In preparation of the Edgbaston Cricket Ground Fun day this Sunday 13th June we have prepared some (hopefully) useful questions/answers that you might have about the day. Please have a read through what’s below but if you have any other questions that these do not answer then email me on admin@theoasischurch.com
How do we get in? Where do we park? Do we need a ticket?
Car Owners
If you are arriving by car at any time during the day, you can only park in the Colts Ground Parking Area accessible from Edgbaston Road (nearly opposite the Mac). You cannot park in the normal car park we use on a Sunday. You will need an Oasis Car Park Pass and Admission ticket available from Gus. You need the Pass / Admission ticket for every person coming in your car over the age of <age>. We will only issue a Pass / Admission ticket to people actually serving on the event.
Many people have already picked up their pass on Sunday, but if you haven’t got yours yet, you can grab one from Gus at the Prayer Meeting on Thursday (another good reason to come!)
If you find you get to the actual day and you still don’t have a pass, then I suggest parking up briefly on a side road on Pershore Road; popping into the ground on foot through the normal entrance; heading straight for the Marquee; and picking up a pass from whoever is on the door there from Oasis. You can then swing round to the Colts Ground to park properly. Still be aware of the next paragraph, however!!
As the day carries on (particularly relevant if you are serving in a slot later in the day) there’s still a chance that it might be difficult to get parked, even in the Colts Ground and even with your Oasis Car Pass (if you have one). I’m just guessing, but the spaces may fill up quickly in there, even though we have (in theory) 100 spaces reserved. So please be open to making alternative plans to park if you can’t get in the Colts Ground, remain nice and friendly to any stewards(!), and still be on time for whatever your slot is!! I know we’re not particularly used to thinking about where we park on a Sunday, so please can we be positive about this rather than thinking we have a right to park! (Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh! I just feel we need to serve Edgbaston on this one and ‘tuck in’ with them with parking on this very busy day! If you really do want to bag a slot, come early and stay a long time!!)
On Foot
On foot throughout the day, you can come through the usual entrance from Pershore Road. If you come direct to the Marquee doors (which may look like they’re locked!) we will nevertheless let you in this way. You therefore will avoid the official turnstiles and you therefore won’t need a Pass / Admission ticket.
First thing to do once you’re in, is come and get your T-shirt. There are new orange T Shirts this year, so we’d prefer you not to bother with the old brown ones, but to come and pick up a new orange one. Please be aware that the ground is running a “Pirate” theme so if you did want to pick up your own pirate hat or parrot from a party shop, that would add a bit of sparkle, but no pressure though.
How do I get out?
You can get out by driving out of the Colts Ground Car Park. You do not need an exit pass like you do on a Sunday – the Colts Ground does not have a barrier system.
Can I keep my T-Shirt?
If you want to pay Oasis Church £5 for your T-Shirt, you can keep it. Please don’t take the T Shirt and forget to pay! Otherwise, we’d like it back please so that we can keep on using it – especially as we’re at the Mac for the next 3 weeks and want to use it as a way of identifying Welcomers. The T-shirt is a very helpful visual tool that expresses something of the weight of our presence at the ground, so we don’t really want to see them al disappear into the abyss! So as a general rule, please return the T-Shirt before you leave the ground. Thanks.
What activities are we actually running?
We have the front of the Marquee for our total use, and some of the grass area opposite Moseley. In the Marquee we will be running an ongoing crafts, face-painting, free Tea & Coffee for parents / guardians, and a Treasure Hunt tombola. Then out on the grass, we have a penalty shoot out, the Gladiator inflatable, and ‘wet sponge’ stocks.
Who should I go to for help with anything?
We have designated Activity Team Leaders for the various different areas. These are as follows:
Face Painting: Jane Rosier & Catherine Pedley
Craft & Tombola: Jane Rosier & Debbie Ricketts & Helen Whitehouse
Teas & Coffees : John & Kris Theuns
Penalty Shoot Out: Ben Kyte / Rob Campbell
Gladiators / Stocks: Naomi Telfer
Set Up / Down: Martin Cull
Point People: Gus Rosier / Vince Ricketts
Welcome: Yvonne Evans / Adrian Hurst
You will be allocated one hour and a half slot in whichever of these activities you volunteered for. Therefore, your first point of call for any help is with your Team Leader. Both myself and Vince Ricketts will be around most of the day in a floating role to provide any further assistance.
How much have I got to do?
For the most part, we have tried to facilitate the day for everyone as a commitment to just one hour and a half session only. This means the rest of the day is yours to enjoy! However, I would strongly encourage everyone to be available for ad hoc welcoming and chatting and (possibly) stewarding roles that are generally ongoing throughout the day. We want to engage with as many people as possible, and so warmth and friendliness and a willingness to serve in a welcoming capacity would be fantastic. Anyone coming up to me with a “what can I do to help?” attitude will be an amazing blessing!
The rotas that are running across all areas are as follows:
10am – 11.30am Quiet (doors open at 10.30am)
11.30am – 1pm Busy (interest builds as more come in!)
1pm – 2.30pm Busy to quieter (more people arrive but then go into the game)
2.30pm – 4pm Quieter (game on – but busier during cricket interval)
4pm – 5.30pm Quieter (game on again – day draws to a close)
Can I watch the cricket?
The game starts at 2.30pm, breaks at approx 3.45pm for 15 mins, and then starts again from 4pm til 5.15pm. Anyone not serving during these times is welcome to watch as much or as little of the game as you would like.
Who will look after my children if I come with them?
I know it sounds a bit obvious, but you are responsible for your own children at all times! Oasis is not providing any supervised activity where you are free to leave your children under our care. This is the case for all parent / guardians using our facilities, whether with Oasis or not – children must be accompanied by a responsible parent / guardian. This said, you can still serve in an area and get your children to help you of course!
Can anyone come into the Marquee Family Area?
Not really. The Kid’s Zone is only for accompanied children. Therefore, attractive as free tea and coffee might be, parents / guardians without children will be asked to refrain from entering the facility. There might be the odd exceptions as discretion allows. We will endeavour to manage this by talking to people in a friendly manner!
When can I go home?
You are free to come and go as you feel as long as you serve your rota’d slot! Anyone that can stay on towards the end to help pack down will be an amazing blessing. More hands make less work for tired people at the end of the day!
Please note that cars will not be allowed back onto the inner-concourse until 6.30pm.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The show must go on! We will set up everything as ‘good to go’ and assume that everything will run accordingly. Please turn up for your session whatever, even if the weather is very bad. If in any doubt, please either turn up, or call Gus (07712 238322) or Vince (07719 236347) to see how the land is lying. Please don’t just “no-show”. Even if we come in ready to serve and there’s no one around, we can both a) enjoy each other’s company; and b) send a message to Edgbaston that we are totally committed to the event!
