Pre-investigation Poll for Charleville

stormkeeper

Okay, I had a chat with Charleville Castle about doing an investigation there, and I thought that I'd set up a poll to see what dates people are able to make. I'm aiming for closer to doing dates in September, seeing as I'm only just after getting back from doing Castlepalooza. I also need to work on a few other things for organising this investigation before posting something concrete, so at the moment, I'm polling for dates at the moment, to see which dates are best. This poll will be staying open for as long as possible (which I imagine would be within the region of 2 weeks) before I start setting plans in motion for making a proper thread.

At present, I've shortlisted the following options, keeping in mind that they're all weekends (Saturday & Sunday):

25/26 August
1/2 September
8/9 September
15/16 September
Can't make any dates (Atari Jaguar)

Personally speaking, I'm quite iffy about the last one, given I start back at Uni a day or two after the investigation is due to go on but I can make it, so we'll see what happens. Either way, at present, I'm using this poll as both a way to see how many are interested in going, and what dates people can make it. If you have any general questions about the castle, I can answer them as well. However I cannot answer anything related to this investigation specifically, for as far as I'm concerned, there isn't an investigation yet!

Anyway, I'm going to be watching this poll for about a week. Keep in mind as well that I'll be checking to see if there's anything on on the top two dates a week from now because the August one is a little over 2 weeks away, and I need to sort out my ticket! Ideally however, I'd be leaning towards either the 1/2 or the 8/9 September as investigation dates.

Anyway, let's see how this goes.

Edit: For the purposes of counting how many people are interested, as this is a multiple choice poll, I made the user voting public, so I'm able to count individual people, as well as the votes. If you can't make any of the dates, then only choose option 5. If people can't really make any of the dates, I'll look at scheduling another investigation later on in the year, studies permitting.

Zillah

I voted Atari Jaguar just because

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

lol, it may be "just because", but can you actually make any of the dates? >.>

Zillah

No.

I do find it very amusing that three people have now voted Atari Jaguar

stevenmu

15/16 September

Well I voted 1/2 Sept and 8/9 Sept, they're the dates that suit me best, but I think I can make any of them.

Really looking forward to this, we've had some great investigations there in the past and I'd highly recommend it to anyone. I'll post some links to past trips if I can get the search to work

dib

Atari Jaguar

I'd love to head along to this. I ticked the dates I would be available.

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

Zillah wrote:

No.

I do find it very amusing that three people have now voted Atari Jaguar

Fair enough so.

And it is pretty amusing alright... although I expected a few people wouldn't be able to make it, and in keeping with tradition, etc...

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

dib wrote:

I'd love to head along to this. I ticked the dates I would be available.

It looks like September 8/9 is winning at the moment although it's early days yet. I'm thinking I should prolly vote so I don't have to click a link to see the results, although my votes don't overly count much...

Edit: Officially speaking, the 25/26 August will be tight for me, but I clicked all the dates because I'm in theory making myself available for the winning date, whatever that is...

monkeyfudge

I might have a few people who would be interested...

I'm not sure if I can make it myself though... lots of stuff on at the moment.

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

monkeyfudge wrote:

I might have a few people who would be interested...

I'm not sure if I can make it myself though... lots of stuff on at the moment.

Sounds good, but it's a shame if you can't make it. Regarding the poll, there's a clear winner anyway! I'll PM Steven and talk to him about what happens next...

Dr_Darkness

Atari Jaguar

If its an open investigation and if the hubby is not doing anything that weekend, then we would love to be a part of it. So, count me in!

Stoner

Atari Jaguar

September is not great for me at any time TBH, weddings , work and holliers etc

dib

Atari Jaguar

Stoner wrote:

September is not great for me at any time TBH, weddings , work and holliers etc

...... and investigations! Don't forget investigations! :P

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

dib wrote:

...... and investigations! Don't forget investigations! :P

lol, yeah... although unless I really plan it tightly, this'll be the last one I can do until my next holiday. The 8/9 September was the one I was personally hoping for, as it lets me make some plans for before I go back to Uni... but yeah, I'll look at getting the ball rolling... just sent off the email now.

Something tells me that in the future, I need to ask about date before doing this sort of poll, rather than picking out dates, although I guess I want to have a specific date picked out so there's something to focus on. Oh well, live and learn. That said, I did mention a September investigation when I was over last, so I guess I was already pre-empting in that regard.

stevenmu

15/16 September

Hope you'll be able to make it along Stoner, and Monkeyfudge your friends/colleagues/co-primates would be very welcome so get them to get in touch if they're interested.

Lucas10101

Atari Jaguar

Where is Charleville? There's a few places around Ireland called Charleville/?

6th

Its Charleville Castle in Tullamore. http://www.charlevillecastle.com

Lucas10101

Atari Jaguar

How are ye getting down there. I'll be living in Cork at the time but for the 8th-9th, I would be able to attend. Is there anyone else from Cork going over or what? I'd go then.

