Manchester, Friday 1st Aug

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 06:36 PM

How could you forget Matadepera.... it's where it all started!!

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Folkiedave
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 04:09 PM

Forgot Matadepera - four for me!!

Dave

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 06:58 PM

Seems like 3 is the lucky number FolkieDave - I've met them 3 times, in Sheffield, Manchester, and also Matadepera. I also met Griselda, the embroideress - she is an incredible woman!

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Folkiedave
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 06:34 PM

Just one small comment for information on Micca's pictures. The ones he describes as the principal Catalan Giants belong to the Agrupacio or collective group (think Morris Fed, or Morris ring). A group is called a "colla" (pl. colles) the colles all belong to the Agrupacio.

They were made in 1989 to celebrate 1000 years of Catalan history and are called "Work" (him) and Culture (her) Treball i Cultura in Catalan. Each year the Agrupacio elects a "Giant City" and that city, or town represents Catalunya for any invitations abroad. They also get to keep "Ken and Barbie" as we christened them for the year and cart them about as and when. I did do a couple of guided tours of their costumes (!!) last Saturday having been taught the tour myself by the woman who did the amazing embroidery called Griselda Karsunke.

It is the third time I happen to have seen them - once in Sheffield 1991 - Portugal 1993 and now Manchester. And the hair on both of them is real!!

Dave

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 07:15 AM

Nice pics - hoping for some more from mine and Lady P's as soon as I remember where the camera is.

Any one seen my brain cell?

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Noreen
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 08:49 PM

Lovely pics thanks micca! Great to see the giants in familiar surroundings.

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Micca
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 07:53 PM

There are some pictures here,Click Here

sorry there are not many nor are they very representative, but I didnt get very much time to take pics, as I had other duties

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 06:47 PM

I have an official list of all those who actually participated somewhere, will find it and post it.

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Emma B
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 01:56 PM

Everyone got an 'aplec' book on Sunday
The gegants are listed as
Montblanc, Conca de Barbera
Baix Llobregat
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelones
Selva
Ribes de Freser, Ripolles = 10

Grups del Regne Unit
St Lukes Project (the 2 Lowry figures and a 'bighead')
Dorchester Giants (1)
Sheffield City Giants (2)
London Guise (The Morrigan & The Hon.Percy)
Slawit Guise (Nathandriel?)
Northwest Gegants (4 from the Midsomer Watch Chester and The Spirit of Manchester (2))

Who have I missed out? I haven't had the photo's developed yet

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Noreen
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 11:02 AM

You sure it wasn't 13 and a puppet at Withernsea for the millennium celebrations, Liz?

:0)

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 04 Aug 03 - 10:51 AM

Alright, it may have been 10 in Salisbury in 1994, but it doesn't matter, it was never more than 15!

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 08:48 PM

Well that came out all arse backwards!!! But it still makes sense!

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 08:44 PM

Final figures as far as I can reckon, having tried to get a picture of all the participants:

An animated figure is considered to be a giant if it is:

a) over average human height - e.g. more than 6 ft and not a living human
b) carried independantly by one or more porters
c) Not obviously a hobby animal or ninny (large head on normal body)

There were several stick puppets there, and were advertised as such, so although beautiful and extremely well made and presented, not counted as a giant. There were also several ninnies - large heads on normal bodies, again, all wonderful but not giants.

And it may well have been 7 hours standing - a lot of that was walking and dancing too!

Anyone know how I managed to graze my wrist on Saturday? Answers on a posting please.......

LTS
Anyway.

Total number of giants counted = 25 - a new British Record, the prevoius being 8 (4 English and 4 Catalan) at Sheffield, in mid July 1991.

Total number of British Giants = 15 - another British Record, the last recorded being at Sidmouth Festival, 10 years and one day previously, 1st August 1993.

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Folkiedave
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 05:30 PM

It was really great to see the Giants and the parade Saturday afternoon. Shame I missed the cava reception - I regard myself as an expert cava drinker. I reckon with Liz 16 giants.

The rest of the thing was stupendous - loads of excellent gianting and giant groups - Liz has a thing about dragons of course so the dragon -though small, seemed to keep her happy - the petardos (fireworks) seemed to go down a small bomb (pun intended) - and the whole thing was brilliant. The Minister of Culture from the Generalitat (autonomous government of Catalunya) was happy to stand and talk, have his picture taken and join in the castellers in Exchange Square.

