Gathering

[Eddie Shermer]

I am starting to put together the October edition of the Yowl and would like to raise a topic that will be up for debate at the October committee meeting. However, inclusion in the Yowl will not give time for replies to be formulated and forwarded to committee members. I would ask that anyone with a view post a reply to this during the next week so that I may include this in the discussion.

Over the past two years the gathering has been included as part of the Abbotsholme weekend. The main reason for this was the change of ownership of Stanford Hall and the hike in asking price to hold the venue there. I am not sure if there has been some relaxation of this price hike, but the Stanford Hall calender is thin and I believe the Velocette club have pulled out for 2011 as well.

There is a feeling amongst some committee members that the gathering should split from the weekend and return to Stanford Hall.

Clearly such a split would mean much less work for myself and family as the Sunday does put a lot more organisation on our plates. However, I am concerned that a split would be to the detriment of both events. Particularly for those who travel a long way. I can not see Graham bringing the spares on both occasions or the likes of Eric coming from Holland.

Please let me have some thoughts so that I may include these in the next Yowl.

Eddie

[Deleted User]

Last year was the first time that the Gathering was at Abbotsholme. And I thought this combined event was great!

Before that I always wanted to go to a Gathering but for a one day event it is just not worth it. It is very expensive for people from the continent to come over (that being the sole reason of my absence this year).

A combined event like Abbotsholme caters for everyone. And being a whole weekend makes the costs just that more justifiable. It also offers something for everyone being both a social event as well as a riders event. And that combined with the show aspect on Sunday makes it truly complete. And of course Abbotsholme is nicely situated somewhere in de middle.

I think a separate Gathering and Abbotsholme might just prove to be too much…

So my plea would definitely be to keep it this way (sorry for you and your family Eddie!).

Just my thoughts.

Cheers,
Erik

[Deleted User]

I totally agree with Eric. Abbotsholme is perfect in my opinion. Regrettably I could not participate this year – the Scandinavian Vincent Club had a gathering at Bornholm in the Baltic sea on the same weekend.

All the best,

Carl

[Martin Heckscher]

Hi Eddie,

I’m not sure whether or not it is correct, or appropriate, for committee members to state their personal views on the forum – but for what it’s worth my own feeling is that the combined event at Abbotsholme is a big advance over the tired event that used to happen at Stanford Hall.

At Stanford Hall there was never enough time to do everything, and there was no riding element. This is after all a motorcycle club!

I am told that lots of members would rather be at Stanford Hall. Well, over the last two years only one member has expressed that opinion to me, but there have been countless comments in favour of Abbotsholme.

I think it would be a pity to lose the whole weekend format that we have just enjoyed so much. However, if the counter proposal is that a full weekend event at Abbotsholme is to be maintained, and a separate one day event is to be established, I suppose I should keep an open mind. I just can’t see any appeal in the static old Stanford Hall format.

I suppose that those members who have come along only on the Sunday may possibly see little difference – just a new venue. Well, the whole appeal of Abbotsholme is the Friday to Sunday format and all that the additional time allows. Come & experience it if you haven’t already. We are surely the envy of many other clubs who would love to stage such an event.

I cannot see what is to be gained by changing what has become, in only 2 1/2 years, the best event in the Scott Club calendar over the whole 26 years that I have been a member.

Very best wishes to all
Martin

[Anonymous]

I absolutely support the current full weekend format which incorporates everything:

Riding
Autojumble
Display
Plenty of time to socialise and catch up

To split this for me would then take out two weekends and double the travel time/cost for what would offer nothing in addition to the full weekend format. In fact with the accomodation, food etc arranged at Abottsholme I cannot see many other venues offering such an excellent arrangement.

Cheers,
Richard

[Deleted User]

I only joined last year so I have no experience of Stanford Hall; all I can say is that the 2 Abbotsholme weekends have been brilliant for me, lots of opportunities to meet the other members, pick their brains and look at the other bikes to find out how our bikes should be. The run to Buxton and back was wonderful both times. I am already looking forward to next year.

[Deleted User]

Eddie you & your Family unit are doing a fantastic Job , Stanford hall offers me nothing that Abbotsholme does not do much better, I suggest that those that are complaining have not yet experienced Abbotsholme hospitality or they have to travel over 10 miles to get there…..we have a ferry trip & as far to travel on the mainland from that point as anyone, as does Eric, & all travellers. At the weekend we had an american (2nd time there), a french guy, a new scott owner who rode from Bristol on a bike he barely knew, last year we had 2 Dutch men & a table of Italian…. there is no argument here about attendances.

I Think the Club has taken the Correct Path with Abbotsholme & I personally & my family could not make one criticism of last weekend gathering/weekends events, infact when can we book next years ?

Well done The Scott Club & Especially the Shermer Family !!!

[chris wastell]

Unfortunately I have been unable to attend an Abbotsholme gathering and am unlikely to ever manage the whole weekend. However it sounds like great fun and very popular. As someone else has already observed, if you visit for just one day presumably you get much the same thing as the old Stanford Hall event so its a no brainer. Sorry Eddie, looks like you’re a victim of your own success!

[richard tann]

Eddie

Thank you, the Abbotsholme event was brilliant, and very very much enjoyed by me and my party. My only regret is that so much of the work falls on you and your family, keeping in mind that you are already doing a substantial job for the Club as Yowl editor.

A separate Gathering? Did this purveyor of bright ideas also volunteer to run it? I doubt it!

Richard Tann

[Deleted User]

Its worth remembering that 2 events on 2 separate dates (weekends) will increase the chances of some attendances by those who could not make the one weekend.I have been lucky on the Sunday for the last 2 years but It could so easily been a race meeting date (or a wedding)

[David J Waring]

Eddie,
I have little to add since my 2009 posting, which prompted many complimentary comments about Abbotsholme, see:-

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject: SOC ANNUAL GATHERING at ABBOTSHOLME

Other than that, I would say that provision of accommodation, with expansion into a full weekend, attracting our distant & overseas members, makes Abbotsholme a wonderfull venue. To re-introduce a Stanford Hall SOC event would dilute this. Anyone with a yearning for Stanford Hall can attend VMCC Founders Day.
Committee discussion should centre around easing the burden on you & your family.
Should there be others out there who, like myself, are old enough to remember Gatherings at Crown Meadow, Evesham, don’t you dare suggest returning there !
David.

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