Virgin Party 2004 Sept 4th

I have just got home after a long journey to and from Mill End, to say that I was disappointed with the day is an under estimate. As a gold member I received an invite to what I thought would be an exclusive event and how the ticket distribution and receipt of was handled I beleived that the numbers attending were going to be strictly limited. Imagine my surprise when the traffic started backing up miles before we got to the event. It took three and half hours to travel the 56 miles to the party the last 6 miles taking the best part of two hours to get in. On entering the site we were thirsty and hungry. The queues and sheer numbers there were over whelming, the queues for the food stretched half way round the site, the queues for the fair rides stretched halfway round the site.
After 20 minutes of what seemed like hell we decided to go to the information booth to ask if having a gold wrist band gained us access to a less crowded area, unfortunately not. There was nothing laid on for Gold Card Members so why were we given special gold wrist bands? Being hungry and thirsty we decided that we would leave, there were simply far far to many people there (Mainly staff from the various virgin companies) It took a further 40 minutes to get out the single entrance/exit.
I was really disappointed and embarrassed for my friend who had driven me there, he has never flown Virgin before and after me crowing on about Virgin for years was expecting something special of the party. He couldn’t believe how bad it was either.
We both felt cheated of our valuable Saturday, had we of know that the party was going to be so chaotic we would never have gone we both have better ways of spending our time than waiting in queues for hours on end.

[Nottingham Nick]

I have also just returned from the party and we had a great day:D

I too was surprised by the number of people there, and as Jaydun has pointed out, the queues for food and rides by mid afternoon were horrendous.

It was totally different when we arrived at 12noon. We were directed to the Flying Club only car park and given wristbands, meal and drinks tickets, water, snacks and sun cream. We parked up and made our way to the gate where we were greeted by Sir Richard himself and got a great photo taken with him.

Inside there was a funfair and lots of food stalls, and no queues. We had a go on a couple of rides and had some lunch, then walked over to SRB's house. We had a quick game of tennis on his court - rackets and balls provided. There was also his pool to use, but we didn't bother.

We had a canoe down his river and had a look at the aqua-car that he did the cross channel speed record in. We then made our way back to the main arena and saw the queues that had developed. It was still possibe to get drinks fairly easily - water and V.Cola were free and we had tickets for four alcoholic drinks.

At 5pm we went back to the tennis courts and met up with Decker and his lady, PixUK, Richard Mannion, Wolves 27, fozzyo, as well as a very jetlagged Mcuth - to name but a few.

The V-Flyer contingent made their way to the beer tent and I found the full extent of the queues - it was now very, very busy in the main arena. We did queue for more food and left the V-Flyer lot happily trying to rid themselves of all of their drinks vouchers.

The event is billed as a Virgin Party with staff from all the arms of the Virgin empire (and their families) present. FC members could be identified by their gold wrist bands, but there were at least 100 red bands for each gold one.

A bit of advice to anyone going tomorrow or next week. ARRIVE EARLY!!!
as close to 12 noon as you can make it.

I am sure others will add their comments as they see fit.

Nick

[buns]

Jaydun / Nick

Thnaks for the "heads up" on the volume of people that are likely to be encountered.

Nick

quote:A bit of advice to anyone going tomorrow or next week. ARRIVE EARLY!!!
as close to 12 noon as you can make it.

As Sunday is the "shorter" of the two days (closes at 6) - I might leave it a little while and just make a short visit

Buns

[RichardMannion]

I have just arrived back from the party, hardly took anytime at all to get home to Swindon from the party.

I had a great time, my loyalty to Virgin as a group has been enhanced even further.

Yes there was a queue to get to Mill House, and yes you may have ahd to wait for food and drinks - but not very long in my experience. A couple of things to point out here:

a) This party and the other 3 events primary audience are for the employees of the Virgin group of companies - there was a huge cross-section there. I feel very privileged as a customer to have been invited to this event given the primary audience.

b) Did you have to get your wallet out? No - it was free.

Yes there was a lot of people there, there are over 15,000 employees in the Virgin group, and it must be great for these employees and their families/friends to go to a free event like this.

Yes it was an exclusive event as such for Gold's , as we outnumber the actual number of employees and not all Golds could be offered a place.

