Enid Blyton Day 2010

[Lucky Star]

The thought of Imogen or Sophie as a speaker crossed my mind as well. Their reminiscences on being members of the Blyton family would be extremely interesting and would probably make for a very high turnout. I have no idea whether or not they would agree to such a speech though. Tony has already ruled out giving a speech himself earlier in this thread, it would simply put yet another stress and strain on him which would be unfair as he already does everything else. I can only echo Nigel's words and say how incredibly fortunate we have been and still are to have Tony as our organiser.

A scaled down event might work with a film show,a "pub quiz" type event and perhaps a display of some of the society's treaures such as Enids Diaries or workbooks. I know Tony possesses a couple of these. We probably wouldn't get more than about 40 or 50 people though so I dont know if the book vendors would be interested in coming along to such a small event. Maybe just one seller could come and the caterers could be replaced by a picnic, making the annual picnic part of the day rather than a seperate add-on. Perhaps the ticket price could include the picnic with some of us taking on the role of buying the supplies and transporting them to Twyford.

As Nigel mentioned a committee could be formed to take some of the load off Tony's shoulders. The only problem there is that as we are quite widely spread geographically any committee might have a hard job to organise itself efficiently and make decisions. Plus it all founders on the rock of a speaker. Unless there is a society member who has "contacts" then a committee is unlikely to have any more success attracting speakers than Tony himself. A committee could, however, organise the more scaled down event.

It would be a pity not to have a go at organising a day. A small event might fall flat on its face or it could be the way forward.

[Muminah]

Hello Tony! I have Just read the first few messages. Please don't blame yourself , If anyone had really spoken cruelly that person ought to know that a splendid Society like this exists because of your hard work.
Well, I don't know anything about speakers but like Lucky Star suggested Imogen or Sophie would be excellent speakers as they will have to speak about their own family member.
I really don't know much as to what's going on, on that special day, but, an idea popped into my mind. Instead of having only speaking why not arrange a few games or quizzes.I hope I am not putting more work into your head, but then it will perhaps reduce the amount one has to talk, and you can take over the speaking as usual, after all it's none other than you with a good experience. And I am sure that everyone would be glad to meet people of their own kind, (Blyton fans) as it's very hard to search for such people of the same Blyton spirit in this big world( Thanks to your awesome Society!)Instead of only listening to speakers.

[Eddie Muir]

I'd like to add my comments about the Enid Blyton Day, Tony. Firstly, I should like to say how much I personally appreciate all your tireless efforts: to produce such a wonderful society journal on a regular basis for a minimal cost, to keep this unparalleled website going in full swing and to organize the superb annual Enid Blyton Day. Secondly, as far as the Day is concerned, I'd be more than happy to attend each year with or without speakers. As good as they are, by far the most important part of the Day is to meet other society members and have, as Ming so aptly put it, a good old chinwag. This aspect, plus the booksellers' stalls, would be enough to encourage me to turn up at Loddon Hall, or any other venue, each year.

[Kiki's new mam]

Hi Tony

We agree with what some of the other people have been saying, its not fair for you to be under so much pressure.
I have never been to the Enid Blyton day yet, but what attracted me from the photo's and reviews about it, was the chance you have to meet up with some lovely like minded people, and to see a big selection of Enid Blyton books and memorabilia, and the idea of the picnic after with ginger beer sounds great too.
To me speakers isn't important, and from my 11 year old and 9 year old sisters point of view, they would tend to get bored if speakers went on too long.
You work really hard, and this website and journal is amazing, we love it.
And we hope we get the chance to meet you in May next year!!

Debbie and Leila ..........and the rest of the family!!!
oooh and Kiki our parrot says hello too

[Daisy]

I would also like to echo the heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all the hard work you put into every aspect of the Society Tony. Like Eddie, I would go to a gathering for the sake of meeting up with like minded people and having attended two Twyford days I am very much looking forward to the next. I appreciate that the majority of folk who attend aren't forumites and I can see how pleasing everyone is (and always will be) a problem. There have been quite a few ideas put forward now and I wonder if you are considering any of them. Several have mentioned quizzes and maybe those ideas could be expanded somehow - I can hear you saying "yes, somehow, but how?"! Is there anyone who would be willing and able to take on the responsibility for some part of the day? Maybe an hour or perhaps a bit less. I would happily help where I could albeit from a distance, until the great day dawned. It would be a great shame if it has to be cancelled, especially now there are some newcomers who sound so enthusiastic. Please let us know what we can do to help!

