Cheltz Fest 2021 Behind Closed Doors ?

[Can't Catch Me]

SW had all the numbers so somewhere back in this thread will be the answers, but from memory, there were 8000 members and of those I think he said 6000 had the all inclusive (festival) membership.
You have to assume membership numbers for this Winter have increased though...

Ok thanks Ista....

[Lobos]

SW had all the numbers so somewhere back in this thread will be the answers, but from memory, there were 8000 members and of those I think he said 6000 had the all inclusive (festival) membership.
You have to assume membership numbers for this Winter have increased though...

That's very encouraging. By March hopefully all of those will be able to go and potentially more .

[Istabraq]

On the Cheltenham Annual Members Zoom Call this evening.

They have 8000 Annual Members, with around 1200/1500 of those being "Non-Festival" members, and 6500/6800 Full Members including the Festival.

They dont know how many are going to renew this year.

They have agreed to let Annual Members have a year off their membership, and come back in a years time, and not pay the additional new members fee.

They hope that in October to be allowed to have crowds, but these may be 5,000 max (Annual Members in the majority, they will need to apply to attend, if numbers are restricted, those that don't/can't would get a part-refund on their members badges).

If possible they would like to sell some tickets to the gen-pop from November onwards, if they are allowed more people on-course.
They currently hope that by November that all members could attend that meeting (c8000).

They confirm that everything could be withdrawn at a moments notice by the Government restrictions changing for Horse Racing or for Cheltenham locally.

Courtesy of SW 20th Aug...

[Saxon Warrior]

Maybe if the Festival can have 4000 people in, then maybe each member can attend for 2 of the 4 days.

[Istabraq]

Maybe if the Festival can have 4000 people in, then maybe each member can attend for 2 of the 4 days.

I’d like to think the 2000/4000 limits placed on attendances now will be reviewed constantly over the coming weeks SW, I’d be surprised if those restrictions will still apply come March.

I know we’re all pinning our hopes on these vaccines but it’s likely a big chunk of the population will have been vaccinated come the festival and that will pave the way for greater numbers.
We live in hope....

[Lobos]

Maybe if the Festival can have 4000 people in, then maybe each member can attend for 2 of the 4 days.

Where is this 4000 figure coming from guys ?

Soz, Ista has just answered it and commented as I would have.

[Lobos]

I’d like to think the 2000/4000 limits placed on attendances now will be reviewed constantly over the coming weeks SW, I’d be surprised if those restrictions will still apply come March.

I know we’re all pinning our hopes on these vaccines but it’s likely a big chunk of the population will have been vaccinated come the festival and that will pave the way for greater numbers.
We live in hope....

Yep, I'd agree with this. They are optimistic that we will be back to normal Easter so that has to be a very, very good sign.

[Lobos]

From Racing Post........

Cheltenham looks unlikely to be placed in Tier 3, meaning crowds on some scale could be admitted for the two-day International Meeting on December 11 and 12.

[charlie]

I'd like to think the 2000/4000 limits placed on attendances now will be reviewed constantly over the coming weeks SW, I'd be surprised if those restrictions will still apply come March.

I know we're all pinning our hopes on these vaccines but it's likely a big chunk of the population will have been vaccinated come the festival and that will pave the way for greater numbers.
We live in hope....

Why? The Gov announced yesterday that tiered restrictions will be in place until at least April

Based on what?

[Istabraq]

Why? The Gov announced yesterday that tiered restrictions will be in place until at least April

Based on what?

From what I keep hearing testing will commence in December and will focus on key workers and the vulnerable, I’m unsure how quickly this can be processed but I haven’t picked up on huge manufacturing issues so working through Jan and Fed will they not have picked up on the over 50s too ? I’m thinking they should have which hopefully just leaves the healthy/no underlying issues under 50’s come March and these seem to be the people who suffer least if they contract the virus.
Also, distancing measures will still be in place across all public places so, if people adhere to rules, the risk of further spreading reduces.
Of course things can change but it’s just my hunch that over the next 16 weeks we move on the right direction...

[charlie]

From what I keep hearing testing will commence in December and will focus on key workers and the vulnerable, I'm unsure how quickly this can be processed but I haven't picked up on huge manufacturing issues so working through Jan and Fed will they not have picked up on the over 50s too ? I’m thinking they should have which hopefully just leaves the healthy/no underlying issues under 50’s come March and these seem to be the people who suffer least if they contract the virus.
Also, distancing measures will still be in place across all public places so, if people adhere to rules, the risk of further spreading reduces.
Of course things can change but it’s just my hunch that over the next 16 weeks we move on the right direction...

I hope you are right

[Quevega]

They've struggled to test a quarter of a million people (actual people) a week over the past few months, and all they had to do was shove a cotton bud up someones nose whilst leaning in a car window.

Giving people 2 jabs (2 weeks apart) in a sterile (possibly purpose built surgery's) will be a big task.
I'd be surprised if more than 2 million have been vaccinated by end of February.

Maybe 4 million
Fucking guessing though.

[Garrison Savannah]

No chance, absolutely zero chance of a normal festival consisting of 60,000 people attending.

A festival with reduced attendees, heavy and strict social distancing measures in place is the best anyone should be thinking about.

[Istabraq]

A festival with reduced attendees, heavy and strict social distancing measures in place is the best anyone should be thinking about.

I agree, has anyone suggested otherwise ?
5000 or more people in attendance will be a huge win...

[Garrison Savannah]

I agree, has anyone suggested otherwise ?
5000 or more people in attendance will be a huge win...

I don’t know, I haven’t read all 29 pages just the last two. I wasn’t commenting on anyone else just giving my opinion.

I’m very frustrated and I’m more than missing racing. It’s seriously having a negative effect on my well being. Currently having to self isolate, and haven’t been on a race course since gold cup day.

We all read the same news (more or less) and I just cannot see a return to normal until at least next years Hennessy. I’m a glass half full kind of man too.

Apologies if the tone of my post came across wrong, just giving a frustrated opinion.