PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,John Robinson
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 08:01 AM

There is much claim and counter claim going on at the www.tractiontalkforum.com forum, including Simon Boak and another director of the company, Arthur Harris, having a public disagreement about their budgeting and financial responsibilities.

I think you have to be registered to read the threads.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:17 AM

Unwelcome news to those owed money.

There has been aledgedly even more trouble concerning the organisers following severe problems at the showground on Sunday.
I enclose a press release from "The Press" in York

"Police called after Pickering Traction Engine Rally exhibitors block exits
8:37am Monday 10th August 2009


POLICE were called to a huge steam show in North Yorkshire after a sudden dispute led to angry exhibitors blocking the exits.
A row over the arrangements for the Pickering Traction Engine Rally flared during the final stages of its four-day stay at the town's showground following what stallholders say was an unexpected and "fiery" afternoon meeting with organisers.
It led to lorries, trucks and some of the vehicles on show at the event – which is believed to have attracted more than 50,000 visitors – being used to blockade the exits to the venue. Police were eventually able to clear the way after 5pm.
The reasons for the protest are unclear, but the company behind the rally – Leeds-based Events & Exhibitions Ltd – was unavailable for comment yesterday, despite repeated attempts by The Press to contact them.
One of the show's exhibitors, who did not want to be named, said: "We were all called into a meeting at about 3pm and were told there had been some problems – it was certainly fiery.
"Everybody was furious afterwards and the next thing we knew people were loading up their vehicles and taking them round to block the entrances to the showground, saying they weren't leaving until they got answers on certain things.
"Nobody who can tell us exactly what has been happening seems to have been around, but there has been a lot of anger."

Both the new owners and the original owners were allegedly involved in the dispute.

This "may" result in even less a chance of anyone receiving a refund from anyone.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Just trying to help
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 05:51 PM

It is clear that Simon Boak is still involved, at least with the steam rallies which are as chaotically organised as ever.

The following press story seems to suggest that the new company is paying off some creditors in part, but maybe not all creditors are involved in this arrangement?

http://www.maltonmercury.co.uk/news/Collapse-ofevents-firm.5034298.jp

Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Dorothy and Simon Haskins
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 04:29 PM

Hi did you have any luck getting your money back?
Fedup!
Dorothy ansd Simon

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Dorothy and Simon Haskins
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 04:21 PM

Hi We are at a total loss as we don't know how to get our money back. We paid for a full weekend and camping.
We would appreciate any advice.
Cheers
Best wishes
Dorothy and Simon

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 07:47 AM

Obviously the message I referred to was removed.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 07 Jul 09 - 05:34 AM

Should the last message be removed

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,jacobsgoldmine
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 12:47 PM

I would question if Mr Boak has anything to do with the new company, if so why was he handing out money on the showfield at Selby stem fair to the traction engine exhibitors????? 2 weekends ago

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Qwertyco
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 07:58 AM

I have been in contact with the new owner of the Pickering Showground, Mr.H.
He phoned me personally, and has supplied me with the following, which seems to clarify a lot of the rumour and gossip surrounding this whole sorry affair.

Mr.H. Bought the showground, and it's associated websites last year.
He employs two of the former events office staff, to man his new company.
Simon Boak has no connection with the new company.
He has no responsibility for Mr.Boak's debts, past, present or future!
He is offering complimentary tickets (for 2008 ticketholders) for the 2009 festival purely as an act of goodwill.

Looks like the trail ends firmly at Mr. Boak's door!

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Dravinger
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 05:50 PM

Well it looks like the "Yorkshire Folk Festival" we were offered free tickets to isn't going to happen either - the weekend of 23rd 24th and 25th May is now the dates for the Yorkshire Food Festival at the Pickering Show Ground http://www.theeventsoffice.co.uk/ and I guess that will probably sink into the Pickering mud too especially if Mr Boak has anything to do with it.

I might have lost only £80 (which my credit card company won't refund as it's under the £100 threshold) on the tickets but it's the 500 mile round trip for nothing and a disappointed family that really p***ed me off.

