PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money

Subject: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 01:23 PM

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, he will create the article.
He is available all weekend.

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: The Sandman
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 05:11 PM

no.
but anyone who is,should take this up[imo]

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 05:24 PM

What happened? There doesn't seem to be a previous thread about it.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 05:28 PM

There is Jack.It was called Pickering Folk Festival: Tickets Online, which developed into people saying how they are not able to get their money back after the Festival was cancelled

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Tootler
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 06:14 PM

The other thread was just below this one when I clicked here, but here's a link to it anyway

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=113028&messages=92

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 06:42 PM

frankly this organiser is a nincompoop,first he organises afestival theat clashes with Saltburn,then he organises it to clash with Ryedale Folk Weekend.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 06:46 PM

I think he is more than that Captain Birdseye

Hopefully people will go to teh newspaper and expose this guy for what he is.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 06:55 PM

Who was the guy? I'm still in the dark on this one, but don't want to be stung in the future.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 06:57 PM

The main organiser is Mr Simon Boak, The Events Office

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 07:04 PM

Thanks for the info, Villan.
Simon Boak, huh? Don't think I've ever heard of him in 48 years of involvement in the folk club world.
Is he new, keen & stupid? Or old, wily & crooked? Any opinions needed here?
What's his track record on folk music events?

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 07:09 PM

probably wily & crooked & respected in Pickering and very hard to get

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 07:14 PM

I guess it would help greatly if mudcatters could get first post on this thread on as many different websites as possible across the UK.

The more people who let him know that they haven't had their money back, the stronger will be the reporters investigation and newspaper report

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 07:11 AM

Join this group

Pickering Folk Festival 2008 - Are you owed money

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: theleveller
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 07:12 AM

Thanks for starting this thread. I've just rung David Jeffells and left a message for him to call me. Let's hope that we can get enough people together to persuade him to run the article. If The Events Office are trying to run the rescheduled festival we need to warn people not to part with their money until the situation with refunds is resolved.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 09:10 AM

Before anyone commits libel it would be well to remember that the festival was genuinely cancelled because of inclement weather

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: theleveller
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 10:42 AM

Raggytash, we're not doubting (well, I'm not) that there was a genuine reason for cancelling the festival - we were due to go up to Northumberland with the caravan afterwards and our campsite was closed as well. What we are questioning are the actions of the organiser who, after promising refunds from 27 August has failed to deliver or to communicate with us.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 11:02 AM

Thats correct what the leveller says Raggytash. Its about trying to get the money back.

So if there is enough people who have not got tehir money back, then the paper will do a solurge on why not.

So we are not running into libel, just trying to get the guy to pay the money back that he took of the customers.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,aelfleda
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 07:26 AM

Hi
I've spoken with David Jeffells on the phone this morning outlining our plight.
I've suggested to David that he might want to visit Mudcat to get some idea of the number of people who are owed money & the efforts that people have been making to get their refunds
Cheers
Jude

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 08:25 AM

I, too, spoke to him this morning. Nice chap. Looks like there'll be an article soon - probably this week.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 08:56 AM

That sounds great Jude
Les

Guest - that sounds very positive.

It would be good to know about any articles that get in the press.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: theleveller
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 10:26 AM

Oops, above guest was me.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Jim Knowledge
Date: 19 Oct 08 - 11:03 AM

I `ad that Simon Boak with a sweat on in my cab the other day.
`e said, "Can you get me to Heathrow, sharpish like?"
I said, "Yeah, what`s all the rush then. You late for your plane?"
`e said, "Nah, it`s all them on that Mudcat. They reckon `cos my planning clashed with other festivals I took the dosh and did a runner."
I said, " Did ya?"
`e said, "Nah. I just strolled out of the place!!"

Whaddam I like??