You were given a gold Flying club wristband to identify you correctly, it is not there for priority treatment. You got to park in a closer car park than the staff. The wristband is there as a differentiator to let staff you are a customer, and a loyal one at that. It also allows security to make sure you access the right areas, there is a campsite area there that is for staff only for starters.

I don't feel cheated in the slightest - to be honest I can't believe that you feel so let down at been invited to a private event that is complimentary and then want to complain about it. There is a time and need for constructive feedback, but whinging is never welcome.

Thanks,
Richard

Jaydun-
The event was for Virgin Group employees.
SRB does these parties every year as a thank you to his staff.
Lucky FCAU members are also invited - I'm in Sydney so couldn't make it this year.

All events of this type get crowded - there are going to be queues for drinks - food etc

every one there is in the same boat the AU band denotes for FF staus and that your not staff.

Since this event is not a FC event I dont see why anyone would expect not to queue.

I like the idea of a FC AU tent (purely to meet other FF) but people on this forum agreed to meet and hang out anyway!

I suggest to let FC know you feedback so they can filter it to the appropriate event organiser(s). It's better to keep your comments constructive

Richard - Glad you have a great time!![8D] sorry I couldn't join you!
Nick - I'll look forward to seeing your SRB photo
Mcuth - I'm impressed you make it there ok!!
Buns - I hope you have a great day there too

Hello

Also went to the party yesterday. Me and fozzyo had a great day I did feel priviliaged to be invited into what is essentially a free party for Virgin Staff. Some of the queues were horrendous by mid afternoon (I like Ben & Jerry's, but not that much!), more food outlets or staff could have been laid on but it didn't ruin my day in the slightest. And as the night went on, it got quicker to get served in the main beer tent which is where me and the other
v-flyers settled :-).

Was nice that FC got to park nearer to the event to. I was nice to finally get to meet some of the other v-flyers I've seen on here and look forward to lots of embarresing photos in the gallery section.

Dean

I agree that it was free and that I cant complain to much but I was not aware that this was for other than Virgin Flying Club Gold members and 1 adult guess and the majority of those being gold card holders, none of the literature that I was sent or read online mentions other Virgin Staff or Companies, In fact it was stressed that you would need to bring your flying club gold card to get in. (this was never checked, though we were told the flying club car park was full!) giving the impression to me that this was an exclusive event. Nowhere was it mentioned that there were going to be tens of thousands people present. Given these facts I would have been able to make the choice not to attend.

Hey All,

Reflecting back on a great day yesterday I most definetely fall into the satisfied band. We knew it was for staff too - it was mentioned on this site a week or so ago and although it was more crowded than even I thought it would it was fine.

We arrived early - met SRB (had photo's but the digital one was a cocked-up so have to wait for standard development), and headed off to a fun packed main arena.

Yes it did get crowded later - waiting 45 minutes for a tub of ice-cream was probably a low point but generally fn was had by all - the kiddies rides never really had any queues all day.

Couldn't get to tennis courts for 5 (sorry about that) but we were a bit detained over the other side.

All in all a fun day - and considering the numbers involved a well organised event - but I would echo other people's sentiment - get there early - especially next Saturday when the evening crown mixes with the day-time crowd to make it very crowded between 5-7 - No idea how they had cars coming in and out along a single track road at the same time.

Will get some photo's posted later.

Phil (Buffy)

Got to say that I fall into the satisfied category too - yes, there were massive queues, and it took almost 3hrs to get there from Reading - the water & sweets given out on registration were very welcome. That said, it was a great day out - basing ourselves in the beer tent was an excellent idea

Good to meet some familiar faces and some new ones too - IIRC, the v-flyer gathering looked like:
Me, Pix, Rob (thanks for the lift ), Sir Richard of Mannion (thanks for the invite ), Nottingham Nick (+ Mrs NN & NN Jr), Decker (+ Mrs D), Wolves27 and Fozyo

Think me & Pix were probably in the worst state by the end of the night, but I think I can say that a good time was had by all - bring on next year! [8D]

BTW, am moving this thread into the Social forum.

Cheers

Michael

[Decker]

Mrs D and self REALLY enjoyed ourselves and feel privileged to have been made a part of the extended Virgin family. The day was incredibly well organised and given the nightmare logistics could not have gone any more smoothly.

