End of an era? June 2021

[Collin]

Looks very much like an end of an era to me, please don’t shoot the messenger!

I really have tried my best and Paul (Fletcher) has been there the past two years to take over the reins from me after some 15 years of putting this on for us all. Many thanks Paul (and Julie) for your much appreciated input and assistance since I asked for help way back in June 2016.

COVID 19 has had a big part to play in all this and my personal situation has been compromised by family health issues, as most of you know, which has taken its toll on my ability to give 100% to arranging Sumners Ponds events.

This said, NONE of this is of any relevance to what happened this month after lock-down was lifted. I copy all the recent Emails I have received from Sumners Ponds in their entirety for you to see the dilemma for yourself!

Please make a post/comment, even it it just says 'Read' so I have an idea of who has been informed, thank you.

14th May 2021

Hi Charlotte,

Please advise when we can book the top cow field for kite flying. I know it is a very difficult and busy time for you all with a lot of new rules and restrictions to cope with now but as you know we are s self sufficient and competent regulars up there.
Most of our kite flying events have been cancelled for 2021 so we are all chomping at the bit to get out and fly our kites so if at all possible I was hoping you could advise me of the situation there as we would like to book several dates, but provisionally one to start the ball rolling with ASAP.


Kind regards,
Collin (Kites)





18th May 2021


Hi Collin,

Great to hear from you and I hope everyone is keeping well. We have potentially an issue with grazing this year for livestock, so would need to bear this in mind if we were to book out the field. Could you give me a rough idea of the dates you had in mind and I can check with Dad and the boys whether its feasible with cattle grazing.


Kind regards,
Charlie





3rd June 2021


Hi Charlie,

Thanks for getting back to me, hope business is picking up for you guys and appreciate things are not running like a well oiled machine these days.

I would like to request booking a week in the top field from Friday June 18 to Monday June 28 as most kite flyers have shown interest, please advise if this is possible so I can pass on to everybody in good time.


Kind regards,
Collin Kites







11th June 2021


Hi Colin,


Firstly my apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

Unfortunately we wouldn’t be able to accommodate you in the top field over those dates as we have two bookings in the family/wedding field over that period. However I did have a chat with Simon to see if we could come up with another option and he wondered if the top end of Ditch field might work. This is the field with the stream running through, on the left of the Farm track leading up to Match Lake. If you think this could work for the Kite Flyers let me know.
Due to COVID and everyone wanting to stay in the UK this year we have had an ever increasing demand for more camping space. Which has meant the Family Camping area in the Top Field is starting to get booked up. Obviously we love having you all stay with us and we want that to continue, so in future what we can do is block out the family field (to avoid any bookings in that area) for the dates the Kite Flyers wish to stay in the top field as per the normal arrangement. This would need to be booked with the reception team and a special note would be need to be made to make sure the Farm were aware regarding livestock and grazing.

I have taken a bit of a back seat in regards to bookings and I’m currently only in the office two days a week. I think it might be best if your point of contact is our new Campsite Manager Charley (another Charley) going forwards, although I’m always happy to assist when needed. I will brief him on everything and I have copied him in to this email as well.

Let us know if the Ditch Field would work or if there are any other dates that might be suitable. It would be lovely to have the kites flying again this Summer and to see you all.



Kind regards,
Charlie



18th June 2021


Hi Collin,
I hope you are well, Simon has just pointed out an error in my email below.


In future we would need to charge the full price for staying in the Family field and this would include access to the wash facilities and power for 10 units and the use of the top field for your kites. So it would be £15.00 per Unit per night and the seasonal Adult (£5-£9) and Child (£4-£5) rate per night. With a minimum fee of £300.

The Ditch Field as mentioned below would be at your normal rate, as there are no facilities available.


I hope that makes sense and I do apologise for any confusion I may of caused. Please let us know if you have any questions.


Kind regards,

Charlie






18th June 2021


Hi Charlie,


All received thank you.

