EVOLUTION of the National Rally.

[Tony Fearn]

There was an interesting observation from one of our more involved young Jowetteers, buried deep within the discussions on the Website Section of JowettTalk.

This being so, perhaps not many of you will have seen it, and decidedly no-one has commented upon it.

Here it is again:-

NOW can I ask another question? Rather than sections struggling to come up with something to sell/display at the NJR, Why don't we do away with SECTION stands & just have the Shop & juniors?

Is it worth having the discussion.? Should we move forward? What do you think about Geoffrey's comments?

They might just stimulate the letters page in the Jowetteer mag. if AB sees this.

It's not often that a Jowetteer bucks the trend and perhaps this needs much wider consideration and discussion, so come on.

Tony.

[Forumadmin]

Something close to this was discussed at the last exec. A working party has been set up to look at new ways of doing JAW.

There were many ideas and we were encouraged to think well away from 'tradition'.

So come let the forum lead the way!

This year with so may non-UK visitors it will be interesting to see their take on the format. Perhaps a questionnaire of what was most liked and disliked and a suggestions box?

Personally I love the moving around the country and would not like to be based every year around Bradford. I like the 'formal' dinner and dance; but would not mind the more informal 'barn' dance that was tried in Bristol. I enjoyed the barbeque in Armidale. I prefer the scatter type scenic run; but with some focal points so we can meet and chat. I would like to see more interesting events on the field day, something technical, something sporty and something for the ladies.

It all takes organising so that is the point of the club as a whole taking more of the work off the local section. The aim is to cut the local part down to the bare minimum, somewhere to stay, somewhere to go and something to do. Most of which can be organised remotely.

Hey in 20 years we may have a virtual 3D JAW with participation from all over the world. An extension of the Skype video chat we did a couple of years ago.

No worries of getting the car there then!

[Alastair Gregg]

I was a guest at the recent Exec meeting at which the topic was nudged around a bit.

Personally I like the idea of centralized decision making, then there are no concerns about one section competing with another to be the biggest and or best.

The quality would be down to our shop keepers and corporate "Jowett" decisions could be made. Of course we can all lobby the shop for what we want as well, I'm sure our shop keepers would be delighted to get customer feedback, if of a constructive in nature.

Now there are things at which section should be pitted against section, such as concours events or driving skills (I'm not taking the view that all competition is bad) but in my humble opinion not in the provision of Jowett branded sale-able items. Our brand should jealously guarded, with serious consideration given to decisions on both quality and marketing investment.

I am not stating the NW regions opinion, for I don't know it. Just my two pen'orth for what its worth

[Tony Fearn]

Very interesting.

Quotes from two eminent members:-

"I was a guest at the recent Exec meeting at which the topic was nudged around a bit."

"Something close to this was discussed at the last exec. A working party has been set up to look at new ways of doing JAW."

It's great to see what's going on through the magazine. Even if there is no firm committment by a Section to host a National Rally, at least we should all be able to get together once a year. It would be a retrograde step if we couldn't.

Tony.

[Tony Fearn]

Hilary (my wife) was interested to see that the Exec has decided to set up a working party to review the format of the National Jowett Weekends.

She's asked how many ladies are expected to be on the working party? Is it a 50/50 split, and how many of the ladies are there in their own right and not just because their husbands/partners are involved?

From experience, Hilary thinks that a percentage of the ladies would prefer some other diversion on Concours day rather than just spending six hours on the Rally field. Having said that, she realises that others would wish to stay around the vehicles with their men.

It's too late to change this for the Centenary Rally, but perhaps consideration should be given to this idea before the working party is set up.

I know that the Coventry Rally was some considerable time ago, but the chance of going on an old charabanc into Coventry city to do a bit of shopping went down a treat with the fairer sex in the Jowett world.

Tony.

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

Keeping the ladies in mind was something that taxed the minds of the Centenary Rally Committee and was, in part, why we settled on Cannon Hall as the concours venue. As our original advertising bumph said, Cannon Hall is set in Parkland, houses a regimental museum and has an open farm on site. There are several eateries there and a garden centre just across the road. Further there is a craft fair in the hall on the day that we are there. We will have the RNLI in attendance too. Given the constraints on finding a place where we can display 150+ cars that does not seem too bad to me. I guess we could always have chosen the car park at Meadow Hall!! (google it if you don't understand)

[M S G Benning]

Nice to see the responses to the 'pick up' of geoff's suggestion re section stands. However I note they are all from men (albeit there is input from 1 lady via hubby). Are there any more ladies out there, registered on Jowett talk in their own right?!!!. I personally prefer to have the option of being able to do something else (easily accessible) & it certainly helped in the past, when having to occupy Geoffrey in his pre shop mode!

Stiffy Byng

[Mike Allfrey]

G'dday From The Dry South,

In 2008, the Rover Car Clubs' National Rove, in Melbourne, was organised by three ladies. It was an excellent Rove and was of great interest.

Incidentally, most of the background input for the 2008 National Jowett Rally in Bendigo, came from my wife, Sue, who "didn't wish to be involved at all!"

I think it worked well too.

Best wishes for your centenary Rally.

Mike A.