Ian_C Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 The last daylight meet of 2006, Wednesday 6th September at 7:30pm for 8pm at the Caldecotte Arms, Milton Keynes. Weather has been strange to us this year - cracking sunshine in April, May and June, but wet meets in July and August. Such dire conditions in fact that I didn't attempt anything more than a few quick shots with the Canon. Indeed, my last proper album was back in June, as in the gallery. Anything automotive goes. Hell, I've only once have I pulled into the Caldecotte car park in anything other than a one litre hatch - and that was a shoot chucking Sportback. However, as discussed with the MK Meet regulars at the August Meet, I was thinking of buying my first performance car. Greatest thanks to Nik for advice and assistance. The purchase went smoothly and I picked it up yesterday. I'm on cloud 9. Several new members have appeared over recent months, and hopefully we can continue this trend. Will in June, KGMan in July and Shao Khan in August. Oh, hang on a minute......... Any potential MK meet newbies please post below so we can look out and welcome you! Certainly don't want anyone sat on their own in the car park, or wandering in to the large pub not knowing which faces to look for. Postcode below for people with Sat Nav. Full address and updated map below for normal people! Easy to find if you know what to look for - the windmill! The Caldecotte Arms Bletcham Way Caldecotte Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK7 8HP 01908 366188 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will22 Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I'll be there this time, missed the last couple due to holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Excellent. Be good to catch up. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I wont be there No baby sitters available now until January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigyb Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I'm trying to be in London Tues/Wed so I can come along, but so far work are saying Mon/Tues. So it may be a no go for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biturbo Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I start a new money singles league next weds, so no for me as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Unless the number of attendees of this meet improves then I don't see it being worthwhile continuing with it. Just 2 attendees in July was just not acceptable. It's an embarrassment to TSN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I have said this before Daz - and think I suggested it was moved a bit furthe north / midlands meet down a bit and amalgamate both. Last month I did Nottingham, MK and essex - MK was by far the quietest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Shame, especially considering over 35 different people have attended MK during the last 18 months. In alphabetical order: A8_Tony nee BumpRT nee ttandka AceBaby Audi_Smitten Baiterman + wife + daughter Bazza Botang Boyd (friend of Botang and Tobes49, but not a forum user) Chav CraigyB Cruiser647 Daz GTiMKV (Dom) Ian_C JamesB John_Carter KGMan Mollox Mose MrMe NikW Paul-S3 Phantom_Menace nee SilverCabMeister RichardW Ritey + brother + dad 'quickshift40' ScoobySimon Shark90 Smudge Tian Thorburn Tobes49 Will22 XLR8 nee N3WOB (although only just - Feb 2005 iirc) Plus mentions to the pair of beetle owners here along side Shao's Lemon, my best mate - another Toby just to confuse matters - for coming along Easter 2005. Gone but most definitely not forgotten - Mrfirepro, YiamCross, Fenn, PeterB, Hopsta, CarlessColin, Mark Lynham and no doubt others too. Lupobabe also misses the cut - spoke to her earlier today, but no show at MK for 24 months.... Ian <font color="#666666">Apologies to anyone I have forgotten!</font> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Sh1t the bed Ian. You excel yourself! If it helps, I really enjoyed meeting you MK chaps. Seemed a busy meet to me and the pub was really nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I indeed have attended a few MK meets, and every time I attended there was a good attendance with some great cars on show, for me though it is just a little too far, and to be honest, I have noticed that there has been shocking attendances for quite a while now so I doubt I will attend another MK meet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigyb Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I've always enjoyed the MK meets when I worked in London, but it is difficult for me being home based to attend them now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] If it helps, I really enjoyed meeting you MK chaps. Seemed a busy meet to me and the pub was really nice! [/ QUOTE ] During the impromptu mid-month meet last November iirc, easily remembered as it was the only time we have ever sat upstairs. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I knew that. Just didn't have my notes to hand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Why do you never normally sit upstairs then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N3WOB Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Given I live closer than most to MK, I should have found it easier to support TSN at this meet. Regrettably my employment circumstances have changed significantly over the last 12 months & getting to this meet and indeed Windsor has proved too much. So I am culpable if this situation is an embarassment. I do not see my situation changing in the foreseeable, which is a shame. Sorry team but thats where things are for me just now. I'll do my best to contribute remotely but even my post count is weak given my CV on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Ian - I'm thinking that now is probably the right time to say that remembering and/or annotating the information above and then coming out and reciting it publically probably isn't the wisest thing to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Why do you never normally sit upstairs then? [/ QUOTE ] Usually plenty of seats downstairs, plus easier to get to the bar etc. