Shimsteriom said:

I know this years event has only just been cancelled, but when (if at all) will any consideration be given to LZ14?

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Difficult to say, there's a few wounds to lick and contemplation to do but I'd like to see some people step up and sort some regional laning meets and get the club stand at shows again.

It was out of those that grew the desire for a national meet in the first place

I echo beastys thoughts.

Stick to a club stand at the big shows..the one we did at bristol& west and the other at...where ever it was ( i was on morphine for my back and have no recollection of the location at all ) were good weekends.

And regional laning trips offer the ability to spread both the geographical opportunities but also lighten the burden a bit too on the same group .

I plan to keep my eyes peeled for laning trips around the country and get to asmany as possible.

Sorry for being a bit late to the table here - had a lot on my plate for the last week of so and not had chance to get on here - absolutely gutted it's had to be cancelled, was really looking forward to my 1st LZ weekend and the chance to get my Disco muddy down some new lanes. Really appreciate the hard work put in by the organisers to try and make this happen - hopefully next year all those "yeah, count me in" types will put their money where there mouth is and buy tickets nice and early to make this happen.
Oh well, got the caravan booked out of storage that weekend and the dog booked in for his spa weekend (Paradise Luxury Dog Retreat - name says it all!!) so I guess it's a weekend away somewhere with the missus (might still try and leave the kids with Grandma so we get a couple of days peace) - just gotta find somewhere to go.

Had a think about this. If I may be so bold.
It would seem from some of the feedback (reading between the lines) over the last year, things had become a little too organised. Not that this was an issue for those who bought tickets but quite obviously and more importantly for those that didn't. By too organised I mean a little over indulgent. I would hazard a guess that the target audience has been missed.
Most people kitted out for camping don't mind (even prefer) roughing it a bit and are very apt at feeding and watering themselves and probably enjoy camping because it is that way. They also have the best camping holidays when newly met groups improvise and join in ad hock for a social evening. I hope I am making sense.
Marquees and bars rarely feature in a campers itinerary along with burger vans or posh loos.
For those motellin or B&Bing it, the whole thing becomes quite a financial commitment for a weekend just to drive through a field.
Now I'm not suggesting those involved didn't work their taters off trying to make the event appealing. I just think it was slightly over cooked. An easy thing to do when lots of people suggest things they have enjoyed or seen as a success in the past.
I would suggest someone steps back from the excitement and idea making in the future, understand the needs of the prospective attendee and keep the overheads to a minimum.
I would love to organise a meet up but with the lack of green lanes in north Manchester I would fear a large percentage of people wouldnt bother. Unless the Manchester and Lancashire laners are keeping them a secret.
Quite possibly the best weekend would be a couple of portaloos and a bonfire. People able to arrive and leave as suits and pay accordingly. Also a small venue works much better as people camp together. Usually that's all it takes to guarantee bafoonary, self embarrassment and a ruddy good nights partying.
I do hope those involved don't walk away from the idea but come back with a good solid and simple meet up that appeals to those daft enough to put up with a Land Rover and inquisitive enough to turn up and laugh at others who are obviously as potty as they are.

I would like to add: I havnt just plucked this out of thin air. Being a past events secretary at my local (large) shooting club I often organised competition weekends for over 200 people and learned very quickly the more you make available like food and beer (at extra costs) the more pressure you put on people to feel the need to spend on those extras. Attendees do feel obliged to support these things and often feel embarrassed for concessions not doing well. In turn this can make the prospect of a relatively expensive weekend less appealing not more attractive. Some will keep quite separate from the crowd and mix less so as to avoid this. Others will not turn up at all. Even a chosen charity raffle can make people feel pressured and a little uncomfortable if on a budget and lets face it, who isnt.
A coming together of members is a world apart from say a country fair or commercial event. Its much more personal and people care more because like it or not they also have an emotional investment.

