ARLA was formed in 1981 as the professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. Today ARLA is recognised by government, local authorities, consumer interest groups, and the media, as the leading professional body for agents operating in the private rented sector. ARLA is a sister organisation to the NAEA, the ICBA, and the NAVA. All of these professional bodies come under the umbrella of the National Federation of Property Professionals. ARLA currently has a total of over 6,000 members.
ARLA has a continuous and constructive dialogue with politicians and government departments involved with the PRS. The broad policy themes chosen by the Select Committee are familiar to ARLA and reflect some of ARLA's own areas of concern.
As part of its preparatory work for providing this evidence ARLA surveyed its members using questions it felt went to the heart of the matters being considered by Committee. A summary of main survey responses is attached as Annexes 1–12. However we can disclose the full survey results to the Committee if that would be of assistance. Copies or web links for the documents we have referenced are also available on request.
Given ARLA's emersion in this area it is very much hoped that ARLA will be given an opportunity to provide oral evidence to the Committee, in order to expand on some of the ideas outlined in this written submission and to answer any questions the Committee may have.
Property agents who deal with letting residential property.
The quality of private rented housing, and steps that can be taken to ensure that all housing in the sector is of an acceptable standard.
1.2 HHSRS is a risk-based evaluation tool designed to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies identified in private rented sector dwellings.2 Landlords can be prosecuted for breaching HHSRS.
1.3 If an ARLA agent was found to have breached HHSRS by statutory body then ARLA could take disciplinary action itself, which may result in the members being expelled from ARLA.
1.5 The Primary Authority scheme is designed to provide consistency for organisations operating in more than one local authority area. It allows an organisation to form a partnership with one local authority which provides "assured advice" on how to fulfil regulatory obligations. This advice can be relied upon across all of the organisations' operations throughout England and Wales. ARLA is currently considering whether to enter into one of the new Primary Authority schemes for professional associations, the idea being that one local authority would provide assured advice to all ARLA members in England and Wales. It would greatly assisted ARLA's awareness raising and educational role, as well as NFOPP Qualifications, if all ARLA members received consistent advice.
1.6 ARLA feels strongly that one of the ways to achieve acceptable housing standards is for lettings agents to be made subject to the EAA. This would mean that all lettings agents would be subject to a number of legal requirements including declaring a personal interest, holding client money in a designated client account, and keeping basic accounts. In addition the OFT could apply for prohibition orders for rogue agents, and most importantly CEARA would apply and therefore all lettings agents would have to join an approved redress scheme. Providing the public with an additional route of redress is particularly important given the cost of taking matters to court, and at this time of scarce local authority/trading standards resources.
1.7 In fact many lettings agents already belong to the biggest of the approved redress schemes, perhaps 50%-60% of the sector. As a condition of their membership of ARLA PPDs must ensure that their firms are members of an Ombudsman's scheme, and the most popular scheme is TPO. Non-ARLA agents can also voluntarily join TPO.
1.8 The TPO Code members of the scheme to comply with the law. One of the Code's requirements is that agents must respond promptly to communications, particularly where these relate to statutory repairing, maintenance obligations, or safety regulations.
1.9 Baroness Hayter introduced an amendment to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill concerning bringing lettings agents within the scope of the EAA.4 Her amendment was debated by the House of Lords Grand Committee on 16 January 2013. In fact making redress compulsory for lettings agents has been raised at parliamentary level on a number of previous occasions but unfortunately failed.
1.10 There is potential for the CPRs to have an impact in the area of housing standards in the private rented sector. The public can already make a complaint to an Ombudsman if they suspect that a lettings agent has been breached the CPRS, given that the TPO Code covers general breaches of the law, but only if that agent belongs to an Ombudsman scheme. This route of redress should made automatically available to the public whenever they deal with any lettings agent. An important factor to bear in mind is that tenants don't choose the lettings agent they have to deal with.
1.11 The CPRs have the potential to significantly enhance consumer protection, in particular by virtue of regulation 6 which is a new offence of "misleading omission." It an offence for a trader (such as a lettings agent) not to disclose material information which causes, or is likely to cause, the average consumer to take a transactional decision he would not have taken otherwise (say the decision to view or rent a property).
1.12 During September 2012 the OFT published guidance about the regulations in the context of property sales, and ARLA understands that the OFT is about to commence work on guidance about the CPRs in the context of the rental of property. See paragraph 4.4 below.
1.14 On this basis we believe that institutional landlords who let multiple properties are likely to be traders. Landlords who let out a single property, perhaps because they need to relocate but have been unable to sell, are presumably more likely to be consumers. However there are many landlords that fall between these two extremes as they let out more than one property but still operate on a relatively small scale.
1.15 See Theme 5 below for comments on HMO licensing.
1.16 Compliance with HHSRS could be linked with landlord/letting agent accreditation/regulation, HHSRS is already tied in with HMO licensing and therefore could be linked with licensing schemes for all PRS properties. However all forms of scheme have the potential to provide local authorities with the information they need in order to monitor and control the sector, and also to provide the revenue to finance enforcement of the legislation that applies to the PRS.
1.17 A voluntary accreditation scheme for landlords has been operating in Wales for a number of years. One of the scheme requirements is that landlords work within the legal rules relating to lettings and management, which includes HHSRS. There is currently a proposal that the scheme should become compulsory for all landlords and lettings agents.6 If this goes ahead then breaches of legislation could ultimately lead to the offending individuals being unable to act as landlords or lettings agents.
1.18 The London Borough of Newham has taken a dual approach. Newham has recently made licensing of all private rented properties compulsory (the license holder may be somebody other than the landlord, such as an agent). One of the intentions of this scheme is to help Newham to identify and penalise rogue landlords who are responsible for creating poor housing conditions. Newham also runs a voluntary licensing scheme for landlords. We understand that in appropriate circumstances a landlord could be forced to join the accreditation scheme if this was made a condition of their property licenses.
1.20 ARLA accepts that imposing its high standards on all lettings agents may not be realistic as a first step. However there is concern that the local authority landlord and lettings accreditation schemes are extremely light-touch in terms of consumer protection. The Welsh legislative proposals are that lettings agents and landlords must attend a one day training course, at the end of which there a short test, with retesting at regular intervals. Voluntary schemes are likely to impose even fewer conditions.
1.21 English Housing survey is published annually by DCLG. The survey includes statistics which are formally designated as National Statistics.
1.25 Please see Annexes 1–4.
Levels of rent within the private rented sector- including the possibility of rent control and the interaction between housing benefits and rents.
2.1 Rent controls were originally used as temporary measures around the time of the first and second world wars. They were intended to deal with evictions of tenants at a time when landlords could obtain more for their properties because of the acute lack of housing and increasing numbers of homeless. Some of the controls were complemented by prohibiting lenders to increase interest rates.
2.3 Trends in Local Authority Housing Allowance are relevant to this issue. The market is pushing beyond the limits of the allowance meaning that the most vulnerable are being forced into the worst property. These properties and lets are probably being managed being handled by landlords themselves without the use of an agent. The absence of an intermediary agent may make it harder for tenants to complain about any issue, including the standards of their rented home. Some buy-to-let mortgages do not allow to tenants who are in receipt of Housing Allowance, or they place conditions such as dictating the length of tenancies. Landlords who let to Housing Allowance tenants may also have problems obtaining buildings insurance.
