Dartington Crystal

It's along way off yet I know but plans have to be made. It would seem we have been a bit deserted by some of the mini owners in the SW. Not everyone but enough to make a difference but it will take a lot for me to give up Dartington Crystal so I have a few ideas.
1 We move it forward or backward a week so we do not clash we Braunton wheels etc.
2 We invite more than just mini owners what about the mods and their scooters.
3 How about VW and their T4, I now a couple who have 1 each.
Like many shows we have to accept that mini owners no longer have bottomless pockets and next year will be even harder. So we could cut down on the trophies we give the mini owners and spread them out. Dartington Crystal is a great venue but we should not forget our events should push the family appeal a lot more and make sure we give the children a good time. Children's choice of scooter and T4
Any more ideas, lets put a bit of effort into it and maybe we could make Dartington Crystal a bigger success.
PS how about traders
PS again The Dog show stays

Guess what I love the idea of having VW T4's there.....Mmmmm I wonder why!!!!!!  We are also members of the North Devon Transporters Club so we could mention it and I am sure they would love to come as a club..... I warn you now there could be loads turn up!!!!!!!!

Go for it! Sounds fun. Make it a bit like Heartbeat. 60's era. We can do any date, no holiday plans yet. An idea, let some of the siblings make the prizes, give them a little budget to cover their costs. It's the thought that counts. We don't need as many prizes. I had 24 rosettes to be spead among 6 dogs and still Domino did not get one....

I love heartbeat we will have to work on that, at least we have something to work on.
PS I have been organizing events for years and the only prize  we have never won is I don't think this mini will win anything today. But then our minis do not win prizes they win hearts and that means a lot more to us.

Just my thoughts here.... Perhaps more of a Classic car/bike/scooter type of thing. Down here in the south of the county, combined shows seem to be taking off indeed we've done 2 in the last few weeks. You get a friendly reception from the participants.
It's not just the Mini scene geting smaller, it's more of a 'sign of the times thing', the whole Classic car world is suffering from lack of available money.
A yes to traders but only those who cater for classic stuff would deem it worthy to make the effort to attend.

As said at the beginning, just my thoughts  ....................

Jo are you on the T4 forum?? loads of people on there from around here that meet up reguarly at the tarka inn (well did anyways - not been out for aaaaages!)
Sounds good opening it up to more, i know a few poeple at school with VWs and a guy whos pretty big in the camper scene sooo could mention it to them
Getting some of the bikers involved tooo may help for the grand tour sooo the dartington crystal not just a mini show is on!

Not sure changing the date will make a big difference. Whenever the date is it's bound to clash with some show/event.
But if you do move it, bring iy=t forward as we've already booked our holiday taking Dartington into account as it's the only show we stand a chance of winning anything!

I thin the idea of a Mini/Classic/Retro show is good we held one the weekend and whil the turn out wasn't massive it was good too see different cars.  Minis shows seem to be getting smaller every year (with the execption of the LGT of course) as a few have already said it seems to becoming more and more common to have mixed shows

yes i think opening it to other marks would be a good idea and also to move dates as it then we could go to the Silverstone classic show which is the same weekend

hi i also think opening it up is a good idea we could not come last year as it clashed with wheels !!!!!! not worried about a troph,y really love the dog show!!!!,maybe a few trade stands and games ect not sure what show we will be doing if it clashes as wheels is closer  

If it moves to the weekend of 16th/17th July, it'll clash with SkegMiniFest...

Mind, I think they're geographically separate enough for that to not necessarily be a problem  

How is Dennis.... Have Acespeed done their bit ? Morky is a happier Mini today with his new shockers.

Acespeed have indeed done their bit again, Andy's done a very nice job of setting up the suspension. Still got the clunk, no idea what that is and neither does he...

Has any decision been taken on if the date for Dartington Crystal show is moving, as hoping to pick up a cheap Travelodge room next week?

We need to know soon for the same reason. Keep in touch re cheap rooms. I've never found one at Barnstaple but maybe down a bit further. But garage is good there for food.

Quoted from Bumble

We need to know soon for the same reason. Keep in touch re cheap rooms. I've never found one at Barnstaple but maybe down a bit further. But garage is good there for food.