It also looks like the bands haven't been paid or compensated either for the last minute cancellation. I found this on The Waterboys web site:


PICKERING FESTIVAL REFUNDS UPDATE
27th Jan 2009

Many people have contacted us to say they still haven't received ticket refunds for the cancelled Pickering Festival of last August. We're very sorry to hear this but not surprised, because The Waterboys haven't been paid either despite the show being cancelled only the day before and the band having already incurred costs in advance. Anyone still waiting for refunds is advised to report the matter to The Trading Standards and Consumer Advice Office, 9 St Leonard's Place, York YO1 7ET. Or you could try chasing the promoter: Simon Boak, The Events Office, PO Box 1, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7YG. Telephone; 01751 473780. Good luck!

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Feb 09 - 02:37 PM

business men and thieves,now this is interesting,the two are sometimes interchangeable,.
just take a look at what happened in Iceland,and next it seems someone called Stanford is going to be accused of fraud,they are all good businessmen ,or are they good thieves? .
who cares what they are called.
all that matters is that they return the money ,to those ,that they have taken it from .

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Nick
Date: 17 Feb 09 - 02:25 PM

>>Simon Boak is just a business man who has made a mistake. All his other events are very good.

If his other events are very good he'd presumably have made enough money to reimburse those he has not so far repaid

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 09 - 09:13 AM

QUOTE:
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 06:53 PM

"I do know Simon quite well for many years, . . . . . . He is without doubt a nice man".




Perhaps he'd be "Nice" enough to give me back the £300 he owes me.

How much does he owe you?

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Qwertyco
Date: 17 Feb 09 - 08:58 AM

The Events Office website:

http://pickeringfolkfestival.theeventsoffice.co.uk

is now defunct!,
though the elusive Mr.B is still to be found in the area.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 06:56 AM

leveller,yes,Iam booked to be therehttp://www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 06:53 PM

I do know Simon quite well for many years, doing Health and Safety and Food Hygiene consultancy for him at his Steam Traction events. He is without doubt a nice man, but unfortunatly his luck and business sense lets him down quite often.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: theleveller
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 12:13 PM

Never met him but he did ring me up and spent around 20 minutes on the phone towards the end of last year, explaining what had happened. I really do believe that he wanted to organise a really good folk event (and make money, of course). He said that he had advice from someone prominent in the folk scene in Whitby. I must say that I don't think he's a conman (but, then, I did get my money back). I do, however, think that he's guilty of a big breach of good faith in promising refunds that he hasn't delivered. I suspect that he simply hasn't got the money to make the refunds at the moment - whether he will in the future is anyone's guess.

As for a folk festival in the Pickering area on the May Bank Holiday weekend - I, for one, will be going to Ryedale Folk Weekend just up the road in Hutton-le-Hole, same as I did last year. Brilliant little festival! Hope to see some of you there.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,yoyo
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 11:46 AM

Have any of u even met Simon Boak?

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 07:24 PM

Well, thank you, Captain Birdseye.
I'm tickled, oh, and I don't owe money to lots of innocent punters who deserve a fair deal and aren't getting it.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 02:07 PM

100.
Greycap is a respected performer who has earned his living on the folkscene for many years.
Simon Boak owes a lot of people money,
anonymous guest,piss off.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,yoyo
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 01:31 PM

Simon Boak is just a business man who has made a mistake. All his other events are very good.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 05:45 PM

May I also suggest that The Villain's posting that was taken from the Pikering Forum may be a tad defamatory. I'm very surprised that Mudcat have allowed this to be posted. If I were Mr Boak I would be looking very carefully at this thread with my legal advisor in response. Threatening behaviour is insinuated too. Not very good or professional Mudcat, regardless of Mr Boak's activities.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 05:25 PM

Greycap, you're a COCK! "BOAK IS A F***ING THIEF!!!" Ain't that a bit strong? I'm more inclined to side with Stallion's version of events. I truly hope that people get their refunds of course but at least Mr Boak is trying to settle the matter albeit slowly! If he was a f***ing thief, don't you think he may have made off with all the booty? I, for one, hope he succeeds with his events because, having gone to many of them for years, they're successful, well-organised shows. He appears to have got his fingers burned with this one but I still reckon he'll come back bigger and bolder. He's not a conman. Probably just a businessman that was out of his depth. One other thing to mention is that, if he had no knowledge of the folk music scene, then how on earth did he manage to get together such a fabulous line up? I wish him and all of you well and hope that the matter resolves itself quickly.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 09 - 07:20 AM