2.4 Please see Annex 5.
3.1 Our response to Theme 1 deals with licensing/regulation of both landlords and lettings agents. ARLA sees the two are inextricably linked given the close relationships which landlords form with their agents.
3.2 Please see Annexes 6–8.
4.1 See our response to Theme 1 in relation the regulation of lettings agents.
All fees and charges to be clearly stated to landlord clients, and drawn to their attention.
Transparency in relation to the commitments of each party.
4.3 There is an exception concerning property standards, in particular the necessity for emergency repairs. Normally agents cannot repair without instructions from their landlord client.12 Some agents take a risk and act without instructions, in the hope that their landlord client will retrospectively agree to pay. If the tenant has been at fault then the agent could try and recover from them. If the agent is an ARLA agent then they must bear the cost whilst the dispute and attempted recovery take place, and ultimately if they are unable to recover the cost then it remains with them. In other words ARLA agents are unable to utilise their client accounts to subsidise these circumstances.
4.4 The CPRs, particularly regulation 6, may enhance tenants protection in areas such as renewal fees if the fees weren't made clear to them from the outset.
4.5 In Scotland all fees to tenants were recently made illegal under the Private Rented Housing ( Scotland) Act 2011. As this only became enabled law at the end of November 2012 the full impact is not yet know, however the likely result is increase of fees payable by landlords and rising rents. As there is an increasing number of benefit claimants within the PRS which could ultimately mean these costs falling on the state.
4.6 Please see Annex 9.
5.1 The Housing Act (2004) defines what HMOs local authorities must licence. The Act also includes two other definitions of HMOs which local authorities may wish to licence. It is not uncommon for local authorities to choose one of the broader alternative definitions rather than the minimal mandatory definition.
5.2 Licensing of HMOs is compulsory for landlords whatever definition is adopted. Landlords who rent out properties in a number of local authority areas may find that some of their HMOs must be licensed and others not.
5.3 The main rationale for HMO licensing was poor quality property, tenants being illegally evicted, and severe overcrowding. The HMO system should make it easier for local authorities to take action for improper behaviour by landlords, however this very much depends on the attitude and resources of the local authority. By law lettings agents must ask to see copy of the HMO licence, but it is unclear how this provision is being enforced.
5.4 Please see Annex 9.
The attitude of mortgage lenders.
Shorter tenancies have earlier break points, which is effective way of dealing with rent arrears and anti-social behaviour without resorting to legal action. The only route for landlords dealing with longer tenancies will be the court system which is rife with uncertainties and delay, and commonly unrecoverable lost income for landlords.
Costs of deeds for tenancies of more than three years.
6.2 Whilst in the past the PRS primarily services the geographically and economically mobile. However the PRS now also caters for those who cannot access social housing, those who cannot afford to buy a home, and specialist sectors such as students.
6.3 Please see Annex 11.
How local authorities are discharging homelessness duty by being able to place homeless households in private sector housing.
7.1 The lack of social housing has resulted in local authority having to rely on the private rented sector and the Localism Act will consolidate this.
7.2 Please see Annex 12.
Do you ever reject property because of HHSRS (Housing Health & Safety Rating System)?
It is encouraging that nearly half the respondents reject property on the basis that it is non HHSRS compliant. It is possible that at least some of the respondents who do not reject property on this basis have not had to address the issue because the properties offered to them are already HHSRS compliant.
Has your local authority enforced the HHSRS?
It is impossible to know whether or not the lack of enforcement reflects a lack of breaches.
If your local authority has enforced the HHRS please indicate the number of prosecutions or other types of lower level enforcement, such as warnings, over the past three years.
Some respondents have included health notices as a form of enforcement action. Such notices are used by local authorities as a first step. One reason for this may be that if a local authority wishes to pursue a prosecution it must take into consideration all 29 HHSRS hazards. The Committee may wish to consider whether this is unnecessarily burdensome bearing in mind that category 1 hazards are widely thought to be of most concern.
A number of respondents also referred to landlords' newsletters produced by local authorities, eg in Cardiff and Oxford. Agents felt these were important educational tools.
Please provide ideas about other steps that could be taken to ensure acceptable housing standards.
The willingness of landlords to invest in their rental properties has been negatively impacted by a number of factors. Housing benefit has been squeezed and once the allowance is paid direct to tenants as opposed to their landlords this is likely to lead to greater arrears.
At present the mortgage rate mirrors rental yield. However if the base or mortgage rate increases then rental becomes uneconomic.
The majority of responses received to this question from ARLA members referred to the need for licensing/regulation of landlords and their lettings agents. Compulsory membership of ARLA was one of the options mentioned.
"Ensure all agents have Client Money Protection Insurance, have annually audited client accounts and pass a qualification such as the ARLA Technical Award. You have to be careful with all this that costs don't get piled onto the landlord who then can't afford to own and rent a property. The housing market doesn't have enough transactions as it is, so if we make it too expensive for landlords to be landlords they will get out or be repossessed and there will no housing stock for people to rent. Banks could repossess, bring up to standard and link with the best local qualified professional to act as their agent".
Training was another common theme, although it would be easier to ensure that training is delivered if landlords and lettings agents were captured under the auspices of a licensing/regulatory structure.
The provision of simple check sheets for prospective and existing landlords and easily accessible information for tenants. The Private Rented Sector Scotland Act (2011) will make Tenant Information Packs compulsory, commencing sometime in 2013.
Tenants may worry that making a complaint will result in them having to leave the property at the end of their tenancy, ie if it is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy the landlord may serve a s.21 notice.14 Therefore landlords should be unable to serve a notice if their tenant seeks the local authority's assistance. The landlord would only be able to serve a notice after the repairs have been made. It is appreciated this change could be exploited by tenants who are unwilling to leave their rented properties making vexatious complaints but this risk should be manageable provided local authorities are adequately resourced to deal with complaints swiftly.
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations (1994), and the requirement for portable appliance testing, are too vague and not prescriptive enough. Electrical safety certificate to become a legal requirement (similar to gas safety certificates).
Smoke alarms to be made compulsory as they are in Scotland. Similarly carbon monoxide alarms, fire blankets, and extinguishers, should also be required all rented properties.
Properties being let to recipients of Local Housing Allowance should be inspected before this benefit is granted. This would stop the state subsidising poor properties.
Local authority improvement grants, but with proper controls on contractors to prevent the abuses of the system previously encountered.
In your view is there a correlation of levels of rent and Housing Benefit limits?
Do you think landlords should be regulated if acting without an agent?
Do you think landlords should be regulated if acting through a regulated agent?
The reference to regulated agents is intended to reflect the difference between ARLA members and other agents. See our introduction concerning ARLA's requirements which are significant commitments.
If landlords are regulated which of the following do you feel is appropriate?
The perception was that there is a greater need to regulate landlords if the aren't using an lettings agent, or they are using an agent who is not a member of a professional body such as ARLA.
Some respondents felt that local authority registration could only ever be a starting place, but in itself it is too easy and a compulsory training element should be added.
Landlords Associations should take on regulatory activities.
Whistle blowing helpline for tenants.
Local authority point of contact for tenants.
Financial checks to ensure that landlords have financial capability in regard to expenditure on maintenance, eg a credit reference check.
Should level of fees paid by tenants be controlled?
How are HMOs licensed by your local authority?
Reactive is intended to mean that local authorities respond to complaints, whereas proactive means that local authorities initiate checks.
If longer term tenancies become compulsory measures should be introduced to protect landlords and their agents?
