Was Combining CBW with PH Meet a Good Idea?
Discussion
Was Combining Classic British Welcome with PH Meet a Good Idea?
I always go to both these events and it sounded a great idea to combine the two, thus saving the hassle of getting to both meets and then to town in time for the parade. However, in practice, it didn't work so well IMHO. Holding the events at separate venues has the advantage of splitting the crowds. This year it seemed like everyone descended on St Saturnin, with the inevitable traffic chaos. It took us over an hour to get from St Saturnin to the dual carriageway and we left just as the rain started, I'm sure it was worse for those who left later on.
PH meet is a great part of the LM weekend but I'd prefer to see it moved back to its own venue in future.
I always go to both these events and it sounded a great idea to combine the two, thus saving the hassle of getting to both meets and then to town in time for the parade. However, in practice, it didn't work so well IMHO. Holding the events at separate venues has the advantage of splitting the crowds. This year it seemed like everyone descended on St Saturnin, with the inevitable traffic chaos. It took us over an hour to get from St Saturnin to the dual carriageway and we left just as the rain started, I'm sure it was worse for those who left later on.
PH meet is a great part of the LM weekend but I'd prefer to see it moved back to its own venue in future.
We attended - but did not see much PH attendance - we arrived with the rain.
I did suspect that we (and a few other far more interesting cars) were diverted by the organisers to meet their own needs and that we should have been in the top field. I was wet enough by then so decided to not investigate any further.
I did suspect that we (and a few other far more interesting cars) were diverted by the organisers to meet their own needs and that we should have been in the top field. I was wet enough by then so decided to not investigate any further.
The organisers tried diverting me into the part with all the classic MG's. Part of me wanted to but james had ran halfway into the village to kindly furnish me with my pass so I wanted to go on the top field. Other than that I thought it was a great day! Who's was the yellow pearl TVR? I spoke to them but need to ask them what their paint code is?!
We got there about really early as well as we were expecting traffic issues but were about the 4th car in the top field! I did wonder how many people knew that was even there, given there was a lot else to see on the lower areas. We were just thinking about leaving when the heavens opened so decided to leave it until the rain eased and left around 30 mins later, but yes then spent about 20-30 mins getting out of the grounds and a further 30-40 or so in traffic getting back to the track.
I've been once now but will just get the tram into town early next year and check out more of the town and stake a good spot for the parade...
I've been once now but will just get the tram into town early next year and check out more of the town and stake a good spot for the parade...
I enjoyed it. I had my name down on the Pistonheads list but having arrived at 10.10 (after the advised 10am cut off) when the guy just before the bridge told me to park in the normal car park I didn't bother arguing as I assumed the Pistonheads area must have been full. Wasn't the case when I got in there and the car would have been special enough (Clio Trophy) to warrant being included in my opinion but oh well.
Wasn't taken personally and it must have been tough to organise - just don't want a black marker against my name for being a no show!
The One-77 was probably the standout car for me. I found some of the punters in there to be quite rude in terms of walking in front of photos etc. which isn't something I've really experienced before. For example:
Does anyone know the story behind the red Chimaera with the rude rear numberplate? I assume it was a (very good, in my opinion) prank? Spoiler included so as not to offend anyone (NSFW content):
Wasn't taken personally and it must have been tough to organise - just don't want a black marker against my name for being a no show!
The One-77 was probably the standout car for me. I found some of the punters in there to be quite rude in terms of walking in front of photos etc. which isn't something I've really experienced before. For example:
Does anyone know the story behind the red Chimaera with the rude rear numberplate? I assume it was a (very good, in my opinion) prank? Spoiler included so as not to offend anyone (NSFW content):
We always do CBW, was very sceptical about the combining of the 2 events based on the traffic problems aroud the venue. Its always a great show though and was not at all bad but comprehensively ruined by the heavy rain in the afternoon.
Despite having some pretty special metal in our group we elected to park up near the roundabout near the A28 junction and walk up. Some very friendly locals let us park in their company's car park and gave us some good advice about a path leading through.
Spent a couple of hours having a drink and some grub, enjoyed the Jazz band and saw "some" cars in the rain then got out easily enough.
Despite having some pretty special metal in our group we elected to park up near the roundabout near the A28 junction and walk up. Some very friendly locals let us park in their company's car park and gave us some good advice about a path leading through.
Spent a couple of hours having a drink and some grub, enjoyed the Jazz band and saw "some" cars in the rain then got out easily enough.
bort said:
So walking in front of you was rude, but turning up at an event like cbw with that plate was funny ? What are you 14 years old ? And before you start grisling I was there and waited round to tell the owner I thought he was a piece .
It made me laugh, yes. I'm 25 but I don't think my sense of humour has matured much since I was 14 to be honest.I wasn't on the PH pass list but got in anyway in my stickered "poverty pork" boxster. Dead chuffed really since it is nothing special. Parked up in the top field along with the PH massive. tThe Froggie TR just before me boiled just as he parked up.
Two cars amused me.
First this "more bubbles than Aero" PH'er
and then this tres amusant stickered Sag in the main event.
Two cars amused me.
First this "more bubbles than Aero" PH'er
and then this tres amusant stickered Sag in the main event.
