is a 100 to many or should it be limited to 60

[Landy lover]

What we really need is our own Motorhome Fun Show........then we can all park near the showground and all the other clubs (if we invite them) would all be parked out further:thumb:

Now that is the way forward - best suggestion yet

 

[keith]

I agree with Paul, there is a big difference between meets and shows. We always love the B & B much more than sitting in a field at a show and finding out on our return we spent tooooo much.

We bought a MH to enjoy the wilder places that abound, especially in Scotland, so a small site or any where out in the countryside, even on our own, is our ideal.

We still enjoy meeting all the friends we have made through Fun and the B & B lets us get rid of the items we bought at shows because we thought we needed them.

The shows cannot be that bad, and if so many people want to attend they will know the situation before going after reading this thread.

 

[runrig]

Hi all,

With regard to the issue in hand, as someone who organises meets with FUN we feel that if giving the funsters a good time and an enjoyable meet then it has been all worthwhile. Admittedly in some places space is at a premium but uchitting up a bit to get another funster in should not be a problem. Yes it would be nice to have loads of room but at the end of the day the weather is the deciding factor as we all know with the recent mud bath at Peterbro.

At the organised shows there isnt usually a problem with space, but even they get it wrong regarding the rooms they use for entertainment not enough for the number of people attending these shows. At least with funsters we do try to give everyone the opportunity to join in if they so wish. As far as we are concerned it doesnt matter what sort of unit you have trailer tent, caravan, european motorhome or RV big or small we are the same on the inside and a funster meet is what members do best have FUN.

Nobody wants to limit the number of units that can attend a meet, but sometimes specialised event i.e. Eden camp and Whitby Goth weekends there just is not the space available to take more than the venues allow. Also some events would need a bit more commitment from funsters that wish to come i.e. New Year etc. It would be possible to arrange a meet at New Year in a school with hard standing but money would need to be laid out in advance.

Anyhow ive waffled on enough because at the end of the day at a meet many funsters rally round and help the marshalls with the meet so everyone can enjoy themselves.


Sheila xx

 

[GJH]

Whilst multiple areas might seem attractive on the face of it, how practical would it actually be? How would one split bookings between one area and another - and then ensure that people are directed to the correct one? How would one deal with the cases where people want to be sited next to friends but have booked separately?

As regards disability in general then the only way to ensure being reasonably close to the show is to book in the disabled area rather than with any of the clubs. The show organisers wait until booking closes and then allocate areas based on the number of bookings for each club/area. What other way could they do it?

 

[Geo]

What we really really need is More Meets Organisers, it would be FUN to have lots of smaller meets happening all over the place "Mini Meets" restricted to 20-25 vans
All happening when ever, if they clash so what
Its all about choice and putting on what folk want and like,there will always be room for big and small meets
Nothing for the organiser to do but pick a venue and ask who wants to go, all to pre book with venue as individuals, NO need for bacon butties and trying to feed and out do the last meets.
You've all got Motor Homes and grub, do yer own butties
A small shelter or Gazeebo is all that would be needed if the weather was in doubt, there is no need to lay on plans or a theme, if you do all well and good, or there is maybe something of interest locally, Fishing, Golf, sports of all kinds, Photography, the list is endless
Go on take a chance organise something
you know you want to
G

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[Gromett]

If it was to be limited, I probably wouldn't make any more. I leave it to the last minute to book because I can't plan too far ahead due to work/life thingies.

I think for major shows such as Peterborough and Statford they should be unlimited but I am sure something can be done to make it easier for Bob and anyone else with individual needs.

For other meets I am guessing they are limited in size by the location anyway?

 

[haganap]

Whilst multiple areas might seem attractive on the face of it, how practical would it actually be? How would one split bookings between one area and another - and then ensure that people are directed to the correct one? How would one deal with the cases where people want to be sited next to friends but have booked separately?

As regards disability in general then the only way to ensure being reasonably close to the show is to book in the disabled area rather than with any of the clubs. The show organisers wait until booking closes and then allocate areas based on the number of bookings for each club/area. What other way could they do it?

