Annual Meet 2024 - HELP!
 

Hi All

At the 2023 meet, it was suggested that we might look at the Midlands for the 2024 meet. Myself and 2 others sort of volunteered, but one has already dropped out and the other isn’t answering PMs.

To make matters worse, I’ve developed some, as yet, undiagnosed health issues and don’t feel up to the job. I would be happy to lend a helping hand, but can’t commit playing a leading role I’m afraid.

Does anyone else want to step up to the mark?

Forum being down more than its online doesn't help either.

Hotel wise is the plan to go with the 'I'm a retired company director so the hotel must have rooms with names instead of numbers and cost at least £200 a night?'

Yeah sure, that's what we always do... :ROFL:

Happy to be of some assistance Jim (as before), if that helps, although ideally it'd be good to get someone leading who's actually based in that region.

Jim
I have replied to your message, immediately prior to reading your message here I checked the forum messages to see if you'd got back to me. Seeing nothing there and discovering no evidence of my reply I then contacted you via WhatsApp, which you've probably received in the last few mins.
Following that I entered the forum to see what's what and here's your message calling for help.

I am up for taking part in this. I am happy to check places out and put forward ideas, but with the proviso that I can not handle telephone calls (Hearing shot) so someone would need to cover that aspect should it arise.

My WhatsApp to you suggests a pup that is sort of mid-way between us. Let me know if this suites and when and we can take it from there.

Having said all that I am very sorry to hear that you are suffering some as yet undiagnosed health issue. Hopefully, your medics will be able to put a name on it and get you on a speedy road to recovery.

It is I that cannot help with 2024, but I do have a good reason

Anely accepted a proposal of marriage and we are getting married next year, afraid that takes priority over an annual car meet, just too busy with that to even consider getting involved in arranging next year's meet.

Sorry, but have to make priorities with a super busy workload too

Congrats
:mexicanwave:

Hi all.
Happy to help on this.
Will need some guidance on what we typically do.
Let me know...

Nick and I (plus partners) are meeting at The Windmill in Wymeswold (LE22 6TT) for lunch at 12:30 to kick this off. Willing hands will be most welcome to join us! Otherwise we can have a Zoom meeting afterwards to bring you up to speed. Typically, the big jobs are working out a circular route for the convoy drive on the Saturday (with stops at places of interest) and finding a (not too expensive) hotel with suitable parking and nearby budget accommodation (camp sites, B&B, etc). Let us know if you’ll join us so we can extend the booking for lunch.

12:30 on what day?? :ROFL:

Also I think postcode is LE12 6TT, not LE22 [Sorry]

Hope you're feeling better Jim

Ah, good point, well spotted! :)

Sunday 26 November LE12 6TT

And yes, feeling a bit better, but still too thin, and awaiting further test results. Possibly the next viral pandemic!

If there are no wedding fayres or such like on that day, we may try to pop by to say hello, but don't book anything for us, not yet anyway

My old "neck of the woods" is quite near (North of Leicester/near Melton Mowbray) and I usually meet up with my two sisters a few weeks before Xmas in that area and visit our parents grave in Thorpe Satchville.
Not set a date yet but that Sunday is a possibility, if so I might call by.

Live too far away now to offer any frequent/active help sadly, though if it does go ahead in that area I'll really look forwards to it.

I've also had a few school reunions nearby with a similar group size (20-ish) so I'll think about suitable hotels.
The only ones that spring immediately to mind are further SW - Bosworth Hall (big) and the Royal Arms (Sutton Cheney) which is smaller.

That pub in Leicestershire is a convenient mid-way between Jim and myself but we're leaning towards Warwickshire for the actual meet. All suggestions and ideas are welcome.

You can't mention Warwickshire without noting The Leopard Inn - Bishops Tachbrook. https://theleopardinn.co.uk/
Many an A8 meet has been held there!

Talked about this with Anely this evening, we will try to get to the lunch meeting, will confirm later in the week.

I still don't have time to do off much help, but will help as I can. I am a Rugbeian so Warwickshire is home, even though we now live 500m over the border into Northamptonshire :)

Caffeine and Machine would be an obvious stopping point. Not been there myself, but I've heard the owners are a bit 'snooty' so may not be such a good plan.

Silverstone would be another obvious place to visit, just over into Northants. Bicester Heritage Centre is not too far over the border either.

Also Gaydon for the British Motor Museum, or the National Motorbike Museum close to the NEC, Birmingham, or Gilks' Garage Cafe in Kineton, or The Long Itch Diner, or Whilton Mills Karting

I also just found about a place called Aurum's Lounge which is only about 5 miles from me, but have heard of it before! EDIT: this place may have shut down already, will check

Or I've got space for half a dozen or so cars on my drive :ROFL:

And of course I can offer a base for pre-meet tours around the area.

WOW Thanks! Great suggestions Steve. Hope you Anely can make it.

For anyone anyone interested in 2 wheels there’s the triumph factory/visitor centre and cafe on outskirts of Hinckley

Hotelwise again Hinckley just on m69 about 30-40mins from Warwick leonardo at Hinckley island(formerly jury’s inn) huge car park of which they would likely block off a section if asked nicely

Or hotels nearer Warwick is the q hotel Stratford manor, again decent car park and a good buffet breakfast 🍳 I’m sure they’d offer a deal or there’s also chesford grange

Thanks+++ Will check these out.

There this new place...

https://thepistonclub.co.uk/

I can enquire for a deal if you wish and we know what numbers are typical?

All marked on a road atlas with post-it labels (old school, but effective) ahead of this Sunday's meet to give us an idea of the area we might be looking at. Thanks for the suggestions guys!

On the list to check it out. Thank you +++

Sorry. Would have loved to join all for lunch tomorrow.
Time has just caught up with me, can't make it.
But happy to help for 2024...
Cheers.

Same here I'm afraid, Anely is still dress shopping, my car is still in (my) garage being detailed

Nick, are we still on? I can be there, even cleaned the S8 +++