Letterboxing meet venues and problems
Nik - KOTM
2012-10-31 08:00:49
The numbers of all those going to the meet seems to be on the decline.
I have concocted a list of options for you to vote on it... there is no official reason for this it is just for curiosity.
This will also be a sticky for a few weeks before letting it fade into obscurity
The Wandering Artist
2012-10-31 21:19:45
Are looking for just one option vote or multiple (which may give a better overall picture - depending on peoples circumstances, and views)
Dartymoor
2012-11-01 06:54:01
None of the above: Geocaching is more my thing now than letterboxing. I still box, but now more as a byproduct of caching or just walking. I only managed about 40 or 50 letterboxes in the past 12 months, and over a thousand geocaches and approaching 300 miles of moorland and country walking.
I've also spoken in here about not really being interested in WOM boxes or socialising. I went last year and didn't know anyone so didn't stay long - bought a few charity walks (did about half of them) and the new book, but subsequently discovered about half of the boxes in the book I searched for were missing/stolen.
I don't blame my lack of interest on boxing or people, like most things you get out what you put in and I simply haven't put much into it.
Nik - KOTM
2012-11-01 20:07:21
As much as I would like to put up multiple choices, the system won't let me :(
I know people drift in and out of things... in my case I think about it every day... difficult not to with so much letterboxing stuff piled up around my flat
Gemma
2012-11-01 22:21:34
I've also spoken in here about not really being interested in WOM boxes or socialising. I went last year and didn't know anyone so didn't stay long - bought a few charity walks (did about half of them) and the new book, but subsequently discovered about half of the boxes in the book I searched for were missing/stolen.
I don't blame my lack of interest on boxing or people, like most things you get out what you put in and I simply haven't put much into it.
So why post on this Letterboxing Forum??
Dartymoor
2012-11-02 06:38:49
Why not?
I still love the moor and occasionally do letterboxing.
This sort of hostility is not going to encourage more boxing, but I do know not everyone wants letterboxing to be too popular. There have been several mentions in here along the lines that boxing is /too/ popular now, "Not what it used to be".
Perhaps this poll needs another option' "Made to feel unwelcome by other letterboxers" ?
(NOT universal, I add! I know the vast majority of boxers are hugely supportive of newbies and go out of their way to help others share their hobby!)
Nik - KOTM
2012-11-03 11:49:19
When it comes to letterboxing I would encourage, without pushing, anyone who wants to do it.
There are some of the "Old school" types around and they still have to be respected, without a lot of them letterboxing wouldn't be what it is today. Yes they can be a little cold to newer boxers, those I refer to are the WOM boxers, those that used to do boxing before the 100 existed. There are a few "newcomers" that expect everything on a plate, give it time and that plate will fill up. You need to earn their respect.
Go along to a few of the lesser gatherings that take place and get to know these people. Also if you find a WOM box with contact details, ask them if they would be willing to let you have some of their clues whilst reporting on their box condition, but, be prepared for an outright refusal. Don't give up... keep trying.
Sadly, I think its popularity is waning with geocaching taking over on a massive scale all over the world. But without letterboxing I certainly wouldn't have such a broad friend base that I have now, and for me that is more important than the rubber stamp
The Wandering Artist
2012-11-03 20:56:20
A lot of truth in what you say Nik - times change, and so do people. Time to come and the 'other thing' will be superceded by ?.
Interesting to note that anything American is usually an adaptation of something British (or maybe another country) not very often original!
Letterboxing has a history behind it - as does all things British - that is the difference which will always make it 'special'!
Me - will stick with the letterboxing.
Prefer good hand cut stamps any day to cheap childish trinkets (from christmas crackers I expect) or as found recently in a 'thingy' - 'armies of the world' plastic toy soldiers, and very miniture dinosaurs.
Hows your collection of these 'D'? - if you are short of any of these I can point you in the right direction!
reg the bullmastiff
2012-11-04 14:03:20
NICE ONE! I also have some old bottle tops and coloured paper clips if any geochasher is running short :D
Nik - KOTM
2012-11-05 07:37:39
Seems we could do with a "like" button on this :)
I can't be bothered with with Geocaching but... each to their own.
However the idea of this post was to determine in my own mind why less people can get to the meet
Sowerby Streaker
2012-11-05 08:04:02
Considering how many members are on this forum its very disappointing to see that only 6 people have bothered to vote so far. I know lots of members live far away, and even overseas, but come on you locals place your vote :P
None of the above. I didn't go to the Autumn meet because I tend to go to the meet to get the catalogue and just see if there is anything else of interest. I tend not to do the charity walks (that's just me, nothing to do with 'charities' per se). So, since the catalogue is now only produced once per year, I just go to the Spring meet.
I live in north Plymouth, so no problems travelling to Princetown or Lee Moor. (Although I noted the news article tonight about people speeding on the Lee Moor road and killing animals, including the farmers dog I gather).
Should have added - not sure how the Internet would make it pointless? Can I get clues off the Internet?
Secondly, it may well be worth asking the traders at the Meets (the various charity walk people, Kountry Kit etc) as to whether they think the Meet is worth it? Do they get a significant amount of business from it (okay, KK probably won't but the charities may well do)? I know one business that was going to have a 'stand' at the Meet but the cost of a couple of tables space was, they felt, prohibitive. So they didn't bother; this was a few years ago.