I just really don't like the idea of multiple areas.

I don't think it necessary, Yes we have some members that are limited mobility wise, but in my mind, being a crazy bunch as we are, be far better to build something that we could carry them to the show entrance.

I think it would be unfair to expect me to walk back from the disabled area after a night out with the funsters, I would fall over to often and get lost due to alcohol.

May be one of these might help

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIc8ulSjlHc&feature=related[/ame]

 

[MrMotorhome]

Newbies ish

If someone could list the total vans at all the Meets and Shows over the year I think you might find there was something for everybody.

Personally we love them all, with each one being a different experience. Horses for courses.

 

[icantremember]

What we really really need is More Meets Organisers, it would be FUN to have [HI]lots of smaller meets happening all over the place "Mini Meets" restricted to 20-25 vans[/HI]
All happening when ever, if they clash so what
Its all about choice and putting on what folk want and like,there will always be room for big and small meets
Nothing for the organiser to do but pick a venue and ask who wants to go, all to pre book with venue as individuals, NO need for bacon butties and trying to feed and out do the last meets.
You've all got Motor Homes and grub, do yer own butties
A small shelter or Gazeebo is all that would be needed if the weather was in doubt, there is no need to lay on plans or a theme, if you do all well and good, or there is maybe something of interest locally, Fishing, Golf, sports of all kinds, Photography, the list is endless
Go on take a chance organise something
you know you want to
G

Great idea Geo but I think the C&CC got there first with their local DA meets

 

[Geo]

Great idea Geo but I think the C&CC got there first with their local DA meets

I know, I gave it em:thumb:
Lets hope their up for the competition:thumb:

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[slobadoberbob]

yes would love one

I just really don't like the idea of multiple areas.

I don't think it necessary, Yes we have some members that are limited mobility wise, but in my mind, being a crazy bunch as we are, be far better to build something that we could carry them to the show entrance.

I think it would be unfair to expect me to walk back from the disabled area after a night out with the funsters, I would fall over to often and get lost due to alcohol.

May be one of these might help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIc8ulSjlHc&feature=related

Yes would love one.. but they are £5k... even the one I use was £2,500 and my power chair at home cost £3k

But then you have to transport them... As shown you try and get a scooter in a disabled toilet:Blush:

Bad enough with a bog standard class I wheelchair that you push...


But it may well be that we have to go back to being in the general area ...disabled as it has proved to be hard work being so far out at Malvern and Peterborough... We have booked for this year, but we will be giving it consideration in the future.

A word on DA meets.. for us a waste of time.. especially in Kent... to many yellow jacket type rules.

Bob:Blush:

 

[haganap]

Yes would love one.. but they are £5k... even the one I use was £2,500 and my power chair at home cost £3k

But then you have to transport them...


Bob:Blush:

Can't you a frame one though bob its legal you know

 

[Snowbird]

I just really don't like the idea of multiple areas.

I don't think it necessary, Yes we have some members that are limited mobility wise, but in my mind, being a crazy bunch as we are, be far better to build something that we could carry them to the show entrance.

I think it would be unfair to expect me to walk back from the disabled area after a night out with the funsters, I would fall over to often and get lost due to alcohol.

May be one of these might help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIc8ulSjlHc&feature=related

Nah he doesn't need one of them........he needs one of THESE and it will NOT get stuck anywhere. It comes with its own trailer for outside UK and its own towbar for countries that are more civilised like the UK. Much more fun than a toad or powered chair.
Think of the havoc you could cause with this baby Bob.

 

[Xoxoc]

What we really really need is More Meets Organisers, it would be FUN to have lots of smaller meets happening all over the place "Mini Meets" restricted to 20-25 vans
All happening when ever, if they clash so what
Its all about choice and putting on what folk want and like,there will always be room for big and small meets
Nothing for the organiser to do but pick a venue and ask who wants to go, all to pre book with venue as individuals, NO need for bacon butties and trying to feed and out do the last meets.
You've all got Motor Homes and grub, do yer own butties
A small shelter or Gazeebo is all that would be needed if the weather was in doubt, there is no need to lay on plans or a theme, if you do all well and good, or there is maybe something of interest locally, Fishing, Golf, sports of all kinds, Photography, the list is endless
Go on take a chance organise something
you know you want to
G

Well said George. :thumb:



Let's bring it back to basics...

