Mercian Gathering 2009/2010 (Organisers)

Gealwyne · **Joined:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:49 pm **Posts:** 9

I am a bit confused, so please help me.
We along with our friends were the largest 5 stalls at this years event-which was great.As we were all packing up we were all asked if we would come back next year and we all said that yes we would love to and that if we checked out the web site around mid November then we could all book our pitches for next years event (GREAT!)
However to our total dismay we checked it out early to find that all ready all the trade spaces have gone and the pitch sizes have been reduced and the prices have gone up per pitch size a lot. None of the five stalls that were asked to return can get anyone to answer the phone or give a any of us a reason why this has happened, and so we are all very disapointed and dismayed. As it is many of us have been promoting the event as such an amazing thing and now find non of our customers will be able to see us there next year as we all appear to have been completley shut out.
This is a great pity, as all of us would have paid a year in advance and advertised the event country wide as we all travel to many events across the country. We would like a proper explanation WHY as we were all asked to attend next year and none of us have been contacted in any way.

Blessings

Gealwyne

Raginohart · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:14 pm **Posts:** 623

Hi Gealwyne,

Thanks for your posting. I'm afraid the stalls sold out within a couple of weeks of us putting them on the website. I'm sure you'll understand that if we sell them on the website it has to be on a first come first served basis, and as it is a popular event they go very quickley.

On the issue of stall size, last year many of the stalls that turned up took up more far space than we expected, bringing several tents, large vans plus a caravan etc and it was very hard to actually fit them in - the camping marshalls were having kittens and the result was they crowded out the central circle, which wasn't acceptable. The Gathering is not a commercial venture and the sacred space is vital. Some people took advantage of the £5 ticket to just camp on the Events Field and didn't have a stall at all - one person turned up with five tents on one £5 ticket. We decided we had to sell spaces by size this year, as most festivals do, so that we would have a good idea of what would fit where. The stall price has not inceased by a vast amount. Last year all stalls were £5 plus tickets. This year a 6 foot stall [including caravan or tent] was £10 plus tickets. This was necessary to make sure that the 'stalls' actually were stalls, and not just people taking advantage.

I have a reserve list for stalls in the event that one become available. I can put you on that if you would like?

We will be reviewing the stall situation at the next committee meeting, and seeing whether we can fit some more in. Making use of the processional way between the fields is one of the options we are looking at. Should that happen I will make a posting here and they will be available to buy on the website.

The other option is the Sunday Market, which we have decided to re-introduce this year, when ticket holders can set up a small stall in the marquee on Sunday afternoon to sell whatever they wish for free. This gives everyone a chance.

Gealwyne · **Joined:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:49 pm **Posts:** 9

Thank you for your quick resoponse to my query, yes please I would like to be placed on the reserve list for stall spaces. We can understand why you done what you have done. We were just expecting to here from you as we and our friends had been reinvited for the following year and with all the other festivals that we do the organisers always contact us as previous participents when they release the stall spaces for the following years event, this even includes the county shows.

We and our friends would love to attend next year if any spaces come up as we loved working at an independant pagan event as they should be.

Bright Blessings

Gealwyne

Raginohart · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:14 pm **Posts:** 623

Thanks for your understanding Gealwyne.

Please email your details to me at merciangathering@aol.co.uk and I will put you on the reserve list. The people on that will get first refusal of any more stalls that come up.

Gealwyne · **Joined:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:49 pm **Posts:** 9

We have tried but the Email was bounced back at us.

Blessings

Ed

Gealwyne · **Joined:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:49 pm **Posts:** 9

It's ok the Email has been sent and accepted it was .com

Blessings

Ed

(The Pagan Sanctuary)

Raginohart · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:14 pm **Posts:** 623

Yes, sorry!

Raginohart · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:14 pm **Posts:** 623

I didn't get your email. It's my fault for giving you the wrong address. It should be merciangathering@aol.com [it's the same address that's on the website www.merciangathering.co.uk].

The ticket phone line is only operational 1st March to 1st September [we do say this on the website].

Gealwyne · **Joined:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:49 pm **Posts:** 9

I have sent it again. Let me know whether you recieve it or not

Blessings

Gealwyne

Raginohart · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:14 pm **Posts:** 623

Yes, got it!

Gealwyne · **Joined:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:49 pm **Posts:** 9

Just to advise you our Email has changed to thepagansanctuary@hotmail.co.uk

Gealwyne

Raginohart · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:14 pm **Posts:** 623

Thanks. I've updated the list.

Mercian Gathering 2009/2010 (Organisers)

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