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(Home) Jam 2002 North Devon #1

Here's Bristol. Yes, definitely. We already used our Liteace as a Minicamper.
But I guess it's a bit late this year. Another 4 weeks and the nights get a bit chilly. Apart fram that, we have quite a few things coming during the next couple of months (loft conversion etc.) But what about early next year? Easter?
Holger - (#915) Holger Laux, 29 Aug 01

Splendid idea Barry but, in view of the most popular "thread" on this excellent forum, would'nt it get mistaken for a steam rally ? - (#916) John Davis, 29 Aug 01

Hi all....
I'm in West Lancashire ( near Southport ) & We think a meeting of Townies a GREAT idear, How about some places of intrest to have it ?? - (#921) Paul Morgan, 29 Aug 01

Hi all Townies out there!
I was wondering is there is any interest in holding a Townies Camp meeting.
I am based in the west country and there are a least 15 members in this area.plus those who are not members.
If there is any interest please let me know
I could start the ball rolling with your ideas!
Great idea, just returned from hoiday in Devon couldnt believe how many townies we spotted ( only had mine 1 month) I live in Washington Tyne & Wear. Next year would be great
Here's Bristol. Yes, definitely. We already used our Liteace as a Minicamper.
But I guess it's a bit late this year. Another 4 weeks and the nights get a bit chilly. Apart fram that, we have quite a few things coming during the next couple of months (loft conversion etc.) But what about early next year? Easter?
Holger - (#950) Ron Coe, 31 Aug 01

Great idea, we have already spoken on the phone about tow bars. I'm in Basingstoke, Hampshire and I don't realy mind where we have the meeting. Bristol area and early next year is OK by me. - (#1092) Patrick Adam, 17 Sep 01

I remember last year we were kicking about the idea of an owners' meeting. Spring is approaching soon, so what about it? Any interest? In what form? Book a big camps site somewhere in central England? Perhaps around Easter?
Holger - (#2081) Holger Laux, 4 Feb 02

Sounds good to me. We're off to Dingle in Ireland (hope our new engine holds up!) around Easter but if we're about on any date that comes up I can bring Townie, kids and trailer tent. - (#2084) SteveFE, 4 Feb 02

Yep!!!!,
we're up for some form of fun & frivolity, will have to bring our four kids though, but then that's the whole point of having an MPV isn't it. See you all there, wherever 'there' ends up being. Regards Rob. - (#2088) Rob Drinkwater, 4 Feb 02

Love to join you all, if we are not pre booked at a dog agility show. The dogs will provide some fun for the kids as well.
Can't spare much time to help with arrangements though (sorry). Too many other events to sort and studying to fit in!
Good luck. - (#2092) Ray, 4 Feb 02

Great idea !! I'll get my caravan out early,
& service the bus !! - (#2093) paul Morgan, 4 Feb 02

OK Guys,
Initial gung ho enthusiasm now abaited, if we are to try to have some sort of 'Townie Owners Club' get together during the spring or summer there are many things we need to sort out, namely:-
WE NEED TO DECIDE ON A VENUE, this would ideally be an open field site, dependant on the numbers visiting, as regards it's size. The venue would also ideally be central for all to get to, and well serviced by major routes to it.
NO ONE PERSON COULD ORGANISE SUCH AN EVENT, so we would have to cobble together a commitee to oversee the running of the event.
NOTHING IS FOR FREE, so there would need to be some sort of fund to pay for the initial outlay of organising the event, and therefore some form of entry fee to the event would need to be charged.
THE KIND OF THINGS THAT WOULD NEED TO BE PAID FOR ARE:- PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE
THE COST OF HIRING A VENUE
THE COST OF HIRING IN TOILET FACILITIES
HIRING IN CATERERS (Although commercial caterers would attend & take all their own profits)
THE COST OF POLICING THE EVENT (If it got large enough to need it)
THE COST OF ADVERTISING THE EVENT (To help recoup the cost of staging the event, to get as many through the gates as possible)
I would be quite happy to help organise such an event with a committee, but I don't want to get lumbered with doing it all, so I would only be a part of a team, if you are all genuinely interested in a 'Townie Fest' then please e-mail me directly & I'll post on the Board who is interested and we'll see if we can get it off the ground, also let me know if you would be interested in being part of the 'committee' and help out with organising. Hopefully I'm not treading on anyone's toes here by trying to sort this out, as this 'get together' has been long talked about, but never got off the ground, let's see if we can get it to work. Please e-mail me direct using the link in RED above. Thank you, regards, Rob. - (#2094) Rob Drinkwater, 4 Feb 02

