We shall prevail.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

So.....let me tell you about Saturday.

I do a lot of work in a local Moat House Hotel and have been there for almost 20 years, so Saturday at about 2pm I decided to ring them to see if they had any problems with water, as it had been raining and the Hotel is 'prone' to a bit of flooding. The ops director told me to get there ASAP as they had major problems, so instead of taking the trailor, I put some gear in the car and off I went. I got there about 2:30pm and didn't get gear in until about 5pm as they were shipping guests in, in the 4x4 and I had to wait.

Anyway, this is the Hotel reception.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa260/daz2410/21072007020Small.jpg

Here is the entrance I normally go in through...

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa260/daz2410/IMG_5162Small.jpg

Basically, what we had to do was load the 4x4 with my stuff on the roundabout which at that time wasn't underwater (it was later) and take it through the water which was between 2 and 3 feet deep by that time.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa260/daz2410/IMG_5167Small.jpg

Not sure if you can read the sign, but it says "After heavy rain this road may be flooded or icy. Take care" Riiiiiiiiiiiight.... :D

So, to get anywhere near the Hotel (which is built on stilts, 'cos it's next to a river), we had to take the gear out of the 4x4 and walk across picnic tables and boards that had towels on for stability and then into the Hotel. We had a line of about 5 people (all Hotel staff) passing my gear along and in.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa260/daz2410/21072007013Small.jpg

Nervous was not the word, let me tell you.

This is one of my Mackies making the journey with the Hotel's maintanance man.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa260/daz2410/21072007015Small.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa260/daz2410/21072007016Small.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa260/daz2410/21072007019Small.jpg

I was shipped back out at 1:30am on a flatbed trailor with picnic tables strapped to it, pulled by a tractor.

A day and night I won't forget in a hurry, but the show must go on whatever the circumstances.

[Shaun]

WOW!, That must have been a nerve-wracking load in/out. Glad you got through it it OK, Darren.

[BeerFunk]

Wow, that's something else! :eek:

It's always good to take a few pics to look back on though, most would be too flustered to think of it! :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Wow, that's something else! :eek:

It's always good to take a few pics to look back on though, most would be too flustered to think of it! :)

It was lucky that the people helping me had a sense of humour to be honest! I'm not sure many people would appreciate me stoping and asking them to pose for a photo or two, but I had to take them to show on here! :D

[theoloyla]

Wow that is dedication! Well done to you and the hotel staff. How did the guests get in?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Wow that is dedication! Well done to you and the hotel staff. How did the guests get in?

The same way as my gear - in the 4x4. That's why I had to wait for a few hours before getting stuff in.

It was a bit of a shame as most of the evening guests didn't turn up, as they knew of the flooding from the radio etc.

[wensleydale]

i'm surprised they wanted to go ahead- would have thought it sensible to cancel...

[BeerFunk]

i'm surprised they wanted to go ahead- would have thought it sensible to cancel...
I'd have thought so too, depends on the type of function though - some can't be postponed or re-scheduled at all.

[Candybeatdiscos]

Being personally honest, i wouldn't have even taken the chance - I would have cancelled, what would have happened if an item had fell out your or a helpers hand such as a amp, or mixer etc and landed in the water? Quite expensive to replace at the best of times.

Does this make me a cowboy?

[rob1963]

To be honest, I'm almost certain I'd have cancelled as well.

Apart from someone else dropping a piece of gear, what if a table collapsed & you'd fallen & broken your ankle as WELL as ruining an expensive piece of equipment? You would have probably thought "It wasn't worth it"

I think it's unreasonable for them to expect you to do what you did, although I DO admire your determination!

My terms & conditions have something about loss of performance due to events beyond our control & something else about access problems. I think that would cover it!

[Excalibur]

The same way as my gear - in the 4x4. That's why I had to wait for a few hours before getting stuff in.

It was a bit of a shame as most of the evening guests didn't turn up, as they knew of the flooding from the radio etc.

:bowdown: :DJ: :bowdown:

[Twinspin]

Yeah the thing to do with cancellations (called force majoure) clause in a contract.

As for Darren. Well done mate. Just goes to show that youre reliable. Tbh i know this probably was the time to cancel a gig. But very brave thing to do darren. Well done. Im sure the bride and groom appreciated it.

[BeerFunk]

Out of curiosity Darren, what would you have done if someone had dropped your speaker/amp in the water? Do you think the hotel (or possibly the client) would have reimbursed you?

