(06 May 2019, 9:06 pm)Adrian wrote I was really pleased when I heard that this rally was going back to the Metrocentre. Whilst I appreciate that the NEBPT had to move quickly to find a replacement site, when intu said 'no' in 2017, I just don't think it was ever suitable. However, as soon as I arrived at the Metrocentre, the first thing I noticed is how quiet it seemed. The numbers seemed to be down dramatically compared to the last few rallies there, and so did the amount of vehicles in attendance to be honest.

It was great seeing the locally preserved buses out in force, some fresh to the scene, and others that we haven't seen for a few years. The highlight for me was seeing former Tyne and Wear PTE 413 / JFT413X back on the scene. What a fantastic preserved bus this is - a credit to the group that owns it. It was also nice to see two new debutantes in ex-GNE Transbus MPD 574 and ex-GNE Renown 4898, fresh in it's 'Lime v2' branding. Both are an absolute credit to their owners.

For me though, what really lets this rally down, is the real lack of organisation. Something which I've commented on before, but appears to show more and more. 

Even before the rally day, I found the lack of advertising of the event to be somewhat surprising. This goes back to the 'well its always on every year' attitude, which I cannot disagree with as a statement, but it is never going to grow the rally into an event. I think this shows in the attraction to outside of our region, with none of the preservation groups a little further afield, choosing to support the event. A stark contrast to something like Kirkby Stephen, despite it only being 55 miles away. Its also worth noting that 10 out of the 24 vehicles listed as participating in the event were not present, and others in attendance weren't listed. I appreciate that things change at short notice, but 10/24 is almost half of your line up gone. 

At the rally itself, I found the layout to be somewhat confusing. Lots of cones and tape around areas on the way in, but no real explanation (or rally stewards) to say why or what for. The majority of people choosing to walk straight through the road and into traffic instead, given that the staff car park to the right was still open. The site itself was parked up better than in previous years, with buses being adequately spaced, rather than cramped together. Although this still made the rally look quiet, given half of the car park remained empty. 

The 'free' bus service, as others have alluded to, was probably the best example of shocking organisation. Although the bus stop was on your immediate right as you walk into the site as normal, there was nothing to say what was going on. In previous years, there was a circular service and also one running up to Tanfield. Routes were listed by the stop, and a list of times also present. Nothing was this year, and the rally stewards didn't seem to know what was going out and when, other than it appearing to be every half hour. Perhaps the most bonkers thing that I witnessed, was two of the stewards wanting to argue with two separate bus owners, for wanting to donate their time, personal expense and bus, to operate on the rally's 'free' bus service. Pedantically arguing about set times, whilst ignoring the long queue of people waiting for a bus. The owner of the Lime bus was actually held for a good 5-10 minutes, despite being full, just to appease a steward. Unbelievable really.

Oh, and I use the term 'free', because that is what it is incorrectly advertised at in my opinion. Whilst I appreciate that owners cannot charge fares and such, I do think that the rally organisers could do a hell of a lot more to support those owners willing to let their buses be used on the service. Perhaps selling 'rally supporter' wristbands on their trade stall, and the owners only permitting entry to wristband holders? The proceeds from the wristbands could then be divided up as a donation to each of bus volunteered on the bus service. But failing that, something as simple as bucket collections in the queue would be a start. Whilst the organisers continue to label it as a free service, I believe it'll always incorrectly set people's expectations in terms of a donation. 

Unfortunately I think we'll have the same gripes about Durham, Whitley Bay and Seaburn, and I cannot see it changing soon. We have one organisation now arranging five rallies a year, and that is probably three more than we actually need to have.

Now, big'un would get on board (badum tish) with wristbands!

We'll most likely be at Durham, but that's because we can pretty much walk to it. Whitley bay depends which way the wind is blowing because it's a bit rubbish for the amount of travel involved. Seaburn is a nice one but we're often elsewhere, that day.