DJXIII Announced! News Posted by John Hoare on 9th December 2005, 19:35 Pfft. No news updates since the 26th of last month. Who says we’re losing our touch? Never mind – hopefully my web development business will take off – then I can spend all day at home updating G&T instead of working. So, DJXIII has been announced – and it’s later than usual, on the September 22nd – 24th. We’re also back in Peterborough – same place as last time, but now renamed the Holiday Inn. First person to scale the front wall of the hotel and add “Ganymede” to the sign wins a sticky bun. Although you probably wouldn’t want to accept a sticky bun from me. I do hope the event goes rather better than this year’s. I feel slightly guilty complaining – mainly because G&T didn’t do a report this year, and you can’t really complain about things unless you actually tell people what you think should have been better. So, for the record: Despite Howard Burden being late, I really wish his Q&A had been rescheduled, instead of just left. We get the same stuff with the cast year in year out – this was a perfect chance to have something different. And from the way he judged the costume compo, he would have been great value for money. The VFX guys (Tucker, Tyler, etc) didn’t get nearly long enough on stage. Again, you get the cast members coming year in year out – here was a chance for something different (only Tucker was there the previous year – here was the whole gang), there’s four of them, as opposed to one, and the audience wasn’t getting bored in the slightest. They deserved at least double the amount of time on stage. So, how do you make this extra time? Well, without wishing to be rude… please, please cut down the amount of time spent on the auctions. They dragged like fuck. Even more so when the auctioneers forget who is bidding for what and for how much, but even without that it would have been tedious. Can it be kept down to an half an hour at a time? Pleeeeeeease? I was really looking forward to seeing The 10%ers and Captain Butler – the first for the actual comedy value, and the second for pure interest. I’ve seen neither since first transmission. Sadly, they weren’t shown – which I wouldn’t have minded so much, but there was no warning about or explanation given for their absence. When you’ve been looking forward to something so much, it’s galling when it doesn’t appear. Also, it would make the whole event look far more professional (and, erm, understandable) if the booklet had fewer mistakes. These mistakes would be very easy to correct, and plenty of people have offered to proof-read it this time round, or even help with writing it. With the fanclub team obviously having lots of other stuff to do with organising the event, perhaps they could take advantage of the help offered? It’s also a bit of a shame that we’re back at the same place as last year. Personally, I find Moat Houses/Holiday Inns and the like not very good at all – the drinks are expensive, the food is awful, and they have no character. I can think of plenty of places that would be far more exciting to hold the event at. But as I understand it, insurance is the issue here. (Drunk science fiction fans = expensive.) Nonetheless, the problem with the hotel used at Peterborough is that it’s out of the town centre – so you can’t escape elsewhere for a while to buy better food and cheaper drinks like the previous year in Bedford. Possibly this should be considered for DJXIV? I don’t mean to sound negative about everything – I’m still intending to go, it’s great to see everyone there, and the guests are always good value. And I certainly don’t mean this as any personal attack on the head of the fanclub James Bull – a nice guy, who very kindly got something I won in an auction signed by all the guests. (It was the first draft of the VIII video covers, if you really want to know – I’ll scan it in at some point.). But it’s infuriating that DJ could be so much better than it is. Still, the logo is a good start…
Well, indeed – it could be held in a better place. These hotels are so bland and boring. I deleted that DJ’s phone number yesterday too. But, yes. I agree with everything you said. I’d love to offer my help, to be honest.
