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Liphook Carnival - Ben Lawrance (24th Sep 2005 - 00:06:37) After digesting some of the comments made about "Gig In The Garden" It started me thinking. The main emphasis of the "complaints" was the noise level. Is, or is not the Carnival more than or equal to the same "noise" level than "Gig In The Garden". My answer would be that the carnival would create more noise. Lots of floats with noisy generators, loud sound systems, and poeple shouting because of such noise. This is then spread accros the entire village. Add to that the noise of the rather pointless PA system in the square, trying to contend with a mass amount of people on the streets. Ok. We have established that the Carnival makes more noise. What about closing the roads for the evening. That surely has to annoy a fair few people. The Fun fair on the village green. Lots of noise there, combined with lot's of people drinking and having fun. The bonfire in Radford park, with the fireworks. I know for a fact that children live near by. How will they be able to sleep. Have people no feelings!! So my question is. How is it correct to have one event in the village, and have every one say how good it was, when we have another event, that causes less annoyance (sp?) to people (over less time) and people start having a go. Answers on a postcard.

Re: Liphook Carnival - Helen (25th Sep 2005 - 10:41:28) Hi Ben For me, it wasn't the actual noise level of your event but the content of it! My sons actually enjoyed listening to the music but I didn't like the bad language that the groups used - we won't get that with the carnival! (hopefully!!) and of course the carnival is a chance for the whole village to become involved not just a select few (my sons included) who like songs to be screamed at them (sound just like my mum did to me!!) Don't take all the comments to heart, I hope you keep your enthusiasm- anything for the youth in this village is surely a good thing but for us parents we'd rather not know that they know those words.....

Re: Liphook Carnival - Alex Cameron (25th Sep 2005 - 12:23:58) Ben - as you know i'm a huge fan of live music in the village, but its a very bad analogy. Put simply, the carnival is an event that's considerably more inclusive than a 'battle of the bands' style hard rock gig. One involves the whole village, the other just pub-goers (you catch my drift anyway).

Re: Liphook Carnival - gr (25th Sep 2005 - 20:48:44) Well all I can say is well done to Ben for organising an event where the whole village could have gone if they had wanted too. JUst because a few did not like the style of music played maybe they will make the effort to hold there own open air gig. Remember this is a village still we are all responsible in what ever small way to make life pleasant FOR ALL Im sure you will remember a saying that goes something like " You can please some of the people some of the time but you cannot please all of the people all of then time " Come on people give Ben a break at least he tried to do something for the village. ( as quite a few people do ) I wonder if the complainers are among them ............ I sure these comment will get a few responses but the gig is over and done with . LEAVE it that Maybe next time if you are all polite and ask nice Ben will turn the amps down from 10 to 9 ( Or for all those Spinal Tap fans form 11 down to 10 ) Hope to see and hear you all at Liphooks greatest event the Carnival

Re: Liphook Carnival - Ben Lawrance (25th Sep 2005 - 23:06:49) I agree with what you say, about the carnival being for everybody, but the point i was making was the complaints about the noise. Forget that it was an outdoor concert, but instead a rather exciting week at the W.I, that produced that same amount of "noise". People would still complain. Why is the carnival so glamed up??? I have prooved in my last post that it makes more than or equal amount of noise. For a longer period of time. People don't complain about it though. What if i were to put my rig on the back of a lorry, and parade it around the village with a few ballons and a hand full of streamers. Would people complain then? I apologise if I sound a little miffed about this subject, but when i have worked non stop on the event for over 4 months, and people complain. It ticks me off.

Re: Liphook Carnival - Alex Cameron (26th Sep 2005 - 10:59:44) I'd argue that it's exactly because you spent so much time working hard on the project that you're having difficulty seeing things objectively. It was clearly a success and for that a lot of people have congratulated you. I'd stick with the lorry idea when you're debating the point as its more accurate. Personally i would go mad if someone organised an outdoor event which played funeral music at 130db for 5 hours. Bear in mind the carnival is something people are used to as its been with us for decades and is expected every year. The PA isn't used to broadcast swearing or deafening guitar feedback. I wouldn't worry about the detractors - just make sure you give people lots of notice and take some of the points on board. There are always going to be a few who object, but don't let them distract you from moving on. Out of interest, ever considered putting something on for the complainers, like an family-friendly easy-listening afternoon or something? :)

Re: Liphook Carnival - liz (26th Sep 2005 - 11:07:05) Ben your attitude has created a lot of bad feeling towards the 'Gig in the Garden' which is a pity, any sizeable event will generate some criticism. You should be able to cope with it or pass the organisation to someone who can. Please do not try to spoil general local goodwill towards the Carnival.

