Back Home a success ?
Discussion
Lancashire Liquid Sunshine was a real downer, wet and cold doesn't even begin to describe Saturday's event in the Birdcage car park. The Cavalcade was a farce, and as for the Bavarian Stompers, words fail me....
However, now I'm back home and have dried out a little, I've got to admit I think I had a darned good weekend.
Autotest has a hoot, though disappointing few TVR's willing to have a go. Seeing the Eclipse GT Tuscan R hooning around was unforgettable. Disappointed to have just missed PW and the Tuscan R.
Sat evening was really excellent (despite the interruption by the Bavarian Stompers) and what I can remember of the late night bar session, it was great.
Anyone else have an opinion ?
However, now I'm back home and have dried out a little, I've got to admit I think I had a darned good weekend.
Autotest has a hoot, though disappointing few TVR's willing to have a go. Seeing the Eclipse GT Tuscan R hooning around was unforgettable. Disappointed to have just missed PW and the Tuscan R.
Sat evening was really excellent (despite the interruption by the Bavarian Stompers) and what I can remember of the late night bar session, it was great.
Anyone else have an opinion ?
Fair question Duncan. And my answer is 'Yes!'
Btw, glad to see you made it home safely in your beast!
I agree with what you say regarding rain etc. But IMO what makes this event a real is actually the people who turn up. Driving around Blackpool on the Back Home weekend feels like you're in a ideal world, with TVRs drivers waiving happily around every corner. I have already forgotten the Bavarian Stompers (may be they thought we were driving Porkers!)...
So, for me a top weekend, which was complemented by a memorable drive through the Forest of Bowland.
Now when can we get the tickets for next year?
Btw, glad to see you made it home safely in your beast!
I agree with what you say regarding rain etc. But IMO what makes this event a real is actually the people who turn up. Driving around Blackpool on the Back Home weekend feels like you're in a ideal world, with TVRs drivers waiving happily around every corner. I have already forgotten the Bavarian Stompers (may be they thought we were driving Porkers!)...
So, for me a top weekend, which was complemented by a memorable drive through the Forest of Bowland.
Now when can we get the tickets for next year?
quote:
rthierry - Social side of the event was great wasn't it!
Too right! Stef who is not necessarily a pure Petrolhead :nut: had a great time and says she wants to go back next year! I am telling you guys, this TVR addiction is contagious!
Give it another few months and she'll be posting on PH 
Back home was great, I really enjoyed the weekend especially as I had no idea of what to expect, being our first visit. Have to agree with most of you about the stompers! That many TVRs in one place and the chance to drive around the bollards without getting told off for going too fast, what a turn on!
Well, this was my fifth year and I have to say it wasn't the best. The German oompahh band have to be the worst entertainment I have ever witnessed. If they had stayed on any longer I swear they would have been attacked....
The cavalcade was a total and utter farce, whoever was responsible for organising that wants a slap.....
However, we met up with loads of our old friends, made a few new ones and had a pretty good time.
We also have to bear in mind that Clive and Jane, who organised this years event, worked their nuts off all weekend and barring that pathetic band and the drawn out raffle, they did remarkably well considering they had never done it before. It's all too easy to compare it with previous years but the couple who did it before had been organising it for a few years and were a hard act to follow. The cavalcade farce was nothing to do with Clive and Jane.
It was good but it could be better, and I'm sure it will be next year...... I'd say 8/10.
The cavalcade was a total and utter farce, whoever was responsible for organising that wants a slap.....
However, we met up with loads of our old friends, made a few new ones and had a pretty good time.
We also have to bear in mind that Clive and Jane, who organised this years event, worked their nuts off all weekend and barring that pathetic band and the drawn out raffle, they did remarkably well considering they had never done it before. It's all too easy to compare it with previous years but the couple who did it before had been organising it for a few years and were a hard act to follow. The cavalcade farce was nothing to do with Clive and Jane.
It was good but it could be better, and I'm sure it will be next year...... I'd say 8/10.