Despite Howard Burden being late, I really wish his Q&A had been rescheduled, instead of just left. We get the same stuff with the cast year in year out – this was a perfect chance to have something different. And from the way he judged the costume compo, he would have been great value for money. This was a real blow for me as well, and he is such a nice to get along with, the real problem was that his car had broken down in the carpark and had to be towed home, leaving no time for a rescheduled Q&A, he left right after the costume compertition. But he will be asked again this year, and i’m sure he will attend. The VFX guys (Tucker, Tyler, etc) didn’t get nearly long enough on stage. Again, you get the cast members coming year in year out – here was a chance for something different (only Tucker was there the previous year – here was the whole gang), there’s four of them, as opposed to one, and the audience wasn’t getting bored in the slightest. They deserved at least double the amount of time on stage. I agree with this totally, the thing is when asked could they run for the amount they did, it was met with err maybe, but once on stage they really took off and in the end had to interupt for the dinner break, so this time they will indeed get a longer slot. So, how do you make this extra time? Well, without wishing to be rude… please, please cut down the amount of time spent on the auctions. They dragged like fuck. Even more so when the auctioneers forget who is bidding for what and for how much, but even without that it would have been tedious. Can it be kept down to an half an hour at a time? Pleeeeeeease? The problem i had this time was that the FX guys had brought along many items i didn’t expect, which is great but adds to the time again, and that because we lost Howard i had to pad out the time for Sunday, this again will be addressed to a shorter time. I was really looking forward to seeing The 10%ers and Captain Butler – the first for the actual comedy value, and the second for pure interest. I’ve seen neither since first transmission. Sadly, they weren’t shown – which I wouldn’t have minded so much, but there was no warning about or explanation given for their absence. When you’ve been looking forward to something so much, it’s galling when it doesn’t appear. I’m affraid this was out of my hands and i didn’t control what was shown, i did bring all of the mentioned video’s and was expecting them to be played as listed, time and the lack of it played a part, but if you want them again, you got them. Also, it would make the whole event look far more professional (and, erm, understandable) if the booklet had fewer mistakes. These mistakes would be very easy to correct, and plenty of people have offered to proof-read it this time round, or even help with writing it. With the fanclub team obviously having lots of other stuff to do with organising the event, perhaps they could take advantage of the help offered? The booklet was totally down to me, and from taking over it was done from scratch, putting it together is not the real problem, the booklet has to be sent to the printers at the last minute, and with guests changing there minds 2 days from the event puts a little pressure on. Now for the mistakes, as the page numbers were the most evident thing i was also annoyed at this, the printers had taken the second page as the first, even though i had already told them otherwise, and once printed impossible to change. It’s funny after the mistake has been made how many people offer to help, but when asked before not one single offer. Now i hope when i do ask in the future, it will be met with offers? It’s also a bit of a shame that we’re back at the same place as last year. Personally, I find Moat Houses/Holiday Inns and the like not very good at all – the drinks are expensive, the food is awful, and they have no character. I can think of plenty of places that would be far more exciting to hold the event at. But as I understand it, insurance is the issue here. (Drunk science fiction fans = expensive.) Nonetheless, the problem with the hotel used at Peterborough is that it’s out of the town centre – so you can’t escape elsewhere for a while to buy better food and cheaper drinks like the previous year in Bedford. Possibly this should be considered for DJXIV? Again correct, its the insurance problem and with terror attacks, even though miles from London this affects the whole country when it comes to events of this type. Not forgetting the annual rise. We have conditions to follow and some of these conditions can only be met by a hotel group. But why the same hotel you ask? The event rooms and cost has to be thought of and cost the Club thousands of pounds to hire out for the weekend, so when they offer said rooms for the same money as the previous year, i’m going to take it, also the Holiday Inn comes with a stage, Bedford does not, again this would add cost to rent one for the whole weekend. Escape is easy…..5 minutes by taxi at a cost of ?3 to the center of town is hardly the middle of the dessert, and with a car full the cost is nothing. I welcome your consrtuctive comments and I hope i can improve on last years convention, but at the end of the day, some things go wrong, time is short and guests are guests. The Logo is a final copy…The space to the left will be for the member number at DJ.
