General Discussion

'ello everyone. this is my first post and i'm glad to be here.

so i remember coming down to dawlish for the first snooky fest and i thought it was absolutely great. unfortunately, by the time the second one came round, i couldn't make it, but what i heard/seen of it sounded just as good.

what i'm wondering, though, is how much was raised last year in comparison to this year? while i didn't get to have a looky at the snooky, i did look on the charity commission website and there haven't been any accounts since 2016.

so what's the deal? i'd be quite happy to know.

Not sure what you’re implying. 

The charity commission website clearly shows the most recently submitted accounts in January this year. These were for the year up to March 2017, so obviously don’t include last years Snooky Fest. 

Hopefully last years and this years event will have helped the charity raise far more than in previous years. 

@ Mobeen Dabigman

Agreed.

It wouldn't have hurt to have put an announcement in the local paper thanking everybody for their support with the amount raised as well.

@Diana Mond

well, i think it's a polite enquiry, i don't see any implication, but please, feel free to correct me. i'd just like to know how much a charity i've supported has raised. simple as that.

@mobeen 

Your nice polite attitude asking a valid question is refreshing. Sorry but I don't think you will fit in here.

@mobeen @Calamari

See above for "announcement in the local paper thanking everybody for their support with the amount raised as well."

It takes months for all of the concessions to pay in their donations so no final figure is available yet for SF2018.

That’s excellent Huw. 

Thanks DM.

It takes a fair bit of time to organise SF.

We also have to wait for some organisations to do their final accounts for the year before they chip in.

We'd love to say how much was raised immediately but the truth is that we don't know until the traders donations are in.

Hopefully everyone had a good time this year and with continuing local support we can do it again next year.

If anyone really wants to help us out please let us know on the website - we could do with a few extra hands for clearing up/packing away on the Sunday.

Thanks in advance.

Sorry Huw, I can only assume that MobeenDaBigMan and Calamari haven’t had access to the Internet this weekend to be able to say thank you to you. 

nice find, huw, i’m well grateful for that, mate, so cheers for that.

now then... @Diana Mond …

your attempt to have a pop at me was actually spot on. my internet really was down this past weekend because of changing providers. that’s not really your business, but i’d rather be upfront rather than let you paint me out as someone so impolite that i’d completely ignore an answerer to a question i asked in the first place, purely because you feel the need for supremacy.

but what about this, though? first contribution and i’m welcomed with this, how nice of you(!) no need to be so argumentative, is there? i got no “welcome to dawlish.com, happy to have you here” from you, did i? (not bashing anyone else who didn’t because you guys seem proper chilled out and i like that) and you’re gonna try to make me look impolite? but you don’t care about that, do you? i bet you’re just trying to tell me who’s the boss round here, right? do you get off on it or something? that feeling of control? sort yourself out. worth saying that i don’t live in dawlish, but i have family in dawlish and i come down regularly. you, diana, are an exception to an otherwise-lovely community.

would you behave like this in a face-to-face conversation, or are you acting as you are because you can hide behind a screen? you’re anonymous, so why not? we don’t know what you look like or where you live…so why worry about what you say? ever heard of this thing called cyberbullying, diana? we’re in a more technology-based world now, you see? for example, we got music streaming now. but if you bought a cd, the songs are no different.
same thing, different package.
likewise, there’s cyberbullying now. nobody’s beating people up anymore. there’s abusive xbox chat, revenge porn and picking on users of dawlish.com for that.
same thing, different package.
being behind a screen doesn’t change what you are. but don’t think for a minute that you have left me crying myself to sleep because, believe me, they’ve done the opposite. you’re laughable, mate. and i thought trolling was dead!

you could argue that you’re just pointing out i should be grateful, and if you’re really gonna stick to that, i don’t think you’ve paid enough attention. so read it again, diana. i want every word from this to get soaked into your brain, then you’ll wake up from whatever trance you’re in.
every.
single.
word.

i’m not being a hypocrite and cyberbullying you. all i’m doing is defending myself. i’m still new to dawlish.com, so i know where i stand – but i am not gonna let you make me look like i’m fresh outta guantanamo when i’m actually a lovely little soul.

diana, just understand this:
i’m not putting myself up on a pedestal when i’m saying all of this.
i’m just knocking you off of yours.

@Mobeen Dabigman welcome to dawlish.com, and please don't pay too much attention to @Diana Mond.

