I suggested Herrington Country Park in Sunderland as a future rally venue on one of Facebook Groups after the MetroCentre Rally, easy access from both the A1 and A19.

I suggested Herrington Country Park in Sunderland as a future rally venue on one of Facebook Groups after the MetroCentre Rally, easy access from both the A1 and A19.

And Lambton!

And Lambton!

Whey Aye we will have it on Lambton Primary School Field.

I suggested Herrington Country Park in Sunderland as a future rally venue on one of Facebook Groups after the MetroCentre Rally, easy access from both the A1 and A19.

So long as it doesn't rain. Sunderland Steam Fair was called off last year because it was waterlogged.

Mind, whilst I think the talk of a 'super' rally is a good thing, I do think that there's an immediate piece of work of work that needs undertaking, in order to improve the viability of the events we currently have. Growing the Metrocentre and Durham for a start.

I know it was suggested earlier that people can make suggestions to the organisers, but my stance remains; it won't happen until the groups are more inclusive and that people know how to make suggestions. I do hope that happens, and I'm sure that this site would be more than happy to support input on such work.

Mind, whilst I think the talk of a 'super' rally is a good thing, I do think that there's an immediate piece of work of work that needs undertaking, in order to improve the viability of the events we currently have. Growing the Metrocentre and Durham for a start.

I know it was suggested earlier that people can make suggestions to the organisers, but my stance remains; it won't happen until the groups are more inclusive and that people know how to make suggestions. I do hope that happens, and I'm sure that this site would be more than happy to support input on such work.

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.

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 agree there is a need for new blood in certain restoration groups. To give an example if you look at the ages of the NEBPG's trustees, the youngest is 43 and the eldest 69. That's an average of 56 years old. However I also feel certain groups lack a willingness to engage with younger enthusiasts and do not embrace the benefits of multimedia technology.

Young people are the future of the preservationist movement and if certain groups do not make efforts to encourage their participation then they are only storing up trouble for the future. I remember going on an enthusiasts bus trip to Sandtoft Trolley Bus Museum on an Go Ahead MCW Metrobus when I was about 14. That would have been around 1988-1989. How great it would be if enthusiasts in the North East could organise a similar trip today and take active and/or preserved buses to rallies elsewhere,  

Its the Seaburn Rally next Monday, I'm just wondering will there be a printed rally guide and timetable attendees can purchase? The NEBPT website shows there are some interesting vehicles attending. If we had a timetable stating which buses were operating specific journeys then it would allow enthusiasts and members of the public to plan their day out. The proceeds of guide sales could be a good source of income for the NEBPT.

Charles

A couple of people are posting on Facebook that the MetroCentre Rally is to be no more.

There's rumours going around on Facebook that Intu no longer wants to hire the Metrocentre Coach Park for events, thus ending the annual rally that took place at the location.

A couple of people are posting on Facebook that the MetroCentre Rally is to be no more.

It's now going to be called "The Go North East Bus & Coach Show" [emoji14]

Or at least that's what people would have you believe that the last two or so years have been...

It's now going to be called "The Go North East Bus & Coach Show" [emoji14]

Or at least that's what people would have you believe that the last two or so years have been...

At least they turn up and give everyone something to look at..... it's not all about preservationists! I'm sure you agree......

At least they turn up and give everyone something to look at..... it's not all about preservationists! I'm sure you agree......

I feel this events downfall has been because of the large GNE presence, whilst half are happy about this, the other half ain't and I've heard a few preservationists say this year that they won't attend the MetroCentre Rally for this reason. This I feel causes a divide and has an impact on the atmosphere IMO.

A couple of people are posting on Facebook that the MetroCentre Rally is to be no more.

The Metrocentre management no longer wish to use the coach park for events, but the Trust have been seeking alternative locations. 
North East Festival of Transport still one to look out for in the last weekend of July.

I feel this events downfall has been because of the large GNE presence, whilst half are happy about this, the other half ain't and I've heard a few preservationists say this year that they won't attend the MetroCentre Rally for this reason. This I feel causes a divide and has an impact on the atmosphere IMO.

be good if stagecoach took something for this years rally along with the pride and joy that is arriva who bring the best and most buses there

The Metrocentre management no longer wish to use the coach park for events, but the Trust have been seeking alternative locations. 
North East Festival of Transport still one to look out for in the last weekend of July.

its not fare it should be at the metrocentre or somewhere close to that this is why i dont like the metrocentre because of bad decisions made by  the intu shopping group limited

i hope the rally will stay at metrocentre because thats the best rally of the year in my opinion

its not fare it should be at the metrocentre or somewhere close to that this is why i dont like the metrocentre because of bad decisions made by  the intu shopping group limited

Problem is though, May Bank Holiday Weekend is often a busy shopping weekend, so if a coach trip want to head to the MetroCentre, where would you park a coach if the coach park is closed off for a event?

Dread to think where the event could take place but apparently the rally is going to happen on April 30th, venue TBA.

Problem is though, May Bank Holiday Weekend is often a busy shopping weekend, so if a coach trip want to head to the MetroCentre, where would you park a coach if the coach park is closed off for a event?