Now for the mistakes, as the page numbers were the most evident thing i was also annoyed at this, the printers had taken the second page as the first, even though i had already told them otherwise, and once printed impossible to change. It’s funny after the mistake has been made how many people offer to help, but when asked before not one single offer. Now i hope when i do ask in the future, it will be met with offers? It wasn’t printing errors that was the problem – I hadn’t even noticed a problem with the page numbers. It was the numerous mistakes with spelling, punctuation, grammar and general layout problems that made it impossible to read without having to apologise to your brain. For the record, as I’ve said before, my proof-reaing skills are always on offer to the fan club, be it for BTL, booklets, newsletters, whatever. Just drop me an e-mail if you need anything done.
I’d be happy to help with proof reading or the drafting of the booklette, James. If you need any help with that or anything rlse, then you know where to get hold of me :)
Also, James: thanks for taking the time to make such a reasonable reply. And the logo is indeed excellent.
Ah, fuck. Irony biting me on the arse, there. To be fair, though, ‘rlse’ is the only real mistake in there and that was mainly due to me rushing rather than being INCOMPETANT. Honest.
I would welcome all of your help, especially with your writing skills. I will be in contact for sure.
[blockquote]To be fair, though, ‘rlse’ is the only real mistake in there and that was mainly due to me rushing rather than being INCOMPETANT. Honest.[/blockquote] Read many “booklettes”, do you, Cappsy? ;-)
GAH, fucking spending too much time on message boards! I think anyone in this thread who attempts to point out someone else’s typo is destined to make a mistake themselves!
>>Despite Howard Burden being late, I really wish his Q&A had been rescheduled, instead of just left. We get the same stuff with the cast year in year out – this was a perfect chance to have something different. And from the way he judged the costume compo, he would have been great value for money. >This was a real blow for me as well, and he is such a nice to get along with, the real problem was that his car had broken down in the carpark and had to be towed home, leaving no time for a rescheduled Q&A, he left right after the costume compertition. But he will be asked again this year, and i’m sure he will attend. It would be really helpful if the fans were kept informed of things like this, though. We understand things not running to plan, but it’s confusing and irritating when we don’t know what’s happening. >>So, how do you make this extra time? Well, without wishing to be rude… please, please cut down the amount of time spent on the auctions. They dragged like fuck. Even more so when the auctioneers forget who is bidding for what and for how much, but even without that it would have been tedious. Can it be kept down to an half an hour at a time? Pleeeeeeease? >The problem i had this time was that the FX guys had brought along many items i didn’t expect, which is great but adds to the time again, and that because we lost Howard i had to pad out the time for Sunday, this again will be addressed to a shorter time. Hang on a moment: you tell us just below that you couldn’t show The 10%ers and Captain Butler due to lack of time. Surely the time would have been available if the auctions had been run properly? Also, surely, as the chairman, you have the last word on what is shown? Who actually *is* in charge of DJ, and why aren’t they working with you properly? >>It’s also a bit of a shame that we’re back at the same place as last year. Personally, I find Moat Houses/Holiday Inns and the like not very good at all – the drinks are expensive, the food is awful, and they have no character. I can think of plenty of places that would be far more exciting to hold the event at. But as I understand it, insurance is the issue here. (Drunk science fiction fans = expensive.) Nonetheless, the problem with the hotel used at Peterborough is that it’s out of the town centre – so you can’t escape elsewhere for a while to buy better food and cheaper drinks like the previous year in Bedford. Possibly this should be considered for DJXIV? >Again correct, its the insurance problem and with terror attacks, even though miles from London this affects the whole country when it comes to events of this type. Not forgetting the annual rise. We have conditions to follow and some of these conditions can only be met by a hotel group. But why the same hotel you ask? The event rooms and cost has to be thought of and cost the Club thousands of pounds to hire out for the weekend, so when they offer said rooms for the same money as the previous year, i’m going to take it, also the Holiday Inn comes with a stage, Bedford does not, again this would add cost to rent one for the whole weekend. Escape is easy…..5 minutes by taxi at a cost of ?3 to the center of town is hardly the middle of the dessert, and with a car full the cost is nothing. The cost of the stage is presumably not prohibitive, as there was one at Bedford, and I’m a little peturbed at your conviction that ‘escape is easy’. For a start, ordering and waiting for a taxi adds time onto an often short break, and many of the attendees would probably find ?3 for each trip a little silly in order to simply get a sandwich. Also, I would sincerely appreciate it if you could tell me where I could park in Peterborough city centre for free, as this would save me money. Not to mention the organisation involved if you have different plans than the people you came with, or if you came on your own. If you made the decision for the overall good of the event, then fair enough: but I find your lack of empathy somewhat discouraging.
