Knockholt September 2011

Subject: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Aug 11 - 11:46 PM

https://sites.google.com/site/folkmobonline/the-knockholt-festival


Note new charging structure.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:58 PM

We shall be there Friday evening forward, weather and my health permitting.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:32 PM

I will probably arrive and pitch van on Thurs but then come home owing to lack of dogsitter that evening/night.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 10:31 AM

Forecast does not appear to presage the need to fell the cedars of Lebanon and muster the beasts of the field - not too wet, but not too hot either so far.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Girl Friday
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:26 PM

T D L have very much enjoyed camping at Knockholt in past years, though it's increasing popularity, due in most part to all of us inviting friends did bring extra costs to bear on Folkmob's resources. I appreciate that a financial contribution from campers towards running costs is neccessary .

However, paying £15.00 per night to camp in a field 10 miles from home with basic facilities isn't on for us. For those of you who live further afield, that's a different matter. How does The Committee plan to charge the people who drop in for a few hours ? There's a fair few who do, purely on spec. if it's a nice evening. They are using the loos, and the wood, are they not? Bet they leave rubbish there too.

It's often a struggle to keep warm around the fire when you have to move out every time another few people arrive, even with extra layers of clothing. In the end, you give up and go to bed. And that's just the summer camp!

Then there was the year of on and off heavy showers. We were not allowed to stay in the shelter of the marquee, and were called back and forth to the fire. Our old bones can't handle that.

Consequently, we retired to the caravan.

By the way, even if the old price structure was in place, we would not have come to the September camp. The van has been closed down until next spring.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Essex Girl
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 12:15 PM

We can't manage September Knockholt owing to previous engagements on the Friday and Sunday but will try to make it for the Saturday (without caravan, but it's already in the diary for next June!

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 04:52 AM

Sorry but can't make it to Knockout anymore,

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 06:46 AM

Funny, I'm sure I posted here by way of explanation.

There will be an honesty collection for day trippers and evening trippers - formal gate control would be more hassle than worth.

The summer one cost over £700 to mount of which £236 was the cost of the field. We are trimming some of those costs (reduction in bog numbers and I will be removing the rubbish in builders bags) and if we have been overprudent the cost next year will go down.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 05:28 PM

Wevva now seems to be settling down as forecast cool but hardly wet at all.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: GUEST,big pat
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 10:59 AM

Hi all, looking forward to Knockholt, and we will be there (Deb and I) on Wednesday, as allways. I would like to reply to Girl Friday's comment. Sue no one has made you go around the fire or stay in the marque, or vice versa, no one is made to go anywhere. if you wished to stay in the marque, you are quite welcome to. it was as you said just due to the rain.
anyway see all you other merry campers, in a couple of weeks.
Pat.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 08:10 AM

Complete rip off. Won't be coming

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 08:22 AM

If, guest, you are a regular folkmobber or previous Knockholt attender, I am sure the committee would be happy to share the costings - and you could offer your opinion whether it was better to:

(a) have fewer lavatories - not nice;
(b) have no campfire - it would rip the heart out of the event;
(c) not repair the marquee as necessary - soggy if there is rain;
(d) not pay the farmer - that would go down well, no?;
(e) leave the organisers at risk of taking a loss;
(f) leave the rubbish in the field.

Nobody is making a profit. If there is a surplus it will carry forward to next year. If there is a loss there is an offer to underwrite some of it but it will almost certainly be the end of the event, which would be very sad.

My suspicion is that you are a wind-up. If you aren't, tell us who you are.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Girl Friday
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 10:42 AM

Hi all. Thanks for the comments. Sorry, Pat, but that was the case. 2 years ago we had an engagement at Leigh Festival, and returned, somewhat knackered. It was tiring, just taking our chairs to the fire, so when it rained we sat in the marquee, so we could listen, but Jim insisted we go out to the fire. There were lots of toing and froing every time it rained.

Yes, Richard did make the point before -sorry - but if we come up for a few hours we'd like to be able to make a contribution to the funds.

I don't think it fair that the campers bear all the costs.

