I've been answering a few questions over the week or so from people coming to the gathering, so I thought I'd post all the answers here for all to see, in case you were wanting to ask the same things, but just hadn't got around to doing it.1. How much is it to come to the gathering?
The Gathering is free. Ed is kindly allowed us to camp in his field and all he wants in return is maybe a bit of help with weeding around his organic veggies or, if you are up for it, a chance to learn how to build with straw bales and cob by providing the man/woman power it takes to dig up the soil, mix it with water and a bit of straw, by stomping on it and then pressing it onto the bale walls. I had a go at this last Monday and it was like making giant mud pies, just like I did when I was a kid. It was great fun.
2. What time can I arrive?
Any time after 6pm on the Friday, unless you have volunteered to help cook the Friday night buffet meal.
3. Will all the meals be provided for us?
No. We are only making the Friday night buffet meal to welcome people onto the site, because we felt the last thing people would want to do after a day of work or travelling is to have to put up a tent and then cook. There is nothing to stop people arranging to cook together for the rest of the weekend if you feel like it. It does cut down cooking fuel/time per person and it does mean that people can take it in turns to cook and wash up, so we would encourage that.
4. Is there lots of parking space?
There isn't unlimited parking space, so we would encourage you to lift share and car pool where ever possible. Ed does have hard standing at the top of the field and there is space out on the triangle outside the field, but the fewer vehicles we have, the less fuel used, and the less field space used as a car park.
5. What do I need to bring with me?
You will need camping gear, clothes that you don't mind getting a bit grubby, food, shoes suitable for a field (there are stinging nettles around) and shoes for the beach if you don't like to be barefoot, swimming costumes if you are braving the sea, circus toys, acoustic instruments if you wish to play, a sense fun and a smile.
On the camping gear list remember it is still fairly cold at night, so bring a roll mat/mattress to sleep on, because being cold from sleeping on the ground is no fun. Remember the rule of camping that one layer underneath you works better than 2 layers on top of you at keeping you warm. A woolly hat works wonders too.
6. Will we be able to use fire toys?
All circus equipment is used at your own risk over the weekend, and that goes for fire as well. Only use fire toys if you are competent with that prop unlit. Do not decide that spinning fire poi looks cool and learning to spin a 3 beat weave with lit poi is a good idea. It really isn't. We will be aiming to go to the beach to use fire toys. Ed farms organically, so I don't think he will want us to spin off paraffin on his land, but I will need to check that with him. The beach is in walking distance, but at night you will need a torch to find the way as it is a footpath through trees.
7. Is there going to be a timetable of set things to do?
There will be some optional things for you to join in with that will be at set times, but most of the weekend is going to be open for you to do whatever you want. The Aerial training will be at set times, as will the treasure hunt. I'm offering to teach beginners - intermediate hoop moves, but am willing to do that through out the weekend. I was hoping we could set up a story telling time in the evening too for the kids bedtime, to help them wind down and go to bed.
We will have the 2 blackboards out so people can request lessons on one and offer tutorials on the other, so keep your eye on those if you want to learn some new skills.
This weekend will be very much what you make of it. The more you put in, the more you'll get out of it.
8. Where is the Gathering?
If you need directions to this please contact me.
9. Does it matter that I have no circus skills, or am just a beginner?
Not at all! We all started somewhere and were beginners once, so come along an join in and learn as you have fun.
10. Can I come just for the day?
Yes. If camping isn't your thing, or you are busy for part of the weekend, come and play just for the day.
11. What time do we need to leave?
We aim to have all the tents down and packed away by 6pm, so that we have time to tidy up and make sure we leave the site as we found it. This will be made much easier if people don't leave litter laying around over the weekend. We will provide bins and recycling by the camping area. The field is Ed's home, so please show him and his field respect.
If you have any more questions please feel free to ask them either here on the blog, on Facebook or in person and I will try to answer them for you.
See you on the 20th!
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