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

Lucas10101 wrote:

How are ye getting down there. I'll be living in Cork at the time but for the 8th-9th, I would be able to attend. Is there anyone else from Cork going over or what? I'd go then.

Transport methods vary, but if you can't get a lift over with someone, the train is usually your best bet. The bus is only good if you're alright with doing so, though I'd only recommend the bus if you lived within a relatively short distance of Tullamore. It takes 2 hours by bus, and 1 hour by train to get to Tullamore town centre or train station (travel method depending), then after that, it's 2-3km from these areas to get to the castle itself. Depending on a few factors, you may want to consider getting a taxi from the station to the castle, unless you are in the mood for a 20-30 minute walk! If you are, then fair play! I've walked it myself, but I have taken a taxi as well at times.

monkeyfudge

Have you gotten confirmation of the date from the castle yet?

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

monkeyfudge wrote:

Have you gotten confirmation of the date from the castle yet?

I got confirmation right this minute in fact. The 8/9 of September is grand, although there's an event that'll be going on that weekend, but it's not impossible to do it on that date. The preferential date was the 15/16, although I have managed to secure the 8/9 anyway. It may be a little messy earlier on in the day however... but should clear up closer to 10pm (I'm expecting and/or hoping).

6th

stormkeeper wrote:

I got confirmation right this minute in fact. The 8/9 of September is grand, although there's an event that'll be going on that weekend, but it's not impossible to do it on that date. The preferential date was the 15/16, although I have managed to secure the 8/9 anyway. It may be a little messy earlier on in the day however... but should clear up closer to 10pm (I'm expecting and/or hoping).

Ok I was getting tempted by this trip until I read this bit. Too many past trips have been ruined by stuff like this. I dont need to tell you guys.

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

6th wrote:

Ok I was getting tempted by this trip until I read this bit. Too many past trips have been ruined by stuff like this. I dont need to tell you guys.

It's an art event, from what I recall so I don't think the exact problems that you reported would happen. I'll actually ask about what's going on just so I can be sure there's no surprises in that regard...

WindSock

Don't think I'll be able to go I may be in Donegal or not, that weekend.

6th

stormkeeper wrote:

It's an art event, from what I recall so I don't think the exact problems that you reported would happen. I'll actually ask about what's going on just so I can be sure there's no surprises in that regard...

Just check about volunteers staying over. Last time we had equipment messed with and food stolen. Not to mention we didnt get the use of a fair portion of the castle.

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

6th wrote:

Just check about volunteers staying over. Last time we had equipment messed with and food stolen. Not to mention we didnt get the use of a fair portion of the castle.

I'll check over the next couple of days and get back to you. I'll also put up the new thread between now and then too... I have a few things I need to sort out regarding this first, as I'm putting up a mirror thread on another site too, which'll link back to here, and vice versa. I noticed that Boards has had some downtime recently, so I want some redundancy, especially as I'm going to have some mobile phone issues, seeing as my Irish mobile has no batteries, and the charger is still at the castle... I'll be working on rectifying the issue however.

6th

Ok well let me know if they can guarantee no others using the castle on the night.

Lucas10101

Atari Jaguar

Yes, I agree. I think it would be rather frustrating to have other users on that night and timewise and everything.

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

Although I got the 8/9 September confirmed, I've got a message from Terri:

hi Andy, there is another paranormal group wishing to come and do an investigation either Sept 15, 21st or 28th - would your group like to join them as we use them as official supervisors for group overnight stays? Let me know if you would prefer this - otherwise we have to find alternate supervision which could be harder. thanks! get back to Dudley and I as soon as you can. Terri

I dunno how you guys feel about this, but it may make things a little awkward for me travel-wise, personally... excepting the 15th, which even then is a little tetchy. I start uni on the 17th, which means I wouldn't be able to stay for very long on Sunday, because I'd have to travel back that day to get back for Uni, unless I tightly planned it. Not 100% sure what I'd miss by going on the other dates, but at the same time, I want to minimise my days off from Uni this time round, and I have no idea what my timetable is at present, making things awkward for me again.

If needs be, I'll work out something though...

Riamfada

who are the other group that will be supervising? Could be messy if there are 20 people, two seperate paranormal groups. Dont want kat fights over the basement !!

Anyway Im not even going.......

monkeyfudge

I bet we can catch way more ghosts then them on the night!

6th

Knowing who the other group are might be handy. Last time I was asked to supervise another group of 8 it turned out to be 2.

Lucas10101

Atari Jaguar

I don't think we should amalgamate with another species. Let's just stay on our own methinks.

stevenmu

15/16 September

It could be good to join up with another group, depending of course on who they are. It might be interesting to see how another group does things. If nothing else it will probably be just like having a few more random boardsies along.

