2011 classic car show NEC auto jumble

[LouiseM]

being involved in any car club costs one hell of a lot of money

Like any hobby, the amount of time or money you choose to spend on it is up to you. Involvement isn't measured by the number of events you attend or the amount of money you spend, and attending events like the NEC isn't obligatory. Do what suits you and your budget.

[KatiePotatie]

Unfortunately, when I had travelled to the show, paid the £8 for parking, that, incidentally, Mr Coles had said was £5, what was I meant to do? Just go, oh no, I don't want to pay the entrance fee after paying for parking after travelling this far? I was told there was a discount - the NEC had no idea about this!

Like I say, glad you understand my point.

And Matt, who was it that said 'if Matt likes you then you are allowed to join'?

How come someone is allowed to complain about the autojumble being expensive, but noone is allowed to express their distaste at the price of the event? Seems a bit odd.

And what would be the point of paying for a club membership and then not taking part in anything, I may as well not bother renewing next year if that's the attitude.

I attended National, and paid, and got a magnet and a whole load of crap from the 'older' members. The weekend we totally disorganised (especially on the part of the Young Members, Mr Coles), so yes, it is actually an utter waste of money.

But like I say, I am so glad you understand my point.

[stephh]

First of all, apologies I never seem to post on here, however I came on to share how impressed I was with the MMOC stand this year at NEC (my stand highlight being the rather fetching photo of Paul Temple in dishy 80s glasses!)

I'm sorry to hear Katie that you felt the Young Members meet was disorganised, but Matt was not behind the organisation of the meet - I was.

Due to traffic complications and a few wrong turns, I understand we left the meeting spot later than arranged but this could not be helped. If only we had the ability to forsee traffic challenges before we began a journey!

Unfortunately, as stated by the Classic Motor Show, car parking prices were beyond their control and they apologised for the high prices via their site prior to the event. Living in Leeds I can assure you that £8 for a day is standard, and this did include the free shuttle bus.

Ticket prices will always be higher at an event and as I understand it, you were not sure whether you were able to attend the event until Saturday morning. You would still have been able to buy online if you had access to a printer - again, the site stated prices prior to the event.

I understand Matt was mistaken on the prices of car parking, but this was incorrect information relayed to him by another member. Again, I will take the blame as I relayed this without clarifying with the venue prior to us attending.

In regards to the National Rally, I understand there were confusions regarding traffic calming measures and some young members going above the 5mph speed limit. I'll put my hands up and I say I was one of these young members speeding and I fully deserved a bollocking.

The magnets, stickers etc were a really nice touch and I have mine on the fridge at home. The costs of the rally cover many different aspects of the event (as I understand it) and this includes toilets, hire of showers, insurance, costs of manning the event etc. The rally was really fun and an excellent chance to meet up with other young members that I had not met previously. The event was also a darn sight cheaper than going abroad or even camping in the Lake District and if it had not been so cheap I would not have afforded a holiday this year.

Classic car ownership can be expensive, HOWEVER, there are lots of things to consider when buying a classic: cheaper insurance, no tax, parts costing next to nothing, being able to fix it yourself, being the coolest person in the car park (priceless) - and these soon level out if you own a modern car. My housemate owns an 03/02 Peugeot and I know shes probably spent a lot more this year.

I think Louises point of attending what you can is a fair point, I'm certain she is not encouraging anyone not to be involved in anything but merely not to feel pressure to spend more than you can.

And in regards to MMOCYM, Matt has no say in who joins and was merely carrying on a joke from earlier when we were talking about booting poor Cat out for the henious crime of reaching the dreaded 3-0 in July. MMOCYM has been a real gateway for me to get to know other young members and I will stand up and say that without some of the amazing people I've met through it, I would still be flailing round hopelessly trying to understand my car. So big thanks to the many who have helped myself and Martha over the last 18 months!

I hope I have covered all the points and again I apologise for over sights in organising the meet up. Hopefully you will not let this discourage you from attending meet ups and you will allow me to redeem myself on the organisation front in 2012.

Thanks,
Steph

[lambrettalad]

I will never pay £8 to park at the NEC,FAR FAR TOO MUCH when added on to the ticket cost,and the expensive drink and food prices.
If your able i suggest you park for free at many of the local train stations on the Birmingham to Coventry line and catch the train for a couple of quid,but the walk from the station to the halls is a fair way,it does allow for disabled access (best check),and is a good choice in cold wet miserable weather ,rather than wait for the free bus. However this is best for the weekend as the station car parks are choc-a-block during the week.
Not a perfect solution but it may help

[MColes]

So the parking was £8 instead of £5, as Steph said I was mis-informed, it's unlikely that £3 broke the bank

In regards to the weekend being disorganised... Regardless as to who arranged for us all to meet up, whether it were Steph or myself, this was not an official MMOCYM meet. It just so happened that a few of us were going and we decided to meet up and attend the show as a group of friends who happen to own the same car NOT as a register.

Also if you do have any complaints in future about the way the register is run then please contact me in person via PM.

[stephh]

I'd like to complain that you did not wear a patterned jumper.

[ASL642]

!

[simmitc]

Any member attending the show could have visited the club stand where free tea / coffee / orange juice was provided, along with biscuits and a good natter. We were told that we were the friendliest stand in the show.

