London Thunder Update Three
London Thunder Update Three
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e2djh

Original Poster:

8,546 posts

249 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
Morning all!

The numbers of cars signed up has grown by from 167 this time last week to 285 as I write, a fantastic response – but we still need more. If we could get another hundred this week, then I would feel confident that we will break the record. Several of you have taken the flier and are leaving them on parked TVRs around the country. I have the file in PowerPoint, please pm me if you would like it.

Update on this week’s activities:
Publicise and spread the word about the petition
This is going really well, the number currently stands at 1,134, but I think we should be aiming for 5,000. Can I ask each of you to mail your contacts list, and ask them to do the same. Big effort required here please.


Confirm numbers of workers travelling, and book and pay for coaches
We have had confirmation of 104 workers travelling down – well done to them for making the effort, and to KirstM who has done a great job in making all of the arrangements with the coach company. The coaches have been paid for by a contribution from the TGWU and a personal sub from one of our members (huge thank you to you), which will be repaid from the donations made on-line


Finalise Press release and issue
The press release is prepared in draft form and the distribution list is ready. This will be finalised and sent on Monday.

Continue discussion with TVR exec regarding use of the logo
Sadly, Mr Smolenski declined our request for the use of the logo, and also our offer for him to make a financial contribution towards the costs.

Continue to seek donations from TVR-related businesses
This has fallen flat, and with the sad demise of yet another TVR dealer, we have called a halt to this activity.

Set up a method for making donations to the transport and refreshments fund
This has been done by V8Cerbera, who continues to amaze us with his enormous enthusiasm and dedication to the cause. Well done and thanks to Ben for setting it up, and to you for giving up hard earned cash to make the workers’ day something to remember. In the event that we have a surplus of cash, it has been suggested that we donate it to a charity chosen by the workers. I would appreciate your suggestions on this.

Confirm venue for after-parade refreshments
We have confirmed The Ace café as our meet up point, and for our after-parade refreshments. Parking will be tight, but they will have stewards to assist with this, and the heritage of the café is appropriate for an event like ours. Thanks to all at the Ace, and to Amazon, SimBad and tvrtuscns for their tireless work in sorting this out for us. Amazon is working closely with the ACE to make sure our arrval, departure and stay with them runs smoothly.

Firm up meeting point arrangements with the Police.
Now confirmed as the Ace. We have spoken with the local police, and they may come along to meet us at the Ace.

Contact Richard Hammond, to give him an opportunity to support this event.
We mailed him, Jeremy Clarkson and Richards May, as well as Top Gear. So far we have had no response, but there is still time.

Other activities that have been completed this week:
Shirts, windscreen vinyls, badges and stickers have all been made available. Many thanks to all concerned. See the relevant threads for details.

Our appointment to deliver the petition at Downing Street has been confirmed as 14:00. Six of us will be allowed in to Downing Street to deliver it, and we have been granted permission to park the three cars directly outside Downing Street gates – this will be a fantastic publicity photo opportunity. During this time, we plan to have all of the cars parading along Whitehall – this should be the sight of the parade!

The authorities have asked if I could respectfully point out that most of the route is covered by cctv cameras, and we will be “on display”. The police will not tolerate any unruly driving, or red light jumping, so please drive with respect and consideration for other road users and the law.

There are convoys arranged from all corners of the country, well done to those who are organising these. Do make sure you get on their lists, it will be a great way to start the day.


Activities for this week are now down to the finer details.
I will be making a practice run of the route tomorrow (Sunday) at the appropriate time to ensure everything is ok. If you are out and about, give me a wave!

The press release will be issued on Monday (and I will go into hiding on Tuesday paperbag).

Route maps and directions will be published.

All of us are responsible for getting as many cars and petition signatures as we can, please keep up the good work.

I will provide one more update later in the week with the final arrangements .

What have I forgotten, and what additional suggestions do you have?

Cheers for now wavey
David

amazon

3,704 posts

241 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
clap Good job David!

scratchchin Which six cars then? bounce

Are we allowed people on the street outside too or is that restricted to a certain number?

e2djh

Original Poster:

8,546 posts

249 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
amazon said:
clap Good job David!

scratchchin Which six cars then? bounce

Are we allowed people on the street outside too or is that restricted to a certain number?


Noooo, six people, only three cars (sorry)

We can have as many people on the street as we want, but there is no parking on Whitehall.

We were given a limit of three cars to be parked on Whitehall outside teh Downing Street gates, and had to submit vehicle details for security clearance. The people actually delivering the petition are:
Mr & Mrs NTEL (who it should be remembered started this all off by running the Blackpool rally) . The factory TGWU convener, a lady worker from the factory, V8cerbera (photographer in there) and me.

Hope this is ok

derekg500

874 posts

273 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
Mrs derekg500 here! What about any excess money from the donations going to an Xmas fund for the workers? Maybe to buy and distribute Sainsbury's, Tesco's or M&S vouchers to ease the financial burden that is Christmas these days? Otherwise I think it is an excellent idea for the workers themselves to decide. My support for London Thunder is in honour of those workers and after reading their posts on PH.