>5 minutes by taxi at a cost of ?3 to the center of town is hardly the middle of the dessert hehehehehehehe
It would be really helpful if the fans were kept informed of things like this, though. We understand things not running to plan, but it’s confusing and irritating when we don’t know what’s happening. As previous DJ events the fans were kept informed by a flip chart in the main bar, and this year was exactly the same, everything was done to inform the fans the best they could, but sometimes when things happen minute by minute it’s not always possible. Hang on a moment: you tell us just below that you couldn’t show The 10%ers and Captain Butler due to lack of time. Surely the time would have been available if the auctions had been run properly? Also, surely, as the chairman, you have the last word on what is shown? Who actually *is* in charge of DJ, and why aren’t they working with you properly? Yes i have the last word, but this a team effort and if i felt that for the sake showing a video would cut into the time of a guest i would cut it without question. The auction is a highlight for many fans and with so many thing to offer this year it did go on for a while longer than expected, i’m sure if the auction lasted a few minutes there would be more complaints over that than showing a video, but this will be addressed next time. The cost of the stage is presumably not prohibitive, as there was one at Bedford, and I’m a little peturbed at your conviction that ‘escape is easy’. For a start, ordering and waiting for a taxi adds time onto an often short break, and many of the attendees would probably find ?3 for each trip a little silly in order to simply get a sandwich. Also, I would sincerely appreciate it if you could tell me where I could park in Peterborough city centre for free, as this would save me money. Not to mention the organisation involved if you have different plans than the people you came with, or if you came on your own. If you made the decision for the overall good of the event, then fair enough: but I find your lack of empathy somewhat discouraging. The stage was provided by one of the team members but because the team memeber has now left, this would cost the club to rent a stage in the future, this is why Peterborough is the best hotel for this part of the venue. Main Peterborough City Council Car Parks Dickens Street Short and Long Stay 220 spaces Wellington Street Short and Long Stay 197 spaces Regional Pool Short and Long Stay 200 spaces Bishop’s Road Short and Long Stay 250 spaces Riverside Short and Long Stay 167 spaces Horse Fair Meadow Short and Long Stay 400 spaces Pleasure Fair Meadow Short and Long Stay 396 spaces Car Haven Short Stay Only 235 spaces Markets Multi Storey Short and Long Stay 736 spaces Brook Street Short and Long Stay 151 spaces Craig Street Short and Long Stay 115 spaces I can’t see a problem there… The Convention weekends are totally dependant on the fans that attened, if we do not get the same amount as this year, i’m affraid that it will not be possible to get the thing of the ground. But i would suggest that everyones efforts would be better sort trying to get people to attend rather than focusing on minor problems of the location of the nearest burger bar. I will do everything i can do to improve on the points made and in retrospect this will get more to come along. But we still need the numbers through the doors to give you what you want, guests, merchandise and everything that is connected to the DJ weekends.
But it is these little details that make people attend or not. Trust me – I’ve worked a lot in customer facing roles, and I can assure you that the tiniest details go together to make the big picture better. A single disorganised queue, a spelling mistake on a poster, all these things make people think that the wider organisation couldn’t care less. Most major problems can be organised and managed fine. For example, an autograph session. This can be planned and organised. Little things like having enough suitable, working pens make people think “hey!”. Those running an event such as this need to put themselves in the position of their “customers”. They notice the waits, they notice when they’re not told, they notice when things are slightly wrong. Eliminate that, and you’ve got yourself a perfect weekend. Wherever the hotel is.
