Although thousands of Ulverstonians had a brilliant time under that blisfull summer sunshine at our Monumental Gala, sadly we had no word of thanks from the chairman of the restoration committee, Cllr Colin Hodgson.
We worked from 7-15am until setting down at half-past eight that evening, and we heard nothing from him, shame. Our volunteers, and organisers deserved at least some thanks for all the hard work that they had put in to compliment the Town Councils re-opening event.
8.24.2010
August 22nd 2010
I didn't get to witness the opening ceremony of the newly refurbished Sir John Barrow monument, as down at Ford park we we're all scurrying about getting everything ready for the start of our Gala. Although we had planned it down to the very last detail and had lots of volunteers there was always going to be those last minute hitches. Like the regulator on the gas bottle that Tom was using to cook the giant Paella on packing up just at the moment he was going to start cooking. Jackie shot off to Bardsea leisure to find a new one whilst the giant Paella had to be manhandled to Ford house kitchen. And then an hour later transported on the back of our buggy to a waiting queue of hungry gala goers, not an easy thing to do, but that's events for you, unpredictable.
Then there was the incident with my guitar. Plug in to test-nothing, must be a bad lead, back to the studio, pick up another, plug it in, nothing, two bad leads? No turns out the batteries in the pickup that were fine yesterday had gone kerput. Luckily John, who was performing with Martin rushed off to get me his from home.Jackie had some trying incidents with stall holders, which eventually were sorted out and by one o'clock we were in full swing and our monumental gala was swarming with people under a beautiful sun-drenched afternoon sky. The welcoming the world flags fluttering away in the breeze, the Town band playing on the side lawn, Ford Park was fulfilling it's role as the towns showground.
At 1-45 the stage was set for Martin Gilberts' story of Sir John Barrow. With Heather and her two girls looking resplendent in their costumes, and Martin in his stove pipe hat and cloak. With the help of some young conscripted players they held a large audience spell bound for just over quarter of an hour with the story of John Barrows life.
Van Dunks swimming sensation provided a laughter filled half hour before my contribution to the day took to the stage. The Shanty Crew, seven seasoned salty dogs, fresh from two rehearsals stepped forth to render a selection of sea songs. They delivered a spirited forty five minutes of nautical goodies that had the audience singing along, with a couple of tunes written especially for the occasion.
My song Pepperpot was asked to be repeated for our guest of honer, Sir Anthony Barrow himself, who had missed it whilst listening to speeches in the VIP tent.
The Ford Park Galley sold out of paella and veggie chilli, the Monumentale did a roaring trade, a splendid time was had by all.
Lots of people wanted to know if they could buy a copy of my Pepperpot song. Well, you can download the MP3 from the Ford Park website or give me a call, or email me at colin@ford-park.org.uk and I'll run you off a copy. All proceeds to Ford Park.
Then there was the incident with my guitar. Plug in to test-nothing, must be a bad lead, back to the studio, pick up another, plug it in, nothing, two bad leads? No turns out the batteries in the pickup that were fine yesterday had gone kerput. Luckily John, who was performing with Martin rushed off to get me his from home.Jackie had some trying incidents with stall holders, which eventually were sorted out and by one o'clock we were in full swing and our monumental gala was swarming with people under a beautiful sun-drenched afternoon sky. The welcoming the world flags fluttering away in the breeze, the Town band playing on the side lawn, Ford Park was fulfilling it's role as the towns showground.
At 1-45 the stage was set for Martin Gilberts' story of Sir John Barrow. With Heather and her two girls looking resplendent in their costumes, and Martin in his stove pipe hat and cloak. With the help of some young conscripted players they held a large audience spell bound for just over quarter of an hour with the story of John Barrows life.
Van Dunks swimming sensation provided a laughter filled half hour before my contribution to the day took to the stage. The Shanty Crew, seven seasoned salty dogs, fresh from two rehearsals stepped forth to render a selection of sea songs. They delivered a spirited forty five minutes of nautical goodies that had the audience singing along, with a couple of tunes written especially for the occasion.
My song Pepperpot was asked to be repeated for our guest of honer, Sir Anthony Barrow himself, who had missed it whilst listening to speeches in the VIP tent.
The Ford Park Galley sold out of paella and veggie chilli, the Monumentale did a roaring trade, a splendid time was had by all.
Lots of people wanted to know if they could buy a copy of my Pepperpot song. Well, you can download the MP3 from the Ford Park website or give me a call, or email me at colin@ford-park.org.uk and I'll run you off a copy. All proceeds to Ford Park.
