I have resisted the idea of doing public events associated with this blog and my YouTube channel for a long time. It's always been the admin that has put me off. I do, however, now have a team who can manage that, and so we are thinking about giving this a go.
The idea, at the moment, is to do a small trial event, almost certainly in Ely in Cambridgeshire, where I live, because it has excellent rail communications, in particular, although Cambridge is also an alternative.
The event would be at the weekend, probably on a Saturday, although Sunday is possible.
It would probably last from about 12:30 until six, with three sessions, two of which I would lead, with a guest probably appearing in the second. There would be plenty of time to meet, talk, and share views over tea and coffee.
We are looking at holding this in March. We hope we can charge less than £50 a head, including teas and coffees, but this is a bit provisional right now. Some concessions might be possible, but we do want to break even.
What we need to know is whether this might interest. There is a poll below, but can I please ask that you do not say that you're really interested if you have any doubt about that. What we are looking for are some reliable figures so that we can gauge likely demand. If there is significant demand, we would, of course, think about repeating the event, possibly elsewhere.
Poll
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Buy me a coffee!
Yes, that sounds brilliant and all very exciting. I would certainly book it in the diary and come along. (I live in Bury St Edmunds, so very near as well!)
Thanks
That’s a definite maybe. 🙂
I’ve often wanted chances to hear and argue with politicians (or candidates in an election) and your proposal sounds rather similar. So, a good idea but might you would need to make it clear whether it’s aimed at people with relevant knowledge/experience or people with no prior understanding of the issues? Either could prove interesting of course.
Noted
If we go ahead we will make that clear.
Its not impossible…………..
I would be coming from Somerset so might I suggest ……
The 1752 from Ely is the latest sensibly timed train for me to get home, ditto Cardiff and Bath/Bristol so I wonder if a few contributors to the blog might have a look at the mechanics of going for the day – even if they are not planning on going themselves as that might influence the timetable?
The 1230 start however looks ‘doable’
Also I suggest possibly April/May as less likley to have travel disrupted by the weather
Noted.
But I stress, if this works we will obviously fo elsewhere. So, this is very much a trial.
I hope that you run this by the time I can get my senior railcard in December! A 12:30 would be sensible, and perfectly understand why it is better for you to start locally first.
Thanks
“We hope we can charge less than £50 a head, including teas and coffees, ”
That seems a bit steep with rail fares on top.
We have to cover room costs, and they are not cheap. And we have to go somewhere where teas and coffees have to available, and that means people have to be paid. This is not a profit seeking event.
Stephen
Have you ever considered that austerity and inflation are designed to make life so difficult so that even movements to try and organise and oppose it are undermined?
Sometimes, we have no choice.
Yes for a session or two by Zoom. Dorset is too far away.
We are counting whether we’d do Zoom as yet.
That’s a different event.
I’m north of the border, so if there was an option for a paid livestream that would be more viable for me.
Not yet, but we might try that one day.
I said maybe but it will be more when it is rather than where it is as some weekends are more free than others!
Missing the “Maybe another time” option. I would come to one that happened to coincide with one of my occasional trips to England, but not fly over specially.
Noted.
This is a trial.
If it works we would do more.
I live in Sheffield, and I’d come like a shot. Rail fares, cost of event and all. Only ill-health would stop me.
And maybe there are other Sheffield/Derbyshire locals, and we could car-share.
I think we may do one nearer you in due course.
Have you thought about getting sponsorship to get the attendance fee down? ChatGPT thinks the following might want to support you:
Tax Justice Network (TJN)
• Focus: Tax reform, inequality, financial justice
Friends Provident Foundation
• Focus: Fairer/Greener economy; grants available
New Economics Foundation (NEF)
• Focus: Alternative economics; public education
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
• Focus: Public policy, social/economic justice
Trust for London
• Focus: Poverty & inequality (mostly London)
Network for Social Change (Economic Justice pool)
• Focus: Systemic economic inequality funding
Joffe Trust
• Focus: Accountability, governance, democracy
Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust / Foundation (JRRT / JRCT)
• Focus: Democratic reform, power structures
Open Society Foundations (UK-facing programmes)
• Focus: Democracy, civic empowerment
Economic Change Unit
• Focus: Changing economic narrative; collaboration with progressive policy groups
Finance Innovation Lab
• Focus: Transforming financial system for public good
Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
• Focus: Community wealth-building
Positive Money
• Focus: Monetary reform; public education
Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee (selectively)
• Focus: Monetary/financial governance (less grassroots but aligned theme)
Global Justice Now
• Focus: Economic justice, systemic reform
No, I haven’t.
