Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Chat

[Excalibur]

Something which may be of interest peeps - if only to keep us from further re-arranging the deckchairs for a little while longer....

I've applied (it's a GRANT after all so non-repayable). If I can cover my overheads for the sake of filling in a couple of forms I'm a happy (unemployed/non-viable) DJ


https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/DYCP

Oooooh, no my Fenland Friend, no.

You're not a DJ, you're an Artist. An Entertainer. A creative person, pushing the boundaries of Art and Artistry.

( As you have doubtless realised, if someone wants to give me money, I can be a very wide range of things).

[ppentertainments]

Dunno what everyone is complaining about - I have a 4 day weekend of weddings !!!!!

Yes, it is true, however a slight blip as apart from the odd one here and there, my next return to normality date has been pushed back to April - So Far

[Imagine]

Oooooh, no my Fenland Friend, no.

You're not a DJ, you're an Artist. An Entertainer. A creative person, pushing the boundaries of Art and Artistry.

( As you have doubtless realised, if someone wants to give me money, I can be a very wide range of things).

And THIS, my friend from Tier 3, is the problem.

I was accepted to apply for a grant (yes, you have to be accepted to even APPLY), and then looked into what's needed. Seems that although they're prepared to fund we mere DJ's, they're looking only for the very obscure which are going to create the impression that they're funding a very rich and diverse aspect of cultural entertainment. The online paperwork is a thing of absolute nightmares - mission statements, statements into how you're going to use the money to enhance your creative talents, proof that you've actually USED the money to enhance said talents....it's really not worth the jumping of hoops (on fire I might add and whilst blindfolded) to bother with it.

An example of what's being awarded - a drag queen from Brighton got £200k, and Zippo's circus just £300k with staff to pay (https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1881...ed-215k-grant/). Other sources collude this information too.


I spoke to my bean counter today as well whilst completing the annual tax return and he agreed - it's just not worth the time and effort. The advice from him is to suck it up and see what happens (so long as I can afford the costs) in the next 12 months and file a huge loss for the next couple of years (genuine loss to cover the costs of storage and insurance).

Ah well, orange 2016 Merc Sprinters will be my home for the foreseeable then

On a POSITIVE note though, I've managed to move to a branch just 10 minutes from home rather than an hour away. A 6am start now means I get a rude awakening at just 5am instead of 4am...happy days....I think

[ppentertainments]

So, apart from obviously the actual lockdown period, what effect are the latest measures going to have for us ?

I think it is inevitable that with any stricter measure it is going to push us back a bit before we are allowed to work again, however this second lockdown could really knock customer confidence. Short term the lockdown makes little difference to me as had very little anyway, but long term I think it could decimate 2021 and maybe even make people wary about next winter if planning big events.

[Imagine]

long term I think it could decimate 2021 and maybe even make people wary about next winter if planning big events.

Exactly my own thought processes at the moment.

So far, only one of my 2021 weddings has rescheduled to 2022. Having said that, I'm waiting for a lot of them to do similar now that we're going into another lockdown AND there are rumblings that it might not end as expected on 2nd December. New enquiries and even web visits have fallen through the floor. I suspect that depending on just how bad this winter pans out (and looking at what various sources are saying, it's going to be REALLY bad), people will be very wary come next winter regarding any sort of socialisation.

Sadly, I think it's going to be 2022 at the earliest now before we're back out working how we used to work.

[ppentertainments]

Exactly my own thought processes at the moment.

So far, only one of my 2021 weddings has rescheduled to 2022. Having said that, I'm waiting for a lot of them to do similar now that we're going into another lockdown AND there are rumblings that it might not end as expected on 2nd December. New enquiries and even web visits have fallen through the floor. I suspect that depending on just how bad this winter pans out (and looking at what various sources are saying, it's going to be REALLY bad), people will be very wary come next winter regarding any sort of socialisation.

Sadly, I think it's going to be 2022 at the earliest now before we're back out working how we used to work.

Since typing my last post I have received 2 cancellations, not reschedules but cancellations

[rth_discos]

So, apart from obviously the actual lockdown period, what effect are the latest measures going to have for us ?

The only immediate difference I can see is SEISS being extended - with the originally planned 40% rate being increased to either 70% or even 80% where furlough has been extended.

For anyone waiting for this next round, it's worth noting it seems Dec 14th is the application date for the next round.

Long term, I can't see any new bookings coming in for 2021.

I thought it was rather telling that TUI released Winter 21/22 and even Summer 22 holidays over the weekend. They are *never* released that early. I fear they too have written off Summer 21.

[Excalibur]

The only immediate difference I can see is SEISS being extended - with the originally planned 40% rate being increased to either 70% or even 80% where furlough has been extended.

For anyone waiting for this next round, it's worth noting it seems Dec 14th is the application date for the next round.

Long term, I can't see any new bookings coming in for 2021.

I thought it was rather telling that TUI released Winter 21/22 and even Summer 22 holidays over the weekend. They are *never* released that early. I fear they too have written off Summer 21.

Well, not that I often get the chance to correct my esteemed colleague, but since the goalposts have moved since his post: Yes, 80%, but only for November!( And while we're at it, methinks someone at the treasury ripped off handful of pages from their calendar at once, cos I reckon we didn't get any money for September and October ) This turns a 40% figure not into 80%, but 55%.

Also, we can apply sooner, which is good news, end of November, not mid December.

I must however concur with Gavin about the likelihood of much new work in 2021. The possible impact of the second lockdown on some people's jobs, especially in the hospitality sector, coupled with the likely continuance of stringent restrictions, would mean that quality work is likely to be in short supply. I'd wager that most of the work will be, how can I put it, "iffy"? Thirty( ish) young persons in a back garden sort of thing, very unregulated. (Until Plod turns up).

Sorry folks, but I still can't be a little ray of sunshine. I'm not one for the " woe is me" usually, but I've got a lot of very nice kit in a very nice new purpose built, insulated secure storage facility, which I built in Summer. I don't see me getting to use it much again before Old Father Time points out to me that I'm getting a bit too old for this game.

[Excalibur]

The only immediate difference I can see is SEISS being extended - with the originally planned 40% rate being increased to either 70% or even 80% where furlough has been extended.

Well, not that I often get the chance to correct my esteemed colleague, but since the goalposts have moved since his post: Yes, 80%, but only for November!( And while we're at it, methinks someone at the treasury ripped off handful of pages from their calendar at once, cos I reckon we didn't get any money for September and October ) This turns a 40% figure not into 80%, but 55%.

And now I think I have to apologise to Gavin for ever doubting him, as if I understand it correctly ( a chorus of forum members cry in unison : ) it now is 80% for all three months.

Isn't it? Yours, Very Confused of Goole.

[rth_discos]

And now I think I have to apologise to Gavin for ever doubting him, as if I understand it correctly ( a chorus of forum members cry in unison : ) it now is 80% for all three months.

Isn't it? Yours, Very Confused of Goole.

I didn't make it clear my comment was a prediction - I didn't expect it to come true *that* quickly.

And with the extension of Furlough until March, we may see further support through the winter.

But with these announcements, I can see further nervousness over weddings and events even for next summer, sadly.