>>It would be really helpful if the fans were kept informed of things like this, though. We understand things not running to plan, but it’s confusing and irritating when we don’t know what’s happening. >As previous DJ events the fans were kept informed by a flip chart in the main bar, and this year was exactly the same, everything was done to inform the fans the best they could, but sometimes when things happen minute by minute it’s not always possible. Yes, but quite often we weren’t told *why* something was or wasn’t happening, which really makes the difference. >>Hang on a moment: you tell us just below that you couldn’t show The 10%ers and Captain Butler due to lack of time. Surely the time would have been available if the auctions had been run properly? Also, surely, as the chairman, you have the last word on what is shown? Who actually *is* in charge of DJ, and why aren’t they working with you properly? >Yes i have the last word, but this a team effort and if i felt that for the sake showing a video would cut into the time of a guest i would cut it without question. The auction is a highlight for many fans and with so many thing to offer this year it did go on for a while longer than expected, i’m sure if the auction lasted a few minutes there would be more complaints over that than showing a video, but this will be addressed next time. You’re not actually addressing the complaint that the auction went on beyond what was reasonable, and that it wasn’t run particularly well. Also, you can’t really say that not showing those videos wasn’t anything to do with you, and then claim that you have the last word as well. Showing the videos wouldn’t have cut into any guests’ time: it was the length of the auctions that made the event over-run, and that was what the complaint was about. I’m not complaining about the existence of the auctions either, just that they were far too long, and not well run. Having the auctioneers lose control of the event is simply annoying, and this is totally within your control. >>The cost of the stage is presumably not prohibitive, as there was one at Bedford, and I’m a little peturbed at your conviction that ‘escape is easy’. For a start, ordering and waiting for a taxi adds time onto an often short break, and many of the attendees would probably find ?3 for each trip a little silly in order to simply get a sandwich. Also, I would sincerely appreciate it if you could tell me where I could park in Peterborough city centre for free, as this would save me money. Not to mention the organisation involved if you have different plans than the people you came with, or if you came on your own. If you made the decision for the overall good of the event, then fair enough: but I find your lack of empathy somewhat discouraging. >The stage was provided by one of the team members but because the team memeber has now left, this would cost the club to rent a stage in the future, this is why Peterborough is the best hotel for this part of the venue. Fine, but you didn’t actually explain this to begin with. >Main Peterborough City Council Car Parks Dickens Street Short and Long Stay 220 spaces Wellington Street Short and Long Stay 197 spaces Regional Pool Short and Long Stay 200 spaces Bishop’s Road Short and Long Stay 250 spaces Riverside Short and Long Stay 167 spaces Horse Fair Meadow Short and Long Stay 400 spaces Pleasure Fair Meadow Short and Long Stay 396 spaces Car Haven Short Stay Only 235 spaces Markets Multi Storey Short and Long Stay 736 spaces Brook Street Short and Long Stay 151 spaces Craig Street Short and Long Stay 115 spaces I can’t see a problem there… Apart from those car parks not allowing you to park for free, which is what you were suggesting to begin with, and what I was asking you. As Peterborough is a city, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to assume it had no car parks. And, also, it doesn’t really help the car-less, single attendee. Perhaps there could be car-pool plans organised on BTLi, which would help to a certain degree, but none of this is as easy as simply toddling down the road. Again, I think you should at least display some sort of acknowledgement that this impacts on the enjoyment of the weekend for some. >The Convention weekends are totally dependant on the fans that attened, if we do not get the same amount as this year, i’m affraid that it will not be possible to get the thing of the ground. But i would suggest that everyones efforts would be better sort trying to get people to attend rather than focusing on minor problems of the location of the nearest burger bar. I will do everything i can do to improve on the points made and in retrospect this will get more to come along. But we still need the numbers through the doors to give you what you want, guests, merchandise and everything that is connected to the DJ weekends. Which is why John bothered to write the article in the first place, and why I’m bothering to argue with you! As Kirk suggests, it’s the little things that make the difference, and the little things which may discourage fans from coming in the future. The thing is, if you don’t sort the small things out, it will be difficult selling the weekend in the first place. I am unsure about recommending DJ at the moment because these little things add up to a lot in the end. Please don’t assume that I’m having a pop because I have nothing better to do: I really want to see a successful DJ, and part of this is letting the fan club team know where things can be improved. At the moment, I’m not sure the team are that committed to entering that dialogue, but this is essential when fans are paying for a service, especially when there are fans willing to help. I think you were brave to take the job on, but you need to be able to show some empathy with complaints, as they don’t usually arise unless there is a genuine problem (even if that isn’t immediately clear from the complaint itself). Even the empathy itself can be enough.
