Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Girl Friday
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 10:25 AM

Shame, but Essex Girl hadn't been on this thread before. If she had, she'd not have been overlooked. We are all busy people, and not all available all of the time.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 02:53 PM

Re above post
I dont think any one knew at the time..................'if it was going to be Otford or Eltham.
Thats all there was too it,Time was running out weather wise.

I honestly thought I would be playing on front of three cats, 1 mine the other two from Lords know boody where.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: GUEST,Essex Girl
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 11:12 AM

What a shame, I'd have made it to Eltham if I'd known.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 05:21 PM

Rafflesbear I have lost your mobile number having deleted it by accident from my mudcat archive.
Please PM mobile number to me fore i have a good idea in regards to catching up with folk who missed out on last night bithday events but i want to put it to you 1st.
regards pierre.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 04:20 PM

fisheye sincerely sorry you phone number is stored on my mobile which i did not take with me i have now stored it in my mudcat archive because barbara pm it to me because i keep
losing it apart from that i thought we were going to Otford ,eltham was a late alturnative
sorry mate.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 01:46 PM

Fisheye - I'm mortified - if I'd known you were just down the road from Pete you wouldn't have needed a bus - I'd have picked you up and dropped you back - what a shame

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 01:34 PM

hi rafflebear, sorry for missing your birthday, Sat morning my car was a dodo after 5 weeks in the garage, hence the cancelled trip with Pete.
I did not come on here again until today and found out about Eltham.....A bloody bus would have got me there.
apologies.
Fisheye

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 10:57 PM

Here,s The News.
The famous folk duo ;Tone Deaf Leopard Informed police today that there entire stash of Cat litter has be stolen?
A Police spokesman said. " At present we are trying to get to the bottom of it, But in the mean time . "Like the victims of crime, We have nothing to go on?

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 10:39 PM

"I ,have heard it all now?
"Due to adverse weather conditions "among other things "The price of Cat litter has gone up?
BBC NEWS 0400 Hrs 10.1.201.

Ha Ha.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 09:51 PM

! What day is it Now ?

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 09:04 PM

A excellent night fantastic.
Credit to Musicians and singers and some brilliant wit.,
Lovely too meet new people.
I got folk roaring with me Stan Laurel Hat trick and some were quite bewildered.

I thought Windsock were very good and I wish them well with success in all that they do.
The accordion player has come on in leaps since Otford 2009 when I last saw them perform
"Now she looks crossly at the Guitarists like a Mother Goose with Goslings that cant keep up in the swim?
Playing that accordion has also enlarged your bust. Darling so keep at it?

To our hosts who let us play in the privacy and comfort of there own home .
at a time when we did not know if we would be in Otford or Eltham ?
in true style we made the best of the evening and enjoyed the event regardless of adverse weather and also of absent friends,
Thanks for the lifts there and also back and a Happy Birthday Raffflesbear.
Regards Pierre

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 08:16 PM

Many thanks to all those who braved the elements and turned up at Eltham - especially my requested guests Pierre le Chapeau and Tone Deaf Leopard who were on fine form. Thanks also to Paul from OFF for coming along and making an excellent contribution to beating the winter blues

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 01:39 PM

don't worry Kev - I have Pete safely under my wing - I wasn't going to miss his perlavxxx performance for a flake of snow

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Kev The Clogs
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 01:26 PM

someone should phone Pet The Hat via his mobile (I don't have it) as his post above shows that he is on his way!!

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 12:48 PM

OK OK - some things are just not meant to be

With the number of people now down to single figures I have bowed to the inevitable and cancelled The Crown

I do hope that no-one out there goes and finds it empty but if anyone is still interested I have shifted the venue to a front room in Eltham and if you PM me with your phone number I can give you the new location

sigh

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Girl Friday
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 11:40 AM

We're going to reserve a decision until 6 p.m. (it's now 4.30) when we'll ring Raffles. It has snowed another inch or so since my last posting.

I am going to get a route that is safer than the A21,being still hopeful.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 11:32 AM

yes Im on me way to Otford lets hope we get there in one piece? sod the weather....

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Kev The Clogs
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 10:52 AM

Diligaf has just text me to say that shee will not be coming over tonight (not far from Mr Bridge).

