Just felt the need to voice my dissapointment at this year’s event. I understand the weather contributed to the low turnout but I sensed not much was organised anyway. No real sense of occasion, a lackluster countdown to ‘the bells’, barely audible music and kids pulling at the microphone with no aduly supervision. That was the only focus for the residents of Strathbungo and their guests this year in place of a fun gathering…..not good enough for a neighbourhood that prides itself on it’s unique character.Perhaps most telling that 5 days after the event, the notices asking cars to free up the parking spaces for the street party are still tied to the hedges, rain soaked, abandoned and obsolete………….just like the over-hyped ‘Bungo at the Bells’ Let’s see how long it takes the organisers to read this!
Bungo at the Bells
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Bungo at the Bells: A Reply
“Ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community”
Your comments on Bungo at the Bells are noted. You are too right in that the weather contributed, and we felt a turnout of two to three hundred or so was pretty remarkable given that at 11.30pm it looked like the event wouldn’t happen at all.
Bear in mind that this is a free event, organised by volunteers, and it costs both time and money to run. PA systems are expensive, and musicians hard to find. If you want a professionally organised event, I suggest you buy a ticket for Glasgow or Edinburgh. And see what you get for your money when the wind blows.
Failing that, get involved yourself. If you can’t play, sing or compere, you could always take the notices down…
A Society like ours relies on the community to contribute. Your opinions might carry more weight if you brought your own ideas to the next committee meeting. Hope to see you there.
The Organisers
PS. The next meeting is on Tuesday 20th February, in Mulberry Street at 8pm.
Bungo at the Bells. Brilliant!
RE:Bungo at the Bells: A Reply
Hi, well done to whoever replied to that first complaint about Bungo at the Bells! It was my first experience of it, and I have to say I thought it was magical. I don’t know what went on in previous years, but I felt that it was the sheer simpicity of it that made it special…just a crowd of like-minded people getting together to bring in the New Year, and best of all, not a bliddy firework in sight! heaven. Whoever wrote that first comment must be struggling if he/she needs something on which to focus. Ever heard of chatting to folk?
Bungo at the Bells: In my defence
“This Lady’s not for turning!”
Okay, I accept the responses presented, in particular by the organisers of the event who, I acknowledge, forgo of their valuable time for the benifit of this community, and I’m sure encounter many frustrations in the process.
But to our new neighbour who admits “didn’t know what went on in previous years”, I will refrain from using sarcasm as they did in my reply, but would like to confirm that I chatted with many people that night, old neighbours and new faces, and even joined in the conga! However, I remain firm that the event definitely lacked focus as in previous years when we had a piper heralding the start of the event, a compere to countdown to the bells and the distribution of shortbread and nips of whiskey. Why not have voluntary charges for these extras? The bulletin would be the perfect place to request this or at the ‘Back Lanes’ in the summer. At least could try to raise enough?
I sincerely hope I have not offended anyone by my previous comments, especially when I don’t contribute of my own time as an organiser, but I presumed our new noice board was constructed for the residents of Strathbungo and members of the Society like myself to voice their opinions if unable or not of the disposition to attend formal meetings. Surely we still have a voice?
I hope to join in our local New Year celebration for many years to come because I too don’t like large professionaly organised events, nor do I like “bliddy fireworks”…oops, that might have been a tad sarcastic after all!!
Well Said! Bungo at the Bells
Ouch! Didn’t mean to offend or be sarcastic, just thought the first letter re The Bells was a bit unfair, but can see what you mean now. Pals?
Re: Bungo at the bells
The criticisms are noted. The reason there was no table, whisky or shortbread was simply it was blowing a howling gale and they would all have been blown away. Jo the pianist of previous years wanted a rest, and the piper cost a lot of money and disappeared after ten minutes – we can’t afford to repeat it at that price. OK so there wasn’t a countdown, but again with 15 minutes to go there wasn’t even going to be an event due to the weather. Hopefully next year there will be glorious sunsshine. OK, maybe not at midnight…
And if anyone does know anyone prepared to perform on the night, we want to hear from them.
You might like to know that the Society’s meeting tonight (Feb. 20 2007) is to discuss Bungo and the Bells and the comments recieved. Given all that’s been said and notwithstanding the weather, I think the general feeling is that we could have done better – if only the feel good factor of people handing out shortbread and whisky (thought most people bring their own – which seems to be mostly bubbly).
Re. past years glories; that was based on Joe the pianist giving of his own time (and foregoing pleasures till after his performance – ditto for Bungo in the Back Lanes!).
We – collectively – can do better and identifying talent in the neighbourhood that’s willing to entertain would be great. The Society can easily revive the feel good shortie etc., ensure we have a PA that works plus some flaming torches for the kids.