April Regional Meeting

[Mike Pink]

Just a reminder this is on this Easter Sunday, at 6.00pm at The Navigation Inn, Stoke Bruerne. Given it is school holidays and Easter, I am not anticipating a large turnout, but if you are free please come along for a chat.

Can I also remind everyone in Region 10 that it is the Car Clinic morning at OPC Silverstone on Saturday 17 April. Please get there by 9.30am if you can, to ensure you have a slot. There are a (very) few slots left now if you haven't already registered an interest in coming. Contact me at R10@porscheclubgb.com for details.

 

[ClubSport 911]

Mike. Regarding this Sunday, why 6pm ? For many people if they travel, then it is too early for them to eat when they leave, and if they arrive for a 6pm start then they end up doing Scooby Snacks whilst the meeting is in full flight (so to speak). It's a sort of "in between time"....

Also, why in PP w.r.t. venue for our meeting, does it say "refer to RO". I appreciate we do change venues from time to time, but we ought to have some measure of consistency.

 

[Guest]

I think 6 is better than 7 Steve. As most people seem to disappear no later than 8.30pm it makes the evening very short. Also the earlier, the more time we have to mooch outside

 

[Mike Pink]

ORIGINAL: ClubSport 911

Mike. Regarding this Sunday, why 6pm ? For many people if they travel, then it is too early for them to eat when they leave, and if they arrive for a 6pm start then they end up doing Scooby Snacks whilst the meeting is in full flight (so to speak). It's a sort of "in between time"....

Also, why in PP w.r.t. venue for our meeting, does it say "refer to RO". I appreciate we do change venues from time to time, but we ought to have some measure of consistency.

Steve

I understand your queries, and sorry if it doesn't suit you, but I can only do what I feel is right....

Re 6.00 pm. Like all things, we can only try things out..... If it works, fine. If not, it will change - again. 7.30 pm was argued to be too late for some. Also, being earlier increases amount of day light - and (in winter) less likelihood of frost/fog by the time people go home (less risk of accidents, etc). Perhaps lunchtime might work....there again, this is only of real concern for the winter meetings - summer meetings are daytime generally anyway. Regarding food; a lot of people eat their main meal at lunchtime on a Sunday - hence the classic "Sunday roast lunch" offer at eateries up and down the country. No one time suits all. No one venue suits all. Even moving from 7.30 is a quantum leap. Maybe back to 7.30 if not a success.

Re: "contact RO" in PP. The move over the summer to a variety of venues worked well last year - with enough notice - I did not hear reports of hoards of confused R10 members turning up at the wrong location (though v.sorry to those who did). The turnout last summer was on average 50 - 100% greater than in previous years. If I put "The Navi" as location for monthly meetings - and it isn't, then it WILL cause confusion. Also, "The Navi" landlord happy for us not to be there in the summer as his trade picks up and we displace paying punters.

May meeting is 6.00 pm (with access even earlier) at the Cowpers Oak, near Olney. If that was at 7.30 rather than just after the Stoke Goldington rally, members would have time to kill - either going home or looking for a dinner venue. The flexibility on timing was aimed at making it easier. June is in Emberton Park for a BBQ. July is at Shuttleworth. August is at the OPC. I accept that Shuttleworth has an entry fee, but that includes an air display and show. If no one wants to go, so be it.


All in all, I took the RO role on as a stop-gap when the previous RO stood down and I am happy to step down from running the Region at any time. So perhaps, Steve, this is your chance to make the big changes......

Mike

 

[Guest]

Hi Mike, Hi Steve,

New boy here with a quick tuppeneth, have to agree that it would be better to have a set meet at a set place like every second Thursday at the Navi or what have you.

Has been that way with previous clubs I have participated in and it's a bit like the old Chelsea Cruise, first Saturday of the month became the norm and everyone knew what was happening, the event starts to gather a bit of momentum and develops into quite a get together, whereas if you are constantly checking what's on and where, it's a bit hit-and-miss and starts to feel like hard work.

Also as the region is MK and Northants, can we find somewhere that is sort of geographically central or is there a particular reason that we go to the Navi? Not that I have anything against the place, Stoke B is only 10 minutes from me and it's a nice pub, but what about somewhere more accessible for anyone who might want to come over from the East of the county - have we got members over there? Or could we stick a few pins in a map, showing where people are regularly coming in from and pick a place somewhere in the middle? Just a thought.

Personally I don't mind who is in charge, don't know either of you well enough to offer a preference to be honest(!), but Steve you seem to have done a good job getting people involved in the Stoke Goldington event so am sure 'the membership' would back you if you wanted to take it on, I certainly would. Have done the 'stepping into the breach' myself as Mike has and the job can take all the fun out of the car when it outstays it's welcome, which ultimately defeats the object.

Cheers guys

JG []

 

[Guest]

Apologies for not making it along to the meeting on Sunday. I was on holiday, so obviously I cannot comment on whether it was a good suggestion to start it earlier. I have read that some newer members turned up so I would conclude that it must have been a good thing though.

Last year Mike made the decision to chop and change the venue during the Summer and initially I thought it was a bad decision however in retrospect it turned out fine and we didn't have the problem of parking in the popular and busy Navigation and having to find a seating area to cater for all of us. So I support Mike's decision to try other meeting points during the Summer.

As for the times, like some members I have young children and a wife that do in fact like to come along, not only to see other Porsches but as a social. The 6pm or earlier start suits me so that I can leave earlier to get the kids home and in bed.

Mike has a difficult job as RO and it is clear that he will never please everyone, even R10 Gruppe A. I know how frustrating it can be as an organiser, from my many experiences in trying to arrange events where no one else turns up. If you disagree then try posting an event on the forum or in PP and see how many people you get who are genuinely interested. How about John and Peter and anyone else with their own 'tuppeneth' demonstrate their enthusiasm by organising an event for all of us?

The RO job is not something I would volunteer for, especially knowing that I may be openly criticised.

 

[Guest]

Have to agree Brian, RO is a tough job, no doubt about it. Someone has to make the decisions & they are never going to suit everyone. It would be bad news tho if any RO wanted out and felt they were stuck in the position as they had volunteered in the first place just to fill in whilst someone else was found, no-one should have their enjoyment of the cars soured as that's the number one reason for the whole club scene in the first place. Got that particular t-shirt myself.

Whoever leads the charge will have my full support, am turning out for Goldington and Donington and whatever else turns up as long as it doesn't freak the family out.

Some great ideas around for trips at the minute - OPC's and Donington immediately spring to mind but when I find something I want to do will post the details and anyone who wants to come can do so - probably do some RWYB at the Pod or Avon Park (Bug Jam anyone) this year for the crack so watch this space, also want to do the Alpine Event (AAN) at Croix in September, haven't been for 10 years but had a great time last time I was there. Know a great little hotel/auberge nearby so could sort that out too.

Cheers

JG

 

[dtunnicliffe]

Mike, et al,

I Know it is again on the South side of Noton, but I can recommend the Bell Inn at Beachhampton. Ample parking to the rear and they are a very friendly bunch. Tried, albeit unsuccessfuly to get a Stony Stratford and District Motor Club going over previous couple of years - fell by the way from the usual "you do it and I'll take part, just so long as I don't have to do anything" syndrome.. Anyway, I'd be happy to go and speak with the Publican if you would like. Let me know.

Cheers

Dave