Thread: UK get together!

I thought you can carry a non-locking or non-fixed sub 3 inch blade on your person, without the need to justify why!
IIRC, you only need to demonstrate "good reason" if the blade was longer than 3 inches or was fixed or able to be locked or fixed open!
It's terrible the crap we have to go through because some scrotums aren't "house trained"

Solid ideas gents. I would say with all that is going on in the news at the moment, we need to be very careful whilst not becoming paranoid. Cameron isn't PM, yet, so we've only got to deal with the current mess of blade laws. Wrap or box our razors en route & perhaps contact West Midlands constabulary to check if there is any thing we should be doing at the hall.

I would be more than happy to do the meet & greet & courteously discourage those not invited. I have worked on the door previously, so am familar with the niceties & unpleasantries of the task. I know it would involve a little more effort, but maybe we should have some kind of invite to print out & list of names, screen & actual, for the day. It would not be too hard to do & I have had some thoughts on the matter.

I think before we make any decisions on whether or not it should be guestlist (which I personally disagree with) i'd like two things to happen first.

1. I'd like to hear Makars take on it first. Its primarily his baby- he's done all the legwork in research and booking- and I value his input.

2. I think someone (probably Stephen since he is organizing but i'll do it myself if needs be) should speak to the bill. And when they do they should be able to provide information that they may well ask for eg. How many people do you think are coming? Where are they coming from? etc....

THEN lets start making decisions about whether it should be guestlist only BASED ON POLICE ADVICE.

No point limiting the meet-up more than necessary, is there?

Just draw up a simple ticket on Ms paint or photoshop which can be emailed to everyone attending who can then print it off and bring it to said venue. Problem solved.

"If ya names not down, ya not get'n in"

I am happy to work out this for the best re contact with police etc. if necessary but just read it and am going to bed now - sleep on it and address it tomorrow. Was thinking about a press release etc. too but recent and evolving politics will have a major bearing as stated on a variety of elements. Lots of good ideas and common sense approaches. Talk more tomorrow.

Stephen

I'm new to all this stuff, but saw that there was going to be a UK meeting? I have one razor, and one strop. I'm a student and cant afford much more. But I would love to learn more, so that when I have a job (and money) I can then buy sensibly! If I find out if i'm free, can I come? Living in London, I'd prob drive up and back in the same day and not stay overnight (more cost).

Unfortunately, English, I think you're right. I won't even attempt to go into the idiocy of knee-jerk politics and i do think the ticket idea is good. Depends if Makar wants to do it, though - and then what's to stop a lurking loony requesting one? How would you vet each person? It just escalates out of control.....

There are no simple answers. If there were we wouldn't be in the mess we're in!

Originally Posted by poona

Just draw up a simple ticket on Ms paint or photoshop which can be emailed to everyone attending who can then print it off and bring it to said venue. Problem solved.

"If ya names not down, ya not get'n in"

That's a good idea - the SRP username could be used as a unique identifier at least!

Originally Posted by Makar

I am happy to work out this for the best re contact with police etc. if necessary but just read it and am going to bed now - sleep on it and address it tomorrow. Was thinking about a press release etc. too ......

This last comment gave me an immediate knee-jerk reaction....

WOAH! NO!!!

I mean much as I do encourage everyone to become involved in straight razor shaving we'd have every ned in christendom coming along to see the knives! I have no desire at all to go to a meeting accompanied by a bunch of juvenile brummy thugs. They'll hear its a knife thing and come expecting the wrong thing. Probably fuelled up on drink.

Now dont get me wrong- this isnt a thing against Birmingham youths. This would happen wherever it was publicised. Again, I think you'd best ask police advice on publicity of the meet.

Stephen if you want me to take care of ticketing and name lists I can take that problem off your hands, assuming we decide to go that way. It'll just need email addresses of those attending and i'll make up tickets/name badges. I'll sort it out no problem. Just give me the word.

Yeah - I hear you about the PR thing Sandy but it was more PR of the event happening and then put out after. Therefore rather than promoting the event it was aimed at promoting the 'art' of shaving with a SR. In this current climate for this year I think we may be better just to have a lower profile and just meet and celebrate what we do together - but I don't think we should get too paranoid about this also.

I have had a bit of contact with the organiser of the British Blades meet which is pretty big - happened in May this year. I approached him initially to see if we could piggyback on that event. He was very helpful and keen but it was just a bit too imminent for us if you remember (I did post it for feedback here) and in Bristol, which didn't seem to suit many folks. Anyway, I will contact him today and have a chat about his take on bringing things to and fro to the meet - what do they do and what may be advisable. I reckon we would prob be wise in these times to have a pro forma sheet that gets emailed to all folks who say they are coming along, they can print out and take with them. This will show details of the event etc and provide anyone with good reason to be carrying the items. I can also contact the local police and say we are doing this and ask for any further advice from them. As I say - let's not get too hung up on this, we are doing nothing illegal but it was a good call to suggest that we take some sensible precautions for our own good.

So - I will contact Mike from British Blades today and get in touch with Brummy police. Any further thoughts welcome. The PR thing could still be done I believe but (as was always really intended) with maybe a couple of papers etc. invited along during the event for a post event write up. That would still satisfy some urges to let folk know about the club and straight razor shaving etc. without causing any 'on the day' issues as such.

All suggestions etc. more than welcome. I am just continuing to be a conduit...

cheers
Stephen