Should the region be split?

**Trevor** · 21-12-2003 23:02

As there is already a clear north-south divide, should the region be split for monthly meets but stay as a whole for major events?

What do you think?

**Puntobabe** · 21-12-2003 23:30

yes and no, lol

I know where your coming from Trev, im slightly pi$$ed off with the fact that majority of regional events seem to be further south (near to where both the regional coordinators live) however, I think that our region is full of a very nice, friendly group of people and to break that up will be a shame.

Maybe one month the event should be in the southern part of the region and the next month it should be in the northern part. I dunno who else there is in our region in the Northampton area apart from you and Teddy, but even if it is just the two of you it is still not fair on you.

**mavvmad** · 22-12-2003 05:35

Apparently the Woolpack has reopened and we shall be returning there.

I dont think the split will be a good idea.

**Teddy** · 22-12-2003 07:46

Well its not a bad drive to the pub really I think it would be a shame if the region was to spilt.

As mentioned the region is made up of good people so i think it would be a shame to split.

Trev you are always welcome to jump in with me for a meet.

**Nobbie** · 22-12-2003 08:53

I still stand by my idea from way back, as Claire has just said, one meet south one meet north, every other meet!!!!!

**Ph@tboy** · 22-12-2003 09:15

Yeah gonna agree too, splitting up would be bad i think, but the one south, one north idea sounds good, i dont mind makin the trip atall as long as i got the fuel

Ben

**davescav** · 22-12-2003 12:01

I don't think it should, but if the region did split, I would still attend both new regions living so close to the centre anyway.

I do think convoys to major events should benefit centre and northern members more, coz I wouldn't mind meeting up in Aylesbury and travelling from there (even though its out of my way), but I'm not going to Reading or Oxford to join one, especially as most National events which we have no control over are always around Northampton.

As for having alternative meeting places one north and one south, I think it would confuse people too much. Keep it at the Woolpack and perhaps having stuff like Karting in Milton Keynes or Drag racing at Santa Pod would be nice as we have had Banger Racing near Oxford and an Xmas meal in Reading. I know that the Xmas meal was joint meet with South-East, but an event further north could be a joint East Midlands meet, especially if there is a competitive edge such as Karting etc.

**Tom Williams** · 22-12-2003 18:10

The region will NOT be splitting.

I had already suggested the Claire and i think Nick that having two meeting places and alternating the meets as this would allow all members be them north or south the chance to at least attend some of the meets.

It happens in all regions that some members travel further but I do think the Woolpack is a good location and its central to the region.

Tom

**nickyboy** · 22-12-2003 19:00

I understand where you lot are coming from but i see little point in splitting the region.

Regional activities are not based in the South of the region, what have we had that has been based there? Banger racing? That is an annual event where we have been numerous times before and get a discount for being regulars. The Xmas meal was located in Reading because it was done in conjunction with the South Central region although only a few attended. We did consider a joint one with East Midlans but there little enthusiasm for it and we did the same with South Central last year we thought we'd do it again.
Thats it, we dont have anything else down this way! The Rolling Road earlier in the year was in Northampton, Santa Pod is in Northampton, Billing is in Northampton.

As Mavv said, the Woolpack has reopened and i hope to get our monthly meets back there once the festive period is over and the crappy weather is gone. We have been using the pub since before i was a member of MIG and no-one complained then so how come all i get now is people saying that its not central or they want a meet closer to them, I know everyone would want a meet that is near to where they live but in reality that aint possible, i know some of you have to travel a bit further than others but its gonna be like that for someone whichever way we do it. Aylesbury is almost smack in the centre of the region give or take a few miles and is reasonably easy to get to.

Convoys to major events do favour the Southern lot but that is only because the major events we attend are pretty much all round Northampton, we try and sort it so we can pick up peeps en route or where this is not possible get other members to sort their own mini convoy and meet us somewhere, this worked fine for the Rolling Road as both convoys met up at the services on the M1, the only reason we dont go thru the region to let people join the convoy is the logistics of it. Having a convoy of say 20 cars travelling through the A/B roads of the region would be a nightmare to control and keep from breaking up, most of you have seen what happens when we have to pull over to wait for people to catch up, keeping on the main duel carraigeways etc makes it easier and safer for everyone.

Having 2 meets on alternate months would be to confusing for people who dont attend every meet, having it in the same place each month is better so that people who are maybe thinking about coming along can do knowing that we would be there and not somewhere else one month. When Claire and myself do the newsletters we put in it where the meet is located and directions etc and it is sent to every member on our database whether we have met/seen/spoken to them before or not, that way they know where the meet is and can pop along should they want to.

