Growl 2015

Growl 2015

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Discussion

FlipFlopGriff

Original Poster:

7,144 posts

246 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
The only dates I can get with Ettington are 25th - 27th of September 2015 which pushes us to the end of the season and possibly crap weather.
I tried to get the first week in July but this had already been booked by the Wedge organiser, so options are limited.
I'm not sure whether to skip a year so I'm throwing it open to you lot as I have a contract to sign.
FFG

PeteGriff

1,262 posts

156 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
FlipFlopGriff said:
The only dates I can get with Ettington are 25th - 27th of September 2015 which pushes us to the end of the season and possibly crap weather.
I tried to get the first week in July but this had already been booked by the Wedge organiser, so options are limited.
I'm not sure whether to skip a year so I'm throwing it open to you lot as I have a contract to sign.
FFG
Why dont we have a joint gathering with the 'Wedges'? Just a thought!

FlipFlopGriff

Original Poster:

7,144 posts

246 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
Not enough rooms available Pete.
FFG

MPoxon

5,329 posts

172 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
I think a combined Wedge / Growl would be a better idea than skipping a year. Surely if we start booking rooms now then there will be enough rooms?

pjac67

2,040 posts

251 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
Joint for me too -and will encourage/support traders more (and Sept could clash with a Neil Garner Open Day if similar to this year....).

You could form your own convoy FFG....

Paul.

clive f

7,250 posts

232 months

Tuesday 7th October 2014
quotequote all
not a griff owner anymore, but have always enjoyed the growl event, but could it be time to try a change of venue?

just my 2p worth Paul but how about tying it in with a Tuscan challenge weekend event, dates normally announced in Jan, hold event there, and find hotel nearby for aution ect in the evening? option of camping at circuit a possibility?

just a thought.

getmecoat

simonwedge

743 posts

179 months

Tuesday 7th October 2014
quotequote all
Another vote for joint Wedge/Griff event.

v8trevster

15 posts

139 months

Tuesday 7th October 2014
quotequote all
Hi Paul,

I'd be up for late September or for a joint event - whatever works.
As an alternative, it may be possible to find another venue (as a one-off). The trouble though will be finding somewhere that offers all the same facilities as Ettington. We could use another Principal Hayley venue (who might be willing to help given our predicament) like Hawkstone Park - http://www.hawkstoneparkweston.co.uk/conferences/ - or the Derbyshire Hotel - http://www.thederbyshire-hotel.com/conferences/

Another completely different suggestion off the top of my head is the 4 Pillars hotel at the Cotswolds Water Park - http://www.waterpark.org/ - www.four-pillars.co.uk/cotswoldwaterpark
I've no idea whether they cater for car events, but it's a big place with plenty of parking. I can't believe that Ettington is unique, there must be other places that can put us up even if this one can't.

I'm not on PH much, so please contact me direct if you need any help.

Best wishes,

Trev

Daggsy

892 posts

251 months

Tuesday 7th October 2014
quotequote all
Sorry to hear this Paul.
The Griff Growl is always a great event but usually takes second place to one of our French trips.
I'm sure that you will do your utmost to ensure a suitable event is organised to celebrate TVR's best model.

ThePrisoner

1,055 posts

207 months

Tuesday 7th October 2014
quotequote all
FlipFlopGriff said:
Not enough rooms available Pete.
FFG
I think the above quashes any thoughts of a joint meeting with our Wedge friends. It looks like Trev ( How are you young man wavey) has the best idea IMO.smile

alphaone

1,019 posts

172 months

Tuesday 7th October 2014
quotequote all
v8trevster said:
Hi Paul,
The trouble though will be finding somewhere that offers all the same facilities as Ettington. We could use another Principal Hayley venue (who might be willing to help given our predicament) like Hawkstone Park - http://www.hawkstoneparkweston.co.uk/conferences/ - or the Derbyshire Hotel - http://www.thederbyshire-hotel.com/conferences/
Griff Growl in Derbyshire bounce That would be brill bounce

MPoxon

5,329 posts

172 months

Tuesday 7th October 2014
quotequote all
v8trevster said:
I'd be up for late September or for a joint event - whatever works.
As an alternative, it may be possible to find another venue (as a one-off). The trouble though will be finding somewhere that offers all the same facilities as Ettington. We could use another Principal Hayley venue (who might be willing to help given our predicament) like Hawkstone Park - http://www.hawkstoneparkweston.co.uk/conferences/ - or the Derbyshire Hotel - http://www.thederbyshire-hotel.com/conferences/

Another completely different suggestion off the top of my head is the 4 Pillars hotel at the Cotswolds Water Park - http://www.waterpark.org/ - www.four-pillars.co.uk/cotswoldwaterpark
I've no idea whether they cater for car events, but it's a big place with plenty of parking. I can't believe that Ettington is unique, there must be other places that can put us up even if this one can't.
I am still up for a combined event as we should get more traders, better deal on dinner, more money for charity auction items etc and would take a lot of pressure off of the organisers. If the issue with the number of available rooms cannot be resolved by people committing early or if the Hotel wishes to hold back a percentage of rooms for normal custom then the above sounds like a great idea. It would be shame not to do it at Ettington but there must be other venues willing to offer half their carpark in return for guaranteed rooms books and additional sales on food & drink.

