July update

Symposium News July

As we are now only 4 weeks away from the Symposium in Aberdeen here are a few updates about the event and practical matters for everyone coming to the event.

Please check with friends who are coming to ensure they have received this email.

 

Safety, Security and Wellbeing:

Please remember the following security arrangements that will be in place

  1. You must wear your Symposium ID badge at all times.
  2. Security staff will check all individuals each time they enter the building using scanners and visual bag checks.
  3. Liquids cannot be brought into the building, other than those with medical exemptions. Please bring a reusable water bottle (not glass) which can be filled from the water fountains.
  4. PLEASE REMEMBER YOU MUST NOT BRING ANY NUTS INTO THE BUILDING FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FELLOW RINGERS.

What To Bring: 

Please remember to bring your - bells, chimes, gloves, music, music stands, mallets, singing bell sticks, table covers…….

Registration Monday 3rd August:

Details of registration timings and arrangements will be sent in a final email about a week before the Symposium starts.

Friendship Reception Monday 3rd August 7.00 - 9.00pm:

After registration and the load in of bells and equipment on Monday 3rd August we are delighted to invite everyone to gather to meet old friends and to make new friends.  There will be a buffet available and P&J Live are sponsoring two drinks per person.  This will also be an opportunity to exchange pins and small gifts if you wish to do so.

Opening Ceremony and Group Photograph Tuesday 4th August:

The opening ceremony will mark the official start of our Symposium.  It will take place in the massed ringing hall – Hall C.  The ceremony will start at 9.15am on Tuesday 4th August.  Please be in your seats at your tables by 9.00am as there will be some notices before the ceremony starts.  Non-ringers please take a seat in the audience chairs at the front of the hall.  Please be ready to stand, if you are able, when the flag and Leader of your Guild enter the room.  Ringers and non-ringers from countries without a Guild please stand when your country is announced during the entry of the Symposium flag and Executive Director.

Once the Opening Ceremony is completed we will be taking the Group Photograph of everyone attending the Symposium.  Please consider what you wish to wear for the photograph.  The photograph will be available as a digital copy for everyone attending the Symposium.

Massed Ringing Etiquette:

So that everyone can make the most of the massed ringing rehearsals we would ask that everyone follows the following requests:

  1. Please be on time
  2. Please be ready to ring as directed by the conductor
  3. Please watch the conductor - they are there to help you
  4. When the conductor stops, please do not talk, listen to what the conductor says they would like everyone to do
  5. Please have mobile phones turned off or on silent.

Classes/Workshops and Ringing Tracks:

Thank you for completing your registrations for Classes/Workshops and Ringing Tracks.  For those of you have opted for ‘Free Time’ we have added an opportunity to Read & Ring in a session named ‘Free Time’ - Come and Ring!  There will be bells, music, a conductor and spaces for up to 40 ringers; why not give it a try?!

Massed Ringing Concert Saturday 8th August: 

Lord Provost of Aberdeen

We are delighted that The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Mr  David Cameron and his wife will be joining us as guests of honour at the concert on Saturday afternoon.  The Lord and Lady Provost are Aberdeen’s first citizens representing the whole of the city.

The order of pieces in the final concert on Saturday will be:

  1. The Prayer
  2. Tai Mo Shan
  3. Connections
  4. Galaxies
  5. Celtic Peace
  6. Shiretoko Fantasy
  7. A Highland Blessing
  8. What a Wonderful World
  9. Bound for South Australia

Please have your music prepared and in order.

Final Concert Tickets Saturday 8th August:

All non-ringers have a concert ticket included in their registration fee.  If you wish to purchase tickets for relatives and friends, priced £5.00, please visit https://tickts.co.uk/events/ihs26-concert for the link to the booking site.  All registrants will receive an email notification when tickets go on sale.

Final Dinner and Closing Ceremony:

The final dinner and closing ceremony will be held in Conference Suite 2 at P&J Live.  It will be a free seating event to allow everyone to sit with new friends as well as old ones.  We would ask everyone to arrive between 6.45 and 7.00pm to choose their seats.  From 7.00pm the serving staff will be checking with everyone regarding any allergies and dietary requirements. There will be a bar service available, including soft drinks.  Please remember P&J Live is a cashless venue; all standard Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards are accepted.

There is no dress code for the dinner and closing ceremony - please be comfortable; if you wish to dress more formally it always looks good in the photos we take as we say farewell to friends old and new. 

A reminder that we have the opportunity to connect with our Scottish location by wearing Highland dress.  Gentlemen - this is a rare opportunity for us to match the ladies sartorially by wearing The Kilt or Trews (tartan trousers) or full Highlandwear.  All of this is available to hire at special Symposium rates from McCalls Highlandwear.  The Kilt, waistcoat, jacket, neckwear, shoes, socks and sporran for only £99 - all you need is your own shirt!  Or just The Kilt or Trews for £30.  Ladies you can bring tartan to your outfit by hiring a tartan sash and brooch for £20, or buying a tartan rose brooch.

For more details of the items available for hire and purchase, how to measure for a kilt and booking forms use this link https://form.jotform.com/261233692431049

Daily Shuttle Bus Transport:

Stop Press:  We have added a shuttle service at 9.00pm on Monday 3rd August following the Friendship Reception and another between the Massed Ringing Concert and the final Dinner and Closing Ceremony.  The shuttle service will run between P&J Live and the group of hotels near the airport.

Car parking:

If you are coming to P&J Live each day by car, we have negotiated a reduction in the daily £29 parking charge to £7.00.  A QR code will be provided, in your registration pack, which will give access to the reduced rate.

Coffee Shop:

The onsite coffee shop will be open during the Symposium for those who would like to grab a beverage at lunch or dinner or when you have some free time.  Please remember that P&J is a cashless venue, you will need a credit or debit card to make your purchase.

Weather:

Although it will be summer when we are in Aberdeen the weather cannot be predicted.  We would advise everyone to be prepared for the possibility of some rain and for average temperatures that range from 11-20 Celsius.  Of course, we hope for good sunny weather, but no promises!

If you have any questions, please email symposium26@handbell.org.uk

 Martin Winter - Organising Group Chair