Detailed access information
CROESO
/ WELCOME
Not long to go now!! That being the case, here is some 'nuts and bolts' access information to help with planning..If you need to know more feel free to contact us via this email address: [email protected] - please include the word ACCESS in the subject line.
PARKING - Apart from the mass sing and the busking, most events will be based around the Arts Centre at the University www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/disabled-access There is also a Virtual Tour with computer-animation video "journeys" through some parts of the building: www.aber.ac.uk/en/virtual-tour/arts-centre Select the tour showing the 'rear entrance' this is the entrance that has level access from the car park. The 'main entrance area' shown in another Virtual Tour is only reached via steps. There are 5 car parking spaces reserved for Blue Badge holders within 100 metres of the level acess entrance (and there are 2 more at the side of the building) We have not been able to delegate extra parking spaces for Blue Badge holders for the weekend. People are generally being asked to park at their accomodation, or in the staff car park and walk down to the Arts Centre. There are however, other parking spaces in the main car park nearest the Arts Centre about 100 metres from the BB spaces(there's a parking charge for Friday pm then free for rest of weekend) or your driver can bring the car nearer to the level access entrance if you need to be dropped off. If you think you will need help around arrival/parking please try to let us know as soon as possible and if we can, we'll be happy to assist.
POSTERS/INFORMATION -When you arrive there will be various signs and posters up around the Arts Centre - we will try to get all the main access information on purple paper (or highlighted with purple) so it's easy to spot..There will also be a map of the town and an optional access information sheet available with your programme when you register
REGISTRATION - Registration will be held in the first floor round theatre, via the lift in the main reception area. Our registration group are confident that there won't be long queues but (just in case) there will be a 'help desk' or a 'short queue' desk and extra chairs with purple 'RESERVED' labels on them. If you are disabled, please feel free to sit on any 'reserved' chairs whenever you need to throughout the weekend. There will be volunteers around during registration (wearing red t shirts) and they should be aware of most things you need to know, so feel free to ask them. If volunteers don't have the information you need they will try to find out for you, and they will also be happy to help with your registration, or register your place so you don't need to queue. Don't forget to pick up your purple access information sheet when you register.
FRIDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - We have been told this will be brilliant! (by the people who booked it!) it will mainly happen within the Arts Centre Great Hall (with other acoustic stuff going on around the building, as well as the eating and drinking etc..) The Great Hall holds 900 and is comprised of balconies overlooking the stage and, for the Friday night concert, some tables and chairs set cafe like, on the ground floor part of it. There is at present difficulty accessing the balcony as the platform lift is out of action and it will not be working during the festival (there is the alternative ground floor though so nobody should be excluded) The Great Hall balcony now has to be accessed by going to the first floor by the stairs or in the lift and then (25 of my footsteps away) are 10 rising steps (with handrail) up to the balcony level; there are wheelchair spaces once at the balcony. If you will be unable to get to the balcony we would like to reserve you a seat/space on the ground floor (which, is still a very nice place to be) and of course we are also happy to reserve a few seats for key people you would like to have with you; though we won't be able to reserve for your whole choir (there might not be enough space downstairs for all the choirs of all the people who don't want to use the stairs) So, if you haven't already, please let us know as soon as possible if you need us to reserve you seats downstairs for Friday night's concert, and how many. After the concert on Friday evening there will be a Twmpath (Welsh Ceilidh) and apart from a very few chairs, the ground floor will be cleared to make space for the dancing. If you need to sit down, you can hang on to your chair, if someone takes it by mistake ask a volunteer (red t shirts) or Cor Gobaith member (the host choir) to get you another chair! If the twmpath's not your thing, there will be alternative entertainment in other fully accessible spaces in the Arts Centre. http://www.streetchoir2013.org.uk/friday-19th.html
HEARING Hearing loops are installed in the Great Hall, theatre and cinema. See more at: http://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/disabled-access#sthash.kJQFtFFJ.dpuf
SATURDAY REHEARSAL FOR MASS SING The Mass Sing rehearsal will be on Saturday morning in the Arts Centre Great Hall; we will use the balcony space, and a limited amount of the ground floor seating space. At about midday (TBC) there will be a march of all the choirs the 1/2 - 3/4 mile (ish) down the hill to the bandstand on the sea front.
