Firstly, we would like to thank you all for being so patient in waiting for a venue and date to be confirmed. We're really pleased to see that so many people agree that it’s right to get the venue right and find a great place to host JAE, rather than just rush to a decision. And to everyone who researched venues, sent in suggestions and did lot of legwork thank you very much.
Traditionally JAE has always been the start of the Summer Holidays and, despite thunder storms, floods and even a hurricane we have stuck to that date and accommodated TOTB by moving forward. Looking at the weather (this is the UK after all!) maybe July is never the right time? But we wanted it to be at a time when as many people could find the time and also when the whole family could come along – if they wanted! So, we have after much consideration agreed to move it to the last weekend of August. Not only is this better weather but its still school holiday time and should give us a much better event to round off the Summer. In addition to moving to the weekend of 29-31 August the event just got bigger and is now 3 DAYS of JAE!!! Thursday is now set up day and the activities start in earnest on Friday morning for those that wish to make it a full weekend away. We hope you like it!
JAE at Billing was fine at that time but JAE out-grew the location which is when we moved to Peterborough.This was a step in the right direction as it gave us a much bigger venue to allow in all the clubs who wanted to come to JAE but in moving to Peterborough we lost some of what made JAE so special so the task was on to find the perfect venue which would give the sparkle back to JAE and worked on the overall atmosphere of the event which we all know makes it different from any other in the year.
We have now found JAE's new permanent home and confirmed the venue and dates for the next 3 years.
JAE's new permanent home for 2008 and beyond will be at Mersea Island which just outside Colchester.
The show venue is over 60 acres and has a huge amount of potential for us, already catering for club and enthusiast shows all year round and with some amazing facilities on site - we're amazed we managed to miss it previously as its perfect for JAE! I will post up some pictures tomorrow of things to expect at the new location but, for now, let me just share with you SOME what we have to offer at JAE's new home:
Loads of parking on a totally secure site
Full Bar and off- sales
Japanese themed bar and special hot and cold SAKE bar
Large function room with permanent DJ facilities and stage
Outdoor hard standing marquee for live bands
Indoor trade area as well as outdoor pitches
Speedboat with inflatable banana ride experiences from the Beach
Yes, you read right - a beach!! - which is part of the site
Log cabins for families and groups with electric and heating as well as the vast camping areas as usual
Various planned activities such as inter-club Its-a-Knockout competitions ( inc 5 a side football ), some themed in Japanese endurance- Takeshi's Castle style!!
Full food village as well as a huge canteen which will be providing not only dinner for those who grow tired of junk food but also each morning the canteen will provide full English breakfasts, served up in true dinner-lady style - Previously an important detail which was missing from JAE for the morning after a night socialising
….. but best of all, the venue is really quiet and in the middle of nowhere so we can make as much noise as we like and go on for as long as we like. But if you’re worried about too much noise we have an area completely set aside as a quiet camping for those who may have families etc as the site is designed to cater for all, making it even more family friendly in certain parts of the site to ensure everyone has a great time.
I hope you'll join us in the excitement that the new date and venue will bring to JAE. It’s going to be just like the old days…………only better, longer and so much more to do....and by the beach!!!
More specific details will follow, for now, be safe in the knowledge we're back on track and firing on all cylinders better than ever before....we're now running on Iridium plugs!!!
See you there!
John