8mm Forum: Blackpool SATURDAY EVENING dinner

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Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on February 29, 2012, 09:15 PM:

The Film Fair organised in Blackpool last November by David Guest was of course a great success, but some collectors have indicated that they would welcome an event on the Saturday evening. I have therefore responded by looking into this and I'm willing to organise it if there's sufficient demand.

Due to a large group using function rooms at the Cliffs Hotel on the Saturday evening, it would be impossible to hold the event there, but I have been offered a suitable room by the Savoy, which is of course a very short distance away and well known to Blackpool regulars. The catering would be a good two course fork buffet, probably costing £13.50 per head, and we would have a private bar. In the tradition of the Derann events, the evening would end with a film show lasting about an hour, and there could possibly be a quiz. It would be non-profit making, so I would simply charge the actual cost with about 50p per head added to provide modest funds for printing some publicity, etc. If there were a few pounds left over, I could hopefully buy anyone who provides significant help a drink on the night!

The immediate priority is to establish whether the event is viable, which needs to be done quickly, because the Savoy will only hold the room briefly prior to receiving a firm booking. The minimum number needed is 35. If you would like to support this and attend, please say so asap and I will add you to the list. If I get close to 35, I'll let everyone know and firm bookings will then be needed.

If this event happens, I hope it will also boost the attendance on the Sunday, as some long distant regulars said last year that they were not inclined to come just for one day.

[ March 01, 2012, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: Adrian Winchester ]

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on March 02, 2012, 08:52 AM:

I didn't expect to be overwhelmed by interest here - although I do have provisional bookings from other sources - but isn't there even ONE member here who would welcome a Blackpool Saturday night friendly social event with food and a film show?? If the format described is putting anyone off, I'm open to suggestions with regard to how it could be approached differently.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on March 02, 2012, 09:46 AM:

Adrian,

Don't be discouraged, I'm sure you'll be getting replies shortly. It's a big undertaking to organize these events and I think its great that you're willing to set this up for your fellow collectors.

Doug

Posted by Mark Williams (Member # 794) on March 02, 2012, 12:51 PM:

I,m sure myself ,Tony Duggan and Colin Tollman will be interested in attending

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on March 05, 2012, 06:38 AM:

I'm open to suggestions and a Blackpool regular has said to me: "people might be put off by a buffet, increase your prices and get a proper 3 or 4 course dinner with waiter service, it does make a real difference". So, if you would not be inclined to attend a buffet but would attend a dinner costing maybe around £25-£30, please say so. I'd proceed with a dinner if there was sufficient demand to suggest that the event would be viable, although we would have to hope that the room was still available when/if the bookings reached about 35, as I couldn't risk having to pay the extra if the final number was short of that.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on March 08, 2012, 04:23 AM:

Adrian. I nipped into the Savoy to survey the scene as it were which I thought might be of help to you. They have quoted me the following for 30 plus people which should be doable.
Sit down meal 3 courses £18
Sit down meal 4 courses £21 Including coffee/tea and mints as well.
These prices also include a bar pass and free room hire.

Now then folks. It is 10 years since Derek Simmonds passed away so perhaps Derek and the contribution he made to film could also be marked at the dinner.

If you need a runner to the Savoy Adrian I am happy to help where I can.

Posted by David Guest (Member # 2791) on March 08, 2012, 08:15 AM:

good luck adrian with the meal bookings etc dont forget to tell everyone the date of your evening meal in november

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on March 08, 2012, 02:35 PM:

Thanks David, I was tending to assume that Blackpool enthusiasts would know the date as a result of having the Movie Fair date firmly etched in their memories, but I'd better not take anything for granted! So, the prospective Saturday night meal and film show is planned for SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER.

Lee - thanks for that information; I must say that those prices are less than I thought and increase the incentive to have a dinner. I'm happy for the dinner v buffet choice to be decided by whatever the majority vote for. I agree also that it would be nice to include a tribute to Derek in the evening, and a screening of a certain production of yours (that I own a print of) would be helpful in this respect!

Posted by David Guest (Member # 2791) on March 21, 2012, 01:26 PM:

hi adrian how are the table bookings going hope you are getting a few booked .i think it would be a good idea if you moved your posting in with mine on the 16mm forum saves people looking in 2 seperate places

Posted by Ged Jones (Member # 2996) on March 22, 2012, 05:43 AM:

Hi Adrian,
Just noticed you are trying to get a Blackpool evening meal together and hope that it comes off and goes well. Give my best to everyone.

