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EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning
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Subject: Brussels EuroGathering 2002 - planning From: mooman Date: 30 Jul 01 - 06:52 AM Dear 'Catters, At the hugely successful German Mudgathering in May this year (thanks again Wolfgang and everyone else involved!) it was agreed that we should repeat the exercise at the beginning of May 2002 to coincide with European public holidays at that time. There was also a general agreement that Brussels would be a good venue as it is fairly convenient for both "continental" and UK 'Catters. I therefore very happily agreed to "play host" to the next "Mudcat EuroGathering" being a Brussels-based 'Catter. The reason for this very early "heads up" is to find out peoples' preferences and to make some initial arrangements where necessary in good time. Depending on the numbers involved, I may be able to accomodate the musical side of it at our home where I have more space available than we had in Muenster for playing. We would also be able to put a number of people up as we have a couple of spare beds, a reasonable amount of floor space, possibly room for a couple of tents and neighbours 5 minutes away would also be willing to similarly accomodate a number of people. If others would prefer B&Bs or small hotels, I could compile a list of those nearby. The other thought I had, and which might involve some early planning on my part was to ask our local "commune", which has recently become rather "arty and cultural" whether they might be prepared to lend out one of their performing spaces for such a unique "international gathering" (which could well be a feather in their cap in Brussels). Rather than paying for such a facility, I thought that, in exchange, maybe a "Mudscratch Band" and individuals might be willing to put on a free concert/ceili for the local denizens. This idea resulted from the extremly high quality of music the "Scratch Band" and other performers were able to provide at this year's Yorkshire Gathering. I know a multilingual caller locally who might be prepared to help with the dances. On the other hand, some people may prefer to keep the music "between ourselves" as we did in Muenster. I am personally easy either way and will go with the flow. The idea of this thread is to:
- give some advance notice of the EuroGathering 2002 Naturally all are welcome and, if numbers get high, we will find a solution. If any non-European 'Catters are able to make it over that would be fantastic as well! I will refresh this thread from time to time as many people are now on holiday and others may not be able to make a decision at this early stage. Very best regards to all, mooman (TAFKA mcmoo) |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: bill\sables Date: 30 Jul 01 - 07:15 AM May I point out to northern visitors that you don't have to drive all the way to Belguim. There is a ferry from Hull every night to Zeebruger. The British group who attended this years gathering to Germany traveled by ferry from Hull to Rotterdam. The music started on the boat and went on through the night both going out and returning. |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Linda Kelly Date: 30 Jul 01 - 01:50 PM Well- the lot in Hull don't really have an excuse for not going do we! |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Linda Kelly Date: 30 Jul 01 - 01:53 PM Can I just point out to Bill that driving all the way to Belgium can result in wet tyres. Also do you call a Belgium dancer with bells on his legs a Maurice Dancer? What are the train connections like from Zeebrugge? |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: mooman Date: 30 Jul 01 - 06:18 PM Dear Ickle Dorrit, Yes... the train connection is quite good from Zeebrugge to Brussels. There is a short local train connection from Zeebrugge to Bruges and from there a very fast and regular service to Brussels Midi station. The trains in Belgium are reliable and cheap. I can probably arrange pick up from Brussels midi to chez nous. Best regards, mooman P.S. Our most famous "bells on legs" dancers are called "Gilles" and are much more scary than Morris dancers as they hurl oranges at onlookers with great force! |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Noreen Date: 30 Jul 01 - 06:46 PM And for softie-Walter Southerners the Eurostar goes straight through the Tunnel to Brussels, so no excuses there either. Sounds wonderful, mooman, and I definitely intend to be there. Will fit in with whatever arrangements are made- sounds like we'll need a week rather than a weekend... I love the idea of a multilingual caller at a ceili! Noreen |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 