Discussion
Someone has to stick their neck in the noose. I nominate me.
This was my first Growl, and frankly nothing like I expected. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed myself and had a great time, but without the pub and barbecue on the evening, it would have been a bit dull. I mean, how long can one spend in a hotel car park looking at 100 Griffs, and in the company of mostly blokes.
A hotel car park is not a good place. The nearby location is dull unless driving somewhere further. No daytime entertainment is a let down. At least a marquee with refreshments / bar / music / DVD / seating / shelter (well it is a British summer) / live music / dancing girls / male female strippers, I don't know. But man, a ribbon of tarmac with Griffs lined up on it can only hold my attention for so long. I want fun outside of the car, not just about the bloody car.
About the location. How many Northerners? If Ettington is central England then Yorkshire must be the Outer Hebrides. The location needs to be somewhere of interest outside of the car park. A coastal setting? A scenic countryside? Somewhere where everything, including the evening's entertainment is all on site. Get a marquee. A big one. Get a band. Get several bands. People bring their own barbie food. Lots of it - and all share. Bring s
t loads of booze, or coffee. Let's just party. Sorry but that for me was pretty formal.
Yes I enjoyed myself. Yes I met some nice people. Yes there were some great Griffs to see. Yes it was a good event, but not good enough I wanted to hang around after 1 o/c Sunday to repeat pretty much Saturdays heel kicking, ad nauseum ad nauseum.....
Oh yeah, and one last fk up. I knew I never wanted a blue Griff. Those who showed up in black Griffs, especially ones with black interior, you make me sick. Give us your interior. I can paint the outside no problem!
Rant over!
This was my first Growl, and frankly nothing like I expected. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed myself and had a great time, but without the pub and barbecue on the evening, it would have been a bit dull. I mean, how long can one spend in a hotel car park looking at 100 Griffs, and in the company of mostly blokes.
A hotel car park is not a good place. The nearby location is dull unless driving somewhere further. No daytime entertainment is a let down. At least a marquee with refreshments / bar / music / DVD / seating / shelter (well it is a British summer) / live music / dancing girls / male female strippers, I don't know. But man, a ribbon of tarmac with Griffs lined up on it can only hold my attention for so long. I want fun outside of the car, not just about the bloody car.
About the location. How many Northerners? If Ettington is central England then Yorkshire must be the Outer Hebrides. The location needs to be somewhere of interest outside of the car park. A coastal setting? A scenic countryside? Somewhere where everything, including the evening's entertainment is all on site. Get a marquee. A big one. Get a band. Get several bands. People bring their own barbie food. Lots of it - and all share. Bring s
t loads of booze, or coffee. Let's just party. Sorry but that for me was pretty formal.Yes I enjoyed myself. Yes I met some nice people. Yes there were some great Griffs to see. Yes it was a good event, but not good enough I wanted to hang around after 1 o/c Sunday to repeat pretty much Saturdays heel kicking, ad nauseum ad nauseum.....
Oh yeah, and one last f
k up. I knew I never wanted a blue Griff. Those who showed up in black Griffs, especially ones with black interior, you make me sick. Give us your interior. I can paint the outside no problem!Rant over!
To be fair i think the organisers do a great job,they get nothing for their time apart from gratitude from fellow Griff (Tvr)owners,I think you are being a bit harsh here.
They are always looking for input and help with the event perhaps you can put yourself forward for some of these dutys next year
They are always looking for input and help with the event perhaps you can put yourself forward for some of these dutys next year
Rocket Pepper said:
A hotel car park is not a good place. The nearby location is dull unless driving somewhere further. No daytime entertainment is a let down. At least a marquee with refreshments / bar / music / DVD / seating / shelter (well it is a British summer) / live music / dancing girls / male female strippers, I don't know. But man, a ribbon of tarmac with Griffs lined up on it can only hold my attention for so long. I want fun outside of the car, not just about the bloody car.
erm it was the Griff Growl, it's about Griff's you know TVR Griffith, it's about cars, it's about different ones, it's about original ones, it's bout modified ones, it's about normal ones and different ones, it's the Griff Growl it's about Griff's.If you want dancing girls (or boys) then go to an event about dancing girls(or boys). Okay as a newbie I had more time to learn the things I need to learn about the car, but if the emphasis was on anything like the stuff you mention I would not be back next year.