@Diana Mond, please stop trolling users.

Have some of that Mrs c and go and sit on the naughty step indefinitely.

He or She will soon be back with a new name.

Any suggestions for the new name, keep them to yourselves, unless they are complimentary ones.

This is like an episode of Call My Bluff. 

Back to the naughty step for you. 

Not a chance Elvis!!!

I live in a bungalow.

Just like DaSoCalledBigMan, there’s nothing upstairs...

#RobertRobinson

Oh dear, a bungalow,  can't you afford an upstairs?  Back to the naughty step for you.

Oh and by the way it's Mr Presley to you.

Elvis, Elvis, Elvis. Don’t you know that bungalows have more value than two storey houses...?

#LipstickGate

ooh, someone's had a confidence boost! looks like you started to listen to me, to elvis - then you couldn't help but attempt at the last laugh. honestly, i do applaud you for that.

but i know what the case is. it's relatively late, but considering you've had a while to say i got "nothing upstairs", why not do it when you got your best friend alcohol on your side? you probably wanted to say it all day, eager to, then a few drinks made you brave. i mean, you've become brave enough to ignore webmaster instructions to "please stop trolling users". you then proceed to imply that i'm braindead.

and do you know what i think to those comments?
"not sure what you're implying."

i got better things to do than to witness drunken bravery take over the mind and actions of mrs "look at me i got a bungalow". you won't see me replying to any more of it. now have a glass of water and chill out.

p.s. one more thing - please stop making references to things i have to google.

Bravo DaSoCalledBigMan. You insinuated malfeasance by the Snooky Trust, but got called out. Shame you can dish it out but start crying when you are challenged. Thanks for visiting, it’s been a pleasure. 

#AckaRaga

#GoogleIt

Goodbye Diana Mond

Goodbye Bob Chapman. 

the combination of me having literally nothing to do on this night and me getting emails whenever you big yourself up is a blessing but a curse.

i'm tired of wasting my time on someone so stuck-up and delusional. all i'm gonna say is if you think you've called me out, challenged me and left me crying, you're even more laughable than i first thought. all you've done is be argumentative, incorrectly call me rude, quite intentionally call me dumb and attempt to demean me by not addressing me appropriately, but as "dasocalledbigman" instead. and while you're saying all this about me, nobody has stood up and defended you. now if that doesn't say you should sort yourself out, i don't know what will.
i really could go on and on, but as i said, i'm tired of wasting my time on someone like you. you, however, must have all the time in the world to try and big yourself up so much in order to feel good about yourself. i'm sorry to say i'm not afraid of you.

stop going for the crown when you don't even have royal blood.

i'm done with you now. sorry, webmaster, for you shouldn't have to waste your time on this. i know you said to leave it, and this is where i'll do that. i got better things to do than worry about what diana mond is saying about me. to everyone else on dawlish.com i'll see you soon.

and in the spirit of being told to google things that aren't relevant at all and putting them in hashtag form,

#headlikeahole

p.s. i checked out what you said to google, as i said, i got nothing to do. i saw it was a song and gave it a listen. i'm more into my nine inch nails and marilyn manson at the moment (y'know, gotta rep the antichrist superstar), but that was a decent tune with the sitars and that. good production. everything else you have said is utter dross.

All in favour of Diana mond , owing to her conduct, being banned please say ".Aye".

@elvis presley, yes you are right. I've banned the Diana Mond again. Diana Mond's attack on @Mobeen Dabigman is just not acceptable. I get the impression that the user behind Diana Mond is trying to put off new users and get rid of existing ones.

Thank you webmaster

oh, it was just starting to get fun!

i'm obviously joking. never thought i'd be fresh bait for the local troll when i first signed up and glad to hear it's finally over. webmaster, i'm very appreciative of you seeing where i'm coming from, despite my admittedly choice words. i still stand by them, though, because someone had to say it. i must repeat myself, i can only apologise for you shouldn't have had to put up with all this. i can assure you i'll play much nicer now. unless we have a repeat of events, that is.

i also must thank anyone who agreed with what i had to say, especially the king of rock 'n' roll himself. you lot have been great and only proves my point that mond is the exception to an otherwise-lovely community. see you all soon.

yours truly,
"dasocalledbigman"

I'm not sure who's trolling who here anymore!

Time I left again.

Let's try and get back on topic shall we?  

