Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Im not even going to bother responding the coment above as its just ridiculous, Good luck with your event Garinda im sure it will be a huge success .....

To people on here that have put forward good ideas ill pass them onto the market people you have my word, and also traditional stuff will look at as well.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Poster design could be put out to local schools - the more people who are involved in the planning and development of the idea, the more will attend and see the fruits of their/or their childrens work.
Get schools involved for the music part too.....Christmas songs/Carols. Again they will be bringing parents and Grandparents to the event.
Publicity.....get the radio stations to announce the event......have a town crier....get inventive....word of mouth...all the involvement of the schools again will be a plus.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

and you have yet to respond to my point, the people want a traditional christmas festival is that what we are going to get or are you going to ignore it and do your own thing because thats what you think they want after all you are the organiser

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

So, round up this team of volunteers and get it organised. I'll quite happily let you have a meeting room at the Civic for the planning committee.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Leon organises the sort of event that he and other people like him enjoy.

If people want something different then he's not the person to go to so you have to find the people who will do it instead of expecting one event to cater for everyone.

There were a lot of people at the light switch on so clearly something appealled to them. Just because it wasn't your taste or even the taste of the other few people on here, doesn't mean to say it was wrong.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Peace be with you.

:angel:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfKb1ziht3w

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

As for Licences and permissions etc. Perhaps that is a way in which our absent councillors can make amends for their dreadful lapse with the Kashmir Motion incident (after it has been repealed or struck off or run over or whatever they do with such things). Just a thought.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

As I said at the time, I congratulate Leon for making a success of what he was asked to do.

I do question those who make the decisions, if a bouncy pop show is what would make all sections of the borough want to attend a publicly financed Christmas event.

From what people have posted, it seems not.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Well, of course it wouldn't get all sections of the borough attending - what would?

If you do a brass band concert, people who like brass bands go along. If you do folk music, people who like folk music go along. There really isn't one size fits all.

I guess the best you can hope for is a variety over the course of a year.

Also, and I ask this because I genuinely don't know the answer - who should a Christmas light switch on be aimed at?

The town was busy with young people but were they buying? Perhaps not! However, it got a lot of publicity in the local papers. It also was deemed a success so is more likely to be replicated and the council to continue putting money in. If it was geared more towards people who had spending power then would it have got enough people in and would it have been deemed a success?

I ask all this because I don't know what the answer is. It's one thing having an opinion about what you would like to see but you also have to consider the target market when you've decided what the target market is.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

It strikes me that a 'bouncy pop show' would attract a similar audience at any time of year. That is not to say that it is a bad thing, in and of itself, just that there seems to be very little of Christmas in it and rather a lot of pop. if you see what I mean.


God, I am being reasonable this afternoon, perhaps I am coming down with something.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I think there might be a clue in the name, as to what theme might be explored, concerning any such event, and which should hopefully equally appeal to everyone.

'Christmas' light stwich-on.

I asked earlier, because I didn't know you were anything to do with last year's Victorian market event, what exactly is your role now?

Does this fall under the umberella of being manager of the Civic Centre, or do you now have another official position?

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

...and Father Christmas turning up on a real sleigh with real reindeer. I would pay money to see that.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

jedimaster, you seem to be the fervent evangelist in all this but I haven't seen you commit to what you are actually prepared to do, how much time you're prepared to devote, the canvasing, phoning etc.
I'm sure I've had a go about events Gayle organised but she must be screaming reading your pontificating about who should do what without ever saying what you're prepared to do. As for Leon Kelly-he was asked to try and he did his best on a very limited budget-I'll bet if you knew how much time he spent you'd be surprised, he runs a night club so I assume no financial gain in it for him(and no, I dont know him). You'll never please all of the people all of the time.
So less of the 'What can Accrington do for me?' lets hear the 'What I will do for Accrington'.
Some people on here are too old to get involved, some have health problem but you- young, enthusiastic and apparently some spare time. You say you've done it before, lets see you do it again- for Accrington!

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

No it didn't.

There was less press coverage for the event this year, than there has been in the past.

Or is 'a lot' creative spin?

Like stating there were 400 people involved in the flash mob dance community art event, when there clearly wasn't, and which you blamed on a misquote, until a quote was supplied, in which you'd said it on here.

:rolleyes:

By the way, the non-swimming gala on Broadway was cancelled, due to 'bad weather', has another date been set yet, or has the money set aside to fund it, been spent elsewhere?

