Surrey region Corvette owners where are they now?
Discussion
Not sure how to start this without sounding like I’m having a moan, As a lot of you know the Surrey region Corvette club over the past decade has always had one of the best turn out’s month on month than any other I have seen.
Back in 2008 when GM wanted to show off the ZR-1, with the help of Surrey over 70 Corvettes made the trip to the Fairmile Pub in Cobham.
Over the years the Surrey region has organised some of the biggest cruises such as the Mickey Bray cruise to beaulieu, for one of our local members who passed away, again over 70 Corvettes made the trip for all over the UK. This was done with thanks to the Surrey reps at the time Tekwiz and me.
We have also had Poker Run’s even in the winter months and trips to Belgium and also Le Mans. These events were organised by Surrey region and not just turning up to something that was already on that day, or what another region had planned.
I remember the first year I joined the Surrey region was being run by Colin Bruce & Richard Jeal and they had organised a weekend trip to Brugge. This was a really good weekend opened to Surrey members first and then to anyone else.
When I took over back in late 2005 Surrey was a busy Corvette region with loads of members and you would always see someone with a new toy, a brand new C5/C6 or a beautiful C2/C3 turn up. I think at one point we had around six Surrey members own new Z06’s. Again trips to the yearly nationals Surrey always made a Cruise to Cambridge.
We even on our monthly meets use to have a quick trip to Krispy Kremes near Kingston just to do something rather than sitting in a pub. Again this was down to Reps making things a little different; we even had someone looking after the older Generations of Corvette owners more Static shows for those who just wanted to show off the cars and not drive them as much.
Now remember the job of being a rep is always a thankless and unpaid one everyone will moan when they don’t like something but very it’s not often you will get thanked for making a great day.
Surrey have been very lucky with the location of the Fairmile pub it’s close to the M25 and offers huge amount of parking on the green & they have a large car park. They use the pub for lots of other car clubs like Porsche and MG. And always use to have a yearly BBQ as a thank you to the clubs. This year changed with the Pub looking to close for a few months and have a facelift, so we looked at Silvermere Golf club which has good parking and a bar with food. The location is not far from the Fairmile.
This worked for a few months but we had to change from the 4th Tuesday to the 2nd Tuesday of the month. And last month we had another change at the last meet at we used Brooklands location which had a small turn out around a dozen cars.
We out saying names some members have asked me what is going on with Surrey as for years everyone knew the date and venue of the Corvette meet in Surrey, and now this month even I’m unsure of the next meeting.
I know the Fairmile have said when they reopen car clubs cannot use the green just the car park. But at the moment I feel the Surrey region fragmented odd members meeting at various locations on different days. Rather the 4th Tuesday of every month.
Surrey region was one of the leaders in organising days out and events now we seem to just turn up at the odd event. I know the hassle it can be to get something together and how people can always let you down saying yes to something and then blowing out just before.
Even at the nationals this year Surrey had a very poor turnout, someone told me they only like going to these static show when all the Vettes turn up in Convoy.
Maybe things have changed the price of fuel makes a big difference, I know a lot of us have less disposable income unlike a few years ago. So maybe more owners are selling their cars rather than buying new ones. Maybe some owners have just bought another car like an R8 (you know who you are)
This is not a pop at the reps that are running the region at the moment as I would not like to do the job again. Surrey always had monthly letters of events and news of what was going on in the upcoming months. I have just received one from the Kent region on what they are up to until the end of the year.
Another huge area which is never used now is Pistonheads always events from Surrey and monthly meets would always be posted on here. And you would be amazed how many owners look at this forum but not always comment.
But sadly in another month all the trips and shows are going to be over and I just feel Surrey region could be so much more in a proactive way. Remember the Reps are unpaid & all the organising is down to those guys, sometimes even having to pay deposits for events and then collecting the money. Anyone in the region can arrange a day out it’s not just down to the Reps.
The point is Surrey needs to become the huge monthly meeting it always has been and always draws members from all over Kent & Sussex to also come along.
What we really need is the date set in stone along with the venue. Most of us go to chat to fellow owners all they want is a venue with food & drink and somewhere to park up. I feel the Fairmile is the best of a bad bunch but even owners from years ago who are not CCCUK members still knew Surrey region had a meeting at the Fairmile on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
Back in 2008 when GM wanted to show off the ZR-1, with the help of Surrey over 70 Corvettes made the trip to the Fairmile Pub in Cobham.