All the best
Paul
NO !!! .......I think the fact that the growl has continued to get bigger and better each year, speaks for its self,in that people like the format and return year after year.
As said above, the event is about Griffs, there are plenty of other events throughout the year that cater for other types of day.
I personally hope that they don`t change the format to much for future Growls.
But who knows, we now may have an additional event to look forward to, The Rocket Pepper Growl
As said above, the event is about Griffs, there are plenty of other events throughout the year that cater for other types of day.
I personally hope that they don`t change the format to much for future Growls.
But who knows, we now may have an additional event to look forward to, The Rocket Pepper Growl
My what sarcasm. Please be all ears. I really appreciate the effort all those involved put in. This isn't meant to be a sg off the Growl thread. It's meant to get you miserable boring farts kicked up the arse into wanting something better of what is clearly an established good format, but one that seems to lack OTHER forms of ACCOMPANYING entertainment.
You simply can't keep walking around a car park from morning till late afternoon looking at 100 Griffs, then do it all again the next day. If that's all that floats your boat then I know what to expect of next years event. In which case I'd go for a few hours and fk off and enjoy the near 400 mile drive instead.
g off the Growl thread. It's meant to get you miserable boring farts kicked up the arse into wanting something better of what is clearly an established good format, but one that seems to lack OTHER forms of ACCOMPANYING entertainment.You simply can't keep walking around a car park from morning till late afternoon looking at 100 Griffs, then do it all again the next day. If that's all that floats your boat then I know what to expect of next years event. In which case I'd go for a few hours and f
k off and enjoy the near 400 mile drive instead. 
I can assure you there was no sarcasm in my post. Yes I agree every event can be better but better by who's standards? How involved did you get with the event? Many of the traders and exhibitors were offering talks\demo's etc some of which were free, others low cost, sure there were times when I could have been kicking my heels but look at the cars, talk to the owners, share experience, everyone I spoke to was more than happy to talk to talk Griff, and that's why I was there.
I think it's a case of getting out what you put in.
All the best
Paul
I think it's a case of getting out what you put in.
All the best
Paul
Barreti said:
woooooo, this is gonna be fun!
Anyone for Alton Towers
Anyone for Alton Towers
Be careful what you wish for.Anyway just to add my two pennuth worth, as a BBWF organiser.
The organisers of any National event, and their helpers, do much, much, more than most attendees could even begin to imagine and not just on the day/s but for literally 12 months prior to any event.
Venues are like goldust and have to be booked 9 - 12 months in advance and with the best will in the World no location is ever going to satisfy everyone geographically, so it makes common sense to select a location which is central with easy access from all directions - Ettington pretty much fulfills this role, they also tolerate an awful lot of TVR event requirements that most other venues will not, plus they do not charge the earth (with maybe the exception of drinks).
As for extra "entertainment" of any kind I suspect all organisers are open to suitable,sensible, suggestions that may "improve the experience" but they only have so much spare time, which, as I can vouch for, is pretty much full on just sorting out the event logistics - in order to add further attractions they would need proper full on commitment from others who are willing/able to take on the tasks and responsibilities that this entails! So, if you think things could/should be changed/improved then why not get off the couch and offer your services to the organisers to organise these "additions"?
A few of us Wedgers popped along (hoods down) despite the awful weather on Saturday morning to offer our moral support to your organisers for all the hard work that they have put in to bring you Griff owners a terrific annual get together and I must say when we saw the rain on Saturday morning, that we really felt for you all!, particularly as our own show some two weeks previous had been graced by possibly the best 3 days weather we have had all year.
Organisers can only bring the ingredients together, which is sometimes a thankless task, and somethings, like the weather, are beyond their control - But no matter what the organisers do at the end of the day its you, the car owners, who MAKE an Event out of it -so rather than moan about the weather, and what you didnt like why not celebrate the cars, the people and the bits you did enjoy?
WEll done Griff Growl organisers
fab turn out, and another successful Growl. And all despite God p
on us all - maybe its his way of telling us to buy a Chimaera! 
