National Rally2019

But we're talking about ralliers and many do have alternative arrangements to live off EHU. There may well be people who don't rally attending the national but my guess would be that a lot are ralliers and can manage without. It's certainly quite unpleasant being near those large generators!

Oh dear you have missed the point again.  The issue isn’t ehu, it is the matter of compulsion.

 A large number of LV’s, didn’t they used to make vans?   Come fitted with SVP’s as standard, which indicates they don’t cost that much for the manufacturer to fit.  Even a retro fit doesn’t need to cost that much when compared to the cost of fitting a mover. 

@ 7ncj I hope you enjoy it should be loads to do.  We are currently on a “proper” Rally with our 18m granddaughter.   There are at least 3 other children younger than her attending, so give that a go as well!

And what is the cost of laying all these cables and all that infrastructure?  Please don’t compare the complexity of supplying the whole site with electricity with the relatively compact traders and arena areas.        I know of no one in my centre who is going not a single outfit.  They simply no longer see it as value for money.

Those that do go I hope you all enjoy it.  

Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend the national, as I will be busy running a Rally.

I have no idea of the costs Boff (no labour costs as we are all volunteers who also pay to attend the event like everyone else) an awful lot of the equipment is also already owned by the Club too, it has been added to over the years - it isn't bought new each time.

I know a lot of centre members who do not think it is 'value for money' yet willingly pay even more to book a club site for the long bank holiday weekend !!  I also know some who do not go because they are influenced by other centre members opinions of what it will be like ! which I think is sad, everyone should be encouraged to try one - it may not be their thing - but they will never know just by listening to others opinions, they may even find they do enjoy it (shock horror)  I am also amazed by how many 'objectors' all focus on how much money it must cost and are personally insulted that they are not listened to with regard to how the club spends on our behalf !  It is NOT our money, we are members yes, but not shareholders, our annual membership fee gives us access to Club facilities - not a say in how things are done and by whom. 

Anyway, I hope you have a great rally, we are running three this year, but thankfully not until after the National is over and done with  Have fun !

Alison

Lord What's-his-face and his chums are not renting out their stately piles just for fun. They need the income and have frequent events throughout the year.  In fact, while The Caravan Club is holding its National Rally at Ragley Hall there will also be a two day car show taking place there.

Because of events being held regularly there is infrastructure in place. Just not the same as the commercial showgrounds, which does mean those planning stately pile events can be far more flexible in their choice of layout.

Personally, I do prefer to be surrounded by trees rather than big sheds smelling of animal excrement and disinfectant.

I see the next one is Belvoir Castle in Leics, another good venue. Thanks for reporting back 7ncj, what a pity there was a lot of vehicle movement. When we went previously the children around us had a great time getting together and could play safely. But it sounds like you enjoyed all the things on offer and you were well away from the dreaded generators! Good to hear an honest report. 

See you there Alison

I was not aware of excessive motor vehicle traffic considering the metal temporary roadway was the only link between the two parts of the site, with the road to the outside world in between. Expensive to hire, no doubt, but a very wise move. What could encourage more use of bicycles would be having bike parks closer to the activities.

Non-EHU pitches were available (without any discount) if one was pitched on the end of a row and further from the electrical outlet box than the length of a standard cable. This was mentioned in the Information Pack suggesting we each brought two leads. Strange how joining leads is encouraged at the National Rally, yet banned on sites! Maybe the connection lying in long wet grass makes it safer . . . ? No sound from generators where I was pitched as they were well away from "lines" and sort of over the crest of a hill.

There seemed to be less outfits attending than anticipated as there were large areas marked out as pitches (and cabled up) lying unused. The quality of food was good, as were the traders, but there seemd to be very few of either. Perhaps the dropping of the word "rally" from the official title a couple of years ago is significant as it seemes to be moving towards being a show. Perhaps before long non-members will be able to attend.

Ragley hall was my first rally
I liked the evening entertainment, particularly the' ELO Experience' and 'Brass Lyrical'.

The number of traders and food outlets I thought was a good mix and plenty of.

I was surprised to hear that the 'Volunteers' had to pay the same entrance fee as the rest of us. Come on organisers, you couldn't hold a rally without the volunteers. let them in for free next time.

The other entertainment put on in the side tents seemed to be well attended.

I thought the 'Opening Ceremony' was rather poor in terms of the time it took, lots of waffle, poor sound system, brass band placed too far to one side of the arena. This needs rehearsing for future events.

The electric hook up, waste water disposal and fresh water collection were good. More toilets around the main arena were needed.

The price of  beer and drinks in general was excellent. Well done to the bar staff. Why do people take bags full of wine and spirits in to a venue rather than purchase over the bar.

My only gripe about the weekend was the number of pets and the noise they produced in the bar area. I did ask a member of the bar staff if they could have a word with one pet owner whose pet was constantly howling during one of the music performances. I was told that there was nothing the staff could do and I should write to head office.

Overall, not a bad week-end but this will be my last visit to a 'National Rally'.

We attended the Charlbury National, being my 4th National and my wife's first. Remember the nationals as a teenager back in the '70's when an excess of 3000 units booked in - and if you hadn't booked by end of January you had no chance.

That was our last, my wife was not impressed and for me reflecting on what happened in the past can understand why these rallies are smaller now.

Just returned from Stoneleigh, Warner Leisure Motorhome show, there was an excess of 2000 units there for a normal weekend. Perhaps CMC should look at what others are doing that's attracting people.

Hi RnR,

the motor show certainly added to the event just the logistics of getting so many day visitors in and out through the gates along with our own that was awkward, as to the showgrounds issue yes we may well be able to get them for the extended time we need - but at what cost ?

I can just imagine the uproar from the members if we had to spend out more on sites for the National, we already get complaints about costs and we have volunteers running it that pay the same fees as everyone else, whereas Warners not only pay their staff, they ship in absolutely loads of hired outfits just for their use over the event. They are obviously a big company that doesn't have to answer to 'members' along the way.

Alison

Showgrounds are permanent venues with contractors available to build each event and they often run a continuous programme of events and shows, large and small making money from stall holders and on the gate charges. Plus revenue from conference, catering and social facilities for private hire. They are big businesses but some still struggle to keep going in some areas.