A change of venue may be a nice change and perhaps may encourage some people who otherwise thought Ettingdon was a bit too far.

I think unfortunately with this decision you will be damned if you do and damned if you don't. People will moan if the date is September. people will moan if it is cancelled, people will moan if it is a different location etc.

Perhaps once we have some solid options post a Poll up so people can vote.

FFMan

410 posts

248 months

Tuesday 7th October 2014
quotequote all
You might like to look at Bicester Heritage site. Its an old RAF airport being promoted for vintage/classic related businesses. http://bicesterheritage.co.uk/

I was there a couple of weeks ago for an oily rag meet and its a terrific venue with a good vibe.

Worth considering. No on-site hotel but plenty around there in a new holiday inn on the A41.


BigGriff540

250 posts

141 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
I too would recommend a joint meet with the Wedge mobiles, as this years Griff gathering seemed a rather low turn out. I also think a different venue would be useful as each year I hear people saying that its disappointing not to have any food vendors attending etc etc.

FlipFlopGriff

Original Poster:

7,144 posts

246 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
BigGriff540 said:
I too would recommend a joint meet with the Wedge mobiles, as this years Griff gathering seemed a rather low turn out. I also think a different venue would be useful as each year I hear people saying that its disappointing not to have any food vendors attending etc etc.
Unfortunately, finding a venue that ticks all the boxes is impossible.
I don't have anywhere near the time nowadays to search for said venues as I'm trying to rebuild (some say renovate but its more than that) and old farmhouse pretty much on my own and struggling with ageing parents with almost no down time to ourselves. We did (jointly with Gandalf who was heading up the BBWF at the time) do a search for other venues but they either weren't interested, the hotel cost was extortionate, they wanted to charge for car parking, the list goes on. Ettington ticks many boxes and we are all together on one site for the day and night, or within close walking proximity. Agreed numbers were down but so are everybody elses single model events - we did clash with the GP and Le Mans Classic this year.
If someone wants to pick up the mantle feel free.
FFG

TVR Beaver

2,867 posts

179 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
http://www.thehotelcollection.co.uk/hotels/walton-...

this is a nice place and not far from the existing.. not sure how much rooms could be booked for on mass?... smile

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
Hi Guys...Sorry that you can't get a date at Ettington for next years Growl, I did book a date before i left on the Sunday of the fest as i was informed that next year will be even harder to get a date..
Currently the Wedgefest is pencilled in on the weekend of the 3-5th July 2015..Now there is a possibility that i might be moving the fest to a different venue as i feel a change of venue might be in order in which case i will gladly hand over this weekend to you.

Or we could have a combined event at the chase..I will speak to EC tomorrow to see what the possibilities are as regards to rooms..TBH the chase does cater for all that we need and it is a mission trying to find something similar.

Im in talks with a different venue at present and should have made a decision before next month, There is also a possibility that you could join us there if you wanted to, I will post up more details as soon as i know.

You do realise that if we do have a combined event then the gauntlet will be thrown down for a "Tug of War" between Wedges & Griff's.. This will of course take place on the green in front of the hotel at night and after much alcohol has been consumed..smile

TBC.....Thanks...Ziga

bluezeeland

1,965 posts

158 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
mrzigazaga said:
Hi Guys...Sorry that you can't get a date at Ettington for next years Growl, I did book a date before i left on the Sunday of the fest as i was informed that next year will be even harder to get a date..
Currently the Wedgefest is pencilled in on the weekend of the 3-5th July 2015..Now there is a possibility that i might be moving the fest to a different venue as i feel a change of venue might be in order in which case i will gladly hand over this weekend to you.

Or we could have a combined event at the chase..I will speak to EC tomorrow to see what the possibilities are as regards to rooms..TBH the chase does cater for all that we need and it is a mission trying to find something similar.

Im in talks with a different venue at present and should have made a decision before next month, There is also a possibility that you could join us there if you wanted to, I will post up more details as soon as i know.

You do realise that if we do have a combined event then the gauntlet will be thrown down for a "Tug of War" between Wedges & Griff's.. This will of course take place on the green in front of the hotel at night and after much alcohol has been consumed..smile

TBC.....Thanks...Ziga
......at night.......alcohol.........really ? eek

bring it on, mate ! (we'll beat you !)

mrzigazaga

18,534 posts

164 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
bluezeeland said:
......at night.......alcohol.........really ? eek

bring it on, mate ! (we'll beat you !)
Losers gets the beers in mate.... smile

bluezeeland

1,965 posts

158 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
See wedge forum, zig.........