ROVER P5 35th Anniversay National Rally 2020

[David]

ROVER P5 35TH ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL RALLY
6th September
The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare.
Special Museum Flights day - open to the public.

The club is looking to try 'something different' for next years National Rally.
The following is, at this stage, still in it's planning , but I would appreciate your response to this itinerary.

We are simply trying to establish the level of interest.

Location:
The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare.
Close to the M5 Junction 21 (2 miles)
The worlds largest Helicopter Museum features a collection of more than 80 helicopters and autogyros from around the world, both civilian and military.
Plenty of parking, cafe, disabled facilities.
The Rally will be inside the museum grounds in a sectioned off area of hard standing next to helicopters, pilots block exhibition and a giant rocket.
The Special Museum Flights Day is open to the public.
Special discount entry and a guided tour with ‘open cockpits’. £6.50 adults, £5.50 seniors payable to the museum on arrival.
Rally fee £5 to include plaque, programme and entering a draw for a free flight, on the day, in a helicopter.
You can also book a flight. The cost of helicopter flights is £42.50 per person and are best booked in advance to avoid disappointment on the day itself.
www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk/visitor.htm
Other marques will be invited.

ACCOMMODATION:
Premier Inn, Sidcot,Somerset
A discreet hotel set in its own grounds. Plenty of parking.
Restaurant (Beefeater) next door for all the family.  Plan to arrange a group hotel booking option.
Baltic Wharf Caravan Park.
Baltic Wharf Club Site is a waterside haven, located right in the heart of Bristol's beautifully re-developed dockland and linked by a convenient river ferry to the city centre with its lively shops and entertainments.
www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/england/southern-england/bristol/baltic-wharf-caravan-club-site/
Netherdale Caravan & Camping Park
Within walking distance (3 minutes) of the Premier Inn, Sidcot
www.netherdale.net/

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 'TOUR' OPTIONS:
Weston-super-Mare    www.visit-westonsupermare.com
Cheddar    www.cheddargorge.co.uk/explorer
Wookey Hole    www.wookey.co.uk/caves-and-attractions/
Wells & cathedral    www.wellssomerset.com/
Also Axbridge, Brean & Burnham-on-Sea.
All the above are located close or within the Mendip Hills.
Brunel's Suspension Bridge   www.cliftonbridge.org.uk
SS Great Britain & The Floating Harbour with Victorian Dockyard   www.ssgreatbritain.org
All within 30 minutes of the hotel.
Much further afield (1 hour 40 minutes) and if you require a motoring ‘fix’ is the Atwell Wilson Museum.  www.atwellwilson.org.uk

[grahamnutt]

Hi there David. Unable to vote as poor health might prevent my attendance. That said please put me down as being interested in this venue as I can stay with family who live in Bridgwater (that's about 25 miles from WSM).

Many thanks & best regards;

Graham Nutt *member 6945*.

[Brendan69]

I'd be up for this ON THE DAY. 

[tony356]

Nov 21, 2019 15:30:39 GMT David said:

ROVER P5 35TH ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL RALLY
6th September
The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare.
Special Museum Flights day - open to the public.

The club is looking to try 'something different' for next years National Rally.
The following is, at this stage, still in it's planning , but I would appreciate your response to this itinerary.

We are simply trying to establish the level of interest.

Location:
The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare.
Close to the M5 Junction 21 (2 miles)
The worlds largest Helicopter Museum features a collection of more than 80 helicopters and autogyros from around the world, both civilian and military.
Plenty of parking, cafe, disabled facilities.
The Rally will be inside the museum grounds in a sectioned off area of hard standing next to helicopters, pilots block exhibition and a giant rocket.
The Special Museum Flights Day is open to the public.
Special discount entry and a guided tour with ‘open cockpits’. £6.50 adults, £5.50 seniors payable to the museum on arrival.
Rally fee £5 to include plaque, programme and entering a draw for a free flight, on the day, in a helicopter.
You can also book a flight. The cost of helicopter flights is £42.50 per person and are best booked in advance to avoid disappointment on the day itself.
www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk/visitor.htm
Other marques will be invited.

