I have never seen a job description for an Event Manager and admit to often making it up as I go along.
Occasionally I ask myself am I doing it right but with an excellent team behind me, who can be vocal if they think I am overstepping the mark, help keep the whole festival planning in order.
I have been slightly distracted this month as more and more people have wished to hold parties and celebrations in Boston Manor Park. Sunshine makes such a difference to our social life. As part of the Friends of Boston Manor Team we have successfully delivered nine “mini events” this month.
We are getting a dab hand at cutting the crusts off sandwiches for the little darlings. So we have now had our warm up and are ready for action.
In the realisation that it is around six weeks to go I am stepping up the pace somewhat. With such an important event, attracting so many people systems are crucial. To the visitor and even the stall holder they see none of this but behind the scenes we have been running a tight ship.
Virginia Fasnidge year on year has proved invaluable as she meticulously sifts through and processes stall applications. As usual this year she will meet and greet everyone throughout the day and get the feedback which is so important in the planning for future events.
Tony Keavney who works for Continental Landscapes (who sponsor the event by providing manpower both on the day and before) is everything but the bottle washer. He has the glorious title of Chief Steward but in fact he is my right hand with my left hand being John Chesters, a volunteer, my sounding board who gives me the answer to everything I ask in a cool clam manner – even when I email him at midnight. Thanks guys –are you up for it next year?
In June I had hinted that there was a possible new sponsor on the horizon for the Brentford Festival. I can now confirm that the deal has been done and that ZTE UK Ltd are sponsoring one of the Music Stages.
Not only are they giving us a cheque for £3,000 but they are donating a staggering 20 mobile phones for our raffle. In case you have not gathered, they are a mobile phone company based in Brentford. Check their website out www.zte.com.cn . We have received some other wonderful donations for our raffle including a photographic session with Photographer DEBAL, a meal for 2 at Siracusa at Brentford Lock and … must clear my desk and find the list that the sponsorship team have compiled! Note to self, “put information of raffle prizes on website by end of August”
It makes me feel hungry as I look through the list of the catering vendors that are coming to the event this year. I never get a chance to try anything out but hope that it will be possible this year.
There just has to be something for everyone, new this year to name a few is Cidinha’s Mexican Way serving Chilli and the Weir Bar will be serving Champagne and Oysters. A new addition is Opera who will be selling both savoury and sweet crepes. Returning will be the Austrian Sausage man, various Caribbean cooks, fish and chip bites provided by The Lord Nelson and, as a reminder of the holiday I have not had, Valencian Paella from ChefdoParty which sounds very tempting.
We have been donated some tables and chairs so it looks like we can now have a proper food court. Don’t know about you but as I get older it is harder to get down to grass level.
The bands for the music stages have been signed up. A full programme of the events of the day will be published in the Chronicle. Towards the end of August.
We will also be printing 5,000 programmes for free distribution on the day (one which will have a lucky number on it to win a mobile phone). We are still taking orders for people to advertise in the programme so feel free to contact me if you wish to be involved and advertise yourself.
15,000 flyers are available for delivery throughout the borough. Are you able to deliver the flyers to your street/surrounding streets and help us advertise the event? It would help enormously. You can contact me via email but also call into the Pavilion Café in Boston Manor Park, Boston Manor Road, TW8 where stocks are held which is now open up until 4 p.m. 7 days per week during the school holidays.
I do not have many worries in life but, if there is anyone out there who can guarantee us a warmish dry free day I would appreciate it.
Linda Massey, July 2010
linda.massey@brentfordfestival.org.uk
