Which Winter '08/09 weekender? Blush or Eclipse?

[DianaS]

...or I'm staying at home

I've come top the conclusion that tango breaks are really where I'm at and although I really enjoyed Southport (cas it was the last one), I should focus my weekenders where my true passions lie...

So I'll be at home
...or be at tango

[TA Guy]

For me the big difference is having Joe Punter around at Skegport. That happened at the last Franco Butlins at Bognor, it gives the weekender a totally different feel.

Also, of course, roads to Skegness are basically Sshite from the South. Prolly an extra one, maybe two hours longer than the Southport journey. (contra pro point is of course, the easier accessability to Norfolk & areas). I suspect Skegport will lose a lot of, at least, Southern central/western dancers, but gain many from Anglia.

So Skegport is a 'no' for me. That journey, yuck.

Blush totally depends for me on the teacher lineup. No WCS US Pros would mean a 'no' for me. No external MJ teachers would mean a 'no'. We'll see.

[Lynn]

For me the big difference is having Joe Punter around at Skegport. That happened at the last Franco Butlins at Bognor, it gives the weekender a totally different feel.

I've been on a 'shared site' at 3 of the Ceroc weekenders I've been on and its never been a problem. While its lovely to have an exclusive site, the non dancers are never in the dance venues so its really only a case of seeing them as you walk to and from your accomodation as you go in to dance, or in the restaurants etc. I've also been on a couple of weekends where we stayed in a hotel across the road and went over to the dance venues. None of it really made any difference.

I know what you mean about wanting a certain 'feel' to a weekend though. But for me that is about the people who are there. I realised this so much at the last Southport and I completely understand that this may be different for those new to weekenders, or who don't know as many people. But for me, just walking onto the edge of the blues room floor, hearing a track I like and a quick glance around meaning there is choice of wonderful leads who I know I love dancing with is what makes it special for me.

[David Bailey]

For me the big difference is having Joe Punter around at Skegport. That happened at the last Franco Butlins at Bognor, it gives the weekender a totally different feel.

Oh right - it's a shared weekender then? I didn't realise. How come? Is it a much larger venue?

And I called Hev today because I'm nosey and fancy her.

Well, who doesn't?

[Paul F]

For me the big difference is having Joe Punter around at Skegport. That happened at the last Franco Butlins at Bognor, it gives the weekender a totally different feel.

Yeah, that did strike me as somewhat different when the flyers last weekend. I figured that if there was Silver accommodation available to us, it stood to reason that there would be other accommodation on site.

I remember a Breeze event I went to, I think, last year or the year before where we shared with people from the line dance community.
Ok, not Joe Public but nevertheless I dont think I saw any evidence that there were others around.

Eclipse for me is about giving it a chance. It may turn out to be an awkward layout, horrible fellow campers etc. but at the end of the day I want to give it a chance.
I suppose I should say the same about Ceroc's event and I would be happy to give that the benefit of doubt too but I have to have something to base a decision on. For me it was the way Ceroc took over Southport instead of developing their own event.

[Astro]

You really do need to listen. Hev Mate said something about Beach Boogie being on for 2009 when she was compare at Southport.

And I called Hev today because I'm nosey and fancy her. Hev says she's already got a boyfriend called Andrew and doesn't need another one

What a shame. Couldn't you change your name from Andrew to something else by deed poll?

Also, of course, roads to Skegness are basically Sshite from the South. Prolly an extra one, maybe two hours longer than the Southport journey. (contra pro point is of course, the easier accessability to Norfolk & areas). I suspect Skegport will lose a lot of, at least, Southern central/western dancers, but gain many from Anglia.

For Londoner's it's the train from Kings Cross to Grantham.
Then change at Grantham to the Skegness train.

Much nearer and easier for me than Euston to Liverpool, then the tube, then the train to Ainsdale.

[robd]

The shared site aspect of Eclipse is a bit of a concern for me. I didn't really like that aspect of Blaze though I can't put my finger on the reason why exactly other than noisy kids early in the morning (and that was just the Blaze after party ) I do wonder if there will be an issue with noise levels from early morning dancing if there are non-dancing families on site.

Maybe it was a bit late in the day to get exclusive access to Butlins and future events will just be for Eclipse?

Also agree with TA Guy re: travel. The road(s) from Peterborough to Skegness are pretty much single carriageway. It's a lot closer mileage-wise for me than SP but in terms of time the saving may not fully reflect that.

[Andy McGregor]

I've just taken a quick peek at the RAC route planner.

