Sunday 15th July 2012

2010 Sunday 11th July

"A magnificent event that really makes a difference" the words used by Cheshire's Lord Lieutenant David Briggs MBE. Twenty eight thousand visitors poured into Walton Gardens on Sunday (11th July) to celebrate our 19th annual event. This was in addition to over five thousand people who attended the eleven supporting events that were held during the week prior to DAD. Amazingly thirty three thousand people joined us at DAD events this year!

Before I mention the week and the big day it's worth considering that planning for this year's events started way back last summer when we were putting the final touches to DAD 2009 and began booking acts for the Arts marquee for this years DAD. Immediately after the event we were making changes to the web site looking forward to 2010 and were scheduling advertising during the autumn. The management team first met in January and administration started in earnest straight after the first meeting. We met with our stewards in April and June, and alongside all of this our teams had separate meetings with their partners. Finally, as the week got closer, the last minute additions were being made to the DAD programme and on Friday evening I joined Pam, Jayne, Brun and Graham at a local grocery whole outlet to pick up refreshments for our team of stewards and assistants. I admit I was a little surprised when the cashiers read out the bill "that will be Ł1,200". Graham did remind me that there was a lot of pop and water. Well, he would know, as he had to push the six very heavily laden trolleys out to the van.

Saturday's launch event set us off to a great start; Maria and Tom had booked a fantastic line up of dancers, singers and musicians, including Carly, who has recently appeared on the BBC's Autistic Superstars. She is so good that if you closed your eyes for a minute you really would think that you were listening to Amy Winehouse live on stage in the Warrington Golden Square. Merseyside's Andrew Coleman showed us what he had in store for Simon Cowell and the X Factor judges when he takes to the stage for this year's competition and Dee Sign Deaf Sign Choir brought their usual magic that kept the crowd spellbound by their unique performance. It was good to team up again with Phil Edwards and the gang from Radio Warrington. Phil acted as MC for the event and his team broadcast their show live from the town centre. Our guests from Nachod in the Czech Republic complimented the team on a great day. I spent Sunday morning putting the final touches to the site plan and the event site itinerary; I still don't know how we managed to squeeze so many exhibitors into the space available. With over 500 spaces taken again this year it goes to show that there is still lots of interest in our event. After an afternoon in Wrexham watching the Warrington Wolves beat Celtic Crusaders it was on to Walton Gardens to mark out the first of the marquees ready for Paul and his team from Florida Marquees as they always get an early morning start the following day.

Monday is seen by the site team as "preparation day", the large site huts were craned off the back of a low loader and trailer, several van loads of signs, banners, fencing, tools, bunting, flags and everything else we need to build the event site. But the most pleasing sight is to see the team together again after a year when we probably haven't seen each other except in passing or at the stewards meeting. Terry, Graham, Pam, Tom, John, Tommy, Bob, Robert, Colin and Mark, each with their own reasons for being there but together we share a camaraderie that is quite unique. The Warrington Guardian ran a nice article that highlighted the team's commitment, some taking their holidays, some taking unpaid leave, others a mixture of both, but all putting in over 100 hours of voluntary work during the eight days at the park. Our work at the event site wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the other members of our team who are located at the Centre for Independent Living, home of WDP. This year has been different and sometimes difficult for various reasons, sickness (Audrey, Anne and Dave), new starters (Gary, Chris, Alan and Val), maternity (Caroline) and the ongoing work associated to the relocation back to Beaufort Street. I think that anyone of these issues could test the merit of a team, but when added together I think it is a testament to the dedication and hard work of not just Jayne, Brun and Rachel who carried the bulk of the responsibility and work load, but also other members of the team who got stuck in when it was needed. On Tuesday morning we were joined on site by the officers and lads from Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute, all eager to move whatever needed moving. By late morning the main Arts Marquee was nearly ready for the first event that was due to be held later that evening, involving nearly 100 people who have learning disabilities in an evening of music and arts. During the day, Derek and other members of our employment team ran two events inside Walton Hall. The first attracted nearly 100 senior students from several local schools. They heard the first hand experience of various disabled people and later looked at independent living equipment and took part in workshops on language and access. The afternoon event focused on employment and disability. Ideas on innovative recruitment and retention methods were discussed by the audience which was made up of local employers and support organisations. As the clock struck 9pm we left the event site satisfied that the day had gone well.

