Ian_C Posted September 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Not offended by comments - most are constructive. I certainly do not underestimate the distance some of you guys travel, exactly as I mention above reference Smittens. However, it is the 'people aren't going, so neither will I' attitude that I was trying to highlight. In response to your last point Shark, I've seen you at Windsor more than once! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Ian, I'm not trying to put people off of the MK meet, far from it! But in all honesty, even if the MK meet pulled in "windsor" numbers, I still wouldnt attend Its just too far!! Even though I usually car share with John Carter, it is still too far for either of us to drive! As Daz said, at the moment the MK meets seem to be a bit of an embarrassment to the Forum. The NE meets are usually at a McDonalds, and they still pull in more than MK. Maybe its time to think of a new location or even wind up the meet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 [ QUOTE ] In response to your last point Shark, I've seen you at Windsor more than once! [/ QUOTE ] I quite agree, Windsor and MK merged in my head for a short while. My apologies, it's been a long weekend that was at the end of an already long week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Interesting thread this, so please bear with me while I try to give my own view on it... I came to 2 x MK Meets during September/October of 2005 (I think). This was because I was working in Northampton a few days a week at the time and Botang was kind enough to act as a 'follow that car' in front of me. He and Tobes then treated me to a demonstration of the awesome VW Caddy on the way back. Scary - and I was just following it in my 'borrowed' Ford Focus at the time! Anyway..back on track.. I enjoyed the meets. The atmosphere was mostly friendly, though I'd also have to admit I found the first meet somewhat 'clicky' in parts. Thats perhaps to be expected when people have known each other for a good while. Ian's friendliness is undoubted, and his patience in trying to continue this meet is admirable in my opinion. However. If this was my 'regular' meet then I'd have been to no more than 1 or 2 in the last year, if that. Thats purely because it's on a week day evening. Thats a major problem for me. When I work all day (debateable, I know) the last thing (sorry) I want to do on an evening is see you ugly b*stards in pub car park - even less desireable when it's pitch black and I can't even see the only attractive thing about you all, that being your cars. The pub is a nice venue though and I should thank MK for introducing me to it because I went on to take a few people there for lunch on the odd occasion in the weeks that followed the meets. The attractive blonde girl serving the meals sooooo wanted me by the way. So other than the working day problem, I view the evenings/darkness as a problem too. If you were to organise the MK meet on a Sunday morning....I'd like to bet you'd get a good rise in attendance. You'll also not clash with Windsor or other meets if I remember rightly? The NE Meets have been going for a year and we're doing well. We had nothing beforehand, yet now have a minimum (and I mean this is a desperately low turnout) of 4 cars and on average about 8. The Mega Meet attracted 20+ cars in its inaugrual year and I don't mind saying I think the NE will grow and grow. McDonald's is our chosen venue because I'm a fat b*stard and like their McMuffins. Secondary reasons are because McD's are always easily accessible, always easily found...but more importantly...because not everyone wants to go sit in a pub. I think you need to think about the latter point, particularly when its an evening. You're spoiled for choice in your area though, with the Windsor meet etc (I know thats a fair distance, but by comparison to others it is close), and I wish we had it so lucky up here. Our Scottish counterparts are our next nearest regulars, and they come to us more than they hold their own meetings! Playing our own trumpet - we also do something that I'm not aware of anyone else doing regularly. Every other month (bi-monthly) we have a proper 'Meet & Run'. An hour for coffee and food - then we do a 50 mile blast around the countryside. Its proved very popular when we've done it, because not everyone wants to talk for hours and they like to test their cars out and enjoy them. Its a car forum, after all. In closing, I think it'd be a shame for the MK meet to die. However, I do think its format might need some tinkering, and that includes its day of the week more than anything else. Good luck, and if I'm ever in the area again I'll do my best to support the numbers once more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Chris I didnt mean anything by the "McDonalds" comment, I was merely trying to point out that its not down to the venue that MK is failing IMO. All good things come to an end, I hope MK doesnt end here, but as Chris says, it needs some work, A LOT IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Ian, I didn't think you'd meant anything by it either. The only thing I'd not like about MK in its current form if I were a regular....was the fact I couldn't see the cars from inside the venue. Thats not a nice feeling when your pride and joy is parked outside attracting the attention of someone pissed out of their brain...... Our location at Falcons Nest was picked because it was almost dead-centre of all the locations of the people who formed the meet in the first place - and the fact it is 200 yds off the A1 so very easy to get to. Indeed, the venue changed after the first 2-3 meets because it was agreed we could find a better spot than Washington A1 Services (which for all its ease of access was a rather bleak place to meet). If MK isn't central to its target audience, then its always going to face an uphill struggle. I'd also have struggled to find it without SatNav or SatNav in the form of Botang! Ultimately though, isn't a meet that occasionally gets a good few people at it better than no meet at all? There are lots of areas unrepresented by meets on TSN, and everything has to start somewhere (although I accept this is a meet in decline). I stick to what I said earlier - try a Sunday morning and then consider changing venue if that doesn't help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes49 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 The reason I dont go is I find it boring. Change the venue or meet somewhere else and have a cruise there. (saves the satnav problem) try to put some excitment into the meet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] The reason I dont go is I find it boring. Change the venue or meet somewhere else and have a cruise there. (saves the