A 'MEET' does NOT have to be an extravaganza, an event, a mini show.

Meets are NOT organisez by motorhomefun, they are put up by ANY member and can be as simple as "We are going to be at campsite 'x' for the last weekend next month. If you want to join us, book with the site and let us know you are coming"

Obviously some meets have expanded and become much more than that but the important point is that a MEET is whatever the organiser wants it to be. Often the member who puts up the meet will theme it (fishing, bring & buy, new year etc.) but they don't need to be.

So as should now be painfully obvious, we (motorhomefun) don't have meets organisers in the full sense...you are ALL meets organisers, just put the meet up!

As Geo hints at, we need to get away from this idea that motorhome fun have a meet on this date so we can't organise one for then...A meet is an individuals 'thing'

Suzy and I organised several New Year meets and we limited the numbers.
We organised a meet in Morecambe (no theme as such) and again, limited the numbers. We liked smaller meets and organised OUR meets as such.

So please, forget this idea that meets are big events organised by motorhomefun...they are whatever you want them to be...after all, they are YOUR events.

Bryan

(Apologies to the OP, Bob, as his thread is really directed at SHOWS not MEETS...)

 

[JJ]

Without thinking about it too much as it would make my already over worked brain hurt, I am, in general, anti any idea that would split up Funsters at a gathering...

Two groups of Funsters in different areas at the same event... don't like it... soon there would be battles between each group as to which one was having the most fun... I predict raiding parties being organised for late night sabotage and Funster Flag nicking...

Tunnelling under RVs would take place, First World War style, and videoing as the monsters sink into the earth...

If a time ever arrives when there are more than two vans visiting QMJ at the same time the only separation would be if there were any Man Utd loving Fray Bentos Pie haters... they get parked with my ants... (they are big, red and nasty too.)

JJ :Cool:

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[aba]

i would think that with the numbers that fun have in attendance at shows we should have got some bargaining power with the show hosts.

or maybe the show hosts should plan the shows better so that the show is central to all camping areas then there wouldn't be the same problems.

 

[slobadoberbob]

I think this post really is at the heart of the issue

i would think that with the numbers that fun have in attendance at shows we should have got some bargaining power with the show hosts.

or maybe the show hosts should plan the shows better so that the show is central to all camping areas then there wouldn't be the same problems.

I did think long and hard about putting the is question on the forum.

I knew it would knives in my back .. shot the messenger .. etc.,

But It is I am sure a thought that has cross some of the functors minds in recent time.

The club has grown and grown and that is good. I do not have a problem with that. I do funny enough tend to agree with JJ (I must not be very well) but splitting in to smaller groups may cause more problems.

Speaking as a disabled camper and I am only speaking about myself.. others may agree or not.. that is the rights they have in free speech. I feel very disadvantaged (not by MHF) but by warners as they have not considered that club members might be disabled and need less distance to travel to the show are (NOT TALKING ABOUT MEETS or B&B)... if you book as a disabled then Warners accommodate the disabled. But not so if you are a club member.. seems a bit of discrimination going on by Warners.. if you are disabled you cannot belong to a club sort of issue.

But that brings me back to where I came in about the size of the membership at the shows (AGAIN NOT MEETS OR B&B) .. when we were smaller in numbers attending we seemed to be closer to the events... why is it not the other way round? why cannot Warners move the smaller clubs out to the fringes... Now I would hear lots of protests from those clubs. But it is a serious point.

