jecuk
Well-Known Member
A nice two day at the rally this weekend. Seemed a bit quieter than the one we went to two years ago. Good to meet TrueBlue.
TTBR
- Thread starter jecuk
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miket
Well-Known Member
Glad you enjoyed it.
Non- boaty visitor numbers were pretty good but boat entries were down a little from our max' of 200 down to 168, but of those booked in there were a number of no shows, mainly in the slippers and other smaller launches.
A shame, but it happens each year.
The ADLS always give fantastic support and have a great turn out for the parades on the water. Didn't Devon Belle do well trying to stay in place whilst awaiting the Lancaster of the Memorial Flight? And what a sight when he did eventually arrive. I think every pair of eyes on the site was locked on it for the duration.
Awsome, a word I usually hate.
I thought Lady Gay was looking superb.
Non- boaty visitor numbers were pretty good but boat entries were down a little from our max' of 200 down to 168, but of those booked in there were a number of no shows, mainly in the slippers and other smaller launches.
A shame, but it happens each year.
The ADLS always give fantastic support and have a great turn out for the parades on the water. Didn't Devon Belle do well trying to stay in place whilst awaiting the Lancaster of the Memorial Flight? And what a sight when he did eventually arrive. I think every pair of eyes on the site was locked on it for the duration.
Awsome, a word I usually hate.
I thought Lady Gay was looking superb.
ianc1200
Well-Known Member
Very enjoyable, great to see Mike from TrueBlue. Some superbly restored boats at the rally.
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
Thanks Guys,
It was great fun mingling with you folk who have a wealth of boating experience,
JeCuk on Lady Gay
IanC on Straight Across
Andy of twin turbo OutInTheDinghy fame
Steve who keeps a tight grip on both sides of the reach. I was lucky enough to have a ride on his launch Willowbrook. Very smart. He tells me he did a good deal at the rally for matching green fenders and ropes. Perhaps he should be encouraged to join the fenders up club?
Byron was nowhere in sight - just as well, but only because in the end I came by car and I've only got instant coffee.
It's only my second TTBR and seeking out the above gentlemen made the whole day so much more fun.
Its strange that the only people who responded to my original thread were participants in the rally, rather than visitors. I was hoping to attract a wider audience.
No disrespec' fellers.
The rally of ancient boats is only the focus for the show, and I am in awe of the organisers who put on such a great show with something for every one:-
there were:-
Getting the whole thing to hang together, and persuading The Lancaster to fly by, required considerable organisation and contacts. The whole thing is very British, some challenges (of a minor nature), but the whole thing runs like clockwork with no panic.
Everybody is so approachable - if you can be bothered to go and ask a sensible question about their boat/car/bike, rather than wander up and down.
My reason for waffling on is; why does it not get more publicity. If I hadn't boated past in previous years, I wouldn't have known it existed.
It's not a gripe, just an observation. The TTBR really deserves a wider audience, so spread the word, and persuade all sorts of other folk to attend.
It was great fun mingling with you folk who have a wealth of boating experience,
JeCuk on Lady Gay
IanC on Straight Across
Andy of twin turbo OutInTheDinghy fame
Steve who keeps a tight grip on both sides of the reach. I was lucky enough to have a ride on his launch Willowbrook. Very smart. He tells me he did a good deal at the rally for matching green fenders and ropes. Perhaps he should be encouraged to join the fenders up club?
Byron was nowhere in sight - just as well, but only because in the end I came by car and I've only got instant coffee.
It's only my second TTBR and seeking out the above gentlemen made the whole day so much more fun.
Its strange that the only people who responded to my original thread were participants in the rally, rather than visitors. I was hoping to attract a wider audience.
No disrespec' fellers.
The rally of ancient boats is only the focus for the show, and I am in awe of the organisers who put on such a great show with something for every one:-
- A fascinating collection and parade of all sorts of craft from Chentlemen's slipper launches,
- cruisers,
- A Narrowboat Tug,
- A Lifeboat that can only go in straight lines,
- another tug
- Skiffs
- Punts
there were:-
- a kid's funfair,
- some animals
- Food and drink,
- plenty of space to picnic,
- camping,
- boat jumble and trade stalls,
- vintage and veteran cars
- and more.
Getting the whole thing to hang together, and persuading The Lancaster to fly by, required considerable organisation and contacts. The whole thing is very British, some challenges (of a minor nature), but the whole thing runs like clockwork with no panic.
Everybody is so approachable - if you can be bothered to go and ask a sensible question about their boat/car/bike, rather than wander up and down.
My reason for waffling on is; why does it not get more publicity. If I hadn't boated past in previous years, I wouldn't have known it existed.
It's not a gripe, just an observation. The TTBR really deserves a wider audience, so spread the word, and persuade all sorts of other folk to attend.
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jecuk
Well-Known Member
Yes, the Saturday with the Lancaster was wonderful. More impressive for us though was the close view of Devon Belle as she went past with the veterans dipping their Standards and my 10 year old dipping our Ensign.
