[Fleecewife]

 
Some of you will have had this info direct from Scottish Fibres, but for those others who might be interested here is an email about a get-together for spinners, felters and other crafters at Perth.  Sorry about the lack of paragraphs - it didn't arrive that way:
 
 
Since our last email much has happened. The response we received from our initial email was very positive and helpful.  Based on the responses we have progressed arrangements and are pleased to pass on the following developments.As previously indicated this is not a profit making venture on our part but we do not wish to lose money either.  For this to be a success we need your support and to ensure this we need a commitment from all of you who wish to attend and to make this a success.  We are now approaching the point where we have to make a firm booking and start putting up non-refundable money.Unless we have sufficient support to allow us to proceed, we will have no alternative but to cancel the event this year with no possibility of resurrection in the the future so please help us to get this first event under way.  We do not guarantee that we will get everything right but with your help we can improve in the future.What we are proposing for our first event is that it will be held on Sunday 30th September 2012 in the Station Hotel, Perth. The format will be (for those familiar with Broughton day) an open, informal day to allow guild and other members from all over Scotland to get together, catch up and generally interact.  There will be no formal lectures or courses as at Battleby but there will be a range of free, smaller, but quality workshops to provide instruction and/or help in topics including spinning, weaving, felting, knitting and crochet as well as very specific topics.  Small charges may be made to pay for materials where appropriate. These have not all been finalised but details will be provided in due course.  Provision will be there for impromptu workshops in whatever topics have a need.  A number of "tutors" have already been identified and who are prepared to pass on their expertise.Suppliers across Scotland have been contacted so we should be able to provide a wide range of materials and equipment to those attending.The Station Hotel in Perth will provide  suitable accommodation for the function including catering in the form of tea/coffee in the morning and afternoon as well as a finger lunch.  As this is a hotel attendees will not be permitted to bring their own food into the premises.  While every effort will be made to cater for allergies etc they cannot guarantee to cater for all requirements.  Those wishing to make their own arrangements may do so but may not bring their own food into the hotel.The Station Hotel has a car park at the rear of the hotel, free to hotel guests, but this is open to the paying public, so we cannot guarantee spaces in the car park.  In view of this we have decided to go for a Sunday when the traffic wardens are not on duty so that parking restrictions are reduced, fewer shops are open so the availability of parking close to the hotel is improved. For those unfamiliar with the Station Hotel in Perth, it is located next to the railway station and only 200 yards from the bus station making access ideal for non-car owners. It is a long established hotel with a history of hosting events across a wide range of topics and is well organised to cater for our event.We are able to offer tickets including all "courses", catering and free car parking in the hotel car park (spaces permitting) at £17 per head on the basis that we have an attendance of about 200 crafters.  At this point we can break even.  Fewer than this we cannot proceed!What we need now is a commitment that you would wish to participate.  We are not selling tickets yet (which will be on a first come first served basis) but we do need to know that there is sufficient interest to proceed.  Please respond by 30th June as the hotel has to be booked shortly thereafter.
John & Doreen Marsh <marsh@scottishfibres.co.uk>

[SallyintNorth]

Such a shame that this clashes with the inaugural Scottish Smallholder and Grower Festival.   

And given the charge, I don't suppose many crafty folk will want to split the day between the two events, either?

[Fleecewife]

Oh no - I thought the date sounded familiar 

[Ina]

Yes, that is a shame... First reaction was - great, a Sunday - so many things happen on Saturday, and I work every Saturday - but then, although there is enough of me,  I've not managed to work out how to split down the middle and reassemble afterwards!

[HappyHippy]

Ah, but maybe they would like to link up     

[SallyintNorth]

Ah, but maybe they would like to link up     

Would you have room for 200 spinners and space for workshops at Forfar...?