Over the years the Surrey region has organised some of the biggest cruises such as the Mickey Bray cruise to beaulieu, for one of our local members who passed away, again over 70 Corvettes made the trip for all over the UK. This was done with thanks to the Surrey reps at the time Tekwiz and me.
We have also had Poker Run’s even in the winter months and trips to Belgium and also Le Mans. These events were organised by Surrey region and not just turning up to something that was already on that day, or what another region had planned.
I remember the first year I joined the Surrey region was being run by Colin Bruce & Richard Jeal and they had organised a weekend trip to Brugge. This was a really good weekend opened to Surrey members first and then to anyone else.
When I took over back in late 2005 Surrey was a busy Corvette region with loads of members and you would always see someone with a new toy, a brand new C5/C6 or a beautiful C2/C3 turn up. I think at one point we had around six Surrey members own new Z06’s. Again trips to the yearly nationals Surrey always made a Cruise to Cambridge.
We even on our monthly meets use to have a quick trip to Krispy Kremes near Kingston just to do something rather than sitting in a pub. Again this was down to Reps making things a little different; we even had someone looking after the older Generations of Corvette owners more Static shows for those who just wanted to show off the cars and not drive them as much.
Now remember the job of being a rep is always a thankless and unpaid one everyone will moan when they don’t like something but very it’s not often you will get thanked for making a great day.
Surrey have been very lucky with the location of the Fairmile pub it’s close to the M25 and offers huge amount of parking on the green & they have a large car park. They use the pub for lots of other car clubs like Porsche and MG. And always use to have a yearly BBQ as a thank you to the clubs. This year changed with the Pub looking to close for a few months and have a facelift, so we looked at Silvermere Golf club which has good parking and a bar with food. The location is not far from the Fairmile.
This worked for a few months but we had to change from the 4th Tuesday to the 2nd Tuesday of the month. And last month we had another change at the last meet at we used Brooklands location which had a small turn out around a dozen cars.
We out saying names some members have asked me what is going on with Surrey as for years everyone knew the date and venue of the Corvette meet in Surrey, and now this month even I’m unsure of the next meeting.
I know the Fairmile have said when they reopen car clubs cannot use the green just the car park. But at the moment I feel the Surrey region fragmented odd members meeting at various locations on different days. Rather the 4th Tuesday of every month.
Surrey region was one of the leaders in organising days out and events now we seem to just turn up at the odd event. I know the hassle it can be to get something together and how people can always let you down saying yes to something and then blowing out just before.
Even at the nationals this year Surrey had a very poor turnout, someone told me they only like going to these static show when all the Vettes turn up in Convoy.
Maybe things have changed the price of fuel makes a big difference, I know a lot of us have less disposable income unlike a few years ago. So maybe more owners are selling their cars rather than buying new ones. Maybe some owners have just bought another car like an R8 (you know who you are)
This is not a pop at the reps that are running the region at the moment as I would not like to do the job again. Surrey always had monthly letters of events and news of what was going on in the upcoming months. I have just received one from the Kent region on what they are up to until the end of the year.
Another huge area which is never used now is Pistonheads always events from Surrey and monthly meets would always be posted on here. And you would be amazed how many owners look at this forum but not always comment.
But sadly in another month all the trips and shows are going to be over and I just feel Surrey region could be so much more in a proactive way. Remember the Reps are unpaid & all the organising is down to those guys, sometimes even having to pay deposits for events and then collecting the money. Anyone in the region can arrange a day out it’s not just down to the Reps.
The point is Surrey needs to become the huge monthly meeting it always has been and always draws members from all over Kent & Sussex to also come along.