We are going to have a lot more activities next year than we had this year.
A joint Karting challenge is under planning with Olly and Adam
I have next years fixtures list for Santa Pod and we shall attend at least one days racing there not including the RYYB's
I would like to have an inter-regional Paintball tournament but it depends on the support from you lot and other regions.
Plans are underway for a weekend in July to compensate for the Billing ***k up although nothing has been decided yet.
Touring cars at Rockingham and Silverstone are also on the list.

I tried to get people to go to the Touring cars and Truck Racing at Thruxton but no-one wanted it

In the end Dave, Clare, Luke and myself went and had a great day.

Its not easy trying to organise a region the size of this and some kind of support would be appreciated instead of some kind of complaining everytime we try and do something. This is my hobby, i dont drink, i dont smoke, instead i try and organise stuff for you lot. You have no idea how i feel after organising something only for some people to complain it was too far for them or was too cold etc etc. Maybe its that time of year i dont know, in the summer at the Woolpack everyone was happy and i loved it, seeing you all having a laugh and enjoying it but now i wonder why i bother.

**Tom Williams** · 22-12-2003 19:06

here here.

Well said Nick.

Tom

**mavvmad** · 22-12-2003 19:07

Nick,

I for one one completely agree with you.
The woolpack is smack in the middle and fair to everyone. Even Nick and Claire have to travel a fair distance to get to it the same as the rest of us.

They do alot of hard work trying to keep us all happy and big up to them for it too.

Come on you lot, stop bleedin whinging and lets pull together as a REGION the way it used to be.

Mav

**Teddy** · 23-12-2003 07:57

I dont mind travelling as mentioned those of us which live this way do have everything on our doorstep.

Billing PVS etc.........

So i dont mind travelling.

**Puntobabe** · 23-12-2003 16:01

Originally posted by nickyboy
Having a convoy of say 20 cars travelling through the A/B roads of the region would be a nightmare to control and keep from breaking up, most of you have seen what happens when we have to pull over to wait for people to catch up, keeping on the main duel carraigeways etc makes it easier and safer for everyone.

not so true.... when I was involved with CS we had a major meet in Leicester. We started a convoy in the Luton area which started of about 10 or so, we then picked up about another about 5 cars on the motorway and at the services, we then all stopped outside my mates house in Nuneaton (yes all 15+ corsas) and then we all followed him through Nuneaton to Leicester. It can be done, we lost none, there were no accidents. It was a right laugh just to see peoples faces when loads of modded corsas passed them one after the other.

Originally posted by nickyboy
When Claire and myself do the newsletters we put in it where the meet is located and directions etc and it is sent to every member on our database whether we have met/seen/spoken to them before or not, that way they know where the meet is and can pop along should they want to.

In the year and a half that I have been a member of this region I have only recieved one e-mail notifying me of a meet

I'm sure there has been more than one event/meet considering that I have attended more than one. Also when I had no internet access (which some members, inc one of the co-ordinators knew) I was not notified that monies for the Xmas Meal had to be in by a certain date and so was lucky that I was still able to attend.

I am not having a dig or a moan, I just dont think alk that can be done is being done. And yes I still am considering not re-newing my membership in the new year.

**davescav** · 23-12-2003 17:49

Originally posted by nickyboy
Thats it, we dont have anything else down this way! The Rolling Road earlier in the year was in Northampton, Santa Pod is in Northampton, Billing is in Northampton.

Fair point, but national events the region as a whole has no control over this. I still think we should have convoys running from Aylesbury.

Originally posted by nickyboy
We are going to have a lot more activities next year than we had this year.
A joint Karting challenge is under planning with Olly and Adam
I have next years fixtures list for Santa Pod and we shall attend at least one days racing there not including the RYYB's
I would like to have an inter-regional Paintball tournament but it depends on the support from you lot and other regions.
Plans are underway for a weekend in July to compensate for the Billing ***k up although nothing has been decided yet.
Touring cars at Rockingham and Silverstone are also on the list.

I tried to get people to go to the Touring cars and Truck Racing at Thruxton but no-one wanted it In the end Dave, Clare, Luke and myself went and had a great day.

Its not easy trying to organise a region the size of this and some kind of support would be appreciated instead of some kind of complaining everytime we try and do something. This is my hobby, i dont drink, i dont smoke, instead i try and organise stuff for you lot. You have no idea how i feel after organising something only for some people to complain it was too far for them or was too cold etc etc. Maybe its that time of year i dont know, in the summer at the Woolpack everyone was happy and i loved it, seeing you all having a laugh and enjoying it but now i wonder why i bother.

