HAVEN The Post Apocalyptic Event Experience September 25th-27th 2020. Newark Showgrounds, Nottinghamshire.

What is Haven? Haven is a brand new event that creates a post apocalyptic immersive world for you to be part of. Haven is part Mad Max, part Fallout and fully enjoyable.

What is Post Apocalypse? From nuclear war to zombie outbreaks, apocalyptic disasters have been a popular theme in books, games and films. Haven gives you a chance to escape to a post apocalyptic world for just two days before returning to everyday life.

Is this an LARP game, a festival or a convention? Simple answer is none of those. Haven is about creating a believable imaginative world for you to enjoy. It’s about world building and creativity. Oh and about having a good time, naturally.

Where and when is Haven? Haven will be held over the weekend of 25th-27th September 2020 at the Newark Show-ground, Nottinghamshire. Just one mile from the A1.

Can anyone come to Haven? Yes it is open to everyone. Minors must be accompanied and there are some evening areas which are adult only. You must however join in with our immersive theme. Haven is for participants only, no spectators.

Do I have to wear costume to come along? Yes you do.

Where should I stay? Haven is geared up for camping including toilets and showers. You can of course stay offsite at a hotel etc if you prefer. Your camping is included in your ticket.

What about vehicles? Of course we will be having PA vehicles at Haven. We also offer discount tickets for approved vehicles.

Where can I get more information? Your first port of call is our page on Facebook. Just put a search in for “Haven Outpost”. There is also a general discussion group on Facebook at “PA- U.K.”

What can I expect at Haven? We are creating an immersive post apocalyptic world with amazing vehicles and features. Lots of workshops, activities and features during the day from costuming tips to “The Gauntlet”. Live music and entertainment with some of the World’s leading PA acts too. Above all though, this is a community where you can make friends and have a great time.

Who is running Haven? Haven is a grand new project from Chronoclasm; the company which operates The Asylum, the world’s largest and longest running steampunk festival. With that sort of pedigree you know you are in safe hands.

What will it cost and how do I buy tickets? Tickets have not yet been released. We are projecting they will be around £55. This will include your camping. Further information will go out via our social media feeds in due course. BACKGROUND: The Great Ending

Some say it all started over a loaf of bread. Whether the scandal over the toxic pesticide or simply climate change itself, grain values quadruple overnight. Bread suddenly was priced out of reach of most people. Of course the rich weren’t bothered. It didn’t really affect them that food had become scarce overnight. Money devalued and people were afraid.

People suffered. As the chemicals scandal grew and climate worsened more and more foods were suddenly unavailable. Medicines too. People started to get hungry and sick. Famine and Pestilence were the first two riders to show their faces.

Desperation led to demonstration. Demonstration to riot. Riot to “police actions”. Governments felt compelled to pressure neighbours. War rattled his ever sharp sabre.

No one knows who fired the first shots. All we know is The Ending had arrived and Death stalked the Earth.

(We are keeping things deliberately sketchy so as not to restrict people’s own creativity. The nature of the apocalypse itself is amorphous. We are suggesting it happened around 20 years prior to the event and that technology was at today’s level when it all happened.)

THEME AND COSTUME GUIDELINES

Haven is a place of safety for survivors in the post apocalyptic world. This is where people come together to trade, socialise and mark another year of surviving The Ending. Haven is unusual. It is an immersive event. Our objective is to make it feel as if you are entering a world where life is something we need to hang onto with both hands and celebrate.

This experience relies upon everyone being costumed. We are not looking for spectators. This is about participation. Our objective is to create a post apocalyptic fantasy world where everyone fits and is part of that world. This does not mean expense. Raiding your wardrobe for clothes you no longer wear then distressing them to give a “20 years after the end of civilisation” look costs nothing but time and a little effort. Upcycled accessories and ingenious solutions to life’s demands make a total look. How have you modified, decorated, embellished and repaired your clothing and belongings as you have spent time in the often hostile world after The Ending?

Haven has four areas: “Haven” itself - all undercover and the main focus of the experience. “Hinterland” - our themed camp and outdoor area where the majority of theme vehicles are displayed etc. “The Mustering” - our camping areas and parking where the rules are relaxed for your comfort and where your camps, clothing and vehicles do not need to be themed and, of course the necessary “Outsides” where essential infrastructure e.g. toilets and showers are available.