Richard has a good idea about raising money via his winter sings.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 12:53 PM

Day trippers and night (well, evening, although at times Trevor does look a bit like Dr John) trippers will be invited to put something in a bucket. So if people's consciences are up to snuff all attendees will contribute.

I am sure that all contributions, in cash or kind will be gratefully received. For this purpose I think Lady Raffles or Mick is bagperson.

I have just stocked up on nice new bolts and nuts for the marquee (and two long allen keys to cut down so they fit in battery electric drills) so the marquee frame ought now to go zippety-zip. The wonderful Gravesend Screw (now sadly renamed "Versatile Fasteners") cost me all of a fiver including the allen keys - another few quid saved.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 01:04 PM

Looking forward to it. Cost seems reasonable to us. This might not be so when we are retired and on fixed income.

For now, we love Knockholt. The chance to chat with people, the music, the bonfire, lovely scenery, the group meal (when we can participate).

@ Essex Girl - I have copy of That Precious Legacy (songs collected from Essex by R. Vaughn Williams) for you. Since you are not attending Knockholt, maybe the Wassail at GI?

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 03:37 PM

Ah yes. Must try out new burners for van oven - and buy pounds and pounds of scotch bonnets and make harissa paste in advance. I have found butcher (seemingly Arabian, although hidden at the back of an Indian market - at least I heard him exchange greetings of "Salaam alekhum" with friends) to do goat meat, so I can take one step closer to an authentic recipe for tagine.

I am inclined to think that I could make a very Knockholt tagine dish (cooking utensil) with a large enough lorry or tractor brake drum, an offcut of a halfshaft to plug the hole in the middle, and a very domed hubcap to put on the top.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Kampervan
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 12:36 AM

Something like this maybe?


Giant tagine - like this?

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Lady Raffles
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 04:43 AM

Shall I bring the big Le creuset just in case Richard? - although the brake drum, halfshaft and hubcap sound a lot more fun. I want to have a go at making gridle cakes on the fire at some stage so I'm looking for a large flat stone.

Debs is going to be taking the money on Saturday afternoon between 2 - 6pm from her pitch.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 04:46 AM

Oh, yes please Sue. I have some paving slabs, although they are concrete. Would one of those do?

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 04:47 AM

K - not quite as big as that!

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Lady Raffles
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 06:33 AM

Thanks Richard - I don't know if concrete would crack in extreme heat but we can give it a try.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Kampervan
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 06:46 AM

No! Don't heat concrete - it can explode if it has trapped moisture or air pockets in it. Firebrick, clay or most natural stone is ok, but not concrete.

K/van

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Lady Raffles
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 07:22 AM

Ok, thanks - back to looking for big stones then.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 09:26 AM

Big stones I have. Big flat shallow stones I have not...

Is half an aluminium beer barrel any good?

Or a manhole cover?

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Kampervan
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 01:38 PM

The manhole cover would be perfect.

Err,,,, as long as the council don't find out. ;-)

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 12:59 PM

Will try and get there for Saturday (daytime only)

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 03:45 PM

We will look forward to that. Are you better? You looked quite unwell at the 7 stars on Monday.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 04:15 AM

Forecast currently cool, windy(from the south), but not a lot of rain (none Thurs or Sat).

Vaguely promising.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:59 AM

Glad to see that most of the comments on the thread are positive. I'm sure it will all work out fine and be as good as an event as usual.
Happy to take round a contribution bucket if necessary on saturday.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 08:17 AM

What about a slate patio tile for cooking on? Make a little oven with some red brick put slate tile on top.

We might be there a bit earlier on Friday afternoon, than fist thought. Bringing Crow sister with us.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 01:38 PM

I have a cast griddle to go on the fire it also has a handle it's especially made for making flat breads I will bring it with me.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 10:11 AM

The weather gods seem to have smiled: forecast very wet earlier in the week and after we have gone home - but OK for us (so long as the timing holds). Cool but not too wet.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: morning wood
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 10:21 AM

Going by my last forecast I'll refrain from suggesting it'll be cracking the flags then!