From: Brighton
To: Skegness
Total Distance: 211.92 mile(s), about: 4 hour(s) 28 minute(s)

From: Brighton
To: Southport
Total Distance: 277.63 mile(s), about: 4 hour(s) 59 minute(s)

So I'd still save 31 minutes by going to Skegness

Also, I've sent an email to our customers asking if they'd be interested in us organising a coach. That way the party could start in Brighton

[Paul F]

From: Brighton
To: Southport
Total Distance: 277.63 mile(s), about: 4 hour(s) 59 minute(s)

Unless there are torrential downpoars Just under 7 hours Woking to Southport

That was NOT PLEASANT


At least with Skegness I should be fine. M25 and M1. No problem.
They are usually pretty light at 3:30pm on a Friday anyway.

[Andy McGregor]

Unless there are torrential downpoars Just under 7 hours Woking to Southport

I can see your 7 hours and add another 3. I got stuck almost everywhere: M25, M40, M6 - the M23 was even a bit slow that particular Friday. It was 3 years before I ventured back to Southport. It seems I missed some fab weekenders

[Cruella]

I too just looked on the RAC routefinder. Southport is 137 miles, 2hrs 40.
Skegness is 106 miles but 3hrs 4 .

[ducasi]

The shared aspect of Skegness is a concern, but a bigger one for me is that the venues are in at least two buildings, and not next to each other either.

Looking at this page, you'll find that "Jaks" is in the "Bars and Pubs" (what's the difference?) building at one end of the map; and "Reds" in in the "Entertainment" building down the other end. It's not clear to me where "Arthur's" is.

One of the best aspects of Southport as a venue for me is that the main room and blues room are separated by a single door.

[Princess Fi]

I hadn't realised it was a shared venue either - really not keen on that.

The last weekender I went to with a shared venue had a couple of problems with regular punters getting into the dancing areas and causing hassle etc.

Plus at SP just there we had an issue with some theft - if its a shared venue how much more likely is it going to be? For example would we have exclusive access of the blues-bar-type-area that I remember seeing on the video? If not I'd be really worried about what I'd bring while dancing...

That being said I'm still booked for it! Just need to figure out how I'm going to get there

[stewart38]

You really do need to listen. Hev Mate said something about Beach Boogie being on for 2009 when she was compare at Southport.

and I think she did a very good job to, but should have sung

[stewart38]

Unless there are torrential downpoars Just under 7 hours Woking to Southport

That was NOT PLEASANT


At least with Skegness I should be fine. M25 and M1. No problem.
They are usually pretty light at 3:30pm on a Friday anyway.

Sorry M25 ,friday and pretty light dont go together for me

From Ambrosden to Skegness 159 miles 4hrs

Ambrosden to Southport 172 3hrs 12 mins

[Lynn]

From Ambrosden to Skegness 159 miles 4hrs

Ambrosden to Southport 172 3hrs 12 mins

Its not about distance quite as much for us, its travel time and flights etc. Southport is definitely a lot easier to get to - good flight times, easy transfer to train, less than an hour on the train. Skegness will be about 30 mins longer on the bus bit, and over an hour longer on the train. Easier than Camber (which admittedly I've never attempted by public transport) and overall prob similar travel time as Blaze - but the flight times are awkward - looks like we might have to fly very early Fri morning.

It will be worth it though.

[Andy McGregor]

Its not about distance quite as much for us, its travel time and flights etc. Southport is definitely a lot easier to get to - good flight times, easy transfer to train, less than an hour on the train. Skegness will be about 30 mins longer on the bus bit, and over an hour longer on the train. Easier than Camber (which admittedly I've never attempted by public transport) and overall prob similar travel time as Blaze - but the flight times are awkward - looks like we might have to fly very early Fri morning.

It will be worth it though.

Hey, if we get our coach from Brighton off the ground we could pick up the Irish at Gatwick - then it's party, party, party all the way there - perhaps we should go the long way to extend the party

[Lynn]

Hey, if we get our coach from Brighton off the ground we could pick up the Irish at Gatwick - then it's party, party, party all the way there - perhaps we should go the long way to extend the party

That would be so much fun! Though I've seen a pic on here of your coach travelling outfit ...

[Andy McGregor]

That would be so much fun! Though I've seen a pic on here of your coach travelling outfit ...

Do you remember the outfit I managed to get you for nothing at Southport - you could just wear that

[Chef]

That would be so much fun! Though I've seen a pic on here of your coach travelling outfit ...

I have suggested to JA that they should set up a coach transfer service from Nottingham Airport for people from NI and Scotland, and sort out the booking in process on the coach journey so that when you arrive you only have to wander off to your rooms. Not sure if they will take up the suggestion.

You say the flight arrival times are inconvenient - what are the options available?

Any idea about times of outbound flights on the Monday?