The problem I had with the event is simple: when I left DJ in 2004, I left superlatively happy. When I left this year, despite some of the great stuff that had happened there, I left annoyed. Now, that’s not the point of the convention! I think it’s difficult to underestimate exactly how annoying those auctions actually felt. Obviously I’m just speaking for me and my friends, so I don’t know about the general audience – but it just sapped any goodwill I felt towards the event away. They were far, far too long, ineptly-run, and just BORING. In retrospect I should have just left the room, but I kept thinking “this is going to end in a minute, and I don’t want to miss the next bit” – but there should have been no need to have done that anyway. When run properly, auctions are one of the highlights of the weekend. And I don’t just mean that as hyperbole – in 2004, the auctions were one of my favourite bits. When the last thing that happens at an event is so awful, it’s sometimes difficult to come away feeling you’ve enjoyed the event. And as Tanya says, it’s the fact that the auctions overran that caused me to miss the two videos I was looking forward to the most. This is *going* to annoy people. But i would suggest that everyones efforts would be better sort trying to get people to attend rather than focusing on minor problems of the location of the nearest burger bar. Sorry, but I just hate stuff like this. It *is* an important point – and you trying to undermine it by phrasing it in that way just doesn’t work. Not being able to eat quickly, easily, and cheaply is *not* a minor problem – it’s a very major one, in fact. You *can’t* book taxis easily, for instance, because you don’t know if an event will overrun or not – and by the time you’ve got in it, got into town, and found somewhere to eat, you’ve just not got a lot of time. Unlike Bedford, where you were in town in two minutes. And hey, I’ve lost count of the number of G&T articles I’ve written about DJ. If that’s not trying to get people to attend, then what is? I don’t think these things are minor points, to be honest. They impact greatly on the overall feeling of the weekend, despite how successful it was in other areas.
And yes – I’m *really* worried that these points don’t appear to be being taken on board. This is nothing personal James – as I made clear in the article, I really like you as a person, and warmed to you immediately at DJ. But if the next DJ is like this years – no, I won’t bother showing up for the one after that. I’m certainly not expecting it to go perfectly – it wouldn’t be that fun if it did! – but to leave feeling annoyed… well, why should I bother spending the money just for that? Hardly a way to get attendee numbers up, either. On the other hand, I’m willing to help with next years event. Hey, I’ll put the entire booklet together if you want, leaving you free to do other things – just let me know.
I do, however, wish I’d put all these points in an actual show report. I think they’re important, and need to be made – there’s no point complaining if I don’t like things next year if I didn’t say anything now. But it does feel uncharitable saying it on a report about next year’s DJ – as though I’m being negative before we even start. Which is a shame. I do mean this constructively, though. To be honest, though, I think the reason we didn’t do a show report was because it would have been depressing and not very fun to write.
