MERCIAN GATHERING - pagan festival with Ritual, Talks and Entertainment

Photo by Candlesprite

5^th, 6^th, 7^th September 2008

Secret location between Coventry and Nuneaton, Warks, UK

The UK's Biggest Pagan Camp!

The Mercian Gathering Mission Statement:

- To honour the Old Gods
- To facilitate a sacred space for people of all paths to come together in a spirit of fellowship, learning and fun
- To raise money for our chosen charities

The Mercian Gathering is a non-commercial venture created and organised by a working Hearth [the Hearth of Arianrhod] and staffed entirely by volunteers. No one, except our charities, makes a penny from the event. Everything is free on site, including healing sessions and archery, except the cafe, which charges the minimum prices possible.

Tickets [incl. buy online] Important Information

For lots more information on stalls, rules, facilities, the location, rituals etc., as well as a chance to arrange car shares, lifts from the station and chat to other Gatherees, please click on the Mercian Forum button below.

TALKS AND WORKSHOPS

	PHILIP CARR-GOMM Druidry Please note that because of other commitments, Philip will be speaking Friday evening at 6.30pm rather than Saturday as originally planned. We can only apologise if this means you will miss him.	Philip Carr-Gomm is a writer and psychologist. From an early age Philip studied with Ross Nichols, the founder of The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. He trained with the founder of the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, Ross Nichols, and has been Chief of the Order for nineteen years. His books are published by HarperCollins, Random House, Simon & Schuster, St. Martin’s Press, Watkins, Thoth and Granta, and have been translated into many foreign language editions.
	DAMH THE BARD Performance plus music workshop	Drawing on the Bardic traditions, Damh is a musical storyteller who works within the world of myth that cannot be proved; where the Faerie really do dance on Midsummer's Eve, where the trees talk, and the Hollow Hills take you into the realms of Annwn. Where the Goddess rides her horse, guiding you to magic, and the Horned God of old calls us from the shadows of the Greenwood. So relax, and let the music take you there. Damh will also be doing a music workshop on Saturday where you can learn to play his songs.
	ANNA FRANKLIN The Path of Ritual	During ritual, things which cannot be put into words are conveyed by experience. A ritual dramatizes [or imitates in microcosm] a Cosmic theme, such as the death of the corn god, so that the participants may experience - on a deep, fundamental level beyond the grasp of the conscious mind. Ritual is a powerful path to illumination; humankind, through ritual, gains access to the Cosmic consciousness. Anna Franklin has been a priestess for over thirty years, and is the author of 26 books.
	KAREN CATER Learning from the Ogham: Journeys in My Own Landscape	Ogham is the Celtic tree alphabet. Each tree (or shrub), 21 in all, represented a letter, a number, a period of time- mostly of 28 days- a lunar month, and also carried a whole realm of stories, myths and legends which recorded encoded history and knowledge of the uses of each tree. Karen Cater and Colin Cater set up Hedingham Fair in 1997, as a vehicle for Karen’s art. Karen set out to explore visually the mystical and popular heritage of the British Isles through images used principally as greetings cards and T-shirts.
	ANGELA PAINE Celtic Herbalism	Angela Paine has researched the healing traditions of the ancient Celts and their Druid healers, as is the author of The Healing Power of Celtic Plants. She will talk about the healing properties of some of the plants growing around the site, how to recognise our native plants and how to grow, harvest, prepare and use them safely. She who grew up in the Weald of Kent, where she absorbed her knowledge of plants from her botanist father, has a degree in Human physiology and a doctorate in Medicinal Plant chemistry.
	TALLYESSIN Bardic Performance plus Way of Awen talk	Kevan Manwaring is a poet, storyteller writer and teacher, who has been performing his words for over a decade in venues across across Britain and abroad. In 1999 he was awarded the Bardic Chair of Bath for his epic poem Spring Fall – the Legend of Sulis and Bladud of Bath. Holder of an MA in the Teaching & Practice of Creative Writing, from Cardiff University, he runs creative-writing and performance workshops. The Bardic Handbook: the complete manual for the 21st Century Bard was published in Summer 2006 by Gothic Image.
	TIM JONES Reiki Attunement level one	Reiki master Tim Jones is offering reiki attunement level one over the course of the weekend. This will take 8 hours or more over two days, and will have to be booked in advance of the Gathering. Tim is a reiki master and Fetch of the Hearth of Arianrhod. Sorry- now fully booked.
