National Rally 2007 - how it went...

Post by **steve4063** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:48 pm

have you got the number to ring please.

i followed dave c in and the chap on the gate just told us where to park.

didn't take any details whatso ever and we were the first ones there sat morning.

Post by **Lou** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:12 pm

Well, I had a fantastic time and am very very sunburned. It turns out that 80 million cups of tea was a slight underestimate, and thanks to everyone who lent a stove, brought a cake (we got through six) and bought a t-shirt - we were a very visible presence throughout the rally

Only point of contention - the toilets were disgusting, especially as they were in full sun all day

Lovely to see everybody

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:15 pm

Lovely to see everybody

Not quite everybody - sadly I underestimated the time it takes to get rid of a hangover and drive up from Devon. In the end I decided it was better to sleep at the motorway services than at 60 on the M5
Doh!

Post by **simmitc** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:18 pm

When every one is complaining about facilities, how about remembering what the weather was like for the days preceding the rally? How many of the complainers were on the field, covered in mud, and working solidly for three days before the event, and then through the event? (Not to mention the work throughout the rest of the year!) How many stayed an extra day to help clear up? Apart from the rain, the wind was at one point at a level where it was touch and go as to whether there would be a marquee.

Yes, it was a low key rally compared with some, but I say that it's a miracle that anything got on site, and a damn BIG THANK YOU to Andrew and the team for what they did, even down to the foresight to order special roadway (and no, I wasn't involved).

Next year will be a really BIG rally. There will be plenty for everyone to do, so let's have less of the "I won't go again" and more of the "I'll lend a hand" – if anyone has constructive suggestions then they will be welcomed. At any rally there really is something for everyone, if you can be bothered to find it.

As for the Club phone number, heck it's in every issue of MM, on most paperwork, and on the contact page of this web site. Do we have to spoon feed?

OK, off the soap box. Remember that it's people who make a rally. I had a great couple of days, meeting old friends and making new ones; and hope that I’ll make even more friends next year – and that they will include those who were less than happy this year.

Again, a massive THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the rally happen.

Post by **Lou** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:18 pm

Ahem - wouldn't have got quite so sunburned had the gazebo turned up too...

Post by **leafie** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:30 pm

Lou wrote:Well, I had a fantastic time and am very very sunburned.

Cold at night though

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:45 pm

Well I was only there on the Saturday and had a good time and the weather was really good

as for the longish grass it wasnt really a problem and I dont know how it could have been cut given the preceeding weather, the traders had a good range of spares available and the private autojumble stalls I thought were a good bonus.
Nice to meet up for tea and chocholate cake (sorry I forgot who said they made it) very nice and nice to have a chin wag with other website posters including Louise M , I hope the drink problem was sorted out sucsessfully by Matt and his toolbox after the underbonnet diagnosis

also thanks for the T shirt Lou/Andrew

and also to a certain individual (we know who you are) for a master class

in panel beating with a club hammer and the end of a jack to straighten out Lou`s Teapot Lid which enabled the flow of tea to continue unabated

.
It was also the first I had heard of the new concours class (even Bill didnt know about it) called Chertsey Concours to be held at Chertsey Branch in August.
All in all I though it was a good event and look forward to the 60th next year and as Simon said if you want to see more event type things come up with the suggestions and offer some help.

Post by **JimK** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:34 pm

Chocolate cake was made by my darling family and very good it was too

Securing it for the journey with gaffer tape was my idea

We had a really good time; it was nice to see some folks again and make some new friends, too. We got a bit sunburnt - we brought wellies and waterproofs but not sunscreen. Oops.

The loos were a bit lacking, but that hardly detracted from a nice weekend spent at our first National. I have some photos that I'll put up whenever I get round to it...

Post by **theminorsite** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:40 pm

simmitc wrote:Again, a massive THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the rally happen.