Keep up the excellent work and see you on the 26th

anonymous-user

84 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
derekg500 said:
Mrs derekg500 here! What about any excess money from the donations going to an Xmas fund for the workers? Maybe to buy and distribute Sainsbury's, Tesco's or M&S vouchers to ease the financial burden that is Christmas these days? Otherwise I think it is an excellent idea for the workers themselves to decide. My support for London Thunder is in honour of those workers and after reading their posts on PH.

Keep up the excellent work and see you on the 26th


I think that is a great idea!

grumpy bear

634 posts

242 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
Well done to all in the arrangements of this event.

Just a passing thought, I we are going to make the Guiness Book of Records, where are they going to be to do the count to ensure we have done it. I dont think we will be allowed to stop in Whitehall and I dont think they will want us to be a moving target.

Apologies if this has been covered and I've missed a post somewhere but just in case.......

e2djh

Original Poster:

8,546 posts

249 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
grumpy bear said:
Well done to all in the arrangements of this event.

Just a passing thought, I we are going to make the Guiness Book of Records, where are they going to be to do the count to ensure we have done it. I dont think we will be allowed to stop in Whitehall and I dont think they will want us to be a moving target.

Apologies if this has been covered and I've missed a post somewhere but just in case.......

Hi GB, no worries, i have all of the criteria for "qualification" in hand. in short, we can do it pretty much anywhere - video cameras are a wonderful and useful tool!

andyoleary

1,713 posts

243 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
outstanding!! Well done Dave and all. I can almost feel the excitement building around the country, I reckon this is going to be a long week for some and a short week for others thumbup

Andy

grumpy bear

634 posts

242 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
I've just done a quick calculation.....

250 TVR's at 13 ft long + 5 to 6 ft clearance front and rear = 24ft or 8 yards. 8 x 250 = 2000 yds = 1.136 miles.

Whitehall, around parliment square and back up to Trafalgar is just about 1 mile, therefore.......

250 TVR's going up and down Whitehall = CHAOS!!!!!!!

They won't forget us will they!

almack

337 posts

258 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
grumpy bear said:
I've just done a quick calculation.....

250 TVR's at 13 ft long + 5 to 6 ft clearance front and rear = 24ft or 8 yards. 8 x 250 = 2000 yds = 1.136 miles.

Whitehall, around parliment square and back up to Trafalgar is just about 1 mile, therefore.......

250 TVR's going up and down Whitehall = CHAOS!!!!!!!

They won't forget us will they!


And so they should'nt

B.N.D.

78 posts

289 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
Might be important for some. Are there going to be designated W.C.'s with parking en-route in London?

zooooom

1,310 posts

290 months

Saturday 18th November 2006
quotequote all
clapbounceclapbounceclapbounceclapbounceclap
GEEEEEEESSS the way thing are going theres going to be 400 plus for the rally is the ace cafe going to be big enough yikes

V8Cerbera

1,220 posts

239 months

Sunday 19th November 2006
quotequote all
I'm personally going to contact BBC local news here and a couple of local rags to see if they have any interest in covering the Essex convoy as I'm already heading towards at least 50 cars.

Good job David, things are all looking marvelous

davidlscott

1,048 posts

254 months

Sunday 19th November 2006
quotequote all
Has anyone got a petrol tanker? Some of could run out just running up and down Whitehall.

grumpy bear

634 posts

242 months

Sunday 19th November 2006
quotequote all
Can anyone email me the pdf for the flyers please

amazon

3,704 posts

241 months

Sunday 19th November 2006
quotequote all
zooooom said:
clapbounceclapbounceclapbounceclapbounceclap
GEEEEEEESSS the way thing are going theres going to be 400 plus for the rally is the ace cafe going to be big enough yikes


The Ace cafe will get us all parked one way or another! They are massively enthusiastic and are pulling out all the stops for usclap Given all the criteria - they really are the best venue for us yes

That said, a couple of prayers and fingers crossed, wouldn't go amiss because we also want clear blue sky, sunshine and lovely cool air for the engines silly

mellow yellow

7,450 posts

257 months

Sunday 19th November 2006
quotequote all
Long range weather forecast for Sunday is Light Showers High 13 degrees 75% chance of rain. The temperature in Central London may be a little higher with increased pollution.

Saturday Night seems OK just cloud so should be OK for driving down.

Edited by mellow yellow on Sunday 19th November 10:54

e2djh

Original Poster:

8,546 posts

249 months

Sunday 19th November 2006
quotequote all
grumpy bear said:
Can anyone email me the pdf for the flyers please

YHM

sen 18

1,247 posts

242 months

Sunday 19th November 2006
quotequote all
Brilliant job indicates the passion behind all of this. The organisers deserve a big,big thank you.
clap clap

just hope NS is aware of all this support,it is what he would be losing. If only he would just change his mind on this one and do the right thing for TVR , all the workers & his customers - still not too late NS!