As discussed with you last year I am taking a back seat due to family health issues occupying my time these days and introduced you to a kite flier and Sumners regular user down in the main site too, Mr Paul Fletcher who was going to pick up the baton from me. I am very much a middle man due to my commitments and availability to attend events so am passing info to him to then for him to relay to our members.

I think you would have guessed that the prices of the Family Field would be a prohibit us there, however the non serviced Ditch Field option may suffice. Paul Fletcher said he would come down during the week to reconnoiter the area to check for overhead power cables, trees etc. and how flat the top was as well as how many units it would accommodate with distancing. I hope this is OK with you, we do not want to loose Sumners Ponds after all these years!

I hope this all makes sense too.


Kind regards,
Collin

[mr pirate]

Jun 20, 2021 10:55:10 GMT Collin said:

Looks very much like an end of an era to me, please don’t shoot the messenger!

I really have tried my best and Paul (Fletcher) has been there the past two years to take over the reins from me after some 15 years of putting this on for us all. Many thanks Paul (and Julie) for your much appreciated input and assistance since I asked for help way back in June 2016.

COVID 19 has had a big part to play in all this and my personal situation has been compromised by family health issues, as most of you know, which has taken its toll on my ability to give 100% to arranging Sumners Ponds events.

This said, NONE of this is of any relevance to what happened this month after lock-down was lifted. I copy all the recent Emails I have received from Sumners Ponds in their entirety for you to see the dilemma for yourself!

Please make a post/comment, even it it just says 'Read' so I have an idea of who has been informed, thank you.

14th May 2021

Hi Charlotte,

Please advise when we can book the top cow field for kite flying. I know it is a very difficult and busy time for you all with a lot of new rules and restrictions to cope with now but as you know we are s self sufficient and competent regulars up there.
Most of our kite flying events have been cancelled for 2021 so we are all chomping at the bit to get out and fly our kites so if at all possible I was hoping you could advise me of the situation there as we would like to book several dates, but provisionally one to start the ball rolling with ASAP.


Kind regards,
Collin (Kites)





18th May 2021


Hi Collin,

Great to hear from you and I hope everyone is keeping well. We have potentially an issue with grazing this year for livestock, so would need to bear this in mind if we were to book out the field. Could you give me a rough idea of the dates you had in mind and I can check with Dad and the boys whether its feasible with cattle grazing.


Kind regards,
Charlie





3rd June 2021


Hi Charlie,

Thanks for getting back to me, hope business is picking up for you guys and appreciate things are not running like a well oiled machine these days.

I would like to request booking a week in the top field from Friday June 18 to Monday June 28 as most kite flyers have shown interest, please advise if this is possible so I can pass on to everybody in good time.


Kind regards,
Collin Kites







11th June 2021


Hi Colin,


Firstly my apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

Unfortunately we wouldn’t be able to accommodate you in the top field over those dates as we have two bookings in the family/wedding field over that period. However I did have a chat with Simon to see if we could come up with another option and he wondered if the top end of Ditch field might work. This is the field with the stream running through, on the left of the Farm track leading up to Match Lake. If you think this could work for the Kite Flyers let me know.
Due to COVID and everyone wanting to stay in the UK this year we have had an ever increasing demand for more camping space. Which has meant the Family Camping area in the Top Field is starting to get booked up. Obviously we love having you all stay with us and we want that to continue, so in future what we can do is block out the family field (to avoid any bookings in that area) for the dates the Kite Flyers wish to stay in the top field as per the normal arrangement. This would need to be booked with the reception team and a special note would be need to be made to make sure the Farm were aware regarding livestock and grazing.

I have taken a bit of a back seat in regards to bookings and I’m currently only in the office two days a week. I think it might be best if your point of contact is our new Campsite Manager Charley (another Charley) going forwards, although I’m always happy to assist when needed. I will brief him on everything and I have copied him in to this email as well.

Let us know if the Ditch Field would work or if there are any other dates that might be suitable. It would be lovely to have the kites flying again this Summer and to see you all.



Kind regards,
Charlie



18th June 2021


Hi Collin,
I hope you are well, Simon has just pointed out an error in my email below.