I'd agree with that, and with most of your other comments, but I still feel its worth pointing out that just because someone cant do better themselves they dont have a valid point to make. The toilets were disgusting, especially late Saturday night, and its not as though the club didn't know that beforehand - its been something thats been complained about for several years. Each of those units is supposedly capable of disposing of the waste from five people over a 40 hour week, so even the most generous of extrapolations of that means we should have had one for every 12.5 people attending. I hear rumours that I cant substantiate that the organising committee made representations to the club for a more appropriate number of toilets, plus the showers that we were promised, but that they were rebuffed and told that what we ended up with would have to do. If thats true, and I stress the if, then its a pretty damning indictment, and I hope whoever did make that decision is held to account for it at the AGM. I'll certainly be there again and will be asking those questions. I've always camped for three days for Nationals and I thank God that I take a caravan, because to be forced to use those loos on Saturday night would mean I'd just pack up and go home.

Now I'm off the soapbox too, I'd congratulate Andrew and the team for getting it off the ground - on Friday my other halfs 4x4 was pressed into service several times for towing duties, most notably when one of the traders became mudbound attempting to get to his spot. The wind was pretty rough too and our awning almost made a good kite. For anyone that would question my right to criticise, I'd point out that I was part of the team that gave up their whole weekend at last years National for the Driving Challenge and also that a good friend and I put more than a little effort into organising this years Interbranch challenge too (despite only being asked to do it lunchtime on Saturday!)

Post by **steve4063** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:20 am

i for one was happy with the day that i spent there.

altho disapionted about the plaque but hey hopefully its just a phone call.
being my first rally didn't even know we were meant to get one.

i can see the dif points of view but as the other comments have been made don't complain too much unless you're willing to give a hand and help out.

i've run an event before nothing like this or even on this scale just a little gathering and hardly anyone turns up and no-one wants to help out.

i admire the ppl that have spent their time and trouble to get this sorted each year good on you.

and if there are any complaints i'd personally like to see them aired in a nice manner as we are all meant to be friends and colleagues of a brill car club so come lets keep it friendy please

i have one upset tho

i keep reading about all these ppl who were there i did meet a few ppl who i'd spoke to one here but looks like a missed a lot more than i met.

maybe we should have name badges next time

i was i'd have put my nick name on my car sheet
anyone got any nice suggestions as to how we could organise it so we could actually meet ppl without walking up to complete strangers and saying "hi i'm steve4063 who are you?"
i reckon you'd get some funny looks off 95% of ppl

and as everyone has commented yes it would of been nice to have more caterers and toilets scattered rather than in one place.
but as someone has already said look how the weather has been i was amazed the ground was as dry as it was.

any other field and i reckon we'd have been playing water polo instead as everyone in the country has been flooded good on Kelmarsh for keeping the field so well drained and allowing us to churn their grass up with our cars

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:38 am

steve4063 wrote:Anyone got any nice suggestions as to how we could organise it so we could actually meet ppl without walking up to complete strangers and saying "hi i'm steve4063 who are you?"

That's why I suggested badges. In another life I'm involved with attending and organising science fiction conventions, and it's becoming increasingly common at cons for members to wear a home-made "LJ badge" with their LiveJournal username on it in addition to their official con badge.

Post by **steve4063** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:12 am

bpr81a wrote:I've just spoken to Andrew Stone. If you telephone Liz Saxon at the mmoc office and leave your name and address, plaques will be sent out to you.

Jon Rocke
Web Editor

i've spoken to Liz this morning she has said can you email her rather than ring so that way she'll have your details on her computer

2 ppl left messages last night but unfortunately she wiped the machine without listening to the messages by mistake. so if they want to email her as well that'll be nice.

Post by **Judge** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:18 am

simmitc wrote:When every one is complaining about facilities, how about remembering what the weather was like for the days preceding the rally? How many of the complainers were on the field, covered in mud, and working solidly for three days before the event, and then through the event? (Not to mention the work throughout the rest of the year!) How many stayed an extra day to help clear up? Apart from the rain, the wind was at one point at a level where it was touch and go as to whether there would be a marquee.

Yes, it was a low key rally compared with some, but I say that it's a miracle that anything got on site, and a damn BIG THANK YOU to Andrew and the team for what they did, even down to the foresight to order special roadway (and no, I wasn't involved).

Next year will be a really BIG rally. There will be plenty for everyone to do, so let's have less of the "I won't go again" and more of the "I'll lend a hand" – if anyone has constructive suggestions then they will be welcomed. At any rally there really is something for everyone, if you can be bothered to find it.

As for the Club phone number, heck it's in every issue of MM, on most paperwork, and on the contact page of this web site. Do we have to spoon feed?

