A suggestion: Storrington Kilts Weekend

[Robin]

Yup...no need to panic dear Ham.

Basicly a place (a pub?) to meet and a list with hotels and BBs nearby....is all we need. We're all mature and able to take care of ourselves.
I'm sure there will be enough Xmarkers with rental cars to move the rabble from A to B...and back.

Like Barb...I don't think half the forum population will come over.

[Arlen]

Tentatively, I'd love to come.
I'll have to wait until, probably, December to know for sure.
But if I'm invited, I'd be honoured.

[Mr. Kilt]

Well, I'll be the first to "pull out" of the list of attendees. We just won't have the funds. We have a possible major life change in the works, details later. (Don't worry, it will be a good change!)

[Hamish]

OK - just to give this subject a bit of a bump!

In spite of my silence, The Storrington Gathering is still planned for the 14/15 June 2008 weekend, and I am still gathering information to help make it the success I want it to be.

However, I may have run into a situation which, if confirmed, could become a major problem. I have just been advised that accommodation of virtually any sort in this vicinity will be impossible to find if the dates clash with those of the world-famous Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place annually in June. Most of the B&Bs I have been speaking with tell me that they do not accept bookings for June until the Festival of Speed dates are announced, and then they take no bookings for that weekend other than from people who have stayed with them previously for the Festival. I am getting similar messages from small hotels also.

I have contacted the Festival organisers to check the dates of their event, but they will not divulge them until the official launch of the 2008 Festival of Speed - and that will be sometime next month (October).

So, dear friends, please keep your fingers crossed that the 150,000 Festival of Speed attendees do not want accommodation the same weekend as us - 14/15 June, 2008.

I'll be ba-a-ack!

[Canuck]

So, dear friends, please keep your fingers crossed that the 150,000 Festival of Speed attendees do not want accommodation the same weekend as us - 14/15 June, 2008.

I'll be ba-a-ack!

So what you are saying is that there has to be 160,000 kilted persons descending on Storrington to bump off the speed demons.... ;)

[Hamish]

So what you are saying is that there has to be 160,000 kilted persons descending on Storrington to bump off the speed demons.... ;)

Now that would be a sight to behold, Robert!

No, what I am saying, is that the Festival of Speed is such an established and prestigious event that those providing accommodation within 50 miles radius of Chichester/Goodwood (which includes Storrington) reserve it for attendees, particularly those who attend every year. This is why many B&Bs and similar establishments will not take bookings from anyone for June (in any year) until the Festival dates are announced officially - then they give priority to their regular Festival of Speed guests.

Personally, although I am aware of the Festival of Speed every year (one would have to be dead and six feet under NOT to be aware!), I have no interest whatsoever in Formula One motor racing or anything to do with it and so its dates and the fact that it has such a massive impact on the area for miles around, passes me by!

This afternoon, I was informed by a very nice hotel near my home that they are already fully booked for every weekend in June 2008 - and June 2009! This, it seems, is the peak month for weddings and wedding receptions!

I am not giving up yet though!

[Panache]

...This afternoon, I was informed by a very nice hotel near my home that they are already fully booked for every weekend in June 2008 - and June 2009! This, it seems, is the peak month for weddings and wedding receptions!

I am not giving up yet though!

Hamish,

Have you considered perhaps a different location? The F-H.C.A.G. and I are very seriously thinking of attending and then trying to make it to Scotland.
Perhaps the rabble should try to descend on Dumfries or somewhere similar?

Cheers

Jamie

[The Wizard of BC]

I say we all meet at his lairdship's fishing estate in the Highlands. If there is overflow the rest can stay at my estate.

[Wompet]

But Jamie - meeting at another locale would remove the possibility of seeing Hamish's garden (and that faintest of hopes of catching a glimpse of the "Kollection"). I'm afraid that Robert's suggested course of action may be necessary.

The Scottish and Norwegian contingents will arrive from the North, while the Germans and Dutch travel from the East. Once they have allowed the racing fans to egress towards Chichester, the Irish and Welsh contingents will arrive from the Northwest and the French from the South, blocking off any return to Storrington. Having taken the town and the surrounding environs, we will take tea and discuss the schedule of events for the remainder of the weekend. The Canadians and Americans will be spread among the other contingents as needed to increase their manpower.

Or we can hope that the Festival of Speed will be the weekend prior.

[starbkjrus]

Effective immediately all weddings in the south of England schduled for June 2008 are hereby rescheduled / relocated to the August Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. Some of those far flung family members will fit in better there anyway.