It is now snowing hard here in Chipstead and is settling on the main road through the village. The main dump of snow is forecast for between 6 and 9 (here anyway).

I may be doing the same as you Pete! (minus the cats and the guitars though!!)

Kev

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 10:33 AM

My parts are not outlying, thank you. But it is varying between heavy snow and light snow, and it is wet. If it freezes hard tonight there is going to be a gigantic skating rink - that wet snow will become a sheet of ice.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 10:32 AM

I will go to the shop buy a four pack and a packet of fags Im up for a good puff tonight.
I ,ll have a party of me own

I have 3 cats in residence.
a four pack and three cats I have 6 guitars and a Mandolin?
Im gonna have a ball in honor of you, Rafflesbear.
I will perform my slot planned for tonight at the appropriate time here in Kidbrooke.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 10:19 AM

I have just got up and its snowing in Kidbrooke where I live I can see no way now of getting anywhere this evening buses are stopping at eltham and trains are halted..even the local shop is closing early

This is nothing now to do with a poxi country or a parlava RE my upper post this is winter in England something that we have not seen in a long time
,I cannot see this snow letting up and the sky is gray with it
I give up folks I cannot expect anyone to pick me up has offered that would put them in a serious position in regards to driving.
Happy birthday Rafflersbear.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Girl Friday
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 09:26 AM

Not looking too bad, so long as it is light snow only. I don't blame any of you from outlying parts for staying home.
BBC Local Weather

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Girl Friday
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 09:20 AM

We have had an inch of snow overnight, and there is sheet ice in the road.It looks bas, though I've not consulted the weather site yet. I have set the BBC weather up for local reports. Will check and post again. I have knowledge of past icy snaps in thee area going back 30 years, and snow came in feet deep then. I am willing to bet that Polhill is going to be extremely treacherous.

Last night was very well supported, numbers nearly doubled by Raffles and Mrs Bear plus The Winsocks. Together with several audience members we numbered 18... more than the average guest night!

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 09:05 AM

Since my last posting it has turned into a whiteout in ME3 9RD

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 08:56 AM

Here in Lower Coke, there is not yet much precipitation but wind is rising and and the A228 has driven snow settling once one is past Fen Bell Corner (aka Gun Emplacement Corner), with every indication that there will soon be drifting.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Kev The Clogs
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 08:15 AM

I forgot.

The BBC website article about the weather so far today is reporting that there could be up to 4 inches of snow to the South AND East of London tonight - just where Otford is.

It's not looking good I'm afraid!

Kev

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Kev The Clogs
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 08:08 AM

Hi there.

The great British Weather!!!!

Just checked on the Met-Check website and the data is as follows

Sat 9 Jan 12:00 14:59 0 °c -7 °c 0 0.5 mm 100 % 24 mph 29 mph
15:00 17:59 0 °c -7 °c 0 1.0 mm 100 % 23 mph 28 mph
18:00 20:59 0 °c -7 °c 0 0.9 mm 100 % 21 mph 25 mph
21:00 23:59 0 °c -6 °c 0 1.6 mm 100 % 21 mph 25 mph

Sun 10 Jan 0:00 2:59 0 °c -6 °c 0 0.9 mm 100 % 21 mph 25 mph
3:00 5:59 0 °c -5 °c 0 1.7 mm 100 % 19 mph 23 mph
6:00 8:59 1 °c -5 °c 0 0.5 mm 100 % 17 mph 21 mph
9:00 11:59 1 °c -4 °c 0 0.9 mm 100 % 15 mph 18 mph
12:00 14:59 1 °c -4 °c 0 0.4 mm 100 % 14 mph 17 mph
15:00 17:59 1 °c -4 °c 0 0.9 mm 100 % 13 mph 15 mph
18:00 20:59 1 °c -4 °c 0 0.5 mm 100 % 10 mph 12 mph
21:00 23:59 1 °c -4 °c 0 1.0 mm 100 % 9 mph 11 mph

The annimated graphic at the end of each of the above lines was one of heavy snow!!

