfire, let off a few chinese lanterns and have a few late night beers and not have to worry about drinking & driving home.

All comments welcome!

Being as i am from somerset than lovely idea,although as others have stated it a long way for some to come,as for a site with camping etc i think that that would be good for the reasons you have stated,wherever it may be held.

[whoof]

I wondered if billing aquadrome might be suitable (Northamptonshire)
anyone know who does their nov 5 do ?

[crystal palace fireworks]

I wondered if billing aquadrome might be suitable (Northamptonshire)
anyone know who does their nov 5 do ?

This is a brilliant find Whoof, exactly the type of venue I ve been trying to look for.



www.billingaquadrome.com/events

[exat808]

We have had similar problems in the Institute of Explosives Engineers for many years. Trying to find a venue for our 2 day AGM/Conference that suits the entire membership has proved impossible. As a way of appeasing as many members as possible we now have a 3 year rotation of North, Midlands, and South. So for example in 2010 we were at Blackpool, 2011 Hinckley (near Leicester), and this year Hayling Island (Portsmouth). Next year we are back in the North again.
You will never please all of the membership all of the time but the rota concept does give many folk a chance of attending AGM,s on a regular basis even if it is not annually.

Another thought might be - why not hold your AGM as a stand alone event at one time of the year and have a separate event for practical activities at another thus giving members 2 opportunities to meet at differing locations.

Edited by exat808, 23 September 2012 - 08:37 AM.