Having driven through just for sundays parade I was mightily cheesed off!
Where wa a TVR marshall to organise, where were the police?
Ive been to some poorly organised does before,in fact most of them Ive organised! BUT it was awful. If that was your first taste of back home it would put you off for life. If it was then dont be. Its usually much better than that. Hope Sprint tells the full story of what went wrong?
Where wa a TVR marshall to organise, where were the police?
Ive been to some poorly organised does before,in fact most of them Ive organised! BUT it was awful. If that was your first taste of back home it would put you off for life. If it was then dont be. Its usually much better than that. Hope Sprint tells the full story of what went wrong?
Flasher - thanks for the support. Whilst it pains me to say it the Stompers, although it was my idea initially, weren't my idea of fun as it turned out, not at all what I expected - we tried something different, it didn't work, lesson learned! Don't you think we did well curtailing their act before they'd done their hour, as we judged all was not well? Pretty sharp there you see!
Gemini - Know what they say, pal, if you can do better and all that......! As you only managed to come for the parade you are not in any position to criticise IMHO. We didn't reckon we actually needed marshals as it was only a drive along the prom not a sprint after all and we are all grown-ups - what were you expecting, wacky races? The police had been arranged but they had already told us that they would only let us go 10 cars at a time, maximum 100 cars, no outriders, no special traffic control, obey the traffic lights etc so as it turned out, because they were otherwise engaged, we did manage to get a sizeable procession of unbroken TIVs and judging by the crowds faces we must have looked pretty good. We lost count at 120 and more kept joining the end of the queue. Clive had spoken to the police at 12.45 and they said they'd be there by 1pm - it didn't happen so what were we supposed to do? Chances are if they had turned up all the cars wouldn't have been allowed to go up the prom anyway!
J
Gemini - Know what they say, pal, if you can do better and all that......! As you only managed to come for the parade you are not in any position to criticise IMHO. We didn't reckon we actually needed marshals as it was only a drive along the prom not a sprint after all and we are all grown-ups - what were you expecting, wacky races? The police had been arranged but they had already told us that they would only let us go 10 cars at a time, maximum 100 cars, no outriders, no special traffic control, obey the traffic lights etc so as it turned out, because they were otherwise engaged, we did manage to get a sizeable procession of unbroken TIVs and judging by the crowds faces we must have looked pretty good. We lost count at 120 and more kept joining the end of the queue. Clive had spoken to the police at 12.45 and they said they'd be there by 1pm - it didn't happen so what were we supposed to do? Chances are if they had turned up all the cars wouldn't have been allowed to go up the prom anyway!
J
No one is blaming you for the parade thing Jane. It's always been a bit dodgy anyway with hordes of drunken twats gobbing on the cars in previous years....
So that leaves one cock-up... the band. Forget it. We laughed for about an hour and a half about them so don't worry. Perhaps we need to book something really good way in advance next year, but I understand that you didn't get chance to do that this time...so never mind. The rest of the weekend was really well organised and you deserve a big pat on the back for all your hard work.
My only other suggestion is to do the raffle earlier next time or even perhaps on the Sunday lunch? We only got 55 minutes of the disco this year which seemed a shame.
Whatever, all of the 10 strong clan we went with appreciate your efforts. Thank-you.
>> Edited by flasher on Monday 20th May 22:25
So that leaves one cock-up... the band. Forget it. We laughed for about an hour and a half about them so don't worry. Perhaps we need to book something really good way in advance next year, but I understand that you didn't get chance to do that this time...so never mind. The rest of the weekend was really well organised and you deserve a big pat on the back for all your hard work.
My only other suggestion is to do the raffle earlier next time or even perhaps on the Sunday lunch? We only got 55 minutes of the disco this year which seemed a shame.
Whatever, all of the 10 strong clan we went with appreciate your efforts. Thank-you.
>> Edited by flasher on Monday 20th May 22:25
That must have come over all wrong!
