JK 2014

[aiming off]

Some exciting breaking news.

JK 2014 merchandise (hoodies) are going to be available in Red, Green and Grey, as opposed to JK 2013 hoodies which had essentially the same logo but only in Red, Blue and Grey.

[Tatty]

Welsh colours!!

[PhilJ]

ToW price list is on the jk web site..comments?

Coffee £2 and cakes £2.50...standard price from usual traders is £1 and 50p-£1...what did we say about exclusivity..prices increasing to cover the cost of the trader's pitch, well here you have it in black and white, from £2 for coffee and cake to £4.50 over 100% increase, the menu does not look that tempting more like you'd get at any outdoor event. So where is the "governance" from BO that they have engaged with the local organisers (not!) and made sure that the trader provides food that o'ers are familiar with.

No proper pasta dishes just lots of heavy meat burger dishes and toasties? Enjoy ur cheese and chips.

If you get the time read the march board minutes, here is a snapshot on the traders:

"There was considerable discussion around the issue of traders and caterers and MH explained the process that had been undertaken to ensure fairness and openness. In essence the approach that our Major Events Manager, Sally Pygott (SP) and our Commercial Manager, Peter Buckley (PB) have taken to select traders and caterers attending JK2014 is:
 Identify potential traders and caterers in conjunction with local organisers and others;
 Identify our needs of the traders, what types of food etc etc; input has been taken from a range of experienced
volunteers, local organisers etc in developing the statement of our needs;
 Ask all the listed / mentioned traders to consider our requirements as specified and clarify what their
requirements would be from the event, e.g. space, access, service facilities; also ask them to clarify what it is they want, for example a nationwide franchise, 3 years of a particular event, a one off, etc. Each event is managed on a bid process for food and equipment traders with a set deadline, no long term contracts have been offered but discussions of their interest of future major events does take place
 Ask the traders to bid based on the criteria we have set and their wishes;
 Review and challenge products/services on offer to ensure a wide range at acceptable quality and price;
caterers are always spoken with to ensure they are aware of the need to cater for a high proportion of
vegetarians
 Ensure licensing requirements of local authorities concerned were met by traders bidding;
 Establish how much each trader was prepared to pay for a pitch on an exclusive, shared or any other basis or
what other values the trader had to offer;
 Consult with key volunteers regarding the outcome of the bidding process;
 If necessary going back to all involved to clarify any queries etc."

[RichT]

Well I asked Sally P. to post the Taste of Wales JK menus in order to get the "outrage" out of the way before the event, so fair play that she has presumably organised the JK website posting.

Having read it through a couple of times I'm hoping that there is a "missing" third page with all of the hot rice and pasta based dishes . . . but presumably I didn't ought to hold my breath .

[roadrunner]

If you get the time read the march board minutes, here is a snapshot on the traders:

"There was considerable discussion around the issue of traders and caterers and MH explained the process that had been undertaken to ensure fairness and openness. In essence the approach that our Major Events Manager, Sally Pygott (SP) and our Commercial Manager, Peter Buckley (PB) have taken to select traders and caterers attending JK2014 is:
...
 Ask all the listed / mentioned traders to consider our requirements as specified and clarify what their requirements would be from the event, e.g. space, access, service facilities; also ask them to clarify what it is they want, for example a nationwide franchise, 3 years of a particular event, a one off, etc. Each event is managed on a bid process for food and equipment traders with a set deadline, no long term contracts have been offered but discussions of their interest of future major events does take place
 Ask the traders to bid based on the criteria we have set and their wishes;
...

Has anyone (apart from the potential traders) seen these requirements and criteria? In the interests of openness, it would be helpful to know what they were.

[Electrocuted]

I too was horrified at the price and also horrified at the number of time chips appeared on the menu. Picnics for us, at least hot drinks, cakes and snacks.

[Gross]

Nowt wrong with burgers

I remember trailing the families caravan round the 6 Days in 1979 selling burgers & coke.... very busy we were too

(My mother cracked up with the stink of burgers left behind tho' )

[PhilJ]

Interestingly SPortident have been awarded the start/entries/results for the next 3 years and gp projects for telemetry? I think that is radio control stuff?

[MIE]

ToW price list is on the jk web site..comments?