So your camp and vehicle does not need to be themed (unless you want to of course*) if you are camping in The Mustering. If you have negotiated for your tribe to be part of The Hinterland however you are a part of everyone’s experience and we really appreciate the extra effort you are making.

(*Theming your camp in The Mustering is a great way to add to the event and your experience. You will be allocated space closer to Haven and may be offered space in Hinterland at future events.)

We don’t have a fixed theme tying the experience to a single film or game franchise as we don’t want to limit your creativity however we do expect things to look as though civilisation collapsed two decades previously. Everything should show signs of distress and wear and tear. Sorry the argument that you found it in a vault and it had survived unscathed doesn’t wash. Something may be really precious to you but when you made that grand trek to rescue your missing Aunt you ended up sleeping in ditches to avoid the Reavers. Of course the shopping mall has piles of old clothes but you daren’t go in there with the radiation level quite so high. As a rule of thumb if you have to explain why something you are wearing is post apocalyptic and fits the theme, quite simply IT DOESN’T. So even if you are a vault dweller venturing out let’s see your vault suit less than pristine. You may have been a soldier before the ending and value keeping your rifle immaculately clear of rust but you haven’t been able to re-blue it so the metal and furniture will be showing signs of wear and tear. We also ask that for year one at least please do not include any heavily sci-fi influenced costumes. We know that an alien or robot costume isn’t real even if it is fantastically well done. This will break the suspension of disbelief. Similarly we will not be including zombies in Haven. Whilst zombie outbreaks are a common trope within the genre zombies and survivors would not be mixing within the safety of Haven. The walking dead would be outside the wire.

Want some ideas on how to create the look? Think distressed, dishevelled, improvised, embellished and decorated. The later Mad Max films, the Book of Eli and the Fallout game franchise are great starting points. Would your outfit look out of place as a background character in any of these? Take a look online at the costumes people wear to other post apocalyptic events especially the awesome Wasteland Weekend. The Wasteland Weekend photographs are also a fantastic resource of ideas for how to theme your camp. Folks there make great use of fabric and textiles (which is suitably aged and distressed of course) for easy and cheap theming for example.

Your aim is to make it clear to anyone you meet that you are a hardened survivor of a series of world ending events. You have been to hell and back in the struggle to stay alive. Even if you did have a quiet peaceful cottage in the hills to hide in and spent your time there in a cardigan and slippers you don’t want to look an easy mark for some of the predators around Haven. Who knew the end of the world has a dress code?

Now you don’t have to go to enormous effort to fit the theme. Torn and aged trousers with a distressed and weathered hoodie for example is all you need to fit in. To be frank it can take more effort to break the theming by trying too hard to be clever, to stand out or push the boundaries.

We are not restricting your creativity. We are simply asking you to channel it into creating a believable post apocalyptic world for everyone. We will not be embarrassed to say “sorry but that does not fit theme, please remove it before coming in”. Attendance at the event is explicitly open ONLY to people who will be joining in with the overall theme. Please remember this when you decide to come along.

We will be publishing inspiration and ideas, further guidance and tutorials. You might also like to share your outfits on Instagram with the hashtags #havenoutpost and #postapocalypse or on the Facebook group PA-U.K. Folks can offer comment, advice, support and praise your work and planning.

We are really looking forward to you being part of the experience that is Haven. Your contribution to the event will improve your weekend and mean a better weekend for everyone else too. No need to worry or stress about it. If in doubt just keep it simple. If it is dishevelled and well worn then you will fit in just fine.

Vehicles

Where would the post apocalypse world be without cool looking vehicles? Haven is no different. We welcome all modded and adapted vehicles to Haven as a central part of the experience and will be showing our own too.

You will need to apply to bring your vehicle along as a display feature. We would like to see pictures etc please. Selected vehicles will qualify for half price wristbands. A motorcycle will qualify for a single discounted wristband and a car, van or truck two wristbands.

We will have hard standing display space as part of Hinterland. You will be permitted to drive your vehicles during the event as long as you stick to our 5mph speed (crawl) limit in Hinterland and The Mustering and 10mph site wide. You will be mixing with pedestrians so this is for everyone’s safety and anyway you want people to be able to admire your work. We are planning on a drive-by featuring pyrotechnics and SFX which we will film from the ground and by drone. Vehicle drivers will be able to download the film to show their vehicles to best effect.