I'd be very suprised if many artists. traders or anyone else would touch this event with a bargepole now (apart from anything else if the weather is bad in May it isnt beyond the realms of possibility the same thing could happen again - it being the Vale of Pickering after all)

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Karen L
Date: 08 Jan 09 - 07:17 AM

I'd like to hear of anyone who has had sucess in claiming thier money back through small claims court. Also is anyone goingto go for this ofer of free pass to next year's event? I don't know what to do? I'm going to contact watchdog programme.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Dravinger
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 04:28 PM

Just received a letter to say The Events Office has ceased trading but another company is acquiring some of the Events Office business... What's the betting that the 'new' company has the same set of directors or owners?

Fat chance of getting any money back from them now.

They have offered a free pass to next years festival (now called "The Yorkshire Folk Festival") even if you have had a refund. This sounds good to start with until you ask yourself what the line up will be - if we are struggling to get a refund what about the bands? So what chance of a line up of a similar quality or any of the acts who were supposed to play last August?

Question is can you trust them? I don't.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 08:25 AM

The proper contraction for 'there is' is there's. Theirs is the 3rd person plural posessive pronoun- which should be their.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 01:22 PM

Just seen this post on the Pickering Forum by somebody called Jimbo.

>>
Posts: 1
Re: Pickering Folk Festival Launched
Reply #9 - Today at 15:30:10 Quote
BEWARE ALL POTENTIAL SUPPLIERS AND CUSTOMERS WHO EITHER SUPPLY
OR BUY FROM THE EVENTS OFFICE ORGANISATION.

THEY ARE A BUNCH OF THEIVING NO GOOD W******.

BECAUSE THEY CANCELLED THE PICKERING FOLK FESTIVAL I AM OUT OF
POCKET TO THE TUNE OF £600 FOR SUPPLYING THEM WITH SERVICES FOR
THE EVENT TOGETHER WITH OTHER NUMEROUS SUPPLIERS AND ARTISTS.

DO NOT GO ANYWHERE NEAR THIS BUNCH OF THEIVING CON ARTISTS OR
YOU WILL LOSE A LOT OF MONEY.

HOW MANY PUNTERS BOUGHT TICKETS FOR THE FESTIVAL AND HAVE NOT HAD
A REFUND YET ????

WE ARE SUING THE ARSE OFF SIMON BOAK AND IF THEIRS ANYONE OUT THERE
WHO HAS BEEN SCREWED BY THIS ORGANISATION AS WELL, LET ME KNOW
IT WILL ONLY ADD TO THIS GUY GETTING SCREWED BY THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

WATCH OUT SIMON, YOU NEVER KKNOW WHO'S GOING TO TAP YOU ON THE SHOULDER
WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT !

<<

http://theeventsoffice.co.uk/msg/YaBB.pl?num=1208273995/0

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,yoyo
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:27 PM

Everyone makes mistakes!

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: stallion
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 06:58 PM

Hey I don't think Mr Boak is a crook. he was a businessman who needed to maximise the profits from the showground and took a punt at running a folk festival and it went tits up, it isn't pleasant to have to deal with the aftermath and many of them must feel wretched, yes and a whole lot are waiting for their money, which may or may not arrive. I stick by my post at the very outset of this venture wher i wished them well but in my experience successful folk festivals grew from little acorns and didn't appear overnight as it were, caveat emptor!

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 04:23 AM

Some you may not be aware that the dialect work for sick in Scottish is 'BOAK' as in 'It's enuff tae make ye boak' i.e. 'It is enough to make one vomit'. Quite apt really

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 04:18 AM

Ho Ho Ho, why not? Is he going to be Father Christmas and deliver all the money he owes to all the goodly folkies he owes it too?

He has yo yo'ed people around enough as it is.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 03:55 AM

hey, Yoyo,
Why not?

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,yoyo
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 12:10 PM

You shouldn't be so nasty about Simon Boak!!