In future we would need to charge the full price for staying in the Family field and this would include access to the wash facilities and power for 10 units and the use of the top field for your kites. So it would be £15.00 per Unit per night and the seasonal Adult (£5-£9) and Child (£4-£5) rate per night. With a minimum fee of £300.

The Ditch Field as mentioned below would be at your normal rate, as there are no facilities available.


I hope that makes sense and I do apologise for any confusion I may of caused. Please let us know if you have any questions.


Kind regards,

Charlie






18th June 2021


Hi Charlie,


All received thank you.

As discussed with you last year I am taking a back seat due to family health issues occupying my time these days and introduced you to a kite flier and Sumners regular user down in the main site too, Mr Paul Fletcher who was going to pick up the baton from me. I am very much a middle man due to my commitments and availability to attend events so am passing info to him to then for him to relay to our members.

I think you would have guessed that the prices of the Family Field would be a prohibit us there, however the non serviced Ditch Field option may suffice. Paul Fletcher said he would come down during the week to reconnoiter the area to check for overhead power cables, trees etc. and how flat the top was as well as how many units it would accommodate with distancing. I hope this is OK with you, we do not want to loose Sumners Ponds after all these years!

I hope this all makes sense too.


Kind regards,
Collin

[mr pirate]

Jun 20, 2021 10:55:10 GMT Collin said:

Looks very much like an end of an era to me, please don’t shoot the messenger!

I really have tried my best and Paul (Fletcher) has been there the past two years to take over the reins from me after some 15 years of putting this on for us all. Many thanks Paul (and Julie) for your much appreciated input and assistance since I asked for help way back in June 2016.

COVID 19 has had a big part to play in all this and my personal situation has been compromised by family health issues, as most of you know, which has taken its toll on my ability to give 100% to arranging Sumners Ponds events.

This said, NONE of this is of any relevance to what happened this month after lock-down was lifted. I copy all the recent Emails I have received from Sumners Ponds in their entirety for you to see the dilemma for yourself!

Please make a post/comment, even it it just says 'Read' so I have an idea of who has been informed, thank you.

14th May 2021

Hi Charlotte,

Please advise when we can book the top cow field for kite flying. I know it is a very difficult and busy time for you all with a lot of new rules and restrictions to cope with now but as you know we are s self sufficient and competent regulars up there.
Most of our kite flying events have been cancelled for 2021 so we are all chomping at the bit to get out and fly our kites so if at all possible I was hoping you could advise me of the situation there as we would like to book several dates, but provisionally one to start the ball rolling with ASAP.


Kind regards,
Collin (Kites)





18th May 2021


Hi Collin,

Great to hear from you and I hope everyone is keeping well. We have potentially an issue with grazing this year for livestock, so would need to bear this in mind if we were to book out the field. Could you give me a rough idea of the dates you had in mind and I can check with Dad and the boys whether its feasible with cattle grazing.


Kind regards,
Charlie





3rd June 2021


Hi Charlie,

Thanks for getting back to me, hope business is picking up for you guys and appreciate things are not running like a well oiled machine these days.

I would like to request booking a week in the top field from Friday June 18 to Monday June 28 as most kite flyers have shown interest, please advise if this is possible so I can pass on to everybody in good time.


Kind regards,
Collin Kites







11th June 2021


Hi Colin,


Firstly my apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

Unfortunately we wouldn’t be able to accommodate you in the top field over those dates as we have two bookings in the family/wedding field over that period. However I did have a chat with Simon to see if we could come up with another option and he wondered if the top end of Ditch field might work. This is the field with the stream running through, on the left of the Farm track leading up to Match Lake. If you think this could work for the Kite Flyers let me know.
Due to COVID and everyone wanting to stay in the UK this year we have had an ever increasing demand for more camping space. Which has meant the Family Camping area in the Top Field is starting to get booked up. Obviously we love having you all stay with us and we want that to continue, so in future what we can do is block out the family field (to avoid any bookings in that area) for the dates the Kite Flyers wish to stay in the top field as per the normal arrangement. This would need to be booked with the reception team and a special note would be need to be made to make sure the Farm were aware regarding livestock and grazing.

