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Author
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Topic: 10/19-20: Harrison Schmitt in Pontefract (UK)
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james watt
Member Posts: 54
From: england
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 06-21-2012 05:03 PM
   
There are a few comments on here about Jack not signing autographs. Surely this cannot put anyone off attending this event? He is, after all signing copies of his book which can be obtained for around £20 new and far cheaper on eBay. Add to that the fact we can have a photo for £20 and £60 for the talk is excellent value! I understand Aldrin's autograph alone is £250? Aldrin may have been the second man to set foot on the moon but Jack was the last, albeit not the last to leave and will be far more interesting to listen to? I sincerely hope we will not let this chance of meeting Jack slip away because it could possibly be the only one we will get unless we go to the US, which will cost a lot more! |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 06-25-2012 07:02 AM
Deadline mid-August now apparently? Worrying. Can anyone on here who intends going and has not yet committed be kind enough to do so? Thanks. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 06-25-2012 12:37 PM
For what it's worth, Ken has recently had plenty of promising enquiries; they have promised to purchase tickets but have then failed to "cough up."I suspect many are waiting for a definite "GO" before they send their cheques. But if they don't send the payments it will be a "NO GO." Catch 22 springs to mind. Ken had hair and a "six pack" when he started to organise the Schmitt event; look at the poor guy now! Unless readers want to make every toupe maker in the Pontefract area very happy... get your cheques in the post as soon as possible. |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 06-25-2012 04:14 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
Unless readers want to make every toupe maker in the Pontefract area very happy... get your cheques in the post as soon as possible.
Sorry folks, but someone had to say it. Toupee or not toupee. That is the question.  |
Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 06-30-2012 01:50 AM
I'd just like to suggest that maybe an eBay listing with the keywords 'Apollo 17 Harrison Jack Schmitt Gene Cernan NASA Autograph book Moon' etc etc. This wouldn't necessarily have to be a selling item but can just be a listing, with a photo maybe, advertising the Schmitt event.I have sold several thousand items on eBay and I know how useful/important relevant keywords are. The chances are that there are LOTS of Apollo fans on ebay.co.uk that aren't necessarily aware of the Schmitt event so this would be an ideal way to bring it to their attention. Just to clarify, if someone was searching for, say, Harrison Schmitt's book or autograph then this listing would appear. Similarly for Cernan or, to a lesser extent, Apollo items. I think it's worth a shot? My second point- This doesn't really help matters as the cheque-payment wheels are already in motion but I am quite sure what puts quite a lot of people off sending a cheque for the event is two things: - Some people evidently dont have cheque books anymore.
- The fact that it is not written in stone when the cheques get cashed.
For future events I suggest that Ken (or Rick, or maybe a group of people) open a bank account, ideally one that pays a decent interest rate, and people can then either make a payment/transfer directly into this account, or, they can send a cheque that will get cashed as soon as it is paid into the bank.Then, if the event doesn't happen/'NO GO', everybody can get their money back (who paid what will be easily documented) plus a small amount of interest. In the event the it does get the 'GO' then payment will be made easily to Schmitt, everybody will have already had the money go out of their account, plus there will be some interest left over which, in my lovely, dream, airy fairy world, could be put towards another event? Or, more realistically, paid to Ken for all his hard work, or if some are unhappy with this (who would be?) to a charity of some kind? Just my thoughts whilst im daydreaming at work of meeting Mr. Schmitt! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 06-30-2012 03:27 AM
Buel, the eBay listing sounds like an excellent idea. I have personally never listed anything on eBay; you seem pretty savvy about these things. Is this something you could do?As for alternate methods of payment, please be aware I have nothing to do with the logistics associated with organising the event per se; I am simply Ken's mouthpiece on collectSPACE. But alternate payment options are something I am sure Ken will look at for future events. In this day and age, cheques may not be the best option but do not present an insurmountable obstacle for anybody who really wants to be there. Where there's a will... there's a way. |
Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 06-30-2012 03:47 AM