This isnt a failure of any description guys. Its a valuable lesson and one that needs to be exploited at the next gathering. Less can be more .


Oh and if anyone suggests a hog roast, beat them repeatedly..................by god that cost me

Wasn't watching the thread so only just got the news when my refund was confirmed. Sad news but understandable in the circumstances.
Thank you for all the hard work that was put in and hope to see you all next year.

Well thought through and eloquent post Bobsticle

accywingy said:

The best option is just to arrange a club stand at one of this years shows.

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I would think that is a much more practical and easy way to go. Exactly what the cattle breed societies do for their annual conventions and forums. They just tag it onto an existing show. The big show take care of the organising, and a lot of the target market is already there.

Why not the LRO show at East of England Arena in September. I will be there anyway, and PaulD will be on the GLASS stand.
I would be happy to help out if you need bods for the stand!

There are two shows happening next month. LRO kelmarsh , and the show at the Billing off road show.

Neither of them are too far from the original show site

Maybe that in the future could be incorporated.

Cheers

neilly said:

There are two shows happening next month. LRO kelmarsh , and the show at the Billing off road show.

Neither of them are too far from the original show site

Maybe that in the future could be incorporated.

Cheers

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Might be a bit late for entries. Peterborough isn't far from the original site either. About 25 miles along the A14, at a guess.
And it has excellent transport links with most areas. Right on the A1(M), A1, and the M1 and M6 via the A14.

great to see all these comments now, last year worked well with posh toilets mobile bar and food van, people enjoyed it and the raffle also. And everybody turned up. So this year was a no show it happens, lets see what happens next, will there be LZ14 or display stands at shows who knows.

Is it worth doing a poll with a couple of options and see what "the people" prefer?

I like having a club stand but it is different.

Tickets are limited for stands so you get a core group camped at a stand and everyone else spread out in camping areas elsewhere.

Still worth doing but it's a very different experience.

Shimsteriom said:

Is it worth doing a poll with a couple of options and see what "the people" prefer?

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Have you seen a poll on LZ? how long before the muppets get hold of it and start playing games?? unfortunately..

Cheers

blue beasty said:

I like having a club stand but it is different.

Tickets are limited for stands so you get a core group camped at a stand and everyone else spread out in camping areas elsewhere.

Still worth doing but it's a very different experience.

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I haven't been to the LRO show, but if it is like the county shows no-one camps on stands. The stand is for publicity and entertainment. Sleeping vans and trailers are in a separate area.

The main reason I am going to the Peterborough event is that I can moor really close by for free, so I don't have to sleep in a tent.
And I imagine many of the other participants will stay in hotels, of which there are many locally. And of course, a lot of people will just drive up for the day.

I'm planning to go to the LRO show 16/17 Sept and would be happy to help at a stand.

Turboman said:

I haven't been to the LRO show, but if it is like the county shows no-one camps on stands. The stand is for publicity and entertainment. Sleeping vans and trailers are in a separate area.

The main reason I am going to the Peterborough event is that I can moor really close by for free, so I don't have to sleep in a tent.
And I imagine many of the other participants will stay in hotels, of which there are many locally. And of course, a lot of people will just drive up for the day.

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At the Landy shows vehicles are usually part of the stand and people stay on the pitch in tents/caravans or their vehicles.

Praps @Coffeelandy could take his and it could be a working feature?!

blue beasty said:

At the Landy shows vehicles are usually part of the stand and people stay on the pitch in tents/caravans or their vehicles.

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That is interesting. At the county shows that is discouraged, due to elf and safety concerns, although some flout the rules.

Years ago, a lot of the cattle showmen used to sleep in the shed with their beasts, and a few still do. Most now prefer their trailer, or a caravan in the exhibitors car park. Those close to the show just go home for the night.

NorfolkBird said:

Praps @Coffeelandy could take his and it could be a working feature?!

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What a bummer I was about to buy 3 tickets too and bring my 6 year old.