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Seeing as there is only usually 2 of you, I doubt "space" is an issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Ian - I'm thinking that now is probably the right time to say that remembering and/or annotating the information above and then coming out and reciting it publically probably isn't the wisest thing to do [/ QUOTE ] On the button old bean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Ian - I'm thinking that now is probably the right time to say that remembering and/or annotating the information above and then coming out and reciting it publically probably isn't the wisest thing to do [/ QUOTE ] I go along because it is my closest meet, however for people that are travelling some distance to it I can completely understand that its not worth the effort. Its a bit odd though, id have thought the MK area would have been VW/Audi type people and therefor a good area for TSN users, horribly stereotypical but I hope you understand what I mean. I was planning on heading up to the Midlands/nottingham meet so its no big deal for me. Whatever the TSN democracy dictates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted September 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I indeed have attended a few MK meets, and every time I attended there was a good attendance with some great cars on show, for me though it is just a little too far, and to be honest, I have noticed that there has been shocking attendances for quite a while now so I doubt I will attend another MK meet [/ QUOTE ] Smirk aside, this is one reason why attendance has dwindled. With a one or two meets in 2004 having a low turn out, previous attendees and/or newbies reading the forum who 'might have' poped along didn't/don't bother. Tian has posted about this previously, as has Phantom Menace. We still had a stella six 'smokers putting in an appearance in August, despite the fact that Phantom, Shark, Craigy and Tobes [who all posted in the August thread] sadly couldn't make it on the day. TSN also had six present in June (Alan arrived after I'd finished the photography) and seven in May. Not Windsor-levels, but still decent levels I am sure you will agree. Christ, please don't put anyone else off by moaning about 'shocking attendances' for recent MK meets when you haven't come along for 18 months to do a head-count! Would you come along if you knew seven people were already going Smitten? 'Yes' I sincerely hope would be the answer to that, which is the point of my arguement precisely! Hopefully see you all down there Wednesday. My car is work in progress - forgive me - but still tidy for the year all the same. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 I think Smittens point is a valid one Ian. I used to regularly attend the MK meet, as well as the Windsor, and South West meets, despite the MK meet being some 156 miles from Bath. Smitten is a further 10- miles on, although I don't feel it necessary to justify his decision not to attend. Quite often the turnout can be poor for any of the meets that are arranged on TSN. The South West meet often only had a turnout of a die-hard 5 or so members. But that was because most of them were local, and knowing that these people would attend, this often dictated the date on which the meet was organised. As it was a weekend meet, it didn't seem to make much difference when it happened. Recently a meet was organised in York. On the day all (I think 13) people dropped out for one reason or another. This shouldn't stop us having them in the future, as the York area is one that would cater for an awful lot of people who don't want to travel 2 hours or more to MK, Nottingham, or indeed anywhere else. I've recently thought of attending the MK meet once again, but have been put off by the poor attendances. To someone more local it's not a major issue, but if I were to travel 2 1/2 hours to meet up with 2 people, then I'm sorry but it's not worth the trip. I'm going to be frank here now (as opposed to being Betty). I have often been disappointed with the lack of mutual support for the different meets. Often hoping that others would make the same kind of commitment to the TSN meet scene as I, admittedly less so recently, was showing to various meets around the country when I was living in Bath. This forum is for the users. If the users dictate that a particular location is no longer suitable for their needs to support TSN and build the relationships that I'm sure we all enjoy, then it makes sense that a meet in other locations should be arranged. It may be that these meets move North, South, East or West to try to meet the needs of as many people as possible. But remember, a meet that's good for one person because it's on their doorstep, may put off a larger number of people, because the trip for them involves significantly more time. In short, let's try to meet the needs of the many. Let's not be selfish and think, "great I can attend every meet at this location because it's down the road" I'm a huge fan of TSN and everything that I personally have gained from being a member of what can only be termed a fantastic forum. A forum that shows no snobbery, a forum where people can garner an awful amount of support, if they need it, within their personal lives. Because we're friends, not just entities on the internet. I for one will attend as many meets as I possibly can. Sometimes it's just not feasible though, and I'm sure that everyone realises that we all have lives outside of TSN. Long live TSN P.S. Rant over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Ian I think you may underestimate the time and effort it takes some people to attend meets. Some of us don't have straight forward 9-5 jobs, which in some cases is an advantage, in many cases it is a hinderance. Would you travel to Bath regularly for a meet? How about York? Are we likely to see you in attendance there? People such as Smitten and John_Carter travel would be travelling (and have travelled) a staggering 160 miles + each way. That's easily a tank of Optimax. People such as Craigyb and myself may be able to attend on certain occasions due to work location as we both have flexible jobs. However I am 120 miles away and Craig even further. This makes for a late night due to the drive home. People have lives. People have families. It sounds stupid, but I live alone, which means there is no one to put coal on the fire in the winter if I'm not back in the house within 12 hours of leaving, which means it goes out, which means I have to deal with starting a fire from scratch at say midnight. And then wait for the house to warm up before I can get tucked up in bed. Which takes easily an hour, possibly two. It's a stupid example I know, but other people have wives, children, dogs, cats... it doesn't matter. "Commitments" is what I'm trying to get at. I'm trying to make this as impersonal as possible, but in my 18 months on TSN I have yet to see you at a meet other than MK, and from what I understand you don't have any of the commitments I referred to above. Sometimes it's perhaps a good idea to engage brain and think about what you are saying before saying it. I hope you know me well enough not to take offence at my comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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