Discussion about locations of Moots (Winter Moot February 18-24th 2019)

[paulds]

The autumn and winter moots are in their infancy and are not intended to be a copy of the larger Summer Moot which will a,ways be the main event. The other smaller moots are more intimate skills focussed returning more to the earlier days of the moots.

The other moots will grow as they become a part of folks calendars from small acorns etc.

That, sadly, is a fact. However it had a totally different feel to it. It was a much more laid back style. While you are free to do your own thing, should you wish, at "The Moot", there is a timetable running and certain things happen at set days/times. The Autumn Moot was a different beast. For myself, the great thing was I could think of it as having just popped home for a change of clothes / cup of tea and then back to spending time in the woods. We still had the run of the place with the advantage of good loos and clean water. [yes you could make a long drop if you really really wanted but that's a whole new thread]. Should there be more autumn moots, and I so hope there will be, it will build a style all of its own. I for one would be happy to head in a different direction than the summer trek but it would still have to be more then just a different wood / postcode.
I wish the site was closer to home but am of the believe that the site borders on being unique. There are many sites, I am sure, that tick many of the boxes. How many are there that tick them all?

Until then I am happy to return to MM but do please keep looking.

{P.S. something can not be almost unique but it can border on being}

It wasn't meant as a criticism. In fact I would expect the other moots to be less well attended, not everybody can get the time off or afford it. People have to fit other family holidays in during the year and a lot of people only get 4 weeks per year.

 

[Hammock_man]

I did not see it as a criticism at all. I will not be attending to winter Moot for the very reasons you mentioned above.

 

[paulds]

I didn't think you did Paddy but I think Wayne might have.

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[Wayne]

No I didn’t see it as a complaint. It would be wonderful if we all could fit all the activities in to our limited free time.

Running a Bushcraft school i am always super conscious of that fact that people have invested some of their precious time to attend a course. Family and work leaves little time to indulge our hobbies and interests so It’s huge responsibility to ensure that people have the very best experience possible.

The Winter Moot is going to be a great addition to the calendar and will always attract a different type of camper. The main summer holiday event lends itself to families and big tents. The winter is more likely going have fewer young people and much smaller more intimate set ups. It is much easier to keep a small tent warm than huge multi room gin palace.

Everyone approaches bushcraft slightly differently that’s what makes it interesting. By adding extra moots to the calendar we are trying to increase the appeal to all members.

I would love to see more regional moots focusing on what the members interests are and the regional resources.

However it really is a challenge to find suitable venues and the time to properly devote to making them a success. In the fullness of time it would great to have the seasonal moots plus regional events including Scotland and Northern Ireland.

So if you want a BCUK Moot up north we need to find a venue and fill it with happy bushcrafters of all ages.

It’s great that there is demand for something up North. The more feedback we get the better we can tailor events that folk actually want to attend.

 

[Tony]

This thread has definitely gone down a route I wasn't expecting!

I don't want an ongoing conversation about the pro's and con's of location so I'll sum up some reasoning, some of which has been said already, forgive any duplication.

The Merthyr Mawr site that we've used for years for the Summer moot is a great site, for some it's not the best location, for others it's great. What it has for me is familiarity and predictability, this predictability is a big thing. The Autumn moot for instance, we had no idea if it was going to rain for the whole event, as it was the weather was mostly lovely with the odd heavy shower, if it had rained all week the site would have still be useable, very little mud, ground drains well, weather goes over the top etc. For a new event this was an important consideration and to a large degree it's the same consideration for the Winter moot.

I know there are other sites but I've not yet come across one that is affordable (numbers and money are very unpredictable on a new event), or stand up to larger groups and lots of rain. I've visited a fair number of sites and none of them have stacked up. Getting these Mini Moot's off the ground helps us have more opportunity in the future to do others, or move these to different locations.

The point of these Moots is to have smaller, easy going events at a good price and build from there so that we have different locations, with different things going on etc, this is a long term perspective. It might take a few years but we'll get there.

I know Gary and others have put forward the North Woods site and I'll get up there and have a look. If anyone else knows a site that's affordable, can take a large group, doesn't get muddy, can accommodate hammocks, tents, tarps, open fires and has raw materials for crafts etc then drop me a message.

Thanks all
Tony

 

[paulds]

Thanks for your concise reply Tony. I never intended to take the topic off track. I fully appreciate how unique a site Merthr Mawr is and while it's a 4-6 hour drive for me, it's still worthwhile.

Back on the subject, as part of the theme is cooking, could we possibly have sessions on preparation of game? I just did a weekend course with Woodland Ways and particularly enjoyed that aspect despite the fact that I expected to struggle with it. If we have any instructors at the Winter moot who are particularly knowledgeable in game prep I'd be happy to stump up in advance towards the cost of some small game.

 

[Tony]

We'll see who comes and what skills we've got available, should be great though!

 

[Wayne]

I am hoping to get to the Winter Moot for a bit. Very much depends on my fathers health.

If people want to do some game prep etc and don’t mind chipping in for the game I can do a session.

I could bring a deer some rabbits and pigeon etc.

Currently I’m looking to arrive late on Wednesday and leave at the weekend. So the game prep would be on Thursday. I don’t want too many creatures in the van for too long.

 

[paulds]

Definitely. We'll have to see how many people are keen. Deer would be great but if there's only a few interested the small game would do.

I hope your father's health improves Wayne. All the best on that score.

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