20th Anniversary - how to celebrate

[Ian Bee]

Hi all,

Without wishing to displace any thoughts from others, I've been having various chats and musings on what Free Spirits could do to mark 20 years (which isn't all that long away).

* Getting together physically is clearly a possible (though appreciate a number of people are distant)

* can we mark the occasion with a round the clock (this has been mentioned previously and certainly appeals to me personally but 30 minute stints whether in person or remotely would be a fun way to get people involved) - having set up a video feed for the long distance row a while ago its relatively straight forward.....

I'll cut this away or delete it off if its best initiated by others or discussed elsewhere.

[Iain]

Embarassed question (maybe ought to pretend for the benefit of newer members but what date was it exactly? Also any volunteers for an in person? Ideally somewhere we can set up a few ergs? But a drink would be god too (so perhaps somewhere easily accessible so perhaps a good pub with a separate area? Happy to do some of a relay, either at an in person or timed differently by remote.

[Ian Bee]

Can't help with the actual date (oops....), but I know of a couple of Wiltshire pubs which - with enough takers - could host/act as a B&B/have large paved garden spaces.

[Iain]

Very convenient for me, easy to get to as on M4, who else would be willing to make the trip if we find a convenient date?

Also, Ian do you have access to a gazibo or 2? Might be able to source one, but may struggle to transport now I only have a small car

Answered my own question as Forum has an "About FS" section.

We celebrate our birthday each year on 16th May.

[Ian Bee]

Depending on where we go, the pubs I have in mind have a variety of covers for their garden areas.

[Mike Channin]

I think we should (as one of the challenged) target a re-run of Thomas's classic Free Spirits Row to the Moon. (And see if we can get there before any real astronauts!)
384,400 km

[JonT]

Not a lot of response here.

There is always the option to get as many people as possible to enter BRIC. 5-6/12 at Birmingham NEC.

[Iain]

The latter attempts at distances (circum-navigating Jupiter) did lose momentum over time. I would prefer a continuous relay type event where people's involvement is more marked, although it would mean getting people actively signing up (perhaps a positive in itself). Also definitely up for a meet up. NEC is an idea, but we would need to arrange a get together or we will be lost in the crowd!

[Grobi]

Embarassed question (maybe ought to pretend for the benefit of newer members but what date was it exactly?

Our birthday is May 16th 2006. May 16th 2026 is a Saturday which would come in handy for a 24h row for example or a get together (or a combination of both).

[Iain]

Happy to do either/ both, but would rather only do part of the 24 hours!

[plummy]

As a few will know, I moved house at the end of last year. I worked with Daffy and then alone to host get-togethers (Madchesters) for quite a few years and on the whole I think they were a great success. The new house is actually bigger than my old one and the garden (which is flatter and has raised decking on one side (mini Starnberg style - Peter would understand this reference) could accommodate up to 10 ergs I think. Parking is ok for a few cars on the street, there are direct trains from Manchester Airport (and Manchester City Centre) - with an approximate 8 minute walk (or easy collect by car.
If a get together in person of a similar kind needs a host/host venue, I'm happy to offer the venue. It'll need a new name though!

[Grobi]

That's excellent news Dave! Hosting up to ten ergs The key difference to Starnberg is the much nicer/fresher air in your garden compared to the Starnberg venue. I'd be happy to come over!

[fkoene]

Maybe I'm in England or Scotland May 16th. My son's birthday if the 15th, and he has the strange wish of drinking a pint of Guinness in a pub. I don't think that will be in the vicinity of Dave's new mansion though.

[Iain]

I'd be up for that.

[webberg]

Decaerg?

Ten = deca

Deck = deck?

[Iain]

Great to see you back Graham, great name!

[plummy]

The last name was location based "Madchester" from Manchester (I reckon I could squeeze 12+ ergs to be honest but we'll only at best be able to get 5~6 anyway). I've moved to a place called Buckshaw Village near Chorley in Lancashire so you are welcome to work with that as inspiration. My first thought was "Are you Bucking Shaw?" - but maybe a bit rude and not in line with a 20th celebration...

[Mike Channin]

Chorley not!

[plummy]

Good one - like that!

[webberg]

A thought.

A physical meet is clearly a good idea but timing and space is an issue.

We all have access to computers and those have tools to allow virtual meetings. We may prefer Zoom to Teams or whatever else, but most of these will allow temporary membership.

Could we therefore have a mass participation virtual meet up whilst we are doing a chosen piece on the birthday?

Second thought.

I think the anniversary is 20th May 2026? So the distance should be a combination of that number perhaps.

20526 is way too far. 2052 is achievable for most of us?

Or 2026?

[Iain]

I hope to attend in person, but sounds a great idea.

[Grobi]

I think the anniversary is 20th May 2026? So the distance should be a combination of that number perhaps.

The anniversary is on May 16th.

[Grobi]

Since Dave is willing to provide a venue for a physical get together for our anniversary, let's make planning easier for him and start a list of potential attendees:

Plummy (Dave)
Grobi (Peter) and Adina
Iain
Ian Bee (?)
webberg (Graham) (?)
Mike Channin (?)

Any more takers?

[Iain]

I'm definitely in. I suggest that we also divide up food and drink between attendees as Dave us kind enough to host and indicate whether we are bringing ergs. I am happy to take my Model D, but as it only has a PM3 people might prefer PM5's for App access. ALso Dave, do you have access to sufficient gazebos or would you like offers of those as well?

[plummy]

My daughter is quite local (the reason we moved up here) and has a fairly huge gazebo. Assuming her daft dogs don't chew it to bits (they chew everything else) before then, we can use that.

Peter has first dibs on the spare /guest room but we have another spare room with a single bed so if people wanted to crash we can possibly squeeze another couple in without resorting to hotels if you don't mind sofas. There is no hotel nearer than about a mile walk but I can shuttle people if needed (I don't drink so no issue there). Also, the local Chinese takeaway we used to enjoy obviously is no longer an option and the nearest one to here is 1.3 miles away!. There is a HUGE KFC and a small Dominoes Pizza (not my first choice) only 2 mins away though...
There's a Premier Inn 2 miles away
Charnock Farm Motel is the one a mile's walk away (oddly, slightly further by car)
We could combine a gathering in person with something else via Teams if someone can manage the techy side of that. My new 65" TV would be awesome for that!