Wednesday morning I awoke to the 7am news on our radio alarm clock. The first thing I heard was that United Utilities had declared a hose pipe ban. Oh no, what about the swimming pool we need for our newest attraction, scuba diving! It seemed like an eternity before the news reader mentioned that the ban would be imposed from 7am on Friday morning; phew! You guessed it; the first job we did when we got on site was to set up the hose pipe from the greenhouses to fill up the 15ft circular x 4ft deep swimming pool. You might be interested to know that it took aver 26 hours to fill. Wednesday morning saw a new event at DAD week, Mal and over 120 colleagues from Mencap's Person Centred Planning Team, Warrington Speak Up and Halton Speak Out ran a Story Telling Day where people who have a learning disability could discuss what was important to them. I popped in several times during the day and each time I was met by dozens of smiling faces. Just after lunch Jenny and her team from Warrington Carers Centre set out the Arts Marquee for their annual Tea in a Tent event that offers a great day out for local carers. This year they welcomed colleagues from the Knowsley Carers Centre. The crowd was entertained by a couple of excellent old time reminiscence singers. Interestingly I spotted several stewards tapping their feet and joining in with the words, especially Terry and Bob, well they are the older members of the team! OK I also knew a few words here and there.

After a great day we transformed the Arts Marquee ready for the Theatre in the Park performed by our friends from the Heartbreak Theatre Company. This has now become a regular feature during DAD Week. This year they performed The Secret Garden to an audience of over 120. Whilst their performance was taking place I joined over 50 of our stewards in another marquee for the first of our two health & safety briefings. It also gave the team a chance to meet up with some of our experienced men and women, and several newcomers. I was amazed at how many young people we had along, and I was more amazed when only two mentioned that they had to leave early, after all it was the world cup final at 7.30pm on Sunday the 11th. I thought we would have lost considerably more. At around 11.30pm we left the site in the capable hands of our security company Akme. Early Thursday morning we met up with Chris and her team from Richmond Fellowship; she briefed us on their requirements for their mental health and well being workshops which are always full of interesting mini events including music, sport, relaxation and healthy food. I find it interesting that our team always steer clear of the fruit smoothies and cous cous in favour of the chocolate, crisps and snacks. It shouldn't come as a shock as by now they have got into the routine of Pam's bacon butties for brunch and cheese burgers or toasties for tea. Very healthy, not. Well you know what they say, an army marches on its stomach, and DAD's Army is no different!

By late afternoon we were discussing the requirements for the evening event headed up by Rachael from WDP. I could tell when she stepped out of her car that she was a little anxious; no she was very anxious about the event, her first of its size. Will everyone turn up she asked, will we have enough helpers, will there be enough food and drinks, will they have enough to do? As the crowd of nearly 150 youngsters finally left the park I gave her a hug, said well done, and asked her what she had been worried about. With football, relaxation, drumming, rugby, basket ball, music, dance and much more every one of the young disabled people and disabled children had had a night to remember, especially one young man who sat in my car and marvelled at the sophisticated joystick hand controls that I use. Like me he has fairly good use in only one arm and no leg control. As I looked at his beaming smile it took me back to 1995 at a mobility show in Crowthorne Surrey where I first took the controls of a transit van kitted out with similar controls to the ones I use today. I'm sure a Pam, Barry and Sandra remember my excitement; I didn't shut up talking about them for weeks. That was after I stopped crying. When we arrived home I checked my emails and was excited to read a message from Ian and Liz from South Wales. We had me them whilst on holiday in Egypt a few weeks ago. One night they joined Pam, Jayne, Graham and myself for a game of chase the ace and we all ended up very drunk on tequila! During the conversation Ian mentioned that he had a pilot's licence and I joked that it was a pity he didn't live closer to Warrington as I had been a dream of mine to get an aerial photo of DAD. Well you've guessed it, Ian was confirming that he had booked a plane, and was planning to fly over the event site at around 1pm. Our son Gavin agreed to arrange for one of his limos to pick up Ian and Liz and get them over to Walton Gardens for the afternoon.

