Planning/Minutes/2012-03-20

From Electromagnetic Field

Agenda:

  • MK visit recap, site review (cf Russ' email)
  • Jasper: Internet
  • Martin: commerce recap
  • Start building teams
  • Addendum: MK notes

Contents

MK Visit

Today's visit by Mark, Jonty, Russ, Jasper, Adrian

Summary:

  • Mailing list thread: Milton Keynes Status
  • We have venue confirmation. More paperwork to come. Managed by the Milton Keynes Parks Trust (MKPT)
  • Everyone's in a great mood now. Jonty is exhausted.
  • Jonty will share photos
  • Russ to email list and tweet to announce date
  • Russ will also produce a map

Terrain

Location:

  • Ordnance Survey Reference for one of the M1 bridges: SP 885 413
  • TODO: geo coordinates, links to Google Earth, maps
  • Details should be shared at Location

Notes:

  • The camp site is surprisingly large
  • M1 traffic louder than expected, but volume drops off quickly
  • Excellent bridges underneath M1; need to find owners.
    • Surprisingly quiet underneath, but occasional bassy rumbles.
    • Gravel ground. Some of it would need to be cleared.
  • Massive open unused fields on the other side of the M1; should identify owners, maybe we can use some of it
  • Lake is a nature reserve: no swimming/boats
    • Nearby lake: details unclear
    • An "abnormal flood" may lead to the lake overflowing ("unlikely 80-year scenario"); the camp site is on a flood plane
    • More likely: ground will be damp/soggy
  • Massive campfire site nearby
  • As mentioned: nearby unused helipad
  • MKPT is concerned about the lasting effects of events; need to plan carefully.

Parking, Caravans

  • Will need to figure out parking. No more than 100 cars will be able to park easily.
  • 2-3 parking sites
    • On at least one of these (for 30-40 cars) the council doesn't charge
    • There's a P&R near Pineham
  • One potential space on the other side of the bridge; would require groundworks
  • Can we make a caravan/camper area? probably won't have the space. Tbd.
  • The camp site won't accommodate cars; that would damage the grass
  • We definitely will charge an additional vehicle cost. Space is too limited.
    • Also note that MK is probably the most train-accessible area in the country.

Logistics

  • Found a power box in field (Jasper has all the details)
    • Mailing list thread: Power On Site
    • Should ask Benny to figure out if we can set it up to reduce dependency on generators
  • Jasper trying to estimate tent density
  • Contact for "environmental health": Gillian Clark
  • Contact for toilets: Site Plant Services
  • Are we still planning to build a bridge? Probably too expensive, and building ourselves too risky
    • Jasper to research cost

Licensing

  • Contact: Ed Fisher
  • It was pointed out to us: unlikely we'll get a late license
    • For amplified music, alcohol sales after ~11:30
    • We'll have to enforce this (Russ/the company is liable)
    • Rule: if we can hear your music on the camp site after 11:00pm you need to turn it off
  • Russ will apply early and get a first opinion

MK BMX Club (?)

  • BMX track will be used on Sunday
  • Paul will get in touch! There's a website (Is it this one? mkbmx.com)
  • For now just early contact
  • What are their parking requirements?
  • Should also visit them on a Sunday to check them out and meet the team

Barrel Bikers

  • They run an event at the same site
  • Paul will get in touch! There's a website (Is it this one? barrelbikers.co.uk)
  • For now just early contact

Internet

Jasper.

  • Still ongoing search for best uplink
  • We may be able to run fiber from local residential area (we traced the route; feasible)
  • Possibly link via church; need to contact (likely infeasible)
  • Etc. See

Commerce

  • Martind's research summary at Commerce
  • No urgent decisions needed

Teams

Let's start making a list of teams we need, and fill them. But also want to open it up slowly.

  • Suggestion: let's pick three top priorities now and form new teams around them; then repeat
  • Our general approach to this is by iteration: deal with problems as they come, and shape teams accordingly
    • We will try hard not to be too rigid
  • Note that we're building this on a trust system; we'll have to get to know you before we let you take on large responsibilities

Expectations of each team:

  • Stay in touch. Document your plans on the wiki, participate in mailing list discussions.
  • Certain teams *need* to be present at our physical planning meetings (via a representative.)
  • More details tbd.

Existing teams:

  • Internet (Jasper)
  • Site Planning (Russ)
    • Camp layout, maps, etc

New teams:

  • Power (ask Benny to coordinate; or Mark)
  • Sanitation (Martin/crypt)
    • Toilets etc
  • Fencing (open slot, looking for volunteers)
    • Need to remove an existing fence, possibly build new fences.

Next Steps

  • Russ: announce date
  • Russ: make & publish a map of the site
  • Jonty: post site photos
  • Jonty: chase sponsorship contacts
  • Russ: contact Brown for logo
  • Paul: contact Barrel Bikers and MK BMX Club
  • Russ: apply for license
  • Jasper: research cost of building a bridge
  • Benny:
    • Interested in starting the "Power" team?
    • Research power box in field (once you're back in the country. Speak to Jasper for details)
  • Martin/crypt to kick off toilet rental search
  • Open slot: fencing team coordinator. Someone needs to announce that on list (possibly Mark/Jonty/Russ since they have the details.)

Addendum: MK Notes

(Written by Mark/Jonty/Russ on the train. This is just included for reference.)

Visit again:

  • on a Sunday (BMXers access/parking requirements) - possibly email too
  • when there's south wind (possible sewage smells)
  • Rain (under mway, river capacity, sogginess), ideally sustained

Range finder for arch dimensions
Can we put stuff under bridges? Is it Highways Agency?
Vehicle - landrover/tractor
Metal flooring
Fencing costs and minimum area
Car park email, recce other park
Off licence requirements, fencing
Bridge near car park costs, etc

Council - masts, location limits (road?)
Prices for everything
Add to list:
Minibuses
Barrels
Firewood

Email list/twitter keep date free

Site map, size per person
Gennie location

Barbed wire fence - what to do, add to list of time requirements

Organise trip to Bletchley (separate from camp)

Set up villages
East field might be laid out - fences, power, non-security fences

Ditch pump for entrance ditch

Jasper to contact the church - unlikely to work
Don't warn neighbours

Power box in field - reactivate
Ask them about roadside cabinet

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