[Julie2owlsdene]

It's nice to read of so much support for this great day, which is thoroughly enjoyable and worth every penny and more.

I would love to hear Imogen talking about Enid Blyton, that would be the icing on the cake if she were able to do this.

[shadow]

Everything that has been said above I also agree with completely. If there were no speakers on the day it wouldn't put me off at all. I would like to attend to browse the book stalls and meet up with fellow forumites. The picnic idea sounds great.

One idea for greater attendance could be free entry into a raffle draw for all ticket holders. The prize could be a copy of whatever stock is being held by Tony that he can't get rid of or put in a better light, a choice of one or more items being sold in the online bookstore. I've even got some Blyton paperback doubles that I would be willing to donate as a prize if that would help.

I am willing to be included in a commitee of helpers but feel that if I tried to get speakers or any other "high up" things that I would starting at a point about 60 steps back of anyone else. I'd need about 3 years not the 6 months available, then not even get close to the excellent organisation being done already.

It would be a pity for the day to end.

[Moonraker]

I really don't know much as to what's going on, on that special day, but, an idea popped into my mind. Instead of having only speaking why not arrange a few games or quizzes.

by far the most important part of the Day is to meet other society members

To me speakers isn't important, and from my 11 year old and 9 year old sisters point of view, they would tend to get bored if speakers went on too long.

It would be a great shame if it has to be cancelled, especially now there are some newcomers who sound so enthusiastic. Please let us know what we can do to help!

the caterers could be replaced by a picnic, making the annual picnic part of the day rather than a seperate add-on.

If there were no speakers on the day it wouldn't put me off at all.

Rather than do a Rainbow and dissect each quote, I think it is better to give a general reply covering the salient points of the above. We must remember (if we haven't already) that the Day is patronised in the main by non-forum (or probably even website) members of the Society. I am sure their main reason for attending is to listened to speakers from the stage. I can't see many of the 90% wanting to partake in a quiz. It must also be noted that the Society has an adult membership. Of course children are not excluded, but it is not a children's society. I would expect 9 and 11 year olds to be bored, I have been bored myself in the past! However, it is the gems from the speakers that more than make up for any dullness, and I consider that with no speakers, most of the membership wouldn't buy tickets. Daisy makes a valid point - we attract many new members every year, unfortunately we also lose a good few! It would be a pity that new members are denied the annual extravaganza.

Concerning the picnic, this has been an exclusive Forummers event. Whether or not the rest of the audience would be interested is a matter for speculation. Personally, I think not.

I am sorry to be a bit of a pessimist about this, but I see the audience of the Day split into two -- forummers and non-forummers. What turns us on would not necessarily be of interest to the mostly elderly other sector.

[Tony Summerfield]

I appreciate that the majority of folk who attend aren't forumites and I can see how pleasing everyone is (and always will be) a problem.

I think this one sentence has gone straight to the heart of the problem. There were 132 people at this year's EB Day, only 17 of whom have actually posted on the forums this year. There are a few others who are registered on the forums who either haven't posted recently or haven't ever posted. Although forumites would be happy just to socialise and not worry about speakers, a large number come because of the speakers. I have discussed this with others and I fear that if we had no speakers we would attract the sort of numbers that I mentioned in an earlier post that attend other author related events, 30 to 40 people. This would not be a viable number for dealers most of whom come from a considerable distance away, and without their splendid displays (great to see even for those who can't afford to buy) I think this would reduce numbers further and the venue itself would no longer be a viable proposition financially.

The actual timing of ticket sales is also a problem. I sent Journal 40 to the printers today (I had to pay an extra £4 to send it special delivery and even then they can't guarantee that it will get there before the next postal strike!!) and as things stand at present I cannot send out ticket forms with this Journal. The next one comes out in March which would almost certainly be too late for a May event. If I sent out a flyer to all members in between it would cost about £160. I appreciate that the obvious answer to this is to sell tickets through the website, but we are back to where I came in, most of those attending the Day don't ever use the website and we only sold a handful of tickets that way this year.