I have taken a bit of a back seat in regards to bookings and I’m currently only in the office two days a week. I think it might be best if your point of contact is our new Campsite Manager Charley (another Charley) going forwards, although I’m always happy to assist when needed. I will brief him on everything and I have copied him in to this email as well.

Let us know if the Ditch Field would work or if there are any other dates that might be suitable. It would be lovely to have the kites flying again this Summer and to see you all.



Kind regards,
Charlie



18th June 2021


Hi Collin,
I hope you are well, Simon has just pointed out an error in my email below.


In future we would need to charge the full price for staying in the Family field and this would include access to the wash facilities and power for 10 units and the use of the top field for your kites. So it would be £15.00 per Unit per night and the seasonal Adult (£5-£9) and Child (£4-£5) rate per night. With a minimum fee of £300.

The Ditch Field as mentioned below would be at your normal rate, as there are no facilities available.


I hope that makes sense and I do apologise for any confusion I may of caused. Please let us know if you have any questions.


Kind regards,

Charlie






18th June 2021


Hi Charlie,


All received thank you.

As discussed with you last year I am taking a back seat due to family health issues occupying my time these days and introduced you to a kite flier and Sumners regular user down in the main site too, Mr Paul Fletcher who was going to pick up the baton from me. I am very much a middle man due to my commitments and availability to attend events so am passing info to him to then for him to relay to our members.

I think you would have guessed that the prices of the Family Field would be a prohibit us there, however the non serviced Ditch Field option may suffice. Paul Fletcher said he would come down during the week to reconnoiter the area to check for overhead power cables, trees etc. and how flat the top was as well as how many units it would accommodate with distancing. I hope this is OK with you, we do not want to loose Sumners Ponds after all these years!

I hope this all makes sense too.


Kind regards,
Collin

[mr pirate]

I think we could all see the changes going on in the top field.
I am hoping to meet Collin at Sumners so we can have a look at the field we have been offered hopefully we can try and work something out.
Thanks again Collin for all the sorting out again and over the last 15 years. hopefully we will be able to sort something out hopefully not end of an era just yet.😀

[strops]

As Paul says we could see the changes coming, but I fear you could be right Collin, I have many memories of Sumners "Tara" 🤣

I really appreciate all that you and Paul have done over all these years. So thank you.

[currynutter]

Jun 21, 2021 5:27:43 GMT mr pirate said:

I think we could all see the changes going on in the top field.
I am hoping to meet Collin at Sumners so we can have a look at the field we have been offered hopefully we can try and work something out.
Thanks again Collin for all the sorting out again and over the last 15 years. hopefully we will be able to sort something out hopefully not end of an era just yet.😀

[cycliststeve]

Thanks for updating us on the situation Collin, and for all your hard work over the years . Also Paul and Julie for their contribution.
None of this comes as any surprise to us, in view of all the work that was taking place last year, in the field we have used.
Hopefully a solution can be reached that will be acceptable to all, we await further updates.
Steve and Sue

[currynutter]

Memories of just Collin Martin and Cas and of course Jess in gales and storms.no one else in site!and not just the once,end of an era?

[norfolkdick]

Greetings Kiteists,



It is indeed a real shame that we have lost the use of 'our' usual field in which to meet and fly, when you carefully calculate the cost of hiring that field with a minimum of 2 nights at £300.00 a night plus the compulsory addons it amounts to a prohibitive sum.



This leaves the bottom field (ditch field) I have walked all of it at some time but my memory of the flat areas that are suitable for camping and the sloping areas have diminished with time (like many other things!) Paul Fletcher is trying to get there to do a comprehensive recce. What I do remember is that whilst the wind in the top field is at best moderate, the ditch field is much worse and whilst we may be able to get up smaller kites high enough to reach 'clean air' this could prove impossible with very large inflatables.



On a positive note we have not been given our marching orders and if the ditch field is at all 'doable' I for one am very happy to give it a try.



Best Regards

Dick.