An expedited procedure should be possible if an eviction is not contested by a tenant, eg they admit their rent arrears.
One suggestion is that longer tenancies of say 36 or 60 months should not require a deed, which tends to involve a solicitor.
Do you work with your local authority on housing homeless?
1 Level 3 in accordance with the Qualifications Credit Framework.
2 The equivalent for HHSRS for the social housing sector is the Decent Homes Standard.
3 Better Regulation Delivery Office. Department of Business Innovation & Skills. Current consultation: Extending the range of regulations covered by Primary Authority.
4 Amendments 28 (ZH) and (ZJ), currently withdrawn but likely to be reintroduced at report stage.
5 http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/consumer-enforcement/consumer-enforcement-completed/foxtons/qandas. Viewed 16 January 2013.
6 Home for Wales- A White Paper for Better Lives and Communities.
7 The private rented sector: its contribution and potential, Rugg & Rhodes and the Carsberg Review of Residential Property; Standards, Regulation, Redress and Competition in the 21st Century.
8 The Isle of Man Estate Agents Act (1975) covers letting agents as well as sales agents. The Act is currently being reviewed and one of the amendments under consideration is the regulation and registration of private landlords, as well as managing agents. Meanwhile a voluntary scheme for private landlords is about to be launched.
9 Available from www.scotland.gov.uk. Viewed 16 January 2013.
10 The private rented sector: its contribution and potential, Rugg & Rhodees.
11 The Rent Act (1977) applies to PRS tenancies that began before 15 January 1989. Approximately 100,000 tenancies are thought to be rent controlled. Rent levels are linked with the Retail Prices Index.
12 The doctrine of "agent of necessity" is an exception which applies in emergency situations when immediate action is the landlord client's best interest.
13 www.gov.uk. Viewed 15 January 2013.
14 Section 21, The Housing Act (1988).
15 There is a nexus with the issue of subletting by local authority tenants.


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Archives for posts with tag: wigan athletic
Everton Transfer News: £12.5m Fee Agreed For James McCarthy
Are Everton looking to replace Marouane Fellaini ahead of a potential move to Man Utd? According to the MailOnline, the Belgian midfielder is ready to hand in a transfer request to force through a deadline day move to Manchester, and Everton will be faced with a massive hole in the middle of their midfield if that goes through.
The Mail say that they are already making a move to bolster their midfield, whether that outgoing deal happens or not, as they have agreed a fee with Wigan for James McCarthy, and are currently locked in talks as to how the money is paid to the Championship club.
That deal would be worth 12.5million, after two lower bids were rejected, and McCarthy would join up with former manager Roberto Martinez, if the terms of payment can be hammered out. According to the report, Everton want to pay in smaller installments, but Wigan want a chunk of the money upfront.
According to The Telegraph, the Toffees opening offer came in to Wigan on Friday and was rejected and followed up with an improved bid of around 12 million, which Whelan rejected yesterday. But now it seems the clubs are closer on their valuations, and the next steps can be made to move the player to Merseyside.
Scottish side Hamilton would also be set for a windfall, as they included a 20% sell-on fee for any transfer when they sold the midfielder to Wigan in 2010.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has also rejected what he calls an "insulting" 2.5 million bid from Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace for winger Callum McManaman,
The post Everton Transfer News: 12.5m Fee Agreed For James McCarthy appeared first on WhatCulture!.
Tags everton, Gossip, james mccarthy, sport, wigan athletic
Categories everton
Wigan Transfer News: Man Utd Midfielder Nick Powell Signs On Loan
Wigan Athletic have signed Nick Powell on a season-long loan from Manchester United, according to the BBC.
Wigan owner Dave Whelan confirmed the deal, saying:
"We obviously had Tom Cleverley on loan and I think United were happy with the job we did with him, so it's good news that we've got the lad.
The 19-year-old joined United from Crewe Alexandra in 2012 but made just two Premier League appearances for the club, and saw two more appearances in the Capital One Cup and Champions League later in the campaign.
Powell becomes the Latic's eleventh summer arrival in what has been a busy transfer period for new manager Owen Coyle.
The same however cannot be said of United, who are still awaiting their first big signing as the transfer window ticks toward its final hour.
The Red Devils have been linked with moves for Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini as well as Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera, but so far, neither player has joined the Old Trafford club.
Fellaini has handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force through the move, however, and could still sign for United before the 23:00 BST deadline.
Meanwhile, Herrera is also thought to be close to joining, with reports that David Moyes's side are willing to activate his 30 million release clause.
Do you think United are right to send Powell out on loan? Will they land Fellaini and/or Herrera? Let us know in the comment section, below.
The post Wigan Transfer News: Man Utd Midfielder Nick Powell Signs On Loan appeared first on WhatCulture!.
Tags Gossip, man utd, nick powell, sport, transfer news, wigan athletic
Categories Wigan Athletic

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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March 19, 2021 March 2, 2021 kobrakontekLeave a Comment on Prospect in the Spotlight (Mar 26-27): Herbeth Sousa
Prospect in the Spotlight (Mar 26-27): Herbeth Sousa
Sunday, March 28th, Brazilian bantamweight prospect Herbeth Sousa will be in action for CDL, where he will be looking to continue his winning ways against prospect Derinaldo Guerra. He will be looking for another win, as Sousa looks to impress the UFC brass in an attempt to earn an eventual contract. He represents Constrictor Team, a solid camp in MMA. Let's take a closer look at this prospect as this week's "Prospect Spotlight."
Jiu-Jitsu: Running with Constrictor Team and having plenty of years of BJJ experience, Sousa is clearly a grappler first. His takedowns can be telegraphed and his wrestling is not the strongest, but he is able to get guys down with his relentlessness. See his bout with Alexander Keshtov. Once down, he is excellent at controlling his opponent and cutting through their defenses. He gets to a finishing position quickly. He has a strong choking grip, which has led to most of his wins. The guillotine and rear-naked chokes are his two go-to holds. He also effectively uses ground-and-pound, which helps him open up his opponent and look for those finishes. Engaging Sousa on the mat is the not best strategy for a fighter taking the cage with him.
Experience: Sousa is just 26 years old, but he's been fighting professionally since 2012. That means he has over eight years experience going back to when he was a teenager. That also means he started training before 2012. That experience is huge, as it shows that he not only has had plenty of live cage time, but that he's ready to move up to the big leagues ASAP. His last few fights have been against his most credible and dangerous opponents, showing that he is really hitting his stride at this point as well.
Striking Question Marks: There is not a ton of footage on Sousa, so there may be more than just his one question mark. However, just given the tape we saw on Sousa against the aforementioned Keshtov, it did not look like Sousa wanted anything to do with his opponent's striking. From what I can see, Sousa mostly uses his striking to set up takedowns or clinches. He has two striking stoppages, but has not really shown the acumen nor the raw power to be a major threat to guys that will prefer to sprawl-and-brawl the Brazilian.
UFC Midcarder: Sousa's win over Keshtov really opened my eyes, as I was high on Keshtov. It really showed that Sousa had grown since his 2016 loss and is clearly a guy that can succeed in the major leagues. He will still need to touch up his game, but the 26-year-old is a legit grappler that is improving from fight to fight. He is approaching his prime and now is the time to strike while the iron is hot. First, he must beat the opponent he is currently matched up with in a Brazilian regional show. A win here should certainly get him the call.
