Lofs Dinner 2012

[tony.t.corbett]

Having chosen to go to Newtown next year one or to stories have reached my ears about taking a backward step,and there is less there than Llandrindod Wells. The turnout for Wrexham was disapointing considering the number of members in the North. Allan Phillips and I attended a dinner at the Tower Hotel Swansea last thursday and both thought what a nice place to hold a dinner however as with most hotels now they expect a minimum number before they consider you so, we need the support of the membership and including the !st Bn membersso can I ask for suggestion and views from members where do you want to go?if you live close to members who do not have computers please get together and talk about this and let me know to write to everyone these days is not cheap
TC

[Rog Ball 01]

Tony,

Thanks for the info regarding the LofF Dinner 2012. As I am about to change securityy companies, 3rd time in a year, I do not know if I can make the dinner at present. The other factor that I have to consider is the distance, living in deepest Kent. I don`t mind where the dinner is

Once I know my roster pattern and my likely days off next year, I will certainly let you know.

Kind regards

Roger

[Clive Rees (08)]

I think Llanding dong bells is a lovely place to live.

[John Turner]

It certainly is - Powys is a beautiful part of Wales and what I always liked about the Llandod reunion was that you knew you were in Wales by the local landscape and the journey to reach it; not just the local accent after taking junction 36 (or whatever) off the M-sodding-4!

Also the fact that it was off the beaten-track meant that it was more of a 'RV' and actually more like the Sgts' Mess - the Sgts' Mess isn't usually next door to the NAAFI bar so why should the reunion be!

The only reunions I've skipped since I started attending were in large towns/cities - I did do Cardiff twice, but only the one day - I'd do both days at a more remote location as I did at Llandod, because I want atmosphere and a place that I can get away from PEOPLE - bar the people I made the journey for.

Swansea is closer to me than Newtown and would be a case of "I'd really like to attend but only for the one day and as long as ........ whatever" But Newtown (/Llandod/other middle-of-nowhere location) would be a case of "Screw it - I'll be there whatever - both days"!

But anyway, that's just my two cents - whichever location gets the best attendance has to be the winner.

[tony.t.corbett]

Thanks for your input John always something sensible, I just wish we could get more members to give their views
TC

[jungle1810]

Hello Tony et al,
How about asking Bob and his wizards to conduct a poll on the forum. It would mean putting old/new venues and then members of the L.O.F.would be able to vote for their favourite venue. If it is not too complicated we may even be able to put the venues in order of preference. Over to you Bob aka Merlin.
Regards Brian D aka jungle1810

[Clive Rees (08)]

I now the owner of the Met, if you are looking for a good deal??

[Clive Rees (08)]

Duuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh. Should read 'I know' was never any good at wenglish!

[John Turner]

A poll is a good idea but a forum poll would not reflect a true opinion of the LOFs because not enough of them are forum members and out of the ones that are, many may be inactive or not very active members, plus there'd be nothing stopping a non-member voting. It would have to be postal, which would be expensive but replies could be email or postal, then there's the phone, especially with an 'all in' broadband deal with free calls, but that would be time consuming.

A show of hands on the night would be simpler, maybe followed up with a postal/phone poll but only to members that did not attend.

As for the owner of the met - I heard he jacked :confusedicon: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14180043

[Dai72]

I have attended when i can where ever it is held, though not missed many. Also supported the visit to Cyprus.

The main fact is members should make the effort if we want it to survive.

I was glad I went this year as it was the last time I saw Roy before he died, we don't want to keep going to funerals saying I wish i had gone to the last reunion.

So where ever it is held I will attend if work/health permits.

[DP43]

If you are looking at venues in and around Newtown check the link below, I haven't been there for years but it is well established in the local area.

http://www.maesmawr.co.uk/

[Gwyn Nicholas]

[QUOTE=tony.t.corbett;57929]Having chosen to go to Newtown next year one or to stories have reached my ears about taking a backward step,and there is less there than Llandrindod Wells.

