Wednesday 2nd March 2016

Bruntingthorpe Sunday Service Review

The back drop of planes and hangars created quite the atmosphere...

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The temperature was low but spirits were high as the first arrivals made their way through the main entrance to Bruntingthorpe under a bright blue sky.

The large open space combined with the vast monolithic structures of the various hangers created a perfect amphitheatre, echoing the ensemble of exhaust notes from the assorted PH cars on their way in. Furthermore the backdrop of planes, dotting the landscape like disused props from a movie set, added an air of theatre to the morning.

First through the gates were MR2s and Caterhams, whose drivers were certainly wide awake but somewhat weatherbeaten thanks to their hasty decision to make the journey topless. As they creakily unfolded themselves out of their cars they made straight for the catering van, the promise of hot bacon and coffee proving irresistible.

It seemed to be the day of the rear-wheel drive cars with a large number of Toyota GT86s (and their Subaru BRZ counterparts), as well as plenty of M Division's finest including one M3 fresh off the production line.

A Mercedes CL55 AMG shone bright under the morning sun thanks to its particularly eye catching (but factory) colour scheme. It proved attention grabbing all morning, even alongside the incredible number of Ferraris in attendance.

A special mention has to go to the Datsun 240Z which held its own among various exotica, and to the Jaguar Project 7, a first at a Sunday Service. Later in the morning we had an unexpected visit from a Porsche 918 too!

A big thank you everyone at Bruntingthorpe, who kindly let us have the space for the morning at short notice and also brought along their Jaguar XJ220; always nice to see!

Thank you to so many of you for attending and making it another fantastic event. However, we would like to mention that despite the various announcements, a disappointingly large proportion of those that had put their name down did not attend the event. These people will be receiving an email about their absence as it's unfair on other PHers to claim a Sunday Service place that then goes unused.

Our next event is this Sunday at Silverstone, and we still have spaces available. If you'd like to come along all you need to do is sign up here.

[sh33n]

Was a good day out and great to see some lovey cars. Decent breakfast also was very welcomed! Thanks for organising, look forward to some more round this way.

Just before you jump all over those people who did not attend...did you inform them that they had made the cut? I was sat at near ~300 and moved up to 180 without evening knowing it. The list was then locked and I could have easily have ended up on the naughty list by not knowing I was moved up before the list lock.

Fortunately I was up for attending so was happy, but wouldn't have been any the wiser if it was not for checking.

I don't disagree with the rule by the way, just thinking the process needs a few tweaks

[civicduty]

Or people could take responsibility and check the list themselves. Just saying.

[PistonBroker]

If the Merc was so amazing, why no pics?!

I'm now on the edge of my seat waiting to see what colour it was!

[kellydk]

Adding to this. In the past an email was sent out if you made the cut. I didn't attend a Sunday Service last year as I didn't get an email only when I checked on the day to find that due to cancellations I actually had a place. As much as I would like to spend all day on Pistonheads I don't have the time to constantly check whether I have a place or not. The email reminder was a good reminder to either attend or cancel your attendance.

[Liamst]

I have just seen the email from friday which says i am still on the list so expected fo attend.

Unfortuneately i was asked to house/ dog sit for a friend on saturday morning through to sunday afternoon. I removed myself immediately from the list, but will i now be penalised? I have attended a few before and always turnt up.

I think saturday is a more realistic cut off date. Maybe there could be a 3 strike policy or an increasing punishment
Something like 2 missed attendances and you cant sign up for the next sunday service

Miss another and you cant sign up for 2
Miss another and you cant sign up for the next 3 etc etc.

Some people will always have plans change and missing a sunday service may be unavoidable.

[Ollie_M]

PistonBroker said:

If the Merc was so amazing, why no pics?!

I'm now on the edge of my seat waiting to see what colour it was!

I thought and hoped our photographer might have snapped it.. I'll triple check with him and if not I'll contact the owner and ask for a pic to share with you.

[Ollie_M]

kellydk said:

Adding to this. In the past an email was sent out if you made the cut. I didn't attend a Sunday Service last year as I didn't get an email only when I checked on the day to find that due to cancellations I actually had a place. As much as I would like to spend all day on Pistonheads I don't have the time to constantly check whether I have a place or not. The email reminder was a good reminder to either attend or cancel your attendance.

We had a meeting on Monday and we will be integrating an automated email alert so you will be instantly notified when you make the attending list

Liamst said:

I have just seen the email from friday which says i am still on the list so expected fo attend.

Unfortuneately i was asked to house/ dog sit for a friend on saturday morning through to sunday afternoon. I removed myself immediately from the list, but will i now be penalised? I have attended a few before and always turnt up.

I think saturday is a more realistic cut off date. Maybe there could be a 3 strike policy or an increasing punishment
Something like 2 missed attendances and you cant sign up for the next sunday service

Miss another and you cant sign up for 2
Miss another and you cant sign up for the next 3 etc etc.

Some people will always have plans change and missing a sunday service may be unavoidable.

There is obviously going to be a slight 'trial and error' period from how and when we start to issue warnings/ ban to those who don't attend. At the moment we are still in discussion, as a result your ideas and feedback are extremely valuable and I will raise them at our next meeting.

Thanks

Ollie