30 Jul 01 - 06:52 PM This is cleared with the locals is it? In the light of the Jug threads, we don't want to have the first Euro Folk Riot... |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: GUEST,Raggytash Date: 30 Jul 01 - 06:55 PM Sounds good to me, however there are dates already committed in the UK, stewarding etc. Like the idea, but camping for visitors would seem a possibility. Please keep us informed |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: mooman Date: 30 Jul 01 - 07:31 PM Dear McGrath, The locals here in Mooland are a fairly amenable and tolerant bunch. I will personally process the visas specifically required from visitors from 'ull and all regions surrounding the Jug and clear matters with the local riot police! Vistors from 'arlow do not require a visa so you will be OK! Anybody pretending to be a Gille will have their oranges confiscated by customs upon entry. mooman |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: mooman Date: 30 Jul 01 - 07:38 PM Dear McGrath, The locals here in Mooland are a fairly amenable and tolerant bunch. I will personally process the visas specifically required for visitors from 'ull and all regions surrounding the Jug and clear matters with the local riot police! Vistors from 'arlow do not require a visa so you will be OK! (Being a quarter McGrath myself will also help in smoothing matters and obtaining preferential treatment from the local gendarmerie for any folking misdemeanours commited by anyone of that name!) Anybody pretending to be a Gille will have their oranges confiscated by customs upon entry. mooman |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: mooman Date: 30 Jul 01 - 07:40 PM Now THAT is weird! I have no recollection of pressing submit halfway through! Too many oranges today perhaps...? mooman |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: mooman Date: 30 Jul 01 - 07:48 PM For orange and silly hat fetishists Don't say you weren't warned! mooman |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Noreen Date: 30 Jul 01 - 08:13 PM Fascinating link, Richard! Ostrich feathers and tintinnabullement ...they'd make good mudcatters. Oranges seem an odd symbol of spring though? No doubt there's more to it than I understood. Noreen |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 30 Jul 01 - 10:03 PM This sounds good. For some peculiar reason the English May Day Bank Holiday will be on May 7th next year. I imagine everyone else has the equivalent holiday on May 1st, like real folkies in England.. So any idea as to what dates would be involved in this gathering?
Incidentally I heard a great word on a news broadcast today, on a story about the "Slow Cities" movement - "Glocalisation", which means being global and local at the same time. Like the Mudcat. Like this proposed event. |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Mrrzy Date: 31 Jul 01 - 04:28 PM Rats - better do this as an annual thing, I can't come in 02 (prior engagement)... but 03? |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 06 Aug 01 - 12:17 AM I like the sound of this, I will stat saving up now! Are you going by public transort? I don't fancy driving on the wrong side of the road! |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: GUEST,McCale Date: 06 Aug 01 - 03:42 AM McGrath, The May Day bank holiday is always on the first Monday in May. Next year it will be on the 6th (not 7th, which is a Tuesday) Nothing peculiar at all really... |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: pavane Date: 06 Aug 01 - 05:41 AM What part of Brussels is mooland? I stayed at a caravan site in Genval last year when I was working in Waterloo, if that's any use for accommodation. Not suitable for tents though. Thinking about it, was it you I helped to sell a melodeon last spring? |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: MudGuard Date: 06 Aug 01 - 06:33 AM I intend to come! Prefer floorspace to bed (beds are usually too short ;-) to B&B to Hotel. I hope listeners are allowed, not only musicians. And please select a restaurant where entrees are served before main courses ;-) (Wolfgang, this is not against you, it is against the restaurant owner!) About train service in Belgium: seemed ok to me this year - as long as you do not want to take a bike along with you! It took two hours to get all the paperwork done for my bike. MudGuard |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: GUEST,eric the viking-cycling Date: 06 Aug 01 - 10:37 AM Count me in, anyhow anything. see you when I get back. 22.08.01 cheers by the way, Cobble who is from hook and now a goolie should realy be a load of cobblers! |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: pavane Date: 07 Aug 01 - 10:40 AM