Re: Liphook Carnival - Nat (27th Sep 2005 - 16:45:06) im afraid i have to agree with liz on this one though im sure your event was great ben infact i had planned on going but had to work instead. i cant imagine that anyone doubts that you put in weeks of hard work to get the event off the ground and im sure the majority enjoyed the evening. my personal opinion is that if you didnt want all this chit chat dont post replies to minority opinions just think what a good event it was and get on with the next. however i was a little surprized at your opinion on the carnival, is it not you ben who helps a certain dance group with their carnival float???? the carnival as others have said has been going in liphook now for over 100 years so every one is well used to it but that is not to say that those who are involved in the organization of it dont get the odd moan from the community because im pretty sure they do. it takes a whole year to make sure everything is done correctly to get the night under way and they've only got about 10 people to help organise things!!!!! also i feel a valid point can be made regarding noise and carnival. a few years back we got behind another float whos sound system was just to much, that befor they moved off the police actually told them it had to be turned down in the interest of those on the float and in the crowd. and anyway when was the last time anyone used balloons steamers on their float??? i think they went out with egg boxes and crepe paper didnt they? i for one cant wait for the carnival its a great thing see and be part of. our float as im sure are many others is getting under way with costumes and routines(no stopping in the square this year remember) being worked on, the excitment is creeping up on everyone already.

Re: Liphook Carnival - Eneida (28th Sep 2005 - 09:45:48) Hi What's the date for the Carnival this year?? Eneida

Re: Liphook Carnival - nat (28th Sep 2005 - 11:37:28) hello it is always the night the clocks go back which this year is the 29th of october :-)

Re: Liphook Carnival - Alex Cameron (29th Sep 2005 - 14:49:29) Ben - any sympathy i had for you went flying out the window when i saw the headline on today's Liphook Herald ("Complaining residents put concert at risk"). Don't ever go for a job in PR - what was a pathetically small issue is now front page news simply because of what appears to be your immaturity. How very, very sad.

Re: Liphook Carnival - Chris (29th Sep 2005 - 19:48:07) The best bit about the article must be the inarticulate bumblings of "Jez", "owner" of the Anchor. What's on your mind "Jez", the custom you might gain from hosting the event or the lack of custom that will probably result from having hosted it now that it has received so much adverse publicity?

Re: Liphook Carnival - James Arbuthnot (30th Sep 2005 - 12:16:47) Time for my apology. Some years ago, after I had been to the Liphook Carnival in pouring rain, I wondered aloud why it was always held at the end of October. The answer, of course, is that Liphook for some decades has liked it that way, and that being so it was nothing to do with me as the local MP to question it. The trouble was, my wondering aloud was done on the telephone to a reporter from the Petersfield Post, who specifically asked me, what do you think of the timing of the Carnival? And I told him, though only after saying that it was a decision for local people and if that was the way they liked it, then it was really not for me to express an opinion (none of that got in the paper). So why on earth did I then do so? I wish I knew. It did not go down well, understandably, and this Talkback gives me the chance to say - Sorry.

Re: Liphook Carnival - Chris (1st Oct 2005 - 06:42:15) ...isn't the timing more to do with the advent of bonfire night which, being early November, is more likely to be subject to unpredictable weather? Rain or not, its a great event, not to be missed and certainly of more relevance to the community as a whole than a pub based evening of swearing and mis-timed guitar feedback ... not to mention the Anchor's beer sales targets.

Re: Liphook Carnival - Freddie Dawkins (1st Oct 2005 - 10:18:43) Ben - I was not around for the Gig, but those I've spoken to have all said how good it was and what a fantastic day they had. I was in the Black Fox last night, and a lot of people were talking about this week's Herald story and Jez's comments etc. I think you should take a lot of credit for what you organised and not take the criticisms too hard. As a Parish Councillor, if you want to think about the Millennium Centre, come and talk to us. There is the amphitheatre and the Village Green, which is rarely used and makes a great arena for an audience. In fact, there's a hog roast been turning in the amphitheatre since 07.30 this morning, in preparation for tonight's Fireman's Grand Ball thingy here at the Centre from 8pm. More power to you and your music interests. Freddie Dawkins

Re: Liphook Carnival - Tom Langsotn (4th Oct 2005 - 15:45:46) OK My band played at gig in the Garden and we had the time of our lives, Now this is a double edge argument, Ben I see what you are on about, its always a huge let down when people go at your hard work, but it happens. If you cant deal with both sides of the critism dont read the reviews. I think the argument from one lady is vallied, It was not the noise some people complained at but the language. I think we were clean(ish) I know we have a few bad words i a few songs but it is hardly noticeable. Some bands however, were very rude just talking to each other and between songs. For me, I'm used to it as I have not got kids. I dont care. I can just turn off and ignore people. But kids dont, so you sold it as a family event and it was great to see such a diverse crowd there, but you either need to make it family orientated and vet the bands or make it pub age and put on anyone. Like I say we can easily drop the swear words if asked but some bands stick fingers up to changing material. I hope this event can run again it was a great night and we run, I think Ben did a great job before hand in setting up everything, however i have not read any local press since.

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