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Barbara Hoyle
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 02:02 AM

I have been away for the weekend so haven't seen this thread until now.I intend to try to contact David Jeffells later today.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 02:28 AM

He would be very pleased to hear from you Barbara.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,chris at electraglade
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 10:41 AM

Hello
I'm also owed money from Pickering Festival, and am organising some press and publicity to ensure that this apparant fraud is investigated and exposed.
Any info, please contact
chris
[e-mail]

I have some contact with people who know one of the organisers (who also organised a Celtic Festival in Whitby the other year) so they shouldn't be too difficult to trace.

cheers

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Barbara Hoyle
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 12:14 PM

Chris,
    I've just tried to email you but the message has been bounced back.We know that the main organiser is Simon Boak and that contact details are on The Events Office website: www.theeventsoffice.co.uk.
    Unfortunately, emails and letters are ignored and should you manage to make contact via the telephone,you will be subjected to evasion and false claims as to when the money will be refunded.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 12:22 PM

If he is competent as an organizer (and I don't have he foggiest idea whether he is) he will have had insurance against being weathered out. So canceling because of weather is no excuse for not returning deposits.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 12:23 PM

Chris
At the moment, their is no evidence that fraud is involved. What is a fact, is that it would seem lots of people who paid for their tickets, haven't had it back yet.
Unless of course you have some damning evidence that we are not privy to.
Les

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,emm lou
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 02:00 PM

Hi all - after i posted on the original thread i decided to write a letter of complaint and demanding our refund to Simon Boak and sent it via recorded delivery so he should have received this today. I'm going to call the reporter about this too as I think the more people that do the better. If anyone has any advice on any legal action we can take then please help!
It may also be worth contacting Folk Roots magazine about this.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 02:54 PM

Any action would have to be through the Small Claims Court. I'm considering doing this myself if we don't get our refunds soon.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: theleveller
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 02:55 PM

Damn. That as me.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Folkiedave
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 03:17 PM

You can do the Small Claims Court on-line nowadays.

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/onlineservices/mcol/index.htm

I succesfully sued Carphone Warehouse over a faulty telephone they refused to replace.

You save £5.00 (£25.00 instead of £30.00) but otherwise I thought it was easy to do and user friendly as they say.

The problem is that if you win you need to enforce it and it may be spending good money chasing bad.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Tootler
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 05:50 PM

The small claims court does work.

My daughter and her friend successfully sued their former landlord after he refused to return their deposit on their flat when they left.

They were awarded the full amount (£1000) less £50 for some rewiring that had been done. I suspect the judge only gave the landlord that to avoid him appealing.

They actually got their money as well. I think that was partly because the money was held by the estate agents that had acted for the landlord and they felt he had cheated them.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Darowyn
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 03:23 AM

I lived on the Yorkshire Coast for many years, and I remember Simon Boak's name appearing on promo posters over twenty years ago. He has been around for a long time, mostly promoting Country Shows, Traction Engine Rallies etc.
I have vague memories of dealing with him with no problems.
Unless his business has collapsed drastically this summer, and that is possible, I would say that you should not give up hope.
It will be strongly in Mr Boak's interest to maintain his good name in the area.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Barbara Hoyle
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 06:19 AM

Good luck emm lou,
       I did the same 14 days ago and have had no response whatsoever to my letter. I now intend to send a second letter and will no doubt have to resort to the small claims court: thank you everyone for your advice re this.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 06:31 AM

You might be interested in looking at this

http://www.new.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=44286860585&topic=5513&ref=mf

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Barbara Hoyle
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 06:34 AM

Please explain why my message posted minutes ago has been deleted - I don't understand.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Barbara Hoyle
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 06:36 AM

Apologies - just realised that I'm mistaken re deletion - think I need a lie down in a darkened room.
Thanks Villan,I'll try to access the info but the machine I'm currently using doesn't allow me to do so.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Barbara Hoyle
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 01:33 PM

I have received my refund. A postal order for the appropriate amount arrived today. May I encourage those of you still trying to persevere and thank you to anyone who offered advice.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 02:23 PM

Well thats excellent news Barbara

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Michelle
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 02:46 PM

As sad as it is that we're all waiting for our money, I'm glad to have found this forum and to know I'm not the only one waiting. Sounds like we've all tried the same things to get our refunds; I was also fobbed off on the phone (once I'd eventually got through) and no response to my emails.
Not sure what to do next really. Might just be patient for a little while longer, after all Barbara got her money back. Think I will contact the guy at the Herald & Gazette. I hope nobody else loses their money.