Will do

We went to  a couple of Vw and mini shows combined this year and it does make a nice change, after all the pure mini shows which after a while get very repetative and samely, same cars, same trade stands, it nice to look at different cars and vans/campers, so yes its seems a good idea

Quoted from Bumble

We need to know soon for the same reason. Keep in touch re cheap rooms. I've never found one at Barnstaple but maybe down a bit further. But garage is good there for food.

Nothing doing in Travelodge's sale (when you could actually access their website) Barnstaple £71 for 23rd July, nothing much cheaper either. The only reasonablly priced one is Exeter at £23.50. I'll wait for a confirmed date from Terry & see what's what then.

Thanks for the update. Don't think Terry goes on forum much. Mind you not many do nowadays...... Perhaps they're all on facebook. Hopefully we'll get an events update soon and we can book. It costs us a lot to come down for one night, not to forger £20 one night for the dog so we would consider somewhere else. I'll probably ring Terry in the New Year and ask him.

i can confirm from terry that dartington crystal will be on the 17th of July  

Thanks for that ive put it in my diary

Thanks, I can look into some accomodation now

Okehampton looks to be the cheapest in the area at £42.75, that's Whiddon. Barnstaple £71.65. Then £20 for the dog. I can't disguise him. Funny prices..... New rates of VAT?

Quoted from Bumble

Okehampton looks to be the cheapest in the area at £42.75, that's Whiddon. Barnstaple £71.65. Then £20 for the dog. I can't disguise him. Funny prices..... New rates of VAT?

Exeter's the cheapest at £19.00, we might book that for the Friday night. Trouble with Whiddon Down is that time you've added on the extra fuel to get there is it any cheaper? Probably going to book Barnstaple for the Saturday as that price is a flexible rate so if there's an offer on nearer the time (or my some miracle the price comes down) I can rebook & cancel existing booking.

We have gone full circle and booked a week in Somerset so we will travel 2 hours plus on the day. Dog accepted at £3 a day. We've explored North Devon and fancy a change.

Quoted from Bumble

We have gone full circle and booked a week in Somerset so we will travel 2 hours plus on the day. Dog accepted at £3 a day. We've explored North Devon and fancy a change.

Where in Somerset? we have booked a couple of days near Taunton in August on our way down to North Devon for the LGT  

Quoted from scoobydoo

Where in Somerset? we have booked a couple of days near Taunton in August on our way down to North Devon for the LGT  

A self catering cottage in a village called Barton St. David. Half the price of what we pay in Devon......

Accomodation's all booked

We havent made the dartington show, but agree that mixing minis and Vdubs is cool, we checkd out Knebworth in 2010 and although small cos it was the first time, it was really friendly and no nastiness. Agree with the comment that some of the static mini only shows do get a tad samey, although I like to meet up with all the friends we've made rather than look at the same old cars, thats what I like most is seeing mates.  

Lucy and myself loved the rental dub buses at Knebby and we all fell for a safari dub that came with us, matt black, lowered and sooooo mean. Its cool that there are modern and classic versions of dubs as well as minis too. We'd like a dub bus to camp in whilst trailering the mini behind!!  

The way things are going we have to change if we really want to survive. As for Dartington it will always be a small show and like the LGT the people will always come first. Unlike many show no matter what happens the Register with never lose any money over it and the CHSW will always gain because it never costs us any money so every penny we take goes to the CHSW.

We are also going to invite the Mods on there scooters and there will be trophies for everyone.

id like to add to the broading out of the DC show to other classics perhaps we could advertise in the weelkly classic car papers there is never anything advertised for down here

I can start spreading the word on Lambretta Club forum etc. and with scooter club in Taunton.  Good it's moved to the 17th July as the last weekend in July is a national run to Exmouth so most of the south west scooter clubs will be down there.

This also means I have an excuse to come on 2 wheels !!

Cheers

Euan

I will be able to bring my t4 if thats ok  

Will the mini be in the back.

I've spoken to Terry and explained that reluctantly we have decided not to come down for Dartington. We feel bad about this but have to weigh up the pros and cons. Petrol for Andrew's car will cost near £90. We have to leave about 3am to get there or if we stay overnight it costs £90 with a dog in a Travelodge.

At the Dog Show last year there were 6 dogs including mine, Lou and Neve. I only gave Terry £10 takings from their admission fees. We did not even have an audience. Instead of paying out for rosettes and dog treats I will send Terry a cheque for the hospice but save our petrol and accomodation for LGT weekend.