	DEBRA PARFREY & MICHAEL EATON Chanting and Drumming Workshop	This will take place around the fire and give you a chance to practice old chants and learn new ones, especially the chants for the ritual on Saturday night. Michael will be running an additional chanting workshop later on.
	KIM HUGGINS The Roman Cult of Mithras: Symbolism, Syncretism, and Some Damn Good Ritual	This talk will examine the rituals and iconography of the Roman Empire's most powerful mystery cult, and draw links between later theurgy and magical practices, as well as philosophy and cosmology that found its way into modern Paganism. Kim Huggens is a current postgraduate student at Cardiff University, studying Religion in Late Antiquity and specialising in Graeco-Roman magic and religion. She is an eclectic Pagan and President of Cardiff University Pagan Society.
	TROLL Hawaiian Healing Hearth Building Workshop	If you have been before you will know Troll as our hearth-fire keeper, a sacred duty during the course of the camp. You may not also know that Troll is an expert in Hawaiian healing techniques, and this year he will be giving a talk and demonstration on this practice. On Friday afternoon, he will also be doing a Hearth building workshop.
	HARMONY Past-life Regression talk and demonstration	Harmony is a qualified hypnotherapist with wide experience in past life regression.
	STEPHANIE SCOTT Belly Dancing	Two hour workshop with professional teacher Stephanie, also known as ‘the Pale Empress’.
	DRAC UBER Voodoo	Drac Uber is a voodoo priest, trained in Haiti. In this talk, he dispels some of the myths about voodoo, and explains its spiritual practice.
	RON FOX Altars Sunday Ritual Workshop	Join Ron on Friday afternoon to make a sacred space for the camp and discuss the importance of altars. We throw open the Sunday ritual to our guests for formulate and perform. Last year this worked brilliantly, so we’re hoping that a few more people will take the plunge and get involved. Ron will help everyone sort out the plan and get organised. Ron is high priest of the Hearth of Arianrhod.
	GAIL EATON Shamanic Practice	Gail will be doing a workshop on shamanic practice, as well as shamanic counselling sessions during the weekend.
	JULIE TOLLADAY & PAUL WALTON Garland Making	Make a garland for the Friday night ritual. Paul and Julie will take you on a walk around the hedgerows and show you how to make a beautiful chaplet.
	LUCIE BELIKOVA Dreamcatchers	Learn to make a dreamcatcher. There will be a small charge for materials, which will be donated to charity.
	ALEX KAVANAGH Poi Workshop	Several people asked if we could have a poi workshop, so expert Alex has volunteered to conduct one!
	DON KAVANAGH Qi Gong sessions	Early morning Qi Gong sessions to align and energise you for the day.
	GRAHAM BUTCHER Stav Sessions plus talk on the younger futhark	Stáv is a Norwegian word, meaning 'Stáve'. Here is its reference to the ancient alphabet, the rune Stáves, of ancient Norse and Germanic origin. The word Stáv implies a deep understanding of the runes through the many attributes that tradition, mythology and everyday life has attached to them. Stáv is a Mind, Body Spirit system, comparable to Tai Chi and Yoga, but originating through the traditions and mythology of Northern Europe. An introduction to the mythology associated with the runes of the younger futhork, who is associated with each one, what they did (and who they did it to!) and what it teaches us about the meanings of the runes. Two hours of folklore, story telling and rune craft as we explore the relationship between Norse Mythology and the runes.
	ANN HARRIS Cabala	Ann is the director of the Beacon [formerly the Spiritual Fellowship Centre] and practices Cabalistic magic.
	TERRY MACE Talking Stick Circle Reclaiming the Masculine Shamanic Counselling	Talking stick sessions over two days 1-2 hours - participants should consider what it is they may like to put into the centre as both a stake (intent) and offering to the larger and smaller community gathered (gift) In addition ample counselling slots on both days are available and will offer the 'emergency' crisis/trauma work. Talk on Ancient and archaic 'male' archetypes - King, Warrior, Lover and Magician -reclaiming the masculine for those men who are already comfortable with their feminine archetypical construction but who may have lost their masculine connection as an indirect result of such an attunement.
	SUZANNE MACE Weaving Workshop	Learn to weave- a small charge will be made for materials.
	NICK PACKHAM Runes Cord Magic	Nick is an expert on the runes and an entertaining speaker. So many people wanted to do the cord magic workshop last year, we’ve decided to put it on again.
	GARY BRIENHOLT Bardic Workshop	Gary runs a bardic workshop every year at the Gathering. Come along and hone your bardic skills. Gary will also be performing Friday night.
