Stony Stratford: Armageddon

Subject: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: The_one_and_only_Dai
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 03:43 AM

Stony Stratford:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: The_one_and_only_Dai
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 04:08 AM

Date: 8th, 9th and 10th February 2002
Venue: York House, London Road, Stony Stratford, Bucks
Cost: £15 approx, which will include some kind of (probably vegetarian) nosh on Friday pm, somewhere to sleep, somewhere to sing and play, and breakfast basics. I have ordered a barrel of Frog Island Shoemaker but am not allowed to sell it. Consequently I will be depending on your good nature to cover the cost, a couple of quid each for those partaking? Other beverages: We'll work out what everyone wants and go foraging. Or bring your own supply.

There will be an admin meeting on Saturday 10th in the a.m., chaired by Gareth. This will be to discuss fundraising issues.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Dead Horse
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 04:29 AM

Breakfast basics?
Coffee, Paracetamol, dusky maidens giving oriental massage........that kind of thing?

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Dead Horse
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 04:31 AM

The wife has just come in.
Just put me down for the coffee & paracetamol.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 04:41 AM

The end is NIGH!

feeling rough this morning. Going to go and seek the coffee god...

Ella a.k.a grumpy

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: GUEST,micca at work
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 04:49 AM

Is that Draught or bottled paracetamol?... and can I have a dusky maiden, with tomatoes and mushrooms on the side??? ( I can say this as I am B&Bing!!!)or is " corkage" charged if you bring your own!!!!

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: JudeL
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 05:00 AM

Never mind the rest I'm sure someone mentioned the word massage. If Reading FF can have a hugging workshop why don't we have one for backrubs. Jude

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 06:59 AM

Jude, if you do bring the carriage whip, then perhaps Linda might offer something more invigorating than backrubs !

After all if Micca wants a dusky maiden covered in tomatoes and mushrooms (even if it's only on one side) then things are definitely looking rather kinky.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Lanfranc
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 06:59 AM

Armageddon excited at the prospect!

I do hope that nothing arises to prevent my attendance.

Alan

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: JudeL
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 08:23 AM

Thanks but it's my back and shoulders that all the stress in my life seem to gather. I think it's relaxation not invigoration that I need. Jude

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: JudeL
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 08:30 AM

Thinking about it I realise that my last post didn't quite come out the way I meant. Just lets say despite appearances to the contrary and ownership of a carriage-whip I think I need to reduce my stress levels not create more. Jude

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Gareth
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 03:21 PM

I'll be happy to start the meeting, but please choose a better chairperson.

If any catter wants copys of the questions under discusion then please PM me with yor E Mail addresses.

Gareth

PS Dai is there anywhere in Stoney what does Wholemeal Fried Bread dripping with Cholesterol like we had at Llanstock ????

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Cllr
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 03:34 PM

Change of Plan I might be able to make it after all. Massage anyone? Cllr

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 03:38 PM

It's sounding good Dai. If people want cooked breakfasts would we be able to use the cooker at York House? We could all bring something towards it and I would volunteer to help with the cooking.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Gareth
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 04:08 PM

Breakfast ? Breakfast ! Only wimps confine a fried breakfast to morning.

Gareth

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 05:07 PM

I'm looking forward to this - not long to go now. I'm worried about reports of flood warnings on the River Ouse - my underwater singing is rather poor. I tend to flounder all over the plaice in my bass voice when I do my sole rendition of Nearer My Cod To Thee, especially if I have a frog in my throat.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 06:23 PM

In your BREAMs, Matthew. I hope you're not turning up on your motor PIKE and side CARP, and in case you get a puncture bring a spare EEL. Don't forget the backrub will help if you arrive feeling a bit TENCH. Must go now can't LINGer any longer, and no I don't want a kick in the POLLOCKs.
Kippers and custard....YUM YUM.....Giok

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Cllr
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 06:29 PM

FIN Cllr

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 06:45 PM

Giok - I think SALMON OTTER knock you off your PERCH with a STICKLEBACK.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Cllr
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 07:42 PM

You should stop with jokes and get back on topic-Now does any body know the scale of charges. Cllr

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 01:03 AM

Ciir, there are lots of hidden extras all exposed in the previous threads....

See you there!

Armageddon out of here now.

LTS

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 04:34 AM

I thought Dai had already told us the main charge for the weekend was going to be £15 per head (bodies get in free I think). He hasn't revealed the price of the BEER yet though - or for that matter the culinary delights (which probably won'y affect me as I'll cook in the caravan).

Linda and I will bring ingredient for plenty of mulled wine if people are interested - contibution can go to Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: The_one_and_only_Dai
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 04:38 AM

There is a cooker at York House. Anyone may use it if they wish.

As I said above, the beer is not for sale but I have no intention of chucking £90 away - so contributions will be expected - use your noddles.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 05:28 AM

OK Dai - what brew are you going to be "receiving contributions for" - nothing too strong I hope !