Ged Jones. (late of Derann)

Posted by David Guest (Member # 2791) on March 22, 2012, 12:18 PM:

re northwest film fair at cliffs hotel blackpool .i have had several emails asking me when i will be sending out booking forms for stalls .i will be sending them out 1st week in september .dealers wanting wall spaces will be allocated on a first come basis as there are only few wall spaces available .i have had 2 bookings up to now both requesting wall spaces .so if you want a wall space get in quick ,to avoid dissapointment i am expecting more dealers this year due to lots of enquires re the film fair .i can be contacted by phone or email dwgdodgems@hotmail.co.uk .tables are all 8ft long and you can request as many as you want .1 table £45.00 2 tables £85.00 .3 tables £115.00 .there will be power points for wall spaces ,but only limited power points for centre tables spaces .thanks david

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on March 22, 2012, 04:08 PM:

Ged - Great to hear from you. I'll certainly pass on your good wishes if it happens!

David - I'm not overwhelmed by the number of interested people (haven't reached 10 yet) but I'll be better able to judge the viability after publicity has appeared in 'Projections' and 'Film Collector'. I'm only too pleased to co-ordinate any future posts with your publicity, although I think there's a case for having something on this board as well as the 16mm one, as quite a few 8mm collectors drop in here who rarely visit the 16mm one.

Posted by David Guest (Member # 2791) on March 23, 2012, 01:16 PM:

hi adrian i hope you get some bookings but its early days yet .have you had the bookings off the people that asked about it .

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on March 24, 2012, 04:18 PM:

David - I haven't asked anyone for payment yet as I'm currently inviting people to state their preference in relation to a 2 course buffet @ £14 or a 3 course dinner @ £19. However, if the level of interest reaches a point where I can be moderately confident that the meal will proceed, I will then go all out with a view to getting firm bookings with payment, with a view to trying to confirm it will proceed asap.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on May 04, 2012, 03:38 AM:

You are doing a good job making this happen Adrian. [Smile]

Everyone remember to register your place for the Saturday evening dinner with Adrian.

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on May 04, 2012, 06:35 AM:

Lee - thanks for your support, and bookings!

The latest I can say is that I'm over half way to reaching the number I need, so there is some cause for optimism, but I still need several more bookings. So, if you are thinking about it, now is the time to commit yourself if you want to help make it happen. I'm not asking for payment until the evening is confirmed with the Savoy. Those stating a preference regarding the format have mostly opted for the three course dinner, so that's what it would be.

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on May 17, 2012, 03:43 PM:

I'm pleased to announce that this event is now definitely going ahead, so I'm accepting firm bookings. It will be a three course dinner followed by coffee and the price is £19. The evening will conclude with a film show lasting around an hour and there will also be a 15 minute live entertainment spot featuring Lee Mannering and his Ukelele! Lee appeared in Alan Parker's 'Bugsy Malone' and more recently in ITV's 'Ade In Britain'. There will also be a quiz and possibly a raffle (although not on the scale of Derann's) with a new Super 8 trailer as one of the prizes.

I think I'll call it the Northern Film Collectors' Dinner, partly to connect to its history, but also to try and save David Guest from receiving enquiries about it, which might happen if it was called (e.g.) the 'North West Film Fair Dinner'. But the idea is to make Blackpool as successful as possible by giving people every incentive to come along and make a weekend of it. Please contact me direct for more information on booking.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on June 13, 2012, 05:43 AM:

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on October 09, 2012, 03:44 PM:

With less than 6 weeks to go, now is the time to book places at the Saturday night dinner, if you haven't already done so. In addition to the previously-mentioned attractions, I can confirm that there will be a raffle with some fantastic prizes (including brand new Super 8 films), thanks to an extremely generous supporter.

For anyone dining elsewhere, there are some 'Entertainment Only' tickets available, priced at £4. These admit holders, between 9.15pm and 9.30pm, to the after-dinner entertainment and also offer the opportunity to participate in the raffle and buy drinks at our private bar.

Please contact me direct for booking details.

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on October 11, 2012, 01:54 PM:

What a most valient effort you guys have done here.

Best of luck with it all... [Wink]

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on October 11, 2012, 02:02 PM:

Yes, I think great credit is due to Adrian in this case for his enthusiasm. Good stuff. Wish you luck with it.

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on October 11, 2012, 02:32 PM:

Valiant? Valient?

Best of luck you guys either way! [Smile]

Posted by Mark Williams (Member # 794) on October 11, 2012, 06:02 PM:

Hi Adrian,

I have now checked with both Colin & Tony and I,m afraid they arent interested in attending the dinner on Saturday evening.

Sorry that counts me out too I,m afraid.

Good luck with the dinner and for your continued dedication to putting it all together.

Cheers Mark W

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on October 11, 2012, 08:22 PM:

Thanks for the good wishes. It has been a challenge and I was initially far from confident that the dinner would happen, but it has been encouraging to receive bookings and enthusiasm from all 4 countries of the UK. Particular thanks are due to Robert Nichols, Lee Mannering and David Watson, as without their support and help, it's very unlikely that it would be proceeding.

Mark - Commiserations, that's really bad luck but (unfortunately) you can't force them!

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