A serious reply from me then.
Why not put up suggestions and ideas for next year somewhere? Start a sticky thread for it maybe.
There are bound to be a lot you can dismiss out of hand, in the nicest possible way obviously, but there are going to be some which come from people who have seen really left-field ideas which work brilliantly at other events.
For me, despite the awful weather this year I really enjoyed it. Talking to otheranorak Griffith owners, having a few beers with old friends and meeting people who have exchanged ideas with me over the past year. It all went in a flash - so fast in fact that I had to get Mrs Barreti to pick up my oil from Guy on Sunday (oh, thanks CliveF mate, for helping Deb out. Gold star for you AGAIN!)
Why not put up suggestions and ideas for next year somewhere? Start a sticky thread for it maybe.
There are bound to be a lot you can dismiss out of hand, in the nicest possible way obviously, but there are going to be some which come from people who have seen really left-field ideas which work brilliantly at other events.
For me, despite the awful weather this year I really enjoyed it. Talking to other
gopher said:
I can assure you there was no sarcasm in my post. Yes I agree every event can be better but better by who's standards? How involved did you get with the event?
Isn't that sarcasm too?gopher said:
Many of the traders and exhibitors were offering talks\demo's etc some of which were free, others low cost, sure there were times when I could have been kicking my heels but look at the cars, talk to the owners, share experience, everyone I spoke to was more than happy to talk to talk Griff, and that's why I was there.
Me too. I expected more after what I'd assumed reading the forums.gopher said:
I think it's a case of getting out what you put in.
No it's not. That's ridiculous. It's about people speaking up and suggesting what might improve it for next year. Suggesting doesn't mean I actually want to organise it. But clearly if suggesting has the response you're willing to offer, then nothing will improve. If you have nothing constructive to add, and all you wish to do is make me appear ungrateful, please say nothing.All the best.
Like others have said the event is about Griffs, we spent a long time walking around comparing this and that, watching the RR and talking to many people to the extent that the day went past very quickly. Yes it was wet (again, must stop taking the poor thing out in that type of weather 
)and yes we did get wet, but it's no different than any other car club gathering, look at last years SOC national at Uttoxeter, that was a mud fest, at least at Ettington you have the hard standing of the car park along with the facilities of the Hotel to get dry and have a hot drink or something else if needed. A walk down to the village will result in 2 eating options, or do like we did (knowing the BBQ was on later) and visit the spar shop and just get a sandwich, or if early enough hot pies etc. British weather is the one thing that cannot be relied upon, and after many years being out in all weathers at Race Circuits/Forests you learn to always come prepared (or is that the Boy Scouts 
)
Oh by the way which one was your car Rocket, maybe next year we could have something to identify each other easier, I know there were a couple I was looking out for, but never having met them I didn't know what they looked like, yourself included.
)and yes we did get wet, but it's no different than any other car club gathering, look at last years SOC national at Uttoxeter, that was a mud fest, at least at Ettington you have the hard standing of the car park along with the facilities of the Hotel to get dry and have a hot drink or something else if needed. A walk down to the village will result in 2 eating options, or do like we did (knowing the BBQ was on later) and visit the spar shop and just get a sandwich, or if early enough hot pies etc. British weather is the one thing that cannot be relied upon, and after many years being out in all weathers at Race Circuits/Forests you learn to always come prepared (or is that the Boy Scouts ) Oh by the way which one was your car Rocket, maybe next year we could have something to identify each other easier, I know there were a couple I was looking out for, but never having met them I didn't know what they looked like, yourself included.
Barreti said:
A serious reply from me then.
Why not put up suggestions and ideas for next year somewhere? Start a sticky thread for it maybe.
There are bound to be a lot you can dismiss out of hand, in the nicest possible way obviously, but there are going to be some which come from people who have seen really left-field ideas which work brilliantly at other events.
Thank you dude. Now we're on track!Why not put up suggestions and ideas for next year somewhere? Start a sticky thread for it maybe.
There are bound to be a lot you can dismiss out of hand, in the nicest possible way obviously, but there are going to be some which come from people who have seen really left-field ideas which work brilliantly at other events.
