Topic ID 757
Hi, Despite bureacrocy putting obstacles in the way the Christmas evenings (Dickensian etc) in Ware in recent years have been, in most people's view, very successful. I think that it is a retrograde step to change the format so that it is Saturday afternoon 11 until 3pm. The dark evening atmosphere has been , in my view , an important ingredient. Who's idea was it to change? This now looks like a Ware "week" format only in a much colder time of year. Why change a successful format? Cheers, Peter
Reply ID 6724
PLEASE don`t tell me it`s been moved to Saturday afternoon. I totally agree that the dark evening atmosphere(including the cold temperatures)is part of the "feel" of it all. Otherwise they might as well cancel the whole thing. ...Let`s start a SOD (Save Our Dickensian-evening)!!!!!
Reply ID 6727
I agree.... stupid bloody decision to move it to a different time slot ! Howzabout a SODIT ? Save Our Dickensian Initiative Tonight !
Reply ID 6731
Yeah I totally agree - an afternoon event just wouldnt be the same, infact I dont think i'd even bother going. Thats the thing nowadays, health and safety is taking over the world, its just stupid, we're not allowed to do anything anymore incase we might decide to sue someone!!!! Dickensian evenings have really been spiralling downhill in recent years ever since they decided the high street would remain open to traffic - im not sure on official records but I would have said atendances have been decreasing. Bringing back the old format would surely increase trade to the town. (By the way, please dont quote me on anything i've said, its just my estimate) SODIT!!!
Reply ID 6738
In many ways an evening 'do' is good, however from a personal ponit of view I'm happy because I have to work on Friday nights, selfish I know.
Reply ID 6751
I thought the whole point was to attract people into Ware who would not normally come, hence the evening when other shops are closed. Can't see many bothering on Saturday afternoon.
Reply ID 6880
I thought it about time I gave some info on why the christmas event has been changed to a Saturday. Firstly there is a small team of people, a sub-committee of the town centre management board, that make any decisions, however I can tell you that is my suggestion to try a Saturday. One of our aims is to encourage local people and visitors to shop in Ware, this was not being done by holding the event on a Friday evening, as most of the shops did not open, and those that did, had to pay staff extra money, for very little return. Second is that the Saturday chosen will be free parking in all the town car parks. Third, by having the event during the day eliminates the need for lighting on stalls which invariably causes problems. Fourthly, it eliminates the need to open the public toilets late, and the problems this causes. Fifth reason is that it will eliminate the need for us to arrange for Tudor Square to be cleaned, which on a Friday night is very costly, but on a Saturday afternoon should not be a problem and finally on a Friday evening, after the event had finished, we had problems with young people with silly string, egg throwing, broken bottles and drinking. Again this hopefully will not happen during the day. It is necessary to look at changes, and not just continue the way we have in the past. I have had a number of charity stalls, who will be in Tudor Square, tell me it is easier for them to get help on a Saturday afternoon, rahter than a Friday evening. We don't know if it will work, but many towns have now stopped any Christmas event, other than shopping, whereas we are still trying to do something a bit "special". If it doesn't work, then we will have to look at other alternatives, or indeed do nothing. I can tell you that already we have three bands booked, there will be a Father Christmas Grotto, I understand that "Sky" will be getting involved, Leasdide Church will be running there Christmas Tree Festival, and there will be a number of competitions running, only on the Saturday, with prizes to be won. A free programme will be available nearer the time, and competition entry sheets will also be available throughout the town, so I hope it will be successful, but only time will tell.
Reply ID 6900
there are some very good points there! I think it'll be well worth a try in holding the event on a Saturday. Even if just for the one year, then maybe move it back to the evening if it isn't successful!
Reply ID 6943
quote:Is this the point of the event ? Purely money-driven ? I thought the whole ambience was for the people of Ware, the occasion - not just how many outsiders can you bring in and spend cash. Or was that the intention all along - just a money making scheme ? If so, I kinda think that misses the point of what the event is supposed to be about. Maybe I'm wrong (?)