I know it can't be easy sometimes Nick (and Claire), you guys do a great job, but you must be able to see where people are coming from. Would deffinately be up for anything that goes on at Rockingham/Silverstone/Santa Pod, and I'll be more than happy to kick your @rses at Karting regardless where in the region its being held. In fact, we could do the Karting in Woodley in Reading so 1 - the Southern people don't think there is a northern bias, and 2 - Gaz may be able to make the journey without incident.

**Colonel K** · 23-12-2003 19:37

I would of attended everything if I had had the cash-money ya hear? $$$$

**nickyboy** · 23-12-2003 19:48

In the year and a half that I have been a member of this region I have only recieved one e-mail notifying me of a meet I'm sure there has been more than one event/meet considering that I have attended more than one. Also when I had no internet access (which some members, inc one of the co-ordinators knew) I was not notified that monies for the Xmas Meal had to be in by a certain date and so was lucky that I was still able to attend.

I am not having a dig or a moan, I just dont think alk that can be done is being done. And yes I still am considering not re-newing my membership in the new year.

We have only begun sending out the mailers, there have been 2 that we had done. Cant remember when they were sent as Claire has all the details on her computer. If your membership had run out at some point then you may have missed one as we go by the latest update from Paul, it may not have been updated at the time they were sent out.
About the Xmas meal money, i'm sorry Claire i knew you didnt net access but i had nothing to do with the organising. Claire was in charge of that and when she decided she didnt have time Tom took over. If i knew that no-one had contacted you then i would have done so. Sorry

As for not re-newing your membership, why? Thought you enjoyed the meets/events etc. If ya ever stuck for a lift anywhere as you aint got a car then you only have to ask

**mavvmad** · 23-12-2003 20:09

but national events the region as a whole has no control over this. I still think we should have convoys running from Aylesbury

Ok this issue could be addressed, both coordinators live to the south of the region so its a bit unfair to expect them to go out of their way to start the convoy only to have to come back the same way.

I am sure that if the co-ords were asked they wouldnt mind someone in the region starting one from their end provided we all end up meeting before going into the event as I know the mods like us to turn up in region as it makes their lives a bit easier when trying to organise the stands etc.

**nickyboy** · 23-12-2003 21:07

but national events the region as a whole has no control over this. I still think we should have convoys running from Aylesbury

All depends on where the event is. What we dont want is a convoy of 10-20 cars gettin lost or gettin broken up with traffic lights etc and then attracting the likes of the old bill.

By all means we can have another smaller convoy leaving from somewhere like that, we can arrange that with someone on the lead up to event. Then we can arrange for the 2 to meet up en route, works out easier that way.

I'll give you a brief example if i may.
When i attended the rolling road day in Hastings with the south east region some time ago we had a convoy of almost 30 cars and on more than one occasion it ended in a near pile up on a duel carraigeway, people went the wrong way because they went steaming on ahead of the lead car etc. I know we are all sensible people but it does happen as the addrenalin amongst us kicks in, being with friends on the road in cars etc etc.
Another example on the same trip is when we got to Hastings, the convoy had got split up and as we headed thru the one way system the lead car decided he didnt know where he was going and stopped, chaos ensued for over 10 mins as the convoy had blocked the one way system. We then spent the next half hr driving round following each other it seemed until someone could find out where we were going, at one point we had 15 cars in a small residential St doing 3,4 and even 73 point turns.

Maybe a bit of a OTT example but you can see where i'm coming from. I want to keep you guys as safe as possible and keep any convoys we have away from adverse attention.

If theres some one in the Aylesbury/Hemel area who wants to take charge of a convoy should we require on e from there then let me know when we are organising an event etc.

Any more suggestions then PM me, i shall listen to anything you have to say.

I'm doin me best.........honest

**mavvmad** · 23-12-2003 21:18

I agree with you on this Nick, I was in that Hastings convoy and it got a bit too lairy on more than one occasion.

Apart from me ending up cooking my brake fluid and subsequently finding out I had no brakes while doing 120 the lead car needs to stay there, at the front.

Two or even three convoys can be a good idea but we MUST meet up before we get to the event so we arrive in an organised and orderly fashion.

If it is a BIG convoy then we need "marker people" Ie lead car, another in the middle and one bringing up the rear, these people need to have working mobiles (handsfree obviously) so we can stay in touch and keep us together.
Time and again ive seen some people get over exuberant ad go belting past only to realise they have overshout because they werent watching the opther members who knew where they were going and ignored the hand signals beckoning them to back off and fall in.

Im not saying dont have a blatt but just be mindfull of the other members and watch for any signals that may tell you something important, also keep in mind the other members who do not have as powerfull a car and wont be able to keep up with the rest.

