Sad but true - the Weakest Link is cancelled.

[Marions]

Sorry folks but the Weakest Link due to take place on 5th November has been cancelled, making me the Weakest link after all.
Several of the committee met and felt that the ticket sales of 70 ticket overall was not enough to warrant being in the huge Jasmine Court Hotel balloroom. there are rumours of holding it next |january, but nothing decided. It might not ever be held again - who knows. it seems no time of the year is really good and of ocurse there are now so many charities holding events. There are those who think that is hould have gone ahead with 70 tickets, but there have been so many hiccups over this.
ticket holders will have their money returned a.s.ap. and I personally would like tothank them for their support - even if only in spirit!

[flowerfairy]

Poor Marion,
I can't speak for others, but I really don't like driving very far on these dark night. In fact, I've never been to Girne in the evening for this reason, except on New Year's Eve when we got a cab.
Perhaps a smaller venue, then you won't have so much pressure to fill it.
I will keep an eye out to see if you do arrange another one.

[Lor51]

Sorry to hear that Marion.

[Rambling Rose]

forgive me for going slightly ot but FF's post rang lots of bells - because I too am stuck at home winter nights because of the difficulty of night driving - too many fwd's with blinding headlights has made it even worse.

I raise this because I think Charities might provide mini buses (for a small charge) to events, particularly where parking is difficult. Would also help those who like a drink or two but cant because of driving, and maybe give some elderly housebound people an outing.

I must admit I did try once for a charitable event at Bellapaise Abbey , but the transport was not well supported - but that may be because we got the publicity for the transport was too little , too late. Think about it please Marion.

[Marions]

thanks Flower Fairy, and I do appreciate many people feel like you and thhat is confirmation that a cold January night would not be a good time to have the event! However, a smaller venue does not allow a good stage, sound equipment etc, so it is a bit of a quandry. But maybe it has run its course. I enjoyed doing it, but........... and I personally feel it is a great summer event, but it interferes with the dedicated turtle watchers timetable. so, it seems to be a no win situation.

I don't mind driving anywhere, but I hate cold dark nights, and although it doesn't stop me, I know it does sotp a lot of people.

so if someone who is a nice Strong Link can think of an answer for the Weakest Link, I would love to hear it.

[Rambling Rose]

so if someone who is a nice Strong Link can think of an answer for the Weakest Link, I would love to hear it.

Marion: I just did. Provide transport for those stuck at home on cold winter nights!

[flowerfairy]

I must say that when we went to the Alexander O'neil concert, they put on dolmuses for us, the cost was 10tl each.
To my mind, excellent value, and I bet the dolmus driver thought all his birthdays had come into one. Brilliant idea, I for one
would have definately attended your evening.
''It's good to talk''

[Marions]

Brilliant idea ladies, but there is just one downside. The committee of Friends of Spot which arranges Weakest Link is very small and I don't think anyolne would have the time or energy to arrange it. and of course, it needs quite a few folk to want to use the dolmus. But I will mention it to thecommittee. On the other hand one still needs to sell ticket,s or ar eyou saying that the reasonyou did not buy a ticket was because of transport.

it owuld be good for the committee to be able to discuss it.

Thanks. But I just have a feeling that The Weakest link has outrun its course. wehave odne it three times and with increasing popularity, so to get only one third of last year's bookings could be the message that the public isnot interested any more.

[Rambling Rose]

No Marion: Obviously I cant speak for FF, but what I was trying to say nicely is that there are a lot of people out there who cant get out in the evenings because they cant afford cars, cant drive, are old or disabled, or like me (and I used to love the freedom Cyprus gave me to go out at night alone) have been forced off the road by FWDs. That they are stuck, or at least in my case, dependant on Cypriot or Swallow friends does not says a lot about the Expat community and themotives of orgnisers

Personally, I would be a lot more responsive for appeals to spend money on attending Charitable Functions if the organisers had the charity to recognise this. It seems to me that it is logical they might even sell more tickets if more people COULD attend, including those who might actually prefer not to drive. As I said, you would have to give plenty of advance notice and not charge too much in view of the strain the tickets alone place on some people's budgets in the current financial climate.

[Number One Hippo]

Maybe a change of quizmaster might help!

