The Big Forum Gathering (B.F.G.)

[Gus]

...and then he noticed something was missing...

Ou est le Franck????

Is Franck away?

Just need to ensure that whatever date is selected that it doesn't clash with the invasion of Ceroc Scotland to my 'Braveheart' freestyle (July 6th).


Anyway ... think Franck needs to make a call as to whether its just a couple of freestyles, or a full dance weekend ... or how about getting some serious tourist things in (and some drinking )? It would be nice to structure things so that muggle partners could also enjoy it.

[Graham]

Originally posted by Gus
It would be nice to structure things so that muggle partners could also enjoy it.

Or to put it another way, so that you're allowed to come

[Andy McGregor]

I was chatting with Minnie M on the way back from dancing in Portsmouth tonight. We love the idea of a Forum Get Together in Scotland. And we both feel that there's no need for workshops. What we like is dancing. We like freestyle and we like watching dancing - and a nice chinwag too with a sprinkling of gossip. We thought a Friday night dance that finishes at silly O'Clock then a nice long lie-in followed by brunch at about midday a quick look at Scotland then a nice tea at 4pm followed by dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, etc.

Maybe we could dance 'til about silly O'Clock again, have a nice lie in and go home about lunch time on the Sunday.

It's just an idea. What do you other Forumites think?

[ChrisA]

Originally posted by Andy McGregor
It's just an idea. What do you other Forumites think?

Sounds fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine 2 me.

Needs a critical mass, though.

And enough girls, given their lower stamina than the guys , in my unbiased opinion.

I do NOT want to end up with a choice of Sheepster, Trampster or McGregster to dance with at 4.30 am.

Chris

[Andy McGregor]

Originally posted by ChrisA
And enough girls, given their lower stamina than the guys , in my unbiased opinion.

You are in big trouble. Those Scottish girls aren't like the softie Southerners we're used to - they are trained killers and will outlast and outdance us guys...

Originally posted by ChrisA
I do NOT want to end up with a choice of Sheepster, Trampster or McGregster to dance with at 4.30 am.
Chris

What time would you like to dance with us then?

[Tiggerbabe]

Originally posted by ChrisA
I do NOT want to end up with a choice of Sheepster, Trampster or McGregster to dance with at 4.30 am.
Chris

Don't worry Chris - if it's only 4.30am - I'll still be there

[michael]

Hi Guys. Agree with Andy on this one. we need time to chat as well as dance and the two just do not (for me anyway) go to-gether.

Happy to go with the flow and dance till whatever. Two dances and party afterwards on each night sounds appealing.

Whats the time scale for still getting cheap flights for you guys. I would have thought the earlier the better (cheaper).

Just a thought but if Franck organises the dance nights maybe one of you guys could co-ordinate with one of our guys up here and we could book hotel rooms en-masse for special discount. That way we can enjoy after party without disturbance

[Chris]

Originally posted by TheTramp
Easyjet only appear to fly to London Luton. I've just booked my train down to London for the Bognor weekend (£45, straight from Dundee to Kings X, no airport parking, no travelling to the airport, no having to check in an hour before the flight, no waiting for baggage, no changes

Easyjet does do Gatwick from Edinburgh, which is the easiest way to get to Bognor from the Scottish Capital, but the east coast GNER train is excellent value and pretty reliable as trains go - excellent value from Dundee or further afield.

One tip I try to remember is that if you go by train you will have to change stations in London using the tube (unless you can get a good taxi across town or want to chill out in London for a bit) and this means that a rucksack is much easier to travel with than a travel-bag-on-wheels (getting them up and down the tube steps errrr - fun!).

Probably you've sussed this Seve but thought I'd mention it in case it helps anyone else.

[Dave Hancock]

Originally posted by Chris

Probably you've sussed this Seve but thought I'd mention it in case it helps anyone else.

Didn't realise you were a good golfer as well Mr Tramp

[Chris]

Originally posted by Dave Hancock
Didn't realise you were a good golfer as well Mr Tramp

Quite right - I suppose it's a bit difficult to fit golf clubs in a rucksack

[Franck]

Originally posted by Gus
...and then he noticed something was missing...

Ou est le Franck????

Is Franck away?

Nice to be missed

Not gone anywhere and reading all the posts on this thread.
It seems the idea of a Great Scottish Forum Gathering is taking momentum, but rather than rush things, I'm looking at all the options.
I have already discounted the February and May Beach Ballroom Week-ends, though they will be Reunions in their own rights...

