Ardingly
 

Going to Ardingly this year with the 4" Ruston. Looks like it will be the last year for us and a lot of others as next year they will be charging 10 quid to camp. That includes all exhibitors and marshalls! Shame really as it was a fantastic show.... *cry

see you about 5.30pm friday all being well.
andy

What can the organisers be thinking? They are just goint to loose the support of their exhibitors, no exhibitors, no event...

We knocked this show on the head 2 years ago.

Its been on the cards for a while but next year it is happening. Such a shame. they can afford the poxy fly past that cost 10 grand for about 10 minutes 'entertainment' each day (if it isn't cloudy as it has been every year they have done it. Great showground for miniatures, loads to do and good people. All going down the bog! Appearently most of the commercial section are going to tell tehm to shove it next year as well...

Charging you to exhibit ...... humm................What do they do with full size steam give you expenses with one hand take it back with the other ?? Seems like the end !

Charging to exhibit .........well that would be appropriate for some people one might think of . Mind you , if they pay to exhibit they may expect to be treated well .

The organisers will get what they deserve .

Its ALL exhibitors including the marshalls who camp. Don't think there is going to be many marshalls next year either from what I have heard...

You could almost expect it for the grotty caravan with an awning full of vintage bottle tops or whatever (that really gets the crowds in!) or even the vintage cars that just sit there but the steam moves and breathes and makes noise. thats what the punters come to see. It is noted that this year the word 'steam' has been dropped from the show title completely.

They gave out a questioneer a few years ago wanting your thoughts.Think they are shooting themselves in the foot,Remember when the club started in Horsham Park about 1975,And supported most of there early shows.Some times they should look back at their humble beginings.From Leach pol lane,Ifield in the mud(took Edna there and got stuck) Think that if the show ground is getting too expensive then look for another.Without us enthusiasts be it with a lister d to a Showmans,the ruffling of exhibitors feathers will have no exhibits turn up so no show.It would be a shame as the organisers in the past and even to date have made an exerlent show it is a shame to see it go down in flames.
HH was not the first to hold rallies there,The Southen Counties Historic Vehical Group held there rallies there before the HH,They have had some bad times after but are now comming back.

I've been over there today.

Only to be told by the Tw*t on the gate that we did'nt have the right pass to set up.

After an unescessary slanging match, someone that had the savey to realise we had a rack saw on the back of the Landrover finally let us in. Q more words between said Tw*t and savey bloke over the rules.

Apparently there is going to be a questionaire for the exhibitors this year over the changes they are proposing.

It's a great rally but has always been blighted by the jobsworths and back biting, I just hope they sort it out. It will be a real shame if we loose it.

Find the rally now far too strict.Security is good but there are what i call "little Hitlers" that power gets to their heads.Had argument there several years ago about passes and was told to move as we had not put the caravan in the correct place after moving twice.Shame it is a good rally that Audry and Ray Frampton has built up with help from Brian Tullett in the early days.You get new comitee members who think they know best.Take a good good look at your past before jumping in blind to your future.

I remember a few Years someone on here was turned away with their Exhibit because they turned up a few minutes late.

i hope it all gets sorted out id like to go again next year and take an engine down it was worth the 440 mile round trip great bear tent good allround show

There was and it was quite a talking point as you can imagine. But it was what was being said by paying punters that they should really be listening to...

That being said sitting outside the beer tent watching Starlight and No 1 wired to Harris' machines with the sun beating down is a very pleasant experience :)

We had the questionniare. Options included (from memory) £10 to camp, £3 per exhibit fee, £6 booking fee, £5 programme and plaque fee. Show cost £80,000 to stage last year and profit was £7,000. Didn't stop them booking the flypast which cost thousands and despite hearing the Merlin engined Spitfire overhead is not a core attraction and whilst being the biggest exhibit expense probably didn't get a single new punter through the gate. Why cannot the numbskulls running this show realise this as areo fans will have gone to Biggin Hill a couple of weeks before or just sat outside the gate and watched for free????

Every single person I spoke to said they were not coming if they are charged. 7 marshalls have resigned already. We met the hag on the gate on the Thursday who demanded we have a green wristband and not an orange one. Seeing as they only posted orange ones that caused a sticking point. After much huffing and puffing we were allowed in. The actual show was as usual fabulous with Alan & Mandy Latham (who have both quit unfortunately and will be a great loss) the steam marshalls doing a great job and welcoming everyone in and making sure everyone was settled.

We need to save this great event. Charging the exhibitors isn't the way

We've been for the last 20 years, and this was the first year we missed. The haul round the M25 from Cambs was becoming a real pain (this year there were 65 mile queues !).

But the jumble was always good, and as Earl Kit. said, sitting outside the beer tent in the dusk with the steamers running the lights and fair is just magical.

As a camper I've noticed over the years how more and more people turn up without an exhibit and camp for the whole weekend - for nowt ! Its them that should be charged - which is what happens at several other rallies I go to.

Looks like theres been an about turn by the organisers.

Theres an advert in OG that mentions no charge for camping this year.

Well done for listening and here's hoping the show is a good one.

Thanks for letting me know that Graham. I'm going to exhibit there for the first time this year an reading all the above I was about to change my mind.
I'm really looking forward to it, havent been in a few years. Hope its still got that nice fun relaxed atmosphere. Last time I was there miniatures had free roaming, is that still true?
Hope to see you there
x

Ardingly
 

I don't have OG to hand, what are the dates for this year?

SAM
Ryde
IOW

9th + 10th July

Thank you. If we can get an invite we'll see you there!

I'm think the minatures still have free roam (judging by the number at the beer tent all day), just the full size that get marshalled in and out of the ring.