Just to be clear, I really enjoyed it too. We had a great time. I'm simply saying, as this was my first visit, the Growl has the foundations to become a Growl Festival and not just an annual weekend gathering.
To say that the original post must be a slap in the face to the organisers is putting it mildly, it's easy to critise but less easy to stand up to the plate. I've found that to my personal cost this year.
The weather has by far to be the greatest influence on an event such as this and the fact that well over 100 cars turned up on Saturday when awful weather was forecast is nothing short of amazing. (what was the final number?)If it'd been a sunnier weekend I believe the whole atmosphere would have been totally different and far busier.
I didn't do the whole Growl this year because of a variety of reasons but still felt the 400 mile round trip was worth it, I met old friends, made some new ones, put names to PH handles and learnt things from talking to people and listening to some of the talks by making an effort. I went on the Ride Drive taster for example and really enjoyed it. I spent some money on my polishing addiction and would have spent more if I could have justified it.
Talking to one or two people has added things to my list of things to do and removed one or two others, it's very much a weekend of getting out what you put in imo.
I've a lot of experience of corporate events and Ettington Chase are remarkably accomodating and helpful in my opinion and obviously have there health club that you could delve into for a few hours to get a break from cars, the two pubs in the village are nice to wonder to for lunch and there are one or two nice attractions in the area if you get bored.
Moving the event. Why? I imagine the cost of an event at somewhere like Alton Towers would be prohibitive and detract from the purpose which to be honest is to talk cars if you want to go somewhere to have the general public pawing at and scratching your car whuile you're away from it then I guess that's good but it's not what I want. I doubt the exhibitors would turn up if thar was the case.
All in all I blame the weather for dampening (literally) the weekend.
The weather has by far to be the greatest influence on an event such as this and the fact that well over 100 cars turned up on Saturday when awful weather was forecast is nothing short of amazing. (what was the final number?)If it'd been a sunnier weekend I believe the whole atmosphere would have been totally different and far busier.
I didn't do the whole Growl this year because of a variety of reasons but still felt the 400 mile round trip was worth it, I met old friends, made some new ones, put names to PH handles and learnt things from talking to people and listening to some of the talks by making an effort. I went on the Ride Drive taster for example and really enjoyed it. I spent some money on my polishing addiction and would have spent more if I could have justified it.
Talking to one or two people has added things to my list of things to do and removed one or two others, it's very much a weekend of getting out what you put in imo.
I've a lot of experience of corporate events and Ettington Chase are remarkably accomodating and helpful in my opinion and obviously have there health club that you could delve into for a few hours to get a break from cars, the two pubs in the village are nice to wonder to for lunch and there are one or two nice attractions in the area if you get bored.
Moving the event. Why? I imagine the cost of an event at somewhere like Alton Towers would be prohibitive and detract from the purpose which to be honest is to talk cars if you want to go somewhere to have the general public pawing at and scratching your car whuile you're away from it then I guess that's good but it's not what I want. I doubt the exhibitors would turn up if thar was the case.
All in all I blame the weather for dampening (literally) the weekend.
Sharon, my Griff is starmist blue and was notable by its front end damage, the result of an evil policeman reversing up it some months ago. I was wearing jeans and a long sleeve Harley 'T' shirt on Saturday. Despite my youthful forties I'm fabulous looking, have full head of hair and all my own teeth. Which one and who were you?
V8 GRF said:
To say that the original post must be a slap in the face to the organisers is putting it mildly, it's easy to critise but less easy to stand up to the plate.
David, it's nothing of the sort, and there's no need for you to blow smoke up anyone's arse whilst flaming me. I appreciate all that went into the Growl - and I enjoyed it. I won't say it again. As for the Alton Towers thing. Isn't that meant as a joke? It's not what I had in mind.
Wouldn't it be lovely to have violinists playing throughout the day. A pig roasting on a spit. Fresh ground coffee served from the back of a three wheeled Piaggio. A marquee tent with bar. A caravan / campsite close by. A place where noise can be made. A few bands playing into the night. Limehouse Lizzy, an AC/DC tribute band, Will bloody Young for all I care. Somewhere where we can have a beer and dance. Ask yourself how many women attended. Ask them what they would like.
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