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Lady Raffles
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 02:01 AM

Slate, bricks and griddle sound good - not sure about manhole cover!
But it would probably work.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 03:15 AM

Wevva holding steady as tolerable Fri and Sat.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Mick Woods
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 10:53 AM

The Folkmob site says September What date?

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 01:09 PM

9-11

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 04:28 PM

Wevva changed - Sat and Sun now reasonable.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 03:07 AM

Well, looking promising: still forecast cool, but almost dry from noon Friday, dry Sat, and dry Sun for packing up and going home. But there is forecast a lot of rain earlier in the week so the ground will be soggy.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 08:22 PM

Frikcking wevva. In, out, shake it all about...

We ahd a spell of LOVERLY forecsts - now back to OK-is (at least most of the rain is at night).

Bugger it, I'm still going up early. Take laptop and if all turns to wormwood work on the pub's WiFi.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 09:11 PM

I will be there early friday morn and Rachel coming late Friday night.

"Danger" dont use concrete it explodes "kampervan is right" dampness within causes fractures and they fill with boiling gases and go BANG SOME STONES GO BANG TOO. One of my cookers exploded and took off like a bloody UFO. dont use pebbles it causes a blunderbus effect.

an old cooking oil drum from a Kebab shop makes a ideal cooker but drill a hole in the top and stick a copper pipe in it to vent. cut one end off and reseal once meat in side with thick flour and water paste. Dont put stones in it. stick a iron bar through the middle and hang meat off it so meat dont touch side of tin. A jig saw with a metal blade is ideal to cut one end off. Drill a larhe hole so one vcan get the blade in to start you off then just jig saw rounf the top whre the pouring hole is. Simples/

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 08:30 AM

Wevva still OK - touch wood.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 10:03 AM

IS IT CORERECT ?
I believe we are having two Porta loos I think one would suffice considering the folk who have there own loos ie caravan and trailers.
This would keep the cost down. After all we do not all go to the toilet at the same time do we?

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 11:23 AM

We are having two. If we get a good turnout on a fine evening one will be distinctly marginal. And if we do get a good turnout on a fine evening that is exactly when there will be lots of people needing to de-beer at the same time.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 03:14 AM

last year the toilets arrived at 10.30 on the Thursday Morn. Those there on the Wednesday had nothing to go on? I dug a hole in the flint pit and sat there quite contented. I cant come till friday morn so if the toilets are coming Wednesday i hope there is someone on the field to let them in and show them where to place them> Like wise the wood pile. both arrive early.

There is also the problem of how to open the gate Re key. The farmer hides it are folk aware of where too find it? I hope they do not dump the wood at the gate? These are my main concerns usually I would be there for such folk but work this time prevents me so I show concern. Pat and Deb do not usually get there till mid day so if the toilets arrive at 10.30 no bugger re bogs and wood will be able to get on the field.

They dumped the toilets off at the gate a few years back bloody Palaver that was had to drag them into position using a sodding car and a lot of human effort pushing we had to build sledges out of wood to move the bogs? and tow them across the field. If they drop the logs off at the gate then that will be a nightmare.
These concerns are genuine.
Kind regards Pierre Le Chapeau.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 03:22 AM

I hope to be on the field by ten Friday morn? Im bringing tent and 12 string guitar Rachel is bringing rest of our stuff in the Car friday evening.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 03:27 AM

Richard and Ian may be coming from Brighton they have been coming now for the last three years they know nothing of the knockholt changes re Folkmob withdrawal and the price increases. Both have little money. Please let them on the field to pitch and I will sort them out when I arrive. They are both Knockholt mates of mine. Hold me true to this ?

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 03:30 AM

If Richard is who I think he is he is aware of the discussions last year

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 03:33 AM

I am not organising either wood or bogs. I believe bogs are usual suppliers so will know at least roughly where to put them (and how to get in). Wood is again as the last few years so should know. If there is megaproblem I will have to go home to get trailer. Don't panic Mr Mannering.

Subject: RE: Knockholt September 2011
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 08:11 AM

Thanks Richard.