Rather than replying to each section again, i will try and point out again that i don’t suffer with empathy, i’m taking all your comments on board and that i will do my very upmost to improve on the points made. I’m sure I already said this… Each venue is chosen on many points, location, travel not only for the fans but the guests, room sizes, cost to the fans, cost to the guests, food, drink and many other details. This is not chosen on a whim, it is carfully thought out and in the past even used paid outside help. So saying this the main reason Bedford was not used again because of the matter of theft and damage a Team Members car, an assault which took place in the hotel and not forgetting the damage to a private wall, very funny and entertaining at the time, but at what cost to the Club and hotel?. Not with standing all this, I felt that Peterborough offered more plus points than negative. Has everyone forgotten Coventry 2 years running? that particular hotel was even futher out of town with no real way of “escaping” at all, and no complaints were held at that time. So I will say for the final time that I’m doing all I can to improve on the last DJ, and taking into consideration all the previous points made and where possible put them into practice, to make the whole thing a better experience for fans and guests alike. I’m sorry you had missed out on certain parts and that you left annoyed, this does consern me and even though I had many positive words to go against this, I will still be seeking to make things better.
“you can’t escape elsewhere for a while to buy better food and cheaper drinks like the previous year in” I had a lovely meal with Wendy, Sharon and Anne on the Thursday night. Pennies when you share a taxi!
Even though the taxi’s made it more of a “magical mystery tour!” I like the logo this year … much more professional :D
My personal gripe was the extremely limited menu and the fact a FULL, DELICIOUS-looking buffet was put on for fan club, family members, cast etc RIGHT in front of everyone else. I saw lots of people going up to the waiter only to be ‘shooed’ away.
Yes, food is always an issue. I hope dearly that I’m not going to be subjected to another year where all I eat for 3 days is potato.
My personal gripe was the extremely limited menu and the fact a FULL, DELICIOUS-looking buffet was put on for fan club, family members, cast etc RIGHT in front of everyone else. I saw lots of people going up to the waiter only to be ‘shooed’ away. Really?! I never actually spotted that.
I really hope none of you go dressed as characters from Red Dwarf this time. It’s so embarrassing when you do that.
> My personal gripe was the extremely limited menu and the fact a FULL, DELICIOUS-looking buffet was put on for fan club, family members, cast etc RIGHT in front of everyone else. Are you talking about the cast and club meal on Saturday night? If so, that’s a GNP thing – the company puts that on to thank the guys for all their hard work.
>So saying this the main reason Bedford was not used again because of the matter of theft and damage a Team Members car, an assault which took place in the hotel and not forgetting the damage to a private wall, very funny and entertaining at the time, but at what cost to the Club and hotel?. Not with standing all this, I felt that Peterborough offered more plus points than negative. Why didn’t you say this at the beginning, then, instead of having a long drawn-out argument? Aye carumba! We’re not unreasonable people, y’know. I liked Bedford for reasons I’ve already explained, but if there were criminal acts committed there against the fan club team or members, then of course I would begin to doubt its suitability. I didn’t know there were such incidents, and I’m exasperated at the way you keep pulling different arguments out of the hat, instead of explaining your position fully in the beginning.
I thought it was a disscussion? Politics mainly, i don’t want to advertise the fact that these things can happen and have happened in the past, this would hardly get more people to come in the first place. I answered truthfully when asked and where I thought i needed too, I know truth and pollitics in the same sentence! You were only hearing what you wanted to hear, I did explain right at the top, that I’m looking to improve on last time, it’s the only way forward, it’s what i’m here to do. All hotels and locations are thought about before the choice is made, you complained after it was chosen, there is nothing I can do about the location after it has been booked. I’m repling to your arguments, how can I pull them out of a hat? You put in plain words the problems and i will try and solve them..How many times do i have to say this??
I thought I was talking plainly, and I did actually email you after DJ to explain what the problems were. I would rather you didn’t accuse me of selective reading, or repeat the implied accusation that this discussion is working against future attendance, seeing as this site has done a great deal to try and encourage that. The only reason you’ve felt that you’ve been repeating yourself is that you’ve kept raising different issues in your replies, which meant that things were argued down to single issues, which wasn’t the intention of me or John. If you would rather not mention certain things, then perhaps you should suggest an email discussion or just explain that there were factors you couldn’t elaborate on. I know you care about DJ, and I’ve also never suggested that you change the booking either, but at times you seemed not to take people’s concerns seriously, and I reacted to that. As I’ve said in the past, we want to help, and that offer still stands.
