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19 Jul 07 - 07:59 PM (#2107247) Subject: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: GUEST,Wayne The Abbey festival which is having its second outing was concieved by the erstwhile mein host Peter Abrahams and myself as a way to have a rip roaring time down at the pub whilst helping a cause we both believed in. Last year's festival was a reasonably sucessful event. We raised a few quid, the music donated for free by the performers was fab and a good time was had by most, of not all. We did it by the seat of our pants, noted the things that needed to be improved and resolved to do it all again, this year. We started in February and once more I was gratified by the generosity of the performers. Everyone I asked was happy to play for free. Peter dealt with the logistical side and everything seemed to be going swimmingly. And then like a dam hit by one of Richard Todd's bombs, it all broke apart. Firstly, Peter, a manager rather than landlord, fell out with his boss, the leaseholder and was compelled to leave the pub (his offer to continue to organize the festival was met with a curt refusal), then the marquee company from whom we'd hired our big tent lost several in the stormy weather and weren't able to supply us. Other mishaps came and went and, just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, with a mere five days until the event, we had a visit from a council official, accompanied by Knacker of the Yard to tell us that we didn't have an outdoor events licence ("But surely we applied in January!") and that the pub barred from providing live music or selling beer outside. I was floored. Even now I'm not sure whether there's been an admin error at the pub or jobworthiness from the local authorities. Either way, what was an outdoor event that attracted hundreds of people is having to be crammed into a pub that would struggle to hold 100 even before you shoved a band in one corner and a real ale bar in the other. Various suggestions to alleviate the situation have been poo-pooed by the pub leaseholder leaving the new manager, Martin in a no-win situation. We'll do our best this weekend and I would still love to see you there (for the sake of the bands and the charity) but it's not the event it should have been and for that I whole-heartedly apologize. Thank you for letting me get all this off my chest. I feel better now... Yeched Da Wayne |
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20 Jul 07 - 03:09 AM (#2107401) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: GUEST,mollycat I'm sure that the festival will still be a great local event and will raise money for a very worthy cause. At least you won't be at the mercy of this wonderful summer weather! I think that it is great that Pete - now at The Owl in Rodley has offered his place so that the concerts can still go ahead even if it is at a diferent venue, it's only a little way up the road and, if the weather continues in it's current form, undercover. I'll be there and I am busy ringing and texting people to let them know that the event is still on. I hope others will do the same. Looking forward to a great weekend of music. Mollycat |
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20 Jul 07 - 03:42 AM (#2107413) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: cujimmy Lets not forget, and people who don't know should be made aware, that over the last few years, the Abbey has become one of the best pubs in Leeds for music and real ale. (The Owl is caching up real fast) And so despite these setbacks this is sure again to be a wonderful event. |
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20 Jul 07 - 04:24 AM (#2107429) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: BusyBee Paul Wayne, I just hope that the thread title doesn't put anyone off coming! Have a good one, see you soon Molly Cat. Deirdre |
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20 Jul 07 - 06:01 AM (#2107471) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: GUEST,John Robinson Sorry to hear about the problems Wayne. We enjoyed last year and the cause is worthy. Hope that you still have a successful weekend. |
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20 Jul 07 - 07:17 AM (#2107494) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: GUEST,Wayne Thanks everyone - and sorry about the whingey thread. I was feeling really low about things yesterday and needed the cathartic exercize of unburdening myself (Jane being away). You know what they say: A problem shared is another friend depressed! |
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20 Jul 07 - 08:07 AM (#2107514) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: My guru always said Many thanks to cujimmy who mentioned that this is local to Leeds, presumably UK. I imagine that some of our worldwide MudCatters were wondering, as was I despite living in England. Good to hear that there will be 'twin-venues' in an effort to alleviate the difficulties, sorry to hear there has been such a struggle. Best wishes for a successful event! |
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20 Jul 07 - 08:25 AM (#2107530) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: Tyke It would seem to me that Wayne and Jane have spent several years working along side Peter to building up the Abbey Live Music nights. It is such a shame that the moneymen, now frightened by the smoking ban, are in a panic and give little or no thought to the effort that people have put into building up the trade in what was a quiet backwater pub. The Abbey has been when I have paid it a rare visit on a night when there was no live music empty. Please, Please give your support to Wayne and Jane and the efforts that they have put in to planning this event. They have given there time freely, as do lot's of "Folk Music" organizers, lets let them know how much it is appreciated. So all you people that have had a great night down at the Abbey Inn let's give Wayne and Jane a high sign and say nice one. Don't get down hearted there are plenty of empty pubs dying to make you welcome. Hey up Peter I'll be seeing you down the Owl in Rodley its on a mile from my home and it's right on a bus route to Leeds, Carverley, Greengates, Idle, Shipley, Bradford, and through to Keighly. It also has a large Car Park, which will hold both Marquee and cars and still have space left for Morris Dancing. The dining room, which once your Home Cooked Food has finished, will hold as many people as the whole of Abbey Inn and leave a large separate bar area and a beer garden. Yes come to think about it I think the "moneymen" at the Abbey have dropped the ball. and Hey Cujimmy! George |
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20 Jul 07 - 10:34 AM (#2107617) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: GUEST,Wayne Sorry M.G.A.S., so many local folk use Mudcat,I forget it's a worldwide phenomenon and not a localYorkshire one! And, thanks for your best wishes! Tyke, haven't seen you for a while, Tuesdays are not quite the same.... We've got the Monday singaround up and running at the Owl and it's going really well. Be nice to see you one week! Wayne |
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20 Jul 07 - 11:36 AM (#2107646) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: cujimmy eeeeyup george (for our American friends and those in other countries eeeeyup in yorkshire means hello), hope to see you over the weekend at the Abbey cos guess what, I've written a happy song. Aye - no one dies, no one cries, no one looses their job or starts a revolution. |
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20 Jul 07 - 12:06 PM (#2107658) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: GUEST,bobcat All the best for the weekend...hope you have lots of support. last year was a great event...Hurrah for the OWL sounds like this should be permanently a new home for the venue with Peter the landlord's support..he has always enjoyed a good night.Will text lots of people about the change. XX |
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20 Jul 07 - 02:36 PM (#2107734) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: Tyke Yes I know Wayne, sorry, I will apear at some point it's just that I have just been that bit busy even turning even down well paid bookings now I don't think my agent is pleased at all. Still all work and no play. |
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20 Jul 07 - 02:43 PM (#2107742) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: Tyke So Cujimmy has writen a happy song! Ok come clean who's this woman you have been cavorting with Jimmy? Come on kiss and tell! It's the only explanation! |
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20 Jul 07 - 03:00 PM (#2107755) Subject: RE: The Abbey Festival - A cautionary tale From: cujimmy yir no gettin tae ken ma secrets |