Previous Prospect in the Spotlight (Mar 19-20): Jack Cartwright
Next Prospect in the Spotlight (Apr 2-3): Kana Watanabe


Victoria Justice, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato are quickly becoming the first names you think of when we say young hollywood.
There are tons of differences between the three 18-year-old actresses, but there are also a lot of similarities.
"I think it's a great thing that young Latina girls have role models to look up to and can see girls on TV that resemble them," she added.


Surrounded by great countryside with easy access to the industrial history of the area. This lovely cottage on the outskirts of Earby village is close to the Yorkshire Dales.
Surrounded by great countryside with easy access to the industrial history of the area. This lovely cottage on the outskirts of Earby village is close to the Yorkshire Dales, great for a countryside break. The Pennine Way, Pendle Way and Lancashire Cycleway are great destinations for walking and cycling holidays. From here you can also explore historic Skipton, the Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill - home of Lancashire witches.
After a hard day exploring the area, sit and unwind in our wonderful garden with its own stream and waterfall – the spring flowers are not to be missed!


Hey I played in this league at the end of 10, never was able to secure team in 11. Would like one for end of 12 if one opens.
Hey I've added you on AIM, we'll talk there.
Ok let me know when you are on, and i'll make sure that im on so we can chat bout this league.


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U.S. Open Returns to the Olympic Club, Traffic Delays Expected
Daly City is bracing for large crowds the week of June 11-17 as golf fans converge on the Olympic Club for the 2012 U.S. Open. Widely regarded as the premier golf event of the year, the U.S. Open is expected to draw more than 200,000 spectators during the week. Although the golf course is located in San Francisco, a majority of the fans attending the event will pass directly through Daly City, potentially causing unprecedented traffic delays in the area near the Olympic Club.
Officials from the United States Golf Association (USGA) have planned ways to mitigate traffic in Daly City, but transporting 200,000 people to the Olympic Club in a single week will undoubtedly affect regular traffic flow along John Daly Boulevard between Junipero Serra Boulevard and Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard). Additionally, John Muir Drive will be closed to the general public for the duration of the event (residents who live at Lakewood Apartments will be issued parking permits and will be granted access from southbound Highway 35 in the eastbound direction only). Highway 35 will be closed to all northbound traffic between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. during the U.S. Open. Only one lane of southbound Highway 35 (the western-most lane) will remain open to the public. Motorists are advised to avoid the area of Highway 35 north of the Highway 1 interchange in Pacifica. Highway 1 and I-280 are the preferred north/south alternate routes during the U.S. Open.
Fans planning to attend the U.S. Open are encouraged to take advantage of free parking at Candlestick Park. The USGA has arranged free shuttle service from Candlestick Park to the Olympic Club (and back) throughout the event. A shuttle for BART riders will be available from the Colma Station. Absolutely no event parking is available near the Olympic Club. The Olympic Section of Westlake (the neighborhood north of John Daly Boulevard, between Highway 35 and Lake Merced Boulevard) will be accessible only to residents and their guests. On-street parking in the Olympic Section during the U.S. Open will require a permit.
Westlake Park, the Doelger Senior Center, Larcombe Clubhouse and the Pacelli Events Center will not be open from Monday, June 11 through Sunday, June 17. The Library and Recreation Services Administration offices will be staffed and open for phone inquiries Monday, June 11 through Friday, June 15. However, no parking will be available for drop-in visitors or in-person registration. If you need assistance from the Library and Recreation Services Department during the U.S. Open, please call (650) 991-8001 or FAX (650) 991-0303. All Daly City facilities will re-open Monday, June 18 barring any play-off rounds.
For more information about the 2012 U.S. Open, visit www.usopen.com.


Being scared of heights this wasn't the easiest thing for me to do, but it was beautiful, and the waterfall on the other side was great. With my legs shaking I almost didn't do it but I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up and I'm glad I didn't. Once we boarded, I realized it was extremely safe, and once we got moving I wasn't worried anymore!
On the road again for about 20 minutes we went to the Devils Cauldron where we did about a 20-30-minute hike downwards where we could hear the waterfall. When we got to the waterfall we saw how massive it was. We all got soaking wet from the mist. We crawled through these walkways so we could get an even better view and even closer. After we crawled back down we went over to a bridge where we saw that the waterfall led into 2 separate waterfalls. Then continued back up another 30-40 minute back up to our bus.
Going back to our hotel we did a little detour and drove for what felt like 40 minutes to a treehouse with the most amazing view and we tried to see the erupting volcano but unfortunately it was too cloudy to see. There were these swings attached to the trees where it went over the cliff (you were strapped in) almost everyone did it and loved it. With a bunch of other little activities to do we only had a limited time and tried to get as much in as we could.
Back to our hotel, we had 5 minutes before we went to lunch, then we were going to walk through the town but unfortunately it started raining so we went back to the hotel. We had an hour before the students and Craig met for our group discussion where we found out the average yearly income is around $400.
After an hour we all went for dinner at the Bamboo Steakhouse where just after we had finished eating and about to leave a band came into the restaurant and started playing music for everyone while they were eating. Everyone loved it.
Next up is Day 9: Quilotoa Crater.


A participant in a Tough Mudder event in Buffalo got a bit of a shock when he clotheslined himself on an electrified wire partway through the race. The unidentified competitor was running through the field of wires, some of which carry up to 10,000 volts, in the Electroshock Therapy obstacle when one became tangled around his neck, pulling him to the ground.
Our Fitness Coach answers the question, "Could Tough Mudder's Electroshock Therapy Kill Me?"


Last week I used steel tanks for the first time and never got my weight correct. I started out with 6 pounds and ended up with 4 but was still overweight (had to kick to stay level at the safety stop). If I dive with one again I'll try 2 pounds or maybe none. So is this a common occurrence and how does one address ditching weight?
What are you wearing for exposure protection? How positively buoyant is it? What kind of BC?
What's your weighting with AL tanks? If you are weighted correctly while using an AL80, you should require roughly 5lb less lead with a steel LP80.
Also, what kind of exposure protection are you wearing, and what other weights (or equipment configuration) are you using?
If you're neutral at your safety stop with no ditchable weight, that means you're positive on the surface at the end of your dive, and roughly 5-6lb negative at the beginning of the dive while on the surface. If you're wearing a wetsuit that provides ~10lb lift at the surface, you might be up to 15lb negative at the beginning of your dive at depth, which would be heavier than recommended.
Most tank manufaturers have a chart of bouyancy for their tanks. If you know your weight for another tank using the same gear then use the chart to adjust. I was told that neoprene requires about 2 pounds per MM for a size large. This ought to get you in the ball park.
At least you were too heavy then not heavy enough.
A day earlier I used an AL tank & 12 pounds and was neutral at the SS.
Last week I used steel tanks for the first time and never got my weight correct. I started out with 6 pounds and up with 4 but was still overweight (had to kick to stay level at the safety stop). If I dive with one again I'll try 2 pounds or maybe none. So is this a common occurrence and how does one address ditching weight?
If nothing else changed, going from an Al.80 to an HP steel tank, you're likely to be able to drop about 6#, +/- 1 depending on the exact tank model in question. Bear in mind that the buoyancy at the safety stop should be neutral with a nearly empty tank. If you still have lots of gas in your tank, you'll be a few pounds heavier. An 80cf tank holds about 6# of gas. If you have more than half a tank left, you're looking at more than 3# heavy, compared to empty or nearly so. The dangerous bit is nearly OOA and underweighted, which is why you need to weight yourself for that worst case scenario.
