These notes are being put through letterboxes around Shire Oak. It’s all a bit sad, really.
These days, I’ve come to realise that however old I get, this town will never cease to amaze me. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something rolls up, pokes you in the belly and blows raspberries at you.
Which is a coincidence, really, as that’s pretty much my exact response to the item that’s just been drawn to my attention.
It seems that someone without the wit to call the organisers, but the downright rudery and bad grace to push leaflets imploring others to do so – is publicising against Brownhills Music Festival, to be held at The Shire Oak Inn, Shire Oak, Brownhills on Saturday August 17th, 2013.
I shan’t comment on the bad grammar, topsy-turvy bullet points or curmudgeonly tone – heavens, I may be guilty of any of those myself – but I would like to point out that had the author included contact details, Paul Green, the event organiser would have only been too happy to explain in person that he’s booked parking at the Shire Oak School and is currently also in negotiation with Golds, over the road, to provide even more.
Paul would also have explained, no doubt, that he is indeed hoping to expand the project to wider horizons and a more rural location the following year, but is starting small to see how it goes.
Paul could have told the complainant that actually, he’s a resident of Shire Oak, too.
He might also have pointed out that I’m not his promoter, just a man with a local blog who saw a great local project and profiled it for the benefit of locals, because we don’t get much live music hereabouts, and this seems like an excellently organised and well thought out project.
Paul is happy to explain all this in person. Just call the number.
I asked Paul about the parking issue. He said:
We have come to an agreement to park at Shire Oak School (entrance from Lichfield Road gate). There will probably be a nominal charge for this as we’re having to pay for the privilege, and for the caretakers time (and for insurance also). This is a done deal! I’m also negotiating with Golds also but this is not firmed up as yet. If it happens with Golds it will be a bonus, but not the end of the world as we already have the school.
Paul also sent this message to the leaflet’s author:
The Brownhills Music Festival was started from nothing, with no money but just tons of good will.
We chose to stage it at the Shire Oak pub because we needed somewhere with the infrastructure to host it. We’re aware that the location is not ideal but we needed somewhere that was financially viable and judging by the lack of interest in commercial sponsorship its a good job we did.
The festival was only ever going to be at the Shire Oak for ONE YEAR ONLY. We have much grander plans for a huge event next year but we had to start somewhere. This is just one day and we would hope that even the grumpiest of people could tolerate a little bit of disruption JUST FOR ONE DAY IN 2013.
Like I said, next year if we have a good event this year (and all indications are that it will be awesome) it will be a two day event, in a field with camping etc but please remember we had to start somewhere!
I cannot quite believe that a tiny minority of the members of our community are so small minded and petty that they cannot accept such an thing for a single afternoon, even once a year. Frankly, I’d class intolerant, sniping neighbours more of a threat to the value of my house and neighbourhood that a bit of ‘loud amplified guitar music’ any day of the week.
To Mr. or Mrs. Happy, whoever you are, I say this: this is going to be a great do, with a wide variety of acts and a great community atmosphere. No, we can’t all like the same stuff, but if anyone makes moves to stage this sort of event, and puts in the sheer hard work into it that Paul has, you at least owe them the time and grace to contact them with your concerns. You may have been pleasantly surprised.
Thanks also for the promotion, but I’m no promoter, just a man who loves the bones of this community, and welcomes those who want to do something to promote it.
In conclusion, I love a bit of loud, amplified guitar music. Especially if it’s laden with moral turpitude. Brownhills and it’s environs has some great practitioners of the art. Combine that with the company of good people, in a positive community atmosphere at a great pub and hopefully decent weather, and you’ve got something to be proud of, particularly as it’s free, and also hopes to raise a little bit for charity.
You can find out more about the Brownhills Music Festival 2013 from this post, the festival website, their Facebook Page or twatter account.