[Deniz1]

Thats a bit hurtful hippo!

[Barbieb]

Uncalled for Hippo, that is not what this forum is about, I am very sad that it has been cancelled, a lot of people have put a lot of work in, voluntarily I will add, I am pleased that the charity concerned can afford to turn down the large amount of money already raised by ticket sales, and will now make my donation to a charity that cannot afford to turn down this kind of donation, don't lose heart Marion, keep up the good work, and hopefully see you soon xx

[mamachina]

Am sorry this has had to be cancelled, Marion - but at least it has made me feel not quite so bad about being unable to take part!
Back to the driving bit - I am the same, will not go out of my small local limit in the dark - summer or winter and it does cut out some interesting events unless one has friends going and can thumb a lift!! Age has its drawbacks - and so do cypriot drivers!!

[Gordon Kent]

Just a suggestion but any given Monday is a terrible time to attempt to stage events and one even craggy veteran promoters avoid like the plague.

[Marions]

some helpful comments. As to transport I know how difficult it is. I found the same when I live din rural Wa.les, but here there are dolmus which I thought anyone could get at the drop of a phone call, or don't they run at nights. I have never used them here,but did when I lived down South. If they don't, then maybe they could be persuaded to do so (CIN may know more than I do) if they can be guaranteed of a certain number of passengers. something well worth considering, and I realise it would be helpful to many. As for me, nothing deters me, but maybe when I am older (like my husband - who can no longer drive) I might need some help.

as to the somewhat insulting inference regarding the Quiz MISTRESS - anyone is welcome to have a go. I was asked to do it, and being a bit of a girl who can't say 'no' that is how I happened to do it. so far I have not heard that the reason for the non sale of tickets was due to me - but who knows. Fact remains it is cancelled.

As to the dreaded Monday yes Gordon, v alid point, but because it is Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes kinda thought it might get rid of those Monday Night Gremlins. Obviously not in this case.

and thanks Barbie - I have a lot of money to give you. For those of youout there reading this, Barbie bought more tickets than anyone else and even bought an outfit for the occasion! Keep it pressed barbie - there could come a time.

[Rambling Rose]

Marion: You actually agreed with me on the other thread about the British being unhelpful to their own people with problems. As a matter of fact, it is only due to my Cypriot friends I get out at night beyond (as Mama says my own restricted area) at all, Two people out of a very small group have expressed the same problem. But now you are shrugging off a problem and suggesting we ask the Cypriots to run a special service so the Brits can get to their own social occasions.



The Dolmus service does not run at night (with respect your comment suggsts "I am alright Jack"), I doubt they would lay it on for such a small group, and it has restricted routes and might be difficult for those who also have walking difficulties.

A minibus service - or even volunteers withtheir own vehicles (use up some of that wasted space of these giant vehicles) - could arrange collection points in villages or, at worst, in the well lit carparks of supermarkets

[Barbieb]

Thank you Marion, but I did not buy the tickets, my friends ordered them and are most disappointed that they are not going to see me making a prat of myself, there are a lot of them with faces like this at moment, and very disappointed they are too, but supposed to be friends and as I am this cannot understand why they so wanted to see me being put in my place by you, oh well, I know now who friends are, but seriously I know how much work has gone on before hand by kind volunteers and am so sad that the quiet large financial sum already raised which would have been considerably upped on the night has been turned down, it raises the question did they need donations in the first place? x

[Mel7348]

Really sorry Weakest Link cancelled, was looking forward to it.
I bought tickets nos 17 & 21. Dont worry about a refund, it was for the TURTLES anyway

[carolhm]

mel7348 thats very kind of you

[Marions]

From whom did you buy your tickets Mel. From Sandra? The reason i ask is because there were some tickets sold and we do not know to whom. So, please anyone reading this thread who bought tickets from Sandra at one of the markets, PLEASE p.m. me and let me know your name and how we can get the money back to you.
thanks Mel for the generosity - SPOT does need the money as the fund raising has been a bit 'challenging' this year. But we really were expecting to return the monies, and so please, anyone else out there who has tickets, [please claim your money back, PLUS OF COURSE, we jus thope and pray that you are aware it has been cancelled. It owuld be terrible if anyone turned up and was disappointed.