Onslow

[ethel]

We travel from Preston to Onslow with our Burrell tractor on its transporter and 6 berth caravan hooked behind. This rally is a good enjoyable weekend for us and now we know the run of things we hang on with loading and leaving site till later, this year we left in pouring rain about 8 pm. The bug bear for me is getting my caravan and engine from the engine line down to the wagon, and we have realised now that you might as well just wait till about 6 pm before starting this manourve, so we take tea in the caravan, pack up, and wait till the weight of traffic has gone.

Onslow is no different to any other annual event and surlely if it wants to survive it must change a little each year and also introduce specials such as the Tanner display. Obviously not every change will suit everybody, however judging by the weekends attendance and above reported problems which in the main are all due to its popularity it looks to me like the committee has got the formula about right.

Every rally has its problems and there other rallies we attend where traffic queues form at the end of the event when everyone wants to leave at the same time, however this problem isn't unique to steam rallies , go to a big pop concert, sporting event or agricultural show and you will expect to be in traffic.

What I want to say in summary is that it is very easy to critisise the organising of the event but I wonder how many people offering criticism would be prepared to give their time to help improve things. Therefore I would like to offer a big THANKYOU to Edward and the committee for all their hard work in putting on this event for us to attend and long may it flourish.

[rustexpert]

I have found with more than one trip to get away from Onslow; I couldn't really do it all on the Monday evening. The best thing to do is sit tight and watch the chaos as everything else trickles out, assist as necessary with the breakdown of the show or towing by which time the light is fading; stay over until the Tuesday morning when traffic is minimal and I find the morning rush hour/business traffic in proper daylight is less problematic than doing battle with the holiday returners in fading light.
The problems this year were that it continued persisting down all night which didn't improve field conditions at all and the toilet providers were a bit keen taking all of them from the working field camping very early on the Monday evening; which the better half wasn't too happy about.

[Mine Explorer]

Originally Posted by rustexpert

I have found with more than one trip to get away from Onslow; I couldn't really do it all on the Monday evening. The best thing to do is sit tight and watch the chaos as everything else trickles out....

....stay over until the Tuesday morning when traffic is minimal and I find the morning rush hour/business traffic in proper daylight is less problematic than doing battle with the holiday returners in fading light....

....and the toilet providers were a bit keen taking all of them from the working field camping very early on the Monday evening; which the better half wasn't too happy about.

Yeah, they start herding together the thunder-boxes on a Monday night - but if you're prepared to walk, the proper flushing site loos are still functional for a while on the Tuesday morning.

Dispose of any rubbish on Monday night, because bins and skips dissappear sharpish, and the water main gets turned off at some point Tuesday morning so standpipes and the site loos can be dismantled (which can be a pain if you're busy trying to fill an engine at the time!)

Oh, and don't plan on a lie-in on a Tuesday either - there are tractors, front loaders, bin lorries and steam engines moving around from very early o'clock!
...In the case of lowy loaders heading for 'Dorset they can start running up air tanks and hitting the road at exceedingly early o'clock in the small hours.

[rustexpert]

I haven't seen the thunder boxes rounded up on the Monday evening before; not that it is a massive problem, that's what the chamber pot is for - when the thunder boxes are unfit to use. Fair play at Onslow they keep them in really a good state.
It is usually quiet on the Tuesday morning; tractors, lorries etc. I find don't disturb me. When the show is on usually somebody is cranking up the briefcase genny or revving motorbikes at 6.30 a.m. arrrrgggghhh!

[Mine Explorer]

Originally Posted by rustexpert

I haven't seen the thunder boxes rounded up on the Monday evening before; not that it is a massive problem, that's what the chamber pot is for - when the thunder boxes are unfit to use. Fair play at Onslow they keep them in really a good state...

The toilet quality is pretty good IMHO, and for those prepared to walk, there are proper flushing toilet blocks located near the beer tent. Although I didn't spot them this year, there is usually a shower facility in that area as well.

They were just going round emptying the elsan disposal points in the campsite areas when I left the site shortly before 6pm on Tuesday, by then there weren't any caravans/tents left in the camping areas, so there are still facilities for emptying 'the bucket' until late on to save taking it home.