By Friday morning the event site was nearing completion; 14 marquees set out as the tented village that would house most of Sundays exhibitors, over 1200 tables and chairs had been delivered, 120 fence panels were erected, four generators with enough power to light up Walton village were wired up and ready to go, four mobile toilet units were in piped up and ready for use. During our early morning team meeting it was mentioned that it had kept dry, someone reminded us that the sunshine had certainly been in short supply during the past three years events. Ian, the new manager at Walton Gardens pulled out a sheet of paper which contained the detailed weather forecast for Friday to Monday. You could have heard a pin drop on to the grass. One or two light showers today then dry Saturday and.....................after a long pause dry Sunday. After the sighs of relief the teams beaming smiles added more sunshine to light up the park, you'd have thought we had won the lottery; we were all relieved and very happy. There isn't much more depressing than to see the event site knee deep in mud. Someone suggested that it can rain, snow or hail on Monday. Interestingly that was said by someone who was returning to work on Monday, but I agreed, by Monday it wouldn't make a huge difference. Friday evening saw a great team effort; the stewards and WDP's fundraising team worked side by side and put on a fantastic evening. Quizmaster Graham alias our Stewards Control Leader for Sunday's event put on an entertaining, if not sometimes frustrating quiz that held everyone's concentration. I doubled up as auctioneer and waded through the great list of donated lots that included some spectacular items including several from Disney. I must mention that most of the items were donated as a result of the hard work undertaken by Tom and our Young Ambassadours. The one item that stood out for me was a rugby shirt worn by St Helens legend Kieran Cunningham. It was given to us by his nephew Michael, after his dad Eddie, a rugby league legend himself had told him about our work. Our friends from Birchwood Lions walked away as winners of the quiz. Overall it was a great night and we managed to raise over Ł3,200 towards the refurbishment of the Centre for Independent Living.

Even though we only left the park at 12.30pm we were back on site eight hours later to put the final touches to the event site ready for the big day. At around 10am we were joined by over thirty members of local Lions clubs. Together we marked out the exhibition spaces, set out the hundreds of tables and nearly one thousand chairs, roped off the main arena, marshalled in dozens of the larger exhibitors, the DAD bus, catering units, fairground rides, display units and took dozens of deliveries including 6,000 copies of magazines that were to be handed out by one exhibitor. By 1pm we were just about ready for the delivery of sausage rolls and donuts that had been kindly donated by Betty Arden's Bakery. At 2pm I introduced the team at the second of the two health & safety briefings. As I made my way out of the marquee I took a quick trip around the event site that was by now nearing completion. As I looked across the vast site I thought about the words used by Kevin Costner in the film Field of Dreams. I think they went something like "you build it and they will come". The film was about a farmer, who had a dream to build a baseball pitch on his farm. On its completion ghosts of former baseball stars and his father played on his field. For just a few moments I thought how the same words could be said in relation to DAD; our team builds the event site and they, the exhibitors and the public come in their thousands. Late afternoon we were joined by Shaun and his team from Kent Scuba and Scubability, including my good friend Ron, who Pam and I had met whilst on holiday in Egypt last year. Ron was really supportive in getting me in to scuba diving. At around 7.30pm we tucked into a huge banquet of Chinese food which has become a sort of compulsory celebration for the DAD team and several exhibitors who stay over in the park. It was really good to see a good friend of WDP and DAD Shaun from the Bond Hotel in Blackpool. His presence was extra special as he recently underwent radical surgery, but he said it wasn't going to stop him joining us at DAD.