Have to say, I didn't think it was going to work half as well as it did. I was with Chrisr111r so we did indeed get there very early which no doubt helped, but it was well laid out & well organised with the guys on the doors knowing exactly where to point us. Parked up easy, snaffled a free goody bag, and then had a sit in the V12VS and told to start the engine and poke the throttle a few times. Childish yes, incredibly welcome even more yes! Big thanks to the member of PH staff (sorry, rubbish with names and faces) who made that happen.
As for getting out, granted we waited for 20mins after the heavens opened to make an escape, but I think people might be forgetting how awful it was in prevous years with queues and queues to get out, regardless of exit time. They closed another road off this year which actually helped, and whilst it meant going round the houses it was significantly better to keep moving.
I'm as pessimistic as they come with things like this, but I reckon it worked far better than anyone could reasonably have expected. Thanks to all at PH and CBW for their efforts
As for getting out, granted we waited for 20mins after the heavens opened to make an escape, but I think people might be forgetting how awful it was in prevous years with queues and queues to get out, regardless of exit time. They closed another road off this year which actually helped, and whilst it meant going round the houses it was significantly better to keep moving.
I'm as pessimistic as they come with things like this, but I reckon it worked far better than anyone could reasonably have expected. Thanks to all at PH and CBW for their efforts
I think the exit queue all the way to the roundabout just before the motorway bridge was probably caused by the combination of the rain causing everyone to leave at the same time and an English Aston Martin driver who had failed to line up level with the sharp curb before meeting a French builders lorry who wasn't prepared to wait either, blocking the road for god knows how long while the passenger in the Aston constantly called the lorry driver an F*!%ing this, F*$£ing that and everything else starting with F£$% instead of finding a solution to the problem. The simple answer might of been to wait at the top of the hill until the lorry passed? Anyway by the time we left the field it was a solid queue all the way.
Maybe someone in the queue could tell me if once the Aston got by whether it had a clear drive to the roundabout while causing hundreds of others following a long wait as we all know once a queue starts, the stopping and starting means it never ends!
Happy to be told otherwise if anyone knows but that's how I saw it
Maybe someone in the queue could tell me if once the Aston got by whether it had a clear drive to the roundabout while causing hundreds of others following a long wait as we all know once a queue starts, the stopping and starting means it never ends!
Happy to be told otherwise if anyone knows but that's how I saw it
It was the same as any normal CBW but with a couple of Pistonheads banners fluttering in the breeze on the top field.
Traffic was okay coming in but a pain going out as I left with the rush as things got soggy. Not sure why it was so bad with everyone just filtering back onto the main road.
Probably give it a miss next year though and try something else. Done it a few times now and it's pretty much the same each year, though nice eclectic mix of cars. Needs more food outlets, spread out. May be other entertainment going on also (music).
Traffic was okay coming in but a pain going out as I left with the rush as things got soggy. Not sure why it was so bad with everyone just filtering back onto the main road.
Probably give it a miss next year though and try something else. Done it a few times now and it's pretty much the same each year, though nice eclectic mix of cars. Needs more food outlets, spread out. May be other entertainment going on also (music).
DS240 said:
It was the same as any normal CBW but with a couple of Pistonheads banners fluttering in the breeze on the top field.
Traffic was okay coming in but a pain going out as I left with the rush as things got soggy. Not sure why it was so bad with everyone just filtering back onto the main road.
Probably give it a miss next year though and try something else. Done it a few times now and it's pretty much the same each year, though nice eclectic mix of cars. Needs more food outlets, spread out. May be other entertainment going on also (music).
+1 on this. Its always a massive pain getting out afterwards, rain this time just added to itTraffic was okay coming in but a pain going out as I left with the rush as things got soggy. Not sure why it was so bad with everyone just filtering back onto the main road.
Probably give it a miss next year though and try something else. Done it a few times now and it's pretty much the same each year, though nice eclectic mix of cars. Needs more food outlets, spread out. May be other entertainment going on also (music).
Argh! I obviously arrived too late!
The photos on this thread have no resemblance to what I saw... no PH attendance, no top field and hardly any show cars for that matter!
We've always arrived after lunch as we spend a few hours here and then head into town for the parade afterwards.
I didn't realise PHers was arriving early for this and I guess the rain assisted in clearing everyone off before we got there.
The photos on this thread have no resemblance to what I saw... no PH attendance, no top field and hardly any show cars for that matter!
We've always arrived after lunch as we spend a few hours here and then head into town for the parade afterwards.
I didn't realise PHers was arriving early for this and I guess the rain assisted in clearing everyone off before we got there.
My Midget was placed scrupulously poorly by a marshall doing his best but the whole GBW/CBW thing has had my last visit after about ten years
The "getting out alive" thing these days has killed my enjoyment for it
As has the impatient French guy in the Jag trying to anticipate where the handbrake on the Midget was going to stop me in the creep uphill stakes
Luckily he didn't dent the Midge when he nudged me
equally lucky he didn't seem to poke a hole in his nose cone
Not going there again, maybe Mulsanne
The "getting out alive" thing these days has killed my enjoyment for it
As has the impatient French guy in the Jag trying to anticipate where the handbrake on the Midget was going to stop me in the creep uphill stakes
Luckily he didn't dent the Midge when he nudged me
equally lucky he didn't seem to poke a hole in his nose cone
Not going there again, maybe Mulsanne
surveyor said:
When we left at one point where the sign said left we were directed right. This lead to empty roads and no traffic all the way to the motorway...
yeah definately an option next year. Realised our mistake as soon as we turned out field. Should have turned left and up through the next village! 
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