What we really need is the date set in stone along with the venue. Most of us go to chat to fellow owners all they want is a venue with food & drink and somewhere to park up. I feel the Fairmile is the best of a bad bunch but even owners from years ago who are not CCCUK members still knew Surrey region had a meeting at the Fairmile on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
It sounds as though you are starting to suffer with the same issues we have at the Essex CCCUK meeting. Now down to at best 6 or 7 cars from the 15 to 20 of a few years back (and 50% of these are newer members). Perhaps its the fuel issue - more likely its an 'apathy' issue. I am guilty too in not taking my C3 if theres a sign of rain or wet roads - but one doesn't need to take the Vette to support any club meet - but people just can't be assed to do this either I'm afraid. Strange really as many of these 'enthusiasts' are the ones you see at car shows all fully equipped with barby, picnic, cold box and tables and chairs, prepared to sit around the whole day passing time talking about cars at a show - but not their local meet!. I used to think that it was an 'Essex' thing - Essex as a county has the highest head count in the UK and accordingly also has the highest numbers of members in all classic car clubs - yet historically all car clubs in Essex seem to struggle with getting people to attend meetings and functions.
I guess there are a range of reasons, but personally I haven't attended my local meet at Thames Valley for the last few (well, more like 3) months due to work - combination of too much work and being in the wrong location. Having said that, sometimes I could have made it if I'd really tried...but it's all too easy to think that you'll be the only one skipping the meet so it won't be a problem, and if too many of us think the same way then we end up with very low attendance. For me, weather doesn't make any difference as I drive my car every day any way, but I'm sure it's a bigger factor for those with older Vettes and/or those who use them as second/third/fourth (!) cars.
It's been a timely reminder, and I'll personally try harder to make the next meet (unless I fall off the ladder when I'm decorating that day...!).
It's been a timely reminder, and I'll personally try harder to make the next meet (unless I fall off the ladder when I'm decorating that day...!).
I think the problem with the Surrey meeting was the change of venue from The Fairmile which despite the terrible standard of the food and rubbish bar service was popular with the members as the parking was good and we all knew where and when to meet.
Now as you mention Rob no one has a clue where or when the meeting is!
Now as you mention Rob no one has a clue where or when the meeting is!
I DO, I DO !!!!!
It's at Silvermere Golf Club so no excuses - see you there and Gary Garwood, bring your golf clubs.....
Who an earth can Vet Guru be referring to? "Maybe some owners have just bought another car like an R8 (you know who you are)" ??? You forgot the V10 Spyder bit. Bit like referring to a C6 when the REAL version is the ZO6 of course.
It's at Silvermere Golf Club so no excuses - see you there and Gary Garwood, bring your golf clubs.....
Who an earth can Vet Guru be referring to? "Maybe some owners have just bought another car like an R8 (you know who you are)" ??? You forgot the V10 Spyder bit. Bit like referring to a C6 when the REAL version is the ZO6 of course.
Edited by G4HKS on Monday 8th August 22:56
Well in 15 years i beleive i have missed 1.no meet of the Thames Valley due to my honeymoon, i always try to take the vette regardless of weather but i will always be there, some months its quiet other months its busy, and its been nice that a fair few of the Surrey lot have been turning up in recent times (possibly due to knowing when it is), we have lost a couple from the Thames Valley who now are more part of the Surrey meet, i started to go to the Surrey meet a few years back as it was a good excuse for a blat in the Vette (about a 70 mile round trip from Reading Area)and to meet some like minded Vette heads, but i do have to say it took a long time to feel comftable and accepted at the Surrey meet, but i persisted and made some friends and became very much a regular, i have been busy with work commitments this year so was not as regular as in the past, but i had no idea the venue had changed until it was mentioned at the Thames Valley Meet, i used to get regular emails from Dave when he was part of the rep duo so had an idea of what where and when, but since it was handed over i have not received one email, both reps know me from the Thames Valley days so i gather they had my email so just presumed no emails were being sent, for me it was always about the Venue, the Fairmile to me was fab, nice big parking area and a bar, yes the food was not great but i was there for the cars and a drink and the social aspect, yes i would eat but i was not after a superb meal, for that i go out to dinner to a restaurant where i expect good food, i have not been to the new venue so cannot comment but to me you need to be able to see the cars and mingle around the cars, i for one was put off when i found out it was a golf club, and the date had changed, i think changing thje date is a big mistake, but thats a personal thing, i have it logged in my head when the Surrey monthly meet is as i do the Thames Valley, we too have been forced to move the Thames Valley meet a few times over the past few years but have managed to keep all informed, ok its a smaller bunch but communication is the key, as stated in the original post i am not aiming at the reps in any way shape or form but i agree that it does need to be set in stone and communicated to all, that way people may not always turn up every month but they will turn up every now and then and that makes numbers.
