(06 May 2025, 9:55 pm)Adrian wrote I genuinely don't think they are. I think 95% of this kind of behaviour tends to happen because there's nobody prepared to tell them otherwise, and as seems to have happened over a couple of years now, they gradually become more and more boisterous. 

Don't get me wrong. I can see why people on a day out don't want to get involved, but this is where NEBPT stewards (and their need for more volunteers) becomes important. I haven't been to any for a couple of years now, but their volunteers appear to be dwindling in numbers and are far too thinly spread.

There's also a responsibility for those bringing buses. I think in the past that some behaviour has been enabled by those who should know better arsing around. Whether it be buses being ran up and down the rally site without a marshal, messing on with vandal alarms/horns, or even the drag-race incident last year. 

I've seen the JH Trident video and I agree, the behaviour in that is absolutely disgraceful and intimidating. I don't know the driver, but I actually felt a bit sorry for them. What really should have happened is the bus should have been pulled over, with them being told to get off. If they don't, then call the police. Again, it's another example of behaviour being enabled by not dealing with it.

I agree on your last point. I think everyone likes different things about a ride out on a vehicle, preserved or otherwise, but I think there's more than enough room for everyone to enjoy it in their own way. Fortunately the most runs I've been on have been like this, including ones we've both been on.


I don't think it's helpful to start name calling or stereotyping tbh. 

It's very difficult to ban them from somewhere like the Metrocentre Coach Park, which is essentially a public place, but Seaburn is a bit different with it being a private hire of the event ground. I do think there's other practical steps you can take, such as actively engaging with preservationists and operators alike, so that known troublemakers are well-known to everyone and you can at least prevent them from boarding buses.

Maybe that's the issue though? Not enough engagement with stakeholders.

I actually think it's a shame GNE pulled out, but I completely understand the reasons for it. I think it's a shame to all the young kids who enjoy that aspect of a rally, and on their part, it's a good PR exercise if done correctly. I've always thought they could make more of it, but it's usually been a bit of a free for all. This compared to somewhere like Whitehaven for example, where static exhibits are parked up and they don't move all day. 


That's an extremely serious allegation, I'd hope that your family friend reported those concerns to the Police at the time.

I don't share your experience of rallies. Fair enough, you're always going to get people aren't neurotypical, but I think it's helpful to try and draw parallels that don't exist. Most people I've encountered over the years have been sound, I've had good conversations with people and never had any issues really. I do find they've become a bit cliquey up here, but that is my only criticism.

Truth be told I just think the event is just seriously outdated and most likely the kids are just bored. 

Like I understand, 'its always been like that,' but a few buses in a car park isn't exactly exciting especially in today's time where people's attention span is much lower, thanks to TikTok and what not. 

imo the whole event needs moved and changed. Like personally if I was doing a bus rally I'd look for a site somewhere like where the Chilli Festival is at Blyth and run a shuttle service using vintage vehicles from Newsham Station and South Beach and then have everything else static.

At the same time I'd expand it and have things like a bouncy castle, some food options, maybe some live entertainment of some sort - possibly provided by the operators. The Arriva robot etc and stuff like that, the football games etc which often happen.

Make it a day out and make your money back from the alternative stuff. It's much more exciting than walking around a car park and would keep the kids entertained while working with your partners and creating a good link between the operators and passengers. If they still misbehave then it's time for them to leave the site.