I have been to these events before. They have been great in the past but seem to get less support each year from the police. You would think that they would see it as a PR event and give Blackpool what it deserves. Its own home grown cars some support.
Well its perhaps not your fault? All I wished for was an explanation. It appears that is partly what I got.
I know what you mean about if you can do better. Im tempted! but without knowing what Id be getting myself into Ill leave it thanks.
As for not being there the whole weekend and therefore not being able to comment?
Yours a TVRCC member
>> Edited by gemini on Monday 20th May 23:24
I have been to these events before. They have been great in the past but seem to get less support each year from the police. You would think that they would see it as a PR event and give Blackpool what it deserves. Its own home grown cars some support.
Well its perhaps not your fault? All I wished for was an explanation. It appears that is partly what I got.
I know what you mean about if you can do better. Im tempted! but without knowing what Id be getting myself into Ill leave it thanks.
As for not being there the whole weekend and therefore not being able to comment?
Yours a TVRCC member
>> Edited by gemini on Monday 20th May 23:24
Rich you do a fine job in north yorks and it's a pity you got the std "if you could do better" excuse back instead of a reasonable explanation into what went wrong.Shifting blame is not good enough,sunday was a disaster,in addition to other problems what happened to the photo comp awards? to be anounced after lunch we thought, not so .And that band !
quote:
Flasher - thanks for the support. Whilst it pains me to say it the Stompers, although it was my idea initially, weren't my idea of fun as it turned out, not at all what I expected - we tried something different, it didn't work, lesson learned! Don't you think we did well curtailing their act before they'd done their hour, as we judged all was not well? Pretty sharp there you see!
Gemini - Know what they say, pal, if you can do better and all that......! As you only managed to come for the parade you are not in any position to criticise IMHO. We didn't reckon we actually needed marshals as it was only a drive along the prom not a sprint after all and we are all grown-ups - what were you expecting, wacky races? The police had been arranged but they had already told us that they would only let us go 10 cars at a time, maximum 100 cars, no outriders, no special traffic control, obey the traffic lights etc so as it turned out, because they were otherwise engaged, we did manage to get a sizeable procession of unbroken TIVs and judging by the crowds faces we must have looked pretty good. We lost count at 120 and more kept joining the end of the queue. Clive had spoken to the police at 12.45 and they said they'd be there by 1pm - it didn't happen so what were we supposed to do? Chances are if they had turned up all the cars wouldn't have been allowed to go up the prom anyway!
J
If the Police had inidicated that they would only allow 100 cars to go up the prom and only in batches, then I would question the sense in organising this part of the event in the first place. My expectation like many others was that this part of the event would be a slow Police escorted nose to tail cavalcade down the promenade. I can fully appreciate why Gemini and others ( including me ) thought this part of the event was badly organised and uncoordinated. I think having the cars lined up nose to tail outside of Pontin's makes communication a real problem, which is where a lot of the problems lay since nobody really knew what was going on. Maybe next time we should all meet up in a car park or something to make this less of an issue.
Mark
We'll see what next year brings. The TVRCC may want to keep the cavalcade as it is seen by many as the public airing of these great cars. There again they may drop it? Ill watch the AGM keenly and see if its mentioned. A bit of police laision might help!
>> Edited by gemini on Tuesday 21st May 20:21
Having been told that there was comment about Back Home on this site, I decided to take a look for myself.
Over the last 5 years I have seen a number of people involved in organising this major event and all of them had to put in endless hours of very hard work to make it happen. It is a pity that when volunteers are called for, most members take 2 steps back.The organising team at the weekend did very well in less than ideal conditions. Please take the time to offer your help in the future it would be much appreciated.
Carol Folkard - Club Administrator
Over the last 5 years I have seen a number of people involved in organising this major event and all of them had to put in endless hours of very hard work to make it happen. It is a pity that when volunteers are called for, most members take 2 steps back.The organising team at the weekend did very well in less than ideal conditions. Please take the time to offer your help in the future it would be much appreciated.
Carol Folkard - Club Administrator
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