Small scale events

[Stevie T]

Rather than de-rail other threads I thought I'd start a new thread discussing how we can do smaller scale events meant to appeal to those of the host nation rather than trying to do bug international events like Dijon etc.

Fab mentioned that there is one in France so any comments on that would be appreciated.

The reason for this idea to create more events has come from thinking of retention in groups, to provide a reason for continuing to atteend classes, a reason to get better.

So what should these events have?

Fab has already suggested that there needs to be some form of structure in order to prevent drop out and to essentially make it an event, rather than just a gathering.

And I think he's right.

But at the same time I want it be more fun than just a lot of workshops. This is not to say that workshops aren't fun, but they are not just simply fun.

I think the seminars and workshops and learning other things will to some extent put off the likes of Gordon's Space Monkeys for they are too loyal to Gordon to want to learn other than from Gordon.

So we need to find a way of doing something that's not just seminars with the famous and knowledgable.

Any ideas?

[Stevie T]

My ideas so far....

It should not be done for, or infront of, the public.

It should focus on a single period or weapon type.

It should be open to all within the nation, but closed to "foriegners" except for specificly invited groups or individuals. This would be decided upon by the bugger who puts all the effort into organising it (hence some credos and reason for being willing)

There should be a simple time table with no, or few, events taking place at the same time.

There should be a semi serious competition.

There should be plenty of oppertunity and space for sparring or impromptue workshops/demos.

There should be a warm up at the start of each day and after each lunch time session. This should be lead by different instructors from different groups.

There should be silly games. "The Circle of Treatury"/ Last man standing, test cutting comp, five-a-side, battle of the flags. "fighting" in; woods, stair wells, over tables. Spear throwing compitions.

There should be the posability of doing things to further our understanding of HEMA, ideas to be put forward by participants prior to the event. eg deaths in route, test cutting against armour.

Perhaps an archery range if space/area available.

There should be plenty of oppertunity for evening drinking and sillness.

And yes once I've got myself sorted, moved and venue for a weeklyy practice found I will look at organising something like this up North, but it really need a name individual or group to get it started.

[scholadays]

Any ideas?

Schola Irregular will be hosted on the 23rd fo Feb in the middle of London.

It starts at 3pm, ends at 6pm, and the one hit inter Chapter competition crammed into a 8x9 metre square will result in Pub Grub, Lager and hopefully drunkeness.

It is hoped that regardless of the outcome, the event will result in a seething grudge match amongst all Chapters of Schola to be repeated within 4-8 weeks, over an over, forever.


Cost: 5 pounds
Min turnout: 10
Max turnout: 20

[Motley]

It should be open to all within the nation, but closed to "foriegners" except for specificly invited groups or individuals. This would be decided upon by the bugger who puts all the effort into organising it (hence some credos and reason for being willing)

leaving lurk mode...

I was just wondering why this? surely you can focus it on local groups but why specifically exclude people?

just wondering

enter lurk mode

[scholadays]

I was just wondering why this? surely you can focus it on local groups but why specifically exclude people?

Yeah, seems a silly requirement.

[Stevie T]

I was just wondering why this? surely you can focus it on local groups but why specifically exclude people?

Yeah, seems a silly requirement.

Suppose it was just to stress that these things are supposed to be small fun things that aren't supposed to encourage people to travel from all over the place.

So that the major events that are slowly developing stay as such, that each country has it's own national things and a single international event so every country has it's own big thing we can slowly work to going to.

So that when you mention to your club that they should attend this event you don't say, and there will be people there from all over Europe. Some folk will find this intimidating.

Perhaps it's just cos I'm an pig ignorant northerner but attending an event where I don't know anyone with a large percentage of people whose language I don't speak, with just generally large numbers is a bit scarey.

REducing that to a place in my own country, with fellow [insert nationallity here], in smaller numbers and a less serious senario sounds a lot more appealing for your first event if you ask me.

[Stevie T]

Any ideas?

Schola Irregular will be hosted on the 23rd fo Feb in the middle of London.

It starts at 3pm, ends at 6pm, and the one hit inter Chapter competition crammed into a 8x9 metre square will result in Pub Grub, Lager and hopefully drunkeness.

It is hoped that regardless of the outcome, the event will result in a seething grudge match to be repeated within 4-8 weeks, over an over, forever.


Cost: 5 pounds
Min turnout: 10
Max turnout: 20

Sounds good.....for Schola.

