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Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

There is indeed provision for those with no internet access, I have my copy in my hot, sweaty hand.

Decisions, decisions. Didn't think this was going to be hard!

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Hi Humphrey, Louise & all,

Yes, I’m afraid we have had to put the fee up to £50 this year to cover increased overheads.

A lot goes on behind the scenes all-year-round to make the Challenge happen, not just during the fortnight itself, and while TGO is able to bear the brunt of some of this (and a great deal of work is contributed by volunteers) the increase was necessary to ensure the sustainability of the event.

I’m really sorry if the higher entry fee is hard on people’s pockets but it’s not something we did carelessly – Sue, Ali, Roger, TGO’s publishers and I spent a lot of time going over the possibilities to ensure the increase was kept to a minimum.

Rest assured that no money is spent on the freebies – they are provided by the brands concerned.

Emily

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

I have no restraint.
Paid.
Form completed.
Envelope addressed and stamped.

Addicted.

*sigh*

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Me too! *Rushes out to Challengers Anonymous meeting . . .

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Even at £50, I think it's a bargain compared with other events. I paid as much as that to enter a 50km ski race earlier this year. And a 26 mile bike ride that is marshalled and supported by volunteers is costing me £16 in a couple of weeks' time. I think we should be thankful that TGO magazine/Newsquest are no doubt continuing to provide a level of financial sponsorship that they are probably under pressure to reduce....

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Martin Banfield
Even at £50, I think it's a bargain compared with other events. I paid as much as that to enter a 50km ski race earlier this year. And a 26 mile bike ride that is marshalled and supported by volunteers is costing me £16 in a couple of weeks' time. I think we should be thankful that TGO magazine/Newsquest are no doubt continuing to provide a level of financial sponsorship that they are probably under pressure to reduce....



Ah, an outbreak of commonsense!

Yet, still, there are lots of cheap/cheaper events available; here are some examples (chosen at random):

Fellsman 2015 (two days): £42
Lake District 10 in 10 2-16 (one day): £30 (& £50 minimum sponsorship request)
The OMM 2015 (two days): £55 to £75, depending on when you book
Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon (two days): £48
Cumbria Way Ultra (two days): £75 solo
Isle of Man End To End Walk (one day): £25 & £7 bus fare if required
Cotswold Challenge (one day): £7.50 for LDWA members, otherwise £11.20
Where Ravens Dare (one day): £8 LDWA, £11 others
Marmot Dark Mountain (two days): £110 or £130 per team of two dependent on date booked

Averages out at around £27 a day…

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Open to Offa's, LDWA one day event, £5 for members, £6 for non-members. Meals included.

AM

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

That URL is now fixed. Thanks all.
Emily

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Didn't receive the October issue yet. I suppose there's a promo-codenumber in it? This because I see a fee of 70 GBP.

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Leendert,

Are you sure your not seeing a fee of €70?

I know I tried to pay while connected to my French employers VPN - and €70 was what was offered to me (as the system thought I was in France). I disconnected the VPN and and it reverted to £50.

I assume the payment system must be smart enough to figure out where your located and then offer the local currency equivalent.

Bernie

USA payment successful

While still trying to resolve how to buy a single digital issue via iTunes, I was at least able to figure out how to make my $80 (ouch!) entry payment. As others have noticed, the fee seems to have increased more than the normal inflation rate, even with the fluctuation in the Euro and global stock markets. Still, a price I am happy to pay for a well-run event. Hope to see you in May 2016.

Re: USA payment successful

Still no sign of October TGO in th eshops here in London ...

Like others here, I continue to consider the Challenge exceedingly good value even at £50. Maybe it's just that I'm used to payhing entry fees for equestrian events ... but I don't think so!

What do we get for out money?

- Several well-produced newsletters and updates through the year, comprehensive route planning notes and guidance, details of our fellow Challengers and so on and so forth.

- Our route looked at, scrutinised and commented upon by a tremendously experienced vetter who will happily share their insights and observations

- Our revised route (if we submit one) looked at again, and commented upon again

- Up to 15 days in the hills, with a constant presence in Challenge Control waiting to receive our telephone calls, check we're OK, offer encouragement and suggestions if we need to make on-the-hoof route revision decisions

- Spring Gatherings and Autumn Reuninions should we choose to attend them

- Certificates, lapel badges, T-shirts and so on

- and whatever other freebies happen to be donated

- occasional other buts and pieces like the plaque and personal engraved thermos I got given for completing ten crossings.