Wouldn't it be nice if we had a Minister of Culture who knew about folk arts and could join in like that?

I suspect the legs are hurting because we spent seven hours stood up!! And almost without alcohol!!

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 03:40 PM

It was brilliant and when my legsstop hurting, I'll tell more!

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 12:01 PM

Got home about 4:30pm today. Had a great time! The weather was great all weekend. It was lovely to see Dave the Gnome and Col K (and to deliver hugs!) again and to meet up with some good friends on other Gianting Teams. The parade was good once we had set off....I think Liz has the total number of Giants written down somewhere.....new British Record number there I think!

The Correfoc was great adn those fireworks really do go BANG! Would love to go over to Catalonia to see the real thing sometime!!!

Khatt

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 05:01 AM

What a wonderful day you missed Dave. Liz introduced me intimately to the Hon. Percy (once you've been up a giant's 'skirts' life can never quite be the same again!)
My friend Manuela from Cadiz enjoyed the Correfoc but had never seen the Gegants before and was mystified by The Morrigan
Hope the house warming went well Dave still trying to picture myself as a 'hardy' northener more usually described by that good old northern term 'nesh'

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 10:08 AM

Sorry I am missing it today but we had planned a party well before I know about this. Ah well, I have some Fleurie, some Sancerre and 24 bottles of premium beer! I am sure I will get over the dissapointment somehow:-)

Missed the parade today but had a grand evening last night. There was some whinging from some southern jessies about the distance walked from the Instituto Cervantes to the Hare and Hounds. Us hardy northerners ignored it, remembering fondly how we had to crawl twice that distance over broken pit lamps and fight off packs of ravaging whippets just to sniff a glass of three week old mild...

Good luck for the rest of the weekend, lads and lassies. Have a reet gradely Lanky cum Spanish do!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Emma B
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 03:43 AM

A cava reception in the Instituto Cervantes and some lovely singing from Penny, Micca and Dave in the Hare and Hounds - and the sun is shining!!
Should be a great day - hope to dance a Sardana tomorrow - if I survive the Correfoc, Diables i Drac tonight

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 03:05 AM

Setting off in a mo. Hope to see some of you there!

Khatt

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Noreen
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 08:10 PM

Thank you, jOhn, for your kind offer. Perhaps I'll see you on Sunday and discuss it?

Hope all goes well in Manchester this weekend. Weather forecast is good!

Particularly hope Phoebe has a good time.

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 06:33 PM

Ah yes... I'd forgotted about the fireworks.... Must remember to warn Bratling and bring some ear defenders.....

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 05:48 PM

Saturday Evening should be fun!! See you there!

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Folkiedave
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 05:11 PM

Bit late I know and apologies. The Sheffield Giants will be there but we are going on Saturday - ready for the parade.

I hope to get into the pinya for the Castellers in the afternoon and then probably get some rougher clothes on or the Correfoc in the evening of Saturday.

If you like fireworks that go bang - or rather BANG and they do it as they do in Catalunya, then do not believe the bit on the website that says about the little devils with their sparkly things.

These are serious fireworks that will set off car alarms a couple of hundred yards away (and generally illegal in the UK to be honest). The Correfoc in Manresa has four field hospitals for the evening which will give you some idea.

You can recognise the Catalans they will have fingers missing.

My wife and I are staying at the Britannia which has a special offer of £54.00 for two. Not bad considering it is up market and double rooms are normally about £250.00 a night.

Regards,

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 04:28 AM

Hi Dave

On Friday we have a 'Meet the Catalan Giants' from 6pm-8pm. We, Micca and I and 4 other non-mudcatters, are hoping to get to the Hare and Hounds as close to 8.30pm. Micca has your mobile number and we can give you a call when plans are more definate. I will PM you my mobile number so you can get hold of us.

Looking forward to meeting up with you again!

Khatt

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 03:42 AM

Oooooh - now, now. ladies. Can I come and watch the fight? Particularly if it is wrestling in mud..;-)

And how am I going to get that keyboard to you, John? If you take him up on his offer perhaps you can take it, Noreen?