Tony, what is a "backward step". If numbers are on the decrease since moving from L/Wells, it seems to me that a backward step is what is needed to get back to the numbers that supported the LOF before the change. I agree with everything JT has said about the importance of location and the ambience of the venue. I know that there were a number of issues with the hotel in L/wells (which have been covered before by Bob) however that sort of venue certainly appeals more than, as JT put it, a motel off a junction of a motorway. (Well put JT by the way). What is the LOF, is it not a group of friends who get together once a year to catch up and reminice or is it an opportunity for a shopping trip. ("nothing there") From my experience at the LOF, (which I admit is limited) there is very little time to "catch up" with anyone save those on your table during the meal so I would have thought the daytime would have been ideal for just that. That plus an hour or two siesta to prepare for the evening. (Friday nighters) I think it is time for a little honesty here, what is it that members want, and is it to the benefit of the majority or to appease the wishes of the few who want change for change sake. If it wasn't broken in the first place why try to fix it.

[Clive Rees (08)]

You were obviously being facetious!!

[Clive Rees (08)]

Not you Nick, John Turner!

[ap1]

I've banged on about this before.

Personally I think the choice of the Ramada at Wrexham was ill advised. Although its a good hotel, its location is not great and its really designed for business travellers. Having to plead for members to attend will do nothing to increase bums on seats. Quite the opposite. It does appear the attendees are split into two categories:

1. Those who attend year in/out regardless of location.

2. Those who will attend if its convenient to their location. Look at the members who turned up at Wrexham. A few of them have been absent for quite a few years. Same deal at Cardiff.

I think the LOF needs to start from year zero and concentrate initially on Category 1.

Tailor the event to match the numbers of those who attend every year regardless. Pick a really nice location (Maesmawr Hall is worth a look at) and have a sit down dinner. If you put 20 friends around a table in a nice location, give them good food and drink, the rest will flow. Its then a case of adding a couple of new attenders every year. Basically what we should be offering is a great weekend away in a nice location, in a good hotel, with the opportunity to eat and drink with our friends and peers. At the moment, the present format in a large function room with disco etc is not sustainable and unattractive so change it. If you can guarantee that 35 members will attend, that is a sizeable dinner party. It would also mean the LOF leadership is not having to face the worry of dwindling numbers each year.

I agree with JT to a point about locations. My issue with the Metropole would be that it had gone down hill severely when we finally left. Cardiff was a good location, the problem for me was the hotel, again it was a business location and very functional.

As always, I would point out that I make these comments having attended fairly often over the last 12 years, only recently having to miss the events due to being out of the UK. I fully intend to be there once I finish my present work.

[Vic Hughes 53]

All,I agree with Al. Could the LoF look at a date change as well, normally the LoF WE is in and around the Easter leave / time period, would it be possible to scope one of the Bank Holiday WE in May, where perhaps people will look at it as good LWE break away from home with their partner as well as meeting friends from the past.I have only attended a few and normally with my wife and parents but that has been more to do with Bn committements than anything else.Only a thoughtVic 53

[anitacorbett]

As a non member, I think John's hit the nail on the head but instead of ringing why not text? I bet nearly all the LOFs have mobiles & would be cheaper than ringing, though not so instant.
Just my two pennies worth.
Anita x

[tony.t.corbett]

Thanks for that Anita, and all who have so far contributed to this discussion,it would be nice if we had a few replies from
members of the 1st Bn Mess is there anybody there? Bob Bacon whats happene to your reply it seems to have disappeared?
TC

[John Turner]

This topic http://rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/showthread.php?13133-League-of-Friends-Dinner-2012. - started almost 4 months ago, has no replies to date and the guy that started it, the secretary, has not followed it up in any way (at time of me posting this) or visited the forum since the 4th of this month.

This topic was started before that. Just saying.

[tony.t.corbett]

GOOD at least someone read it? yet no one commented at the time. The Secretary has been working tirelessly behind the scenes looking for suitable venues in close communication with myself and Allan Phillips .and has been at Summer Camp for the past few weeks with Army Cadet Force. Thanks for reviving this thread John, I hope there are more comments to come from members?

TC