OK, off the soap box. Remember that it's people who make a rally. I had a great couple of days, meeting old friends and making new ones; and hope that I’ll make even more friends next year – and that they will include those who were less than happy this year.

Again, a massive THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the rally happen.

I don't think I could have said it better myself. Remember it is the 'unpaid volunteers' that make these events happen, and further volunteers are always very welcome.

Post by **Judge** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:33 am

Kevin wrote:It was also the first I had heard of the new concours class (even Bill didnt know about it) called Chertsey Concours to be held at Chertsey Branch in August.

Hopefully we will also see them competing in the official MMOC Concours events in the future. New entrants are always welcome, as I am sure RogerRust will tell you

Post by **RogerRust** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:54 am

Yes I felt very welcome. I think I had a suspicion that the concours entrance would look down their noses at me, but infact they were just as friendly as other members of the club. Just a little preocupied sometimes. I now understand how annoying it is when someone insists on talking to the judge (not our Bill) during your alloted time.

I have a feeling it is addictive, and the eagle eyed will spot a few changes in Sophie before the Home Counties Regional Rally in 10 days time.

Thanks Lou for the lucky radiator cap. Sophie wears it with pride!

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:18 am

Reading about this makes me even more gutted I wasnt there.

Maybe its dodgy breeding or a lifetime of cheap camping holidays but manky toilets really don't bother me. It sounds like a great time was had by all.

I can't wait to be there next year, which I promise myself I will be. Tea and cake are worth the trip alone as the misses wont allow cake in the house (apparently its bad for you but I dispute the science in that).
Shame they dont do a '12k daily driver' concours or maybe an 'un-concourse' for those of us who only wash the car when the lights can't be seen under a film of flies and mud...

Post by **lynda** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:38 am

I'm pleased to see the pics of our panda cars came out well Jay! I'm just about to download my photos, I'll put a link on here soon ish.

Dad and I went on the Sunday and had a lovely day, though I do agree with the points about the toilets - they were pretty unpleasant! My other comment would be about the distance from the hall itself... the last couple of years it's been quite a trek to get to the hall and this year we didn't have time to get there. Any reason why the cars are put in a remote field instead of somewhere more prominent? I'm sure general visitors to the hall would have come for a look if we'd been closer, instead of just the MMOC people wandering round.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:22 am

lynda wrote: My other comment would be about the distance from the hall itself... the last couple of years it's been quite a trek to get to the hall and this year we didn't have time to get there. Any reason why the cars are put in a remote field instead of somewhere more prominent? I'm sure general visitors to the hall would have come for a look if we'd been closer, instead of just the MMOC people wandering round.

Hi lynda, I think that might be just the standard field which is available for large public events. I help with the English Heritage Festival of History which is held there each August and it's in the same field. Someone on the organising committee might know more, though.

Wasn't it a smashing view of the hall across the lake?

This year the EH event is going to feature a "wet Mr Darcy" competition, absolutely nothing to do with Griff bringing the tone down with his tangential "ideas"

About the loos - they seemed fine while I was there (Friday evening and Saturday till 6-ish) - clean and with plenty of loo paper.... sometimes it's not the number of loos but how frequently they are serviced which is the issue for an organiser to look out for, sounds like an extra service on Saturday early evening was needed maybe. It's a really tricky thing to get right as the whole portaloo thing is quite an expensive game I believe, and you don't want to be paying for any more units or service runs than you need. OTOH under-provision is grim especially if you are camping on site.

I will certainly be at the rally next year, imshallah, and camping too if I can get a soft enough mattress into the van, and I'm really looking forward to it

Post by **lynda** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:56 am

Link to my photos (hopefully)

http://www.flickr.com/gp/9898132@N02/470T34

A wet Mr Darcy competiton..... that's almost worth another visit

Now where did I put my EH magazine?

Post by **DaveC** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:54 pm

Just a note to say thank you to everyone who helped put the rally on. We went on Saturday, and had a great time.

I had plenty of bits, new and secondhand, from the stalls. (Just as well as my starter motor packed up last night

) Steve4063 and I also also got some good bits out of the skip

.

Traders were friendly and helpful, and the bargains I got more than paid for the entry fee (if you know what I mean).

Next year will take tea making stuff.