Thanks

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 21 Oct 08 - 04:03 PM

With a little luck no one will actually loose their money, just be deprived of it for a while!!

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Barbara Hoyle
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 02:37 AM

A friend was informed on the telephone yesterday that her date for a refund of £150 was November 10th. She objected to waiting until then and now awaits further developments.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 03:53 AM

There is going to be more of this kind of problem in years to come.

Saul has given up for 2009, after 2007 floods and a near problem this year, and Shrewsbury Showground was flooded three weeks after the festival, a near miss. Expectations that floods don't happen in summer is way out of date. Given the economic climate as well, a lot of people will decide at the last minute and that is a stress that may cause organisers to cancel.

Here we are discussing entertainment, business, employment, that calls itself Folk. A return to "Folk" Festivals may be the answer.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,Barbara Hoyle
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 04:06 AM

Saul refunded without problems after 2007 and I was happy to make a donation of part of my money to help offset the inevitable costs of the cancellation.No doubt many others did the same.
The way Pickering dealt with the situation bears no resemblance to the way Saul treated their customers. People were kept well informed at every stage of the process, something which has been sadly lacking in Pickering's case.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Folkiedave
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 04:12 AM

A return to "Folk" Festivals may be the answer.

I am not sure what the difference is!! Care to explain?

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: GUEST,JR
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 05:35 AM

http://www.maltonmercury.co.uk/news/Folk-fans39-fury-over-ticket.4616990.jp

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: theleveller
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 06:16 AM

Nothing new there, then. It seems that threats of legal action are the only way to get them to do something.

In the meantime, tickets for Ryedale are now on sale. I'll be ordering mine today - at least I know they can be relied on.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: theleveller
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 06:45 AM

Simon Boakes has just called me and explained the situation at length. He says that the refunds will now be made as quickly as possible (in the next few days). He apologised profusely for the situation, which arose from some inexperienced people in the Events Office who weren't properly briefed on the situation giving false information about how quickly it was possible to make refunds.

He is anxious to run a festival but doesn't want to clash with others, so he asked my advice on when would be the best time to hold the rescheduled event. (The suggestion of moving it to later in June so it didn't clash with Ryedale was made - what's the opinion?)

I have to say that I felt he was genuine, both in his explanation and his desire to run a successful folk festival that would appeal to as many people as possible. He suggested that, in the future, monies paid would be held by someone independent of the organisers so that people could be certain it was in safe hands.

Let's see if we receive the refunds as promised and take it from there.

Subject: RE: PickeringFolkFestival Are you owed money
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 01:13 PM

Folkie Dave don't be so provocative. You of all people.

Folk is about people. Introduce money and there is risk. Bigger the money, bigger the risk. Bigger the egos. How did all these big festivals start? Lots of enthusiasts and just a pub to help with the tent. A lot of DIY. Simple, modest and FOLK. When money is (was) tight thats what FOLK do.

And Knowing Clive Field at Saul as I do - and knowing their purpose - they handled it as you would hope. Not all ticket holders at Saul bothered to apply for a refund, the rule there was to announce a deadline so that they could get their books audited. A lot of performers waved their rights in contract and got booked the next year.
I can imagine Pickering have a cash flow problem and if the business ethic is not of the best order you can imagine there is a tactic in play. Quieten the loudest and those wot don't shout don't want.

Let this be a warning for next year.