Transcript of #CommsChat on #thebigyak pt. 1 of 3

This week's chat

Latest posts

Contributors

Brittany Golob

Melina Thalassinou

Monday’s #CommsChat featured a look at unconferences, the latest topics in #IC and a preview of the upcoming #thebigyak. @TheICCrowd‘s 2013 big event drew almost 200 internal communicators to London’s eBay campus to discuss the issues affecting internal communications. Back for a second year, #thebigyak will take place on 28 June, location TBA.

The discussion last night brought about some interesting points:

  • @theICcrowd  A1) Unconference format means you get out what you put in – people in the room decide what’s important to them & what to discuss
  • @danaleeson  A3 To learn.
  • @steve_murg  Learn something new, and dare I say it…steal an idea or two!
  • @jenniwheller  I’d love an answer on how to communicate and engage with remote/mobile/offline audiences that really works
  • @NafisaNathani  How to find new and relevant ways to engage, inspire and motivate up to four different generations of staff within one workplace
  • @DebsWhittingham  “you have two ears & one mouth, use them in that ratio
To see the full hour: part 1 | part 2
 
#CommsChatGet updates
 

Transcript of #CommsChat with #thebigyak pt. 3 of 3

This week's chat

Latest posts

Contributors

Brittany Golob

Melina Thalassinou

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    A3 To learn.

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    A3: to share ideas with sparky people going through similar successes/challenges

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    Hi there are various unconferences that take place. We read info from last yr & spoke to the organisers

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    to get inspiration for innovation – last IC event I went to I met & I went to see him last week 🙂

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    True . Often completely different orgs to your own can provide fresh approaches to ideas

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    ….I’d be interested in that to

     from Stenson Fields

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    A3) Reasons for attending IC events: To meet with other IC pros face-to-face, hear fresh ideas, network and keep up-to-date

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    A3: To expand my knowledge and to hear advice from those who have already been through the same struggles I have.

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    A3) to benchmark what i’m doing against the industry and learn new ideas

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    So is there an unconference handbook anywhere? or any useful guides/resources anyone can recommend?

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    A3) To hear that you’re not alone. Even if you are a team of one – there are always IC pros facing same/similar issues

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    Mix of unconference and planned sessions a good compromise between crowd-nominated content and placating stakeholders

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    not just events but visiting other organisations helps to problem solve

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    T3: Why do you attend IC events? What do you want to get from ?

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    Hi Kate . Any top unconference tips you can share with the crowd?

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    absolutely! Takes a bit of convincing though sometimes. Very worthwhile though

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    I did! We weren’t quite brave enough to do full day so did some sessions between planned agenda items

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    A2: Nobody liking or using my idea/launch/change programme/initiative. That’s the major thing that keeps me up

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    Hi true – wifi always a key consideration. It draws conversations from outside the room in for ppl who can’t come

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    I’ve attended some unconferences. We coped really well with the format. Wifi was very helpful too.

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    I always find you get the enthusiasm when they see it as a benefit to their work

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    Getting some great ideas for the unconference I’m co-hosting at on Thursday eve – thanks

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    Wow, thank you so much for the advice! Looks like I am going shopping for new tools 😉

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    A2: encouraging enthusiasm for comms & rather than box-ticking

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    carrying the pencil case to meetings is a bit odd at first but it works! I take notes in black & actions in red

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    . That’s interesting, how do you encourage non-clique behaviour or encourage introverts?

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    I love that idea!!

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    thanks …. I’m lucky to have an event it would fit right in on to 🙂

     from Stenson Fields

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    A2) Topics crowd members talk about a lot are IC measurement, planning and providing evidence of effectiveness cc

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    Hear hear!

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    I agree, can be clique as result RT unconference can be dominated by individuals if not carefully handled

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    i took to colour categorising my emails and mirroring that with coloured pens in my noteboook!

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    . Fair point. I do like the sound of it. V bored of helping deliver formulaic predictable events in my own org

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    A2: I have a hard time keeping track of the small details. I need a better way to organize (like always)

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    . Yy, that can be true. Format can be daunting for the less extrovert or first time attendee

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    A2) All 3 co-founders are going to 1/2 May. It’s starting Thurs night with an unconference format

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    A2: Lack of planning. In we need to be more prepared then ever before

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    A2: getting the basics right!