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Folkiedave
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 03:48 AM

My wife and I said at the time that it was identical to one of the Halifax festivals in the 60/70s where everybody in the world was booked, nobody was ever paid, lots of the audience suffered Hyperthermyia, no pay, no money back.... it was the weather....yeah, sure.

It was held at Barkisland as I remember. And the weather was awful. if the audience suffered hypothermia in the middle of August, you can reckon that the weather was bad!!

Not really a comparison IMHO.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 02:23 AM

To Save people looking back for the newspaper contact detials, here it is again.

The Gazette & Herald that covers North Yorkshire are willing to run an article on this problem.

If you phone David Jeffells on Mobile [phone] or Home 01723 863395,

Basically, if you are still owed money for tickets that you paid for the 2008 Festival or are owed money for services, he would like to talk to you, so that he has a story to go with.

He would like people to offer their name, but stated that it wasn't necessary if you so wished.

So this is your big chance to get this situation plastered all over the North Yorkshire newspapers.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 07:58 PM

Hey, folks,
Bitter experience tells me, I was once booked at a festival at Harewood outside Leeds, years ago, where everybody in music was booked, nobody was ever paid.
I regretfully feel that you paid your money to an absolute crook, who never had any, whatsoever, intention of holding a festival in the first instance,and knew folkies were nice people, but very gullible.
Look,please, for example, at the other festivals over that date.They all co-incide.warning?
Look, again, at the all artistes booked. Look at the prices, ok? My wife and I said at the time that it was identical to one of the Halifax festivals in the 60/70s where everybody in the world was booked, nobody was ever paid, lots of the audience suffered Hyperthermyia, no pay, no money back.... it was the weather....yeah, sure.
Experience helps...you aren't getting your money back..,. Boak is a F..... thief. You lost this one, be careful in future.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Guest, Newcastle
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 05:48 PM

December 9th and still no refund. Might be worth getting on to the news paper guy again. Will have to go back through the posts to find his details. I think the events office should get lots of negative publicity, if for no other reason than to stop others losing their money with these crims.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Qwertyco
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 07:39 AM

December the 5th 2008, and Mr."P" is still waiting for his alphabetical £300 refund.

Apparently the box office is closed yesterday and today because the staff are all at the showground.

Presumably shoveling snow about!

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 01:03 PM

They can't be going out in alphabetical order - my surname begins with B and I'm still waiting. About to start the electronic / county court process now.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: theleveller
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 08:01 AM

I doubt if they're going out in alphabetical order. I received mine yesterday and my name begins with 'T'. Maybe they're going out in order that they were booked - I booked mine quite early one. Maybe there's no order at all. If you're moving, contact them and give them your new address.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Miss Jones
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 06:48 AM

Hello, does anyone know are the refunds going out in alphabetical order as I haven't still seen anything! We are moving house on Monday and I don't want to think a cheque has got lost in the redirected post!!!
Hels

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 12:39 PM

Hi Chris
Thanks for that.
Blimey is that true that it is the last one. What will whitby do with all its fish and chips.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Crow
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 11:51 AM

Sounds good. Will definately make it then. Is it really the last one?!

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,M&C Chris
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 11:49 AM

Guests we're hoping for at next years Moor and Coast include Vin Garbutt, Something Nasty In The Woodshed, Anthony John Clarke, Ember, Dan McKinnon and a few others who've slipped my mind. Looking forward to it.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 11:01 AM

Thats excellent Jude

Do you know what the line up is for Moor & Coast next year yet?

Cheers
Les Worrall

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,aelfleda
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 10:25 AM

Got my cheque & a letter of apology this morning.
Thanks everyone & hope that those of you who haven't had your refunds yet get them soon.
jude

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 04:53 AM

No Problems theleveller.
I don't like seeing people done.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: theleveller
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 04:04 AM

I certainly think we can thank this forum for helping to get our money back (which I'm now fairly confident we will) and I'd also like to thank The Villain for his work in bringing it to the notice of the press. Cheers Les.


This has all served as a salutory lesson for anyone seeking to organise a new folk festival but I hope it won't put off those who genuinely want to break new ground. If it hadn't been for people with vision and determination, we wouldn't have the superb Folk On The Moors events created by Richerd and Jeanette Grainger or new festivals like Shepley.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 04:46 PM

You may very well be right - but I don't know, so I asked.