8.20.2010
Monumental Gala
So here we are, after 12 months of work on the restoration of our beloved hoad monument here we are at the grand opening event. At Ford Park we have been planning our complementary gala event. We've been glued to the weather forecasts for days as we prepare last minute tweaking to our schedule.
This morning at 8.30 I met with Megan from radio Cumbria in the car park at Ford Park for a live interview to preview this Sundays event. It was raining and she was having difficulty getting a radio link back to the station. The one place where she could get a signal was in the most exposed bit of weather. And just before we went live the rain decided to thicken, stair rods rained down on us as we huddled beneath the radio cumbria umbrella. By the time it was all over My trousers were saturated, but hey, it's good to get the message out there.
Perhaps it's going to get all this weather out of the way for the opening on Sunday. We've got the 7th Baronet of Ulverston coming to cut the ribbon, and then all the V.I.P.s will be coming to Ford Park for a reception and speeches.
It will be a chance for Ford Park to show itself off to all the towns dignitaries, and our volunteers have been scurrying around all week to get her ship shape and bristol fashion. Lets hope that they appreciate the hard work that has gone on here over the last ten years, and perhaps finally recognise that this is a valuable asset that should not be left to volunteers. The proximity to the newly restored Sir John Barrow monument surely make Ford Park the gateway to our premier tourist attraction.
So here's looking for a bright and sunny day, a day for the town to celebrate, a day devoid of heavy showers that tonight ,Friday, is forecast, and that our Gala, the Grand re-opening, the Hoad down and finally the fireworks' will make Sunday 22nd of August 2010 a day to remember for all of us. A day when Sir John Barrow is remembered as one of Ulverstons' shining lights, a day when the light once again will shine from the Hoad monument, and that pepperpot will once more be a symbol of our town, the gateway to Furness welcoming it's wayward sons and daughters home.
This morning at 8.30 I met with Megan from radio Cumbria in the car park at Ford Park for a live interview to preview this Sundays event. It was raining and she was having difficulty getting a radio link back to the station. The one place where she could get a signal was in the most exposed bit of weather. And just before we went live the rain decided to thicken, stair rods rained down on us as we huddled beneath the radio cumbria umbrella. By the time it was all over My trousers were saturated, but hey, it's good to get the message out there.
Perhaps it's going to get all this weather out of the way for the opening on Sunday. We've got the 7th Baronet of Ulverston coming to cut the ribbon, and then all the V.I.P.s will be coming to Ford Park for a reception and speeches.
It will be a chance for Ford Park to show itself off to all the towns dignitaries, and our volunteers have been scurrying around all week to get her ship shape and bristol fashion. Lets hope that they appreciate the hard work that has gone on here over the last ten years, and perhaps finally recognise that this is a valuable asset that should not be left to volunteers. The proximity to the newly restored Sir John Barrow monument surely make Ford Park the gateway to our premier tourist attraction.
So here's looking for a bright and sunny day, a day for the town to celebrate, a day devoid of heavy showers that tonight ,Friday, is forecast, and that our Gala, the Grand re-opening, the Hoad down and finally the fireworks' will make Sunday 22nd of August 2010 a day to remember for all of us. A day when Sir John Barrow is remembered as one of Ulverstons' shining lights, a day when the light once again will shine from the Hoad monument, and that pepperpot will once more be a symbol of our town, the gateway to Furness welcoming it's wayward sons and daughters home.
8.05.2010
One hundred and forty pages-----DOH
I received a PDF file from SLDC, in fact I received this PDF three times. It was the results of a wackily entitled consultation called TALK TOILETS that was carried out earlier this year. The idea was to consult with the public to find out what to do about the cost of public toilets throughout the area.
I started flicking through and then noticed that there were 140 pages!!!!!!!!!!
They told of how the snapily titled consultation team called vision twenty one had set about this task, how they did it, where they did it, and what the results were. With lots of sub headings and pie charts, in full colour it was an avalanche of information, mostly justifying the work they had put in, I suppose.
They managed to get just over 600 people to partake in their survey, which out of the whole population of south lakes is not really very many, is it.
In the end the results showed that we would be quite happy to pay 20p to use a public toilet.
I don't need the 140 pages just a summary and a result would be enough
I started flicking through and then noticed that there were 140 pages!!!!!!!!!!
They told of how the snapily titled consultation team called vision twenty one had set about this task, how they did it, where they did it, and what the results were. With lots of sub headings and pie charts, in full colour it was an avalanche of information, mostly justifying the work they had put in, I suppose.
They managed to get just over 600 people to partake in their survey, which out of the whole population of south lakes is not really very many, is it.
In the end the results showed that we would be quite happy to pay 20p to use a public toilet.
I don't need the 140 pages just a summary and a result would be enough
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