In the UK, all our bank holidays are now attached to the nearest weekend, except Christmas and New Year. Presumably we don't like mid-week breaks, and would prefer to go away for a long weekend. We have a May bank holiday instead of Whitsun, and don't have any national or saints' days to celebrate in England, although they do in Wales & Scotland. Even then, St David's Day in Wales is not taken as a holiday, although some schools have a half-day. |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Skipjack K8 Date: 07 Aug 01 - 12:36 PM Richard, really like the idea of a Glocal Ceilidh with a babelfish caller, anything to get the Romulans on the dancefloor! May have dumped the fanny magnet for a sensible people carrier by then (never worked, anyway) so we might get the price per head down a bit. John, don't worry about driving. Just get slaughtered on the ferry, and one of the babes will take the keys off you! Count me in. Skipjack |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Les from Hull Date: 07 Aug 01 - 04:01 PM I'm sure that Maggie and I will be happy to provide ballast for anyone with spare seats and an engine travelling through Hull. And since I'm no longer a wage slave every day is a Bank Holiday. Hehe. Les |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: John Routledge Date: 07 Aug 01 - 04:04 PM Count me in please!! In a tent or on floor - as long as it is low lying. I would be happy to take the car from Hull if this helps logistics. Alternatively my experience of Belgium trains tells me that they are good. Looking forward to the event. Cheers John |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Noreen Date: 07 Aug 01 - 04:22 PM Oh, Skipjack... it only worked 'cos it was the Alfa Romeo- a people carrier wouldn't have had the same attraction! I did enjoy the drive though. Suppose we could have a full-blown session going in the back of a people carrier and not just you noodling along with the guitar. Noreen |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Llanfair Date: 07 Aug 01 - 04:35 PM Ooh yes!!!! count me in!! I'll check with my friend in Brussels to see if she has a spare bed. Cheers, Bron. |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Noreen Date: 07 Aug 01 - 04:36 PM Just re-read what I wrote... the session referred to was intended to involve music. :0) (blush) |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: mooman Date: 07 Aug 01 - 04:45 PM I would never imagined you could have meant anything else Noreen!
(;>)
mooman |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Linda Kelly Date: 07 Aug 01 - 05:43 PM Having just been the driving force in the Hull - Bridlington folk train Les, I am sure that P & O wouldn't mind you organising a folk ferry. Sounds like fun, and last man overboard is a woose! |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: John Routledge Date: 07 Aug 01 - 07:02 PM Last person please Ickle GB |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: brid widder Date: 07 Aug 01 - 08:17 PM by the look of it we'll need that new big bugger off ferry...do you think we could persuade the nice man from Hodgsons to provide free beer |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 07 Aug 01 - 08:29 PM Sounds interesting. I haven't been to Brussels in, oh, 25 years maybe. Is that bar in the old town still there? The one with a stuffed horse on wheels downstairs and inflated pigs' bladders hanging from the ceiling? |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Noreen Date: 07 Aug 01 - 08:33 PM That new big bugger off ferry brought us back from the Mudcat Gathering in Germany, and we did our best to monpolise it with our music. Was fun trying! We need Cobble's long-awaited photies to provide evidence of the session round (no, not posing on) the grand piano... *grin* A larger group would go down well- we could give the resident pianist the whole night off, which would please the passengers! |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 07 Aug 01 - 08:56 PM I like to go on train if i go so i can drink, I dont play music, but I like to listen, Maybe I will have lernt my tin whistle properley by then any way .john |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: CraigS Date: 08 Aug 01 - 08:46 PM Talk to me souterc@netscapeonline.co.uk for interested persons |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: mooman Date: 09 Aug 01 - 08:26 AM Dear Malcolm, Yes that bar is still going strong! It's on the Grand Place and is called the "Roi d'Espagne". And yes, the stuffed horse and inflated pigs' bladders are still there. Sounds like the weekend might require a visit there! Best regards, mooman P.S. (for 'Spaw as I know you're bound to comment!) Stuffed horses and inflated pigs' bladders in