No-one pointing me at what is going on yet? Mind you, you would think I should know being my own city and all! If all else fails I will try tinternet in t'morn.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 09:47 PM

Noreen-my,place,is,a,right,mess
and,I,dont,have,a,guest-suite.
but,bring,a,sleeping-bag
and,you,can,kip,on,my,sofa,for,free
I,live,not,to,far,from,city-centre.

[PM,me,for,my,addreess,].john

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Noreen
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 08:11 PM

You get a fee, Liz?!!

As a Shellback I'm having to pay more than that per night for accommodation in Hull, for the honour of singing at the Sea Fever Festival.

And no fee.

The difference between us seems to be that I enjoy what I do.

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 08:01 PM

Hey Noreen, if it's no problem, then you pay it - bearing in mind that it's for two of us and that takes half the fee I've been ofered....

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 06:41 AM

Can anyone tell me where and when people will be on Friday then? If all else fails I will go to the Hare and Hounds for about 8:30 but I would like to see the 'show' if possible. I work in Manchester and will probably not bother going home if I can meet people about 6-ish. Mind you, if that happens I cannot guarantee my fitness to sing, or even speak, by 9...;-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Noreen
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 04:46 PM

What's the problem, Liz?

£13 a night for city centre accommodation seems pretty good to me.

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: John J
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 03:02 PM

Hi Liz,
I'm afraid I'm away so can't help, BUT: try Independent Hostels (like the YHA but good). There's one in Stretford, but I don't have the details. There's also the YHA in Castlefield, Manchester. A trawl on the net should find details. Sorry i can't help further, I'm on my way out of the door!

Good luck!

John

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 02:53 PM

Don't worry, it's just a matter of principle at stake, will make arrangements.

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Jul 03 - 04:10 AM

No takers for accom last night I'm afraid. No-one from Swinton at Swinton Folk Club! Weird or what? So sorry, oh squeeky one, but I can't help:-(

DtG

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 05:31 PM

Sorry, will be occupied Fri & Sat with my own dressing-up (medieval wedding) so won't be available.

Would second the Hare & Hounds, Shude Hill for Friday night- good beer, friendly club, good singing etc- but very smoky last time I went though, which might not suit you, Liz.

Have a lovely time!

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 07:17 AM

Yep - just received Joan's wonderful folkal point and it does say there is a singers night on at the Hare and Hounds. Probably see you all at the Friday night festivities and go to the H&H after. Still working on the accomodation though. Watch this space...

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Jul 03 - 09:04 AM

Might see you Friday - I have other enragements on Saturday evening which also, unfortunately, excludes our humble abode from being available:-( I will endevour to find something going on though and ask around to see if any friends or relations have any accomodation.

Anyone know if the Full Circle Folk Club at the Hare and Hounds is on that Friday? That is very close to where you are, Liz.

Does anyone down there have my phone number btw? PM me if not.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 27 Jul 03 - 05:17 AM

By 11 for 1pm......that seems a long time to be hanging around waiting to start......I supoose its a large parade........

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Jul 03 - 07:55 PM

yeah, that's just it... a cost..... have you seen what we are supposed to be doing? Ready by 11 for a 1.00pm parade until 3.00 or 4,00pm when we are allowed to go home.

Nice.

LTS

Subject: RE: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 26 Jul 03 - 01:43 PM

Sounds like a great idea Liz. .......I thought accomodation was provided for the Saturday night at a cost of £13........

Subject: Manchester, Friday 1st Aug
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Jul 03 - 09:20 AM

There is going to be a grand festival of Catalan and British Giants in Manchester next weekend, as part of the Manchester Arts Festival. The parade starts from Albert Square at 1.00pm.

Because of this, there will be several Mudcatters travelling 'oop t'Eh won' to be there.

The programmed festivities for Friday night are from 6-8 but we were wondering if there was anything else in the region of Lower Chatham St/Oxford Road that would interest some Southrons and assorted exiles, all of a similar mindset (beer and songs) and in need of a neutral location for divers discussions.

Or just anywhere where the beer isn't warm and fizzy will do?

Similarly, if there is a Manchester Catter who can put up 2 single female Catters and a Bratling for Saturday night, it would improve our lot no end please!

Thanks

LTS