[Kevincolley]

i would admit that £8 is rather steep to park up for a few hours, however its one of the things you can find out when you search on the internet for information on specific events, the local councils or who ever runs the cp will know when a big event is on and as such will likley raise the price because they know that they will have a large ammount of people who are coming and will want to park and dont want to park further away than required so will pay the silly money asked.

regarding events organised by the young Mr Coles and other fellow young members, ive found like Steph for them to be very well organised and a joy to go to, ive always been made more than well come on such events. but as Matt has pointed out the young members decided to go as a group of friends not as the register, this is something that makes more sence than may be first realised, because altho we have all met through the club, we are happy to meet up from all corners of the uk to have a good day out not as the club but as a group of friends.

i always look forward to meeting up with fellow club members, not just on club specific meets but also to just enjoy each others company.

however if anyone has complaints about they way events etc have been organised, then dont shout about and slag people off in full public view, talk to them calmly in private so as not to make a scene, as its not good for your self or the image of the club, thats some thing i hope that no one on here wants. if any one thinks differently please feel free to pm me.

Kevin Colley

[stephh]

Any member attending the show could have visited the club stand where free tea / coffee / orange juice was provided, along with biscuits and a good natter. We were told that we were the friendliest stand in the show.

There were biscuits?! My diet would've flown out the window had I known (probably a good thing then!)

The MMOC'ers were friendly as ever, as is pretty much anyone you meet at any MMOC stand/event.

[Kevincolley]

here here steph

mmmm buscuits

[LouiseM]

I think Louises point of attending what you can is a fair point, I'm certain she is not encouraging anyone not to be involved in anything but merely not to feel pressure to spend more than you can.

Yes, that's exactly what I meant Steph. And if it's any consolation I also got a right old rollocking at the National (for leaving my car in the wrong place) so it certainly wasn't an age thing.

I think Matt and Andy have done a great job in setting up and promoting the Young Members Register - I wish there was something like it when I joined the club - so I think it's a shame that anyone feels the need to criticise all of the hard work they have put into making it such a success.

[ben_minor_63]

Even though i did not attend the show this year, I will be attending next year. The entrance Fee of £15 i think (sorry if i've got it wrong) YOU GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH. The car parking charge of £8 is worth it if you have a shuttle bus etc.Some shows get free parking some don't we can't help that, plus you expect to pay OTT for parking at these type of places.

Regards to the National Rally, Paul and Peter assured me at the madmog meeting that it is going to be bigger and better than it ever has.
And regards to owning a classic car think about how much you're saving by owning a classic car that free tax, cheap insurance, cheap to run.,

MMOCYM, Matt has no say who joins, but i bet he enjoys meeting varies type of people in the register. This is a good register for young people to appreciate classic cars, you dont get many young people appreciating them.And please don't moan about Matt Coles, he does his best for the register SO APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK HE HAS PUT IN.

And regards to Steph, you'll expect a few wrong turning etc on roads you don't know, so i think it is acceptable for a few mistakes, plus steph is busy with university etc.

Sorry it wasn't to your expectation
Ben_minor_63

[stephh]

Well said Ben. Matt and Andy put a lot of effort into maintaining and building the reputation of MMOCYM and the register is fantastic.

The lads have given myself and other young members hours of their time and expertise in getting back and staying on the road. Special mention to Andy here for all the hard work he put into Cats car for weeks on end - I certainly would've pushed the car down the hill without you here!

I value both Matt and Andy as good friends and heads of register. The difference they've made to my Minor experience has been immeasurable and I'm sure others on the Facebook group would agree.

[lambrettalad]

I visited the stand 4 times everyone was very friendly,I even said as i purchased items ,that I was a member. but and this is a very small BUT,I never Knew I could sit at the table and have a cup of tea, I was displaying a lambretta ,in the classic bike show,so I was there for four days.
I did ask a technical question and they went out of there way to get me an answer Iwill know next time

[dellerie]

i paid £15.50 each for me and the wife. i don't consider that to be OTT. the parking at £8 isn't expensive this day and age. put into comparison..........

a ticket for a premier league game that lasts 90 minutes, can cost up to £90. thats a £1 a minute. look at the prices for a tennis final, golf tournament or a rugby international at twickenham.........

parking all day in my town centre car park is a minimum of £10. you'll pay at least £6-7 to park at football as well.......

you can take your own food, instead of paying £7 for a burger and chips........ idiots pay that...

so all in all, for just under £40 (excluding fuel), the 2 of us, had a fantastic day out at the NEC. we chatted to owners of superb cars, walked about 5 miles and i even managed to find a £20 note under the drivers seat in my car whilst looking for my mobile i'd dropped inside the car. all in all, a great way to spend our 40th anniversary.

roll on next november

[DaisyMayFozz]

regards the parking, fro what you get £8 is a bargain!
1.Free shuttle bus, not just one, but many rolling round. imagine the cost of running them
2. The people directing the cars around. Chaos without them!
3. The sheer size of the car parks. I believe there is enough space for 29,000 cars!

Around where I live, £8 is about the cost of an all day ticket in some car parks!

All in all a nice day out, took lots of pics and enjoyed myself.

[stephh]

Around where I live, £8 is about the cost of an all day ticket in some car parks!

Where in East Yorks is it 8 pounds a day?! Thought W/Yorks was the pricey bit

[IaininTenbury]

If we're talking rip off parking try a hospital - £12 per day at Hereford... try that everyday for three weeks, it still smarts....

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

I went last year and really enjoyed the whole weekend that I spent at the NEC which included flights, premier inn accomodation and entry into the show. Will go again some year!

PS After looking at his excellent pictures on facebook Im glad someone else noticed that Matt wasnt wearing his usual argyle jumper, did you have to have it surgically removed Matt????