The future of rallies in the North East
The future of rallies in the North East
Thanks for seeing it from our point of view.
The trouble that we have with people coming into the group is that most people just want to turn up and drive. That's just not going to happen at the NNRG. We rightly run A very tight ship. You have to unfortunately. Or you will have trouble keeping the ship on cores with in fighting. I am not going to go into how the NNRG runs but its very successful. That said we would welcome new members. But they would have to bring something to the Group.
I read that once you have seen A newly preserved bus then after A few times you move onto the next. In the North East you have perhaps 7 groups that own multiple buses. Within those groups you have around 20 people who look after around 45 buses. My point is this.. I would welcome anyone with open arms who knows A Leyland National 2 and Volvo B10BLE as well as I do who could come in and help me crawl around under 4710 and 4855 and keep them on the road.
Unfortunately 98% of people just want to be there for the running days and rally's.
As many as 30 buses are sitting in sheds awaiting restoration in our region. We have one in 4681. But the groups who own them have perhaps only 4 or 5 members who actively restore the buses.
You are correct in what you say. People must get sick of seeing the same things. But People must understand that this is our hobby. Providing preserved buses at these events around our region. Its not something that we always do. I for one would get sick.
I know that we unveiled 4855 at the Metrocenter this year. We were so wrapped up in getting her and 4710 ready we did not think to tell people that they were coming. But on the NEBPT website there is A rally guide with A list of entry's on it.
As for the Charity side of it. Only the CDBPG isn't A charity. They are A registered Museum I think. Washington Heritage have and are continuing to help us. The NNRG are actively perusing several projects for next year that will help us gain more members and have open days to welcome more interest in what we do and promote our buses. But again I would welcome any membership. But even with A well publicised campaign on membership we had 3 enquires. 2 of those were "when can I drive 4710"
Within the groups I work closely with is the skill and the drive to put on A first rate event. I am actively involved with the Transport Weekend at Seaburn next July.
The NNRG is A fresh friendly group who welcomes people onto the buses at events. But we are also deadly serious about the preservation of our North East transport heritage.