For road legal vehicles there will also be a road run organised.

We will also be offering patches for all vehicle drivers and trophies for best in class vehicles too.

Don’t have a real vehicle? We are working on Death Race 1:64th and Gaslands for your modified hot wheels etc and a gathering of radio controlled modded vehicles for “Fury Road - Mini”.

The Haven Communication Company

The Haven Communication Company is your source of information DURING the experience. The HCC will be running a piped “radio show” inside Haven during opening hours. This will include updates on schedule and warnings of features about to happen. You can also expect music, advertisements and other weird features too.

The HCC also prints and distributes The Haven Herald, our daily newspaper. Well paper is in short supply so perhaps news-sheet might be a better term. This will be available fresh off the press on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and Sunday morning. This will include the timetable of what is going on as well as news stories and features.

Finally the HCC runs the postal service. Want to send a message or package to someone at Haven? You can post it at the HCC. Delivery is charged at just one cap and you get a pretty cool receipt for sending it. Couriers are required. Volunteer as a courier and you will be given a package or letter to deliver. It is up to you to find the right recipient. Get the receipt signed on successful delivery and you will be given a special delivery bottle cap for your trouble. Keep it as a souvenir or collect them to swap for HCC badges and patches even headgear and courier bags

WEAPONS

Of course weapons are a big part of post apocalyptic imagery and style and we recognise you will want to accessorise your outfits and vehicles. However we have to be in a position to fully comply with the law and protect participants in the event. Please ensure that everything you have with you is appropriate and legal for joining in with this experience.

You may bring replica/non-harmful weaponry onto the site - all items will be subject to a safety check. Sorry but no blades are allowed at all into Hinterland and Haven other than small folding pocket knives (e.g. Swiss Army knives) and this includes improvised and ad hoc weaponry. Training, stunt and live action role play type reproductions should be used.

No live firing weapons are permitted at all other than in organised and/or pre approved features. This includes (but is not limited to) firearms, airguns, BB guns, crossbows, bows and catapults. We will permit airsoft guns but these must have batteries/gas removed and all magazines etc must be empty. You may not bring pellets with you to site at all. Blank firing and gas firing replicas are not permitted without prior approval. Non-firing replica versions of any weapon may be allowed but will require inspection upon arrival to determine safety to venue visitors. Nerf type toys are permitted but please do not shoot them unless part of an organised activity. Nerf Rial system may not be loaded/shot at any time. Please do not bring any projectiles if you have a modded Rival.

All weapons, real or replica, will be subject to inspection by the Safety Team. If determined unsafe these will be held for the duration of the event in a secure container. All Safety Team decisions are final. If in doubt, don't bring it.

Any person discovered using or displaying an unchecked weapon will face ejection from the venue with immediate effect. This is a fun, immersive experience. Let’s keep it safe and legal. CAPS? WHERE DO THEY FIT IN?

It was the Fallout games which popularised (bottle)caps as currency in a post apocalyptic world. In the games they are a commodity to be acquired just as you might collect credits or gold in other games. Caps have however been adopted by the wider PA community as a cool addition to our PA worlds.

Bottle caps can be hand painted, have stickers stuck on to them, be professionally printed or embellished in lots of other creative ways to become symbolic of their creators. They are used as calling cards, tribal identifiers, tokens of appreciation, prizes for completing “quests” and even as supported cash currencies. (See “paying for things”.) Feel free you make your own caps and swap/trade them with others to build a collection which is indicative of your adventures after The Ending.

PAYING FOR THINGS - HOW WILL A “SUPPORTED CURRENCY” WORK AT HAVEN?

“Old World Currency” (OWC or money) was part of the roots of the Apocalypse. It is tainted as evil so is banned from the event. It also does nothing to help with immersion into a post apocalyptic environment either. OWC may not therefore be used in Haven, Hinterland or The Mustering.

For each major event run by the Department for the Apocalypse there will be an issue of specially produced caps. These will have denominations of £1, £5 and £10. You will be able to purchase these at face value from the “bank” which will operate for the majority of the event (well we have to sleep sometime).

You will be able to use these caps to purchase food and drink and with our traders (including our own merchandise etc.) We urge you to buy caps only when you need them rather than in bulk at the start of the event since when the event draws to a close whilst you may cash them in at the bank this will be at 92% of face value. This allows us to cover some of the costs of producing all the blasted things and allows us to take a percentage of money changing hands towards running the event which is fairer than charging traders rents etc.

