York gig March 12th

JoanOfArc · The Fine Art of Surfacing

York gig March 12th

suss · In the Long Grass

I'm going. Will look out for you.

Haven't been to York for years but there's the Minster (and about 3000 steps to go to top as I recall...well it felt like 3000), and The Jorvik Centre, a quaint little road called the Shambles, and I think there is/was a toy museum. Probably loads of other stuff; must be dozens of websites with things to see and do in York.

JoanOfArc · The Fine Art of Surfacing

Cheers Suss.

I think i will be wearing my sex pistols t-shirt i bought today at the British Music Experience at the 02 dome in North Greenwich.

Ian MD · The Elephant's Graveyard

The railway museum is great. My Mrs isn't into trains but even she thought it was impressive

JoanOfArc · The Fine Art of Surfacing

ooh i like a bit of history

Ian MD · The Elephant's Graveyard

I'd be tempted to go to the York gig but the only problem is if they cancel due to lack of ticket sales. Would lose most if not all the rail fare.

suss · In the Long Grass

Know what you mean. I've mentally written off my rail fare.

Suppose one option is to get a gig ticket (and thereby increase chances of it going ahead) then bite the bullet of full rail fare on the day? No sure where you have to travel from but is coach an option? Or even a weekend away in York (revisit that museum!) so you don't have any wasted trip with the potential huge bonus of the gig?

BTR · Tonight

I can't go into the details but take it from me - it is highly unlikely the Manchester or York gigs would be cancelled.

suss · In the Long Grass

BTR,

You're a great one for dropping in these mysterious little snippets and keeping us all guessing!

My guess is they're just about to confirm that Take That have agreed to be the support.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

York is the home of Rowntree's chocolates and confectionery. Rolos and Yorkie bars are made in York so maybe they have some sort of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory type set up that may entice visitors. The name Yorkie bar must originate from the said fair town.

Smarties were manufactured in York up to Sept 2006 when production was moved abroad with the loss of 650 jobs. Rowntrees of York also made such favourites as Kit kat and Aero bars and Munchies. So basically York is synonymous with chocolate.

Terrys chocolates used to be made in York as well. I think there are tours of their former factory but you'd need to consult the York Tourist Board!

JoanOfArc · The Fine Art of Surfacing

Have you ever worked near a chocolate factory?

Smells absolutely foul.

JoanOfArc · The Fine Art of Surfacing

the one in Hook in Hampshire did anyway - i worked there many years ago.....wonder what they put in the chocolate that smells so hideous.

do the rat · The Elephant's Graveyard

I am hoping to go to the york gig in march,but not sure if i can make it because i am moving house around that time.
I will know more when i get a moving date.
If i do go maybe some of us can arrange to go for a drink before the gig(i am sure there are lots of fine ales to be sampled suss).

suss · In the Long Grass

Pre-meet sounds good. Keep us posted if you are planning to go and we can sort out a pub to aim for (where we'll no doubt find Joan propping up the bar already, having given up on the sights of York

)

JoanOfArc · The Fine Art of Surfacing

haha, you know me so well! ;0)

count me in!

BTR · Tonight

Bad news folks. Manchester & York gigs are being postponed until later in the year.

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Is there nowhere else they can play in York? Like everyone else I was looking forward to a nice weekend there - even booked accomodation/organised child care cry

Not sure my husband will be so keen to be persuaded to see another gig if dates keep falling through ...........

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

BTR wrote:
Bad news folks. Manchester & York gigs are being postponed until later in the year.

Any reason? And will they take place later this year?

JoanOfArc · The Fine Art of Surfacing

Shame :(

Ian D · House on Fire

It seems nowadays if you book a ticket to see Bob or The Rats and the gig actually happens you count yourself to be VERY lucky.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Ian D wrote:
It seems nowadays if you book a ticket to see Bob or The Rats and the gig actually happens you count yourself to be VERY lucky.

It doesn't help them to be seen cancelling as people won't buy in advance, and then more cancellations...

I have seen the new Rats twice. First time I bought the ticket in advance for The 100 Club and was sweating a bit when it hadn't sold out. Fortunately it did take place, though I doubt there were any more than 100 or so in the venue. The other time was thanks to suss's free concert, no worries about paying for that. I still owe him a drink or two though!

At least there has been some notice of cancellations so people don't have to travel. It would be worse if you turned up in say Milan and ...

