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UKPinfest 2021 - August 27th, 28th & 29th

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ailsaclunie said:
I agree Steve - Hospitality had a bad financial year due to covid and while I was talking to the manager - he explained they have a lot of new staff still being trained and still more to be recruited . I found the manager very helpful - he was serving in bar until late and gave me everything I asked for like bin bags and wee shot glasses [emoji3]


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Always tricky when we spend our hard earned cash and feel that we get substandard service. Would echo comments about giving the hotel some slack though because of impact of COVID. The people were all trying hard, with various levels of experience. One person had been on for more than 24hrs. I think they need a round of applause personally. 👍
 
Wayne J said:
Changing the date will cause a problem with the UKLeague Finals unlikely to be held there, as the league meets wouldn't be finished in time.
Also having a Bank Holiday the day after allows an additional day to recover and get vans hired back without having to take an additional day off work.

As for partners who don't want to stay in a 'budget' hotel if they're not in to pinball I understand completely, but that's more of an issue for them to work out, rather than an issue for the show organisers to deal with.

No other hotel would allow us to do what we do, almost unrestricted access to whatever we want or need to do with power and lighting, etc. Sunday night (1am) the manager was showing us other rooms which we could potentially use.

It's a well known issue with regard to lack of hospitality staff, that there has been a knock-on effect from Covid. Hopefully that should sort itself out over the next 12 months.
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It’s supposedly a four star hotel and aren’t you single? [emoji23]

Name at least two hotels you have spoken to about what they would provide or otherwise?

Like I said if you want to keep it exactly how as it is then Daventry will guarantee this, we had a bumper event this year because of covid - when normality returns let’s see how it goes.

Neil.


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Those thinking a credit card guarantee or prepayment makes any difference need to read the small print! They would just given you the money back and say Adios! Accor are not a small company they made €67M in profit in the first half of the year - yes last year they had a **** year - who didn’t?

This was another case of a company taking advantage of furlough - the reservations team was a mess throughout the year and unsurprisingly we have had issues. On the upside at least most of our issues got sorted out - there was a bunch of guys trying to check in from MotoGP on Friday and the hotel had no rooms for them; the poor rep and hotel manager trying to calm them down was priceless! I even learned some great new one liners! [emoji23]


Neil.
 
Neil McRae said:
It’s supposedly a four star hotel and aren’t you single? [emoji23]

Name at least two hotels you have spoken to about what they would provide or otherwise?

Like I said if you want to keep it exactly how as it is then Daventry will guarantee this, we had a bumper event this year because of covid - when normality returns let’s see how it goes.

Neil.


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I could give you half a dozen that I personally have spoken to, but don't have to justify myself to you, nor anybody else.

As it happens I'm not single (although I don't see what relevance that has?), but my partner didn't want to attend, because she is able to entertain herself in my absence, and is more than happy enough for me to go and do what I wish to do without her.
Before you became involved so recently my ex (Julie) came to the majority of the shows and helped with the scoring, moving machines and entered herself - she even did the catering for the Xmas cracker every year. When she didn't want to attend she didn't, but never put pressure on me not to.
As I said that's an issue for partners to work out between themselves rather than whinging in public that they're going to miss the next year because of their partner - what do you want? People to say "Oh no, please come back, please, pretty please!) So you can justify coming.

It won't stay exactly as it is, we are already in discussions as to how it can be expanded and improved for next year. We were walking round with the manager at 1am on Sunday discussing options and other areas and what could be done - long after the majority had packed up (or been packed up by the volunteers) and left.
But there is no need for those discussions to be made public until they are finalised.
 
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mark9 said:
@Judderman according to the list?
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It is indeed mine, thanks for the compliments. It does look great, but, big thanks to @Poibug I now know it needs a bit of attention mechanically; he spent around 2 hours on the Sunday sorting a couple of things with me 'helping' (actually watching & learning) - he has shown the worn linkage he took out to many people & even posted a pic on here)
 
With regards to the Hotel. When we attended in 2019 the room we had was fine and my Wife enjoyed using the Swimming Pool, as she didn't want to be playing pinball the whole weekend and overall it was good. The problem this time was that they had overbooked the Hotel and gave out rooms that they knew were below an acceptable standard. i.e Broken Windows, No Hot Water and the room was in middle of being refurbished. We know the Hotel can and should do better and Phil needs to raise the issues with them so they can improve for next year. The Hotel is great for the event in many ways, they just need to get their act together.
 