We were fortunate in that we took a taxi in from Oxford and the driver, knowing of the delays, took us in "the back way" resulting in a 20 minute cab ride rather than a 90 minute one.

Lovely meeting up with the V-Flyer contingent and Mrs D can can no longer accuse me of having imaginary friends!

We're VERY impressed with the Virgin Unite idea (15,000 Virgin employees using their diverse talents to support 12 specific charities) and feel that this is yet another credit to Virgin's already impressive credentials.

THANKS SRB AND VIRGIN! :D:D

[fozzyo]

Just for reference Pix, this is my sixth post! I said I'd posted more then once, but you didn't seem to believe me.

As Wolves as already said we had a fab day, I think we got there at about 2pmish - missed SRB at the entrance. At the drive through checkin we were initially given red wrist bands but another member of staff spotted the car pass and swapped them for Flying Club ones. Oooh Gold! Nice to experience it even if only in a plasitc wristband that didn't really mean much kinda way.

Thought for a company party it was amazing, great effort by the Virgin Group. Yeah there were queues for food and alcoholic drinks (at a few of the bars we just helped ourselves to cola and water) but there I never experienced any bitching or complaining in the lines which was nice, didn't even here any in the massive Square Pie queue when I walked past.

Unfortunately we didn't get to dip in the pool - too many kids. But we had a paddle on the river and a certain someone decided to splash me with water [:(!]

Was nice to meet fellow V-Flyers after several months lurking - a very friendly bunch who it would appear would like to drink. Why is it Richard, Wolves and myself became the "Bar Bitches" for Pix and Mcuth while they were trying bankrupt the house in the Casino? Looking forward to getting involved with the site now and getting my TP total to above 0 this year.

Big thx to SRB and Virgin, I forgot why they are such a good employer (used to be Weekend staff at Megastore). Also like to echo Decker's thoughts about Virgin Unite, a great idea. I would love to see it extended to FC members who would like to help out.

Looking forward to the next time.
Foz xx


PS: Red and proud!!

Just to say having returned from the Sunday party and had no problem getting there. Drove straight to the reception area with no queues of traffic. Talking to people there, they said there were a lot less people today and were able to get food/drinks without waiting.

Had a warm fun day out.

Fozzyo

quote:a very friendly bunch who it would appear would like to drink.

Wow - I don't know what gave you that impression

quote:Why is it Richard, Wolves and myself became the "Bar Bitches" for Pix and Mcuth while they were trying bankrupt the house in the Casino?

Ah yes, I forgot to mention that - thank you so much for doing the bar running, jolly decent of the 3 of you (and for bringing the growling wookie some food, RM!)

Will you & Dean be making it to the Riverboat Shuffle now you've met us & seen us in action as it were?

Cheers

Michael

Oh yes, and a final thank you to the kind donators of drinks vouchers in aid of the drinking fund [8D]

Cheers

Michael

[fozzyo]

Your welcome.

We'd have loved to have come on the Riverboat, but that is the a day after we fly out to SF unfortunately.

Foz xx

quote:Originally posted by fozzyo
We'd have loved to have come on the Riverboat, but that is the a day after we fly out to SF unfortunately.

Ah, shame (and now you mention it, I'm sure you said something about that last night [:I])

Cheers

Michael

[Decker]

Lovely to meet the beyatches... if you're off to SF....

Bondage a gogo at the Trocadero
Bimbos 365 (Marc Almond there was excellent)

T'amuse bien!

I absolutely agree with Jaydun.
We had no idea that the event would be so 'un-exclusive', in addition to which we followed the advice we were sent about delaying our arrival until after 2.30. We joined a traffic jam at 3pm and by 4.30 got to half way from the A34. With two young children (2&1) stuck in the car on a scorching day, and reports from friends at the event saying that there was little to eat or drink or mile long queues, we did the only sensible thing and bailed out, rather than wait another hour and a half.
I can't believe that, knowing how many people were due to attend, that organisation was not better. The venue is clearly not up to the volumes of people attending, and I wouldn't have cared if Branson had greeted me at the gate or not (actually, having sweltered that long, I might have laid him out).
Very disappointed and - although possibly an over reaction from a frustrated and wasted afternoon on what would otherwise have been a glorious day - it has damaged the Virgin brand to me.