One of our aims is to encourage local people and visitors to shop in Ware, this was not being done by holding the event on a Friday evening,
quote:Fair point I guess. Though I'm sure one night in a year won't bankcrupt too many shops overnight !! lol. Where's their festive spirit ?
as most of the shops did not open, and those that did, had to pay staff extra money, for very little return.
quote:So make Friday night free for that night. Simple. Let the car parking attendants have the night off ! If some are private car parks, ok a small problem - but for the council owned ones, surely they can decide to make them free for one night ?
Second is that the Saturday chosen will be free parking in all the town car parks.
quote:They've always seem to have managed in the past (?)
Third, by having the event during the day eliminates the need for lighting on stalls which invariably causes problems.
quote:Pubs and restaurants have toilets. Again, how did people cope in the past ?
Fourthly, it eliminates the need to open the public toilets late, and the problems this causes.
quote:So clean it up on Saturday morning then ! lol.
Fifth reason is that it will eliminate the need for us to arrange for Tudor Square to be cleaned, which on a Friday night is very costly, but on a Saturday afternoon should not be a problem
quote:What are we paying our taxes for the police to do ? I know, I know... they're overstretched on a Friday night. But this is one night in a year we're talking about and they seem to manage during World Cup matches and New Year's Eve etc. I think that kind of activity happens anyway at weekends, regardless of special events.
and finally on a Friday evening, after the event had finished, we had problems with young people with silly string, egg throwing, broken bottles and drinking.
quote:If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
It is necessary to look at changes, and not just continue the way we have in the past.
quote:Fair enuff.
I have had a number of charity stalls, who will be in Tudor Square, tell me it is easier for them to get help on a Saturday afternoon, rahter than a Friday evening.
quote:I thought you said your main intention was to bring in more visitors to 'shop in Ware' - isn't this event just another shopping exercise ?
We don't know if it will work, but many towns have now stopped any Christmas event, other than shopping,
quote:Not quite the same in broad daylight, but nevermind. lol.
I can tell you that already we have three bands booked, there will be a Father Christmas Grotto,
quote:Hmm... a Day Club - interesting concept. He he.
I understand that "Sky" will be getting involved,
quote:Me too... I guess time will tell.
so I hope it will be successful, but only time will tell
Reply ID 6946
Town Centre Manager, Thanks for sharing with us some of the reasons behind the move to Saturday afternoon. Last year,if i remember correctly,you said the main reason the traditional Dickensian evening was cancelled was the cost of closing the road and diverting traffic. This year you haven`t mentioned that; instead, you`ve given many other varied reasons (some fair comment,others less so). Will the high Street be closed this year?
Reply ID 7227
No, the road will not be closed, same reasons as before. If we could close the road, find 100 marshalls, train them up on "Ware", and get a traffic management company to put up the road diversion signs, we could even get back to a Dickensian Evening. But until someone comes up with a way of raising about �5K to pay for all these, we have to make do as best we can, or do nothing which is fast becoming an option. Just because we are trying a Saturday this year, doesn't mean that it won't be different again next year. After the event, the Newsletter will be asking retailers and the people of Ware for their views, and unless we get peoples views, the board has to make their own decisions. We are always looking for people to join our board, meetings are every two months, last about an hour and a half, and very informal. One stipulation is that we expect board members to get involved and actually do something, and not just turn up, give suggestions and expect someone else to do all the work. This doesn'tnecessary apply to retailers, however the few retailers that we have on the board, do help out. So if you are interested and want to know more, ring me on 01920 411968 or email me via the website on [email protected]
Reply ID 7323
Does anyone know which Saturday it`s going to be on?
Reply ID 7329
Saturday 11th December. 11.30am to 3.30pm there should be more information about it soon all call Dave Walton on 01920 411968.
Reply ID 7342
How boring!!! Hardly the same as an atmospheric evening...
Reply ID 7404
I see Ware is being Controversial and having a Santa grotto is this wise an old man putting little children on his knee? He must be an alcoholic as well all those glasses of sherry he drinks and obese how many mince pies does he chomp through each christmas hope he does keel over in tudor square Mrs Christmas would be straight on the phone to claims for you!! Alos does he have a flying licence and lights and radar on his sleigh also will he need a sky marshal on his sleigh in case a terrorist trys to hijack it?