Rick, yes I know you are 'only the mouthpiece' (you are actually much more than that) but I just thought I'd put this option 'out there', so to speak. Perhaps you could mention it to Ken?As for the eBay listing, I'll get on it over the weekend. I must admit, I'm very hopeful indeed. Regarding 'Where there is a will, there is a way', that is one of my favourite phrases ever, I even get the mickey taken out of me because of it as I repeat it so often and I am a believer in it. You are right in this context too. However, in some circumstances some things just need a little tweak to make them more successful and I think this event would have certainly benefited from it. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be so many 'diehard' Apollo fans as perhaps there should/you would expect so, in my opinion, we should make it accessible to those on the fringe, for want of a better phrase. Leave me with the eBay thing... (Anyone have any luck with the Pocock lady? I did post about her having a Facebook account but on closer inspection it was just a Facebook page with info about her with no contact details. Wasn't someone hoping to bump into her at the Science festival?) |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 06-30-2012 04:47 AM
Thanks "Buel" for your help. It is much appreciated though time is of the essence.For what it is worth Merseysiders have taken the famous saying to their hearts with a twist. "Where there's a will... there's a relative"  |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 06-30-2012 04:55 AM
I've said it before, so I'll say it again. (As my old Granny used to repeat often!)One does NOT need a cheque book to write a cheque. Anything will do just so long as it is inscribed with the relevant details, i.e. bank sort code, account number and the amount to be paid. In the past cheques have been written on cows, house bricks, paving stones, etc.! This said, I wonder if a cow will travel in a horse box and where will Ken keep it until it is cashed. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-30-2012 07:18 AM
But whether or not a bank will accept it is another story. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 06-30-2012 02:25 PM
Just to reiterate a word from Ken; "cheques will not be cashed until I have all the money. If I cash them before and it doesn't come off I have then to write out loads of cheques and post them out. Bank Transfer is also an option." |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-01-2012 12:28 PM
I have now sent a "flyer sheet" to the Royal Aeronautical Society in London too.Perhaps they will advertise the event? |
johnpslater
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posted 07-03-2012 04:53 PM
Rick, you seem to be in the know, what's the latest? |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-03-2012 05:08 PM
John, Ken is still working on it. I mither Ken almost daily so as soon as I hear something more I'll post here. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2913
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-03-2012 06:30 PM
Just curious, unless it was already discussed here, about possibly getting corporate, universities, and other sponsors to help foot the cost for all, or most, of a visit by Dr. Schmitt for such a speaking engagement. With a sponsor's donation, perhaps many tickets could be set aside for the sponsor along with a luncheon or dinner, if possible. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-04-2012 02:31 AM
If not already explored? Sponsorship and Corporate involvement is a good idea Ken. I am also trying to involve the National Geographic Magazine with advertising, but have heard nothing as yet. |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 07-04-2012 03:57 AM
I think we are all trying to help in every way we can. I have a suspicion that if this succeeds that it may well be the last of it's exact kind, and I truly could not blame Ken. He has been through the mill, big time, this year.I also believe that Paypal would have helped raise the funds a bit quicker as it takes away the promising/not delivering problem. We know that Ken W has an aversion to PP, which is fair enough, but that doesn't stop a third party collecting the funds via PP and then passing them on, in cheque format, to Ken. As has been stated before people CAN send money via PP and pay the small transaction fee themselves rather than short-change the recipient. Like everyone else I will keep on trying to raise some more interest. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-04-2012 06:43 AM
Corporate and sponsorship options have been, and continue to be sought. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-04-2012 08:26 AM
How about a quick e-mail to Richard Branson? I'm serious and will do it if you want me to? |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-04-2012 09:45 AM
Why not Chris. Richard Branson has a few quid to spare. If he wants to plaster Virgin promotional material around the stage I am sure Ken will not mind. |
Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 07-05-2012 08:00 AM
Why not indeed. If he's going to have a room full of people who would love a flight with Virgin Galactic then this would surely be it. For me however, Virgin Atlantic is more likely. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-05-2012 03:06 PM
E-mail now sent to Virgin Galactic, I've sent you a copy Rick. |
johnpslater
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posted 07-06-2012 05:16 PM
Do you think this will get actually get to Richard Branson? |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 07-06-2012 10:46 PM
If you don't send it then it definitely will not. So it can't hurt to ask. |
Buel
Member Posts: 649
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 07-07-2012 09:15 AM
"You miss 100% of the shots you never take." — Wayne Gretzky |
johnpslater
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posted 07-07-2012 10:36 AM
quote:
Originally posted by fredtrav:
If you don't send it then it definitely will not.