And if I am honest, I would not want association with many (but not all) of them. Nor they me: I want change, Most of them are working furiuosuly to keep their jobs, which means doing nothing to change the status quo or what would they have to campaign about? Excuse my cynicism but I saw too much of their world and what they do for too long to think otherwise.
I personally do NOT like the idea of sponsorship (I could accept a sponsorship from Kristy Kreme Doughnuts providing free doughnuts & coffee or reduced price doughnuts & coffee in exchange for the lick of advertising) because it seems to me Richard frames this event as FOR the sole benefit of the attendees. When sponsors get involved it becomes about the agenda of the sponsors and not about the desires attendees.
This is why I “excepted” Kristy Kreme Doughnuts because I have no problem with an agenda of pushing consumption of free doughnuts and coffee. LOL! LOL!
I live 1/2 way between Manchester and Sheffield, and there is only a slow (stops at every station en route) train to Manchester! The line only goes to Manchester – the line that went to Sheffield is no longer active. So travel and age would deter me – unless of course it was during the Aldeburgh Festival!!
If this one works, we will do more.
Susan
Is the Hope Valley Manc-Sheff line closed to Sheffield only?
Or are you talking about the Buxton – Manchester line that is a dead end at Buxton? There are two routes really? Buxton is up the road from me.
I try to be green, but I have a son in Sheffield too, note, Susan. ‘Not making any promises but just putting the notion of ‘care’ into practice. This is how make a better life into a reality.
I’ve voted “maybe but in another place” which, at the time of writing, seems to be the majority. I’d love to come to Ely but that would involve an overnight stay I suspect. Google maps is quoting me 3 hrs 30 mins. So that’s a very maybe. London would be much more acceptable. Please just do it, though. Presumably it will be videoed?
We will do more if this works.
We are planning a trial, and who knows, then a tour?
Yes, you should run an event and I applaud the suggested location…. (you know where I live!)
I suggest that you run it strictly as a “trial event”….
Get a small venue and once all tickets are sold then turn people away – a sure fire recipe to get people clamouring for another, bigger event. But, more importantly, if things aren’t quite right (format, venue, refreshments etc.) a small event is far easier to manage/rescue “on the hoof”… and then you learn for the next time.
Teas and coffees? I would volunteer to serve and lots of small venues will have the kit…. indeed I suspect that this informal (and cheap) approach will chime with many regulars on this blog.
Thanks Ckive
This will be a trial
That’s why 50 is going to be max attendance. As you say: this will be about learning lessons.
And the locatuon is doing tea and coffee at fair prices. The overall cost depends on Satirday or Sunday hire: Sunday is cheaper ttravel is usually easier on a Saturday.
Do you want to be a panelist?
Richard
PS. As a veteran organiser of events, could I suggest you checkout pubs because those with function rooms will often let them out very cheaply or even free if you offer a buffet lunch in the price. I am assuming you are considering your local Friends Meeting House?
We are looking at a local hotel. It has the resources. Few pubs have space for 50 or more. There is no Meeting House here. It is not that convenient in Cambridge.
A hotel is a good idea as it makes in very convenient for overnight travelers.
As often happens at US events of this type, attendees congregate at the hotel pub or a nearby pub after the event to get to know each other if they want to do so (I always choose to do so). If one is staying in the hotel of the event venue, it makes everything very neat, tidy and safe.
