A Few Bentley pik's

[motherofgod]

I went this morning, although couldn't stay long due to my dog being ill
A nice selection thou.









James

[Kevin]

Looks like it was a good show James.

[les]

Hope the weather's as good in June! Hope the dog is ok as well.

[aupickup]

yes it was a very good show

it was a shame that the mmoc did not advertise it, tho it was in minor monthly

it was really the best rally i have been to, lots of attractions, wildfowl,motor museum, small fair for the kids, refreshment stalls, beer tent with a group on the saturday evening, also camping for the weekend as well with proper toilets

a big thank you to jason and sue for organizing such a fine weekend

other branches would do well to follow this example

we had today over 60 cars, vans and pickups, including rover, mini, a couple of very nice ford clasic`s, and VW

[d_harris]

If things go well for me I might be a resident of East Sussex soon....

I'll have to come along next year!

[Kevin]

other branches would do well to follow this example

Well the entry fee of £12:50 would unfortunately put a lot of people off in this area, we get complaints about our`s being £7:00, its also a shame that they are not a part of the MMOC but they obviously have their reasons. I wonder if any of their members use this board.

[motherofgod]

It was 12.50 for two people which isn't that bad IMO and only a extra 2.50 P/P for more.
I was only there a short while but did enjoy it.

James

[aupickup]

WELL NO ONE MOANED AT THE PRICE OF ENTRY, AS THAT INCLUDED ENTRY TO THE WILDFOWL FOR 2 DAYS

THEY DID BELONG TO THE MMOC AT ONE TIME

[Kevin]

THEY DID BELONG TO THE MMOC AT ONE TIME

That doesnt exactly answer my question though.

WELL NO ONE MOANED AT THE PRICE OF ENTRY

Because those that did wouldnt have gone, all I was saying is that because of the numbers of free shows around there are quite a few owners who dont like to pay much no matter how good the event is, its part of the reason event numbers are down and I think it will probably get worse the more petrol goes up as owners will not drive so far. We are not all in the position that Mal is up north as he seems to have a free show to go to most weekends.

[aupickup]

well with about 65 cars on the sunday i would say that the rally spoke for itself
the club is very vibrant with lots to do at club meetings, and in the summer many outings out, unlike our local mmoc branch

they have obviously got it about right in my opinion

i can not say why they pulled out of the mmoc branch, i can anly asume the reason why

[Annierat1]

Hi

I've added a few photos too if anyone's interested

http://www.pbase.com/annierat1/rally2008

Cheers

Annette

[minormad]

Thank you all for your comments for the rally at the weekend.

It was hard work, 2 years in planning and all depended on the weather - which was superb. We were washed out last year at Michelham Priory!
There will be some pictures on our website shortly: www.morrisminorclubeastsussex.co.uk

Comment about the cost: last night we worked out that the rally cost £2500 to put on - of that around £1000 had to be paid to the venue, plus increase in our insurance costs, advertising, printing, PA hire, the band etc etc it all adds up. We were lucky that so many people came who weren't pre-booked, the club were only slightly out of pocket - less than we expected to have paid out of our account anyway.

Normally Bentley charge £7 per person per day, so £12.50 for 2 people for the weekend is pretty good value. We were worried about the cost putting people off, and I'm sure it did with some - but the London to Brighton run cost more to enter, more in fuel and for what - Brighton Seafront at the end. I'm not knocking the L2B - I know how much hard work went into organising it, how much it cost to close Madeira Drive etc, and I went on it several times.

I don't know all the reasons why we pulled out of the MMOC, as it all happened before I joined them, but my understanding is that there was a big issue about funds and what would happen to them if the branch folded, and also that people were feeling they weren't getting their money's worth out of MMOC. As we have an average of 90 members and a reasonable bank balance I think we are doing pretty well on our own without MMOC pulling the strings.

I've been a member of East Sussex Morris Minor Club since summer 2000, have been on the committee since 2001 and have been Chair for the past 2 years. I was an MMOC member for the first couple of years, and my other half has been an MMOC menber more recently, but (and this is purely a personal opinion) I didn't gain anything from MMOC. I get more out of our independent club.

This year's rally was an all out effort by my brilliant committee to put on something different. I hope we can do something similar next year.... check our website over the coming months.

I hope I've covered comments in the previous posts, and thankyou all again for coming along and making it such an enjoyable weekend. We had 93 cars in total for Saturday and Sunday.
Sue

[minormad]

Dan - you don't have to live in East Sussex to come to our rallies- Southampton isn't that far away!

[aupickup]

WELL DONE

well i ahve joined this club, and hope to have many years of rallies with them

[motherofgod]

I did enjoy myself the short time I was there, 93 cars is pretty excellent IMO

Quite tempted myself to join, I have joined the sussex coast branch, so might as well!

James

[LouiseM]

Yes, well done I was at another classic car show this weekend otherwise I would have popped along. Sounds like there was more to see and do than at some of the Nationals I've attended and better value too.
I've had a look at your site and will keep an eye out for future events.

But what a shame that the club has refused you 'paid for' advertising space

[aupickup]

But what a shame that the club has refused you 'paid for' advertising space [/quote]

Yes it was a shame the club refused the advert, i am sure more would gave come
still at least it was in minor monthly

[minormad]

James - look forward to seeing you.
Email me at maud1964@yahoo.co.uk for more info - we're not at our usual venue for June and July meetings. We had a rally wind down at the Golden Cross last night

Usually meet at the Golden Cross Inn, on the A22 near the Marquis Motorhomes yard, not far from Hailsham: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm (Not there June or July)

Dennis - pleased you finally got round to joining us! It's always good to see you!!
Sue

[minormad]

Minor Monthly have always given us plenty of space - apparently the MMOC called a special committee meeting when I wanted to place the ad, I wasn't available to speak to them, so one of our committee member's took the call. I think enough people know are aware of the refusal to place the ad - I put it in a letter to all Morris Minor suppliers when I was writing out for raffle prizes and sponsorship and to all the MMOC branch contacts in the Southern half of UK.

We may not be an MMOC branch - but does that give the MMOC the right to deny their members a great weekend out? We all have the same interest - Morris Minors - irrespective of whether we are MMOC members or not. Many of our club members are also MMOC members.

One advantage of an independent club as that none of our members or committee HAVE to be MMOC members. If you want to join an MMOC branch you also have to fork out for MMOC membership on top.

[overider]

This is a sad fact that the MMOC refused the advert for a Morris Minor related event. The only reason I can think of for this decision is if the MMOC has falling number in membership they don’t want to advertise any kind of competition.
I find this very hard to believe this was a decision made by a club that when you Google Morris minor, the MMOC has a statement that reads:
Promoting the Preservation and Use of the Postwar Morris Minor. May be is should add
“but not if you are considered competition”