My comments on Saturday...

In general a good day out, but the queues were pretty bad by the end of the day. We got the most we could out of the day by teamwork - I waited for Ben & Jerry's while my wife took the kids to play with the games on the cricket pitch. This kind of tactic worked pretty well everywhere.

Didn't make the tennis courts, but I did see the back of some v-flyers (I spotted the tags). Did anyone see my message on the screen?

Advice:
1. Arrive early. Traffic and ride queues will be shorter.

2. Use a map - it looked like there are back streets (or perhaps the centre of Kidlington) that get there quicker. Don't everybody do this, or SRB won't be able to do it again.

3. Ask what's going on when.

4. If you have kids, plan the day and work the queues in teams.

Some problems:
1. Despite the gold car park pass, we didn't get directed to the right car park. OK, we don't mind the walk, but some of the marshalling was haphazard.

2. Queues weren't well directed - particularly the square pie one which went a long way. The security guys were sorting this out by the end of the day though.

3. When rides were closing, it was left up to the person at the back of the queue to explain. Eventually these people were ignored, and the queue grew again, leaving some unhappy punters. If a ride is closing, put a staff member on the back to tell everyone not to bother. I saw this happen at the ballon rides (we were disappointed) and the bungee trampoline (I was the last in line, but this time I had a security guy to direct people to).

4. Why not put a rough timetable on the handout sheet. We only saw the end of the double tightrope walk, and missed the leapfrog thing entirely. My kids would have loved to be record holders...

And finally. I have one food and eight drink tickets left. Anybody interested? I am going to start another thread.

quote:Originally posted by csparker
Didn't make the tennis courts, but I did see the back of some v-flyers (I spotted the tags). Did anyone see my message on the screen?

You spotted the tags and didn't say hello? Are we that scary? [:p]:D

Didn't see your message, Pix sent one too but I didn't see that either. Funnily enough, I managed to see the bottom of a few Grolsch bottles though

Cheers

Michael

quote:Originally posted by csparker
... double tightrope walk...leapfrog thing...

News to me too. Still had a good time so not complaining.

The marshalling was a bit haphazard. I am surprised at the difference in attendance between the days (mentioned on the Sunday thread) - that sounds a bit strange.

Actually the one thing that we had a small problem with was getting back on the main road after the party as the junction was an exit only so you could not go back the same way.

The one thing that does interest me, if anyone knows the answer, is the nature of the house. Was the house actually SRBs main residence or just a guest house of sorts - it seemed a bit small for someone of his stature - I kinda figured his house was further back.

Phil (Buffy)

Phil (Buffy)

[Nottingham Nick]

I agree with some of the points raised, particularly about the time table of events, I had no idea about the leap frog thing, I didn't hear it on the PA, it was obviously on at the time we were all at the tennis courts.

I am not bothered about being a record breaker, but I collect Virgin t-shirts and that one would be a good addition. I am sure there will be a few on ebay soon.

I see Seat1aUpper is already offering a camera that was given to the kids and a staff t-shirt from the day;);)

Have no problem with the non-exclusivity of the event, as I am only silver and was pleased to be asked.

I still stick to my original advice - ARRIVE EARLY

quote:You spotted the tags and didn't say hello? Are we that scary?

You were walking very quickly away from the cricket pitch and I was in the Ben & Jerry's queue. I couldn't leave the queue as we had dragged my kids all the way down there on the promise of an ice cream.

quote:Originally posted by csparker
You were walking very quickly away from the cricket pitch and I was in the Ben & Jerry's queue. I couldn't leave the queue as we had dragged my kids all the way down there on the promise of an ice cream.

Sheesh, what an excuse - I'm sure the kids wouldn't have minded :D (just kidding! )

Cheers

Michael

[fozzyo]

I think all the points raised are valid, as I said earlier I was impressed in how the atmosphere of the day was maintained. I didn't really see / hear anyone having a tantrum, winge or anything like that.

Out of interest has anyone been to one of these events before? If so how did this one compare? Have they done one on this scale before?

Foz xx