Due to the ever-increasing popularity of the Blue Bonnets Gathering many members of the fellowship are finding it extremely difficult to obtain accommodation. Some have suggested that we should find an alternative venue to Dumfries, but then it would no longer be the traditional Blue Bonnets. While your Committee cannot be responsible for finding accommodation for members, we will try our best over the weekend to help in any way we can.
Here are a few suggestions which may help to solve the accommodation problem:
- Many members make provisional bookings for the following year before leaving Dumfries. Subsequently some of them are unable to attend the next Gathering. We would earnestly request them to notify the proprietors as early as possible in order that the accommodation may be re-let to others. There are also those who book and then find they can share with a friend or obtain more suitable accommodation, but fail to cancel their original reservation. This can deprive others from obtaining a room and can undermine our good relations with the owners. Please remember to cancel your booking.
- If there are vacancies in your hotel or guest house please advise the A.A. Registration Desk.
- Perhaps friends may be able to share a room thus leaving a vacancy for a member who would otherwise be unable to attend the Gathering.
- There is an excellent Caravan Park for those who may wish to bring their own living quarters.
- For those with cars, vacancies may be found in hotels and guest houses within 30 miles from Dumfries, viz: Annan, Powfoot, Ruthwell, Glencaple, New Abbey, Crocketford, Locharbriggs and Lochmaben.
- If you have difficulty, write or telephone: VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway, 64 Whitesands, Dumfries, DG1 2RS. Telephone 01387 253862. Telephone callers will be given the telephone number of a suitable establishment where it is known that a vacancy exists. They should then deal direct with the establishment regarding written confirmation etc. Members calling personally will have a booking made for them on the spot. We hope that God Willing, and One Day At A Time you will join us again next year and bring your friends.
- For the comfort and enjoyment of the people of Dumfries, other visitors, and ourselves, we would draw your attention to the pedestrianisation of Dumfries Town Centre and to the parking regulations. Parking is almost impossible without a Parking Disk but disks are available from the Council Offices, Library and Police Station - free of charge!