**Teddy** · 24-12-2003 07:39

I would like to say how pleased i am this has stayed as a DISCUSSION rather than an arguement or silly comments for a change.

The actual idea of splitting the region in theory is a good idea because peoples situations might not allow them to travel or whatever (Im not talking about Northampton members as a concensus, in general)

But the reality is that we are quite a close bunch and we can rally round if someone is low on funds for fuel or whatever that never seems to be a problem.

I think the splitting of the region in my opinion is a bad idea is not that bad round trip and the Cally liked the grippy A roads lmao In all seriousness maybe roatating the meets would be an idea im not sure how this would work.

But as Puntobabe as mentioned in one of her statements I shant be renewing my membership next year. Although i would still like to attend meetings on the odd occassion if this would be ok.

**Puntobabe** · 24-12-2003 10:35

Originally posted by nickyboy
We have only begun sending out the mailers, there have been 2 that we had done. Cant remember when they were sent as Claire has all the details on her computer. If your membership had run out at some point then you may have missed one as we go by the latest update from Paul, it may not have been updated at the time they were sent out.

The only e-mail i've received about a meet was about a year or so ago, and my membership has never runout, I first joined in April 2002 when I first got my car and re-newed it in 2003 in April.

Originally posted by nickyboy
As for not re-newing your membership, why? Thought you enjoyed the meets/events etc. If ya ever stuck for a lift anywhere as you aint got a car then you only have to ask

I prob wont re-new my membership cause of the following:-

1, I dont have a Vauxhall (I know most of you dont have a problem with that, but there are a few that do).
2, Dont get money off anything really, except tickets for shows, but then majority of the shows are Vauxhall ones and I dont get to park my car in a decent spot cause it aint one.

**davescav** · 24-12-2003 11:11

Originally posted by nickyboy
All depends on where the event is. What we dont want is a convoy of 10-20 cars gettin lost or gettin broken up with traffic lights etc and then attracting the likes of the old bill.

By all means we can have another smaller convoy leaving from somewhere like that, we can arrange that with someone on the lead up to event. Then we can arrange for the 2 to meet up en route, works out easier that way.

Well whats the point in organising convoys at all then? I think the "too many people in a convoy" is an excuse to not have to travel a mile further for some people. IMO, convoys add to the fun and most people can be sensible, but joining convoys would be an hours drive to the start of the convoy (which I don't mind), but then driving back in the other direction. This I'm not prepared to do, there seems to be no "middle ground" which is all I ask for, I don't mind driving to Aylesbury to meet a convoy, but Reading/Oxford is taking the pish. If this is what is going to be happening in the future, then for Billing and PV, I'll make my own way there (or see if another region goes through Herts/Beds/Bucks) and I will be getting off at J14 (not 15A like the rest of ya) of the M1 and going the quick way, shame really, but I'm afraid thats how its got to be. Also, I can see this will cause problems coz aren't we supposed to turn up to national events "together"

As for attracting the attention of the Police, so what, we're all legal aren't we? I know I certainly am, and if anyone gets tugged and isn't, then that's their problem.

I really think that convoys should include as many people as possible from the region, I've even come up with a route that should hopefully please all.....

1. Everyone meet in Aylesbury
2. Go down the A418 towards Leighton Buzzard
3. Go down the A4146 towards Milton Keynes (could pick up more people from MK Coach station)
4. Follow the back roads to Santa Pod or get on the M1 for one junction for Billing.

This isn't the quickest way for me either, just thought this would be the most inclusive for people. I'm more than willing to test this route if people think its a good idea.

**Nobbie** · 24-12-2003 11:16

Originally posted by davescav
I'm more than willing to test this route if people think its a good idea.

First one there and back get to buy me a pint!

lol

**davescav** · 24-12-2003 11:18

Originally posted by Nobbie
First one there and back get to buy me a pint!

lol

Won't be me then, coz aren't 8v's supposed to be slow

**mavvmad** · 24-12-2003 12:20

Originally posted by Nobbie
First one there and back get to buy me a pint!

lol

Ok I will stay off the throttle so it wont be me. ;p

Dave Although I see what you are saying you dont seem to realise its a good 40 minutes drive from Reading to Aylesbury (I can be in Silverstone in 35 minutes from here) Like I said im sure the coords wont mind someone north arranging a convoy from their end so long as we all end up meeting before we enter the event.

I really dont see what the problem is, you say we are too far south but still expect us to go out of our way so you guys dont have to.

Im sorry but you cant please everyone.

Ive come up with a suggestion that would be fair but you just arent seeing it.

At the end of the day both convoys end up on the same dual carriageway in Northants we just join at different points is all.

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