Lecari said:
There were more women at Pinfest than I'd expected (including @ailsaclunie) - it's slowly changing! I have always been into gaming and I'm super competitive so pinball definitely feeds that urge of mine.
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If you think you're competitive, you should have seen my two daughters competing in the kids high score comp! I thought they were going to comes to blows at the end when they kept knocking each other off the top spot.

@ailsaclunie was talking about a women's comp next year so that might encourage a few more women along as well.
 
DanLewell said:
If you think you're competitive, you should have seen my two daughters competing in the kids high score comp! I thought they were going to comes to blows at the end when they kept knocking each other off the top spot.

@ailsaclunie was talking about a women's comp next year so that might encourage a few more women along as well.
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ha, that definitely would have been me and my sister if we'd played pinball when we were little - even Easter egg hunts had to be banned in our house as I couldn't play nicely 😂

A women's comp would be great fun!
 
DanLewell said:
If you think you're competitive, you should have seen my two daughters competing in the kids high score comp! I thought they were going to comes to blows at the end when they kept knocking each other off the top spot.

@ailsaclunie was talking about a women's comp next year so that might encourage a few more women along as well.
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😅 My son was also determined to take the top spot, but had to concede defeated. He took that better than he did, losing in the final of the Kids NBA competition. 🤯
 
Just te re-iterate my earlier post - thanks to all involved.

I've uploaded the photos I took during the weekend.

Link to my FlickR page is here.

Feel free to download copies - high res versions are included - just click on a photo, then the download arrow (bottom right) and choose "original size".

@Big Phil and @Gonzo , you're welcome to use them for any stills in videos, or publicity if you thought any were suitable.

Cheers, and looking forward to next year.
 
David_Vi said:
I remember his reaction when @Lecari beat him...I can only imagine the final in the kids comp!
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I got into pinball too late to arrange to go this year, but I would be totally up for bringing my older boy next year.

I might also be able to bring my younger boy (the ‘pi-bo‘ wizard), but it depends on whether he can reach both flipper buttons by then. He is very keen, but a little small… 🥰
 
Andypc said:
😅 My son was also determined to take the top spot, but had to concede defeated. He took that better than he did, losing in the final of the Kids NBA competition. 🤯
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I meant to ask who's son that was?

You should be really proud of him mate, he came over to the girls after Daz had given Effie the trophy, to shake their hands and say well done. Really nice gesture, especially from someone so young.
 
What a great weekend. Ditto to all comments on here thanking all those that helped and of course to @Big Phil for organising the best UK event around.

Comps were fantastic, well run and a great balance this year between competing and casual play.

With regards to the hotel, yes it's a bit tired but the value for money is unbelievable. Most of us are in our rooms for less than 12 hours all weekend anyway and I certainly wouldn't waste any pin-time in a spa or a pool so it being closed made no difference to me whatsoever.

I believe the hotel saved a few bob on minimal smashed pint glasses too. ;)
 
DanLewell said:
If you think you're competitive, you should have seen my two daughters competing in the kids high score comp! I thought they were going to comes to blows at the end when they kept knocking each other off the top spot.

@ailsaclunie was talking about a women's comp next year so that might encourage a few more women along as well.
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Hi Dan - yes . Phil is in discussion with us all , as we speak . Nothing in stone yet as we are just reflecting and still in a buzz from the show - ( I slept 11 hours last night after getting home at 6.30 ish )
There will definitely be a proper kids NBA comp next year - we will be more organised as opposed to a Sunday morning breakfast decision [emoji3]. I told Effie and phoebe they will need a handicap as they are too good - just like golf [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

We are also discussing a women’s comp in some format - a lot of partners gave me their opinions at the weekend [emoji3]. This will not to be sexist in any way - I find most of the men in attendance to be so friendly and helpful but it’s purpose will be to boost more women playing the comps by increasing confidence and knowledge . But also it will involve wine and a wee bit of socialising [emoji3]- Diane Bush has already suggested a name for it - WWF - women who flip [emoji2]
Over the next year - I will be asking for more opinions and checking in with our other well known female players and already have some non pinball partners who attended show .
I myself was a pinball widow and spent Daventry time shopping , reading , enjoying a manicure , facial and swim or being at the bar [emoji3] before I got more involved . Peter Blakemore’s wife and daughter went for a sail on a boat and had high tea and I believe Anthol place ( Diana’s childhood home and grave site is nearby plus Silverston etc ). But like other European countries and the USA - it would be good to have a women’s comp . Our very own Kate Rothwell Jackson has attended some women only comps abroad and written an article about it .