Hmmmm ... seems pretty good value ot me, when you tot it all up. As for a £15 increase, what's £15? Approximately 20% of my bar bill the last time I stopped overnight at the Tomdoun (of blessed memory) on a Challenge crossing ... (that was my BAR bill ... there was accommodation and food to pay for on top of that ... )

Re: USA payment successful

Hi Jezza

There were just two (yes, TWO!) copies of TGO delivered to my local WH Smiths in Bracknell and I bagged the last copy yesterday. It was buried amongst fishing magazines.


Re: USA payment successful

Does that mean Mr. Sloman will be organising a W&C event in 2016???

William

Re: USA payment successful

alan.sloman
Hi Jezza

There were just two (yes, TWO!) copies of TGO delivered to my local WH Smiths in Bracknell and I bagged the last copy yesterday. It was buried amongst fishing magazines.





Well done you.

If I cna't find one in time, would you put me down as your walking companion? Happy to have a row on the first day and go our separate ways ...

Re: USA payment successful

Hi Jezza

If you like I can email you a jpg or pdf of the entry form and supporting information pages. If I do enter (I haven't made my mind up yet) I'll be straight on the standby list, as you will be too.

I didn't want to screw Phil Lambert's chances of getting in, so he is entering separately. However, if I do enter and get in off the standby list I will be walking with Phil.

Good luck fella, and drop me an email to let me know if you want me to send you the stuff.

All the best,
Alan

Re: USA payment successful

Jeremy, email Ali and Sue, I'm sure they can help you with an entry form

Looking forward to reading your 2015 Challenge write up

Re: USA payment successful

Come to Manchester - plenty of TGOs in the newsagents here...

Re: USA payment successful

Not in the Altrincham branch of WH Smith, not one copy on the shelf.

I collared the 'manager' who told me that none were on order.
They couldn't order a copy in for me, apparently all ordering is done at their head office, branches have no say in what they stock.

I ended up doing what I should have done in the first place and supported the small independent newsagent. I ordered a copy from Constables on Park Road, it arrived next day.

JJ

Re: USA payment successful

Curious.
I subscribe anyway, but I noticed a few copies of TGO in WHS in Sale today, hence my previous comment

Re: USA payment successful

I gave up trying to find a paper copy of The Great Outdoors magazine several years ago. There are too few copies available in any newsagent near where I live or work. By the time I've found the time to travel to the shop it's highly likely that "the" copy has gone..... or the staff can't remember where it is or whether it's been sold.

So for the last couple of years I have bought the electronic edition. It's the only magazine I buy all year and is my small contribution to ensuring that the mag stays in business for a teeny bit longer. (And it's only £2.99 per edition. The annual subscription is really good value!)

PS.... No, printing from the electronic edition doesn't seem to work but Ali and Sue have sent me the form. I do think everyone should buy the mag first though!

Re: USA payment successful

It's a funny thing, but when Cotswold won the Outdoors Retailer award I thought that TGO's marketing man (or woman) would have made sure that every branch of Cotswold had a huge bundle of TGOs on their cash desks so they could puff their success - plus a well advertised promo giving Cotswold "Explore More" card holders a specially discounted subscription.

But no... Just a stack of Trail mags. As usual.

With opportunities like that missed, I can't say that I'm surprised that the distribution is, shall we say, a tad hit & miss.

All that said, though, I would encourage TGOC addicts follow Judith's example and support the mag throughout the year with an annual subscription ... the magazine has improved enormously over the last year or two and I reckon it beats the competition hands down for well written authoritative content and stunning photography.

Subscribe now folks - and never miss an October edition again!!!

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Bernie Clark
Leendert,

Are you sure your not seeing a fee of €70?

I know I tried to pay while connected to my French employers VPN - and €70 was what was offered to me (as the system thought I was in France). I disconnected the VPN and and it reverted to £50.

I assume the payment system must be smart enough to figure out where your located and then offer the local currency equivalent.

Bernie


Thanks Bernie, Euro's indeed!

Kind regards,
Leendert.

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Currently the URL that Emily provided simply points to a subscription for the magazine. I already have one of those. Presumably the link has worked at some point in the past. Can't I just send a cheque?

Colin

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

To all of those struggling to get a copy of TGO if you go to the subscription page of the website and click on "Subscribe Now" or "Download Now" you will be given the option to subscribe to a single copy though as others have said the annual subscription is well worth it!
If anyone is still struggling let us know.

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Seems pretty straight forward to me in this Midland desert(Rugby) -you pay the fee on line/ buy the mag/ send in the admin form - live in hope for a month - good luck every body. Thanks to Ali/Sue regardless

Error in magazine re: payment of entry fees

Got my copy now ... will be sending in form with cheque (I don't have online banking / payment facilities / etc.)

Agree with Judith ... buy the mag!