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    We know that used unconference format internally at her previous org too. Is starting to spring up more .

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    thanks …it sounds amazing …I might try get down to to 🙂

     from Stenson Fields

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    T2: What issues are keeping you awake at night? Are you participating in IoIC Live 14 on Thursday?

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    That’s amazing. Love the enthusiasm.

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    . Would say a mix of & keynotes hits the spot for me. Adds structure

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    Good luck Tim RT : Ive got an event I’ve just decided to at thanks to 🙂

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    Definitely a view some may hold, but u have the control to make it a great event. You get what u put in.

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    Hi . We ran with apprx 130 IC pros last year. Bigger the group, more breakout sessions you can offer

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    also unconference can be dominated by individuals if not carefully handled – who shouts loudest

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    Ive got an event I’ve just decided to at thanks to 🙂

     from Stenson Fields

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    . Depends on the organisers I suppose to channel energies & focus. Plus good delegate mix

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    Its sounds like a great format. Do you think there are any limits to how many people it would work with?

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    and there is some sturcture around timings

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    flexible as issues for the blue lights change so quickly a fixed agenda can be irrelevant easily. + audience driven

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    Hi unplanned is the beauty of it – structure at start & end of the day, but crowd determine the conversation

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    i think people like to get answers to their problems – hearing case studies isn’t always helpful given differences

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    i struggle with unconference unless there is some structure somewhere!

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    Great to have no hierarchy, everyone has something to learn/share whatever your job title

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    Hi Unconference concept sounds refreshing and interesting. I’ve never been. But some may argue unplanned and lazy?

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    People can be nervous about unconference format to start with because it’s unfamiliar but it is great brainstorming opportunity

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    That’s a great comment – "everyone’s equal" at an unconference

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    Loose format = tailored sessions depending on delegates, ability to ask people to pick over problems as well as hear new ideas.

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    hi all underway now talking about – cant join unfortunately!

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    I have started to bring the principle inside our organisation but a step too far in reality!

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    I’ve been to a – was inspiring, informing & amazing way to learn & meet people. Love that everyone’s equal

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    Hi Bridget. Why do you think the format worked?

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    yes & it’s fab. let me & do an unconference at a fire event & we learned loads

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    What do others think the benefits are to a loose programme?

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    A1) The beauty of unconference means if you don’t like the topic, you simply swap rooms aka "the law of 2 feet" to maximise time

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    Sorry … learning my new keyboard 🙁

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    Just a reminder to use the tag : )

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    MT : I attended tweetcamp which had an unconference stlye. Loads of flexibility & lets u learn lots quickly

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    I’ve not but just Checked it out and it seems awesome 🙂

     from Stenson Fields

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    A1) Unconference format means you get out what you put in – people in the room decide what’s important to them & what to discuss

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    Has anyone else out there attended an unconference, , or a similarly informal event?

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    . Indeed. I was a bit skeptical when attending last year, but the programme (or lack thereof) worked beautifully

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    It’s called because it’s a chance for IC pros to come and talk about comms & set the agenda (we did the same last yr)

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    Hi all, IC on 2nite’s agenda, I might learn something new!

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    But anyway, our first topic: Has anyone used the unconference format for events? What do you think of it?

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    Thanks! is also a lot of fun and really interesting. Highly recommended : )

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    I’ve got my lemon meringue ready – am I in time for

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    is a free unconference for IC pros, happening on 28 June. Full info via our website:

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    “: 20 minutes to ” I might get involved in this tonight so apologies in advance if I stray into pure geekery

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    Hi – do you want to start us off w/a brief intro the ?

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    Evening everyone

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    If you’re joining in, please use the tag (don’t just hit reply to me!) so that everyone can see your tweets

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    Good Evening

     from Stenson Fields

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    Evening all, we’re entering for the next hour. Join in by using the hashtag

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    : looks at all aspects relating to communications, When: Mondays, 8:00pm UK.

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    We’re joined by who will be discussing their upcoming unconference. We’ll also look at and much more.

