Where's the beach...? It's s on Duckets Common

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by pamish on July 22, 2015 at 16:54

Great idea but why is it only on for five days?  Not even a week.  What will happen to all that sand afterwards?  The time and effort to build this is worth more than five weekday days, with not even the adjacent weekends. The school holidays go on for another month.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Liz on July 22, 2015 at 17:24

Money Pam. This is an event made possible by CAB, a charity, through sponsorship. An enormous amount of work has gone into making this a free event with lots of freebies for kids.

Ducketts Common doesn't come for free nor does the sand (which is taken away by the company that installs beaches). Many local businesses have donated money and goods, local musicians their time and food stalls are aimed at being low cost ( no more than 3 pounds). It is entirely staffed by volunteers/staff from CAB who can't be off for a month. That's why it's free and only 5 days long. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by pamish on July 22, 2015 at 17:34

OK I see, not my patch so i havent seen it in reallife. But still a shame that it couldnt be extended to the two weekends, for all that work. Does it need many staff, are there things to steal/damage?  And Ducketts only costs if LBH charges rent, is this another example of LBH failing to see that volunteer/third sector work saves them money?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Liz on July 22, 2015 at 18:12

In answer to your questions:

LBH didn't give DC for free, no, although I believe it was requested.

Yes, it needs a lot of staff in shifts plus the advice service has to keep working - also CAB staff don't work weekends so that would mean recruiting a lot of extra people. The site has (bought in) 24 hr security.

Imagine what could happen if some of our less community minded people decided to try and get in during the night plus there is a lot of electrical, sound, food, sports etc equipment. It's not just a beach, more like a mini free festival with sand. Four extra days just isn't in the budget, I'm afraid. CAB's Moneywise worked their socks off to get the sponsorship money they did. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by pamish on July 22, 2015 at 18:33

LBH should be paying them. How typical.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on July 22, 2015 at 20:37

Thoroughly disappointed! Went along with my board - no surfing; not even a shark fin in sight. Life is indeed a bitch.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pembysingsong on July 24, 2015 at 12:05

Went yesterday - thought it was great, especially when the blaring techno turned into a more mellow reggae vibe :-) An impressive effort by all involved. Great dancers on stage, the kids loved it. What was most striking was that is was REALLY HOT down  on the sand and when you moved away you realised it was actually quite a cool and dull day. Kind of magical! well done to all involved.

• ▶ Reply