Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 47
Posts: 5,702
3. Not that many people see the PPRuNe Bashes forum???? Has the bash been widely advertised on other forums?
Have to admit I am struggling to understand such an early cancellation with 9 months to go? At six months, I could understand but this has hardly had a chance to get going and for the word to spread.
...the prevalence of antagonism destroying what used to be a sense of community long, long ago?
...the number of wannabes who post as experts, or simmers ditto, who spoil the debate?
...the move from a site 'for the people, by the people' to one for profit at all costs?
Forgive me, cynic mode is on this evening. I had thought of throwing my hat in for some tickets, as the last 'open forum' pilot's ball I went to was memorable!
Don - What a great shame that it didn't come to fruition. It's disheartening that it didn't work out. Thank you for trying to organise what was shaping up to be a really amusing and fun bash. All the best and with regrets. cc
I'd intended to say we would like to come, just hadn't got round to it yet as there wasn't a definite date in the OP to 'confirm by now or it won't go ahead', hence my slackness.
As many of my friends on here will be happy to remind me, I've never been to a bash but I've been around these parts long enough to pick up an odd thing or two. I've a few conclusions... (I'm not necessarily in agreement with these, just putting it out there...).
Too early for people to commit (rosters, family duties etc).
Financial woes and job insecurity.
Unwillingness to enter an perceived established clique.
Format of event.
Geographic location.
In ten years I've noticed a decline in the 'community' feel to the site. That might be just me, I don't spend as much time here as I used to, but if that lack of spirit is palpable to others, it could mean an event like this might be less attractive.
I was going to post pretty much what timmcat already said, but to elaborate a little...
Many people don't/can't/won't plan their lives 9 months in advance. Personally, I nearly cried off for that very reason. 9 months - when we're planning holidays, new jobs, moving house etc!!!! I realise you had to know, but it's not realistic for many of us.
Croydon is horribly inaccessible from anywhere in the North; you either need to do a half-circuit of the M25 by car and then head inwards, or cross London by train. Again, I was nearly put off. Don't tell me it isn't awkward; I come from Croydon originally, and I spent years trying to find an easy way to visit relatives - and there isn't one.
Not everyone likes formal events and/or big bands. Again, I preferred the 'come as you are', 'do as you like' events of the old days, and I think many others did too. And do you really think all our younger members have dinner jackets or anything similar?
This site has got too big and it's probably pretty scary for any young newbie to decide to come to an event like that...Who are all these people? Who would he/she know? Again, very different from back in the early days of bashes.
A lot of people are seriously short of money at the moment, and while this may have been good value, by the time you've paid for travel and accommodation, it wouldn't be cheap.
I agree that it's a shame, but I'm really not surprised.
I don't in any way mean this as a criticism, Don, but I think that's the way things are.
Shame. But I agree that the bash may not have been seen by enough people - I tend not to visit this forum but the idea of this bash looked really appealing to me.
As for:
Quote:
Not everyone likes.......big bands.
- wash your mouth out, Whirly! Yes, I consider myself a fan, but get this. Some years ago there was a wartime-themed bash at Headcorn, with the Herb Miller Big Band and the floor was packed with jitterbigging couples in wartime fancy dress. It was a great night.
Not one for bashes (though I did make one at Popham many years ago), but as for the community, it's good to see some old names still here. FF was a blast from the past - think we were doing our ATPL's around same time.
There must still be a draw to old PPRuNe
The fact that weaver gets a look in here also says something for the forum X factor syndrome!
Location: A Whilom nimble brain. With 31 million posts.
Age: 72
Posts: 2,956
I'm sorry, though right now don't know what part of the world I'll be in then. So frustrating . . . this last year was the only time I've been in the freezing latitudes till November, for nearly 10 years.
Thought it was a very good deal. Love big band, but my two (40 and 50 year old ) tuxes were finally sent to the dump when I sold up. Not kidding, got the one 50 years ago for dinner in the officer's mess at Alconbury. Needn't have bothered, they all turned up in funny little jackets looking like waiters. Oh, and they called for the Rivetess to dance on the table - which she did. She was a lot of fun then.