Just curious, what steel tank are you using?
Rather than kicking to hold your position, why didn't you just add some air to your wing/BC?
It was from a dive op. It was a 120 cf.
On a ss I would prefer to have more precise control over depth. I'm not sure I would have the same level of control by adding (then maybe venting) air. I should clarify that the kicking I mentioned was an occasional kick to maintain depth not a constant kick.
Also, how much air did you still have in your tank? A 120 is only 2 lbs negative empty or 3lbs negative at 500 psi. I would also work to get your precision bouyancy to where you can remain relatively level without kicking at all. a little toot of air into your bc can help with that.
Maybe try a smaller tank? A HP120 is like a giant missile tank.
I agree. For the first several minutes I felt like the 120 was shoving me around a little. This was the first time I have used a steel tank. The dm cautioned me that diving with one is different than with an AL80. I still have some adjusting to do!
How about a steel 100 or 80 would be a good size.
Worthingotn makes a LP77. It basically replaces an AL80 but it never goes positive. If I am thinking right it is 1#-.
I dive double HP120's so I understand the weight swing, but it's nothing that can't be compensated for by adding air to the BC. If you don't change your depth you would never need to compensate by letting air out, and even if you do it's the same as an AL80. You just do it by feel, the same way you do the others.
I think you were psyched out by the DM at the start who told you that stuff. It's no different than any other cylinder out there except it's heavier. Once you account for the ~6lbs of change you're in the same boat. Now if you're a short guy I can see the trim being a major concern, but if you're 6' or have a long torso like me it's not a problem.
Assuming the cylinder fits you then the very first dive I made I'd drop 6 lbs of weight and go for it. Now of course a 120 is more negative at the start of a dive than the AL80 would be, ie 77 cf of air vs 120 cf of air, so you'd have more air in the BC at the start of a dive. You might also be heavier at the end of a dive if you still carried the same psi of air left because you'd have more air which means more weight. The solution is the same, add more air to the BC.
I think the DM did you a disservice.
I dive with extra weight all the time. Usually two 3lbs'ers. Turns out people come down here and think since they don't have thick wet suit they don't need any weight. If people have trouble descending it's nice to have a little weight to pass off to them.
Use your BC it'll work out fine.
DM was helpful in all respects. I think this thread has taken a path I didn't expect. If I were to dive with a 120 cf steel tank again I may have to dive without weights to be properly weighted. My original intent was to try to discover how others handle diving without added weight to ditch in an emergency situation.
Assuming the cylinder fits you then the very first dive I made I'd drop 6 lbs of weight and go for it. Now of course a 120 is more negative at the start of a dive than the AL80 would be, ie 77 cf of air vs 120 cf of air, so you'd have more air in the BC at the start of a dive. You might also be heavier at the end of a dive if you still carried the same psi of air left because you'd have more air which means more weight.he solution is the same, add more air to the BC.
We either find ways not to be over-weighted, live with being over-weighted, or don't dive.
Personally, I try to determine my weighting needs before getting in the water. That's just me, though.
theres lots of solutions to it. In my opinion dropping weights should be the absolute last ditch effort, dropping weights will very often result in an uncontrolled ascent which is not a great thing.
I think it's a non issue when it comes to ditching weights, you don't really need that ability if you're properly weighted in the first place.
However, what I meant by the DM comment was it sounded to me like he psyched you out by telling you how different the cylinder would be. It's not different, that's the point. Diving it is the same as diving any other cylinder. You have the amount of air which adds more weight and gives you a weight swing, that's it. So what if you have a few more lbs weight swing? Easily handled. You have the fact that at the end of a dive it's probably -2 lbs or so vs the +4 or so for an AL80, again no big deal because if you weight yourself correctly you still end up neutral.
So the only issues with a 120 are it's longer, and the weight swing is greater than an AL80 which is well within the capability of any BC you'd be using to handle. A short person might find their trim being wrong now, but that's the only possible issue.
The DM did not point out that, instead the DM made it appear like this would be some monster out to get you, it's not. The DM IMO did you a disservice by not pointing out the obvious. I'm sure he didn't want to tell a diver with 1000 dives that it's no big deal and candy coated it, and that is what I think the disservice was. He should have been upfront and told you it's no big deal for a diver of your experience. Then you would have just removed a few lbs of lead and not thought a second thing about it and had fun without kicking during the SS. Instead you were worrying about ditching lead, being properly weighted, etc. That's why he was not helpful, IMO.
A 120 is not a big deal, it's not any harder than any other cylinder out there to dive with and the DM indicated otherwise, that's where I think it went south at.
As to dealing with having no ditchable weight, if you're balanced don't sweat it. We're all somewhat negative at the start of a dive. Air weighs .08 lbs per cubic foot, that means your HP120 is 3.4 lbs more negative than you'd be on the AL80 because it has that much extra air. So the DM who knew that made it seem difficult, he made a big deal out of 3 lbs extra air. He should have just pointed out correctly IMO that it's no big deal. It's only 3 lbs more negative than your AL80 is at the start of a dive and that amount is not a problem.
This is what the DM didn't say.
So here's the deal, -1.3 lbs empty for a PST 120 and +4.4 lbs empty for a Luxfer 80. The difference is 5.7 lbs so you can remove 6 lbs from your belt and you are now identical at the end of a dive compared to the Luxfer 80. At the start of a dive you are 3.4 lbs heavier than you are with the Luxfer 80 because you have abt 43 cf more air but your BC will handle an extra 3 lbs at any point.
not to be disrespectful or anything but I just noticed on your profile you say you have 500-1000 dives. At that many dives you dont know the solution/solutions to this problem?
One bad thing about a forum. You can be what you want to be and nobody knows the difference.
Be nice, many divers just dive and have fun without thinking about the mechanics of it. I'm sure Gee is one of those divers who goes out and has a blast diving here there and elsewhere. You can amass a lot of dives and not even know how a cylinder works or why it gets lighter at the end of a dive, or you might assume it's a huge difference in weight when in reality it's hardly any difference.
A dive number does not indicate knowledge or skills, only that you've done those dives. You can do a thousand dives to 15 feet repairing pools and have absolutely no skills at all because all you ever did was look for a leak, and that's a skill you'd have nailed. But take you to 100 feet in a dark quarry and it's a whole nother game.
The only assumption I make about a diver is that they enjoy doing it and so I'm sure Gee has had a blast doing his dives. I envy the fun he's had.
Now if Gee said he's a DM I'd question him for the obvious lack of knowledge that cert should bring with it, but he didn't say he's a DM and so I think Gee is a typical recreational diver having fun. As far as I know he's OW certified only, and I know that level doesn't even cover the details mentioned in this thread. AOW doesn't even cover it, I don't recall a course that told me the weight of air per CF. OW was just return to the surface with 500psi, get neutral with that amount of air. The cylinder used is almost always an AL80. Gear beyond that often gets tossed into the technical arena and not covered. I won't nail him for having problems because it's most likely he was never told, most of us are not. He's out there having fun and I wish I had as much as he has had. Odd's are he's a pretty fair diver to boot, you can't get that many dives and not have some good skills. It doesn't mean he'd know why something didn't work and he's shown curiosity about the "why" which I commend.
