The future of rallies in the North East

14,217

16 Nov 2016, 10:05 pm #94

(16 Aug 2016, 5:25 pm)Craig Smith I have had the idea of a North East Showbus type even for some time now. The venue would be the key thing to attract people. I know that some groups would come. I am sure I would have the support of the County Durham Bus Preservation Group and the NEBPT. But... The problem is location. Beamish would be A good place but restricted.

The venue would ideally have A hard standing to prevent the mud bath if its wet. Carlisle Airport has been mentioned to me before. Its not that far up the A69 and has loads of room. Its also just off the M6 and that might attract people from further away.

Like C522LJR has said. We have had 8 buses brake cover this year. Some have been under restoration for years and some have been repainted at huge cost. So it gets me a little bit miffed when people say we have the same old things attending. The build up to each event takes time and effort.

The NNRG will be at Seaburn with 4710 and 4855. Come over and have A better chat with us. You can also look at our restoration photos of 4710 and 4855. We don't shy away from questions.

(20 Aug 2016, 6:45 am)Craig Smith This is the problem. Most of the Groups who own preserved buses in the North East have A mutual understanding of one another. But they wont work with one another. The Northern National Restoration Group has A fantastic relationship with the County Durham Bus Preservation Group. This is because all the major players in the groups have known one another for years now. If we do decide to pool our resources and put on some kind of event I would expect that we would get it right.

What we do need is the support of local counsels and organizations to help us set up A venue that is suitable to our needs. This will attract people to it. I believe that the future of bus rally's in the North East is secure but we do need fresh input from people. Not just in organizing these events but into the organizations themselves. Take the NEBPT and the 500 group.. Do you see anyone under 30 among them who is actively involved?

I know that the NNRG actively encourage people to come and see us. That to me is the right way to do things. We are building the group to eventually achieve charity status. We are also planning to get A larger building.
When this happens perhaps we could hold events in this and have open days? I am approaching this as we have approached our restorations so far. To me the sky is the limit.

I must have missed these posts at the time. The recent reviving of the thread prompted me to read through the conversation and I found these two posts. Some of the points you have made have tied in with some thoughts rattling around for a while now.
It isn't me having a go at all and although everything is meant to be constructive, I will bet a fiver, one or two will take it personally, the wrong way or question what on earth I am talking about.

Rather than highlight specific bits, it's probably easier to reply in one go.

I cant speak for others, but in the post I made about the same vehicles attending (and others), I have meant every word said about the hard work and dedication put in by yourself and other preservationists.

However, I stand by what I said about the perception of the same vehicles attending.
For years, the public attending these events saw the same vehicles. Some appeared at all the events and some appeared at one or two and vanished for a bit. Once you have seen them at one event, I don't know why people would see them again time after time. Whilst not forgetting all of the dedication and effort put in to the restoration, I gave up going once the initial excitement of seeing a vehicle for the umpteenth time. It wasn't a novelty.
Maybe it's like someone getting a 'winner'. Once it's ticked off the list, it doesn't hold the same appeal as it had initially.

Despite having my toes in the 'enthusiast scene' (admittedly far less than others), I had no idea until recently about some of the new vehicles that have appeared. From the chats we have had, I would hope you were aware of my interest in older vehicles.
I was gutted to have missed out on the Roe 3469 and despite having the odd neb on various sites, didn't even know it was in the position to be 'put on show'.
Now if an enthusiast interested in vehicles from that era isn't aware, how can the general public be? And that goes back to what I was saying about perception of it being the same old.

To touch on the points about groups knowing each other and there being very few members under the age of 30. Why aren't there members under 30? Why haven't more 'outsiders' got involved? Why isn't membership outside of what I would call a 'pretty tight ship crossed with a closed shop' growing? Why is there a perception (even amongst some enthusiasts) of it being the same old at each event?

There was mention in your post of councils supporting events.
This isnt me having a go at all - but who from the various bus groups has the skill, ability, tact and ultimately experience in dealing with high level, decision making LA executives? Ditto marketing or understanding of the legislation behind setting up a registered charity.
I can think of members who can drive, members who can fit parts, others who can weld and those who have contacts in the bus industry. From the outside looking in, the expertise and strengths clearly lie in specific areas.

I am of the opinion that the change of venue from the Metrocentre can either make or break the rally and preservation scene.
It is up to the various organisations and people involved, to pull together and come up with something that will assist in the growth and popularity of these events. Ultimately changing whatever perceptions there may be (whether they're right or wrong perceptions) and attracting people from outside the clique, who can help.

'Illegitimis non carborundum'

Andreos1