BOC Entry fee changes over time

[BLDC 2012 Organiser]

I will confirm whether dogs are allowed in the assembly field but I have not been advised otherwise. I think if that were the case we would have indicated as such with a 'dogs not allowed' statement. Subject to that confirmation if you are staying in the valley there should be no problem with bringing a dog along. Please bear in mind the logistics job we have of shifting around 1600 people up (and then down) the valley in 4 hours on narrow roads while (hopefully) eliminating long queues to board buses at either end. If we had the added complication of then putting certain dog owning competitors on certain timed buses while managing split starts etc etc ... well I don't want to have to think about that! I know it is not popular having to make other arrangements for pooch but we cannot keep everyone happy and you are in a minority. Believe me BOC Coordinator is a dog owner and we had this very discussion. I will once again make it clear unless you travel by the organised bus or stay in the valley you will discover when reaching the Assembly Field you will not be allowed to start the event.

[IanD]

You could maybe reduce the scale of your transport problem by allowing some people to travel on the train (and perhaps even giving them back the £4 of the entry fee which is stated to be towards bussing cost)? Obviously this would make some aspects of the organisation more complex, but it could also reduce the number of buses you need to shuffle? At present, the implication on the website is that anyone using the train (with or without a dog) will be disqualified.

[Muddy Boots]

If you are staying on one of the Eskdale camp sites at Boot is it possible to walk or cycle to the Assembly area and not use the buses?

[Kitch]

I know
get Allan Sugar in on the act.

Have his two teams of apprentices set up a doggy creche in the parking field and compete for the custom.

[Mrs H]

Not a bad idea. what about franchising it to the NWJS? It's not quite clear what the organisers want - perhaps they could find a little corner of the parking field where dog owners could come together and organise their own DIY creche with no extra work for them perhaps than setting up a little on-line facility.

Wasn't there a DIY dog creche at Craig Mich this year?

Now you all know I don't like dogs but this does seem to be making rather heavy weather of it.

[bewildered]

I will Please bear in mind the logistics job we have of shifting around 1600 people up (and then down) the valley in 4 hours on narrow roads while (hopefully) eliminating long queues to board buses at either end.

One thing you could learn from JK in North Devon is to not arrange to have all the bus drivers on their lunch break at the same time, leaving loads of people hanging around for 3/4 hour in not very pleasant conditions.

[PhilJ]

Thank you BLDC 2012 Organiser for taking the time to respond, I am sure you have many important things to do organising this event, can you please explain one thing though you keep mentioning "if you are staying in the valley", again not being a Lakes person where is the valley - Eskdale? If so does that mean if we are camping in Eskdale we can walk to the event? I noticed there is a campsite at Fisherground Farm is that a walkable distance (<4 miles) to the Assembly field?
Thanks

[PhilJ]

Wasn't there a DIY dog creche at Craig Mich this year?

a good idea, i remember at one JK, when there was a last minute change, did they lose the car park(?) and we all had to be bussed to the relays that I ended up staying in the car park as woofys weren't allowed on the bus so was not able to run the relays. There were quite of few us on extended dog walks of the car park that day. I am sure we would have won the JK Trophy if only I had run

[BLDC 2012 Organiser]

PhilJ it tells you on the BOC 2012 website that it is Eskdale. Both campsites, Fisherground and Hollins Farm are less than 4 miles from Assembly and are flat easy walks and there is a footpath alternative to the valley road which I would suggest is used from Hollins Farm. They both tend to fill up early at Bank Holiday weekends so early booking advised. Cycling is very easy and recommended but probably not necessary from Fisherground.

We have sought feedback on previous bussing arrangements (Devon JK/NE BOC) and will seek to minimise delays by a number of means.

I have not yet received information on dogs in Assembly Field and will discuss the issue of using the Ratty with BOC Co-ordinator tonight.

[BLDC 2012 Organiser]

Following confirmation received and being added to the website:

Dogs are only allowed in the Assembly field providing they are kept on a lead as adjacent fields will have sheep lambing in them.


Further update when info ready will be added about using the Ratty.

[PhilJ]

Thank you for all the information - BLDC 2012 Organiser, very much appreciated.

[SAL]

We were hoping to camp, but have found that both of the Eskdale campsites (Fisherground and Hollins Farm), and the one at Ravenglass too, require a minimum booking of 3 nights.

[PhilJ]

That's not surprising Sal as it is a Bank Holiday weekend, so I would expect ALL campsites to be looking for a Fri/Sat/Sun booking, I have even come across some sites wanting 4 nights for a Bank Holiday i.e. they get you to pay for Mon night even though most people are back in work on Tues..just another way to make money. The other 2 days Relays and Urban are nowhere near Day 1 so you'll have alot of driving on those days. Better to try and find a site equi distant from all of the days, but they will still probably want 3 nights, it's turning into being an expensive weekend.

[andypat]

[quote="PhilJ"]That's not surprising Sal as it is a Bank Holiday weekend, so I would expect ALL campsites to be looking for a Fri/Sat/Sun booking[quote]

Well its surprising to me! I know what my answer would be to that money grabbing attempt!

[Paul Frost]

I would expect campsites in these prime locations to be fully booked on most holiday weekends, probably for more than just the 3 days, so taking a booking for only 2 days would mean that they would have empty spaces for 1 or 2 nights.
So I wouldn't see it as money grabbing, but good business sense and possibly even good for customers who are looking for a whole weekend in one place.