West Country (South) Bash '08

[snowflake]

Well guys and gals, we've talked about it enough, now's the time to sort something out. I thought I would get the ball rolling..
So what have we decided? Well:

Location: Chippenham Rugby Club.
Date: May or June '08 before the rally season really kicks off, deconflicting with other rallys in the South - Fri and Sat Night.
Bands/entertainment: TBC - must be cheap.
Booze & Food: Provided by Rugby Club (TBC) at a cost basis (i.e. no 'extras').
Facilities: Showers would be nice, but we can all survive for two days...ish!
Organisers: Region members must be willing and able to jump in and help where possible. A list of volunteers will be drawn up over time, please shout if you are able to help.


So there we have it so far. Due to the relatively small size of this rally we must not have many outgoings, the Rugby Club must be free (ish) with food and booze at cost; bands must be reasonable (free?!!) and we must use this opportunity as a dry run before '09 when we propose to make it an officially sanctioned rally.

Clearly first up is the date. At this stage the calendar looks blank, but we don't want to clash with the Devon Rally (13-15 Jun) so I reckon we need to look at either the 6-8 Jun (Steelnet's B'day on 6 Jun!! ) or 23-25 Mar - naseby Field is on the weekend after (30 May-1 Jun) which might also be a goer as this is far enough North not to effect us too much. Any other suggestions will be gratefully accepted.....use this thread to vote / comment on dates so we can get a general consensus.

Next is the venue. Trev has offered to approach the Chippenham Rugby Club; if they prove too difficult/expensive then Phil & Karen have suggested a few Pub venues in the area (Colin & Ruth also have contacts); although these won't necessarily have showers, the rest would be easy, especially if we get permission for the band(s).

Volunteers, please do so here or PM me; yes you guessed it, I have volunteered as coordinator/organiser.

Any other comments get 'em on here.

Until later, TTFN.

SF

[girlyglide]

Well no-one else has replied yet so I'll give you something to think about.

Seeing as most club events attract low numbers I would suggest that this is planned with this in mind.

I would also suggest that unless it's low tech and low budget you will find it difficult to organise in time for 2008 and as far as I can remember "rallies" must be agreed throught the club well in advance (two years?).

Something similar to Lawnmower Marks party or BNM farm party would be a good receipe to follow. No or low outlay in advance must also be considered. We in the Floaters world don't have any club funds to stomp up to cover things so it will be either someones personal money (not a good idea) or getting our region to foot the bill.

I don't even know if the region has any money or even if there is an AGM for our region where we can find out what the state of the union is.

Finally looking at the number of views and replies it does look like you are on your own so far.

Volunteers? You can hear a pin drop.

[Heritage Bob]

Good luck with the planing Rob and hope it gets off the ground as we could do with a bash this side of the continent?

Just give me somewhere to park me tent, and get a beer, I'm happy! Might even bring along Rocket Ron to play the Spoons?

Either way all the best m8 and if the dates decided don't clash, we're hopefully see you guys for a pint at the Rugby club!

[rocking rooster]

Been thinking about this for the last week, but haven’t had a chance to post due to various ongoing domestic emergencies etc. Not trying to put up obstacles but I think someone should play devil’s advocate.
Some random thoughts and Phil has beaten me to the draw on several of them.
Are we proposing to charge for entry or is it to be free like Lawnmower Mark’s and the Farm party ?
If we are charging, how do we take the money and how do we pay for anything as we have no bank account or float ? (Even though we are the Floaters)
If we are charging do we need public liability insurance ?
I know Trev said he has a couple of bands in mind, but I’m sure that I can get the other guys in my band to do it for free as a favour to me. Are we any good ? Not really for me to say (but I think we are). Ask Steelnet he’s seen us.
If the rugby club or wherever will let us use the venue for free and make their money just on the bar then we would have a head start.
We’ll need a flyer to hand out at preceding events and something in the Quin
Perhaps it might be a good idea to have a word with Lawnmower Mark or Badnamemike and see what advice or guidance they can come up with.

I’m sure there’s more but coherent thoughts are getting harder due to a rather fine Californian red

[Roy]

Playing devils advocate and appreciate I'm not a known face (at the mo..

However, my question is why bother?

When I was in the NCC, we used to have a club policy to host runs and shows locally to promote the club and raise funds..plus have a great time. The raising of funds does not seem to be a priority for the HDRC, who are a voluntary club for people who happen to love and ride harleys. This is what attracts me to a club that requires no committtment. So promoting the club can be done through supporting/attending others local events, ie NCC. And the love of riding the worlds best bike can be done through going to events such as the super-rally in beligium in may.

Why bother? I'd propose that effort into a local event that seems unsupported is moving the HDRC away from something that suits people who have a life and also own a harley to something that is nearing a committment club.

We're a riders club, why not just organise a rideout? We are living in a pretty f*kin spectacular part of the country ...

[girlyglide]

Good point

[CrazyIvan]

Good point indeed.

Having said there, where is the line between a few mates taking their bikes and putting up tents in a field and getting shit-faced, and a rally. I think we should do something small first, the less organisation and commitment required the better.

[Roy]

How about something that can be done with us, local bikers and local clubs (MAG, HOG, NCC, etc). Meet at a pub, ride out somewhere - have a stiff coffee/whatever, ride back and a bike show. Simple prizes for most rideable bike, best sporty, best shovel, best TC, best non-harley, sort of stuff you can get from hinds/net cheap as chips and can be stuffed underneath your leather for the ride home. Sweet, simple and be a success for getting us known locally ...

Ride back can be to a field or a pub carpark. Latter option may be free as landlord will get the business.

I'm all ideas, don't know if there are pubs in the region with sizable car parks???

[Uggy]

Originally Posted by Roy

Playing devils advocate and appreciate I'm not a known face (at the mo..

However, my question is why bother?
We're a riders club, why not just organise a rideout? We are living in a pretty f*kin spectacular part of the country ...

Why not combine it all? Meet in a field somewhere, preferably with easy access to a bar or pub, pitch a tent, go for a ride out, then come back, park the bikes and have a great laugh talking bollox over a few beers. We meet for ride outs during the year, but because we are sensible and law abiding we don't get to drink together and I think because of that we are missing something.

[Roy]

This works, the camp over could be on a sat and the rideout on the sunday. People could come to one, both or blah blah.

So, anyone know a pub with a nearby camp field which is friendly to bikers?