At around 10pm the last fairground ride was safely set up which provided ten members of the team with the opportunity to reposition the entrance marquee over the footpath, and with a nod of satisfaction we all agreed that we had done everything we could, it was off home for a few hours sleep. But before we did I checked my emails only to find that Ian and Liz had had to book another plane, and unfortunately it wouldn't be able to land at Barton. Ian reassured me that he would take the photos and get them over to us early next week. At 5.30am Pam and I drove down Chester Road to the welcome sight of sunshine breaking through the early morning cloud cover. We were amazed that we weren't the first to arrive, in fact there were a dozen or so stewards already opening up the marquees and preparing the Stewards Control Point ready for the 80 plus men and women who would arrive shortly. After a fairly low key start the queues of exhibitors vehicles soon stretched back to the bridge, then 15 minutes later it was reported that we had a queue down to the Walton Arms! During a two hour window we marshalled in over 400 cars and vans, including several exhibition vehicles, the most noticeable being the 100 year old fire engine that I used to marvel at through the gates of Crosfields factory when I was a child. Apart from a small mix up in the allocation of exhibition space that was my fault, everything went to plan including the delivery of over 30 scooters and wheelchairs for our on-site mobility loan service. I have a vivid memory of the rear door opening on Relays wagon and seeing the Thorn Cross lads volunteering to drive them down to the event site. Death-race 2000!

As the 9.45am call went out to clear all none exhibition vehicles from the event site I was amazed at the large number of visitors who were streaming in to the park. Interestingly this was still the case at 3.45pm when I visited the car parks to say thank you to Tina and her team from Warrington Sea Cadets. At 12 noon the Mayor of Warrington, Councillor John Joyce, announced the start of the Pulse walk/push and Sue and her team coordinated the participants as they clocked off each lap of the course. At 12.30pm I formally welcomed our VIP guests to the DAD Reception that was held in Walton Hall. We were honoured by the presence of David Briggs, the newly appointed Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, our good friend and long standing supporter Lord "Doug" Hoyle and representatives from most of our sponsors including Steven Broomheads representative from the North West Development Agency, our principal sponsor. My colleague and boss Simon Barber, Chief Executive from 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust gave an excellent presentation on the Trusts stigma campaign "Sticks and Stones" which is targeting the use of inappropriate language used to describe mental health service users. It was good to see how much interest Simon's presentation created with our guests.

As I travelled back to the event site I asked for a radio check on my 2 way radio, a quick reply from Graham confirmed that it was working. But after 20 minutes of complete radio silence I once again asked for a check, "its working" was Grahams reply. After another 20 minutes of silence I asked for another check and Graham this time asked if everything was ok. We exchanged thoughts on the surreal quietness that was actually a reflection of how smoothly everything was going, which is a testament to our excellent team of stewards.

Throughout the day I had discussions with exhibitors and visitors keen to share their thoughts on how the day was going; several visitors asked if our team would be interested in running a DAD event in their town. As much as that sounds a good idea to them, I don't think we could cope with the mental, emotional and physical stress that DAD entails, including over 120 hours work that we put in during a 10 day stint! I did offer the arms length support that we continue to provide to organisations that this year has included Blackpool and Fylde Council, Birmingham City Council and groups in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and our continuing support to Chappie and her team in Gibraltar. I took time out to visit the Arts Marquee to witness the performance of Spaceships Are Cool, who were fresh back from a tour of Canada, and last year played the famous Glastonbury festival. During one of my many visits to the ScubAbility pool I caught up with Shaun and his team who were keen to share their delight with getting several young disabled people in to the pool to sample the feeling of freedom that scuba diving can give to severely disabled people. During the afternoon we selected the best exhibitor award winners; Signalong won the best voluntary sector category, Warrington Borough Council won the best statutory exhibitor and newcomers Co-op Travel was awarded best business exhibitor. At 4.15pm I took centre stage in the main arena to present the awards and to address the crowd.

Shortly afterwards I decided it would be only polite if I joined Shaun in the pool, there was a method behind the decision:
1. I would be setting an example to other disabled people who I'd talked to about diving,
2. It was getting really hot, and the water was nice and cooling, and
3. If I got into the pool myself it might distract the stewards as they had threatened to physically throw me in after the stewards debriefing. Thank goodness that it worked!