ABA in the above post covers the issue very well.. we are being pushed back and back because we are getting larger. So in the end it forces people like myself to move away from the club area. Some may say great, but seriously it marginalises those with walking issues, or disabilities.. that feeling is not very nice. I know JIM has never intended that should happen and I might say our marshals i.e BOB & JANE go out of there way to assist those that are less able or use RV's so I am not moaning about the way the Show marshalling is carried out... I am not moaning about the MHF in anyway. Juts I think like ABA JIM should now be able to say to Warners.. hey we are a serious size club and we do not want to be treated second class by being put in the wilds.

Sorry if any of the above offends.. I seem to be able to do that without trying.. often posts can be misunderstood or the frustrations I feel sometimes come out and are read wrongly.

Bob ... note no smile faces used.. as I think this is a serious debate.

 

[chatter]

I did think long and hard about putting the is question on the forum.

I knew it would knives in my back .. shot the messenger .. etc.,

But It is I am sure a thought that has cross some of the functors minds in recent time.

The club has grown and grown and that is good. I do not have a problem with that. I do funny enough tend to agree with JJ (I must not be very well) but splitting in to smaller groups may cause more problems.

Speaking as a disabled camper and I am only speaking about myself.. others may agree or not.. that is the rights they have in free speech. I feel very disadvantaged (not by MHF) but by warners as they have not considered that club members might be disabled and need less distance to travel to the show are (NOT TALKING ABOUT MEETS or B&B)... if you book as a disabled then Warners accommodate the disabled. But not so if you are a club member.. seems a bit of discrimination going on by Warners.. if you are disabled you cannot belong to a club sort of issue.

But that brings me back to where I came in about the size of the membership at the shows (AGAIN NOT MEETS OR B&B) .. when we were smaller in numbers attending we seemed to be closer to the events... why is it not the other way round? why cannot Warners move the smaller clubs out to the fringes... Now I would hear lots of protests from those clubs. But it is a serious point.

ABA in the above post covers the issue very well.. we are being pushed back and back because we are getting larger. So in the end it forces people like myself to move away from the club area. Some may say great, but seriously it marginalises those with walking issues, or disabilities.. that feeling is not very nice. I know JIM has never intended that should happen and I might say our marshals i.e BOB & JANE go out of there way to assist those that are less able or use RV's so I am not moaning about the way the Show marshalling is carried out... I am not moaning about the MHF in anyway. Juts I think like ABA JIM should now be able to say to Warners.. hey we are a serious size club and we do not want to be treated second class by being put in the wilds.

Sorry if any of the above offends.. I seem to be able to do that without trying.. often posts can be misunderstood or the frustrations I feel sometimes come out and are read wrongly.

Bob ... note no smile faces used.. as I think this is a serious debate.

Warners have their own forum Bob and guess what - they dont even allow the members on their forum their own club space at these shows, and it has been asked for in the past - so I think there would be little chance of another club trying to gain a better position at a show no matter how big they were

 

[chrisgreen]

so if you got 50 group's, all booked at the show's, and all 50 group's had 50 members,and all 50 groups had one disabled member,which group should park closer to the show??

 

[keith]

so if you got 50 group's, all booked at the show's, and all 50 group's had 50 members,and all 50 groups had one disabled member,which group should park closer to the show??

Just my thoughts Chris. I don't think there can be a simple answer as we all want different solutions.

I'm with Geo & Bryan on this one, keep it simple and small for meets and don't bother if it clashes with another event. I'm sure a meet in Scotland wouldn't bother attendees at a show down South and vice versa.

If you want to attend shows you have to put up with the rules that the organisers choose. They won't change just because some attendees want it organised differently.

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[slobadoberbob]

There is no magic wand or answer Chris

so if you got 50 group's, all booked at the show's, and all 50 group's had 50 members,and all 50 groups had one disabled member,which group should park closer to the show??

I do not profess to have an answer Chris.

My solution regrettably is I park in the general disabled area.. then I lose out from the MHF friendship. But no easy answer.

But then most disabled people will tell you exclusion is a way of life if you are in a wheelchair:Sad:

Bob

 

[MrMotorhome]

I did think long and hard about putting the is question on the forum.