ACCOMMODATION:
Premier Inn, Sidcot,Somerset
A discreet hotel set in its own grounds. Plenty of parking.
Restaurant (Beefeater) next door for all the family.  Plan to arrange a group hotel booking option.
Baltic Wharf Caravan Park.
Baltic Wharf Club Site is a waterside haven, located right in the heart of Bristol's beautifully re-developed dockland and linked by a convenient river ferry to the city centre with its lively shops and entertainments.
www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/england/southern-england/bristol/baltic-wharf-caravan-club-site/
Netherdale Caravan & Camping Park
Within walking distance (3 minutes) of the Premier Inn, Sidcot
www.netherdale.net/

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 'TOUR' OPTIONS:
Weston-super-Mare    www.visit-westonsupermare.com
Cheddar    www.cheddargorge.co.uk/explorer
Wookey Hole    www.wookey.co.uk/caves-and-attractions/
Wells & cathedral    www.wellssomerset.com/
Also Axbridge, Brean & Burnham-on-Sea.
All the above are located close or within the Mendip Hills.
Brunel's Suspension Bridge   www.cliftonbridge.org.uk
SS Great Britain & The Floating Harbour with Victorian Dockyard   www.ssgreatbritain.org
All within 30 minutes of the hotel.
Much further afield (1 hour 40 minutes) and if you require a motoring ‘fix’ is the Atwell Wilson Museum.  www.atwellwilson.org.uk

[tony356]

Unfortunately I cannot attend due to the distance from where I live in Renfrewshire, Scotland. I attended this year's rally in Yorkshire which is obviously in a fairly central and therefore more accessible position in the UK.

[tonyl]

I'd hoped that the first national I could attend with a running car would be a bit closer to the middle of the country. As it is, the only sensible route would be M11, M25, M4, M5, so it has to be a 'no' from me.

Good luck though.

[dhb5610]

Far too far away I attended this year's at Newby Hall, why can't these rallies be more central then perhaps more members would be likely to attend 

[blackrover]

I am interested in attending.

[Phil Nottingham]

Too far and the format unsuitable for us

[Brendan69]

Its always going to be a difficult one guys i think especially these days with the costs involved etc. Gone are the days when you could take the family out for a day at Skeggy on a tenna.

Some clubs have 2 regional meets each year albeit ive never really been a fan of this idea as it then creates a " us & them " thing which is not good and the main reason i left the AMOC as far too much politics involved.

Its a shame at the end of the day and we also have to think about our over seas members too who no doubt have the exact same issues and another reason as to why i continue to support as many local mixed car shows as i can each year as the rarity of seeing an old Rover always goes down well amongst the other cars on show.

[dhb5610]

I agree that it's a problem trying to get the right venue for the National P5 Meeting but the clue is in the name. As a fairly recent member, and a proud Rover owner it upsets me that annual that the meetings aren't better attended as our numbers are dwindling year on year and I also accept that the owners are getting a little older by the year, but the locations of the events aren't helpful. 
I suppose that there are more Rovers down south so that does dictate the location to a certain degree but to have the event in a more central place would make more sense. I believe that some members are missing out on what is a great event I attended this year's event at Newby Hall and although the attendance wasn't great it was a good day and one that I looked forward to and enjoyed immensely. 
The other way around this is to have regional gathering ie North,South etc but then they would only be small affairs and wouldn't have the same meaning. I'm a member of some very good and well attended local clubs but you can't beat a good national event. Please put a bit more thought into this in future so that more of us are willing to attend.

[Steed]

David.

We may attend, only 1.5 hours from us, but would like more detail of schedule/arrangements for the contributors event. 
Thanks

Andy

[dhb5610]

As you may have already worked out I'm giving this a bit of thought and it appears that people like the idea of a annual gathering but don't want to commit to a weekend or want to travel too far so why not try to combine the meeting with another related interest like a museum for example. I think people would take to this sort of thing. For example somewhere like the Coventry Transport Museum or other similar places. People don't necessarily want to commit to a weekend for many reasons one of which is financial either for the cost of accommodation or fuel etc but a day out with another attraction could be appealing 

[David]

Thanks for your honest replies - it really does help getting a better understanding.

The location of a national is very much dependent on who is willing to take the task on, as that person needs to be local to the event for obvious reasons. Having held it in Devon last year, Yorkshire seemed to be the choice for this year as much as for balance and local rep Ken Pick who kindly VOLUNTEERED to take on the task of National Organiser. As previous event organisers would confirm, a lot of work goes in to it and being local makes the task easier. 