I merely asked if you think it will actually get to him? He must be sent 1000's per week, who reads them and decides which to bring to his notice? |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-08-2012 04:13 AM
I've also taken the "old fashioned" route and sent a letter to his home address in Oxfordshire.All you can do is hope, but you have to try. No luck with the National Geographic magazine though. They want thousands of pounds rather than hundreds to run an advert. |
johnpslater
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posted 07-12-2012 05:02 PM
I would have thought the fact we had this one and only opportunity to meet Jack was enough for the event to be a sell out without having to rely on people like Branson to make it happen! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-12-2012 06:20 PM
It is a pretty poor reflection, albeit a rather sweeping one, on the great British public that an event held in Pontefract recently with Mike Tyson, a convicted rapist thug, sold out in days... with tickets at £80 a pop!Yet, an historically important achiever and aspirational figure such as Harrison Schmitt has not attracted the same level of interest. I despair of this country. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-12-2012 06:43 PM
By chance, did Ken approach the Tyson event promoter to see if information about the Schmitt talk could be distributed to those who attended? Even if not, I would highly suggest looking for similar opportunities. For example, the upcoming talk by Julie Payette at the British Interplanetary Society would seem like the perfect audience to promote the Schmitt event. In fact, has anyone approach the BIS to see if they would partner on the Schmitt event and promote it to their members? |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 07-13-2012 12:55 AM
Rick - like you I despair. However, I'm not surprised. It's one of the sad trends of our time that the general public are more concerned with 'celebrities' rather than perceived historical events.Ask 100 people if they've heard of Mike Tyson and I suspect you'll get nearly half will answer, "Yes!" Ask the same question about Jack Schmitt and I'll be surprised if ten have. This is reflected in the sale of tickets at the two Pontefract events mentioned. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-13-2012 03:21 AM
Thanks for the suggestion Robert. Ken has been in touch with so many different groups, societies and professional bodies the numbers of individuals that know about the event runs in to the thousands and that is the tip of the iceberg.I could not help but notice, for those concerned that Dr. Schmitt would sign only his book, a signed copy is currently of eBay for $50 with several days still to go; he will sign three such books inclusive of the ticket price on the night. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-13-2012 03:47 AM
Yes that's an excellent idea Robert, and one that I missed.Rick, I can copy and post some handbills to the BIS for the Julie Payette event if I can't get there myself. What do you think? |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-13-2012 04:04 AM
That is worth a try Chris. The decision on whether the event goes ahead is expected within a week or so. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-13-2012 04:55 PM
You may all be interested to know Harrison Schmitt rang Ken this evening for a progress report of the event.He is VERY keen to come across; I think Ken was a little taken aback by his enthusiasm for the show. Dr. Schmitt is keeping those days set aside for Ken but only until the end of this month. The event will only proceed however IF Ken has sold enough tickets by the end of this month. Dr. Schmitt can earn the same fees fulfilling engagements in the US for the 40th anniversary of Apollo 17... without the 18 hours round trip flight, jet-lag and general upheaval. I suspect there are some waiting for the confirmation that the event is a GO! Indeed when Ken confirmed Charlie Duke several years ago he sold 150 tickets in the following 3 or 4 days. Let me stress to those who are sitting on the fence. Send your cheques to Ken now or the event will not proceed. We have seen in the last week Jim Lovell's decision to no longer partake in such events and the indications are Buzz will follow suit. I think it safe to say this will be the first and ONLY time Harrison Schmitt will be at such an event in the UK; it would be criminal to let such an opportunity pass us by. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-13-2012 06:29 PM
I can only agree Rick. |
One Big Monkey
Member Posts: 169
From: West Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 07-14-2012 04:40 AM
I've been excited about this event ever since Professor Brian Cox first publicised it. I sincerely hope it goes ahead! I'm more than happy to buy a book, pay for a photo, you name it. An actual astronaut, and a geologist to boot, in my home county! I have my question prepared and everything! |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-14-2012 05:58 AM
In order to avoid a few hundred potential attendees being teased along every couple of weeks, why not tell us how many tickets still NEED to be sold in order to secure Schmitt? We're all doing our bit to publicise but if we knew that the event was only short of 20,30, 50 tickets I'm sure the effort could be redoubled and we'd all know where we stood for one weekend in October! |
topmiler
Member Posts: 148
From: eastleigh, hampshire, UK
Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 07-14-2012 07:15 AM
That's a very good suggestion. There could be a lot of people hanging on. It would be a catastrophe not to have this go ahead for the sake of a few tickets. How many more need to be sold. Start a countdown. |
johnpslater
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posted 07-14-2012 10:13 AM
I would have thought anyone interested in meeting Jack would have sent the money straight away and not hung on? |
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