Also we are moving Andrew's mum and her sister each from their big houses to adjoining retirement apartments, within walking distance from us and that is eating into our leisure time.

We're sorry but Terry understood. If anyone wants to take on the dog show I will guide them. Rosettes and treats cost about £50 which I normally donated but it is really the lack of number of doggy entrants that guided me to this decision.

It's only 11 weeks away now.

im sure everyone totally understands how you have reached this decision and would like to say thankyou for all your efforts in the past years

im glad the oldies have made the decision to downsize im sure once you have got over the double packing throwing out and finally moved them both things will hopefully be better for them and you both
Hope all goes well !!!!!!!!!!!!

We started de-cluttering the Aunt's out buildings last October and used a team of men and a truck that equates to 2 skips. Uncle was a serious hoarder of wood ( a match would have been easier ) and we had 9 skips of rubbish but are over the worse. Their new places have a fair sized lounge and bedroom, bathroom with shower, kitchen and hallway. We went on the first day of release and managed to secure 2 of 4 garden suites with access to garden.

There is a lodge manager monday to friday 9-5 and care line push buttons if they have problems. It is a half hour dog walk from us or a 5 minute car ride. I hope the fun of choosing all new furnishings this week has begun to take over the upset of leaving their marital homes of 54 and 60 years..................... We plan to move them both on 31 may. We have sold at a reduced price to Churchills who we are buying from but we get an overlap of a week which is a great help.

As executor Andrew is helping them sort their finances (they're my new best friends ) but mum in law had a savings statement come for over £40k that she had not mentioned to Andrew. " Oh I must have forgotten that one". Worrying.

thats very good news about the two flats with the gardens  im thinking Terry might know of another relative who would benefit from your help too is there room for another ???

Seriously well done them for making the decision with your help of course im sure it will be a great relief that there will be someone there for the day to day problems and you can visit and do the fun social things --get a cleaner /hairdresser booked in as well  whilst they are in a good frame of mind for extra support for you as well then iof you want to get away or if they need help with personal care they will be familiar with having help  Have you explored the Attendence Allowance ?

Ill be thinking of you on May 31st not long now

Don't make too much of it Rita - you'll be giving Michelle and Lisa ideas  

There is room for Terry's dragon in law if she could live in Surrey after Devon! I think the outlaws have too much savings to qualify for attendance allowance and not needing personal care yet. And I'm certainly not going there............. I'll throw them a wet wipe! Hairdresser and regular cleaning sorted too Penny. I hope the hairdresser is good like the one who came out to us in Fremington.

Is Attendance Allowance now a Means Tested Benefit Rita? It certainly wasn't four/five years ago when my mother received it.

R.

I don't think it is. But I can't see either of these ladies allowing assisted personal care but one day they might have no option!

Is it just for personal care, I believe so.

It is intended to contribute to the costs of care. My Mum had carers in twice daily: a half hour in the morning, to make sure she was up & about OK; an hour later in the day, to help her shower etc. Attendance Allowance (lower rate) covered about a third of the cost.

My Mum had breathing difficulties (bl00dy fags!) and used a zimmer frame after beaking her hip.


R.

Hi Rita no its not means tested and not solely for thise who need help with personal care  but also those who might be at risk to themselves and need supervision to ensure thier safety ive copied something from a web site

"supervision to avoid putting yourself or others in substantial danger, for example, needing someone to keep an eye on your medical condition or diet, or because you cannot control the way you behave "

I think we may be going down the road of help a little sooner than planned. Andrew's mum has become weak and feeble and shuffles around. I've been calling her "pathetic" but she has just been diagnosed with Parkinsons. Oops....

oh bless a bit like the wording on the gravestone of a comic  "there i said i wasnt well" was it Spike Milligan

as for the AA have you a local Carers Support Group in the ares they may be to offer more advice

"AA" - who's alcoholic?!


R.

Attendence Allowance

but that reminds me my sister had to go to a large venue in our local town with lots of meeting rooms for a bee keeping meeting and by mistake joined in with the AA meetings and said my my name is Maggie and im a beekeeper is this the right room

Excellent!

And Rita: The form was fourteen pages (from memory), but it was dealt with quickly and a second "pension" type payment was soon paid. Worth doing - just phone the DSS & ask. That's what I did.


R.