Reply ID 7413
I'm not too sure about this Santa Claus thing. Will his presence upset our ethnic friends or non-Christians or indeed some of our local Councillors? Sarcasm aside, we must not be cowed by the p.c. brigade so let's have a traditional Christmas with all that means
Reply ID 7452
Surely a dark evening adds to the Ambeance of the event. If you are going to do it in the daytime it just becomes a market.
Reply ID 7523
i think that having the ecent on a saturday afternoon is a good idea and a good experiment and a chance for the town management and the locals of ware and also the people who come into ware for the event to see which one they prefer the friday evening or saturday afternoon, which saturday is it being held on?
Reply ID 7531
It's being held on the 11th Donna
Reply ID 7533
ok thanks david [:)] i could go down and have a look round then
Reply ID 7536
Although there is an actual event on the Saturday, on Friday the 3rd of December there is a late night shopping event which most shops appear to be opening for.
Reply ID 7539
o right i wont be around for the 3rd of the december but am around the followin week
Reply ID 7561
...So let me get this straight. There`s late night shopping on Friday the 3rd,(when you-know-what night usually is) AND there`s a "Christmas Festival" on Saturday 11th. WHAT THE DICKENS IS GOING ON???
Reply ID 7565
lol, Rachael you beat me to it ! I noticed a poster in the Ware Tesco car park announcing the 3rd of Demember 'Xmas shopping night' which looks remarkably like the Dickensian night, but without the Victorian aspect. It still has shops open at night, lucky dip, mulled wine, roasted peanuts, santa's grotto etc. With all the hoo-ha about "we can't possibly have it at night because the shops can't afford the staff overtime" pullava it appears that.... well... the shops ARE going to employ staff and pay them overtime on the night of December 3rd !! So that squashes that little argument against Dickensian night being actually at night for retailer's financial burdens. lol Seems to me like the shops have got together and thought "Stuff the authorities, let's do it ourselves !" Good thing too !
Reply ID 7566
There is an advert in the Mercury Mag today (on the same page as the Kevin Spacey interview) for the Ware Christmas Spectacular, Friday, December 3, 6pm to 9pm. It does sound a lot like the Dickensian night especially since it will feature Santa's Grotto, stalls, carol singers, and most shops staying open during this "Christmas Spectacular".
Reply ID 7567
The traders have got together and decided that we want to continue with the old formula. As far as I know the traders have never worried about opening late, why would we it has always been a great evening for trade and the town generally.
Reply ID 7568
Looks like we have been fed a load of rubbish by the Town Centre Management Board. Now all we have to do is to "arrange" for some large vehicles to break down at each end of the High Street for 2-3 hours that evening !!
Reply ID 7570
So there is a clash between the good old traditional dickensian evening that nearly everybody seems to be in favour of that has been organised by all the traders in the town, and then theres the town centre management event on saturday. Sounds a bit strage to me... would you not need a licence to trade in Tudor square? if so, surely this would have to be obtained from the town management? If the centre management are holding an event on saturday, surely they would not want an event to be held on friday evening as well? What do you have to say, "Town centre manager"?? I hope I made some sense! :)
Reply ID 7571
quote:maybe its on the same lines ans dickensian evening but they have just changed the name of it and stuff
Originally posted by Maureen
There is an advert in the Mercury Mag today (on the same page as the Kevin Spacey interview) for the Ware Christmas Spectacular, Friday, December 3, 6pm to 9pm. It does sound a lot like the Dickensian night especially since it will feature Santa's Grotto, stalls, carol singers, and most shops staying open during this "Christmas Spectacular".
Reply ID 7577
They should actually call it "Dickensian night" !! lol I mean, there's no copyright law against calling it that and it'd be a lovely 2 fingers up to the beaurocratic kill-joys who attempted to ruin the proper Dickensian nights with all their red tape excuses. "Traders can't afford to stay open late"... my arse !. If they got that one wrong, one wonders about the relevance of all their other excuses why not to hold Dickensian evening in the evening. Hmmm.