After the event you will be able to buy the caps as collectible souvenirs since following events will have different designs.

Thus we have a system that is immersive and post apocalyptic and is fairer on traders meaning they don’t have to hike prices to cover rents thus charging you more. We hope this is a win/win. We have previous experience with supported currency systems and they are a hit with participants once they understand how they work.

BARTER-TOWN

The Art of Barter is a fundamental part of the post apocalypse scene so naturally is an integral part of Haven.

At first encounter barter can be daunting. How do you do it? The best way is simply to choose the items you are interested in from a particular barter partner and then offer goods in exchange. This gets tricky though so often it is easier to carry a bag full of goodies then just swing it over to the person you want to trade with saying “have a look through there and see what takes your fancy”. They then select items that they would be happy to trade for and it all works seamlessly. Generally you end up feeling you have made a fantastic trade and walk away happy. Feel free to negotiate though.

Don’t be afraid of barter. It works really well, is a great socialising tool and means everyone has the chance to trade goods.

What trades best? Handmade items and harder to find raw materials and pieces. It’s not just for getting rid of junk. If you have good stuff you can trade for good stuff. Build up your barter bags and boxes and enjoy.

Where to barter: You can carry your goods with you and barter wherever you wish. If you want to lay out your goods as a trade display however this must be done either within your camp perimeter or in “The Squares” in Haven. If setting up in your camp your maximum display size is 9’ x 9’.

“The Squares” are literally marked out squares 4’x4’. If you find a vacant one you can lay out your goods within it as an offer to trade. Anything which is out on the floor outside your square however is considered tribute to Haven and the enforcers will simply pick it up, thanking you for your generous donation. This is really to ensure we do not have choke points and congestion in Barter-Town and to stop people being greedy and spreading out. Only sealed, commercially packed food and drink products may be bartered.

What about selling rather than swapping? It is OK to offer goods for sale. This must be done in event caps. (See “paying for things”.) Anyone found to be accepting Old World Currency (Cash) will be escorted from the event. The organisers’ decision on this is final. If you are selling you must adhere to all legal sales guidelines. You must also be in a position to offer a receipt and supply your full contact details. Food and drink may not be sold at all other than by professional vendors.

What about professional vendors? If you are a professional vendor and would like to set up a trade stand inside Haven we would be pleased to hear from you. Professional vendor spaces will be offered to those people who are adding to the overall theming and immersion of the event. We will NOT be charging any vendor fees or rental although you must still trade for the supported Cap currency ONLY. If you wish to trade food and drink we may be able to facilitate this but there is a fixed ground rent charge to the site in addition to other restrictions and we will need your EHO registration information etc.

SURVIVING THE APOCALYPSE

Of course Haven is an event. The World hasn’t really blown up on itself. Even so for this experience to work every participant has to become immersed in it. Life after the Apocalypse would not be easy so we are not making Haven too easy either.

Don’t expect all the comforts of a concert or a convention. Whilst we have ensured we have quality toilet facilities and showers and the whole venue is fully accessible to people with mobility issues etc that is just about where the line is drawn. The weather is fickle and unpredictable. Be prepared for it. Have warm clothing and cooler clothing. Don’t go expecting heating or air conditioning. “R” (rain) is ever present in the U.K. we don’t want to tempt fate by naming it. Haven itself is totally under cover so you can head indoors and shelter from it. Hinterland though, with many features you might want to explore, is not. If a little “R” puts you off or you don’t feel you can prepare for it this is not the place for you. There will be some seats and rest spaces but if you aren’t happy with perhaps having to sit on the floor then you would be wise to sort yourself a suitably distressed and styled folding chair or stool. What about a water bottle and a bag with snacks - don’t forget a mug or bowl and a spoon too. Sure there will be food and drink available but would you seriously wander out into the wastes without some basic supplies? Aim to be self reliant as an individual, a family group or a tribe. This is the Apocalypse after all. Can you call yourself a survivor if you expect everything to be handed to you?

(Much of this stuff will be available from traders at the event so feel free to acquire at Haven. Part of the reason that Haven exists is for survivors to trade with one another for essentials and luxuries. You won’t be sure to find it though so don’t complain if you find you are missing something you need. Life can be hard in the wastes.) You will need:

Your costume: This must be suitable for the demands of the weather as well as looking suitably post apocalyptic.