So I was wanting to take it further for the rest of us.

I mean idealy I would like to get to the point where I have a couple of different classes who I encourage to meet collectively every couple of months for a bit of friendly rivalry.

As a step up from that it would be nice to see two or three events around the UK appear along the lines of organised informality I mention above so we can get together more often.

I'll be lucky if I can get to one of the major events each year with my commitment, but I could possibly manage a couple of other weekends camping out in a field somewhere to have a bit of fun - though unpredicable with the weather I know.

[scholadays]

Sounds good.....for Schola.

I thought so.

[Stevie T]

Sounds good.....for Schola.

I thought so.

But not so hot for the rest us eh?

[scholadays]

But not so hot for the rest us eh?

You're welcome to attend, if you so wish.

[Stevie T]

But not so hot for the rest us eh?

You're welcome to attend, if you so wish.

£100 travel, plus food, plus beer, plus your outragious entry price for 3 hours makes it just out side my price range for an event.


But thanks for the offer!!

[scholadays]

£100 travel, plus food, plus beer, plus your outragious entry price for 3 hours makes it just out side my price range for an event.

By golly, there's only one solution to your quandry then!

[Stevie T]

£100 travel, plus food, plus beer, plus your outragious entry price for 3 hours makes it just out side my price range for an event.

By golly, there's only one solution to your quandry then!

I thought mugging was illegal??

[Nikos]

I think one day events might be quite useful for this. You see the one big problem with an all weekend event is that its a big drain on time and cash.

For example the local fencing club has an event once a year where they hire an entire sports hall and get a collective of groups within a 50 mile radius and anyone else who wants to attend.

This means that you can cram in a whole day of swordy stuff with lots of different people, and people can drive up in the morning and leave same day unless they choose otherwise. I would personally be quite happy to say travel upto 120 miles several times a year for one day events, its simple, easy and cheap with relatively little commitment. The only downside to this of course is that it doesnt allow for serious drinking afterwards within those limits, but considering all of the other big events we have in the year I don't see this as a problem.

This could then be easily achieved by groups around the country with access to large training spaces putting on these sorts of events, its cheap and simple to organise and relatively stress free for the organisers.

[Stevie T]

I think one day events might be quite useful for this. You see the one big problem with an all weekend event is that its a big drain on time and cash.

For example the local fencing club has an event once a year where they hire an entire sports hall and get a collective of groups within a 50 mile radius and anyone else who wants to attend.

This means that you can cram in a whole day of swordy stuff with lots of different people, and people can drive up in the morning and leave same day unless they choose otherwise. I would personally be quite happy to say travel upto 120 miles several times a year for one day events, its simple, easy and cheap with relatively little commitment. The only downside to this of course is that it doesnt allow for serious drinking afterwards within those limits, but considering all of the other big events we have in the year I don't see this as a problem.

This could then be easily achieved by groups around the country with access to large training spaces putting on these sorts of events, its cheap and simple to organise and relatively stress free for the organisers.

I remeber days when you could hire school sports halls during the summer and be allowed to kip in them over night.

Suppose your not allowed to now due to health and safety and insurance

[Nikos]

Theres no way you would be able to do that anymore, which is a shame. The fencing club I speak of hires out the entire hall of a local lesure centre from 10am-6pm on a saturday, not sure what it costs.

[Stevie T]

Theres no way you would be able to do that anymore, which is a shame. The fencing club I speak of hires out the entire hall of a local lesure centre from 10am-6pm on a saturday, not sure what it costs.

I wonder how they got past it at the Oxford market? We used to sleep all over the place except for the traders halls.

[King Pellinor]

I remeber days when you could hire school sports halls during the summer and be allowed to kip in them over night.

I do that every year at morris dancing events.

Scout halls work too. Last year I organised one for about £3-4 per head per night - that was a posh one, with working showers and everything.

[Stevie T]

I remeber days when you could hire school sports halls during the summer and be allowed to kip in them over night.

I do that every year at morris dancing events.

Scout halls work too. Last year I organised one for about £3-4 per head per night - that was a posh one, with working showers and everything.

There are a few scout places out on the North York Moors which would be superb, glorious scenery too.

The only problem would be access for those who don't drive.

But plenty of places for binfires, showers, kitchens, tonnes of sleep spaces and loads of outdorrs to play in for fun and games.

[King Pellinor]

Scoutbase has lots of details:

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/cgi-bin/cam ... id=default