Reply ID 7578
and if traders couldn't afford to stay open late then why are they doing it this year when it isn't even a proper dickensian evening
Reply ID 7580
The Christmas Spectacular is being advertised on Hertbeat FM, Talking to one trader today, most of them feel that doing away with the old format was wrong, not many of them were consulted, so they decided to to do their own thing.
Reply ID 7590
TOWN CENTRE MANAGER...... YOUR SILENCE IS DEAFENING.
Reply ID 7591
Wouldn't it be great if the people of Ware went out and supported the charities that are having stalls in Tudor Square and the event rather than spend their time moaning about it. There will be time after to get feedback and plan for next year.
Reply ID 7592
Wouldnt it be great if the organisers told us what was happening instead or relying on gossip. We then be able to turn up to what ever event on whatever day.
Reply ID 7593
There are two events happening in Ware On the 3rd December between 6pm and 9pm there is a late night shopping event which will include selected shops being open, mulled wine, The Vine shopping courtyard,festive food tasting, discounts and much more. The other event is on Saturday 11th December, which is also the free parking day in Ware. Shops will be open as normal and between 11am and 3.30pm there will be a number of events happening around the town including Charity Stalls in Tudor Square, music at various locations, santas grotto and much more. Please contact Dave Walton on 01920 411968 for full details, there will also be free programmes available at shops this week giving the full details of both events.
Reply ID 7595
Lets get all this Christmas stuff sorted out. Dickensian Evening was cancelled due to the amount of red tape and health and safety issues that are now involved. It could be done again if someone wants to give us approx �6000! Last year we had an evening event on a Friday, although we felt it was successful, we asked retailers for their comments, and unfortunately few replied, and of those that did reply the majority said they could not afford to pay staff the extra money, and therefore it was not woth their while opening. Based on that information the committee decided it was worth trying a Saturday this year, namely Saturday 11th. However some shops then told us they wanted a Friday night! Whatever we do is wrong in the eyes of some people, and we cannot please everyone. Therefore some shops ARE opening on Friday evening December 3rd, whereas our Christmas Special is on Saturday December 11th. Free programmes for the Saturday, are now available in the Priory, Library, Museum and some shops in the town, along with entry forms for the competitions being run. We, as Town Centre Manangement can only do what we think is best for retailers, and the town, on the information we get told. We have quarterly Newsletters that are freely available throughout the town, and are sent to every shop in the town. I constantly ask for information on the history of shops, businesses etc to put into the Newsletter, but again the response is nil. So there are two options open to local residents this year. Friday evening December 3rd, and Saturday December 11th. As for next year, this will again depend on the feedback we get from shops. Everybody has a part to play in what goes on in the town, residents, businesses, other organisation etc but as already stated we rely on people to let us know. I have asked, via this website, and in the Newsletter for ideas and suggestions for events in the future, again with not one single reply. It is everybodys responsibility to talk to us and suggest ideas, until you do we will continue to make decisions we feel are right. I make no apologies for having a Saturday event, and hope both the Friday evening and Saturday are both successful.
Reply ID 7598
You are going to get fed up with me, but I would like to point out that the Town Centre Management Board do have their own section on the forum, and there has been nothing on there since September. I would suggest that if you want to ensure I read anything relevant, it would be better to put it on to that section as I don't have a lot of time to go through every subject on the forum.
Reply ID 7601
Why haven't you put anything on since september?
Reply ID 7607
Bolly, please use the Town Centre Management forum and ask the question again. http://www.wareonline.co.uk/haveyoursay/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=7
Reply ID 7643
I wish you all a very nice Christmas Festival.
Reply ID 7648
did any one go into town tonight was it any good? or was it just shops open late and no stalls at all?
Reply ID 7649
quote:I didn't go, but all of the charity type stalls appear to be booking for the saturday.
Originally posted by Donna
did any one go into town tonight was it any good? or was it just shops open late and no stalls at all?
Reply ID 7656
o right i know there wasn't meant to be any stalls but i know before they have said there wont be any stalls and then there are
Reply ID 7755
After all of the anticipation - what did everyone think of the festival on Saturday?
Reply ID 7756
quote:Why is someone going to write a story about it in the Mercury or something[}:)]
Originally posted by Homer
After all of the anticipation - what did everyone think of the festival on Saturday?