The aftermath of UK Knit Camp

The sound of silence… I’d like to share my UK Knit Camp experience with you. I have written my full account in another post but if you’d like the short version, following is what I’d like to share about what is really making me feel the worst.

More even than the money and travel costs that are owing to many of the tutors (and quite probably to other people whose services were used), what upsets me most is the total lack of courtesy. I feel conned, used and disrespected.

There are so many small things that could have been done after the event that would have cost nothing but a few minutes of internet time. I (and I do not believe I am alone in this) have not received so much as an email to acknowledge my work or thank me for attending their event. Not a single acknowledgment of my invoice sent or response to our communications.

I received one circular e-mail (two days ago), marked confidential, informing us that various potential avenues of communication were now closed.

It would have been easier to bear if some respect had been shown to the tutors as people: it was obvious that our status as expert teachers, working hard to make a living, was not considered at any time. At no time was I even greeted at the event with a ‘hello, we are glad you are here’. The fact that the tutors tried their utmost to give the students a good time and to make a go of what was essentially a train-wreck in progress, was totally and resolutely ignored, both on the ground and on the web.

Had these basic common courtesies been extended to the attendees as well, it would have soothed a lot of criticism.

It is now well over 30 days since the completion of the event. A couple of teachers have received full payment. A couple have received half the amount they are owed. The remainder: nothing at all, nor any explanation.

Thank you for listening to me on my soap box.  Many tutors are enduring significant financial hardship as a result of this heist. I’ve tried the suffering in silence and being nice route, and that doesn’t seem to be working. These are purely my opinions and may not be those of other tutors.

I’m selfishly sharing this with you in the hope that I can stop stewing and loosing sleep over this. I resent any more of my energy and creativity being sucked into this black hole and strangely I do feel better for writing this. Thank you.

Should I receive any communication or payment from the organizers I will naturally post it here immediately.

Thank you too to all the wonderful knitters I met and those of who have been expressing good wishes and support to all the tutors. It was really great to meet you all.