The UK Journey Convention at The Corporation in Sheffield.

Each year the UK Journey fans get together to meet each other and discuss stories about the band.  Now Journey always support charities, so in true tradition the UK fan club also raises money for charity at these conventions.  A Journey fan can pick up items here that are not available elsewhere. 

The 2007 Convention this year was no different.  It took place this year in Sheffield at The Corporation just under ONE week before Journey start their tour of the UK.  Fans travelled from as far as Southampton and Scotland for this event. 

The charity for this year was Claire house.  Claire house is a privately run hospice which operates without any cash from goverment sources.  They care for children 0 to 18 with life threatening or limiting conditions. They are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, providing specialist respite, palliative, terminal and bereavement care.  One thing we can be assured is Claire House will put the money raised to much needed and good use.

The top prize at auction won the staggering sum of £2500 - A Journey with Journey.  Starting with meeting the band at their hotel, riding to the venue in the Journey bus, a sound check, a meal, and then Guests of the band for the show - What a great prize!!!  Other items included exclusive posters from Manchester 2006, Generations artwork, and artwork comissioned by Deen Castronovo for his drum skins.  There was also raffles for "goody bags", and a quiz.

There were two bands this year - Jagged Edge, and The Essential Journey.  

Jagged Edge who's lead guitarist Dave Bamforth who had recently come third in  the guitarist of the year competition for Guitar magazine gave a rendition of his talents - quite an acomplished guitarist, it was clear to see why he had done so well in the competition. 

Essential Journey always seem to get better and better every time I see them.  They have a new singer who was unable to make the event due to family berievement so the band was playing their original sets after practising new arrangements with their new member - you would not have known, for the performance was as polished as ever.
The event started at 2.00 in the afternoon, but had to end at 21.30 as the club had other commitments.  I think by then most had really enjoyed themselves - as always. 

We must thank Sue and Cathy who with the help from friends and family from the UK fan for their efforts to help make these events possible each year.  To Journey and assosiates for their generous gifts for prizes, and to everyone for showing up and having a great time. 
The work for these conventions starts months before the event.  Prizes for the raffles and auctions have to be organised, the venue has to be arranged.  Tickets have to be printed, and the whole thng has to be organised and advertised.  While evryone else was enjoying the music, for the main part Howie, the two Sue's, Cathy and Steve were packing away the stuff from the swag shop....

If your in the UK, and you are a Journey fan, you should not miss these conventions, they are about friends, family, caring and raising money for charity, and most of all, about having a good time.

Next years venue all being well will be at   Robin 2,  Bilston in Wolverhampton.

The ammount raised altogether was £3600 

a big thankyou to everyone for making this possible.

Here is a clip with some highlights of the event  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpg3Jc_Lcxw   (many thanks to Dave Sinclair).