National Rally2019

When the majority of LVs ,without large additional set up costs,are "designed" to be plugged in to EHU,then the more "rallies etc" will be having Generators for EHU

But we're talking about ralliers and many do have alternative arrangements to live off EHU. There may well be people who don't rally attending the national but my guess would be that a lot are ralliers and can manage without. It's certainly quite unpleasant being near those large generators!

We've just booked this afternoon, prompted by the club email today. Never been to a rally or national before. Always thought we wouldn't. Saw all the activities and thought the children would enjoy it... and good to try something different! 

Now excited. 

Oh dear you have missed the point again.  The issue isn’t ehu, it is the matter of compulsion.

 A large number of LV’s, didn’t they used to make vans?   Come fitted with SVP’s as standard, which indicates they don’t cost that much for the manufacturer to fit.  Even a retro fit doesn’t need to cost that much when compared to the cost of fitting a mover. 

@ 7ncj I hope you enjoy it should be loads to do.  We are currently on a “proper” Rally with our 18m granddaughter.   There are at least 3 other children younger than her attending, so give that a go as well!

Well done, I'm sure the kids will enjoy themselves and you may even have fun yourselves  Either way, you can say you have done one and then are qualified to give your opinion  Have fun 

Yes almost all outfits are equipped to plug in these days, (and they also have loos in too but there are still some who wouldn't dream of using them ) but rallies still do not all come with those (and showers) We are off to Ragley on friday morning, many are there already, busy laying all the cables and infrastructure ready for everyone to arrive and start moaning about having 'no choice' - actually, we all do, just because you can plug in, you don't have to if you are set against it - but you won't get a refund (which is more to the point I think) many many miles of cable will be laid for everyone to have ehu, why on earth should it then be complicated by planning a small area to be left out - for how many do you think? After all it is not just the visitors who need it, there are all the traders and marquees too. Actually it has taken a few years to be able to manage to wire up the whole national and believe me if one small section loses their power we soon know about it and our (volunteer) electricians work flat out to make sure it is restored asap. 

Every year we have the same old arguments (often by people who don't even attend) We all have the choice, come or save your money.

personally, we love it, it is hard work but very rewarding.

Alison

And what is the cost of laying all these cables and all that infrastructure?  Please don’t compare the complexity of supplying the whole site with electricity with the relatively compact traders and arena areas.        I know of no one in my centre who is going not a single outfit.  They simply no longer see it as value for money.

Those that do go I hope you all enjoy it.  

Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend the national, as I will be busy running a Rally.

We are off to Ragley on friday morning, many are there already, busy laying all the cables and infrastructure ready for everyone to arrive

Surely the amount of work by the volunteers to install the power would be the same for a 16 ampere supply as for a six, so why is it set so low?  Some manager in Head Office unwilling to spend money on the thicker cables . . ?

I have no idea of the costs Boff (no labour costs as we are all volunteers who also pay to attend the event like everyone else) an awful lot of the equipment is also already owned by the Club too, it has been added to over the years - it isn't bought new each time.

I know a lot of centre members who do not think it is 'value for money' yet willingly pay even more to book a club site for the long bank holiday weekend !!  I also know some who do not go because they are influenced by other centre members opinions of what it will be like ! which I think is sad, everyone should be encouraged to try one - it may not be their thing - but they will never know just by listening to others opinions, they may even find they do enjoy it (shock horror)  I am also amazed by how many 'objectors' all focus on how much money it must cost and are personally insulted that they are not listened to with regard to how the club spends on our behalf !  It is NOT our money, we are members yes, but not shareholders, our annual membership fee gives us access to Club facilities - not a say in how things are done and by whom. 

Anyway, I hope you have a great rally, we are running three this year, but thankfully not until after the National is over and done with  Have fun !

Alison

For me it is not a question of cost but value.   Even with volunteer labour the cost of putting in the infrastructure and getting a payback over a 4 day event is going to be high.  Part of the problem is the club’s insistence in using stately homes as venues with no infrastructure. Most other organisations tend use venues such as county show grounds. Where guess what a lot of infrastructure is pre-existing.  I guess these Venues don’t have the same status as some stately pile owned by Lord what’s his face.    I do not in anyway decry the volunteers who will put there heart and soul into making the event a success.   I just think that the event could be rethought to ensure the future sustainability of the event that you clearly love.  

I would certainly recommend anyone to give it a try and hopefully you will come away thinking that Boff was spouting rubbish as normal!

ps only 3 Rallies this year slacker!  3 down, 4 to go for us.

Lord What's-his-face and his chums are not renting out their stately piles just for fun. They need the income and have frequent events throughout the year.  In fact, while The Caravan Club is holding its National Rally at Ragley Hall there will also be a two day car show taking place there.

Because of events being held regularly there is infrastructure in place. Just not the same as the commercial showgrounds, which does mean those planning stately pile events can be far more flexible in their choice of layout.

Personally, I do prefer to be surrounded by trees rather than big sheds smelling of animal excrement and disinfectant.