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Update from Norman on Mon, Aug 16, 2010 at 1:57 PM
"Dear All,
Much as I regret (nay ultra-regret) writing like this, I am sensing that the Delamere annual “do’s” have pretty much come to an end. We are now within 4 weeks of the supposed next gathering, and only 7 Delamere-ites have indicated firm interest. A far cry from the first 3 or 4 sessions when 30-odd would turn up. I feel that the whole thing has run its course, and it has become a case of “a fine idea while it worked, but is now proclaiming its readiness to be wound up.”
At any rate, that is my (dismal) view. Of course if any of you want to make alternative arrangements - different location, different time of year, different whatever, then go right ahead, with my total blessing.
I must say that I have enjoyed the whole affair, and it has been one of the highlights of my year to wait for the due weekend to come around. If any of you would like to stay in one-on-one contact with me, you will be warmest-welcome. Let’s, as they say, just do it.
All the best.
Salaams
Norman"
Update: 22 August 2010
A couple of mailshots elicited a response from around 16 folk and a conversation with Norman resulted in the following suggestion:
"The general consensus indicated an interest in continuing. I spoke to our esteemed mwalimu yesterday morning and he was of the opinion that every 3 years may be a bit long for him. He said that every 2 years, early September, at Oxford would be his suggestion. He will be more than happy to continue to offer his house as the venue with the proviso that food be brought in and that his involvement in the catering, cleaning and arranging would be kept to the absolute minimum. In view of this year’s (now cancelled) event a bit of research revealed a choice of 3 independently recommended Indian restaurants willing to deliver and 1 Chinese/Thai with an estimated cost per head of £10-£15."
futurus persevero
Update: Norman message Wed, Sep 1, 2010
"Dear Delamere-ites,
Well you’ve caught me gob-smacked! There was I, sending messages to you all that the wheels had come off our whole project, and there you are showering me with at least a dozen messages the very first morning, saying “Give it another whirl” - but every second year rather than every third year.
Here are some of my thoughts (yes, I am still capable of thinking although in a more rudimentary fashion than half a century ago).
In 2011, there is a bank holiday weekend on Saturday 27th August - the actual bank holiday is Monday 29th, but that doesn’t concern us. In previous years some folks have spent Saturday at Oxford and then were off on Sunday or Monday to enjoy the Cotswolds - this arrangement might not suit everybody.
In most years we have had as many as 30-40 participants here, which seems a suitable crowd even if the weather is inclement and we kind of disport ourselves on the lawn. For me, it is perfectly all right i.e. holding the event here (Oxford is geographically almost the very centre of Britain). I thoroughly endorse the idea that we simply bring in loads of Chinese and Indian takeaways, meaning that my kitchen would not have to be be used for cooking but rather for dispensing food brought in from outside. Of course we would need volunteers to do some clearing up afterwards – hopefully a few more than in the past would be very welcome.
Other dates: Saturday 3rd September could work well, and the autumnal rainy season will probably not have announced its arrival by then. Past experience would indicate that dates before the last weekend of August conflict with holiday and safari plans.
Timing: we have stacks of time before 2011 but having said that, we need to agree on a date as soon as possible as many make travel arrangements well in advance. Most years we are up against the infamous Date Indecision Factor induced by the plain old fashioned undecided on one hand and the more creative “the mbwa or fisi ate my email” on the other. The Date Indecision Factor causes as much of a problem to a successful reunion as the legendary elephant in the refrigerator does to the butter. Please: let’s get these ducks in line by, say, mid-June of 2011.
Again, I feel ultra-gratified that so many of you would like to keep the whole thing going, albeit with some tweaking as concerns date, etc. Go, Go,
All the best,
Norman"
So far we have had positive feedback regarding the above with reservations expressed regarding the difficulty of travelling on British roads and possible accommodation availability on a bank holiday weekend.
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