People often look at steel cylinders with a bit of mysticism and somehow think they're special. They not, but they are different in some subtle ways, and in other respects they are no different. They hold air, have a weight swing, rust easier if the coating is damaged, and typically are near neutral or slight negative when empty compared to many AL cylinders. There is nothing magic about them, just another cylinder and that's where I think some OW courses go wrong. They show you various gear types and gloss over them, or make it seem like there's something special about it. Take drysuits for example.
Yep, I dove for years in the same 45-55 ft of water in and around Tillamook Bay Or. Filling my own tanks at the fire dept. I volunteered at. Even after 200-300 dives If you'd have asked me about doubles or any mix other then compressed air you'd have got a blank stare in response.
People often look at steel cylinders with a bit of mysticism and somehow think they're special. They not, but they are different in some subtle ways, and in other respects they are no different. They hold air, have a weight swing, rust easier if the coating is damaged, and typically are near neutral or slight negative when empty compared to many AL cylinders. There is nothing magic about them, just another cylinder and that's where I think some OW courses go wrong.
I remember when I asked about steels in my OW course. Man you would have thought that I asked about Satan himself or they were voodoo. It was not a pretty sight. So needless to say I won't be buying a steel tank from my LDS.
Love the story that buddy told me. He went into the LDS to get a VIP done and they OWNER and INSTRUCTOR told him that he could do a VIP on a steel cylinder because he didn't have the proper o-ring. He proceeded to tell him about the difference in the neck.
Agreed it is the absolute last ditch effort. But, there are scenerios where you need that as an option. And thanks for those creative suggestions.
You found me out! I've been very fortunate to dive recreationally in a lot of places, mostly in the Caribbean and the South Pacific but I've never experienced a dark quarry at 100 feet! I am quite content to drop down on a reef below the boat and just take it all in!
If tank info was in my OW or AOW class I've forgotten all of it. But then, that was in 1981!
I figured something like that, and as I said I envy that. All I dive are dark and cold places in the midwest. But it's still fun and I like you enjoy the dives I do get to participate in.
As they say, keep on trucking.
This thread's taken an odd turn. Glad to see it back on track.
I think it's kind of strange logic to think I've been diving for "X" years, I know A,B,C and D. Member "Y's' been diving "X+" years why doesn't he know B&D? Everyone experience in life is different. That's the great thing about forums like these- you can get info from people who do know the answer to "B&D" or even "A&C" if needed.
Agreed. The diversity of the experiences that the members freely share through this forum provide me with a wealth of information that I don't think I could get in my lifetime. For that, I am truly grateful.


text:
__Sub sub item
_Season 1
Movie Caste
season 1Season review
Dream chaserr
Eight thieves take hostages and lock themselves in the Royal Mint of Spain as a criminal mastermind manipulates the police to carry out his plan.
Álex Pina
Exec. Producers:
Jesus Colmenar, Álex Pina, Sonia Martínez
One of the biggest shows to come out of Netflix is 'Money Heist'. It is the biggest foreign-language show and has broken records of its popularity with every season. What makes it so good is the constant twists and turns that it serves to the audience with the characters that are easy to fall in love with. There is also the excitement of the cliff-hangers that every season ends with, making the viewers come back for more in the next round. It all started with the first season that premiered back in 2017 on Netflix. If your memories have become a bit hazy about it, here's a quick recap.
Money Heist Season 1 Recap
Every great job needs a competent team, and to rob the Royal Mint of Spain, the Professor brings together a group of people, each best at what they do. The Professor is the puppeteer of this game. His father was a robber and it was his last wish that led the bespectacled genius to chart out this plan. The next main character is Tokyo, a volatile robber who is devoted to the Professor. She forms a romantic connection with Rio, a young hacker.
Berlin is the Professor's right-hand man who has known him for a long time. He is the one who assumes leadership inside the Mint. He is somewhat of a psychopath and suffers from a degenerative disease, which means he is going to die in the next couple of months. Moscow is the one in charge of digging the tunnel that will be the escape route of the team, and he is accompanied by his hot-headed son, Denver, who has a killer laugh! Nairobi is the master counterfeiter, and Oslo and Helsinki are the muscle of the team.
After spending five months in seclusion, the Professor and his team are prepared with the plan that is fool-proofed for every contingency. The simple rules that the Professor asked to be followed were- no real names, no romantic connections. The latter is already broken by Tokyo and Rio, and this has adverse impacts on the plan. Speaking of which, it is to make it look like a robbery gone wrong and trap themselves inside the Mint, along with a bunch of hostages. The cops will think they have nowhere to go, and in the meantime, they will bide their time and print 2.4 billion euros.
The Hostages
The most important hostage inside the Mint is Alison Parker, the daughter of UK's ambassador, which makes it crucial for the cops to handle the matter delicately. Next, there is Arturo, the Director of the Mint, and the character who quickly becomes the focus of the disdain of the robbers, as well as the audience. He had an affair with his secretary, Monica, who is now pregnant. Then there is a girl named Ariadna, who seduces Berlin, hoping that this would keep her out of harm's way. Mercedes, the teacher who was supervising the group of students on their visit to the Mint, also wants to find a way out of the Mint.
The Cops
To negotiate with the Professor, Inspector Raquel Murillo is brought in. She divorced her husband, also a police officer, because he was abusive, but not everyone in the department buys her story which is why she is not as welcome there. Her friend and colleague, Angel, who is also in love with her, supports her and becomes suspicious of a new man who has only recently entered her life. His suspicions are well-placed because this man is the Professor.
Over the course of the season, mistakes are made and Rio, Tokyo and Berlin's identity comes to light. The Professor himself narrowly escapes the cops a number of times and gets closer to Raquel, who is none the wiser. Denver falls in love with Monica, whom he was ordered to kill by Berlin after she tried to smuggle a phone to Arturo. A divide develops within the team, and a couple of hostages take advantage of the situation and succeed in making an escape, injuring Oslo in the process. Raquel and Angel are turned against each other, one believing that the other is a traitor, when in reality, Angel has been bugged.
Tags: season 1 , Season review
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text:
Maine Folklife Center
Methods & Training
Hanover, "Young Florilla"
Song: Young Florilla
Singer: Mabel C Worcester
Town: Hanover, Maine
ID: NA467 CD 003 Track 7
Collector: Frank Worcester
Roud: 500
Laws: F1
"Young Florilla" is a version of a murder ballad generally known as "The Jealous Lover." It is one of the most popular ballads native to North America and has been found all over the United States and Canada. Its theme, that of the girl taken for a walk by her lover and then killed, shows up in numerous ballads including "Omie Wise," "On the Banks of the Ohio," and "The Gosport Tragedy."
There is great variation in the names of the two characters. The murderer has been variously called Willie, Edward, Henry, Elmer and other variations of these, while his victim's name has been Ellen, Florella, Alice, Abbie, and a variety of others. The "drooping willow" opening, as in this version, is common. Another common opening line is some variation of "Down in the low green valley." Persistent narrative elements include the victim asking to be taking home, the plunging of the knife into the victim's bosom, and her forgiveness of her killer. Not much attention is given to the motive of the murder. Common rhymes include "bloom/tomb," "heart/part," and "dew/flew." Some versions, mainly from the South, have stanzas which seem to be influenced by T. H. Bayly's "She Never Blamed Him." The words to "The Jealous Lover" are generally set to the same family of tunes. This is particularly noticeable in the Northern versions.