BUS TO MASS SING About 100 people have asked for a bus ride down to the bandstand for the mass sing, so 3 small buses will take those who have booked a lift (we have 3 wheelchair spaces - one on each bus) If you need a bus place and haven't requested one already please contact us straight away and if we have spaces we will allocate you a seat. There will NOT be choir buses back as people are expected to return at such different times (see buses and taxis below)
BANDSTAND The bus will drop people off by the bandstand so everyone can meet up for the Mass Sing. We will keep a few chairs reserved at the bandstand, so look out for the purple stickers - or for volunteers who can find you a chair if the audience have pinched them!
BUSKING You will be given a map of the town centre when you register. This marks the busking spots and the toilets, as well as other key information. Shopmobility tell us that all Aberystwyth town centre streets are accessible, though if you are a wheelchair user you may need to go down one dropped kerb and a short distance along the road before going up the next dropped kerb. There will be stewards and volunteers showing you where the next busking spots are. http://www.streetchoir2013.org.uk/saturday-20th.html
TOILETS There are accessible toilets on every level of the Arts Centre, apart from the lower foyer. There is a locked accessible toilet very near the bandstand where the mass sing will be held. Shopmobility, based in Bath Street in the middle of Aberystwyth www.ceredigionshopmobility.org.uk, sell RADAR toilet keys (£4.50) if you do not already have one, we will also have a spare with us on the day but it might be difficult for you to find the right person in a hurry!
SATURDAY NIGHT Apparently there are even more choirs represented this year, so it's likely to be a very long (albeit a very lovely) concert. The Concert will be in the Great Hall, as on Friday night, but there will only be a very small, flat access seating area. Other chairs will have to be raised on a block (a bit like a tiered stage) with (I am told) probably a total of 1 or 2 steps to reach the first tier/s of them. It is expected that people will leave and enter the Great Hall as they need a break/stretch their legs, go off for rehearsals etc. The ramp will be in place against the stage all of Saturday evening, for access to the stage. If you haven't already, please let us know if you need us to reserve seating for you, on the flat access seating area, during the time when you're watching other choirs and before your rehearsal and after your performance - or if you particularly need to be in the front row/end of a row, a volunteer to accompany you up on stage or any other assistance.
WHEELCHAIRS/ELECTRIC SCOOTERS ETC can be hired for the weekend from the very helpful Shopmobility on 01970 7063006 www.ceredigionshopmobility.org.uk,
SUNDAY MORNING WORKSHOPS I am told there is a wide variety of about 13 really good workshops planned and everyone will have the chance to attend 2 consecutive sessions.( www.streetchoir2013.org.uk/sunday-workshops. ) We have been looking at access to ensure as much choice as possible and at the moment, one space is impossible to reach without going up/down 3 steps; and 1 of the dance floors is protected, so people may not be allowed on them in outdoor shoes, or with a walking aid or a wheelchair, we are currently looking at alternatives in order to offer everyone the full range. Any of us may need to change levels to get from one workshop to the next; time will be allowed for this and there will be volunteers (red t shirts) around to help at these times and the porters, who will need to help with lower floor chair lifts, will have been told when the workshops change and have said they will ensure they are available and are very happy to help.
FIRST AID The Arts Centre has it's own first aiders who should be contacted via the main reception desk but members of the St John's Ambulance Service will be accompanying us to the Mass Sing and the sea front.
FOOD Meals and drinks for the festival can be bought from the Arts Centre. They are confident about catering for such large numbers and, they say, for all dietary needs. If you have any particular dietary needs that you want us to check out, let us know as soon as you can - or check the Arts Centre website for further information www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/food-drink
BUSES - Buses run pretty frequently around town and up to the university but it's probably best if you use the map and phone the traveline yourself to say where to/from and at what time. The number to call for buses local to Aber is: 0871 200 22 33
TAXIS - If you travel here by train you will see the taxi rank just outside the station, there always seem to be several there during the day and the evenings, Do check, but a taxi from the station to the university shouldn't be more than £5. Some taxi contact numbers are - A1 taxis 01970 611119 - Aber cabs 01970 627070 - Gary's cabs 01970 623541 -Z cars 07855272108 - there is a local wheelchair accessible taxi on 07866065281or OW's on 07807298440
WE HOPE YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FESTIVAL AS MUCH AS WE ARE , PLEASE ASK IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU THINK WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT WORK BETTER FOR YOU.