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

I agree .............we had made arrangements for kids to stay with mum-in-law (2 hour drive), then were plannning a further 2 hour drive to York, managed after a lot of phone calls to find somewhere to stay for one night, most places would only do a 2 night booking. Then when gig cancelled, struggled to cancel hotel booking as the one night deal was on the basis of it being non refundable. Had to do a lot of sweet talking to get out of it! It would have been nice to see the sights in York but somewhat disappointing just to go to see the railway museum! Saw the Rats in Reepham last year and it was brilliant, so now just can't wait to see them again. It was really great to meet Simon and Garry - they seem such nice guys. Fingers crossed it will happen again sometime.

suss · In the Long Grass

Lisa wrote:
Fingers crossed it will happen again sometime.

Lisa,

Just in case you weren't aware, the RAM site has the upcoming gigs.

http://www.rockartistmanagement.com/page/boomtown_rats

No idea where you're based but there's a fair geographical spread in 2011. Suppose all we can do is get tickets up front to boost chances, but leave hotels/trains etc till last minute.

I'm hoping to make Cheltenham for a start, and very happy to car share from London area on gigs if that sways anyone.

I've already checked and Berlin is only 600 miles away

.

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Hi Suss, yes have been checking the ram website frequently. The problem is either finding a gig local to me (Southampton area) and then we can go for the evening, leaving the kids at home eating popcorn and watching a DVD - one is only 11 so not all venues are suitable. Or, if it is a weekend - like York - we can leave them overnight with a relative and escape for a weekend! Obviously festivals are easier, we can bring them along, and I am keen to go to the Bishop Stortford one, but eldest is due to be doing GCSEs around that time, so depending on revision timetable etc may be able to make that one. Have loved the Rats from the early days, but never got the chance to see them in my younger days, so now trying to make up for it!

I would love to see them in Berlin ...........

suss · In the Long Grass

Lisa,

You must have been more disappointed than most when Christchurch and Wimborne both got pulled then. As you say, fingers crossed there will be more that are manageable and go ahead.

Sounds like we have kids of similar ages. I'm lucky though as seeing the Rats holds no great appeal for Mrs Suss so babysitting isn't a problem. Also lucky I'm allowed to go and stay if required whenever they do play, although I haven't asked about Berlin yet!

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Mmm, maybe I should leave hubby to babysit and then go myself, leave him to see various Pink Floyd tribute bands (which are more his scene instead .......)

biggrin

However, if they were to play Brooks in Southampton, no problem - heavy hint if any of them read this stuff! smile

Ian D · House on Fire

Lisa, they were down to play The Brook in February 2009. I seem to remember Andy Hamilton turning up to play sax for them at that gig. I couldn't go to that gig, even though it was only 20 miles away from me so i don't know what the turnout was like. But if it did go ahead then i suppose a return to The Brook could be possible. Keep your fingers crossed!

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

I will certainly keep my eyes open for future dates - and it's great to get all the extra info from you guys. I think I was aware that they had played Southampton before, think I saw it advertised and couldn't go and then it reawakened my interest so have been trying ever since to see them. I guess the more you can't have something the more you want it!

I have a very stupid question - here goes! Why was I "Looking after number one" initially on my first post and then it changed to "Mary of the Fourth Form"? Not that I mind, just curious - and often baffled by anything technical!

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Lisa wrote:

I will certainly keep my eyes open for future dates - and it's great to get all the extra info from you guys. I think I was aware that they had played Southampton before, think I saw it advertised and couldn't go and then it reawakened my interest so have been trying ever since to see them. I guess the more you can't have something the more you want it!

I have a very stupid question - here goes! Why was I "Looking after number one" initially on my first post and then it changed to "Mary of the Fourth Form"? Not that I mind, just curious - and often baffled by anything technical!

Think its some form of unique id that changes every time or day you post. I used to wonder about it too but now I never notice which song it "displays".

If you post for long enough you earn stars, from one to five but just because people have loads of stars beside their names, they don't always know what they're talking about!

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Oh, I'm sure you're just being modest! But thanks for the reply anyway

suss · In the Long Grass

Hi Lisa,

The 'stars' query got asked a while back on the Geldof side of forum

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=48603&p=3&topicID=38808865

explains it all!

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Thank you - that has cleared my confusion away. Will have to rack my brains for some more daft questions though so I can earn some stars ......

suss · In the Long Grass

Lisa wrote:

Mmm, maybe I should leave hubby to babysit and then go myself, leave him to see various Pink Floyd tribute bands (which are more his scene instead .......)

However, if they were to play Brooks in Southampton, no problem - heavy hint if any of them read this stuff!

Lisa,

Looks like Rushfest at Farnborough might be an option 30/5?

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Yes that would be more than perfect. I originally come from F'boro and parents still live there - so babysitting and accommodation sorted! Will keep everything crossed!