The ballad has also served as the template for several others. A subdivision of the "Jealous Lover" ballad replaces the names of the victim and murderer with "Pearl Bryan" and "Scott Jackson" respectively, based on an actual murder which took place in Kentucky in 1896. Because there is also a separate ballad called "Pearl Bryan," about this murder, all "Jealous Lover" ballads are sometimes confused as being about Pearl Bryan. However, "The Jealous Lover" was already in circulation before the murder of Pearl Bryan. The ballad has also been altered to fit the murder of Nellie Cropsey in North Carolina in 1901. And in 1929, a woman in Mississippi confessed to a murder by mailing an adaptation of "The Jealous Lover" to the governor. It is unknown however, if "The Jealous Lover" itself is based upon a historical murder, particularly since a print source has never been found.
Phillips Barry believed that it was a reworking of the 19th century English Broadside, "The Murder of Betsey Smith." As evidence, Barry cited that some versions of "Fair Florella" have a specific reference to the date in the beginning, as in "The Murder of Betsey Smith." In addition, the murder takes place in the woods, the setting of the Betsy Smith ballad, in eleven texts of "The Jealous Lover," The victim's pleading and the use of the "fatal knife" are also consistent with "The Murder of Betsey Smith." Other scholars however, disagree with this interpretation. G. Malcolm Laws notes that it could be just as likely that the composer of "The Murder of Betsy Smith" had "The Jealous Lover" in the back of his mind and D. K. Wilgus points out that most of Barry's evidence consists of details which are common in all murdered sweetheart ballads.
According to Arthur Field in his article, "Why is the 'Murdered Girl' so Popular," murder ballads like "Young Florilla," and other murder stories, are used as outlets for aggression. Field backs up this point by pointing out that most "murdered girl" ballads are written from the perspective of the murderer. Alan Lomax however, writes that the "murdered girl" songs were sung as warnings to young women to be wary of men, and thus worked to hold up the strict mores governing sexual relationships in frontier America. Lomax's idea gains some support from the fact that Laws attributes the generally motiveless American murder ballads to the fact that mentioning pregnancy outside of wedlock would have been taboo. A good example of this is in the ballad, "Omie Wise," based upon the murder of Naomi Wise in North Carolina in 1808. Wise was pregnant by her lover John Lewis and he wanted to marry another woman, so he killed her to get her out of the way. However, just like in "Young Florilla," the motive for his murder is not mentioned in the ballad, so it makes the murder seem motiveless.
https://umaine.edu/folklife/wp-content/uploads/sites/312/2014/12/07-Young-Florilla.mp3
Down by yon drooping willow
Where the violets gently bloom
There lies young Florilla
So silent in the tomb
She died not broken-hearted
Nor sickness her befell
But, in one moment, parted
From the one she loved so well
One night, when the moon was shining
As bright as ever it shone
Up to Florilla's cottage
The treacherous lover came
He says, come love, let's wander
Into those fields we'll stray
And there we'll sit and ponder
Upon our wedding day
She said, those fields look dreary
And I'm afraid to stray
Of rambling, I am weary
So I'll retrace my way
He said, no, never again
These fields and meadows roam
So bid farewell, Florilla
To parents and friends and home
Down on her knees before him
She begged him spare her life
But deep into her bosom
He plunged that fatal knife
Oh Edwin, I'll forgive you
She said with a dying breath
And in one moment later
She closed her eyes in death
The treacherous lover fled
To other parts unknown
And now Florilla's sleeping
So silent in her tomb
Sources: Barry, Phillips. "Fair Florella." American Speech 3.6 (1928): 441-47. JSTOR. Web. 30 Oct. 2013; Belden, Henry Marvin. Ballads and Songs Collected by the Missouri Folk-Lore Society (University of Missouri Studies Vol. XV, No. 1). Columbia, Mo.: University of Missouri Press, 1966; Chapell, Louis W. Folk-Songs of Roanoke and the Albemarle. Morgantown, WV: The Ballad Press, 1939; Field, Arthur. "Why Is the "Murdered Girl" So Popular." Midwest Folklore 1.2 (1951): 113-19. JSTOR. Web. 6 Nov. 2013; Laws, G Malcolm. Native American Balladry: A Descriptive Study and a Bibliographical Syllabus. Philadelphia: The American Folklore Society, 1964; Lomax, John A. and Alan. Folk Song U.S.A. New York: The New American Library, Inc., 1966; Randolph, Vance. Ozark Folksongs Vol. II. Columbia, Mo.: The State Historical Society of Missouri, 1948; White, Newman Ivey, and Frank Clyde Brown. The Frank C. Brown Collection of North Carolina Folklore Vol. II: Folk Ballads from North Carolina. Durham, NC: Duke UP, 1952; Wilgus, D. K. "Ballad Classification." Midwest Folklore 5.2 (1955): 95-100. JSTOR. Web. 8 Nov. 2013; Wilgus, D. K. "A Tension of Essences in Murdered-Sweetheart Ballads." The Ballad Image: Essays Presented to Bertrand Harris Bronson. Ed. James Porter. Los Angeles, CA: Center for the Study of Comparative Folklore and Mythology, 1983. 241-53. Print.
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Cosplay is a wonderful activity for all levels of craftsmanship from buying all of your costume from a shop to handmaking every item and all combinations in between, then transforming yourself into that character.
Now for the exciting part – the Cosplay Masquerade!
At each of our events we offer you the opportunity to be in the spotlight by taking part in the Masquerade, to showcase your costume, modelling and performance. Our judges use many factors when determining who the winners are, but fundamentally everyone who enters has a chance at winning something!
Simply sign up online prior to the event to guarantee your spot (online registration links will appear below for each show closer to the event) or sign up on the day before 1pm at the cosplay desk. Enjoy up to 3 minutes on stage posing in character or performing a rehearsed routine and most importantly have a great time.
You could be in the chance of winning £200, a weekend ticket to London Film and Comic Con and guaranteed entry into our Grand Final held at London Film and Comic Con where you could win £1000.
Alongside this amazing first place award we have other prizes such as cash, vouchers, trophies and certificates on offer. We also have some fantastic cosplay items which will be given away during the events which have been provided by Xcoser.
Don't forget if you type 'showmaster' at checkout you will get 20% off.
As well as the cosplay masquerade our stage is filled with entertaining and fun activities which everyone can enjoy. Take a seat and learn new ways to pose or find out how to get started with that new project. Our Cosplay Guests bring new and exciting content to every event for you enjoy for free.
Changing room availability varies at each event, please send us an email with your specific event enquiry and we will get back to you.


Some people are natural exhibitors, but everyone can learn ways to improve their skills. Showmanship is the one area of livestock exhibition that gives the exhibitor greatest control of the results. A great exhibitor is responsible for presenting his/her goat in a manner that promotes the animal's strengths and disguises its weaknesses. Sometimes, goats of lesser quality will place higher in a class because they are shown by an excellent exhibitor who understands the goat's strengths and weaknesses. Showmanship may be the single most important quality necessary for success in the show ring.
In meat goat showmanship, you will be judged on your ability to control and present the goat to bring out its best characteristics. Exhibitors must maintain awareness of themselves, the goat, the judge, the ring steward, other exhibitors, and other goats, as well as activities in and outside the show ring. In addition, the exhibitor must watch for other unknown details that could develop at any time during competition.