Of course it would depened on who they are, how many of them there are, how many of us there are, and how they do things. So we'll have to find all that out and have a chat with them.

I'm a little surprised they want to have official supervisors there, I thought we'd been down there often enough ourselves, but on the plus side, that means there isn't going to be anyone else there for the night, which is something we will definitely make sure of before going down.

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

stevenmu wrote:

It could be good to join up with another group, depending of course on who they are. It might be interesting to see how another group does things. If nothing else it will probably be just like having a few more random boardsies along.

Of course it would depened on who they are, how many of them there are, how many of us there are, and how they do things. So we'll have to find all that out and have a chat with them.

I'm a little surprised they want to have official supervisors there, I thought we'd been down there often enough ourselves, but on the plus side, that means there isn't going to be anyone else there for the night, which is something we will definitely make sure of before going down.

I'll need to get the relevant info off Terri, as nothing against them and all, I'm a little iffy doing it with another group partly because of the dates, and partly because the numbers would be inflated. I might actually ask what supervision entails because it's possible that we could handle it if that's the case, although naturally, that does mean a couple of us would need to disappear every so often. Additionally, I need to find out about that art gallery thing too. If uni weren't such an issue, I'd be able to switch to other dates a little easier (excepting the fact that the most people can make the 8th).

I'll shoot off a quick email now to Terri to ask about if there's anyone staying over for the 8/9, and also about the group. If there's anything else, post it here, or PM me. Keep in mind that I may not answer right away, but I'll do my best to answer as soon as I've seen what's been said. If I dunno anything about it, I'll say so and give an educated guess, but don't take this as official.

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

Mail sent. And with regards to what Grimes said, that's a major concern of mine, especially as I've stated that I think 15 people at the castle is a little much, and usually, I try to aim for about 12 people for Charleville, seeing as it's easier to divide them into teams (4x3, 3x4 or even 2x6). After 12, and before 15, it gets a little iffy, but still it's able to be managed. Anything more than that is a bit of a disaster, especially when the group clusters together, which happens at least once a night... 20 people clomping about makes it sound like there's a herd of elephants stomping about!

One thing I'm working on for future investigations is actually surveying an area in terms of size in relation to people, and I'll have 3 figures; minimum (I don't expect this will be a huge issue), ideal (ie: the maximum that is appropriate for this location) and absolute maximum (which is the maximum you should take, though this may be the same as max-ideal). I may be complicating things just a tad, but I want to make sure I don't overload the location logistics-wise because after the figures, it'll be a nightmare to manage!

Anyway, for a location like Charleville, I would say 2-3 minimum (2 because it's generally supervised), 12 ideal and 15 absolute. 15 is even tight, given we all bunk up in the same room as well which is why, ideally I'd be more inclined to allow only 12... I can't remember what happened when there were more than 15 people sleeping in the same room, although there are beds elsewhere as well, so perhaps that's how it were handled.



Er, I'll stop rambling now and let you know about the response when I get one >.>

stevenmu

15/16 September

stormkeeper wrote:

I can't remember what happened when there were more than 15 people sleeping in the same room

It's probably best that you dont

I agree though, I think 12 is about the right number for charleville.

monkeyfudge

stormkeeper wrote:

I can't remember what happened when there were more than 15 people sleeping in the same room, although there are beds elsewhere as well, so perhaps that's how it were handled.

Yep.. once you go over 15 you forget which way up containers of beverages are supposed to be placed.

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

stevenmu wrote:

It's probably best that you dont

I think I just found out... read below.

I agree though, I think 12 is about the right number for charleville.

Yeah... it gets a little tight otherwise. I am going to be looking at working on the logistics a bit further, as some locations don't allow sleepovers, as I found out with two over here, so I need to prepare for that contingancy as well, in the future. For Charleville, this is not an issue.

monkeyfudge wrote:

Yep.. once you go over 15 you forget which way up containers of beverages are supposed to be placed.

Oh, that was more than 15? >.>

And cheeky! lol

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

I got a response from Terri not too long ago, and this is it:

Hi Andy,

Thats ok about the dates - I just wanted to see if you wanted to do that, but if you have mostly arranged that date with Dudley then that is fine.

Let me discuss with Dudley about supervision and get back to you.

Terri



With regards to the above response, some of my questions got answered, and I'm thinking that I may need to either talk to Dudley with regards to the 8/9 event, or wait for further details. I'm going to leave all investigation talk in this thread, till I'm in a position to do a proper thread, seeing as I don't have all the answers I need at the moment.

6th

Looks like this is the other group but i could be wrong:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055141618

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

Hmm, well she says a few weeks, so it could be them...

Anyway, I need to have a quick chat with Dudley about stuff, then I'll properly put up a thread regarding this >.>

stormkeeper

Atari Jaguar

Thread discussion moved to here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055144118