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: The_one_and_only_Dai
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 06:09 AM

Frog Island 'Shoemaker', if I remember correctly it's about 4.5% - very tasty, drinks well ;-)

Frog Island Brewery is in Northampton, and makes excellent small-batch beers each with an *ahem* unique character. They're all very distinctive and different from your usual stuff... (whatever that is)

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: The_one_and_only_Dai
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 06:16 AM

Re: the admin meeting on Saturday, I would like to nominate Bill Sables to chair, I suspect he has the required gravitas.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 07:33 AM

I have no complaints about the character or gravitas/gravity of either chairman or beer.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 07:46 AM

I'll second the nomination of Bill Sables even if he is wearing his anti-gravitas device.

As I've contributed a couple of songs to previous threads about this Gathering, in view of the flooding threat here is yet another "Eddystone Light" parody.

My father was the Keeper of the Buckingham Light,
And he slept with a mudcat one fine night.
From this union there came three -
A catfish, and a mudlark, and the other was me!

Chorus:
Yo! Ho! Ho! as we sing and booze,
O for a life on the banks of the Ouse.

One night as I went fishing in the brook,
I cast my rod, and I sank my hook.
A voice from the river shouted "Ahoy!"
And there was my mother with her new toy boy.

"O where are the rest of my children three?"
My mother then she asked of me.
One got pickled in a goldfish bowl,
The other plays for Tottenham and keeps the goal.

Then a salmon leaped over the weir,
I looked for my mother but I couldn't see her,
Still her voice came echoing back through the night -
"To Hell with the Keeper of the Buckingham Light!"

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: alanww
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 10:02 AM

With only 10 days to go, here is the updated list of planned and possible attendees to the Stony Stratford Mudcat Gathering on 8, 9 & 10 February 2002:-

Definites = 40!
alanww - indoor camping / B&B
brid widder - indoor camping
Dave Bryant - caravan
Dead Horse - indoor camping
Dead Horse's partner - indoor camping
Diva (trains &weather permitting)
Dixie
Ella - indoor camping ("almost definitely")
Ferret
Fibula Mattock - indoor camping ("almost definitely")
Gareth - indoor camping
Gervase - Sunday only
Giok - caravan
Gomez
Herga Kitty - Saturday only
John Routledge - indoor camping
Jon A
Julie B - at home
lady penelope - B&B
Lanfranc
Linda Kelly - with friend
Linda Smith - caravan
Liz the Squeak - indoor camping
Llanfair
manitas - indoor camping (weather permitting!)
Matthew Edwards - with brother
Maxine
Micca
Morticia
MudGuard (Germany) - indoor camping ("almost sure")
Noreen
nutty - indoor camping
Phoebe (Liz's & manitas's child) - indoor camping
Pixie
Raven
Roger the skiffler - Saturday lunchtime only (watch out for his kazoo!)
Snuffy - indoor camping
Steve Parkes - "day-boy"
The one and only Dai - at home?
Tone d'F

Possibles? = 7
Cllr? ("might be able to make it after all")
Eric the Viking? ("a bit more probable" but depends on hand operation)
Geoff the Duck? - indoor camping (depends on the cost)
Lady McMoo? (Belgium - "to keep her beady eye" on mooman?)
McGrath of Harlow?
mooman? (Belgium - "quite hopeful", particularly "if there is skinny dipping with Lady Penelope")
Mrs.Duck? - indoor camping (depends on the cost)

Let's all go for it!
Singing in sweet harmony ... !
Alan

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Llanfair
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 10:20 AM

I've booked myself into the "Bull" for Friday night, possibly Saturday too. I'll be travelling from Welshpool Friday am, and following the A5 all the way. Anyone en route who needs a lift, let me know. See you soon, Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 12:25 PM

What's this admin meeting then?

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Noreen
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 01:05 PM

I'm staying in the Bull too, Bron -see you over breakfast (if I have my eyes open).

I learn from the Good Beer Guide that this Bull is the origin of the phrase Cock and Bull story... and I don't think I should comment further!

Thanks for all your work to organise this, Dai.

Noreen

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: John Routledge
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 01:19 PM

Almost there!! Many thanks Dai.

A great crowd of musicians and singers are attending so a wonderful musical experience is assured!!

Looking forward to seeing you all again. John

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 02:05 PM

I suspect that if everyone donates the usual price of a pint of beer each time they have some ( or maybe slightly less as it's wholesale) there'll be a slight profit for Mudcat funds. It worked when we had weekends away at college.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 05:00 PM

Dai has already said that if all partakers donate a couple of quid a peice the cost of the beer will be covered. I assume we are still having a raffle for Mudcat funds.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 05:16 PM

Sorry I'm B&B again, booked into Telford House, apparently staggering distance from York House. When I booked the guy said he would fetch me back in a wheelbarrow if too "tired and emotional" Best offer this year!!
Failte.....Giok

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 07:56 PM

Dai

My last trip to Stony Stratford was about 10 years ago and very fraught because it involved a) early morning driving from Saffron Walden the morning after a big birthday (my big birthday)party, b) driving via Milton Keynes without decent signs for Stony Stratford when all the roundabouts looked the same c) eventually finding the A5 (hooray, even though it was going in the wrong direction) and d) squiring a dance team (Flowers of May)on a Stony Stratford Morris Day of Dance when I had a bad knee and couldn't even dance.

