Swindon Music

or someone without the spine to ask a question under their own name/usual login name

There's been no official word since we will be trying to confirm the supported charity later this week, although we can already confirm that we will also be supporting the British Heart Foundation by encouraging people to sign up to the donor register over the weekend.

Some of you may have read about Swindoner Ron Carter's recent heart transplant, something that knowing the family, I have personally seen what the gift of life can mean and have already signed up myself.

Also, no one involved in organising this event will be paid for it aside from claiming back expenses where we've had to cover printing costs, etc. Last year was backed with a substancial grant from the Swindon Cultural Partnership, something that wasn't available to us this year so we have personally had to financially back it.

With that in mind, while we will be supporting a charity this year with some of the money made, the rest will need to deposited into a Shuffle savings account ready to back next year's festival - last year was a great start, but this year is about building a sustainable future for the Swindon Shuffle. And by giving all your money away every year, rather than building a sustainable arts event you end up with Swindon - Bristol's Ugly Sister

And while we have nothing to hide as shown above, since this is the plan you'll have noticed that none of the posters or website claim this to be a charity event so as not to mislead anyone - it's a music festival supporting two charities.

Also, I hear a charity only has to give something like 10% of it's profit to the cause to be called a supporter of the charity anyway. Might be wrong, but that's my thought.

Also, it's nigh on impossible and naive to think you'll get everyone to do everything for free. Because then everyone is out of pocket to varying degrees (for example, a band travelling from Calne in a van with a drumkit have spent more on fuel than a band who walked from down the road with their cymbals, so that's like saying "you donate 10p and you donate £15".

I used to think 100% of money should go to the cause. Then I saw how impossible that was, and I commend those that try to do it and give their best and make money for a worthwhile project, and damn those that do it just to line their greedy pockets.

Thank you for the clarification...I was not trolling as suggested but just wanted some clarification on the whole situation which the post by Pajj has done...

absolutely.
My suggestion would be donate some to local schools, particularly for music departments (often the most neglected in budgets)
For instance Commonweal and the rock school project, which gave us the Alfonz. How we'll be forever grateful!
But seriously, that would get to the grass roots, not just for the local area, but also the music scene. Which can only be a good thing?

Erm.... I'm sure I should know this but, as I haven't been on here much lately, I don't, so I need to ask

I know some of how-ever-much-was raised is going into the Shuffle savings account in readiness for next year's bloody brilliant bash, but was a charity/cause, local or otherwise, finally decided on to make a donation to? If so, which one(s)?

Soz for not knowing if it's already been posted all over the place

xx

I'm a bit low on cash is there's any left over?

I think the committee are making a huge gesture by not taking any of the profits.. A lot of time and effort has gone into it, time is money, and their money is going to 'the charity' (as it will be named until further notice of which charity the money is going to)..

I like the schools idea.. But my concern is that the money will never reach the music department.. at the end of the day schools have bigger concerns than if the guitar has 5 or 6 strings..
I guess you could spend the money for the schools..??

... and Arc actually. Remember that time when we did a gig and the alfonz supported us and played without wings. Still their best song....

There is a lot of money being poured into music at KS2 at the moment, and tutors from the Swindon Music Service get to go round doing drum circles and singing workshops which is brilliant. But there's much less funding for Secondary Schools. Which is weird if you ask me.

But back to the point, that's not really a job for a charity case. That's for the council.

I think music in rehabilitation centres would be a kick-ass charity. Yeah... I'm off to set one up in fact so I'll have yer money please.

Or perhaps use it to cover the cost of moonfest being cancelled... someone's gonna be a bit out-of-pock methinks. Gay police.

The police banned that too actually.
Apparently it was too long and too epic...

the real question is when is 'it aint far to oslo' making a comeback?

The police banned that for being too shit.

Does anyone know how much was raised at the Shuffle this year?

I've been out of the country and with my head in the clouds over the past month or so - I should really keep myself up to date with these things!

That sound great coming from the Treasurer!

Wow, I thought I was behind. I haven't been treasurer for..oooo......4-5 months now!

Hmmm....can't seem to find the post about you resigning, only the one about you becoming treasurer.

My psychic powers are weak, obviously.