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Sort of and sort of not. If there was anything to be organised I'd probably be asked to be involved in a general Arts capacity. The role at the Civic covers arts outside of the four walls of the Civic as well.

But, as it's not strictly speaking in my remit to organise, I wouldn't do it unless asked by the council or by a committee.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I have explained all that in previous threads. You like trawling through my past quotes to prove your point on other occasions so why don't you find it yourself?

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Totally agree.

What he was asked to do was a success, and all credit to him for doing it.

My question is to who asked him to do it, and wouldn't be even more of a success if it was less pop concert, and a more traditionally Christmassy event.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Well if you have I missed it.

Which is most unlike me.

I do remember you posted you were manager of the Civic, and your position was funded until March, after which you'd be paid from any profit.

I had no idea you had any involvement with last year's Victorian Christmas event, just as I had no idea you were anyway involved with Knitty Nora's residency in the Market Hall, when I first posted how awful I thought it was.

Perhaps others missed it too.

Other than as manager of the Civic, what is your official role in the borough?

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Only when've you've contradicted yourself, or claim not to have said something previously.

I already know what you've said, as I'm cursed with a good memory.

I trawl only to be helpful.

To yourself, and others, who might need actual evidence.

Give, give, give.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Well that's about as clear as mud.

Presumably you're paid to be a consultant?

As I said, I don't blame the people being asked, they're trying to do the best they can do.

I blame the lack of imagination from those who have the job of pulling the strings.

Lazy.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Then let him do it again and good luck to him.
What the posts on here are asking for is a different event-a seperate event!
I doubt he was trying to cater for the typical age group on Accyweb and I doubt he was asked to.There aren't many poster under 25-30 on here, lets remember you're old once you reach 30 and I'm a bit passed that! I would enjoy a traditional style Christmas event but someone has to give up a lot of time and energy to organise it-jedimaster sounds suitable!
But I warn any willing vounteers-be prepared to give up your spare time for a year, I organised quite a small event, it was hard work, I was proud of my team and its success but I refused to do it again-life's too short. Result- it died, none of the team were prepared to give it the commitment it needed.
If you want it doing your way-do it yourself! You probably can't leave it to HBC-time, money, staff!

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Aint gonna happen ... not too many problems with the sleigh, as long as it is union made ... don't know if the elves are unionised or not. But "Father Christmas":eek: There are obvious gender issues here; and "Christmas"????? Aren't you aware that it is now "Holiday"? A neutral term, that won't offend those who openly celebrate "Eid":alright: And real reindeer .... PETA would be on your ass if they ever found out you were even contemplating it:rolleyes:

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

But not at the expence of established traders

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

We've already been informed Leon's been asked to do it again next year, and there'll be a similar event, and that he's already asked for an increased budget.

Although the considerable cost to the public purse, of this year's event, is shrouded in mystery...so far.

There seems, at least on here, to be a question as to why a Christmas lights switch-on event, should even be connected to pop acts, and celebrity.

There does seem to be a desire for the event to be more traditionally yuletide like.

All this naff, glitzy song and dance brouhaha, is a relatively new phenomenon, and certainly isn't in anyway traditionally associated with Christmas.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

try reading it again! then you just might be able to answer your own question

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Well there was always the saying talking cheap;)

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

may i also point out that before you make assumptions about people that you should get your facts correct first.

the only reason that i have spare time on my hands is because i was forced to give up my job due to disability! I have already pointed out that i would be happy to assist organising the event INCLUDING the design and FREE reproduction of the advertising materials

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I await my official request along with details of the intended budget from hbc ;)

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

This is a privately owned community forum.

Nothing to do with Hyndburn Borough Council.

Thanks be to baby Jesus.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I read the 'facts' you put on your profile-it says you are a youth worker and photographer and you presumably have some connections to Matt Howard Photography so my assumptions were not unreasonable. However, sorry to hear you have a disability!
It may be an age thing but I can't find where you offered to help with the design and free reproduction of the advertising materials, perhaps you can point me to that post?

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Official request?? Now there's an opt out-I'll make you an unofficial request-please tell us when you'll show some initiative and start something yourself.
All this moaning can't be good for you!

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/951382-post200.html

plain enough?

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

now there's an opt out. please inform me what budget i have to play with.

and just 1 more point, we were asked for our ideas for next year, we have given them, they have been ignored. seems to be a bit of a theme where hbc are concerned!

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Not really, there's a lot of useful information from Gayle on that post and two lines from you mentioning Hyndburn CVS but I definately can't see where you offered to help design and give free reproduction of the advertising materials.
Perhaps you've altered your post(although it does't show you edited it)or perhaps you just get confused when you get too exited?

