N.E. Gathering

[amarshall]

Given the number of us resident in N. Yorks, Co. Durham and Tyneside and the fact that Simpatico has asked the dreaded "where/when do you meet" question (to which the answer seems to be Donington in April) - is it time to set up a NE meeting ?

Someone please propose a time/place!

[Simpatico]

^^^^^ Think I've seen you about before mate, A1 southbound at the Tyne crossing?

Anyhow, I have been trying to find a new home for Club Lotus' monthly meets for a while and given up. I think the traditional idea of a nice quiet pub cordoning off a corner is well and truly dead unless the landlord is a car fiend. I have tried several establishments and been met with extreme disinterest. Perhaps it's time to think outside the box, besides most people these days (maybe it's my age?) once esconced in front of the fire after work take a bit of shifting to get out of an evening.

Last time I was at F1 Lotus the owner said that The Open Highway clan gather there on a Sunday, presumably as a prelude for a blat. On nice days he said they get the picnic tables out and have food. I have registered with TOH but have not had time to do much more - is anyone here familiar? Perhaps with so few opportunities to meet and such a small ownerbase of sportscars we could piggyback/gatecrash someone elses party (with their permission of course)?

Another monthly meet I attend is the American/Classic meet at the Metrocentre each 2nd Wednesday (May to September). Again a case of piggybacking onto an existing event, but there is always something to look at when you get sick of talking Lotus.

[amarshall]

Mmmm - TOH is interesting, but not quite my scene.

What about using LoTees to refocus attention on Club Lotus and get some of the members there to join in ? (must admit, I keep promising myself that I'll get along to the published venue one day - guess that one doesn't happen any more?)

For a wee while we (LoTees) were meeting on Sundays at the Wheatsheaf near Newcastle airport as that venue is also friendly to TVRCC. I could see if anyone wants to resurrect that arrangement ?

Or just for fun - how about going for a Northern Ace Cafe arrangement ? (maybe the OK diner on the A19 near Hartlepool? http://www.okdiners.com/ )

[Simpatico]

The Wheatsheaf is cockfull on a Sunday with TVRs, I'm amazed the owners don't tell them to shift as all they are doing is taking away Sunday lunch trade. That was pretty much the attitude of any publican I buttonholed about restaging the CL NE monthly, loads of cheapskate car owners filling the car park and sipping on half an orange juice all night is just not worth their while. I personally would have tried to get some of the "other halfs" along for a meal, not only to make them feel wanted but also to make us more welcome to return to the pub.

The only place I have not followed up yet is the Bowburn Hall Hotel just off the A1. I wondered if this was sufficiently central to attract NYorks/Tees owners as well as Townies.

You are right the NE needs an "Ace" of it's own, if it's the A19 so be it.

[amarshall]

Right - it seems we have a consensus (well, 3 of us agree and that's unusual enough . I'll get in touch with the diner and see if they have any "dead" evenings that they would like to liven up.

For anyone who hasn't looked at the web page, OK Diners are a franchise operation based on a 1950s theme. Food is not bad (Shirley and I use them when we're on the A1 in preference to most others) and cooked to order and they are spouse & child friendly. A few of them already host meetings for Harley-Davidson OC and Corvette OC so there seems to be some willingness.

[amarshall]

Well - I've been to the diner and there's plenty of parking around it. I've spoken to them as well and they are quite willing to host us. Just need to fix a date - awaiting a response from Simpatico about Club Lotus.

[Simpatico]

Don't wait on anything to do with Club Lotus, thats ages away, just get your thang sorted out. I'm going to be MIA for a few days too for a short hospital visit. My Elite is SORNED at the moment, but will find something interesting to come along with asap.

[amarshall]

OK - let's go for FIRST Tuesday OTM (so the first one will be Tuesday 3rd Feb.) from 6:30 onwards.

Venue: OK Diner on the A19 Southbound next to Ron Perry Test & Tune (easy access from the North, from the South go up to the A179 junction just past the wind turbines and use that to get to the A19 Southbound over the bridge).

Please add your name if you plan to attend (numbers needed by 27th Jan at the latest).:

Amarshall & Mrs. Amarshall
Jerry
Simpatico

[P.O.D.]

Just to say have a good time

Is this going to be an excel meet or are you going to make it a lotus nite (come one , come all) would be more intresting in my view... might even come up from london for an evening during the summer months to say hi
P.O.D.

[amarshall]

Just to say have a good time

Is this going to be an excel meet or are you going to make it a lotus nite (come one , come all) would be more intresting in my view... might even come up from london for an evening during the summer months to say hi
P.O.D.

Open to all Lotuseseses (and maybe a few other interesting cars - we might even let Clans in - I've heard that there's at least one local)

[amarshall]

Come down for a natter and some kicking of tyres anyway - we should have a few different models there.

[KevW]

Chalk me in for the 3rd Feb meet. I'll be having the £7.25 all day breakfast

[amarshall]

Please add your name if you plan to attend (numbers needed by 27th Jan at the latest).:

Amarshall & Mrs. Amarshall
Jerry (maybe)
Simpatico
KevW

[amarshall]

Event confirmed with venue - there's room for a few more if anyone else feels like turning up.

[KevW]

What time are those of us attending planning to arrive ?

I won't be able to get there until after 7.15pm.