	MARTIN EVANS *Wand Making Workshop plus talk on* The Magic of Trees**	Martin comes to the Gathering every year to hold his popular wand making workshops, ad hoc events that you can wander along to, work a bit and come back to later, so that you will be able to make a wand or staff during the weekend. Martin will also be talking on of trees - lore, customs and magic.
	GRAHAM JOYCE Award winning fantasy author	Graham Joyce writes books that often have supernatural and Pagan themes. He came to the Gathering last year and his talk was so well received we've asked him back.
	GRIZZLY Native American Old Ways plus Animal Powers	Grizzly is shamanic toolmaker, healer, animal reader, flute player, recording artist, and flute maker. Grizzly will be doing two workshops, conducted in his tipi. The first will be about our connection to the Old Ways, and the second about working with animal powers.
	BOB TRUBSHAW Anglo-Saxon Sacred Places	Bob is an historian and publisher, and has written many books on folklore and local history.
	LAURA MUSGRAVE Leap Into Yoga - Adults	Enjoy the opportunity to chill out and stretch those muscles… Reconnect mind, body and spirit in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside, with a soothing meditation period to finish. Beginners and more experienced practitioners welcome.
	TIM GOODWIN I Ching	Along with Jean Dark, Tim owns the excellent Libra Aries book shop in Cambridge which puts on talks and events as well as selling books.
	THE WISE WOMAN ROVING APOTHECARY SHOP	Jayne Miller is an historical demonstrator who gives talks and lectures on the history of medicine. She has a well stocked tent which is full of interesting items for 'Show and Tell' and talks on healing herbs, surgery, midwifery, witchcraft persecutions, religious thinking of the day, a wide variety of mystical and magical herbs. She is also a Clinical Herbalist . She has been lecturing and entertaining the public for over 14 years and will be giving talks during the weekend.
	DAVE SMITH Divination with Found Tools	Take a walk around the site with Dave and find objects to make your own divination tools. Two hour workshop.
	Sara Lees-Smith The Gypsy Goddess
	JOHN CROW British Shamanism	Working with the spirit of place.
	SHARON JEFFRIES Crystal Healing	Learn how to heal with crystals- which crystal to use, when and how. Eight hour course over the weekend. Must be pre-booked. Sorry, now fully booked.
	ANDY CHARNELL Meditation Workshop	Andy stepped in to do an unscheduled meditation workshop last year and it was so popular and appreciated that he will be doing another this year.
	Animals from the Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary	We will also be having a talk from Geoff about the animals. The sanctuary is one of the main charities we will be supporting with this year’s Gathering.
	DAVID ANSON Bee-Keeping	With David Anson who did such a brilliant talk on bee-keeping and honey last year.
	JEAN DARK Bookbinding	Your chance to make a magical diary that can be used during the course of the weekend. A small charge will be made for materials.
	Alison Chester-Lambert Venus How to find Love and Your Soul Mate	Can’t find the right one? Relationships always fail? Sometimes it seems that no matter what we do, love is hard to find. But often, we are unconsciously blocking our own chances, and all we need is someone to point out where we are going wrong, and more importantly what we can do to get it right! This talk, by a well known professional astrologer, focuses on how to improve your chances of finding true love by learning about your Venus. It will be fun, informative…..and could change your life! Everyone attending will get the date of birth of their possible true love!
	DAVE THE FLUTE Flute Making Workshop	We're very pleased to welcome back Dave the Flute who wasn't very well last year. He will be running his popular workshop where you will be able to make and play a flute.
	ALEX FELL-BOWERS Living with Nature	For the last thirteen years Alex has been involved with Hafskjold-stav through the tutelage of Graham Butcher, and for the last thirty years has been studying the arts of surviving in the wilds. Through this he has developed an appreciation of what it is to truly live with nature and the importance of living with ecological principle. In Hafskjold-stave there is a practice known as utsette. This translates as 'sitting out'. Initially utsette is performed to find ones folgie this is often referred to as a power/totem animal in other traditions. This takes the form of a simple guided meditation and can be undertaken in around ten minutes. Traditionally utsette would be undertaken over about three days without food, water or sleep, although this is not recommended for the novice as for most people this would be far too much to cope with. He can recommend training methods for people who would like to under take this type of ordeal and will discuss the psychology of survival and extended contact nature.
	RUDI UNT Tarot	Rudi is an accomplished tarot reader and psychic, often appearing on TV, and a great speaker.