Any helpful hints about how to find all you Mudcatters after driving up the M1 from Harrow on Saturday morning, and where to leave the car so that it can be driven back to Harrow later on Saturday (so that I can keep my assignation with Cllr on Sunday after a lot of delicate negotiation with my mother on the subject of birthdays) would be much appreciated. Er, when was the admin meeting expected to finish, approximately?

Kitty

PS Sorry Gervase, I see you're only down for Sunday. Can't go on not meeting like this - hope to see you in Sidmouth.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 03:32 AM

Noreen (and the rest that are staying at the Bull): that bit of iffy etymology is a very good example of the thing itself! Every pub called the Cock or the Bull claims the story as its own. Just enjoy the beer and pretend to believe everything the locals tell you.

Steve

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 05:47 PM

Steve

But isn't it true that Stony Stratford did have a Cock as well as a Bull, and both were coaching inns?

Kitty

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 05:50 PM

They still do Kitty and they are very close to one another which is given as the reason for the rivalry about tales told by travellers pre TV and the like.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Lanfranc
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 06:29 PM

Pubs called the "Cock", at least round here in Essex and Hertfordshire, are usually at the top of a hill. In olden days of coaches and waggons, a horse was kept at the pub to be used to assist the regular team in ascending the hill. The coach or waggon would then stop at the pub to unharness the "cock horse", and probably refresh the passengers.

Or so it says in the "Cock" at Henham!

Looking forward to refreshment (liquid and acquaintances) at Stony Stratford!

Alan

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Gareth
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 06:46 PM

Kitty - I can't speak for when the admin/fundraising discussion will finish but I'll warrant you it will be in good time for "Opening time".

If you want a sight of the discussion paper please PM me with your E Mail address - " Word" Documents which frankly are to long to cut and paste here.

See yer there -

Gareth

BTW Reminds me of one small "spontaneous" demonstration held outside of the US of A Embassy in Grovsnor Square in the early 1970's on a Sunday.

Police (Uniformed) Inspector with loud hailer - " Its nearly 7 pm, and the Pubs are about to open. Would you mind dispersing so my lads can get a drink in too!"

And the crowd dispersed !!!

G

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 07:58 PM

Since it's a Mudcat meeting, I imagine the main business will be working out the etymology of Cock and Bull and so forth.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Ferret
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 08:55 PM

jon,A & Tone d'F will not be coming now

RAVEN & my self will be indoor camping. see you all there all best ferret

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 03:22 AM

I willbe happy to explain al about cocks on Saturday. Meanwhile, let's not give the game away, eh?

Steve

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: The_one_and_only_Dai
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 03:34 AM

Costs

Bob Adams has worked out what he will charge us:

At the 'community group rate' for the main hall, coffee bar and kitchen, including:

• Use of all car parking and grounds
• Use of 'music room' as a dormitory
• light use of upper floors (staffroom, snooker room, quiet room)
• use of soundproof studio for late night music
• use of available equipment(mini marquees, staging blocks, PA, lights, electric piano, electric bass, drumkit)
• access to the internet and photocopier

And a 10% discount 'for bulk purchase' ;-) comes to:

£550

I think this is very reasonable. It works out at approx £14 per person for the whole weekend, pro rata for 'day boys'... I suggest sticking with the £15 I guessed at and setting up a central 'friends of mudcat' account if we decide the Gareth's suggestion is a good one... (more of this on Saturday 9th).

Please please please PM me or post here with concerns and questions. The facilities on offer really are brilliant, it's a great town and you'll all love it. I'm a litteel concerned that people seem to be balking at the pathetically small monetary outlay we're asking...

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: Morticia
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 07:40 AM

I don't think anyone is actually balking, Dai, more just a bit confused at what is being charged for what.Some of us have to pinch those pennies damn hard and the luxury of leisure pursuits unfortunately come last down the list of priorities when there are mouths to feed and mortgages to pay.We all appreciate your hard work in getting this organised and I expect it will be a great weekend.Thank you.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: alanww
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 07:45 AM

Well said Morticia! Should be a great weekend!

The life of a shepherd is a life of great care ...
Alan

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: GUEST,Lady P. at work
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 08:12 AM

Hiyall, due to circumstances beyond my control (Parker decided to re-install our computer, but forgot to check the I.S.P. start up discs were still valid) I have had no e-mail / internet access. ( I'm being v.v.v.very naughty by posting from here, oooooh!)

I too am booked into the Bull ! Could it be possible that it will become a girlie enclave? I may bring a frock!!!

TTFN M'Lady P.

Subject: RE: Stony Stratford: Armageddon
From: John Routledge
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 09:14 AM

DAI - The facilities being provided look quite superb.

WELL DONE

The space available will be the icing on the cake of what will be a first class weekend.

Here's to great music and song - Cheers - John