(01 Sep 2021, 10:15 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The field is usually very full - even at the event in 2019 with all if 3 buses, it was full. I think we can only blame the fact that a lot of people are either cautious or unable to attend for the empty space.
And I will pick up on the number of rallies, too. Yes there are bigger rallies in other parts of the country that people feel it worth travelling to. In the space of 10(?) weeks, I have attended 5, all within 20 miles of my home. I've not even attended steam fairs which are attended by lots of vintage vehicles, which have also taken place nearby.
Where the bigger, better publicised events take place, are they one of many or are they pretty unique within their locality?
That's a fair point. The bigger rallies might be well advertised and attended but there are probably smaller ones which don't do so well in comparison.
For me it's not necessarily the number of rallies that's the problem but rather the amount of rallies organised by one particular group. As mentioned, there are seven rallies in total in the region: one is organised by the 500 Group; one is organised the Aycliffe Preservation Group; and five by the NEBPT (either wholly or partially). I haven't attended the Shildon one organised by the Aycliffe group so I can't really comment on that, however the 500 Group Teesside Running Day is, by leaps and bounds, the one that comes across as more organised which results in a more enjoyable experience - at least for me anyway. Not sure whether the 500 Group hold supplementary rallies elsewhere around the Teesside/Cleveland/North Yorkshire area (I'm sure Kuyoyo will correct me if they do), but I presume the reason why the Teesside Running Day delivers is because the organisers have a year to plan timetables, organise volunteers, liaise with preservationists, prepare programmes and whatever else needs doing. In comparison, rallies organised by NEBPT come across as being cobbled together at the last minute. Now I'm sure this is probably not the case, but it's the impression some people (myself included) are left with. Reducing the amount of rallies by three, leaving only Metrocentre and Seaburn, would reduce the workload and allow for more preparation and planning to make the two remaining events more special.