PARENT AND CHILD WORKSHOPS

	Paul Mason Origami
	Athena Xoufarides Art workshop
	Debra Parfrey Glass painting
	Laura Musgrave Leap into Yoga with (featured as YogaBugs in 2007)	For children aged 2 ½ – 7… A exciting and dynamic adventure story that could take us anywhere, even into the jungle or outer space, with traditional yoga postures and breathing techniques incorporated – topped off with relaxation and a colouring session!

ENTERTAINMENT

	Damh the Bard	Back by popular demand! His new album ‘Cauldron Born’ is out, hooray!!
	Gary Brienholt The Green Bard	The Green Bard from Nottingham- the Gathering wouldn’t be the same without him!
	Tallyessin The Bard of Bath	Kevan Manwaring is a poet, storyteller writer and teacher, who has been performing his words for over a decade in venues across across Britain and abroad. In 1999 he was awarded the Bardic Chair of Bath for his epic poem Spring Fall – the Legend of Sulis and Bladud of Bath. Holder of an MA in the Teaching & Practice of Creative Writing, from Cardiff University, he runs creative-writing and performance workshops. The Bardic Handbook: the complete manual for the 21st Century Bard was published in Summer 2006 by Gothic Image.
	Endless Knot	The set up consists of fiddle, whistles, harmonica, didgeridoo, keyboards, bass, guitar, drums, percussion and vocals. The band call on influences from Folk, Reggae, Rock and World music, to produce a unique blend of original material that is an up-tempo blend of styles.
	Ash and Ian	The dynamic duo, back entertaining in the café on Friday night.
	The Vikings	More mayhem and violence from the Vikings of Middle England - big guys with axes.
	Laienda	Gypsy folk band with influences from World Music, English Folk, Gypsy, Flamenco, East European, Balkan and Russian music, featuring Nina Bambrey – Vocals, Ross Bambrey – Guitar, Vivienne Weller - Mandolin / Guitar, Rhiannon Buck – Fiddle, Edd Keene – Flute and Phil Baber – Percussion.
	Ryknild Rabble	A Morris side from Lichfield who dance Border Morris, Rapper Sword, Long Sword and Step Clog. Renowned for their yellow socks, this is their second appearance at the Mercian Gathering.

PLUS

	Archery	Free have-a-go archery with the Hwicce Bowmen- this is one of our most popular events.
censored!	Hot tub and showers	Wood-fired showers and hot tub [usually full of Vikings]
	Free Healing Tent	We run a free healing tent offering reiki, Indian head massage, aromatherapy, crystal therapy, reflexology etc. Sessions must be booked and are awarded on a first come, first served basis.
	Fire Labyrinth and Wicker Man	The fire labyrinth procession and wicker man is the highlight of the Gathering. This year we have a triple labyrinth. During the weekend, you can decorate the wicker man with your offerings, prayers, things you wish to be rid of, and when he is fired, he will take them to the Gods. He is the sacrifice we build to thank the Gods for the gift of the harvest and communicate our prayers to them, activated by our gifts and intent.
	Rituals	The opening ritual is put on by the Hearth of Arianrhod. It is seasonal and concerns the harvest and the sacrifice of the Corn God. Please come along and join in, dress up if you would like, and remember that you only get out of a ritual what you put in. The Sunday ritual is thrown open to our festival goers to put on. If you have ideas, or would just like to dedicate your services, please get involved.
	Café	The café provides light meals, a barbecue in the evenings, snacks and drinks. The café is not a commercial venture and is not run for profit; we operate it simply to provide a service for campers. It is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers.
	Tipis	Grizzly will be bringing his beautiful, authentically dressed tipis where his talks and workshops will take place. This year he is bringing his Sun Lodge which can seat 50, plus Cheyenne, Crow and Sioux tipis. There will be flute music in the Sun Lodge in the evenings.
	Stalls	We have a wide range of stalls coming. We do not charge extra for stalls (just your ticket price), so if you would like to bring a stall, please contact us.
	Viking Village	The Viking Living History Village will be open during the day for you to look around at traditional Viking living and talk to the Viking men and women.

