The Austin 7 Centenary Event 2022

[Steve Jones]

The 100 years anniversary is something special. As said above, none of us will be here for the next one. Planning for something like this is a massive task and somewhere along the line those doing that planning have to make some decisions. These decisions are made after the organising team have looked at all the options and considered all the possibilities. No matter how they try they won't please everyone. In the case of Moreton next July, our team have secured a fabulous venue at the Fire Service College, somewhere I know quite well. We thought Warwick School was good. This beats it hands down. However, it, inevitably, comes at a cost and once the option to go there is secured the team have to figure out how they're going to pay for it. Lots of options but they settled on a single charge for the full week no matter when or how often you go. Seems straight forward to me and, probably, the best plan when your looking to plan to cover the costs. You make an estimation of how many will book in, multiply that by your entry fee and you've got a bottom line income that tells you if you're on the right track. Yes, that's based on an estimation of attendance but so is every other alternative and doing it this way has the least variables.

Quite simply, if you're not happy with that, don't go. I suspect that the majority will understand and pay up happily. The costs noted above are less than it will cost to fill my motorhome with diesel for the week. Get real. The day that has the least interest for me is the Prescott day. I've driven up Prescott maybe more than a hundred times and before next July I hope to have driven up it another eight. Maybe twelve depending on next year's dates. That doesn't mean I want a discount for not going. It's all part of the big picture and the big equation and I'll enjoy a leisurely lunch somewhere on that day whilst others are enjoying their time at Prescott. And they will enjoy it, it's certainly worth the effort.

I've been part of a team planning a major event such as this. It's a massive personal commitment and we should be very pleased that our team has stepped up and taken the job on and thank them without qualification. If the decisions they make don't suit you individually then please realise that they have to make those decisions based on all the factors, not your individual requirements or preferences.

Bookings opened for next July for the Caravan and Motorhome Club's site at Moreton a couple of weeks ago. It's less than ten minutes away from the Fire Service College and the CMC's management have already noted a significant spike in booking for 'our' week. I suspect I'm not alone in my views.

Steve