The Snooky Fest raised (the last figure posted here) a little over 4k from the July 2017 event - but not all the funds were in by Feb 2018?  A final figure should be available by now and passed to the Charity Commission?  

Likewise, surely there should be some indication of the amount raised from the 2018 event by now? 

Local residents have a lot of charity events etc to tolerate - not everybody is in the mood for them all the time.  There is also 'Charity Fatigue' to consider.  The general public get asked to put their hand in their pocket every two minutes for a multitude of charities, both local and national/international.

I'm also aware that, as is the case with a lot of charities, the Snooky Trust relies heavily on free labour (volunteers), and I would have thought they deserved to know what their efforts achieved, even if the final figures aren't available just yet (2017 figures should all be in by now).

If the Snooky Trust can demonstrate they can actually raise a reasonable sum of money, then good on them - let's hope in five years time we're seeing A list acts, demanding a high ticket price, raising buckets of money for charity, and providing an annual event Dawlish and the surrounding area can be truely proud of. 

But frankly just over 4k could have been raised through the year by shaking a bucket outside Sainsburys on a weekend.  

What Dawlish needs to know is this - does the Snooky Fest provide value for money?  Is it worth the unpaid efforts of dozens of people, administration by the local authority for permits etc?  

I'm not saying the Snooky Fest isn't fun, enjoyable, full of good intentions etc.  What I am saying is - is it really worth it and where is the evidence to support this?  

The number of man hours used (free or paid) to run the 2017 Fest to only raise 4.2k?  How very disappointing for all concerned.  I'm surprised they had the enthusiasum to bother again.

@HuwMathews2, I too am not sure either. Diana Mond was the first and then others joined in so it looks.

But please everyone, stop the personal attacks. If someone is trolling or being abusive, report it or contact me by email (faster) which is also now here - http://www.dawlish.com/user/details/20

Sigh.......

I feel I have to respond to Ol' Lady Biker's comment even though I didn't want to.

1. Snooky Fest is organised by 5 people (none of whom are paid).

2. The event on the day is run by (primarily) family & friends - I assume you're talking about the Marshals, Gate Staff here - who volunteer their time to do it - and seem to enjoy doing so (obviously they don't pay for tickets for the day although some still make a donation).

3. There is a charge made for admin costs to TDC for permits etc which is paid from the proceeds of the event.

4. £4.2k is a 'reasonable amount' for a small charity like The Snooky Trust however, that's not the only benefit to the charity. The fact of getting the charity name 'out there' in such a positive way is invaluable too.

5. You mention 'charity fatigue'. By putting on Snooky Fest we're not asking for donations for nothing. We're offering a music festival in return for money (tickets). Judging by the comments received following the event pretty much everyone seems to have a good day.

6. (And this is important) We also provide something to get Dawlish people (including families) together and having a nice time. What price can you put on that? There's precious little going on in the town now so anything that can add to that is surely welcome (?).

7. I have explained why no figures have yet been produced for SF 2018 so I won't do that again. The figure for 2017 is merely a few quid out so it was not worth re-publishing (I am sure I can get an exact figure if it means that much to you).

8. If we, the organisers, are still enthusiatic about the event - and are not disappointed about a) revenue and b) seeing 1500 odd people having a great time - what business is it of yours to question why 'we bother'?

9. If you would like to 'shake a bucket' for The Snooky Trust outside Sainsbury's on weekends until you raise £4.2k I'm sure they'll be very grateful. In the meantime we'll carry on doing what we do and raise the same in one day whilst also giving people a great time.

10. Thank you for your support - It's really no wonder that not much like Snooky Fest is put on in the town (Erectus Non Elatus!). 

I should point out that these comments are mine alone (I am a member of the Snooky Fest organising team but have not run my comments passed the rest of the guys) and they do not necessarily reflect those of The Snooky Trust Charity of which I am (other than SFest) not connected with.

BTW : Huw Matthews is my real name - I don't hide behind pseudonyms - I'm in the phone book if you would like to discuss further!

Well!  Someone got out of bed the wrong side!

This is a VERY vociferous defence to two quite innocuous questions/points of view.

I wonder why?

Glad to hear you're in the phone book.  If I ever want to talk to you I'll do it face to face.  I find people are usually much kinder when they're not behind a keyboard, with or without alcohol.

You've not really done the Snooky Fest any favours with this rant, have you?  You've come across as aggressive and highly defensive.  As you are involved with the Snooky Trust, perhaps you should have left it to them to defend or ignore my points of view?