The forecast from the BBC website is as follows
Hour Weather Temp
(°C°F) Wind
Direction and Speed(mphkm/h) Humidity

Pressure

Visibility Help for next 24 hours Help
12:00   Sunny Intervals
-3°C 27°F North North Easterly 18mph 29km/h 88%
1024mB
Moderate
15:00
Sunset
16:12
   Heavy Snow
-2°C 28°F North North Easterly 18mph 29km/h 87%
1022mB
Moderate
18:00   Heavy Snow
-3°C 27°F North North Easterly 21mph 34km/h 93%
1022mB
Poor
21:00   Light Snow
-2°C 28°F North North Easterly 21mph 34km/h 97%
1021mB
Poor
00:00
(Sun)   Heavy Snow
-1°C 30°F North North Easterly 21mph 34km/h 94%
1019mB
Poor
03:00
(Sun)   Light Snow
-1°C 30°F North North Easterly 20mph 32km/h 97%
1018mB
Moderate
06:00
(Sun)
Sunrise
08:01
   Light Snow
-1°C 30°F North Easterly 18mph 29km/h 97%
1017mB
Poor
09:00
(Sun)   Light Snow
0°C 32°F North Easterly 21mph 34km/h 93%
1019mB
Good

Diligaf is supposed to be driving over from Grain to my house in Chipstead (not far from Otford). I think I'll be advising her not to.

Pete - Trains to and from Otford have been in very short supply during the last week, and I would suspect that tonight they will be finishing very early as they have done over the last three days.

Fiona is right, the main High Street has been gritted. Many other roads in the area have not been. The road is, however, cllassed as a Secondary route, so if Sevenoaks Council is following the directive by the Government, then they will be implementing a 25% reduction in gritting today and tonight.

You all know me guys and gals - very positive and The Glass is Half Full - BUT - on this occasion, I'm erring on the side of caution and saying THINK ABOUT IT VERY CAREFULLY!! The forecast over the last week have been EXTREMELY ACCURATE in this part of the world!!

If Diligaf stays at home, I MIGHT think about walking over (it's about 3 miles) but I'll see.

Raffles - sorry to put a very big dampener on this - I know that you have spent ages getting this organised. I was in the Crown when it snowed on the 17th December, and there was a three inch covering EVERYWHERE an hour later, and I walked home in the snow without seeing a single gritter, car OR person on foot!!!!

If it goes ahead - I hope that it is a great night and that as many people turn up as possible. If it doesn't, well I'm sure we can have a rescheduled bash at a later stage.

I want to still be folking with you lot in the year ahead, and not discussing someone who has had a major accident or, forbid the thought, something even worse!!!

MIGHT, MIGHT see you Raffles and some of you later this evening. If not adios.

Best wishes

Kev

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 07:06 AM

Sorry you can't make it Richard however the Winsocks have just recruited another two, one of whom is musically inclined plus a number of people at Orpington Friday Folk last night expressed an interest :-)

I've just been speaking again to Fiona (landlady of the Crown) and she reports that the pavements are gritted as is the main car park and the roads are clear in the Otford area

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 06:21 AM

According to met-check the slight thaw I mentioned above is now not happening. I think I will probably stay at home, but thanks for the invitation.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: naughtyforty
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 06:06 AM

I definitely won't be able to make this as there are no trains or buses running in and around Hastings today!!! Hope it goes well.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 04:35 AM

Bloody palava

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 04:10 AM

Just finished a 12 hour shift. aint been bed yet > But it wont be long though" the next scotch should do the trick?

Ok trains from Bromley south to Otford are few and far between today and will stop early evening.I got that info from info desk waterloo station this morning.

Fisheye phoned me at 0850 this morning and has told me his car is Iced up and the battery is dead and has a result has a flat tyre to boot. He was up for it but his car clearly isnt ?

I,ll make every effort to get to this event

If anyones got any Ideas PM me I set the alarm for 1400 hrs to make time.
for any arrangements.
or bell me on my emergency how to get to a gig number...ON.. 8564973.THIS NUMBER Will self explode after the 9.1.2010
Please phone .......After 14.00.

AFTER THOUGHT .