[Jiggles]

Did you play Queen - Dont Stop Me Now ???:D:D:D

[Penfold42]

A day and night I won't forget in a hurry, but the show must go on whatever the circumstances.

Now that's dedication........well done.....a true pro! :5star: :clap: :thumbsup: :approve:

[Tony Scott]

Sorry Darren I think you're a total amature..........


........a true pro would have had his own boat! :D

Well done mate! :)

[dj-jaym]

My own view,

Dedication there darren no one can argue,

But totaly dangerous, You have pointed out that where you unloaded wasnt flooded when you did but it was later, This indicates flood water still rising,

I am shocked the hotel went ahead, What if your gear fell in ?,

I wonder what the directors will say ?

[Penfold42]

Sorry Darren I think you're a total amature..........


........a true pro would have had his own boat! :D

Well done mate! :)

And all the money he makes as well.....dingy at least....!!:rolleyes: :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

i'm surprised they wanted to go ahead- would have thought it sensible to cancel...

A wedding?


Being personally honest, i wouldn't have even taken the chance - I would have cancelled, what would have happened if an item had fell out your or a helpers hand such as a amp, or mixer etc and landed in the water? Quite expensive to replace at the best of times.



I am insured and not only that I would never let anyone down on their wedding day. You just can't do it.


Im sure the bride and groom appreciated it.

They did.


Out of curiosity Darren, what would you have done if someone had dropped your speaker/amp in the water? Do you think the hotel (or possibly the client) would have reimbursed you?

Accidental damage is coverd in my contract, but I am insured anyway.


Sorry Darren I think you're a total amature..........


........a true pro would have had his own boat! :D

Well done mate! :)

LOL!


My own view,

Dedication there darren no one can argue,

But totaly dangerous, You have pointed out that where you unloaded wasnt flooded when you did but it was later, This indicates flood water still rising,

I am shocked the hotel went ahead, What if your gear fell in ?,

I wonder what the directors will say ?

What directors?

I can't quite believe that this is turning into a debate about insurance etc. I have been supplying entertainment to this Hotel for almost 20 years and have never let them down. This is someone's wedding we are talking about here. The happiest day of their life and a one off. (sometimes!:D )

[Dragonfly]

indeed ..... you get through ....... somehow you get through.......

[BeerFunk]

To be fair Darren, you didn't initially mention that it was a wedding - there's no way I'd have cancelled either. If it was a birthday party or something, I'd have contacted the client and talked it over, but basically leave the decision to them.

Not many would have did what you did though, have a :beer1:

[Candybeatdiscos]

personally with it being a wedding i would have perhaps suggested a change in venue, i think really the hotel should have done that themselves, at the end of day if anyopne not just you had fell and broke ankles or legs etc then they would have left themselves open to be be sued, but i wouldn't have taken the chance myself to be honest

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

To be fair Darren, you didn't initially mention that it was a wedding - there's no way I'd have cancelled either.

BY THE WAY, IT WAS A WEDDING...:D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

personally with it being a wedding i would have perhaps suggested a change in venue

So, how do you do that then given the timescale that the flood happened in? At 9am, it wasn't flooded.

[Dragonfly]

not a wedding admitedly but i had a venue change notification on thursday at 2pm for a 7pm start

good job i dont have a day job hey.

[wensleydale]

even though it was a wedding what would have happened if it got worse and you couldn't get out- more H&S from the hotels point of view rather than yours.
glad it all went well in the end- I was at a VW event in Northampton and left on sat night cause it was getting too muddy and the tent was leaking.

[Penfold42]

not a wedding admitedly but i had a venue change notification on thursday at 2pm for a 7pm start

Due to floods I take it??

[Dragonfly]

Due to floods I take it??

ver very ironically no ................... due to the venue not having any ............
























running water!!!!!!!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Penfold42]

ver very ironically no ................... due to the venue not having any ............
running water!!!!!!!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

:lol:
I was dry last night apart from getting the gear in the car, by the time I finished......I was soaked...then had to drive 30 miles home still wet.
Can't complain really.:)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

even though it was a wedding what would have happened if it got worse and you couldn't get out- more H&S from the hotels point of view rather than yours.