As Cheshire Cadets hit the final note of their display in the main arena and the last note was sung in the Arts Marquee hundreds of exhibitors systematically went into packing up mode, and that's when our hard work begins. During the next two hours our team of stewards, assistants and park rangers stepped up to another level of frantic but organised activity that stripped down the site ready for Mondays pick ups including hundreds of tables, chairs, fencing panels and fire extinguishers together with dozens of signs and banners that were packed away ready for next year's event. One of the last jobs was a final sweep of the park with litter pickers and several van full's of rubbish that was placed into the two huge skips. Then it was up to the hall for a pint, hot food and a chance to ask the team how it went and to give out the DAD mementoes which is our way of saying thank you. Finally it was outside for the DAD's Army photo and the emotional goodbyes to some of the team that we wouldn't see again until next year.

As I hand over to our on-site security team it was a last drive across the event site and off home at around 10.30pm. I don't have any memories about getting home or getting into bed, but I do remember thinking it would be nice to roll over and go back to sleep as the alarm clock went off at 7am on Monday morning. As I arrived at the park at 8.30am I was amazed at how many of the marquees Paul and his team had already packed away. Monday's event team is usually much depleted as most of the original team go back to work, but this year we had extra support from Barry and Sandra. They shared their thoughts about their first year as DAD volunteers; previously they had been a sponsor at several of our earlier events and been exhibitors for 10 years. They both expressed their surprise at the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes and how impressed they were about the team and their commitment. Our DAD and WDP vans were kept busy taking everything back to the Centre for Independent Living and Shopmobility to be packed away until next year. Jayne, Brun and the team did a great job. During the day we witnessed dozens of exhibitors picking up their display items and Brun's logistical plans fell into place as the larger items were taken away in wagons that seem to get bigger each year. Bit by bit the site was clearing by the minute, and by 3.30pm we waved off Paul and his team after thanking them for a job well done. At 4pm Martins team, ably assisted by Terry, disconnected the electric to the site huts and as if it was planned A-Plants low loader arrived to take them away. One memory was the conversation I had with a member of staff from Andy Loo's who supplied the mobile toilets, as he lifted up a side panel on one of the units he peered into the holding tank and said "it looks like you had a very busy day". The mind boggles on what amount equates to a quiet or busy day! As we finally left the site at around 6pm the only items left were the metal fencing panels which were picked up later that evening.

On Tuesday morning I returned to work and during the next few days it was pleasing to read the dozens of messages of support we received from exhibitors, visitors and several new stewards. On Wednesday evening I received an email from Ian. I shook with anticipation at the thought about the sight that Ian had captured in his photos, but I was shocked when I realised that the shots weren't of Walton Gardens, instead they were excellent pictures of the Cheshire Steam Fair that was being run one mile down the A56 at Daresbury at exactly the same time as DAD! I feel so sorry for Ian and Liz, they had gone out of their way to help us. I hope that the experience hadn't put them off, and that they can consider doing it again next year. If anyone knows who organises the Steam Fair please give me a call and I will arrange to get the photos sent across.

It's fair to say that as we reflect back on DAD 2010 I am feeling very anxious about the future; as a huge part of Walton Hall Gardens may be sold off for redevelopment, which might reduce the common ground required to hold the event. Funding will no doubt become harder, as the financial crisis hits our sponsors, and more importantly it has been announced that our principal sponsor, the North West Development Agency will be dismantled and replaced by a new organisation. In the meantime we will celebrate another successful event, and take on each issue as they arise.

Back to today, as we relaxed over the weekend I had a conversation with the mother of a young man who participated in the ScubAbility pool. She explained that he has severe Autism which effects his communication. She had called to express her thanks to Shaun's team who had taken time to encourage him to kit up and join them in the pool. She explained that they took the time to identify the best way of communicating what he needed to do so he could see and breathe safely underwater. She said that she was overwhelmed to see him swimming virtually independently. She thanked us for giving her son the opportunity to try scuba diving and she said she was now considering finding a local club. As I put down the phone I was in tears, as everything she said underlined what DAD stands for; the creation of an event that provides disabled people with opportunities to see what's available and to try it in a safe environment without embarrassment.

What more do I need to say, apart from thanks for reading about this years DAD, I hope you can join us next year.

Kindest regards.

Dave Thompson. MBE. DL