Dread to think where the event could take place but apparently the rally is going to happen on April 30th, venue TBA.

The main reason why this is all happening is because Intu want to use the car-parking facilities at the Coach Park for staff in order to free up parking elsewhere around the Metrocentre. The more observant among you may have noticed that it has been renamed to something like 'Metrocentre Staff and Coach Park'.

The main reason why this is all happening is because Intu want to use the car-parking facilities at the Coach Park for staff in order to free up parking elsewhere around the Metrocentre. The more observant among you may have noticed that it has been renamed to something like 'Metrocentre Staff and Coach Park'.

Which is a fair point from them, they need the space, shame the road etc won't be re-tarmacked and have new lines etc, like the multi-story car park.

Problem is though, May Bank Holiday Weekend is often a busy shopping weekend, so if a coach trip want to head to the MetroCentre, where would you park a coach if the coach park is closed off for a event?

From what i can remember, don't they leave some space towards the bottom so coaches can still park? If so, it isn't really a problem.

Which is a fair point from them, they need the space, shame the road etc won't be re-tarmacked and new lines etc, like the multi-story car park.

Yup. It's a gutter for me too as I usually park there whenever I went to Metrocentre - with the recent signs which have went up, I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to park there at all now.

The Metrocentre management no longer wish to use the coach park for events, but the Trust have been seeking alternative locations. 
North East Festival of Transport still one to look out for in the last weekend of July.

Do you know if the latter is in place of the Seaburn rally? Or is it an additional event for the calendar? 

Quite looking forward to it, but it would be strange going back a month later for another rally. I would not be surprised to see Whitley Bay dropped either.

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its not fare it should be at the metrocentre or somewhere close to that this is why i dont like the metrocentre because of bad decisions made by  the intu shopping group limited

Unfortunately it's their land, and they can do what they like with it. I like the Metrocentre too, but you can't force someone to allow you to hold a free event.

That car park has been the official staff car park since the Centre opened in the 80s, they've just stuck a sign up because intu are dishing out PCNs to overstaying staff cars in the 'public' car parks and now they are trying the 'friendlier' approach.

At the end of the day, intu are a very successful retail landowner. Their business is shopping and leisure, not bus preservation. The decision isn't a bad one, it's the right one for them and their customers. With all due respect, enthusiasts ain't a group they want anywhere near their brand.

Perhaps GNE could hole a mini preservation type event in the location at Riverside?

That car park has been the official staff car park since the Centre opened in the 80s, they've just stuck a sign up because intu are dishing out PCNs to overstaying staff cars in the 'public' car parks and now they are trying the 'friendlier' approach.

At the end of the day, intu are a very successful retail landowner. Their business is shopping and leisure, not bus preservation. The decision isn't a bad one, it's the right one for them and their customers. With all due respect, enthusiasts ain't a group they want anywhere near their brand.

Perhaps GNE could hole a mini preservation type event in the location at Riverside?

I agree with all the above.

Would be good for GNE to host it.

That car park has been the official staff car park since the Centre opened in the 80s, they've just stuck a sign up because intu are dishing out PCNs to overstaying staff cars in the 'public' car parks and now they are trying the 'friendlier' approach.

At the end of the day, intu are a very successful retail landowner. Their business is shopping and leisure, not bus preservation. The decision isn't a bad one, it's the right one for them and their customers. With all due respect, enthusiasts ain't a group they want anywhere near their brand.

Perhaps GNE could hole a mini preservation type event in the location at Riverside?

That is quite a stereotype to apply there mind...

That is quite a stereotype to apply there mind...

Quite - some of us will happily visit the event then go and pay over the odds for crap and chips that takes an hour to arrive at one of the restaurants in the qube.

That is quite a stereotype to apply there mind...

But if we're brutally honest, one that intu and most will follow.

Either way, if it was making intu decent money, it'd be going ahead

I think, we all agreed, after last year's near misses, that it's a dire location for the trips out which make rally worth it for so many, anyhow.

Hopefully the change of venue doesn't have a negative impact on the rally in various senses such as attendees and atmosphere. Should be intresting to see where the event takes place.

Saying about Go North East holding a event, perhaps they could do a family fun day at Riverside again like they did this year, I didn't go but it certainly seemed to be a popular event.

i hope the rally will stay at metrocentre because thats the best rally of the year in my opinion

IMO I feel that the 500 group running day is the best bus rally / event in the North East, it's certain the one I enjoy the most and look forward to.

I did notice on Faceache that there will be an alternative venue. Having a little think about this, I thought of possible locations.

• Metro Arena - Though Low Bridges around the area could be too risky
  
• Team Valley - There is or was some hard standing at the North End of the industrial area that has been used for funfairs, not sure if the land is still available.
  
• Great Park, Park and Ride Site - Tarmac Area with easy access from the A1, no facilities though.
  
• Gateshead Stadium - Though I believe parking isn't so good these day
  
• Gosforth Park / Newcastle Racecourse - Mainly grassed areas and could involve vehicles getting a bit stuck.
  
• Spillars Wharf
  

These are just my ideas which I just want to throw out there.