Speaking as a disabled camper and I am only speaking about myself.. others may agree or not.. that is the rights they have in free speech. I feel very disadvantaged (not by MHF) but by warners as they have not considered that club members might be disabled and need less distance to travel to the show are (Quote)


I think you have a strong point.

I am sure Jim already makes this point however, if 'Warners' (for example) are made aware that there are disabled Members and therefore Motorhomefun must (NEED) to have an area to allow the disabled campers easy access. I believe Warners could not be seen, to not arrange these facilities. I think this would only insure a 'good road' giving direct entrance to their shows, as they will quickly point out they already have a disabled area.

At Stratford (last year) - you had to go 'off road' to reach the show, not a pleasant experience if you are in a wheel chair, luckily it was hot and very dry. Actually, Bob had to help us, using his scooter to carry a gennie back to our van! Certainly no consideration was given to the disabled at that time.

Just my thoughts.

 

[GJH]

The main constraint on allocation of camping areas for any event organiser is surely space isn't it? At Peterborough the "fields" within the fences (e.g. where Fun has been for the last couple of years) are smaller than those outside the fences. Doesn't it stand to reason that any given group has to be accommodated within an area of an appropriate size?

This year Club Brownhills were next to us. In the last two years Club Brownhills were in the area between the Fun area and the show. Talking to their marshals it seems that they were also moved because their numbers were up.

In practice, event organisers can do nothing more than allocate an area close to the show for blue badge holders and leave it to each individual to make up their own mind whether their choice is to book for that area or to opt for a club area.

 

[jhorsf]

Bob I am glad you started this post if its important to you then its important.Most of the Funsters will not really have thought a lot about how people "manage" whatever problems they have with mobility if they have not in some way been directly affected, so this post will at least make the readers think even if its only for a minute about our "mobility challenged " (best name I could think of so as not to cause anyone offence".It would seem a life with mobility problems is a life of compromises that most are not aware of and no amount of legislation will make things the same for you as for the more mobile .Never be afraid to bring up this sort of thing Bob we will only learn from your experiences most of us are afraid to ask things for fear of, see I am going to do it now :Blush:

"putting our foot in it"

 

[Snowbird]

The main constraint on allocation of camping areas for any event organiser is surely space isn't it? At Peterborough the "fields" within the fences (e.g. where Fun has been for the last couple of years) are smaller than those outside the fences. Doesn't it stand to reason that any given group has to be accommodated within an area of an appropriate size?

This year Club Brownhills were next to us. In the last two years Club Brownhills were in the area between the Fun area and the show. Talking to their marshals it seems that they were also moved because their numbers were up.

In practice, event organisers can do nothing more than allocate an area close to the show for blue badge holders and leave it to each individual to make up their own mind whether their choice is to book for that area or to opt for a club area.

I think you have got it just about right Graham. There is little more that Warners can do, they have no control over the size and popularity of clubs and can only accommodate them in fields which are big enough. They have a disabled area for the disabled and if the disabled choose not to use that area and park with other club members I cant see how Warners can be held to blame if they are further away from the show than if they had parked in the designated disabled area. I don't agree that a large motorhome club like Motorhome Fun should be split up into small groups. Why mend something thats not broke springs to mind.

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[haganap]

I don't think anyone is qusetioning the validity of what you say Bob, its just trying to find an answer is not always easy.
What you have done is highlight the issues that people in wheelchairs have. Last year at the b&b when smudger turned up I felt awful because the pub had very difficult if not inpossible access for his wheelchair.

I was angry with my self for not considering this. However, in the true nature of MHF, funsters were prepared to lift him and his chair in to the entertainment, get his drinks etc etc to insure that he did not miss out on any of the fun.

Personally I would rather be in a club like that than one that is specifically aimed at people with a disability.
However I am not in a wheelchair and fully mobile so can not have any comprehension of what it is like. So i do think it is always something that others need reminding of.


As for Warners? in my experience, they are the couldn't careless of the show organisation. They make little if any concessions to any clubs. They are strict with their rules and maintain them like Hitler. Im sure there is a reason why they do do that, but Im yet to work it out.

