Shows

[Alan Drover]

Frank's article about the Malvern shows demonstrates what happens when a large organization takes over running shows that were run smoothly and efficiently. The first thing that happened was the entrance fee rocketed sky high and then restrictions on what can be displayed on stands are imposed.
Mark Woodward ran his shows efficiently and was approachable for any queries as I found out when enquiring about the shows during the pan(dem)ic. Now the new organizers impose price increases and restrictions and I bet trying to contact anyone is impossible. It will likely spell the demise of such events.
Why don't they apply the old maxim;
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" but no, they have to meddle in what was an efficiently run event.
_________________
Alan Drover.
1975 SWB hardtop with a 2.5 petrol engine, overdrive, front disc brakes, parabolic springs, hand throttle, Defender doors and Wolf wheels. New bulkhead and heated windscreens June 2020
Also a 1977 Stage 2 MGB GT.

[morson]

that is because the society we live in today is all politics and greed
_________________
Series 3 88" 1975 in restoration

[knappster]

The shows are becoming very corporate. The LRO show is an example. When the magazine ran it, it was smaller and cheaper, being more in touch with grass-roots Land Rover ownership. When it moved to an event company, it got bigger but prices went up together with conditions on clubs and exhibitors.
_________________
Rich.

Owner of a 200Tdi Disco-engined 90

[Alan Drover]

I fear the Longstock Vintage Working Weekend is going the same way. It's getting more formal with new organizers unlike the very informal Wallop Gathering.
_________________
Alan Drover.
1975 SWB hardtop with a 2.5 petrol engine, overdrive, front disc brakes, parabolic springs, hand throttle, Defender doors and Wolf wheels. New bulkhead and heated windscreens June 2020
Also a 1977 Stage 2 MGB GT.

[knappster]

A victim of the need for public liability insurance nd corporate ownership?
_________________
Rich.

Owner of a 200Tdi Disco-engined 90

[Alan Drover]

[frank]

The first thing that happened was the entrance fee rocketed sky high and then restrictions on what can be displayed on stands are imposed
Both these points are incorrect

The price is the same if you book in advance, and you can even do this from the car park when you arrive, there was no restrictions on what we could put on the stand we just had a lot of extra stuff including a 90
We have always had public liability insurance
_________________
Why do I run this club?
Because there are loads of great friendly people in it
Membership number 0001 yes I did start the club!!

[knappster]

Frank, I think the insurance issue is aimed at smaller local events, thus pricing them out of existence. As a club, we’ve always had insurance. I know that in recent years, the organisers of at least one of the larger shows had stipulated rules around camping on stands and a few other things, which is what I think Alan is getting at.
_________________
Rich.

Owner of a 200Tdi Disco-engined 90

[Alan Drover]

I don't book on line, the reason being that if it's a miserable day weather wise I don't go and if booked on line then I've wasted my money if I don't go and get thoroughly soaking wet and miserable if I do. There's nothing so miserable as going round a muddy field with soggy stall holders sheltering from the rain.
I may be in a minority by not booking on line but why should I have to pay extra for not doing so.
As for booking in the car park, supposing there's no signal?
Non technos are being penalised nowadays.
_________________
Alan Drover.
1975 SWB hardtop with a 2.5 petrol engine, overdrive, front disc brakes, parabolic springs, hand throttle, Defender doors and Wolf wheels. New bulkhead and heated windscreens June 2020
Also a 1977 Stage 2 MGB GT.

[frank]

What if there is a signal
There will be somewhere on the to the event with a signal
_________________
Why do I run this club?
Because there are loads of great friendly people in it
Membership number 0001 yes I did start the club!!

[Alan Drover]

I'll be sticking to local shows in future. Less faff and more enjoyable.
Shows are so more corporate these days unlike the ones as held at the Bath and West Showground which were informal and enjoyable. Shows like that are a distant memory.
I just hope that local shows don't go the same way. A large organization takes over and that's it.
_________________
Alan Drover.
1975 SWB hardtop with a 2.5 petrol engine, overdrive, front disc brakes, parabolic springs, hand throttle, Defender doors and Wolf wheels. New bulkhead and heated windscreens June 2020
Also a 1977 Stage 2 MGB GT.

[frank]

The show at Bath and west was run by Live promotions
the same company which run the other shows
_________________
Why do I run this club?
Because there are loads of great friendly people in it
Membership number 0001 yes I did start the club!!

[Alan Drover]

They made a better job of it then than they seem to be doing so nowadays.
_________________
Alan Drover.
1975 SWB hardtop with a 2.5 petrol engine, overdrive, front disc brakes, parabolic springs, hand throttle, Defender doors and Wolf wheels. New bulkhead and heated windscreens June 2020
Also a 1977 Stage 2 MGB GT.

[frank]

On that i agree
Jason and Rebecca were easy to get on with and we (the club ) would help them if we could with the loan of vehicles for other stands, we normally had more than we could get on the stand, unlike now when i cannot get any vehicles, is thsi just our clubs problem? no other clubs are getting the same problems
We would also see Jason and Rebecca in the evenings for a social get together
But things change
New staff and so do working relationships, and in this case not for the better
_________________
Why do I run this club?
Because there are loads of great friendly people in it
Membership number 0001 yes I did start the club!!

[Alan Drover]

Longstock Vintage Working Weekend has a new "management" and the informality has gone. At least exhibitors of classic vehicles still have free entry (but for how long?)
Wallop is still a casual event, just turn up and exhibit with the appropriate vehicle. Entry is by way of voluntary donation, a good way of shifting a pile of shrapnel. I always put a few quid in the bucket.
_________________
Alan Drover.
1975 SWB hardtop with a 2.5 petrol engine, overdrive, front disc brakes, parabolic springs, hand throttle, Defender doors and Wolf wheels. New bulkhead and heated windscreens June 2020
Also a 1977 Stage 2 MGB GT.