Oswestry 2008; your comments please.

[kiwidave]

I just recall something in the committee minutes from a few months back about how it would not be possible to do it in town centre. A real shame, there were some lovely bikes there judging by Mick's pix.

[RobK]

I didn't go this year. I would have done but personal circumstances dictated otherwise.

For me, I just find the showground a bit soulless. I don't know why it just doesn't feel right.

Cheers,
Rob.

[girlyglide]

We didn't go to Oswestry this year or last year, only the first one.

The reason is that we make considerably more money at alternative events. We attended the first one as it didn't conflict with the HGWOCGB Treffen; a little mercenary? Yes.

We would obviously support a change in date for purely personal business reasons but also because as members we would also like to attend our clubs rally and support it. With so many other events available over the August Bank Holiday weekend, traditional family holiday time (and the pull of family commitments?) we believe that the date is wrong on many levels.
We thought the venue was a little tired and rundown. There were not a lot of people at the first rally and this can also colour opinions.

Food choice at the first one (and subsequent ones allegedly) was poor. But if the attendance is low you will have trouble attracting other food businesses on what is a prime weekend.

We feel that unless you can magically increase attendance then you will get no extra businesses interested in the event. Without extra business interest and therefore more choice and variety for the punters you won't address the comments made elsewhere in this thread about poor choice etc. Catch 22. Sorry.

What can't be denied is the enthuisasm of the organisers and helpers which make this event happen at all. Please don't take any of the comments above as anything other than constructive.

In summary we think that a change of venue for the 60th Anniversary would be essential and a move away from the August Bank Holiday weekend advisable. Somewhere near to a European ferry port or within a reasonable ride from one?

As an aside the GWOCGB are holding their "Treffen" (equivalent of a International rally) at Kelso next year. It's been held there before and attracts a lot of European riders as it also gives them opportunity to take and extended holiday and explore Scotland - something that might be worth remembering if a change of venue is considered.

[Cybertec™]

o.k.......not going to be popular this, but as for a change of venue.....is there ANY possibility of changing it to the Ashburton site used for the 'Devon'...

obviously Bank Holiday is a no no BUT......

The Devon has to be one of the best attended rallies on the calendar, and for a good reason....the facilities are first rate, toilets/showers etc... its got a bloody swimming pool as well.

The site is large, attractive and 'private'......

O.K. its way down here in the south and a long way for the northern folk, but we have some gorgeous scenery and its an ideal area to tour in.

just a thought......

[Brigger]

Hi

I agree with most of the comments.

I have been rallying for years with mainly smaller clubs. Good intimate do's...

I'm not bothered about showers if they are there I will use them if they aint there always 'wet ones'....!!

I have small gripes:

1. Didnt know there were rally badges (arrived early Friday evening so guess some where still available)
2. Choice of food... too limited.... not everyone want to live of fried food for four days.
3. Beer prices... £3.00 for a Newcastle Brown... thats London prices.
4. The dates, I dont have any commitments family wise, but others do, the Bank Hols is possibly a rally too far for some as far as some wives, families and girlfriends are concerned.
5. The rally site is fine and the facilities are decidedly average, but thats not a problem, the location is, maybe somewhere a little more centrally located would be a better option.
6. Lack of any kind of daytime entertainment, anything, even silly games.. I believe even the Hoggies play...!! Found myself scratching around for something to do.

Having been slightly critical all praise should be given to those who put themselves out to put together a rally knowing there will always comments which will make them wonder if it was all worthwhile. Well, It is worthwhile soley for getting a shed load of like minded people together with common interest. Long may it continue....

[girlyglide]

Originally Posted by BaZa ®

Start advertising for our 60th from January not a poxy one inch column advert but at least a half page at a time... (American V and BSH) at least and get the tickets on sale on line at the same time

and prehaps advertise in the HOG magazine? After all they ride the same machines, drink beer etc and spend their money (but see below)

Originally Posted by BaZa ®

Dare I agree with some others 'Change the date!!!'.... Don't compete with 700 + attendees at Shipley over the August Bank Holiday, they have the monopoly now after all the 23 plus years we were there building up a good reputation.

Apart from Shipley there are a number of other reasons or events that point toward a change of date. Not least of all is the Thunder in the Glens HOG event which in 2007 attracted over 2000 bikers - and I would hazard a guess that not all of them HOG members either

[WORMY]

Well done to all that organised this, was are 1st Oz and we enjoyed it.
comments, games competion excellent idea, yes to some music in day,no complaints showers etc, sign up for rally office so if needed to know anything went their helpful and friendly at all times.
only liked sundays bands but thats cos i am old , personal choice on music and hard to please everyone.
Food, being a coaster the food wagons were disappointing,but down to some no shows and hels kitchen ,what was that? least it lived up to its name.
Think the club could make a good profit on food if it was organised and cooked on site in dining room style[as mentioned by someone already],and hours kept strict for opening so can still enjoy your weekend, brekkie 9 to 11, lunch sarnies rolls crisps cakes sold at gate or in bar so most people still free in the day,and dinner 6 to 8pm say just 4 main courses to keep simple and maybe a burger hour 11 ish.would be very willing to help with this.cater for yourself outside these hours or grab a roll at the bar.

[Tony Cross]

Not in favour of the rally moving south Cyber. The Southern bias in this club is regrettable. Coming from Manchester I am in a fairly central part of the country that we belong too, yet if I were to attend all the major events I would rarely go North when starting my journey. Maybe a national rally should be in different locations each year or as central as possible.

[Kernow]

Didn't go this year but been to the first three, and reading this it seems that nothing much has changed from the first one. Same complaints about the same faults!

At the first I was asked by some locals why they couldn't have been more involved, they would have liked to see a procession at some point, or a chance to look at the bikes. I know that this was suggested, but nothing seems to have happened.

The first year some one enterprising was running a minibus back and forth from the town center for a nominal fee for some charity. This was apparrently stopped because some people got out of hand later in the evening after a few too many beers. I think that it was suggested that this could be run again but with an earlier shut off time to prevent that problem. Anyone coming back late would have to walk or get a cab. I don't know whether this was considered.

I do agree about the date, there are just too many other functions over the last Bank Holiday weekend of the year, and for some people the last weekend of the school holidays. One of the reasons we didn't come this year. We'd like to be back for the 60th next year but I think a change of venue and date would reinvigorate the Clubs Premier Rally.

Se y'all in a field somewhere.

[Buellibob]

I can only concur with most of the sentiments that have already been made. We go through the same questions, answer routine every year and each year not much changes when we get there?
There were some new members attending this year and for some this was their first rally, others had done a regional rally had a good time and made the effort to attend the international thinking rightly that it would be the same on a much larger scale, only to be disappointed. Come Saturday afternoon everyone seemed to be walking around like a Spike Milligan ‘what do we do now’ sketch. Maybe little live music session in the afternoon would have been good?

I take nothing away from the people who organized, helped out or contributed to the event but for me personally it didn’t cut it.
Why can’t the regions take it over? Hold the event at different locations throughout the country which will give added interest to those wanting to attend? You’d then get to see different parts of the country and how they do things. The region would put forward a proposal to the committee to hold it instead of a regional rally and if no one came forward on a particular year then go back to Oswestry? I know there are no easy answers to this but something’s got to be done for the survival of the event.