(20 Jun 2021, 5:41 pm)Charles41 wrote Have to say attendance was a lot better than usual. Only stayed about an hour but glad l went. GNE and JH vehicles were immaculate. Got some good books too. Might try to make Shildon Rally in August.

Charles

(20 Jun 2021, 6:18 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Though the NEBPT offering was a bit lacklustre - only 268 in attendance from their collection (plus 2099 on loan to GNE which operated a few shuttles till it expired in Durham City mid-morning).

(20 Jun 2021, 6:54 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The disablist language is quite unnecessary.

(20 Jun 2021, 7:06 pm)Adrian wrote Didn't bother with it, but looks like a good turnout by operators, providing a good variety.

From the photos I've seen, it looks like it wasn't that well attended by the preservation community. I wonder if this is related to the dates not being good for those involved in the groups, or whether it's linked to MOT availability, as Michael alludes to. Although I wasn't aware that was still an issue, following the backlogs last year.

(20 Jun 2021, 8:00 pm)Malarkey wrote I'd normally give Howlands Rally a miss due to being poorly attended and organised in the past but it was a nice surprise to see quite a few out for the event and weather this afternoon no doubt helped.

(20 Jun 2021, 8:23 pm)Adrian wrote Sounds good. It was a really good day for it too

I think its worth noting, especially given its been noted elsewhere, that there again seems to have been incidents of people "helping themselves" and letting themselves onto other peoples buses.

If the doors are shut, then take the hint. If it continues, I can completely understand if this becomes a major factor in preservationists desire to attend such events  and unfortunately it gives enthusiasts as a whole a bad name.

In my opinion, we've all got a responsibility to call this behavior out if we see it. Or even better, NEBPT are always looking for volunteers, so please consider volunteering as a steward.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

(21 Jun 2021, 11:28 am)V514DFT wrote I'd quite like to make it to a Rally sometime,ive never actually been to one

(21 Jun 2021, 1:42 pm)Ianthegoon wrote It's going to be a bit of an odd year for rallies, given the current situation!

I've only managed to visit a couple of rallies around the north-east, Howlands a few years ago and one at, I think, Seaburn.  Of the two, I preferred Howlands; nice mix of vehicles on display, combined with the shuttles to and from Durham city centre.  the folks I talked to were quite friendly as well, although one "enthusiast" let forth a stream of invective at something I'd allegedly done ..... I guess there's always one!

The thing I did notice, however, was that both were smaller events than the ones on the south west that I've done.  I guess at Howlands they're limited by the size of the venue, although the one in Chippenham has a smaller "base venue" but gets round it by using the bus station as a secondary venue together with being the start of the heritage services, with a shuttle between the two sites.  Seaburn, of course, was a slightly different situation, as it was a vintage vehicle rally with a fairly small selection of buses - wasn't really quite my thing, but I guess it would work for others.

Anyway, hope you make it to a rally, and that you enjoy yourself.  And, in the unlikely event that you find yourself in Gloucestershire on 11th July, I gather the Stroud rally is going ahead - usually a good one, so I may well pop over and see how it goes this year!

(21 Jun 2021, 1:42 pm)Ianthegoon wrote It's going to be a bit of an odd year for rallies, given the current situation!

I've only managed to visit a couple of rallies around the north-east, Howlands a few years ago and one at, I think, Seaburn.  Of the two, I preferred Howlands; nice mix of vehicles on display, combined with the shuttles to and from Durham city centre.  the folks I talked to were quite friendly as well, although one "enthusiast" let forth a stream of invective at something I'd allegedly done ..... I guess there's always one!

The thing I did notice, however, was that both were smaller events than the ones on the south west that I've done.  I guess at Howlands they're limited by the size of the venue, although the one in Chippenham has a smaller "base venue" but gets round it by using the bus station as a secondary venue together with being the start of the heritage services, with a shuttle between the two sites.  Seaburn, of course, was a slightly different situation, as it was a vintage vehicle rally with a fairly small selection of buses - wasn't really quite my thing, but I guess it would work for others.

Anyway, hope you make it to a rally, and that you enjoy yourself.  And, in the unlikely event that you find yourself in Gloucestershire on 11th July, I gather the Stroud rally is going ahead - usually a good one, so I may well pop over and see how it goes this year!

(21 Jun 2021, 7:43 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote Seaburn 2019 was quite small for buses turning up. The usual lot weren't there.

Howlands Park & Ride is okay but parking the buses is a task. Is there another Park&Ride near Durham for them to use

Whitly Bay went terrible when it was moved out of the car park

Metrocentre is decent but much prefer the rally down the quayside where it was held for 2 years

(22 Jun 2021, 7:59 am)Micheal Aaron wrote Which out of the 3 is the biggest

(22 Jun 2021, 8:34 am)omnicity4659 wrote Belmont from looking at Google Maps.
Sniperley is the smallest.