Rob,
Couldn't get thru on the link. I'm up for it but not sure how much I could contribute to the sorting due to work committments. I once stumbled on a VW van meet at the 3 Counties Showground in Malvern...but i guess somewhere like that is expensive to hire & fairly booked up by now. Maybe we need a friendly farmer? [also, who's gonna book the decent weather?!!] - (#2099) Phil Jones, 5 Feb 02

OK Guys,
Initial gung ho enthusiasm now abaited, if we are to try to have some sort of 'Townie Owners Club' get together during the spring or summer there are many things we need to sort out, namely:-
Oh my god, what have I kicked off here? ;-)
Actually, I was thinking of a more informal get-together. Like booking a whole corner of a camp site for a couple of cars (20? 30?) No commercial dealers or police, toilet facilities are usually there and catering is plenty in the local pub or at the BBQ.
If this goes well and we get to know each other personally, we can plan ahead. (A couple of nights chatting and drinking together can do wonders for your inspiration.)
I am actually too busy to load myself with a huge part of the organisation. If you want to go for a big event right now, I can help, but not necessarily play a major part.
Holger
PS
We went camping around Easter last year and we found that camp site owners were quite happy to see their first guests arrive. - (#2116) Holger Laux, 5 Feb 02

How many Townie owners have got camping equipment ?
caravans, tents etc ????
Finding a site for a group of friendly people with there own or in need of accomadation. may not be too hard to do....
But where in the UK do you all think we should meet ??????????
How about finding out the BIG importers in the UK & seeing if they would help to sponsor the event.
Has anyone out there got access to letter printing for car ( bus ) windows ?
So we could get more Townie drivers in on the act with this great web site !!!!!!!!!
Paul Morgan..
Hoping to see you all soon..... - (#2122) Paul Morgan, 5 Feb 02

I put forward the idea last year on the message board.
There is a camp site here in North Devon that would hold about 20-30 vans/tents etc. and its not very busy in the season. easter time would be best.
I am willing to enquire about the site and do a little bit of organizing for us all.
It would have to be for those that would need accomdomdation to arrange themselves,i.e.those without tents/caravans
Within one mile is Westward Ho! 3 miles of beach and the best surfing in north devon.plus everything else one would need for the children and wives(shopping etc).
Please email me with your comments
Regards
Barry Thorogood - (#2127) Barry Thorogood, 5 Feb 02

I put forward the idea last year on the message board.
There is a camp site here in North Devon that would hold about 20-30 vans/tents etc. and its not very busy in the season. easter time would be best.
I am willing to enquire about the site and do a little bit of organizing for us all.
It would have to be for those that would need accomdomdation to arrange themselves,i.e.those without tents/caravans
Within one mile is Westward Ho! 3 miles of beach and the best surfing in north devon.plus everything else one would need for the children and wives(shopping etc).
Please email me with your comments
That's about what we had in mind. We are in it. (also happy to give advice how to quickly convert your townie into a comfortable camper, but this only works for couples without kids)
;-)
Holger - (#2136) Holger Laux, 6 Feb 02

Where will everybody be coming from for the meeting ?
We will need somewhere central...
Paul Morgan....
North West Lancashire (just outside Preston ) - (#2137) Paul Morgan, 6 Feb 02

OK, guys, we're up for something more low key like this as well. But how do we limit the numbers to just 20-30, we'll probably get more than that just from this site, let alone if the word gets around to other non members. But otherwise it sounds a grand idea. Regards Rob. - (#2139) Rob Drinkwater, 6 Feb 02