Next time, sleep on it before you hit send.

With L&R

Thank you Huw for a very calm, level-headed and clear explanation and for all you, and the many other charity volunteers (for whatever charity they volunteer) do for the people of this town.  And although I've never been to Snooky Fest, congratulations on another successful event which clearly brought pleasure to so many and also helped raise money for the charity and its profile all at the same time.

"Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they are priceless" - Sherry Anderson.

@HuwMatthews2.

I'd consider going ex directory, if I were you. You could get a load of hairy arsed HA on your doorstep.

@elvis presley (perhaps the only person on here with a sense of humour?)

Whilst I am privileged to count many 'real' bikers amongst my friends and family - I've never needed a man to fight my corner and I don't intend to start now - lol!

L&R

@'Ol Lady Biker

you'll send lady HA then?

@'Ol lady Biker

Nicely turned around - unfortunately most can see through it though.

I think I've put my case across to most reasonable people. I'm not going to get into a barney with you as it would be pointless.

We'll publish the income from SF2018 as soon as we have it (Please note that last year that took until February).

If you still don't understand I am more than happy to meet you to explain it if you would like me to.

@DJ

Thank you.

Huw, at the outset I feel I should explain that I mean no disrespect to anyone involved with the Snooky Trust.  I am sure you all work very hard and put on a great event.  As you rightly said, local feedback is positive.

The only point I was trying to get across (and this applies to all Charities, large or small) - is there a way to work smarter rather than harder?

Whatever the 'feelgood' factor of a Charity, their purpose is to help people in need.  I think we can agree on that.  

Most Charities, in my personal experience, want the best 'bang' for their 'buck'.  Whenever money is invested in order to generate more money (advertising, promotion etc), the very least any business would expect is a 1:4 return.  So, to be clear, for every £1 spent, £4 is generated.  

I've taken a look at the Charity Commission Website and I've found the following:

So perhaps the question I should have asked you is this:

What was the percentage profit generated by the Snooky Fest Event?  For every pound the Snooky Trust spent, how much did it raise?

I've used the above information to provide a expenditure Vs funds raised ratio:

As you can see, The Snooky Trust, based on the information held on the Charity Commission website, shows that on average, the Snooky Trust has to spend £1 in order to raise 18p.  

Like I said, I'm not doubting the commitment, effort and passion of all those involved with Charities.  I am questioning if those supporting the Snooky Trust are aware that for every £1 they have donated in the past, 82p of it hasn't reached the end user?

I was delighted to hear that approx 1500 went to the Snooky Fest.  This should generate circa 30k in revenue, based on advertised ticket prices etc.  Let's hope that more than 18% of it's income reaches those that need it.

All the best, with love and respect

x

You're forgetting that kids go free in your analysis therefore generated income is less than you would expect from the attendance. It's intended to be a 'family event'.

I am only involved with 'Snooky Fest' not 'The Snooky Trust' but I can say that the event is self-financing. By that I mean that ticket sales pays for the event AND generates a profit which goes to 'The Snooky Trust'. Therefore it costs the charity nothing to put on. 

So in effect Snooky Fest provides a great day out for everyone attending and generates income for the charity. Win;Win! :)

Best Wishes

Huw

I've never run a charity or had to produce accounts for one (and I have no connection whatsoever with Snooky Trust) - but a quick look at the Charity Commission website seems to indicate that the Snooky Trust have to produce fairly simple/basic accounts because their income is below £25,000 pa at the moment.  On that basis, surely the Income vs Spending is not Income vs just cost of fundraising, but Income vs money spent on the very worthwhile work that they do and I quote from the Charity Commision website here "To raise funds through shop and promotion of musical gigs to assist in the treatment and care of young adults residing permanently in Devon suffering from physical illness of any description and through the relief of financial hardship".  So surely that "Spending" listed, is actually the money they spend helping people AS WELL as the money used to generate their income.  I am happy to be corrected if I've read that wrong, but that is how it looks to me.

Hi DJ,

no, I don't think that's how it works based on what else I looked at, but I do have to say the website is quite ambiguious.  

Looking at other local Charities, the Snooky Trust doesn't do too bad with an admin rate of 82%.  I had quite an educational half hour and I was amazed to see even higher rates than that from one local Charity.

Yes, 25k is the point where detailed accounts kick in.  I'm sure SF2019 will break this barrier, if indeed it hasn't with SF2018.