Astle Park Rally 2016.

[wjvardy1942]

A pleasant enough week-end in a lovely location, but, no Programs, no Threshing, no Rack bench and no Ploughing of course due to the location in Astle Park, heavy haulage in arena Saturday only, the crowds seem to come, public camping sold out, but was perhaps the attraction the chaps on motorbikes going up ramps their certainly seemed a lot of interest in it, but it stayed dry unlike 2 years ago when I was last there.

[DaveyC]

I was also disappointed about the lack of a program. I approached a yellow vest and asked where I could get a program, only to be told “There isn’t one”, So I enquired as to why the exhibits were displaying numbers and was told “so they can be judged”.
The mind boggles.
On the plus side, I reckon there must have been 50+ full size steamers.

[rustexpert]

56 full size steamers was mentioned.
The lack of program passed me by; if you wanted engine info the parade commentary was better than most with plenty of historical comment on most engines.
However with the lack of movement and all but the most token gesture of working exhibits; I thought this rally was a bit sterile; the thronging crowds seem to tell a different story though.

[DaveyC]

Originally Posted by rustexpert

if you wanted engine info the parade commentary was better than most with plenty of historical comment on most engines.

I would agree with that,
However, I was slightly annoyed that on Saturdy the commentator announced a minutes silence for a chap that had passed away, which I have absolutely no problem with, but he then proceeded to chat to the people around him for that minute while his mic was off.
I thought it was a touch disrespectful.

[contractor]

With regards to your remark about me talking in the minutes silence, I was actually telling people to be quiet in particularly a group of young girls who were laughing out loud, some people are totally ignorant,

[DaveyC]

Originally Posted by contractor

With regards to your remark about me talking in the minutes silence, I was actually telling people to be quiet in particularly a group of young girls who were laughing out loud, some people are totally ignorant,

Apologies, I didn't mean to offend, just saying how it looked.
I would have let them get on with it, then they look bad not you.

[Clive Hearsey]

The miniatures only carry numbers so the comentator can identify them from his crib sheet.

Thanks Jimmy for the pictures.
Clive

[TBirdFrank]

First time we have been back since 1984 when our local rally was lost to Mammon -

It is said to be under new management but the lines and lines of trade seem little different than what put us off all those years ago when the burger vans arrived.

The vehicle display areas were not roped and the amount of moving vehicles - especially at night - would have had some local show organisers having a heart attack.

Stunt bike riding and teddy bears does nothing for me - but at least the beer tent had some decent ale

[mancbranch]

Originally Posted by TBirdFrank

The vehicle display areas were not roped and the amount of moving vehicles - especially at night - would have had some local show organisers having a heart attack

Being one of the many exhibitors (not steam granted) who have given up on nearby Kelsall because there are so many hi vis heroes it's impossible to get a good photo of anything moving I like the slightly more laid back way of Astle Park. I certainly didn't see anything dangerous happen, as I said to someone who bit my head off at Kelsall for having the cheek to drive towards the arena parade, I can drive a car in a supermarket car park full of people without needing six bright green cadets to escort me so why do I need it on a field?

I for one hope Astle Park keeps marshalling as it does. I wouldn't say no to a program but I know they cost a lot and not many people buy them so it's not the end of the world I guess.

[Martlew61]

Originally Posted by mancbranch

Being one of the many exhibitors (not steam granted) who have given up on nearby Kelsall because there are so many hi vis heroes it's impossible to get a good photo of anything moving I like the slightly more laid back way of Astle Park. I certainly didn't see anything dangerous happen, as I said to someone who bit my head off at Kelsall for having the cheek to drive towards the arena parade, I can drive a car in a supermarket car park full of people without needing six bright green cadets to escort me so why do I need it on a field?

I for one hope Astle Park keeps marshalling as it does. I wouldn't say no to a program but I know they cost a lot and not many people buy them so it's not the end of the world I guess.

Yes, leave the rally as it is, to me it's the best in the North West, easy going, laid back and the atmosphere is second to none, you get two steam parades each day, the second one on the Sunday gives you the sight of seeing some of the engines complete with load, thanks to all involved from the Camcorder chap