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

[quote=jedimaster;951363]He has an office on the market balcony. If you go to the main office they will point you in the right direction. Good luck

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I thought I'd wait for Store 21 to move out, not many of the other shops would have the space for my empire :D

If I could afford those rents I'd be trading in Burnley where the council give a **** about the town ;)

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Gordon see post 200. Jedi's responses are in red....so he has said he would be happy to do some of the leg work.
As for being old at 30...haven't you heard that 30 is the new twenty?
I am well past 30...twice past and then a bit, but I do not feel old....age is not the number on your birth certificate, it is a state of mind.
You don't get old by doing things...you get old by not doing things.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Invite people down to the event - print invites - cost involved. (me)
Design posters (me)
Print posters - who's going to pay for that? (me)
Gordon, these are the responses of Jedi...in red

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Part of an email I received today at work:

"Shoppers looking for a unique Christmas experience this year are being urged to take to the cobbles again on Sunday 27 November from noon on Bank Street in Rawtenstall! Now in its third year, Clogs on t’ Cobbles is guaranteed to be a fun filled family day out.

On Bank Street shoppers will be greeted by mixture of local craft and food stalls, a brass band and street performers. Other attractions on the day include a Town Crier, clog making demonstrations, carol singers, children’s fairground rides, crepes, hog roast, bratwurst sausages, ... the list is endless. Rossendale Radio will be there all day to help provide a festive atmosphere and Rawtenstall Market will also be open for the day with special events and attractions and the Mayor and Mini Mayor with special guests will switch the Christmas Lights on at 4pm on Bank St."
Sounds like Rawtenstall might have got their act together - Why on earth can Accrington not do something similar instead of paying for third or fourth rate celebrities which attracts nobody but the people who we should not be aiming for and contribute little - in my opinion and that of other people I know Accrington needs to up it's game!

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Warner Street Winter Festival has been proposed -let's hope the powers that be have the imagination to harness the idea Anne! :)

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Ahh,Margaret, I learn yet again! I thought the red responses on Gayles attachment were her listings of her responsabilities!I said it might be an age thing!
Now I understand- I owe jedimaster an apology and he has it.Or he will when he comes on line again.
As for over 30, I agree but if you and I went in Leons club I think the noise would blow us out of the doors-it wouldn't need the bouncers. Different ages want different entertainment. Accyweb isn't a representative cross section of Accrington.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Sorry to disagree Gordon but there is a wide range represented here age-wise as far as i can see - kids love historical things too when presented in a way that relates to them - let them see what a Victorian school was like! There is a lack of imagination and an eye too constantly on what is politically correct these days.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I hope so, it doesn't sound either too difficult or too expensive to do and also in the email it mentioned a charity aspect to the event - I just think it's a good way to go!

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Lets get practical- cost projections as Garinda rightly requires.
The Dickensian Fair, Grassington was mentioned as an example. Beautiful Dales village, popular with tourists all year round ( Compare with Accrington?).
Fair costs in 2003(8 years ago)-Skipton website.
Total cost-£30,000.Insurance-£2000.portable loos £1500(Accrington will need them!).45,000 programmes,not costed but £1000 to distribute. Can't find list of other costs.
They got some money back by charging £5 car parking-8 years ago! Could Accrington get away with special parking charges?
As far as I can see that was for 3 Saturdays.
With inflation at 5%-I think thats about £44-£45 thousand pounds(can't remember how to do compound interest) and I'll bet it's actually a lot more now.
Returns - someone tell me! How do you get any of that money back?
Can HBC afford that? Will volunteers be able to do it for nothing? No to both.
Some lovely ideas but in todays climate not on! Just being a realist.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Ok people.... Hopefully this will bring a smile to some faces on here, I have just come back from the Accrington Regeneration Board meeting and the xmas lights for next year where brought up...

Next year we have moved the lights to Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th November 2012, On the Saturday we will have a christmas fayre market using the traders that are in the market, plans have only been mentioned today so i dont have a list of the ins and outs yet however the market traders were very supportive and want to be involved so that should keep a percentage happy, We are going to have choirs from local schools and churches through the day, the main stage will again be up and running and entertainment throughout the day will be on till late evening with a fireworks display, and Sunday they are going to be having an xmas service with carols and things at the chruches, I brought up your points and they were listened to..... So lets see how it goes

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

A-b did suggest starting on a small scale to begin with, based around St. James church.

