We came, we saw, we PIED!!!!

Thanks so much to everyone who attended - we had an epic time. Those who missed out - your bad! It's the folks who come to play who make these events - wthout you it simply wouldn't happen....which brings me to a sad note......

I fear I won't be hosting another event like this - to be honest the hours put in organising, setting up, cleaning up, thinking up new games, trying to drum up interest.....it's too much I'm afraid. Some of you may be aware that I have had some heaalth problems come to light in the past year, which maaybe getting better, but I'm not getting any younger (wrong side of 40, nearer 50!) and my physical health is suffering in several ways (won't bore you with details).
IF I could find a venue with proper wet room/shower facilities (THI do a grand job, but we have to play outside, which means the weather plays a very important factor) clean up would be so much easier. As yet, I haven't found a North West Venue with such facilities
IF more people would actually come and play it would be more economically viable. Much as I love getting messy and getting other people messy, I am not a charity & cannot do it for free. Every event I have hosted have either been out of pocket or only just broke even.

What really bugs is the fact that people will say "oh yes, pleaase count me in....blah blah" and then I don't hear anything back, despite me sending PM's, bumping the posts etc I feel I am banging my head on a brick wall....

So, that's it......I will gladly support anyone who takes up the challenge of hosting messy events...even attend if can, but in the words of the good old Loony Tunes cartoons......."That's All, Folks"

Jo xxx

I'm sorry to hear that Jojo. It seems to be something we see a lot of here, and a reason why there aren't more events. Geographically speaking, some of us are so far it makes it logistically impossible. I was truly in awe of the turn out for the UMD birthday get together.

I think when you want to throw events you have to do them one of two ways.

1. Hey, I'm doing this at x time, at y place, show up if you want. Which is sort of how the UMD event started. Messmaster and Messmistress were already going to Vegas and just sort of up it out there for anyone else to show up. Once there, everyone sort of did their own things.

2. Treat it like a planned pre-paid event like JnC has done in the past with the London Splosh Games. They might be a good person to even talk to about that, or perhaps the Moomins. It IS a massive undertaking.

I'm also sorry to hear about your health issues, sadly 'life is a fatal disease' to put it mildly. I've certainly had my share to do just in this past year. I wish you the best in your fight for your health, and feel free to post about your challenges or if you need advice here. Others have in the past.

Best wishes!

Hi Jo
Totally agree with Tina, its terrible news that events have come to this
but it is perfectly understandable and even the fun of a great day doesn't dissipate the frustration and disappointment at regular no shows and incurring a loss.
The effort alone to put on events, before, during and after, deserved a greater return.
All I want to say though is that I consider myself fortunate beyond belief to have found you and your events, not only has it given me so much personal delight to break down my barriers and partake in something I love, but its also opened my eyes to view a world with a wider vista of opportunity to grasp and endulge in. I have also got to meet folks who have given me a whole new apsect on life for the better. Some of you reading this may scoff & think my tone is too effusive, but I can only counter by saying from the shy, slightly bitter and unhappy base I started from, the process of getting into a world of messy has been revelatory.
My friends who have been with me at Jo's events, know this is how is feel.
Jo, you know how special you are to me & how much genuine affection I have for you
Going to your events has brought me to this point where I feel confident to share those thoughts with all umd contributors and if I could I would yell it out to the world.

Thanks all for your thoughts and comments. Let me say this - "never say never", but I have to stick to my guns for now. It IS a logistical nightmare trying to do this kind of thing when you only have "domestic" tools and facilities at your disposal. Nevertheless, we have had some great times and a load of fun......who knows, we may win the lottery & I might get the huge wet room I so desire.....

In the meantime, maybe you can focus on events that others are doing. There are no shortage of splunches and meetups in the UK. I don't know what the travel is like for you, but building rapports and friendships with some of the other members and producers will mathematically create more opportunities!

I already do, chuck. I have travelled far and wide in the UK to splunches (even organised a couple) and have had the pleasure of filming with Candy, Messymayhem (to fill in for a no show at short notice) and tried to start a BBW Wam site.....it's not for want of trying...

I would have loved to have made it Jojo. Awkward with work and home though. Really sorry and hope I gave enough notice. Gutted to have missed it. If you change your mind cout me in!

No worries on your part - you gave more than enough notice. I do understand that we all have real life to deal with, and it's not always easy to make a trip out to an event.....been there, made the apologies myself many times! Just always seems to be a battle drumming up interest....