The Hotel has been flooding for years and they do have contingancy plans, but this time it was the worst flooding ever. The Hotel is built on stilts and yes, I left the gear there. If need be, I could have stayed overnight at the Hotel, which they offered, but I preferred to go home. (to my Caffreys:beer1: )

[Penfold42]

The Hotel has been flooding for years and they do have contingancy plans, but this time it was the worst flooding ever. The Hotel is built on stilts and yes, I left the gear there. If need be, I could have stayed overnight at the Hotel, which they offered, but I preferred to go home. (to my Caffreys:beer1: )

How do they get on with insurance...with that are they paying more for a high risk area? or do they find it hard to get cover...they must be I know...but what a nightmare.
Also is that FOC hotel accommodation? If so you must be onto a winner there..:)

[ross@rds]

All i can say is great job some people would have run for the hills and good to see some staff helping they are normaly lazy trouts :) lol.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

How do they get on with insurance...with that are they paying more for a high risk area? or do they find it hard to get cover...they must be I know...but what a nightmare.
Also is that FOC hotel accommodation? If so you must be onto a winner there..:)

Yeah FOC, though I only live about 5 miles from it.

It's a Best Western Maot House, so I've no idea on insurance costs.

[Penfold42]

Yeah FOC, though I only live about 5 miles from it.

WOW....gives a whole new meaning to 'God is a DJ'....:)

[Corabar Steve]

even though it was a wedding what would have happened if it got worse and you couldn't get out- more H&S from the hotels point of view rather than yours.
glad it all went well in the end- I was at a VW event in Northampton and left on sat night cause it was getting too muddy and the tent was leaking.So that's where all those Beetles on the M1 on Friday were going


So.....let me tell you about Saturday.

I do a lot of work in a local Moat House Hotel
Does anyone else see the funny side in the name of the hotel ? :sj:

[Dragonfly]

So that's where all those Beetles on the M1 on Friday were going

Does anyone else see the funny side in the name of the hotel ? :sj:

indeed indeed :D :D :D :D :D

[wensleydale]

So that's where all those Beetles on the M1 on Friday were going
:sj:

Bug Jam at Santa Pod.

Mud Jam this year.

[colint]

Top man Darren! I think I'd have bottled out at the picnic tables so good on you & the hotel staff! :cool:

[Steve 'B']

Your lucky you did not have a plasma show out!! Plasma in a flight case over that water.....NO CHANCE!! If Its a basic disco, I think you did the right thing. How would you have felt if the situation was happening to you and your catering staff were saying NO!!

[ian8limelight]

Good on you matey - you will have to now change your middle name to Dedicated.

[rob1963]

I notice that everyone (including me) has praised Darren for his dedication in managing to eventually get the gear in & do the gig...

...but if a table had collapsed & he'd fallen while holding an expensive piece of equipment & broken his ankle at the same time, we'd all be saying "You shouldn't have gone to those lengths to try & do a gig"

Funny old world!

[Corabar Steve]

Bug Jam at Santa Pod.

Mud Jam this year.

You have my sympathy. Did it stop raining at all? I had to stop at some services about half way to Sheffield, because there was so much rain & spray on the road it was like driving in thick fog. I went snowblind, had to stop.

[Corabar Steve]

I notice that everyone (incliding me) has praised Darren for his dedication in managing to eventually get the gear in & do the gig...

...but if a table had collapsed & he'd fallen while holding an expensive piece of equipment & broken his ankle at the same time, we'd all be saying "You shouldn't have gone to those lengths to try & do a gig"

Funny old world!
Unless he dropped something & caught his ankle between it & the table, I think the only thing he would have got was wet.

[Penfold42]

...but if a table had collapsed & he'd fallen while holding an expensive piece of equipment & broken his ankle at the same time, we'd all be saying "You shouldn't have gone to those lengths to try & do a gig"

Funny old world!

I agree with what you are saying but after all....he pulled it off..:eek: .....mission complete....your right funny world.


But great when you get it right!!;)

[Dragonfly]

thats right really when we take risks and it comes off all good stuff ....... but usually slated if it goes pearshaped lolol

[theoloyla]

As you all know I am from the old school and I was always taught "the show must go on" and so it did. No two ways about it well done Darren! I am impressed.

[rob1963]

As you all know I am from the old school and I was always taught "the show must go on" and so it did.

Whilst most would agree with this generally, you have to draw the line somewhere, and everyone will have a different idea of where that line should be.

[Twinspin]

If it was bad as that. I wouldnt have cancelled either. I would have tried what Darren did. If I Could or use another alternative.