Nik - KOTM
2012-11-06 13:12:47
The internet option was put in because years back people used to go to the meet to get their copy of WOM clues from their mates
Freemans of the Moor
2012-11-06 16:57:27
We understood this option was a reference to (Yes, we are not ashamed to say the word that many boxers can only mumble or slag off) Geocaching.
Now that you have slightly clarified this, if you are refering to E mailing clues this has been going on for years and is not detremental to attendance at the Bi annual Meet.
We have not, sorry Maureen, voted on this sticky. The given options did not cover our personal opinon. The attendance at Meet always fluctuates. We intended as usual to go but changed our minds because of the weather on the day and a dark and miserable ride back to Tavistock.
You cannot make any judgement on ONE Meet. Even if you were there.
The Wandering Artist
2012-11-06 21:55:39
I agree with what Nik says regarding 'internet' now in terms of the past.
To look at the whole picture, the modern communication technology has in 'general terms' revolutionised the sociological attitude of people. People prefer to 'converse' via any tech media available rather than by face to face contact, or even verbally by telephone!
So much easier to do it on Facebook, Twitter, mobile phones, forums (!) or whatever.
No appologies - I prefer the pre tech era! Meet and talk!
Gemma
2012-11-06 22:25:37
I still love the moor and occasionally do letterboxing.
This sort of hostility is not going to encourage more boxing, but I do know not everyone wants letterboxing to be too popular. There have been several mentions in here along the lines that boxing is /too/ popular now, "Not what it used to be".
Perhaps this poll needs another option' "Made to feel unwelcome by other letterboxers" ?
(NOT universal, I add! I know the vast majority of boxers are hugely supportive of newbies and go out of their way to help others share their hobby!)
" Why Not" well I thought this was a Letterbox Forum there is a Geo caching Forum is there not.?
It was not a hostile response, just my opinion There will always be un-friendly people in any hobby/sport/ etc. I have met them in both Letterboxing & Geocacheing (yes I do both) & I have also met some very friendly people in both.
as for the poll I think The Freemans on the Moor have it about right.
Nik - KOTM
2012-11-08 14:53:23
This post has nothing to do with Geocahers, it is an observation that the Meets popularity has dwindled a lot since I started boxing over 20 years ago, I appreciate a lot of my friends have sadly passed away over the years, but that doesn't account for the larger numbers who dont seem to be going.
Anyway a bit of debate is good for the forum, and this one is certainly prompting quite a few valid views, be it personal or general.
Parkhill Plodders
2012-11-21 22:30:16
Went to the meet this year, and I mentioned to my mum it was quiet ,but we were there at 10 o'clock am,it did get busier by 11. Then went off for a hunt on ugborough beacon. My childhood memories of the meet in Princetown was of a stacked room full of stamp swapping but glad to get out of there after an hour. With it at lee moor it will give us an opportunity to look for boxes on the moor nearby. Russ (parkhill plodders)
I guess I might be one of the "newbies"... I have been to 3 or 4 meets now, mostly with partner and child, once on my own. I've sold a charity walk at one meet. I have carved meet specific stamps for 2 meets.
I like going to the meet to - buy charity walks.
The child likes collecting stamps at the meet.
Partner and I seem to get chatting to people pretty easily, we have met some WOM boxers and swapped clues. Some of the "old hands" have been very encouraging about my stamp carving.
Lee Moor is not easy for us to get too. But its no worse than Princetown would be. We live on the northern edge of the moor.
bog_baby
2012-12-12 21:05:04
I live too far away unfortunately. Is the meet advertised? How do newbies normally find out about it?
Sowerby Streaker
2012-12-12 22:08:59
We usually put a note on the forum to remind everyone. Most letterboxers know its always on clock change Sundays, but not everyone knows about the new venue at lee Moor.
Nik - KOTM
2012-12-17 20:14:17
Wiltshire is only 90 minutes from the moor... well it is for me!
Duckpool
2012-12-24 17:44:26
Haven't been around recently so have only just cast my vote. For me the distance down to Lee Moor is just a little too far for what is in reality a 10 minute visit (mostly buying charity walks). But in fact I meant to go this Autumn but on the day just forgot!
bog_baby
2012-12-30 10:43:38
Unfortunately Marlborough - where we live - is more like 2 1/2 hours from Plymouth where we stay with my parents )-:
Nik - KOTM
2013-01-02 00:07:52
Ok 95 minutes then (I have done it quicker than that but not legally)...
Seriously though, on a typical day you would be looking at at least two hours on a good run.
I live in North London, and I used to go down three or four times a year, but now I struggle to afford to make it once a year... I am now seriously considering moving back towards the South West perhaps this year or next at the latest
bog_baby
2013-01-09 14:27:50
Seriously though, on a typical day you would be looking at at least two hours on a good run.
I live in North London, and I used to go down three or four times a year, but now I struggle to afford to make it once a year... I am now seriously considering moving back towards the South West perhaps this year or next at the latest
I don't envy you in London, been there done that!!! However job wise the SE is a lot better that the SW - pay wise as well...although it's also more expensive so you can't win.