Oxford 1 Day Event - 11 October 2020

[Buzz0000]

We (in South Oxfordshire) is now officially in MEDIUM (according to my NHS app) - is that the same as TIER 1? Hoping it doesn't get worse and prevent us gaming..... David (B)

[tjelsworth]

Yes, I believe tier 1 and NHS medium are the same thing.

So far so good.

T

[benjones1211]

They are the same, as long as we don't go to Tier 2 will be OK, of course anyone coming to the club must also be coming from a tier 1 area just to add a level of complication.

Ben

[tjelsworth]

Dear all,
Come this Sunday it will be 2 weeks until round 2 of our extended event. So grateful to know by Sunday if there are any more new players that would like to come along and try to qualify for the finals in December. After Sunday I shall open any remaining places to people who were in the first round, apart from those already qualified
for the finals, at least in the first instance.

Thanks

Tom

[madaxeman]

Would love to ... but as a Tier 2 player you’d need to set up a board outside ... which is a bit of an ask in November!

[benjones1211]

We can set up a table outside it could even be undercover but as you said thermal underwear would be required.

[tjelsworth]

Yes, there is room to have all three tables outside undercover. Might get some curious locals looking on.

Tom

[TrevAllen]

At least with my Bolsover address, I am still in Tier 1, therefore I can stay warm for the day!

Need to send my list in this weekend, I believe.

[benjones1211]

Not looking good Oxford City going inti Tier 2

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18831 ... TmqN0nstKE

[TrevAllen]

Looks like Bolsover will be at the weekend.

[tjelsworth]

Either woolly underwear or we postpone until spring I reckon. I will possibly hear from the Hall quite soon about how the regs impact community facilities (anyone know?). Let’s wait a few days to hear from them before we make any big decisions.

Tom

[Buzz0000]

A shame, but I think that as we head into the winter months it is only going to get worse before it gets better.

I expect all of Oxfordshire to be in lock-down in next 1-2 weeks and possibly a national lock-down before Christmas (to try and make sure we can have a Christmas and New Year).

David (B)

[tjelsworth]

Oh well, so much for our November round. I guess for now we should say it is delayed until the December date ( the 13th) and the final will now be at a date in January (tba).

Time will tell but I suspect things will change again. At some point we shall need to decide whether to start again or keep the event hanging over ever further into a new year - Six Nations style.

As ever any thoughts welcome.

Tom

[TrevAllen]

Ok, In that case I wont send in my winning army list for two weeks time - ha ha.

Tis a shame as I was really looking forward to this. I will keep my eye on this page for news.

Hopefully Dec 13th will be possible, but I do suspect this national shutdown could be a lot longer than initially expected.

If there is any further news, please try me on email if necessary, as I think I'll be more likely to see it.

Trev

[Buzz0000]

It is a pain, but I guess necessary one, however, I am somewhat pessimistic that these sorts of interventions will necessarily roll over well into 2021 (as we weather "flu season" as well) and start impacting the bigger events like Godendag etc.

On the point about email I agree it would be helpful to circulate updates on this thread that way as well. Does anyone know if it is possible to set up alerts to one's email whenever there is a new post to a thread one is "monitoring"?

Hope everyone is safe and well!

David (B)

[madaxeman]

Sadly I think it is a safe assumption that there will be no “big” events until at least April-May at the absolute earliest, and probably into the summer being more realistic

A return to “groups of 6 allowed indoors” may be as good as we can hope for quite some time.

[tjelsworth]

I guess that is right. So we plan to relaunch our event in 3 rounds each of 6 people over 3 days as soon as may be. I guess we should start by completing the outstanding rounds of the October event.

All thoughts on themes etc welcome but it may be that we should stick to open 15mm?

Tom

[Buzz0000]

I hope everyone is safe and well! Despite the recent good news about the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine trials, things on the COVD front seem to continue to stymie our enjoyment of our hobby - fortunately I still have a lot of re-basing still to do, which at least means I am staying connected to the hobby if not to my fellow enthusiasts!

With today's Govt announcement of the new Tiers for the post National Lockdown and pre-Christmas "amnesty" period, we seem, according to the guidance, not able to have indoor events for mixed households taking place in Oxfordshire (as the county is now in Tier 2 under the new criteria):

The 2 key Tier two (high) rules that seem to apply are:
1/ In tier two you can't socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble
2/ People are advised not to travel to and from tier three areas

Not sure how many entrantsfor the December 13 round are from the Tier 3 areas, but they seemingly cannot travel outside there area, where the mixing rule is:
1/ You can't mix with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, either indoors, or in private gardens and pub gardens

I found this summary somewhat helpful: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/explainers-55048805

As Oxfordshire will be in Tier 2 until at least the next review point on 16 Dec (after this 13 Dec event), unless the Wolvercote Hall believe that they have special exemption, I cannot see how we can go ahead on 13 Dec with the 2nd round.

Tom, I assume you are in contact with Wolvercote Hall to clarify and will let us all know?

David (B)

[tjelsworth]

David,

Yes, the position around community facilities is not wholly clear to me but as you say that would not help any guests we might have from tier 3. I shall get input from the Hall shortly.

There is also the consideration that if we did hold an event it would have to be outdoors and that might not be a great deal on Dec 13?

Grateful to know from anyone who was planning to come what they feel. For myself I should be happy to attend an outdoor, but undercover, event.

Tom

[Buzz0000]

Hi Tom

Do you have the guidance from Wolvecote?

From my memory of the layout outside, I am not sure how this would work in keeping the 3 tables and 6 competitors undercover and socially distanced and still allow the use of the facilities (esp. as the weather is likely to exacerbate demand!)

David (B)