vaughan watkins said:
Well in 15 years i beleive i have missed 1.no meet of the Thames Valley due to my honeymoon, i always try to take the vette regardless of weather but i will always be there, some months its quiet other months its busy, and its been nice that a fair few of the Surrey lot have been turning up in recent times (possibly due to knowing when it is), we have lost a couple from the Thames Valley who now are more part of the Surrey meet, i started to go to the Surrey meet a few years back as it was a good excuse for a blat in the Vette (about a 70 mile round trip from Reading Area)and to meet some like minded Vette heads, but i do have to say it took a long time to feel comftable and accepted at the Surrey meet, but i persisted and made some friends and became very much a regular, i have been busy with work commitments this year so was not as regular as in the past, but i had no idea the venue had changed until it was mentioned at the Thames Valley Meet, i used to get regular emails from Dave when he was part of the rep duo so had an idea of what where and when, but since it was handed over i have not received one email, both reps know me from the Thames Valley days so i gather they had my email so just presumed no emails were being sent, for me it was always about the Venue, the Fairmile to me was fab, nice big parking area and a bar, yes the food was not great but i was there for the cars and a drink and the social aspect, yes i would eat but i was not after a superb meal, for that i go out to dinner to a restaurant where i expect good food, i have not been to the new venue so cannot comment but to me you need to be able to see the cars and mingle around the cars, i for one was put off when i found out it was a golf club, and the date had changed, i think changing thje date is a big mistake, but thats a personal thing, i have it logged in my head when the Surrey monthly meet is as i do the Thames Valley, we too have been forced to move the Thames Valley meet a few times over the past few years but have managed to keep all informed, ok its a smaller bunch but communication is the key, as stated in the original post i am not aiming at the reps in any way shape or form but i agree that it does need to be set in stone and communicated to all, that way people may not always turn up every month but they will turn up every now and then and that makes numbers.
I agree totally with the e-mails! Quite a few of us no longer get them. I rememeber the amount of people even non members that use to just turn up because they were sent an E-mail. Not everyone will go on the same night but we always got a huge turn out. vaughan watkins said:
Well in 15 years i beleive i have missed 1.no meet of the Thames Valley due to my honeymoon, i always try to take the vette regardless of weather but i will always be there, some months its quiet other months its busy, and its been nice that a fair few of the Surrey lot have been turning up in recent times (possibly due to knowing when it is), we have lost a couple from the Thames Valley who now are more part of the Surrey meet, i started to go to the Surrey meet a few years back as it was a good excuse for a blat in the Vette (about a 70 mile round trip from Reading Area)and to meet some like minded Vette heads, but i do have to say it took a long time to feel comftable and accepted at the Surrey meet, but i persisted and made some friends and became very much a regular, i have been busy with work commitments this year so was not as regular as in the past, but i had no idea the venue had changed until it was mentioned at the Thames Valley Meet, i used to get regular emails from Dave when he was part of the rep duo so had an idea of what where and when, but since it was handed over i have not received one email, both reps know me from the Thames Valley days so i gather they had my email so just presumed no emails were being sent, for me it was always about the Venue, the Fairmile to me was fab, nice big parking area and a bar, yes the food was not great but i was there for the cars and a drink and the social aspect, yes i would eat but i was not after a superb meal, for that i go out to dinner to a restaurant where i expect good food, i have not been to the new venue so cannot comment but to me you need to be able to see the cars and mingle around the cars, i for one was put off when i found out it was a golf club, and the date had changed, i think changing thje date is a big mistake, but thats a personal thing, i have it logged in my head when the Surrey monthly meet is as i do the Thames Valley, we too have been forced to move the Thames Valley meet a few times over the past few years but have managed to keep all informed, ok its a smaller bunch but communication is the key, as stated in the original post i am not aiming at the reps in any way shape or form but i agree that it does need to be set in stone and communicated to all, that way people may not always turn up every month but they will turn up every now and then and that makes numbers.
Blimey!! Did you say that all in one breath ?? Thats got to be the LONGEST sentance ever. See you next week Mr Golden Boy. How did your holiday go?
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