satnav problem) try to put some excitment into the meet. [/ QUOTE ] Good old Tobes always diplomatic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Yup, precisely what I was saying in my earlier thread. You need a bi-monthly run-out or something to make the meet a bit more entertaining for people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I guess from my point of view, even though I am close to the venue, I have been 'spoilt' by attending the last two meets in Poole and one near Marlow before that. I think there are various reasons why people probably do not want to turn up, quite a trek for some, turn up have a beer etc month after month but no real time (as it is late in the day after work) to really go anywhere for a drive etc. The Caldecote Arms is a good venue in the summer and is relatively easy to find from the M1. But I personally think I enjoy and get more out of more 'infrequent' meets such as the ones in Poole and the Buxton meets(which I can't now attend due to a business trip ) I think the summer meets in Poole / Buxton provide a better sense of 'community' amongst the TSN members and their infrequent nature makes them that bit more special. Ian, for the last meet I had a genuine reason for not turning up so to highlight my name as a no show was a bit much really, I know you do a great job at trying to retain the momentum for the MK meets but I honestly think we need to rethink the 'format/location/frequency' of these particular meets. Right , I will get off my soap box now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 The Essex meet moved to every other month after a series of dismal turnouts and that seems to have worked out quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes49 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Meet then go to the snowdome, People can go skiing and bording, while the others can have a laugh. Have a bowling meet (everyone come for a game of bowling) There lots of bars inside, loads of parking. MK has so much to offer why go the same pub? It you make the meet intresting then people will come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 If there was a demand for monthly meets then make it that way, by the sounds of it MK doesn't get the turnout for what ever a reason. Change the format as suggested and make it bi-monthly rather than carrying on regardless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] It you make the meet intresting then people will come. [/ QUOTE ] Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner.... Oh hang on. No. If you build it they will come. Ahhhhh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted September 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] As Daz said, at the moment the MK meets seem to be a bit of an embarrassment to the Forum. [/ QUOTE ] Quite the opposite in fact - the forum seems to be a bit of an embarrassment to the MK meet. After making a start on the interior Thursday before a weekend away, I just spent about two hours on the exterior. God, it is screaming for clay, but sadly not enough hours in the day. Still looking damn good though!! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] As Daz said, at the moment the MK meets seem to be a bit of an embarrassment to the Forum. [/ QUOTE ] Quite the opposite in fact - the forum seems to be a bit of an embarrassment to the MK meet. [/ QUOTE ] Thats what I like about you Ian. Your contribution to the 'How to win friends and influence people' section of TSN knows no bounds. Having read the replies above now, I think it might to time to scrap it after all. If you do though, remember its not the end.... "You may not be responsible for getting knocked down, but you're certainly responsible for getting back up." Jesse Jackson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] As Daz said, at the moment the MK meets seem to be a bit of an embarrassment to the Forum. [/ QUOTE ] Quite the opposite in fact - the forum seems to be a bit of an embarrassment to the MK meet. [/ QUOTE ] Thats what I like about you Ian. Your contribution to the 'How to win friends and influence people' section of TSN knows no bounds. [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Ian Thats a rather dissapointing reply! Not a lot else I can say really, If you think its worth saving, do something about it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Quite the opposite in fact - the forum seems to be a bit of an embarrassment to the MK meet. [/ QUOTE ] Ian, just as a matter of interest, can I ask when you're likely to next attend any of the Midlands/Windsor/Essex/NE/South West/Portchester meets? If support is what you're looking for, maybe take a look at your support for other meets. IIRC your attendance at anything other than MK, has been down to others taking you to other venues....please correct me if I'm wrong. Just wondering, as you seem to think the forum is embarrasing the meet, maybe you are able to support all of these other meets as well as your local? I think that Tobes hit the nail on the head. MK is a good meet, but it needs some spice. Unfortunately, this has possibly been realised just a little too late to save MK. I remember one meet where we had a turnout of some 8 A/S8's alone That was truly awesome. But times they are a changing. People move, people want more than just meeting up, straight into the pub, then off home after a couple of hours. I think that MK has possibly had its day. The Midlands meet seems to be catering for more people and it's easy enough for people who attend the MK meet to travel a little north to attend Nottingham. Just as an aside, if I were to attend MK, it would be 168 miles each way......that's a full tank of V-Power....at current rates, that's about £80, plus food = £100 for a night out.....not being funny, I love driving my car, but £100 a pop isn't acceptable to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Help me out here, how is Tyresmoke embarassing that pub in Milton Keynes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I am thinking the same, to be honest I really dont like that reply - Are you saying that the MK meet is BIGGER than TSN????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Hmm, he can't be surely: TSN: 15,271 Registered Members MK Meet: 2 regular attendees The sums don't add up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Also, without TSN, there would be no MK meet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Mathematically there could be a way of making the numbers work in his favour. However, I have neither the time, nor the inclination to do so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Nottingham it is then, see you there chaps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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