We are also aware that to try an attend for a single day may be impractical, hence why a discounted hotel, caravan or camping option is always made available, with an emphasis on value for money.

The location is only a couple of miles off the M5, not far from the M4 and should you plan to make a weekend of it, has plenty of things to see and do, other than cars.

I must finally say, that as I am the one who has volunteered to organise next years National (besides being club editor, designing and publishing Take Five, being Admin on here and responsible for the clubs website) and trying to include something other than Rovers, the level of response has been less than encouraging.  Maybe, as Roverfest is on in August, we should simply shelve it?

dhb5610 - the event is planned at the worlds largest helicopter museum, with guided tour, open cockpits and VIP parking for Rovers so they can watch the various helicopter rides on the day. ;-)

[Eric R]

this proposal included a museum!

[Eric R]

wherever the annual is to be, its always too far for some especially if its on a coast. I made the trip to Harrogate only because members so far from Hampshire had made the effort to come right down here in past years - even so a pathetic 35 members attended.
However on this occasion David you hit the bolt on the head - Two Rover events just four weeks apart might be too much.
The Roverfest in 2017 to which our club was attached was successful with some 400 vehicles displayed.
I for one would have to choose between the two, both being equal distance from me.

[dhb5610]

Nov 23, 2019 14:07:53 GMT David said:

Thanks for your honest replies - it really does help getting a better understanding.

The location of a national is very much dependent on who is willing to take the task on, as that person needs to be local to the event for obvious reasons. Having held it in Devon last year, Yorkshire seemed to be the choice for this year as much as for balance and local rep Ken Pick who kindly VOLUNTEERED to take on the task of National Organiser. As previous event organisers would confirm, a lot of work goes in to it and being local makes the task easier. 

We are also aware that to try an attend for a single day may be impractical, hence why a discounted hotel, caravan or camping option is always made available, with an emphasis on value for money.

The location is only a couple of miles off the M5, not far from the M4 and should you plan to make a weekend of it, has plenty of things to see and do, other than cars.

I must finally say, that as I am the one who has volunteered to organise next years National (besides being club editor, designing and publishing Take Five, being Admin on here and responsible for the clubs website) and trying to include something other than Rovers, the level of response has been less than encouraging.  Maybe, as Roverfest is on in August, we should simply shelve it?

dhb5610 - the event is planned at the worlds largest helicopter museum, with guided tour, open cockpits and VIP parking for Rovers so they can watch the various helicopter rides on the day. ;-)

I fully understand the points that you are making and the lack of enthusiasm is not encouraging but the responses that members have are what they honestly think, and without thier opionions and support the club has nothing.Opinions are just that and shouldn't be taken as criticism and organising any event is arduous and time consuming, but it is more rewarding to see that thier efforts are appreciated by a good turn out. The event this year whilst very good was not well attended and thats in no way a criticism of the organisation more a reflection of what members think.

[Brendan69]

Nov 23, 2019 14:41:27 GMT Eric R said:

wherever the annual is to be, its always too far for some especially if its on a coast. I made the trip to Harrogate only because members so far from Hampshire had made the effort to come right down here in past years - even so a pathetic 35 members attended.
However on this occasion David you hit the bolt on the head - Two Rover events just four weeks apart might be too much.
The Roverfest in 2017 to which our club was attached was successful with some 400 vehicles displayed.
I for one would have to choose between the two, both being equal distance from me.

In what way were the 35 members who attended Pathetic Eric??? or were they just very naughty?LOL

[Brendan69]

Nov 23, 2019 14:07:34 GMT dhb5610 said:

As you may have already worked out I'm giving this a bit of thought and it appears that people like the idea of a annual gathering but don't want to commit to a weekend or want to travel too far so why not try to combine the meeting with another related interest like a museum for example. I think people would take to this sort of thing. For example somewhere like the Coventry Transport Museum or other similar places. People don't necessarily want to commit to a weekend for many reasons one of which is financial either for the cost of accommodation or fuel etc but a day out with another attraction could be appealing 

Not been to Coventry Transport museum for a while and enjoyed my last visit there too. Maybe a suggestion of the Heritage Museum @ Gaydon too could be considered. Great parking area and they have both The Queen's and former Prime Ministers Wilson & Thatchers Rover P5B cars there to look at and a great cafe to eat in.