Sounds good to me too. Only problem from our end is that we've already committed to visiting Ireland at Easter. If it goes off, though, good luck to all.
BTW I've kipped out with 3 kids in mine Holger! - (#2158) SteveFE, 8 Feb 02

What part of ireland, Steve? We might work on a mini-meet over here... - (#2181) david miller, 9 Feb 02

Dingle Peninsula (Cloghane) - is that a bit far from Belfast or can you hack the trip? Let me know if you can and I'll send you our cottage address! - (#2188) SteveFE, 10 Feb 02

Steve, email me direct with dates, and I'll see... - (#2198) david miller, 11 Feb 02

Upon looking at my Diary, Easter seems a bit tight to organzie much here, and plus the weather is not that warm yet!
Can I suggest that a camp meeting is arranged for the (What was the Whitsand end of May Bank Hols, which is now the Queens Jubilee weekend of 1-3 June 2002
Next week I shall have some time to check out some camp sites and will report back to you all.
It seems that quite a few of you like this idea? more comments please.
I would not want to limit the meeting just to 20-30 but lets see who and the Nos. that want to come first.
Please let me know!!
Regards
Barry - (#2157) Barry Thorogood, 8 Feb 02

Later in the year sounds even better to me, having just followed up the first posting saying I can't make Easter! - (#2159) SteveFE, 8 Feb 02

How's about aiming for somewhere central, like around Banbury or Oxford area? (No particular reason for these other than they're pretty central and equidistant for most except those across the water). It's about 3 hrs drive from where I am in Kent, imagine it's similar for West country or up north.
We do quite often lurk around the Banbury area as we've got family there, so could make enquiries and check out campsites possibly (I know some people like clean facilities etc!). Let's keep the Townie Camp concept alive and actually try to make it happen. I'd love to see the expression on other campers' faces as yet another of those strange, child-filled Jap things rolls in! - (#2189) SteveFE, 10 Feb 02

Steve,
That sounds good for me,
True it is central for most,even here from the west country.
Would you therefore be able to find a site that can take us?
Would you be able to get there and have a look at the facilities offered etc.
Lets keep this going
How about the early June bank Holiday weekend
Is that OK for most?
Keep the comments comeing in!!!
Regards
Barry T. - (#2191) Barry Thorogood, 10 Feb 02

That sort of area appeals to us as well, as you say, good motorway links with M4 close by, M40 not far away & all others linking onto one end or other of the motorways. All being well count us in, if you can find a decent venue. Keep us informed & we'll try to help if poss. Regards Rob. - (#2192) Rob Drinkwater, 10 Feb 02

OK, we'll have a look in our Cade's book and check out a few sites this week (kids are going to Grandma's for half-term - lucky them! lucky us!).
Anybody think the name ACE JAM (a la Bug Jam) is too cheesy? It kind of conjures up pictures of Townies howling up the quarter mile at Santa Pod in a cloud of rubber smoke, and loads of dudes in ripped jeans talking about streetboarding, but it is catchy, and doesn't sound as OAP as Townie Camp.
Anyway, I know Dave's itching to burn off a few Galaxys (done your intercooler yet?). - (#2203) SteveFE, 11 Feb 02

If we can drive to Germany once or twice a year, anywhere in the UK is a "short distance" for us. ;-)
June bank holiday sounds fine (as long as it does not coincide with the Bristol Motor Show).
Holger - (#2207) Holger Laux, 12 Feb 02

We are at a week long dog agility event that week near Brighton. Shame, because we often train our dogs near Banbury
For your info, we are based in Herts, but can travel most places no problem.
We usualy camp at the New Forest in September. No booking required, just turn up! May be worth considering even if a main event is held elsewhere. - (#2208) Ray, 12 Feb 02

If you would all like to follow the link at the bottom of the page to the site Homepage you can read of the changes I have made in regards to the meeting discussions.
Thank-you - (#2206) Mark, 11 Feb 02

If anybody hasn't noticed, Mark's put a new forum up for this. URL is below. If you're at all interested in a face-to-face meeting with all the other Townie drivers please register your interest there. We need to try and keep it central and get an estimate