Coffee £2 and cakes £2.50...standard price from usual traders is £1 and 50p-£1...what did we say about exclusivity..prices increasing to cover the cost of the trader's pitch, well here you have it in black and white, from £2 for coffee and cake to £4.50 over 100% increase, the menu does not look that tempting more like you'd get at any outdoor event. So where is the "governance" from BO that they have engaged with the local organisers (not!) and made sure that the trader provides food that o'ers are familiar with.

No proper pasta dishes just lots of heavy meat burger dishes and toasties? Enjoy ur cheese and chips.

If you get the time read the march board minutes, here is a snapshot on the traders:

"There was considerable discussion around the issue of traders and caterers and MH explained the process that had been undertaken to ensure fairness and openness. In essence the approach that our Major Events Manager, Sally Pygott (SP) and our Commercial Manager, Peter Buckley (PB) have taken to select traders and caterers attending JK2014 is:
 Identify potential traders and caterers in conjunction with local organisers and others;
 Identify our needs of the traders, what types of food etc etc; input has been taken from a range of experienced
volunteers, local organisers etc in developing the statement of our needs;
 Ask all the listed / mentioned traders to consider our requirements as specified and clarify what their
requirements would be from the event, e.g. space, access, service facilities; also ask them to clarify what it is they want, for example a nationwide franchise, 3 years of a particular event, a one off, etc. Each event is managed on a bid process for food and equipment traders with a set deadline, no long term contracts have been offered but discussions of their interest of future major events does take place
 Ask the traders to bid based on the criteria we have set and their wishes;
 Review and challenge products/services on offer to ensure a wide range at acceptable quality and price;
caterers are always spoken with to ensure they are aware of the need to cater for a high proportion of
vegetarians
 Ensure licensing requirements of local authorities concerned were met by traders bidding;
 Establish how much each trader was prepared to pay for a pitch on an exclusive, shared or any other basis or
what other values the trader had to offer;
 Consult with key volunteers regarding the outcome of the bidding process;
 If necessary going back to all involved to clarify any queries etc."

Gobsmacked

[nooomember]

And you are still going?
You paid the entry fee?
More fool you.

[Paul Frost]

ToW price list is on the jk web site..comments?
No proper pasta dishes just lots of heavy meat burger dishes and toasties? Enjoy ur cheese and chips.

Apart from the three near the top of the menu below baked potatoes!
I don't remember Wilf being £2 for coffee and cake, but I agree the prices seem a bit high and too much cheese and chips on the menu.

[PhilJ]

Nooomember: yes I am going, start team leader on day 1, so I suppose I'd better turn up!. The traders issue is a distraction, one made solely by BO, that reared it's head on feb 10th, if you follow nope you'd know this, after a main entry closing date. It has not affected the entry numbers, largest for years, and was never going to.
The welsh clubs plus lei and bok have worked hard for the last 4 years to put the jk on for what we hope will be an great weekend of orienteering. It is really good that wales oa can host the jk with a membership of <400.
It will be interesting to see if BO change anything post jk with their contract process, or see themselves as a company and move onto the next major event with no recognition of customer feedback. That's the real point of the trader thread, bo distancing itself from its membership.

[mrmoosehead]

It will be interesting to see if BO change anything post jk with their contract process, or see themselves as a company and move onto the next major event with no recognition of customer feedback. That's the real point of the trader thread, bo distancing itself from its membership.

What need to happen is an exit poll on the new arrangements - if people say it's fine, then it's fine. If people say they want the old way back, then BOF must listen.

But without the data, it's all hearsay and opinion. We *might* be surprised...

[King Penguin]

Looking ahead, what has been contracted for the British Champs ?
I presume ToW are not travelling there.
I believe the "regulars" have not got the gig. Is it another single outlet deal ?
Apologies if the detail is somewhere earlier in this thread.
I am left wondering who it was that was "consulted"and who voted for £2 per coffee. I doubt it was the competitors.

[Electrocuted]

And you are still going?
You paid the entry fee?
More fool you.

Given we've had accommodation booked and paid for since October and entries paid for since beginning of January, yes, obviously.

However with a young son, having a choice of nutritious food is important for us and somehow chicken nuggets and chips doesn't really cut it.

As for Wilf's prices I'm pretty sure last time I bought a cup of tea it was 80p but I only paid half that as I had a mug. I'm pretty sure their cakes were about a £1.