Sadly, as Chris says, there is probably a member of Motorhome Fxxts or Motorhome today or yeterday (insert club name) that has a member asking this very question.

I hope you do choose to stay camping with fun and not disapear to the disabled section. and just rely on the good will of ALL funsters to ensure you are not left out in any way. :thumb:

 

[aba]

the answer to this problem is in my earlier post.
if warners took the show and centralised it on the location and had the camping around 3 sides of the perimeter of the show ground and day visitor parking on the other side and allowed the clubs a certain number of pitches each actually next to the show just for the disabled visitors so the more able ones park in the rows behind.
so that from the air the show would resemble a pizza with the centre being the show it self then the first couple of rows for the less able then everyone else continues outwards.

toilet blocks and temporary road ways are all moveable to suit then everyone is happy.

 

[slobadoberbob]

Sounds simple to me ... but then often big issues are

the answer to this problem is in my earlier post.
if warners took the show and centralised it on the location and had the camping around 3 sides of the perimeter of the show ground and day visitor parking on the other side and allowed the clubs a certain number of pitches each actually next to the show just for the disabled visitors so the more able ones park in the rows behind.
so that from the air the show would resemble a pizza with the centre being the show it self then the first couple of rows for the less able then everyone else continues outwards.

toilet blocks and temporary road ways are all moveable to suit then everyone is happy.

Aba, sounds simple to me.. but often hard issues have a simple way of being dealt with... it is those that think things should be set in stone or cannot understand why the wheel needs a new tyre (not reinventing the wheel)....

You are adding value to the debate and I thank you.

Bob:thumb:

 

[GJH]

the answer to this problem is in my earlier post.
if warners took the show and centralised it on the location and had the camping around 3 sides of the perimeter of the show ground and day visitor parking on the other side and allowed the clubs a certain number of pitches each actually next to the show just for the disabled visitors so the more able ones park in the rows behind.
so that from the air the show would resemble a pizza with the centre being the show it self then the first couple of rows for the less able then everyone else continues outwards.

toilet blocks and temporary road ways are all moveable to suit then everyone is happy.

If only it were that simple.
1) the location of the exhibition area at Peterborough is constrained by the location of the permanent buildings which are used, which prevents it being centralised on the site.
2) toilet blocks can't be placed just anywhere, they have to be where the necessary sewer drainage is in place
3) the majority of the roadways are not temporary
4) the site is more rectangular than circular so it is inevitable that some people will be pitched further from the exhibition area.
5) Warners have absolutely no idea of the proportion of people with blue badges booked with each club.
When one looks at the final camping plan this year against the pre-show plan one can see a considerable difference - with the disabled area given, in the main, proximity to both the exhibition area and to adequate roadways for access.
Looking at the final plan, what more could Warners have actually done?

 

[aba]

If only it were that simple.
1) the location of the exhibition area at Peterborough is constrained by the location of the permanent buildings which are used, which prevents it being centralised on the site.
2) toilet blocks can't be placed just anywhere, they have to be where the necessary sewer drainage is in place
3) the majority of the roadways are not temporary
4) the site is more rectangular than circular so it is inevitable that some people will be pitched further from the exhibition area.
5) Warners have absolutely no idea of the proportion of people with blue badges booked with each club.
When one looks at the final camping plan this year against the pre-show plan one can see a considerable difference - with the disabled area given, in the main, proximity to both the exhibition area and to adequate roadways for access.
Looking at the final plan, what more could Warners have actually done?

whilst i agree to the location of permanent buildings being a bit of a problem they have used and still use portable toilet / shower blocks which can be placed anywhere around the site and more often than not there are not enough of these anyway.

they also hire in quantities of temporary road ways for use around the exhibition areas so if needed they could get more of this and put it where needed.

a rectangular site can be set out just the same as a circular one and with enough thought on positioning access points to the show area all can be arranged to suit.

and as a general comment on your 5th point i agree that warners have no clue as to how many of each club are disabled but that would then fall on to the clubs marshals to allocate the spaces based on their members needs

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