Westward Ho

This is the story so far.
Last year we had a complaint from one of the traders in Westward Ho! So we had a meeting with the Highways department about more signs and more bollards. I did not go alone I was with Lou, what was said at that meeting gave us a great deal of hope but alas the hope as been wash away with the out going tide.

These are the problems No help in Westward Ho! We now have to sort bollard,signs etc ourselves. We have to stop people parking in the wrong places when they come to see us off.
No help with Haywards roundabout. So once again the responsibility will be on my head.
We can no longer use the putting green to park up our Marshals, so that would mean all the Marshals will have to park in the road, so once again we lose another  carparking area for those taking part.. This would mean everyone just turns up and parks up, with everyone coming in from the far end of the quay.
I have to ask myself is all the hassle with Westward Ho and the round about worth the worry.

We have already asked the Council about using Bideford Park on the Monday as well as the Sunday.
After 15 year you would think we could get things sorted but it has not happened. I no long want the hassle with Westward Ho! we started this event in Westward Ho and I love Westward Ho it has a very special place in my heart but it is doing my head in.

I do not feel we can start the Grand Tour in Westward Ho any more and I know most of you will hate this decision but if you can suggest a reason why we should continue to leave from a place that gives us so many problems please be free to comment and I will listen to what you have to say.

Things have to change as will IIfracombe very soon because the area we normally park has been sold and I think they are going to build an hotel on it. If we want to keep this event going then we have to change as well.

I read this with a degree of confusion. When we have the Mayors of both these places coming along and saying so many positive and encouraging things, how on earth can their Councils then be so unhelpful? If I were you, I'd write to the Mayors personally and express my concerns, before making any definite decisions.
Having said the above, if there's no positive response, I'd move to where we are appreciated.
Should we start at Westward Ho! and finish at Ilfracombe this year, I think we should ask the Mayors face-to-face.

Whatever happens, count me in!


R.

Every year the Mayors change and all Councils are making cut backs. After 15 years I am a bit fed up of asking for help but help is not the only concern, responsibility also plays a big part. We have now lost 2 parking areas in Westward Ho, so we have reduced the minis to 250. I do not know how much revenue we bring into North Devon or Westward Ho! but over the years it must be well over a million pounds.

I am not getting any younger and after 15 years I think I can say sod it I have had enough of the problems this event brings in. We may not get the send of from Bideford Park as we get from Westward Ho! and we would really miss the promenade but we still have one incredible event no matter where we start from and just maybe we might all get a surprize from Bideford Park.  

I'm sure that our presence in Westward Ho! on the Monday must be a disruption - anything out of the ordinary is going to be, but that goes with the territory of being a seaside resort. I'd also have thought that any trader who chooses to open on Bank Holiday Monday would have had their trade boosted by the Mini owners and crowds of spectators, whether they sell sweets, newspapers, sandwiches or souvenirs, so it's disappointing that they saw fit to complain. I also supect the Mayors have very little (if any) real power.

Over the years we have adapted to ever-increasing restrictions in Westward Ho! and the hassles of the Heywood Roundabout, and the roundabout is possibly the bigger problem. They put a lot of responsibility on Terry and the marshals so I agree that maybe it is time to move on.

It has been nice to spread ourselves around by starting in different places on the two days but I'm inclined to agree that Bideford Park might be the best departure point for the Monday this year. I think that we might be surprised at how many people follow us to Bideford and desert Westward Ho! that day.

Didn't think of it why not start somewhere different on the Sunday and leave Monday for Bideford Park, Just an idea.
As far as we know it was only 1 trader and we did feel he had a point.

Spill the beans. Which trader?..... Leaving from Northam Burrows would still give us the problem of the roundabout......

For goodness sake Terry, for everything that you do and arrange for the area and the money we all spend in the shops and the area over the weekend. one person complains and stuffs it all up for everyone. I agree with Andrew, once the local papers get hold of the news and the change in starting destination, I think all the people that went to Westward will up sticks to Bideford or where ever, to see us off. We are by far the biggest attraction in the place on that day and I'm sure that one lousey complainer will anger those that turn up each year. Its sad for the residents that watch us from their houses, if we start else where, can we still tour through westward to see them? Also agree with Richard, do what ever you need to do Terry, we will still follow and support you and the hospice.

Maybe an advert in the local rag some months ahead of the event may generate the help needed to blank off the roundabout or the car parking areas? But just do what needs to be done for the event to continue, I wish there was more we could do to help.  

Who said Northam Burrows? No idea at the moment where we could leave from, open for ideas

How about the Big Sheep? Could they do a deal for visiters that come to see the minis off? Is it big enough to hold that many minis and visiters? Or is it too far away to incorporate? Sorry, too many questions right? oops

It not just the trader who complained but the efforts we have to go to, just to make sure no one parks where they should not, when they come to see us off.
I would hate this event to stop before we have raised at least £350,000 wouldn't you and I would like it to go on until we have raise at least half a million for the CHSW but things change so fast these days.