Mike you are right, plenty of people walking about just the bank seemed a little less full than usual. ADLS boats all had a great time. And the atmosphere was very good as always.
Lady Gay is now recovered from her Dunkirk tribulations and back to her normal state (ie with both davits attached to the rest of the ship and more water outside the boat than in her). Heading upriver this weekend. Best not tell Apollo our final destination as it will only upset him.
Mike you are right, plenty of people walking about just the bank seemed a little less full than usual. ADLS boats all had a great time. And the atmosphere was very good as always.
Lady Gay is now recovered from her Dunkirk tribulations and back to her normal state (ie with both davits attached to the rest of the ship and more water outside the boat than in her). Heading upriver this weekend. Best not tell Apollo our final destination as it will only upset him.
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
I took loads of pictures, but most of them were rubbish (must improve my technique)
Here are three reasonable takes:-
A nice one of Lady Gay; looking very smart
View attachment 6123
Two of the Veterans
View attachment 6124
View attachment 6125
Here are three reasonable takes:-
A nice one of Lady Gay; looking very smart
View attachment 6123
Two of the Veterans
View attachment 6124
View attachment 6125
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miket
Well-Known Member
Nice comments
Thanks, guys.
I will ensure that the rest of the organisers, that do the serious work get to hear.
Difficult balance on publicity and size.
As the whole event is non-profit making and organised by volunteers, there is a reluctance to go too overboard with publicity. as it will probably involve more work for our finite group.
Despite the continued success of the Rally, it continues to be difficult to recruit additional or replacement volunteers.
We have been fortunate over the last 12 months to have 2 new people join us and it is all the better for their input. There is always a risk of being labelled "boring old farts" if there are never any changes.
We would love to hear from others keen to help out in any way. We currently have specific needs for PR/ Publicity skills and accounting/ bookkeeping skills.
Despite Apollo, if you (Jecuk) are stopping at Sonning do let me know. It would be nice to meet, having missed you in Dunkirk.
Thanks, guys.
I will ensure that the rest of the organisers, that do the serious work get to hear.
Difficult balance on publicity and size.
As the whole event is non-profit making and organised by volunteers, there is a reluctance to go too overboard with publicity. as it will probably involve more work for our finite group.
Despite the continued success of the Rally, it continues to be difficult to recruit additional or replacement volunteers.
We have been fortunate over the last 12 months to have 2 new people join us and it is all the better for their input. There is always a risk of being labelled "boring old farts" if there are never any changes.
We would love to hear from others keen to help out in any way. We currently have specific needs for PR/ Publicity skills and accounting/ bookkeeping skills.
Despite Apollo, if you (Jecuk) are stopping at Sonning do let me know. It would be nice to meet, having missed you in Dunkirk.
apollo
...
No, cannot think of any "Destinations" that would upset me...?
jecuk
Well-Known Member
Absolutely. We are planning to come in there Saturday and go to the French Horn for dinner that night before heading back Sunday. Be nice to meet up finally if you are going to be around.
Outinthedinghy
Well-Known Member
I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, specially the lighted parade which was, as always, brilliant.
Nice to meet Mike TrueBlue and natter about boats as well as crawling all over a couple of stunning Andrew's 20 slippers which were for sale.
Also nice to see IanC and natter about Gelyce and the boat at Moulsford which I like so much.
It was suggested to me by a regular visitor to the rally that if the entry fee was somewhat lower a lot more members of the public could be attracted. I thought this was a fair point but then I expect the organisers know about this and set it appropriately to balance visitors against income.
Its a great rally, roll on 2011.
Nice to meet Mike TrueBlue and natter about boats as well as crawling all over a couple of stunning Andrew's 20 slippers which were for sale.
Also nice to see IanC and natter about Gelyce and the boat at Moulsford which I like so much.
It was suggested to me by a regular visitor to the rally that if the entry fee was somewhat lower a lot more members of the public could be attracted. I thought this was a fair point but then I expect the organisers know about this and set it appropriately to balance visitors against income.
Its a great rally, roll on 2011.
miket
Well-Known Member
JECUK
Will be out on the boat during the day Saturday but back in the afternoon/ evening. Perhaps join us for a drink before you dine?
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It was suggested to me by a regular visitor to the rally that if the entry fee was somewhat lower a lot more members of the public could be attracted. I thought this was a fair point but then I expect the organisers know about this and set it appropriately to balance visitors against income.
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As you suggest, the organisers are very much aware of the need to balance the books. They are also aware that the small number of volunteer organisers would find it difficult to cope with greater numbers so we prefer to use ticket price as one of the limiting factors.
Will be out on the boat during the day Saturday but back in the afternoon/ evening. Perhaps join us for a drink before you dine?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was suggested to me by a regular visitor to the rally that if the entry fee was somewhat lower a lot more members of the public could be attracted. I thought this was a fair point but then I expect the organisers know about this and set it appropriately to balance visitors against income.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you suggest, the organisers are very much aware of the need to balance the books. They are also aware that the small number of volunteer organisers would find it difficult to cope with greater numbers so we prefer to use ticket price as one of the limiting factors.