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    Evening all. Brittany here from . Tonight we’re in for quite the hour

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    •  

    Transcript of #CommsChat on #thebigyak pt. 2 of 3

    This week's chat

    Latest posts

    Contributors

    Brittany Golob

    Melina Thalassinou

     

    1.  View summary

    2.  
       12h

      Night all. Thanks . We look forward to continuing the conversations in person with IC pros at

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    3.  12h

      Great to see so many new IC pros joining the conversation tonight. Thanks . We’re really looking forward to

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    4.  
       12h

      G’night all.

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    5.  12h

      Common comment I’ve received – ‘don’t use your iPad whilst in a meeting’ – my reply: ‘I’m multi-tasking actually’

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      What we need: big space for aprx 175 people, plus 5-6 breakout spaces London, 28/6. All ideas welcomed. Thank you v much

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      But don’t forget – 28 June. London. Yaks.

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      As for us at , it’s that time of night again and I’ll be signing off shortly. We’ll have the transcript up tomorrow for perusal…

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      If anyone can help out with the venue issues, direct your comments to , I’m sure they’ll appreciate it

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      registered!

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      I’m looking forward to this year’s edition and I’d like to thank for contributing tonight.

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      Our venue fell through few days ago (eek). However, we are confident the crowd can help us make it happen .

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      As a veteran, I can’t recommend enough snatching up a ticket before they’re gone.

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      We are after some advice from the crowd pls. We’re shortlisting venues & love to know if anyone could offer theirs?

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      To this day (and it was less than 6 months ago) the comment still makes me rage inside!

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      Sorry, had to jump away from the chat for a bit.

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      Ouch! Cos everyone loves enforced change

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      A6) Advice for the crowd – a new batch of tickets are released 9am tomorrow morning:

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      Just about to wrap up here on a lively and interesting . Still taking best/worst comms advice for another few minutes…

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      worst advice? ‘I’ve done your job, so I know exactly how to communicate’ (from a non comms, client side person!)

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      ahhh the special smile… 😉 ^RM

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      The book "Open Space Technology" is a good introduction

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      A6) Advice – don’t just pile on new comms channels, think about what you can retire. Reduce the level of noise to provide clarity

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      Best Advice: Trust your employees. When you do you will be amazed at the results

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      I responded with my special smile 😉 then made darn sure others around her were convinced otherwise

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      Brill! RT : you have two ears & one mouth, use them in that ratio

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      worst advice: we don’t need to train managers on how to use the new online tool – they have no choice but to use it

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      do your audience research before starting any piece of work…eg why? before how/when? Avoid busy fool syndrome!

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      "Close your laptop when I’m speaking". Urgh.

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      best advice received = don’t cling on to ideas – share them and use the feedback to develop them

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      or "I can talk therefore I can communicate!"

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      YIKES! How did you respond

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      Can also be a sign of a martyr > “: Weekend shows commitment, enthusiasm ”

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      A6 If I disagree with you but we still go with ur idea u better believe we will test, analyse & evaluate in 3-6 months

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      Worst advice? I was told that focusing comms skills training on line mgrs rather than Board was "career limiting" 😀

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    36.  
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      Arrived at Victoria, now to get home with an impending . See you soon peeps

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      "you have two ears & one mouth, use them in that ratio

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      A6) Get to know as many ppl as poss in your org – all levels/locations. You need eyes & ears everywhere to know reality of biz

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      Thinking: : Last topic..T6: What is the best or worst comms-related advice you’ve ever given or heard?

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      worst was ‘sometimes we just have to say yes, even if we know it won’t work’. Safe to say I disagreed strongly

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      would be great to have more folk join us in June!

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      A6) my best is still "If you accept it you have to expect it"

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      Last topic, it’s an important one!: T6: What is the best or worst comms-related advice you’ve ever given or heard?

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      . I’d believe that!

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    45.  13h

      weekend date means u really want to be there & are committed to learning, the was amazing

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      if you’re truly committed and passionate about what you do then a weekend date is irrelevant. I think about it 24/7!

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    47.  
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      that may have also been caused by all the sugar in the swag bags… 🙂

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    48.  
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      while I’m keen, some people like to keep weekends free for time with the family. i completely understand that

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      A5) There’s never going to be a date to suit everyone, but a (hopefully) sunny Saturday helps!

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    50.  
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      High energy and felt a bit Breakfast Club (in a good way)

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