SORRY 2008 SOLD OUT!

One or two people are offering their spare tickets on the forum. Be careful and follow Salane's advice on buying safely.

Buy for 2009

Important Information

Please read this information carefully:

Ticket price includes all camping, entertainment, talks and workshops [some practical workshops will charge a pound or two for materials], sessions in the healing tent [first come first served], archery etc, etc. The only thing you will need money for is snacks from the café and goodies from the stalls. Everyone pays the same- there are no discount or concessionary tickets, and this policy helps us to keep the price very low for everyone. Try getting this much for this price anywhere else. And all the money goes to charity!

All profits go to charity i.e. the organisers don’t make a penny!

Talks and workshops do not need to be pre-booked - just turn up. The only exceptions are the crystal healing course and Reiki 1 attunement which must be pre-booked; they will take a minimum of eight hours each over the weekend and certain preconditions must be met.

For more information on stalls, rules etc. please click on the Mercian Forum button below and view the side bar (this information is also contained in your information pack). Also go to the forum if you need a lift from the train/bus station on Friday and tell us when your train gets in. Please also refer to your information pack which contains all the information you need.

the Gathering opens at 10.30 am Friday and closes at 8.00 pm Sunday.

Workshops run from 2.00pm Friday till 6.00pm Sunday.

WE DO NOT SEND OUT ADVANCED SCHEDULES OF TALKS ETC. AS THESE ARE SUBJECT TO LAST MINUTE CHANGES.

SORRY, There is no early camping on Thursday or late CAMPING Sunday NIGHT

This is for insurance reasons, and because there will be no toilets outside opening times!.

WHAT TO BRING- You will need a tent, sleeping bag, torch [there is no lighting, this is the countryside], cooking equipment, food [the café only serves snacks and light meals] and fresh clothes, plus ritual garments if you wish. It is a good idea to bring a notebook plus some money in case you need to buy anything from the stalls or attend one of the workshops that make a small charge for materials. Don’t forget to bring any medication you are taking, along with personal toiletries.

ON SITE ENQUIRIES AND FIRST AID- please enquire at the information tent, which will be manned during the day or otherwise at the Dagda tent on the gate. We have qualified first aiders on site. There will be a display area in the information tent where you can leave leaflets for your own events and services.

CHILDREN-We will be running four fun sessions especially for children and parents including origami, art workshop, yoga and glass painting. These sessions are strictly limited to two hours each.

STALLS- Ticket holders can set up stalls in the designated area of the events field without further payment. If you only have a few things to sell, you can bring a pasting table or blanket and set up in the camping field. Each member of staff will need a ticket. Please indicate, on arrival, whether you have a large stall or just a table etc.

NO DOGS- This is a working farm with roaming animals. People smuggling dogs or other animals on site will be asked to leave immediately.

RUBBISH- Please take your rubbish away for recycling. There is a recycling plant nearby and the information tent will give you a black bin bag and directions - please do not leave rubbish behind, or even ask us if you can. We recycle the rubbish from the café, and it took us two days to sort it out and take it to the recycling plant in 2006. We cannot deal with camper's rubbish on top of this.

NOISE- Because the campsite is on a farm which has close neighbours, we have to be considerate and operate an 11 pm curfew for drumming, and ask you to keep the noise down after midnight.

FIRES -There will be a main fire in the central circle. Sorry, no personal fires; animals are normally kept in this field. Please do not dig pits, as these are dangerous for them. Barbecues and fireboxes are okay.

TOILETS- We cannot dig earth pits for toilets in the field, as animals are normally kept there. We are cannot dispose of toilet waste in the farm's cess pit as it is not capable of taking the extra waste, and we cannot bury it on the farm as this will pollute the water course and is actually illegal. We have no alternative but to hire toilets for the site. These will also provide hot water for washing, and the vast majority of people appreciated the facilities on offer, particularly the elderly, the disabled and families with young children. Do not put sanitary towels and hand towels in the toilets as this blocks them. Last year we had to pay an extra £250 to get them unblocked from these items- money that could have gone to the animal sanctuary. Use the bins provided. If there is no toilet paper, report it to the site crew [in yellow jackets].

