Are there any other than Egham? Most others seem to be too far away to make it worthwhile for me for a day trip and I really would like more performance experience.

If there aren't would anyone be interested in an adult learners, or general forum event in the Tunbridge Wells area? I have a couple of venues in mind (both with Yamaha grand pianos available) and with easy(ish) access to train stations.

I'm not too far from you, so would be interested in attending.

I would be interested in any event that is reachable by train in 2 hours or less Like you, I can't do more than a day trip and a train journey longer than 3 hours is not feasible...

Long distance forum event goers of the world (well, the UK) unite!

I didn't particularly want to reveal this on the forum until a little later in the year, but as this thread has started, I'd better say now : Vicky Violin and I are looking into the possibility of a London area gathering of some sort in September-ish sort of time. No guarantees yet, but watch this space.

Since the forum events are so unimportant to me clearly, I have no idea why I volunteer to accompany at every one I can attend. It's true that it doesn't matter if I'm there or not, there are other pianists - this isn't meant to be some sort of poor-me thing.

I'm against the idea that attendance at every forum event no matter how far away they are is some sort of the only proof that one supports these things. That's all.

Now I'm going to stop hijacking Impressionist's thread. All the best with organising it, if it happens, I'm interested. And I can accompany if my services are required.

I'd be interested, and am happy to help any way I can

I'd be up for anything and everything in the southern half of the country. I'm not averse to travelling up north (or to anywhere, really) if I'm free, but it's nice to be more local as well.

Confused

This is ridiculous.

If people have the time and money to travel huge distances for a forum event, great! If people would rather organise an event locally, great! I've walked to local events and travelled for 5 hours to another event. I supported both equally and would never judge someone for not committing a huge chunk of their time to travelling to events.

Everyone has different priorities. I wouldn't make travelling to an event in the South a priority - doesn't mean I don't support it. Impressionist, please don't feel you need to avoid the forum, most of us completely understand.

Wow! Poor Impressionist! I can't believe the reaction here.

I (when I was DaisyChain) have travelled up north, across to Wales, to the Midlands, to Gloucester, as well as more locally to forum events. I was working full time then so could afford a B & B for a night or two. Now I'm not working, I have to assess where I can travel to, and whether or not it's feasible (financially). I'm from Kent, so an event more local to me would be welcome.

This year, I will mainly be keeping to events that I can get to in a few of hours or so. If this makes it "wrong" that I'm not going further afield, then so be it. It doesn't mean I can't be bothered with events- I've met some good friends on here by travelling around.

Don't be put off, Impressionist.

You were right first time, b-c!

I've twice timed a trip home to catch a Forum event - but looks like it won't be possible this year.

I certainly don't expect other people to be such mad travellers.

I agree with primose.piano (didn't realise that you were back )
So I also hope you aren't put off, Impressionist. I'd sign up if at all feasible.

I hope so too, but I fear the damage is done

Regular forum event watchers will know we've had house parties, courtesy of ali bali bee, in the Tunbridge Wells area, so there is a precedent for events there.

I'm still going to move forward with the proposed London event with Vicky Violin, too

I'm not sure what someone was trying to demonstrate...

However, we all have our limitations whether it be financial, health, family commitments, etc and it is those that dictate what we are able to support.

I don't have a family, so I have a certain freedom that others do not. I do have responsibilities to my elderly mother who does not drive, but at the present, she's in reasonable health and I pop in several times a week to help out. I am lucky, I am happy to drive anywhere within about a couple of hours each way in a day, so I was able to do Gloucester last year. Manchester is an hour away so no problem there (other than I have concert commitments that day).

I would like to go to Glasgow, but that's a four hour drive each way and needs an overnight stop and as it currently stands I have a conflict with something else, which might get resolved... Trains would be very difficult with cello and/or viol but sax would be OK.

I have taken the decision to organise a forum event as I would like to see one in my area. I realise that there will be some work involved. The biggest challenge is finding a venue which is suitable and that can be hard to resolve.

We should accept that people are individuals and each has their own reasons for what decisions they make and what they are able to support. It is not the role of others to criticise those decisions. Encourage people to go to events? By all means. Criticism seems out of place.

Sorry for the long post.

Good morning! I do hope you've managed to get out of bed on a better side today.

Tenor Viol, Barry, and others, well said.

I'm somewhat ashamed to say that I have a disgraceful record of non-attendance at forum events, despite living in the south-east and within fairly easy reach of some pretty regular ones. It's mostly down to other commitments, but still the cause of much regret.

At the same time I am overjoyed that all these things are thriving, and I follow happenings with great interest. It seems to me that the turn this thread took at one point last night was pretty much out of character.

Impressionist - hope you are still there ?

Impressionist, Tunbridge Wells would be great. It was lovely to meet you at Egham.

Hi Impressionist. Thanks for offering to organise this. I'd be interested, depending obviously on the date.

Morning everyone. I didn't post again last evening as I decided to step away from the computer to calm down.

Thanks for the kind words and the pms. I will reply to them soon.

I've had an apology from StuMac and I think it probably best if I get this thread locked and/or deleted. I'll start a new one if I decide to go ahead with organising an event in Kent.