Useful items: A bag, rucksack or similar to carry things such as food and water, extra clothes, a mug, water bottle, spoon or fork, your trade goods and acquisitions. A folding chair or stool or a blanket to put on the ground. A torch. It gets dark out in the Hinterland and the Mustering.

Some money to purchase caps for trading and/or a bag/box of barterables.

(You will probably want to bring your phone or a camera etc to take pictures. If you can please disguise it or distress it so that it does not obviously impact on everyone’s immersion into the event.)

If you are camping then you will of course need your tent/camping gear etc too. Be ready for the weather.

Do not forget your medication (if any) and a first aid kit is very useful. We will have emergency medical cover but this is not the place to go to ask for paracetamol for your hangover.

TRIBES

Tribes are groups of friends and associates who want to collaborate to add to the event. Anyone can form a tribe. Tribes should have a minimum of eight participants but can be much larger. Tribes can apply to set up a themed camp, especially in Hinterland. Tribes can offer features to the event for inclusion.

A tribe is a great way to give to Haven and get more from Haven. Running a tribe will make it much more fun for you and allow you to create something far bigger than you can on your own. The best way to go about joining a tribe or creating one is to get involved on social media first. Get a feel for what is going on and talk through your ideas. The tribe will develop from there.

TRASH

An environmental statement:

After the apocalypse there is no such thing as trash. The Department for the Apocalypse and their events will hold as paramount that what is packed in is packed out (the only exception being what goes down the toilet.)

If you create any waste you take it away with you. (You can dispose of it as you wish once you get home but hopefully by upcycling/repurposing/recycling.)

It is sensible therefore to remove any extra packaging etc (especially from food) before you set off for the event. If you smoke then bring a tin that you can deposit your butts in. Bring your own cup/bowl/spoon and don’t expect disposables. Have a way to carry trash on your person when wandering around. (Dog poo bags are great for wrapping stuff to put in your waist bag or pack for example.)

Anyone found to be dropping trash or disposing of it inappropriately - even just cigarette butts - will be ejected from the event. Leave no trace!

We will have some large bins for waste disposal if you do not wish to take it home. There will be a £5 charge for each bin bag deposited. We are not trying to make money. We are trying to discourage waste! DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

We have a zero tolerance policy on drugs. Please do not bring them to or use them at the event. Breaking this rule will result in you being expelled from the event. Anyone found to be dealing drugs will be reported to the police.

We have no problem with over 18s consuming alcohol either bought from the venue bar or indeed your own. Antisocial behaviour caused by over imbibing will not be acceptable at all however. We want you to have a good time but don’t spoil it for anyone else.

ACCESSIBILITY

We have deliberately chosen a site which should present no difficulty to people with mobility issues. We also have toilet facilities that are fully accessible. We will be creating a more relaxed time out zone called the Air Shack which will be available to all. We will be using lighting effects and amplified sound. You may be wise to use ear protection etc if you require it. Entertainments with extensive flashing lights will be signposted. We will not be furnishing signed interpretation throughout although some of our crew do sign. If you need to bring an interpreter then please contact us explaining your requirements and how we might best help. Please do the same if you normally have the support of a carer too. Whilst we will have medical support on site you are responsible for your own needs so please be prepared for this.

DOGS

Dogs, including assistance dogs are welcome at the event. They must however be kept on a lead at all times and secured. All owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animals. Failure to do so will result in you being expelled from the event. You are legally responsible for your animals and may consider the need for a muzzle. Only assistance dogs will be allowed into the indoor spaces of Haven. Do not leave your animals inside closed vehicles. Your vehicle may be broken into for your animals welfare if you do.

VOLUNTEERING

We need volunteers to help run this amazing event. Are you up for the challenge? You will be expected to purchase a wristband for the event. The value of the wristband will be refunded to you after you have completed your shifts at Haven. If you want to join us apply in the first place by messaging the Facebook page Haven Outpost.

This is your chance to get involved in something which is both new and exciting. Join us on social media and help to shape Haven as it grows and develops. Don’t miss Haven 1 Be there as we emerge into the harsh light of a new world.

HAVEN - THE EMERGING Not an event but an experience.