UKCF ANNUAL BIG HERF 2011 Sat 6th August Birmingham

[The Prince, Moseley]

Gentleman, you will all be most welcome. We are into double figures now so should be a good gathering.

I am looking forward to it. Keith

[Eddie]

Whats the crack. Is there a meal, cigars & rum for a fixed price? Or just a group of us buying drinks at the bar?

[Wardjrz]

I have a couple of questions:
The first one has sort of been asked by Eddie. Being new to this how does a Herf work?
My second one is: Will anyone be travelling from Yorkshire and interested in a car share? I'd probably have to return the same day though
John

[monkey66]

This is not too formal.

My thoughts are Keith has mentioned before about food (did someone say hog roast ) don't know if this is possible but would be great for me. Over to Keith for some suggestions/prices.

A good rule for herfs is to bring some cigars

Additionally perhaps some of our good retailer friends may like to contribute a stick or two to the cause (not mentioning any names Mitch, Ajay, Eddie, Jimmy) ...of course if any/all of you want to come we would be delighted to see you.

[The Prince, Moseley]

Thanks for the input ... obviously we will try and accommodate evryone wishes and perhaps the best ideas for the session.

I would be delighted to offer everyone a welcome drink.

With regards to drinks throughout the evening, how about a rum and malts tasting session? I could select two really great rums and two really great malts, offer some insights on each drink. I could ask my friends at Tor if they would like to get involved and perhaps supply a cigar they want to promote. This would then allow me to say do the 4 drinks and the cigar for say ?10. Please understand, I am not trying to make a profit here (the rums and malts would have an over the bar price of at least ?5 each), simply offer members of the forum a great evening. As its illegal to give away cigars, we need to bundle any cigar in with the drinks and charge a ticket price. Alternatively folks may prefer just to buy they own drinks and have no commercial involvement.

Also although we do sell cigars at The Prince, its a very limited range and mainly for impulse purchase, so I would be happy to see other retailers come and get involved. Again all ideas welcome and I would rather put on the event forum members want, rather than try and sell something.

With regards to food, I don't envisage a formal meal, although this is not a problem, we do catering for functions all the time. However we can be more flexible and have things like pizza or Thai or Indian brought to our tables on a very informal basis; all for less than ?10 a head ... again up to you guys. Our current in-house catering offers a Bombay Tapas menu. Its very good and dishes are priced between ?2 - ?4.

Just give me more feedback and we will do our best to organise something to suit.

Regards Keith

[monkey66]

thanks Keith, plenty of great options, I'm going to shut up now and let some others chip in.

[SmokeyDave]

Thank you for the suggestions Keith

I'm happy with any of the above, if someone was promoting a cigar / malts etc that would be interesting and definitely get the conversation going.

What time do people usually turn up at an event like this?

Dave

[The Prince, Moseley]

On timings, I suggest we do say 5pm to 9pm, that way folks who are travelling home afterwards will have time to drive/get trains. Others who want to stay on longer can do as we are open until 1am.

[peanutpete]

wow how can i be away for this, sounds like a great time will be had by all attending and some great suggestions re the rum and malts from Keith

[Eddie]

This sounds like I hoped it would. I think Gem would be there for food and conversation only as she's not a big drinker and not a smoker (and will have to drive me home).

I like the idea of bombay tapas, but would it be peanut free as Gemma is allergic (sorry to be awkward).

I also like the idea of trying to pair a cigar with a drink if the importers get involved.

This date is well and truly in my diary.

[cohibaIV]

Rum tasting and finger food sounds good to me.. Times sound good also although I will prob attend a little earlier and stay a little later..

[El Catador]

Cheers Keith

Sounds good to me.

The provisional numbers are loking good too, with a bit of luck this should be quite a night!
(and... some O' the 'Southern Dandies' are coming as well! Wow. Innoculations and passports up-to-date fellas?)

I might be in a minority, but I'd be happy to pay a higher 'ticket' price if we could source a few premium cigars (i.e. 'Cuban' ones) and include them as part of the package.
(As an example, some of this years LE's, RE's and new releases should be available by then, might be an opportunity for members to sample a few before investing in a box?)

What does everyone else think...?
What would you be happy to pay for a ticket, if say, there was a Partagas serie E or a Ramon Alones LE (or similar) included in the price?

[cohibaIV]

I'm with cat on this, I am prepared to spend a little more to sample a decent Cuban. But with must make sure that we don't start pricing folk out...

[monkey66]

I'm with cat on this, I am prepared to spend a little more to sample a decent Cuban. But with must make sure that we don't start pricing folk out...

+1 but no big deal either way, important to be as inclusive as possible. I am planning to make a full day of it and will be coming earlier and leaving later

NB driving up from N London but staying overnight.

[linfield100]

Count me in as well, barring any late change of plans.
I don't live too far away.