But i wouldnt bottle it.

Floods or not. If i can get through them some way or another i will.

[rob1963]

If it was bad as that. I wouldnt have cancelled either. I would have tried what Darren did. If I Could or use another alternative.

But i wouldnt bottle it.

Floods or not. If i can get through them some way or another i will.

I'm not sure it's about bottling it...I think it's more to do with the safety of yourself & your equipment, and also to do with something called common sense.

As I've already said, you have to draw the line somewhere, and everyone will have that line in a different place, so there's no actual right or wrong here, just different opinions.

[dj-jaym]

heard on grapevine is some media intrest in this,

not good either

is this the place darren

http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/Hotels/Best-Western-Reading-Moat-House-83861/Hotel-Info/Default.aspx?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

heard on grapevine is some media intrest in this,

not good either

is this the place darren

http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/Hotels/Best-Western-Reading-Moat-House-83861/Hotel-Info/Default.aspx?

Certainly is - what have you 'heard' then?

[BeerFunk]

heard on grapevine is some media intrest in this,

not good either

is this the place darren

http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/Hotels/Best-Western-Reading-Moat-House-83861/Hotel-Info/Default.aspx?
:confused: :confused: :confused:

Am I the only one that didn't understand that? Are you saying that this venue is receiving some bad publicity?

[Steve the DJ]

Well done Mr T, my head says you shouldn't have, but my heart tells me I would have done the same thing. ;)

Can I suggest a new addition to your kit list that will fit in nicely at this venue?

http://i19.ebayimg.com/02/i/03/80/71/25_1_b.JPG

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Am I the only one that didn't understand that? Are you saying that this venue is receiving some bad publicity?

I think that's what he's saying, though I don't know why or how after the Hotel went above and beyond the call of duty for their guests over the weekend.

The B&G couldn't thank the Hotel enough I got told today when I was picking my kit up from Saturday. (water has gone down a bit now)


Well done Mr T, my head says you shouldn't have, but my heart tells me I would have done the same thing. ;)

Can I suggest a new addition to your kit list that will fit in nicely at this venue?

http://i19.ebayimg.com/02/i/03/80/71/25_1_b.JPG

How tasteful Steve....:thumbsup:

[Steve the DJ]

You really can find anything on the net...

A Mr T bath duck, I mean who would have thought it? I would have loved to have been in that product development meeting....:D

[BeerFunk]

You really can find anything on the net...

A Mr T bath duck, I mean who would have thought it? I would have loved to have been in that product development meeting....:D
All I can say is... I want one!! :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

All I can say is... I want one!! :D

There you go.. http://www.markmakers.co.uk/mrt.html :D

[Corabar Steve]

We've got one of these http://www.katiejeffreys.com/ducky/collection/devil.jpg

[Corabar Steve]

Any reason why this thread has moved????????

[Dragonfly]

Any reason why this thread has moved????????

the flood waters carried it to another part of the site????? but its ok the river denon has peaked and we have changed the red alert warning light bulb (sorry lamp) to an amber one.

[Corabar Steve]

It's back again now

[Dragonfly]

It's back again now

the tide changed

[Corabar Steve]

How bizzare!


I got out of my van this afternoon & one of my neighbours assumed I'd been in a flood area. I'd actually been pressure washing Angela's mum's patio :sj:

[Dragonfly]

was it Joyce?

[Corabar Steve]

No, Ange

[Dragonfly]

does she have fruit trees too????

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Any reason why this thread has moved????????

Yeah, 'cos I posted it in the mods area by mistake originally.

[Corabar Steve]

Ah, all is clear

[Dragonfly]

Yeah, 'cos I posted it in the mods area by mistake originally.


Daz made a mistake????? thats got to be a write it on the calendar moment ? :D :D :D :D

[Corabar Steve]

does she have fruit trees too????

No only strawberries & a nut bush.

[Dragonfly]

No only strawberries & a nut bush.

we should leave this conversation there :D :D :D :D :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

we should leave this conversation there :D :D :D :D :D

Considering it was about my valiant effort not to let a customer down and not about Joyce's bush, I think so. ;)

[Corabar Steve]

It was Ange's bush :sj:

[Dragonfly]

Considering it was about my valiant effort not to let a customer down and not about Joyce's bush, I think so. ;)

Anges bush ........ 2 mistakes in one day? :D :D :D :D :D time for a lie down :D ;)