Not long to go now!! That being the case, here is some 'nuts and bolts' access information to help with planning..If you need to know more feel free to contact us via this email address: [email protected] - please include the word ACCESS in the subject line.
PARKING - Apart from the mass sing and the busking, most events will be based around the Arts Centre at the University www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/disabled-access There is also a Virtual Tour with computer-animation video "journeys" through some parts of the building: www.aber.ac.uk/en/virtual-tour/arts-centre Select the tour showing the 'rear entrance' this is the entrance that has level access from the car park. The 'main entrance area' shown in another Virtual Tour is only reached via steps. There are 5 car parking spaces reserved for Blue Badge holders within 100 metres of the level acess entrance (and there are 2 more at the side of the building) We have not been able to delegate extra parking spaces for Blue Badge holders for the weekend. People are generally being asked to park at their accomodation, or in the staff car park and walk down to the Arts Centre. There are however, other parking spaces in the main car park nearest the Arts Centre about 100 metres from the BB spaces(there's a parking charge for Friday pm then free for rest of weekend) or your driver can bring the car nearer to the level access entrance if you need to be dropped off. If you think you will need help around arrival/parking please try to let us know as soon as possible and if we can, we'll be happy to assist.
POSTERS/INFORMATION -When you arrive there will be various signs and posters up around the Arts Centre - we will try to get all the main access information on purple paper (or highlighted with purple) so it's easy to spot..There will also be a map of the town and an optional access information sheet available with your programme when you register
REGISTRATION - Registration will be held in the first floor round theatre, via the lift in the main reception area. Our registration group are confident that there won't be long queues but (just in case) there will be a 'help desk' or a 'short queue' desk and extra chairs with purple 'RESERVED' labels on them. If you are disabled, please feel free to sit on any 'reserved' chairs whenever you need to throughout the weekend. There will be volunteers around during registration (wearing red t shirts) and they should be aware of most things you need to know, so feel free to ask them. If volunteers don't have the information you need they will try to find out for you, and they will also be happy to help with your registration, or register your place so you don't need to queue. Don't forget to pick up your purple access information sheet when you register.
FRIDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - We have been told this will be brilliant! (by the people who booked it!) it will mainly happen within the Arts Centre Great Hall (with other acoustic stuff going on around the building, as well as the eating and drinking etc..) The Great Hall holds 900 and is comprised of balconies overlooking the stage and, for the Friday night concert, some tables and chairs set cafe like, on the ground floor part of it. There is at present difficulty accessing the balcony as the platform lift is out of action and it will not be working during the festival (there is the alternative ground floor though so nobody should be excluded) The Great Hall balcony now has to be accessed by going to the first floor by the stairs or in the lift and then (25 of my footsteps away) are 10 rising steps (with handrail) up to the balcony level; there are wheelchair spaces once at the balcony. If you will be unable to get to the balcony we would like to reserve you a seat/space on the ground floor (which, is still a very nice place to be) and of course we are also happy to reserve a few seats for key people you would like to have with you; though we won't be able to reserve for your whole choir (there might not be enough space downstairs for all the choirs of all the people who don't want to use the stairs) So, if you haven't already, please let us know as soon as possible if you need us to reserve you seats downstairs for Friday night's concert, and how many. After the concert on Friday evening there will be a Twmpath (Welsh Ceilidh) and apart from a very few chairs, the ground floor will be cleared to make space for the dancing. If you need to sit down, you can hang on to your chair, if someone takes it by mistake ask a volunteer (red t shirts) or Cor Gobaith member (the host choir) to get you another chair! If the twmpath's not your thing, there will be alternative entertainment in other fully accessible spaces in the Arts Centre. http://www.streetchoir2013.org.uk/friday-19th.html
HEARING Hearing loops are installed in the Great Hall, theatre and cinema. See more at: http://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/disabled-access#sthash.kJQFtFFJ.dpuf
SATURDAY REHEARSAL FOR MASS SING The Mass Sing rehearsal will be on Saturday morning in the Arts Centre Great Hall; we will use the balcony space, and a limited amount of the ground floor seating space. At about midday (TBC) there will be a march of all the choirs the 1/2 - 3/4 mile (ish) down the hill to the bandstand on the sea front.