CAFÉ -The paper plates and cutlery used in the café are made from recycled material, and will be recycled again after the end of the camp. Help us reduce the need for these by taking your own cups to the café to drinks and plates to the barbecue and you will be charged less. The café provides light meals, a barbecue in the evenings, snacks and drinks. It is not open all day and all night, and you will need to provide some of your own meals, especially if you need to eat outside opening times [if you are diabetic for example]. It will be closed during the rituals. The café is not a commercial venture and is not run for profit; we operate it simply to provide a service for campers. It is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers, so please treat them with consideration.

GENERATOR – We will be using a generator to provide power for the café and toilets. The fuel this uses is equal to one car journey to the camp from Scotland. As a generator is much more fuel-efficient than a car engine, it generates less pollution than a car. As it will be providing hygiene and food for over five hundred people during the weekend - who will not be using power at home - we feel this is an acceptable consumption ratio. The generator is situated away from the designated camping area and is baffled to keep the noise down. Do not camp near it if you are worried about the noise.

CAR JOURNEYS- The majority of pollution generated by the camp will be in the car journeys that people take to and from the site. Please bear this in mind, and to reduce your carbon footprint consider car sharing or using public transport. There will be a pick up service from Nuneaton train station on the hour from 12 noon till 7.00pm on the Friday. A return service from the camp to the station will operate Sunday afternoon on the hour from 4.00pm till 7.00pm. Please put your names on the blackboard outside the information tent on Sunday to book lifts back.

SECURITY- The excellent Dagda will be providing security. Please conform to their requests- this is for safety and the smooth running of the camp, not to spoil your fun.

LOST TICKETS- All tickets will have been sent out two weeks before the Gathering. If your tickets have not arrived, please phone us to let us know. If you have not let us know seven days before the Gathering we cannot replace the tickets or refund the money. If you have lost your tickets after they have arrived, we charge a £5 replacement fee per ticket. Phone 07855 378515.

REFUNDS- SORRY- NO REFUNDS IF YOU CANCEL FOR WHATEVER REASON. By the time of the camp the money will have been spent on the facilities or donated to the Sanctuary.

RITUALS
The rituals of the camp honour the Old Gods, the season and the spirits of the land. A ritual is designed to transform the individual that takes part in it. The opening ritual is provided by the Hearth of Arianrhod. Please join in, dress up, and remember that you only get out of a ritual what you put in. Don’t just be a spectator, but prepare and concentrate. The Saturday ritual involves flaming the triple labyrinth. The journey through the labyrinth represents the life journey. You will have a chance to learn the chants at the chanting workshops. The closing ritual is thrown open to visitors to formulate and perform. If you think you can put on a good ritual, or would just like to try, please get involved.

BY PURCHASING A TICKET YOU AGREE TO ABIDE BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Contact us: merciangathering@aol.com, PO Box 12, Earl Shilton, Leics, LE9 7zz, UK, Mercian phone line 07855 378515.

Tickets [incl. buy online] Talks and Workshops Important Information Pictures & Comments from 2007

Buy Mercian Gathering Tee-shirts

MERCIAN GATHERING 2009

4th, 5th, 6th September 2009

Near Nuneaton, Warks, UK

TALKS AND WORKSHOPS

Pete Jennings (former president of the Pagan Federation)

Peter Nash (the last person to be initiated by Alex Sanders)

Anna Franklin (author of 27 books)

Harmonia Sallie (rune workshop)

Lindsay Halton (the secret of the harmonious home)

Plus dozens more to come! We have more speakers and more events than any other camp.

ENTERTAINMENT

Rigantona

Vikings

Morris

Plus many more to come!

merciangathering@aol.com

TICKETS FOR 2009 WILL BE ON SALE AT THE 2008 GATHERING AND ON THIS WEBSITE STRAIGHT AFTERWARDS [as soon as I get home after taking all the tents down]- IF YOU MISSED OUT THIS YEAR, GET IN EARLY!