We have a women’s trophy in our league as we have a higher number and it encourages a bit of fun and improvement .
My hope is that in a few years we will not need them as we will have recruited more women but also increased confidence for some ( some are already very confident but not all ). If it fails - at least we will have had a wee bit socialising and have drunk lots of wine [emoji3].
The funniest comments from non playing wives at this weekend was that / as soon as they press start on a machine , their husbands suddenly appear and start shouting at them to hit a certain flashing light. [emoji3]. My ambition like @leecari’s is to learn how to nudge [emoji3]. Watch this space over the next year for phils announcements but in meantime - please feel free to email or pm with your thoughts ( clean ones [emoji3]). Cheers


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Judderman said:
It is indeed mine, thanks for the compliments. It does look great, but, big thanks to @Poibug I now know it needs a bit of attention mechanically; he spent around 2 hours on the Sunday sorting a couple of things with me 'helping' (actually watching & learning) - he has shown the worn linkage he took out to many people & even posted a pic on here)
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Mullered😀
 

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Despite the small niggles such as gym being closed and there being a couple less bar staff than ideal, the weekend was amazing.
The pins in the hotel reception were a great idea, and I'm glad they made some money for charity. The selection of machines was incredible and I found a love for both Hot Wheels and Led Zeppelin. Also thought the Johnny Mnemonic was stunning, as was @Gonzo 's Deadpool.
Loved all the comps, and chatted with some great people. As always the NLP guys were fantastic.
As soon as things are confirmed for next year I'll be booking up again.
 
Really sad I missed it - haven't been able to make it in years now because the August bank holiday is difficult for a variety of reasons, but really hope to make it next year. Looks like a great show!
 
Wayne J said:
I could give you half a dozen that I personally have spoken to, but don't have to justify myself to you, nor anybody else.

As it happens I'm not single (although I don't see what relevance that has?), but my partner didn't want to attend, because she is able to entertain herself in my absence, and is more than happy enough for me to go and do what I wish to do without her.
Before you became involved so recently my ex (Julie) came to the majority of the shows and helped with the scoring, moving machines and entered herself - she even did the catering for the Xmas cracker every year. When she didn't want to attend she didn't, but never put pressure on me not to.
As I said that's an issue for partners to work out between themselves rather than whinging in public that they're going to miss the next year because of their partner - what do you want? People to say "Oh no, please come back, please, pretty please!) So you can justify coming.

It won't stay exactly as it is, we are already in discussions as to how it can be expanded and improved for next year. We were walking round with the manager at 1am on Sunday discussing options and other areas and what could be done - long after the majority had packed up (or been packed up by the volunteers) and left.
But there is no need for those discussions to be made public until they are finalised.
Click to expand...

holy **** you just don't get humour do you? and you just can't help but put words in my mouth.
 
C&C said:
Just te re-iterate my earlier post - thanks to all involved.

I've uploaded the photos I took during the weekend.

Link to my FlickR page is here.

Feel free to download copies - high res versions are included - just click on a photo, then the download arrow (bottom right) and choose "original size".

@Big Phil and @Gonzo , you're welcome to use them for any stills in videos, or publicity if you thought any were suitable.

Cheers, and looking forward to next year.
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Nice, I escaped the camera!
 
Liz and I thought it was amazing to see some good friends at the weekend that we haven't seen for a couple of years - our load out plan wasn't as slick (at some small times) as it has been in previous years but I think those that were there know why (but those that were there at the time also saw us play on the fly and get the job done). Great event, great people, great atmosphere and I didn't get a chance to play any of the competition machines (either competition) as I only managed a few games on the other machines. Chris (the new guy helping @Big Phil out this weekend this year but has done a number of years at NERG) managed to beat me on pretty much every machine - but as I drove him down and back he had to be nice to me :D

Here's to next year - I think the venue has changed hands but kept the same name etc as there were a lot of subtle things that changed between this event and the last one (beyond the 'refurb' of the gym/pool). I second @ailsaclunie in that the duty manager (whose name escapes me - Craig?) was amazing - he is the reason why the bar was open at 2am on Friday and Saturday when in previous years it closed far earlier and he went way above and beyond to make our event even more special.

@Wayne J and the other guys (whose names here I don't know) made the competitions what they are - not forgetting to mention the Scottish Pinball folks (Colin, Ailsa, Chris and Trac[e]y) for running the NBA and kids NBA events (if we had the space I'm sure Liz and I would be willing to house one of your machines - however the travel to fix it would be a bit much :D). It is making pinball accessible that makes the difference - @Poibug told me of one thing that he did - nice one mate.

We don't have any pinballs, and we don't care as out combined love of making stuff better is enough - however, if you should have a pinball you want to loan us I'm sure our grand-daughter would love it :D :D :D
 
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