bars, little pissants as city mascots, hats that are not hats and other things surreal and wacky (e.g. Les Gilles de Binche), not to mention 500 varieties of beer, are among the reasons why I am still living here after 10 years! mooman |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Julie B Date: 09 Aug 01 - 08:29 AM ....Interested |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Noreen Date: 09 Aug 01 - 08:49 AM Ah, I get it... the inflated pigs' bladders must be for lambasting the head of the feckin' eejit who put his foot through your instrument after sampling the 500 varieties of beer? |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: GUEST,treaties1 Date: 09 Aug 01 - 08:50 AM The gathering sounds great I'm definitely interested just depends on actual dates then the logistics of travel. Will read the threads to find out more. Cheers Theresa |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Mrs.Duck Date: 09 Aug 01 - 11:36 AM Noreen I don't want to go down on a ferry thank you! |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Mrs.Duck Date: 09 Aug 01 - 12:22 PM That is to say I'd rather stay afloat.:0) Mooman that photo of the Gilles looks like something out of one of Eric the Viking's fantasies!! |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Noreen Date: 09 Aug 01 - 01:36 PM Well spotted, Madame Duck, and you put it so well... *grin* |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Susanne (skw) Date: 11 Aug 01 - 05:10 PM Mooman, count me in, please! All I need is a parking space. And if it was early enough in the month, I might even go on to Britain with the British contingent and get a taste of the all-night session on the boat (not to mention the constant internet contact with the rest of the world, aka the Mudcat Café!) |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Mrs.Duck Date: 12 Aug 01 - 11:30 AM Seriously thinking of coming minus ducklings if we can arrange things. Have just been looking at fairs etc and also contemplating options such as hiring a mini bus to make a group booking. Haven't looked at train fairs yet but getting quite excited at the thought that we might actually make it this time!! |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Cobble Date: 12 Aug 01 - 11:58 AM Noreen did you get my e-mail, just bought a CD-RW, so all you catters who have been waiting will be getting a disc with the Germany gathering and the Yorkshire gathering, plus any other gathering I find, I am just getting use to my new toy at the moment only had it a couple of days. Im glad there is no pic of me flying out of the loo backwards, dont like to feed Eric with too many punchlines. David Bailey, er I mean Cobble.
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: John Routledge Date: 12 Aug 01 - 01:23 PM This really is getting down to detailed planning! John |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: SINSULL Date: 12 Aug 01 - 05:18 PM Looks like albino broccoli or walking cauliflower to me. Would I have to come in costume? Head space is limited on European flights out of the states. |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 12 Aug 01 - 06:06 PM The May Day bank holiday is always on the first Monday in May.
Yup, I know that. It's about as sensible as saying that Christmas Day should be on the fourth Monday in December. (And I suspect there are a lot of people who would love to do exactly that). May Day continues to be, as it always has been, the First of May, regardless of when the Westminster government chooses to have its Bank Holidays.
The point I was asking is, since the idea of this is to coincide with "European public holidays", do the other countries involved, notably Belgium, have their public holiday to coincide with May Day, or do they go the English way and stick it onto the following weekend? ie, what dates are envisaged for this gathering? |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: Cobble Date: 12 Aug 01 - 06:38 PM Early warning about Euro gathering prepare to go home tired but very happy. Wolfgang did a superb job of it last year, they are all well organized over the canal where ever you roam. Prepare to lose sleep singing and playing. With happy memories of last year Cobble. |
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Subject: RE: EuroGathering 2002 - forward planning From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 12 Aug 01 - 07:21 PM This site lists public holidays in all countries - and it appears that Germany has May Day on 1st of May, but thta Holland doesn't have it as a public holiday, and nor does Holland - but they had 30th April instead, being Queens Day. And so forth.
So what dates are we talking about? |
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