Agreed
Ely offers varying budgets too
I am currently organising an event in Poole Arts Centre and have found that I can do it there for around £10 a person if I get 40 or 50, so I’m not sure where you get your £50 from. Tea and coffee can be purchased if required on the day and they have an excellent restaurants if anyone wants to stay afterwards. Plus a very well-stocked bar. Venues must be very expensive in Cambridgeshire.
For 50 people in Poole:
£500 venue hire
£500 refrehsemnts in 3 breaks (£10 a person, commercial coffee rate)
Travel for two at last, maybe 3, £200+ even with railcards
Hotel for 2 or 3 probably rather more than that
Some equipment hire £100
Salaries for those who are paid more than minumum wage + on costs £550 at least
And then expenses at least for maybe two guest speakers £100 plus
Divide by 50 and now you see where I am.
Yes, Ely might be cheaper (as I suggested)
But we have to be realistic about where this is going
And I make nothing, you will note. But I do take the risk.
So, can we be realistic please? You are talking about something very different from what we are trialling, and if we trial at £20 and then have to charge £50 for a day we learn nothing about demand.
It sounds like a really good idea. I’d be interested and Ely isn’t too far from me. It may be worth recording the events for later publishing on video channels for those who don’t get the chance to go.
Give it a trial go. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
We will record it, definitely.
We will then pubiush it, if worthwhile
Thanks
How are you going to be able to manage the event, in the same way you manage your website, to avoid people deliberately trying to share alternative opinions, which could lead to lots of off topic discussions and a confusing message?
Will you have to assess people before allowing them to buy tickets?
If someone comes to cause trouble they will be asked to leave.
Richard
please consider holding such a meeting in the North East one of the poorest areas of the country which would benefit hugely from your ideas. Newcastle would be a good choice
In time…
Here is a suggestion which may make other venues viable.
You have often spoken of your love of coffee.
Is there a local roaster who could offer a pop up that would cover the tea & coffee part of the idea ?
Encourage attendees to bring their own keep cups ?
If, like you, they cover their costs but may be get online orders.
Good and Bad catering is often remembered. Why have C price Coffee when a lot of local roaster are doing so much better.
Enjoy your long weekend away
I am not keen on spomsorship…
But a neat idea
A definite maybe from me. I’m in Cambridge at the moment…up here from Totnes.
One of my daughters and family are here. If I could merge the two …your potential event and family…I would certainly come. So a large ‘if’ there.
Thanks
Sure Richard. I might come. I live in Norwich… and that’s only a bit over an hour away.
I do think it would be a good idea to try to lower the expected costs and hence ” entry fee” …or that will be a barrier to entry for some number of people.
Alan Story, Editor. THE LEFT LANE.
We will do this one as cheaply as we can but have to be realistic: in the future we may also need to cover travel and the costs of us staying away as well. But, if this one works we will also look for bigger venues to spread the cost.
I’m afraid I didn’t vote in the poll as you want an idea of interest and none of the options seemed to fit me.
Yes I’m interested, I particularly need help and guidance with explaining to friends and acquaintances how money works.
Ely or Cambridge area is fine.
I’m not worried about ticket price, £50 a head is not an issue.
However…. the rest of my life is very busy, if and when you publish the date I’d estimate there’s probably only a 20% chance of me not already having some commitment on that day but, if it happens to be when I’m free I’d come.
Fully understood
This may happen more than once…
Would you consider to stream it live through your YouTube channel for your audience outside U.K.?
I would gladly pay a fee too.
Against thank you and you team so much for this blog!
That would be for a second event.
Yes I would attend and, provided plenty of notice, would tie it in with a trip back to the UK to see friends and family in and around Bedford
🙂
I like the idea and I am motivated to attend. I really enjoy the blog and I expect the event will be even more useful.
£50 sounds reasonable; Logically, I can’t pick any option except ‘only if the ticket price is low enough’.
I also like the proposal above to include an option to attend via zoom.
We think live streaminmg a fist event would be too hard. We might do it if there is a second. We need to walk before we run.
Like a shot. And could probably bring some friends. I’ve never been to Ely, so would kill two birds with one stone.