POXI COUNTRY ONE FLAKE OF SNOW AND THE WHOLE IN,,,FLU ..STRUCTURE grins to a halt
regards to all Pierre

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 01:08 AM

IF I CANNOT GET A LIFT IN I WILL COME IN VIA TRAIN FROM BROMLEY SOUTH
TO OTFORD

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 08:53 PM

I may be getting a lift to Otford from Fisheye.
But he has been up in Nottingham since before Christmas and his little car has been in a garage since before Christmas so it may not start if the battery is flat or its incase4d in a big Ice cube.

I told him I will bell him at 13.00 and if there is a problem then I will have enough time to get to Otford on me own steam.
looking forward to seeing you tonight.

decided to keep old stings on guitar.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 06:50 PM

Melodeonboy - I've phoned the Swan and told them you've cancelled the gig - no point going therefore so come straight to the Crown :-)

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: melodeonboy
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 06:08 PM

Rafflesbear: As you know, I'm gigging tomorrow, so I won't be able to come. Thanks for inviting me; I hope you have a great time.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 03:24 PM

What shall I do.
If I change the strings on my 6 string tanglewood when I get home from work saturday morning and over tune them to stretch the strings and leave the guitar for 10 hours highly strung in a warm room do one think it will be ok for playing my 20 min slot at otford........

or
Shall I leave the old strings on. The old one are not .........to bad a condition.
Regards Pierre

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:11 PM

What are local conditions in Otford like?

Met-check says zero degrees and wet sleet now till midnight, then rising to 1 degree and raining all day Saturday and so long as the ground is not too cold that should clear all lying snow.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:03 PM

Otford folk club should of course read Orpington Folk Club at the Liberal Club = Orpington Friday Folk

Otford Folk Event being of course tomorrow at The Crown 7.30 for 8.00 itinerary as above

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Girl Friday
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 12:50 PM

Been out and bought boots. Orpington pavements in High Street are clear. Forecasted snow at 15.00 didn't transpire. Good news about Otford. Folk Club on tonight. The forecourt looks tricky. We will park on it, but don't copy us unless you are a confident parker. Trevor is, and doesn't fancy walking and carrying instruments.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 09:03 AM

Forecast now saying sleet today and rain and temps rising to 2 degrees tomorrow...

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 08:57 AM

now for the really good news

I have just been speaking with Fiona and she tells me that the pavements in Otford have been gritted - also they have cleared the steps up to the pub and treated them (bought them a pint of Crown Otford Ale)

She says that the roads are back to normal :-)

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Girl Friday
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 07:37 AM

Snow shower in Orpington this morning- not a lot though. It is difficult to think positive when I see the amount of icy pavement outside my house. Am hoping to buy some new boots today. My trusty K Snow boots are 30 years old and no longer fit me. I also have a hair appointment in the High Street, so hope it's ok out there. Need to make a final decision about tonight's Folk Club. Watch Mudcat and look at website.

Sue

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 06:38 AM

That's what we like - positive thinking - I have already pressed the 'enable jollity' button

The Winsocks are leaving Leicester this afternoon, flights from Frankfurt are landing on time - snow? - what snow??

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 04:01 AM

Forecast no more TN14 snow today, and rain and above freezing tomorrow which might wash any remaining local snow away and enable jollity.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 07:06 PM

Excellent.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 05:33 PM

the woodentops

not sure you could get away with 'Watch with Mother' these days - or even 'Watch with Parent' - probably ought to be 'Watch with Guardian' or 'Watch with Responsible Adult'

in the related videos there is Andy Pandy, Bill and Ben, Rag Tag and Bobtail and Torchy the Battery Boy ! Gems every one - sorry Sue you can keep your ooglies

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:49 PM

Bring back the Wooden tops I say I loved that spotty Dog I can still do a good impresion of him and the noises ,or Bill and Ben,My faourite was Littleweed. The magic roundabout and Dylan. They called it watch with mother because the kids loved it and learned from it and the parents had a bloody good laugh to boot.

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 03:34 PM

No wonder our children have no time span of attention if that is what the BBC feeds them. Another example of lowest-common-denominator "entertainment".

Subject: RE: Birthday Bash - Crown at Otford - Jan 9
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 03:33 PM

Mr Bear, I had it turned off after about 7 seconds.