Ragley Hall
- Thread starter ashley
- Start date
Ashley
just read your e-mail; Lesley and I are going to Stratford on the 8th, visiting Ragley Hall on the Sunday (we hope - I don't have the ticket yet!) then staying over on the 9th to travel back on the Monday. Trouble is, the 928 30th birthday bash was cancelled, so we have been left 'marooned' as it were.
Cheers, Ian
just read your e-mail; Lesley and I are going to Stratford on the 8th, visiting Ragley Hall on the Sunday (we hope - I don't have the ticket yet!) then staying over on the 9th to travel back on the Monday. Trouble is, the 928 30th birthday bash was cancelled, so we have been left 'marooned' as it were.
Cheers, Ian
I'd be interested in our regions members thoughts on the day. Reading other threads on this site and other forums it seems that it wasn't so good and I didn't miss anything!!!
Please put your thoughts on here, its important that the club hears the voice of its members, including those north of the midlands!!!!!
Please put your thoughts on here, its important that the club hears the voice of its members, including those north of the midlands!!!!!
ashley
New member
Nick,
I enjoyed it but it was the first national event we'd been to, As we stayed overnight nearby we were there early and queuing to get in wasn't a problem.
Food and drink were sadly lacking big queues and not much variety even early on, those that arrived later would have missed out. Can't think why there weren't more mobile catering units like at Croft on BTCC days.
Overall enjoyed the experience but like others have said elsewhere needs to be better organised for me to attend again.
I enjoyed it but it was the first national event we'd been to, As we stayed overnight nearby we were there early and queuing to get in wasn't a problem.
Food and drink were sadly lacking big queues and not much variety even early on, those that arrived later would have missed out. Can't think why there weren't more mobile catering units like at Croft on BTCC days.
Overall enjoyed the experience but like others have said elsewhere needs to be better organised for me to attend again.
aburton
New member
Hi Nick
Pat & I went. Having never been to a National event before (apart from Houghton Towers in the north of the country some time ago) I am not in a position to compare with previous events, however I must admit to being slightly disappointed overall.
On the minus side:-
1. Appalling length of time and queue to get into the event. We left the local Travelodge (within 1.5 miles of Ragley Hall) at 10.20am, and were immediately in the queue for Ragley at the Travelodge exit. We actually turned into the gates one hour later. The local and through-traffic must have been furious about the total gridlock on the surrounding roads/roundabouts, and I don't suppose the police were too happy about it either, to say nothing of us lot waiting to get into the grounds. The Belgian couple who bought my old 911 Turbo 2 had come over for the event. They arrived at 10.00am (supposed opening time) and had to queue for over 30 minutes to get in. At the very least it should have been arranged for more queueing inside the grounds, rather than clogging up the public roads outside.
2. Lamentable lack of amenities for eating and drinking provided at the event. Unfortunately Ragley's own restaurant was closed. If it had been open, it would have done some brisk business. It would have been so easy to have had some extra food outlets provided. Just what are people supposed to do all day for food and drink, especially for those who had travelled considerable distances to get there that morning??
On the plus side:-
1. Weather was OK. This meant that it was quite pleasant in the queue with the Boxster top down, however it must have been hell stuck in fixed-top cars, especially those which run hot.
2. Lots of lovely cars there, both on the displays and in the general parking (which was definitely 'general'). I would say it was a good turn out.
3. Ragley Hall itself and the grounds were very nice.
Regards
Alan Burton
Pat & I went. Having never been to a National event before (apart from Houghton Towers in the north of the country some time ago) I am not in a position to compare with previous events, however I must admit to being slightly disappointed overall.
On the minus side:-
1. Appalling length of time and queue to get into the event. We left the local Travelodge (within 1.5 miles of Ragley Hall) at 10.20am, and were immediately in the queue for Ragley at the Travelodge exit. We actually turned into the gates one hour later. The local and through-traffic must have been furious about the total gridlock on the surrounding roads/roundabouts, and I don't suppose the police were too happy about it either, to say nothing of us lot waiting to get into the grounds. The Belgian couple who bought my old 911 Turbo 2 had come over for the event. They arrived at 10.00am (supposed opening time) and had to queue for over 30 minutes to get in. At the very least it should have been arranged for more queueing inside the grounds, rather than clogging up the public roads outside.
2. Lamentable lack of amenities for eating and drinking provided at the event. Unfortunately Ragley's own restaurant was closed. If it had been open, it would have done some brisk business. It would have been so easy to have had some extra food outlets provided. Just what are people supposed to do all day for food and drink, especially for those who had travelled considerable distances to get there that morning??
On the plus side:-
1. Weather was OK. This meant that it was quite pleasant in the queue with the Boxster top down, however it must have been hell stuck in fixed-top cars, especially those which run hot.
2. Lots of lovely cars there, both on the displays and in the general parking (which was definitely 'general'). I would say it was a good turn out.
3. Ragley Hall itself and the grounds were very nice.
Regards
Alan Burton
colinb1
New member
This was the first year in many that Matthew and I didn't go to the National Club Day / Weekend. We made that decision a year ago after making the trip to Eynsham Hall and finding activities like Scalextric being promoted as a major part of the weekend. As a showpiece for the club it was, simply, crap.
As the club seems, in many ways, to be so closely bound to Porsche Cars GB, it surprises me that there seem to be no guest speakers from Porsche; a 'clinic' perhaps where members can chat to technical folks from Porsche. What about a chance to see films from Porsche history? Each model will have had promo films made... I've even got some! I'm sure others could think of other options.
I also have to wonder why the big club event always seems to be in the south of England. Folks on other threads talk about Ragley Hall as if it is in the centre of the UK. Not on any map that I've got.... or is it just that there would be a reluctance from members in the South East to travel more than 100 miles in their cars in one day? Would somewhere like Donington not be a 'fairer' venue? Or - heaven forbid.... move the venue occasionally so that members in Scotland or the North East etc don't feel quite so ignored?
I don't expect anything will change. I expressed similar views to the PCGB committee back in the early 1980's and they're still making the same mistakes.
If it's another stately home event in the south next year I won't be there. Hey ho! [
]
As the club seems, in many ways, to be so closely bound to Porsche Cars GB, it surprises me that there seem to be no guest speakers from Porsche; a 'clinic' perhaps where members can chat to technical folks from Porsche. What about a chance to see films from Porsche history? Each model will have had promo films made... I've even got some! I'm sure others could think of other options.
I also have to wonder why the big club event always seems to be in the south of England. Folks on other threads talk about Ragley Hall as if it is in the centre of the UK. Not on any map that I've got.... or is it just that there would be a reluctance from members in the South East to travel more than 100 miles in their cars in one day? Would somewhere like Donington not be a 'fairer' venue? Or - heaven forbid.... move the venue occasionally so that members in Scotland or the North East etc don't feel quite so ignored?
I don't expect anything will change. I expressed similar views to the PCGB committee back in the early 1980's and they're still making the same mistakes.
If it's another stately home event in the south next year I won't be there. Hey ho! [
]
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