Southern UK Jive

[Southern Jiver]

Different venues seem to charge different amounts for water at Jive freestyles. In my opinion, it shouldn't be a commercial matter...it should be free even if it is just tap water. It seems unethical to try and make hot and thirsty dancers buy something that just comes out of the tap.

[Southern Jiver]

Here's how it should be : U-Jive are holding a freestyle on 23rd Jan at Basingstoke and they are advertising the cheapest drinks around and FREE tapwater. To my mind, this should be the rule rather than the exception. Well done, Chris.

[Mike J]

Water is always free at the Jive n kickin Freestyles at kinson community centre...and the rest of the drinks are cheap. I am led to believe that it is illegal to charge for water at these venues...don`t quote me on that though. These places try to get away with it by charging for the glass. Not convinced that is totally by the book either.

[Olly]

Chilled water is always free and readily available at Ceroc Fever freestyles Barton Hall. As far as I am aware you can obtain tap water for free at Minstead freestyles

This is a difficult subject for organisers as we are not always in control of the bar policy. We do make it clear to the bar managers that dancers need water and that they should provide tap water either as a matter of course or on request. However, bars are not aways part of or managed by the venue and have a different agenda - ie make money. I totally appreciate the need for this as they are not a charity and I do not think it unreasonable for them to want to promote the sale of bottled water. However, personally I do feel that tap water should also be available as a matter of course.

[Andy T-R]

The law actually says it is illegal to sell tap water in a pub/restaurant for more than it costs (which is a few pence per cubic meter from the mains). Although we get told the cost is to cover washing up etc my understanding is that that's illegal - however it's not been tested in court so they get away with it.
Perhaps I've got the legal situation wrong, any solicitors out there who know otherwise?
_________________
Andy

[TeeDee]

That's my understand also Andy, but here's the rub - It's not illegal to refuse to serve tap water providing an alternative is made available.

Like Andy - this is only my understanding so feel free (anyone) to correct me if I'm wrong!
_________________
http://www.le-jive.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/cerocconexion

[AW]

I was told that the Pavilion are charging for the 'glass' and they charge 20p whether they give you a small glass or a large glass. In the past I have re-used the glass (which had been bought at the Pavilion) but they didn't like me doing this and I was told off (even though several other dancers do the same) but for some reason my table was picked on. Whenever possible I ask for a glass glass as I feel if I'm paying for it I'd rather have proper glass and a slice of lemon. This thursday the bar person asked me to pay 5p for my lemon slice but I told her that I don't normally pay for it so she let it ride. I object paying for water as I pay water rates so I definitely think it should be free!!

[qdos]

[Jasper]

My advice is stay away from all drinks at the Pavillion. I have on more than one occasion come away from there with a dodgy stomach after drinking their Cider. I`m sure normal Cider is not supose to smell of farts.
I was really put off one day when I was in the Gents there and one of the pavillion bar staff came out from having a No.2 and didn`t even wash his hands! When I went for a drink later, I saw him holding someones pint of beer by the rim of the glass. It was at that point I realised why the drinks there were not agreeing with me! I know this has drifted away from the water front, but I thought people should be warned!

[AW]

[one of the pavillion bar staff came out from having a No.2 and didn`t even wash his hands!] that is just too disgusting for words. Uuuugh!!!

I notice that last thursday the drinking water was quite tepid and didn't taste very nice at all. I think that the bar staff are trying to discourage water being drunk as quite often they only put out one out or else a few piddly little jugs are on the bar counter. I confess that I usually keep a bottle of water in my bag in case the urn runs dry!!

[Kelly Donoghue]

Unfortunately 99% of the time it is not down to the event organiser if water is given away free... if the venue is licenced it will be down to the licencee... and even then it may be a commitee decision.

I have had venues where water was given away for free, and so many people stopped buying drinks that they could no longer keep the bar open as it becomes financially unviable! We all know that a jive venue without a bar does not work... so the choice can come down to free water or jive class?

So please dont be hard on the jive organiser... they may want the water to be free but they dont have a choice!
_________________
Jive Riot is an Independant Moden Jive Club offering weekly classes and events in Hampshire & Dorset. Founded in 1995.

[Mick Hyall]

[Nigel]

Well I have read a lot of the above &thought Iwould pass a comment.

The water is 'FREE'

As we already pay water rates it is illegal to charge for tap water.

We are charged for the service -

The bar person's time to supply & the use of the glass that they have to wash at the end of the evening, that is what we pay for.

I hope this sheds some light on the sublect.
_________________
Keep Smiling Keep Dancing Nigel.

[bluey1969]

Yes water should be available

But who pays?

water is said to be free if you pay your rates, what if you dont?

Who pays for the buying of plastic cups and going to somewhere to buy them? Time & money.

Whose time is it to put out the water, ensuring the area is kept clean and that no one will slip over (who pays for the increase risk of public liability) should that person be paid?

Whose going to pay for cleaning up water spills, topping up water, paying for the ice, clearing away, cleaning up the glasses or putting the "old/used" plastic cups in the bin(event the venue may have to pay more for increased rubbish) ???

Many questions are thrown up and always will do.
Most visited venues around the UK, have bars. Many halls that have no bar are often poorly attended but you get free water/ free drinks. (but that has to built into the entrance cost- nothings for free)

Take this although its not free. Petrol! Most of what we pay is in taxes and distribution, we all know that. So petrol is still very cheap. If it came from the ground it would be free if we owned the land. Ok so its said if we pay our rates, water is free. But when we go to a garage, does the person taking your money do it for free??
So the argument continue?

Water is free, BUT a nominal charge should be made, with venues permission to the dance club. If we were to pay the venue for their time and costs in providing that service, there has been a cost charge proportioned to taking that money and counting it out and processing etc.

So if the dancers themselves want to provide clean water and if made available to others responsible for health & safety issues etc and clear up the mess etc at of the evening etc etc, I sure that would be very much appreciated in many venues

[drunkenjiver]

The point being missed here is that if Ceroc or any of the independents refused to use money grabbing venues,the charge for free water would soon be dropped,there has also been issues at numerous other venues regarding this,it isn`t just the overpriced poxy pavillion