I am currently looking at a date later in the year. I also favour the idea of a 2 nights partying (Friday & Saturday).
As with all these events, the venue will be key, and I'm investigating all possibilities.
I would also be interested to get some feedback on the Perth Bells Centre, where we ran the Scottish Jivemasters party... It was a bit big last year, but with the numbers we would expect for the Forum Gathering, then maybe we'll need that size of hall?
Finally, I've been looking at the possibility of a Scottish Week-ender for a while, so that could serve as the first one...

Franck.

[Pammy]

Originally posted by Andy McGregor
a sprinkling of gossip

Only a sprinkling? What's wrong with you then? Caught the lurgy; you're definitely below par today

No, seriously I'd rather no workshops, just dancing in the evening, lunch/dinner together and sightseeing.

Px

[Dave Hancock]

I'd quite like workshops and probably most of the Scottish contingent would prefer this given we're able to sightseeing things whenever we fancy and it's always a bit of a treat to get some top teachers up here.

[Forte]

Originally posted by Franck
Nice to be missed

Finally, I've been looking at the possibility of a Scottish Week-ender for a while, so that could serve as the first one...

The man is a star!

[Franck]

Originally posted by Dave Hancock
I'd quite like workshops and probably most of the Scottish contingent would prefer this given we're able to sightseeing things whenever we fancy and it's always a bit of a treat to get some top teachers up here.

I agree, that having workshops is a good idea, and with so many top dancers / teachers on the Forum, it would be a shame not to use all that talent

I suspect that Andy would rather have the option to book for just the parties / accommodation, rather than an all in one price including workshops. That way, there is less pressure on anyone, and you can go sightseeing (or have a long lie).

Franck.

[Boomer]

Originally posted by Franck
I agree, that having workshops is a good idea, and with so many top dancers / teachers on the Forum, it would be a shame not to use all that talent
I suspect that Andy would rather have the option to book for just the parties / accommodation, rather than an all in one price including workshops. That way, there is less pressure on anyone, and you can go sightseeing (or have a long lie).
Franck.

I'm also in favour of workshops for this weekend. Given the level of talent up there it would be almost sinful not to use it. Having no idea of the logistics I can't see the problem with a BB style format, i.e. main event packages, and workshop combos. Aside from that, workshops are also an opportuniy for the more coy dancer to relax, unwind and get into the swing of things...provided we can find them of course.

[TheTramp]

Originally posted by Franck
I agree, that having workshops is a good idea, and with so many top dancers / teachers on the Forum, it would be a shame not to use all that talent

I suspect that Andy would rather have the option to book for just the parties / accommodation, rather than an all in one price including workshops. That way, there is less pressure on anyone, and you can go sightseeing (or have a long lie).

Franck.

Agreed. It's nice to have the choice of whether or not you want to go to a workshop, or whether or not you just want to chill out and rest or sightsee, or whatever.

Which is what Franck normally does

Regarding venue. I'd love to see it at the Bell Sports Centre again. It was a bit big for this year - but hopefully, with more people, it'd be a really great event.

Can hardly wait

Steve

[Mary]

Originally posted by ChrisA


And enough girls, given their lower stamina than the guys , in my unbiased opinion.

I do NOT want to end up with a choice of Sheepster, Trampster or McGregster to dance with at 4.30 am.

Chris

OI! Is that a bloody challenge or wot!

And how could you complain at being left with such illustrious company - they are all great women!!

Seriously, I like the idea of some 'specialist' workshops like lifts and aerials, musicality, D & L's advanced jive - covering more technical stuff, improvisation etc. Just a thought.

This sounds like it's going to be a great weekend - I'm getting all excited already (or was that another thread? )

M

[Lynn]

Originally posted by Franck
I agree, that having workshops is a good idea, and with so many top dancers / teachers on the Forum, it would be a shame not to use all that talent

Franck.

Another vote for workshops. We don't have anything like that over here in faraway Belfast. Plus, with my dancing level, I would need all the extra help I can get to even hope to get up for a few dances with other forumites!

[Minnie M]

Originally posted by Franck
I agree, that having workshops is a good idea, and with so many top dancers / teachers on the Forum, it would be a shame not to use all that talent
Franck.

Yes BUT - that would make the price of the weekend high - add that to accomadion and flight (even if low cost) and parking/taxis/transport costs - that would certainly rule the trip out for me