Meat goat showmanship can teach many valuable lessons to be used in daily life. These lessons include responsibility and learning how to work to reach a goal. This, in turn, builds character and increases confidence. You can learn outstanding showmanship skills with hours of practice at home. Advanced planning, practice, and hard work are keys to becoming a good exhibitor.
The time needed to train a goat for show depends on the goat, the size and experience of the exhibitor, and the intensity of training. Some goats are easy to gentle and train for show, while other goats are difficult and nearly impossible to train. Most goats can be trained if you spend enough time and effort. Unlike lambs, goats are best shown with a halter or chain. Halter breaking is an excellent way to start the gentling process, especially if you have several goats. You can make or buy chains or halters for training and showing.
To train, goats should be caught, haltered, and tied to a fence. Do not tie a goat any higher than his head would be held in a show ring. This is uncomfortable for the goat and does not teach him anything. Do not tie the goats where they can hurt themselves, and do not leave tied goats unattended.
After your goat begins to gentle, you can start teaching it to lead. Use the halter or chain to keep the goat's head up while you teach it to lead. It is best to have someone assist you by pushing the goat from behind whenever it stops. Teach the goat to lead with its front shoulder even with your leg. The goat's head should be in front of your body. Practice leading goats from both sides. Though the halter places the showman on the left side of the animal—most commonly considered the show side—a situation could arise in the show ring that will require leading the goat from its right side. Showing with a chain allows you to work from both sides of the goat. A good exhibitor must be prepared, so goats should lead easily from both sides.
The next step in the training process is to lead the goat and properly set it up. Set up the front legs first, then place the hind legs, keeping the body and neck straight and the head in a high, proud position by using the chain or halter. You should stand at all times. Do not squat or kneel.
After lead training is complete, you should practice showing. Set up your goat and show it while someone else handles it. You must make sure the goat looks good at all times. Mounting a mirror in the barn will allow the exhibitor to see how the goat looks when set and have a better understanding of positioning. If the goat responds properly, return it to the pen and do not overwork it. During hot weather, work goats early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid heat stress on both you and the goat. The more time you spend training goats, the more successful your experience will be when you and the goats enter the show ring. Remember, in a major show, you may have only a short time to actually show your goat. If the goat does not show properly when the judge handles it, you may get overlooked.
Dress neatly and professionally for the show. Leather boots are preferred for safety and appearance. Wear clean jeans or slacks and shirt. Tuck your shirt in and wear a belt. You should be neat in appearance but not overdressed. Do not wear a hat or cap in the show ring. Proper planning and nice appearance will make a positive impression on the judge.
Your planning, selection, feeding, fitting, training, and grooming all pay off in the show ring. Your skill in exhibiting your goat cannot be emphasized enough. It is often the difference between winning and losing. You must be mentally and physically ready to enter the show ring for competition. By completing the preparation activities, you should have confidence that you can do an effective job showing your goat.
Before the show, walk over the ring to find the high and low spots on the arena surface. This will help you get the goat set up with its front end uphill rather than in a hole. By setting the goat's front feet uphill, you will give the appearance of an extended front end and a longer-patterned animal.
When the show begins, watch the judge to see how he works the goats. You will feel more comfortable and confident if you know what the judge will want you to do. Be mentally prepared to answer questions and handle anything unexpected, as well.
When the appropriate class is called, take your goat to the show ring. Be sure to enter the show ring promptly, leading your goat from the left-hand side. As the ring steward lines up the goats, set your goat to look its best. Avoid corners of the ring, and leave plenty of space between your goat and others. Quickly, yet smoothly, set the goat up so all four feet are at the corners of the body and the weight is distributed evenly to all four legs. Keep the body, neck, and head in a straight line with the head up and alert. If you are in a large class, allow your goat to relax when the judge is not evaluating it. Overworking or constantly resetting a goat's feet may lead to an aggravated, uncooperative goat.
Never place your hand on the goat's back or the base of the neck, because this will hide the judge's view of the goat's top. To set up, face the goat with your body and hold the head up with your right hand on the collar or lead and your left hand over the head and underneath the jaw. (Be prepared to work with either hand on the collar and either leg in front of the goat in order to stay on the opposite side of the goat from the judge at all times.) Place your leg in front of the goat, and stay in front while the judge is viewing the goat from the rear. As the judge moves around the right side and to the front of the goat, remain on the left side. Then face the judge and step to the side to provide a front view of the goat.
When the judge walks around in front of the goat to get a front-view and evaluate structural correctness and muscling through the front end of the goat, stand beside the shoulder opposite of the judge and face the same direction as the goat. Move slowly when working around the front end of the goat, staying on the opposite side of the goat from the judge. Correctly place the goat's front feet so it does not stand too wide or narrow; hold the goat's head so a straight line could be drawn from nose to tail. Do not step away from the animal because you will lose some control over the goat, and your movement tends to pull the goat's head out of proper alignment with its body. Hold the goat's head high as the judge analyzes it. As the judge moves to the left side of the goat, move back to the opposite side of the goat to give the judge a full view of the entire animal.
If the judge comes in to handle the goat, be prepared with your leg in front of the goat to keep it from jumping forward, and hold the head straight in line. In order to be competitive in any given situation, goats must be taught to brace. Since competitive goats do not get over 115 pounds, bracing has become a relatively easy technique for smaller exhibitors to master. It provides the most level playing field when showing against bigger, stronger exhibitors.
Do not brace the goat as you would a lamb. Front feet should remain on the ground with the front end of the goat extended fully. "Driving" the goat like a lamb will only tend to make the goat slope at the hip and less desirable in appearance. Goats do not require the same amount of brace seen in the lamb show ring. However, a small amount of pressure applied correctly to the front of the goat will make the animal feel much better than his counterparts that are not braced. Do not be surprised to see the animals that are braced stand at the top of the class. To be competitive, train your goat to brace and stand in place with all feet on the ground.
As a good exhibitor, you must be alert and know where the judge is at all times. Remain calm and concentrate on showing. Set up your goat and be ready before the judge gets to you. Be careful not to cover your goat with your body and block the judge's view. Always keep your goat between you and the judge. Remember, in large classes, it may take some time before the judge handles your goat. Be patient and let your goat relax.
After handling your goat, the judge usually will step back and look at it. Be sure to keep the goat's head up and its body, neck, and head in a straight line. Watch the judge and your goat. It is your responsibility to pay attention to the judge and not miss a decision. At this point, the judge will usually walk the goats and set them up on the profile. Set your goat up as discussed before.
Continue to keep it set up, remain alert, and watch the judge. If your goat is not pulled the first time, keep trying. Some judges will pull exhibitors from bottom to top. If your goat is pulled, circle it out of the line and follow the directions of the ring steward while continuing to keep an eye on the judge. Move your goat with style and at a steady, moderate pace. Remember to keep showing at all times, because a class is not over until the ribbons are given out. Be courteous to fellow exhibitors. Remain standing at all times, and always have a pleasant facial expression. Be a good sport, a graceful loser, and a humble winner.
Figure A shows the feet squarely placed beneath the goat. Figures B and C are incorrect.
Provide the judge with a clear view of your goat. "S" stands for showman, and "J" stands for judge.
Switching from position 4 to position 2.
Resetting in the same position using position 3.
Switching from position 2 to position 7.
Switching from position 4 and 5. Position 5 would move out first.
By R. Kipp Brown, Extension Associate, Animal and Dairy Sciences. Adapted from Publication ANS96-603S/6, North Carolina Extension Service and Publication AS3-4.060, Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
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