Fairly central ish UK with the added bonus of absolutely no organising to be done by anyone. Just turn up, park up and pay your entry fee and enjoy. I am sure the museum would allocate us a decent sized area of the main car park too so we would all be togeather.

[Phil Nottingham]

Another point is that this forum contributors probably do not reflect the club membership as whole?

As to the ages of owners I remain unconvinced this is the reason.

The Nationals 20 odd years ago were very well attended indeed and spread out over England and we went to most of them.  I was of course 20 odd years younger but there did seem many more older and retired owners there most of whom have dropped off their perches by now or are no longer owners. 

My slowly deteriorating condition impacts on everthing I do now and I just cannot contemplate a 1 or 2 day event that far away although we do hope to go to Roverfest 2020 in August which is centrally situated in England.

The P4 Drivers Guild can still seem to attract a very good attendance (no idea why) at their Nationals however although few P5s attend.  The lack of P5s seems to be par for the local rallies round here - sometimes there are none at all.  Local to me is under 75 miles if the weather is good.

I do wish David well and the rally a success - organising one is something I could not contemplate under any circumstances as I still do far too much of that in my work life - only 2 months left of it though.

[dhb5610]

Nov 23, 2019 17:22:15 GMT Phil Nottingham said:

Another point is that this forum contributors probably do not reflect the club membership as whole?

As to the ages of owners I remain unconvinced this is the reason.

The Nationals 20 odd years ago were very well attended indeed and spread out over England and we went to most of them.  I was of course 20 odd years younger but there did seem many more older and retired owners there most of whom have dropped off their perches by now or are no longer owners. 

My slowly deteriorating condition impacts on everthing I do now and I just cannot contemplate a 1 or 2 day event that far away although we do hope to go to Roverfest 2020 in August which is centrally situated in England.

The P4 Drivers Guild can still seem to attract a very good attendance (no idea why) at their Nationals however although few P5s attend.  The lack of P5s seems to be par for the local rallies round here - sometimes there are none at all.  Local to me is under 75 miles if the weather is good.

I do wish David well and the rally a success - organising one is something I could not contemplate under any circumstances as I still do far too much of that in my work life - only 2 months left of it though.

Many points well made the cost is more of a problem these days and I think it's more older people that do own the Rovers as the younger people are more focused on cars from their own generation. The Rover is for me as I'm in my 60s now and remember from my youth. I also think that the P5 and especially the P5B does appeal less these days because although they are a reminder of an opulent age they do tend to use a bit of fuel.

I do think it is time to rethink the way the club does things,and yes it does require a more pro active approach from more of the membership as it is unreasonable to expect the same people to do everything. If thinks are left to there own devices there will be no club left. I think more local activities within the club would generate a better response to national events 

[Eric R]

the Club annual just before you joined Brendan included the Saturday meet at Gaydon. Many of the Annuals I have attended were in midland/East midlands such as Warwick and Cambs

[stirlingmg]

I can understand some people’s concerns about distance etc. It doesn’t matter if you have it at the bottom of Cornwall, the top of Scotland or in Haltwhistle in Northumberland (the most central town in the uk) it will always be too far for somebody. We had this with the 75/ZT owners club nationals as they were always within spitting distance of where the committee members lived, we all kicked up a fuss & now the national moves around the country every time making it fairer for everyone.
In my experience if you ask if people want a show or club meet at a set place you will always get many people saying it’s too far, it’s best just to plan it & announce it & if people want to attend they will. Personally distance doesn’t put me off, it’s all part of the adventure

[martinbay1]

Sorry, too far for me. Cheers

[Brendan69]

Well i went to Gaydon again this afternoon after visiting Caffein Machine this morning. Had a great time there and again at Gaydon and was again allowed to sit in Harold Wilson & Maggie Thatchers P5B which is situated inside the new building above the Jaguar collection where they keep all the overspill cars. The Queens back up P5B was also in there as well as her main car JGY 280 still on the main floor alongside her other official vehicles she used. Just 6000 odd miles on the clock too. Gorgeous car i have to say.

Thanks to the volunteer Stephen there for allowing me to sit in them. One for David, i know you are a Saab man and so was this Stephen chap so as we talked about P5/P5B's and alike i mentioned to him you were a Saab chap too so he may make contact with you at some point.

Again a great place, central ish and plenty of parking and things to see, eat and drink.