The heritage thing is done a lot, but people like it, and we're lucky, the town centre has an abundance of it.

We're told the fireworks alone cost six grand.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Genuinely, that sounds a great move forward.

Thank you.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Good for you!

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Wow -a result -sort of! Great Scott...or whoever...:p

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I never did the club scene(and have no plans to start at this advanced stage of my life)....but I have been to music concerts.
And yes different ages do tend to want different entertainment, but I think that when catering for a communtiy event, you have to be broad enough to bring in a variety of ages.
And I take your point about Accyweb not being truly representative.....but most of us boring old birds have friends and family who are younger(and possibly more vibrant) I don't know anyone in my circle of associates who went to this Switch on event.
I don't doubt what Leon says about it being a success, I'm sure the peole who went had a very nice time. And what succeeds one year tends to be replicated the next year and so on....so it becomes a bit staid and stale.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Hooray.........that is excellent news. Well done for representing our ideas.
Thank you!

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I'm going to put that in my new diary.......when I get it:)

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

It is.

Save you a seat?

:D

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Excuse me Margaret -as a boring old bird myself, who like your good self enjoys Elbow and Cold-Play, perhaps we should consider ourselves more and push for what we like too....we aren' that far off the mainstream -just a bit more up-market and there's nothing wrong in that at all. No more apologies - power to the ladies!:D

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I can only make out £4500 here, why would there be a need for portable toilets when we are talking about an afternoon/early evening. Why a need for programmes when posters/ emails would suffice? Why can Hyndburn council not liaise with Rawtenstall council who seem to be having some success in their own quite deprived area which is nothing like Grassington or is that not allowed? Are you thinking too deeply about this? Are you able to say what the £25000 excess in Grassington consisted of? I know this answer sounds a bit aggressive but it's honestly not intended to be, it really is just my genuine curiosity based on my ignorance and naivety on this subject.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Sorry Mobertol....I think you have to do another 20 years on this earthly plane before you can be a boring old bird.
Oh and I wasn't apologising....I am what I am, and for those who don't much care for that.....then it is just a bit tough.(I have spent years polishing my persona)
Yes G....save me a seat...and wear that lovely cologne.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Good start :)

Can I suggest another idea for the day as it's a weekend. 100 traders chip in £5 each. Treasure hunt covering the whole town centre with clues in shop windows/market stalls of those particpating. The £500 prize will bring more people in and makes sure they see the whole town centre in the process.

Obvious issue is it needs somebody to volunteer to do it, but you never know :)

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Thats a good move in my view,so good on yer fer that,all things being equal,we shall certainly pop down to that.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Book me in Dave -I'm a treasure hunt fiend...:D

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I need to check my bank to see if I can afford a fiver yet :D

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

The involvement of schools is certainly a good move......parents and Grandparents will turn out just to hear their litle darlings sing........and may buy some roasted chestnuts, or a hog roast barm cake.

Get the schools involved in designing the posters too.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

That's what the magic of Christmas is all about, children.

Of all ages.

:D

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

In New Zealand (where my sister is) they make a fortune having "Sausage Sizzles" cheap to do and profitable apparently...:)

Throw in some black peas and baked potatoes and i'm on the next flight over...

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Do kids actually learn about Xmas at school these days? or is it too racialist? :rolleyes:

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Yes.

Mary, Joseph, and the li'l baby Jesus, were a mobile terrorist cell, working for the P.L.O.

;):D

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

I think that this and all the other comments sound really good.

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

the three wise men were held on suspition of terrorist activity

2 were held for providing c4 and sarin and 1 was held on suspition of myrrhder :D

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

a wonderful start leon, thankyou I have only one little additional point to make.

would there be scope for the none existing traders i mentioned earlier to hold a stall eg. local residents/groups/charities etc.?

and i along with the others owe you a thankyou



on a secondary note, gordon - apology accepted!

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Diwali or what ever its called now;) Christmas is known as winter fest:(

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Well done Leon.

:thankya::thankya:

Re: Christmas Shopping Fireworks
 

Anne, the breakdown was given by one of the officials responding to someone who had complained about the £5 parking fee. There was something about coach hire(presumeably the main parking was some distance from the village) but nothing else,so I can't give you more detail.
As for portable toilets, from what's been said on Accyweb about them Accrington could do with them now. At least the drunks would have somewhere to sit and the benches could be put back!
Someone contacting Rawtenstall or even Grassington would be a good idea, lots of info/help there.