BUS TO MASS SING About 100 people have asked for a bus ride down to the bandstand for the mass sing, so 3 small buses will take those who have booked a lift (we have 3 wheelchair spaces - one on each bus) If you need a bus place and haven't requested one already please contact us straight away and if we have spaces we will allocate you a seat. There will NOT be choir buses back as people are expected to return at such different times (see buses and taxis below)
BANDSTAND The bus will drop people off by the bandstand so everyone can meet up for the Mass Sing. We will keep a few chairs reserved at the bandstand, so look out for the purple stickers - or for volunteers who can find you a chair if the audience have pinched them!
BUSKING You will be given a map of the town centre when you register. This marks the busking spots and the toilets, as well as other key information. Shopmobility tell us that all Aberystwyth town centre streets are accessible, though if you are a wheelchair user you may need to go down one dropped kerb and a short distance along the road before going up the next dropped kerb. There will be stewards and volunteers showing you where the next busking spots are. http://www.streetchoir2013.org.uk/saturday-20th.html
TOILETS There are accessible toilets on every level of the Arts Centre, apart from the lower foyer. There is a locked accessible toilet very near the bandstand where the mass sing will be held. Shopmobility, based in Bath Street in the middle of Aberystwyth www.ceredigionshopmobility.org.uk, sell RADAR toilet keys (£4.50) if you do not already have one, we will also have a spare with us on the day but it might be difficult for you to find the right person in a hurry!
SATURDAY NIGHT Apparently there are even more choirs represented this year, so it's likely to be a very long (albeit a very lovely) concert. The Concert will be in the Great Hall, as on Friday night, but there will only be a very small, flat access seating area. Other chairs will have to be raised on a block (a bit like a tiered stage) with (I am told) probably a total of 1 or 2 steps to reach the first tier/s of them. It is expected that people will leave and enter the Great Hall as they need a break/stretch their legs, go off for rehearsals etc. The ramp will be in place against the stage all of Saturday evening, for access to the stage. If you haven't already, please let us know if you need us to reserve seating for you, on the flat access seating area, during the time when you're watching other choirs and before your rehearsal and after your performance - or if you particularly need to be in the front row/end of a row, a volunteer to accompany you up on stage or any other assistance.
WHEELCHAIRS/ELECTRIC SCOOTERS ETC can be hired for the weekend from the very helpful Shopmobility on 01970 7063006 www.ceredigionshopmobility.org.uk,
SUNDAY MORNING WORKSHOPS I am told there is a wide variety of about 13 really good workshops planned and everyone will have the chance to attend 2 consecutive sessions.( www.streetchoir2013.org.uk/sunday-workshops. ) We have been looking at access to ensure as much choice as possible and at the moment, one space is impossible to reach without going up/down 3 steps; and 1 of the dance floors is protected, so people may not be allowed on them in outdoor shoes, or with a walking aid or a wheelchair, we are currently looking at alternatives in order to offer everyone the full range. Any of us may need to change levels to get from one workshop to the next; time will be allowed for this and there will be volunteers (red t shirts) around to help at these times and the porters, who will need to help with lower floor chair lifts, will have been told when the workshops change and have said they will ensure they are available and are very happy to help.
FIRST AID The Arts Centre has it's own first aiders who should be contacted via the main reception desk but members of the St John's Ambulance Service will be accompanying us to the Mass Sing and the sea front.
FOOD Meals and drinks for the festival can be bought from the Arts Centre. They are confident about catering for such large numbers and, they say, for all dietary needs. If you have any particular dietary needs that you want us to check out, let us know as soon as you can - or check the Arts Centre website for further information www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/food-drink
BUSES - Buses run pretty frequently around town and up to the university but it's probably best if you use the map and phone the traveline yourself to say where to/from and at what time. The number to call for buses local to Aber is: 0871 200 22 33
TAXIS - If you travel here by train you will see the taxi rank just outside the station, there always seem to be several there during the day and the evenings, Do check, but a taxi from the station to the university shouldn't be more than £5. Some taxi contact numbers are - A1 taxis 01970 611119 - Aber cabs 01970 627070 - Gary's cabs 01970 623541 -Z cars 07855272108 - there is a local wheelchair accessible taxi on 07866065281or OW's on 07807298440
WE HOPE YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FESTIVAL AS MUCH AS WE ARE , PLEASE ASK IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU THINK WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT WORK BETTER FOR YOU.