Houston we have a problem!

[Julie2owlsdene]

Would Imogen think about being a speaker, Tony? I'm sure everyone would be rivetted to their seats if she were to do this.

[Anita Bensoussane]

The actual timing of ticket sales is also a problem. I sent Journal 40 to the printers today (I had to pay an extra £4 to send it special delivery and even then they can't guarantee that it will get there before the next postal strike!!) and as things stand at present I cannot send out ticket forms with this Journal. The next one comes out in March which would almost certainly be too late for a May event. If I sent out a flyer to all members in between it would cost about £160. I appreciate that the obvious answer to this is to sell tickets through the website, but we are back to where I came in, most of those attending the Day don't ever use the website and we only sold a handful of tickets that way this year.

Houston we have a problem!

Yes, it's difficult. I wonder whether it would be possible to aim to bring out the "March" Journal a few weeks earlier, say the end of February, to give you a bit more time to come to a final decision about the Enid Blyton Day, Tony, yet still allow people time to make arrangements and buy tickets if the Day is to go ahead? A flyer could then be included with that Journal. Of course, that assumes that Journal contributors would be able to submit material by about late January at the latest and it also means you could be extra busy selling tickets and answering queries about the Day from early March onwards, whereas normally some Society members would already have bought their tickets in January or February.

Both Imogen and Sophie have spoken at Enid Blyton Days in the past (before I started attending) but it would be great to have them speaking again if they feel they have anything further to share.

Anita

[Tony Summerfield]

Would Imogen think about being a speaker, Tony? I'm sure everyone would be rivetted to their seats if she were to do this.

I wouldn't even want to ask her, Julie, but I know what she would say if I did. She has already said all she wants to say in a book and certainly wouldn't want to go there again. She is as you know, perfectly happy to chat to people at the EB Day. Imogen and Sophie did speak at one of our earlier Days about the Enid Blyton Trust which is a subject that they are both heavily involved with.

I have tried to post this at the same time as Anita!

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

How about a talk on a related topic, such as the history of the golliwogg, how to build a real secret passage (and I don't mean my one!) or the pefect ginger beer.

Viv

[Lucky Star]

We do seem to be in a rather hopeless situation here. The crux of it seems to be that if we are to attract the non-forumite section of the society (the majority) then we need to have something interesting and challenging and grown up such as a speaker. However if Tony cant find a speaker then I dont think anyone can. All other ideas expressed here are good but would attract only a very low turnout leading to financial issues and perhaps a lack of book dealers. I dont know what the solution is. Tony mentioned that other author related events are organised rather differantly from ours. How exactly do they organise their events? What do they do for entertainment on their Days? Would there be any scope for an amalgamated event with, say, the Just William society? Or could the event be put off till, say, August to give more preparation time?

It just seems such a shame to cancel it and I have a dreadful feeling that if it is cancelled next year then a 2011 event may prove totally impossible. On the other hand Tony has, over the years, done far, far more than his fair share of organising and deserves his rest. Perhaps some radical rethink is in order. Could we hire a coach and go visit Blyton related sites around Beaconsfield or something? Or an en masse trip down to Poole to visit Viv's place? Would the membership be interested in anything like that? If not then I fear we need a speaker of some description or its doomed.

[shadow]

Couldn't have put it any better Lucky Star. It may be that the day has to change, I would love a meet up in somewhere like Bourne End and follow the FFO trail as discussed in a previous journal. This would be much more interesting with other like minded people, if I went there with the family there'd be a lot of grumbling and I'd be sure to miss lots of things. Getting to Dorset for me would be a bit of a challenge without an overnight stay although I would love to go there as well. Would it be best to change the format completely for this year given the time constraint and then see about the possibility of getting it back on track for 2011?

Alternately could the day be changed to Enid's birthday in August and be part of the Corfe Castle celebrations? Not sure if I want this suggestion as this day is also my 40th but I should be able to pursuade the other half to let me off on my own for a few days as a birthday present!!