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'Fest '14 - 'The Shakedown'

You make a good point Rich about shared costs. It hadn't escaped me but equally I'm not sure what the answer is

I think whether it's Fordfair or something else, Cougarfest stands a better chance if it's an expansion of something else. Potential attendees may then reconcile the travel costs somewhat and see a potential for 'entertainment' if that's the issue.
 
I've been sitting back watching this thread unfold for the last couple of days and I find this all pretty distasteful, what a way to put a downer on what was a great weekend spent in the company of some great people I am lucky to be able to call friends.

Looking forward to next year already :beer:
 
Well said Steve. But you have to admit, apathy rules. You will never please everybody at the same time and people will always have an excuse ready as to why they are not attending. Myself and Andy Martin travelled 400 miles each way to Fest this year, that's a tank of fuel each way, it's not expensive for such a great weekend spent with great friends. The members of this club who are true enthusiasts will make sure they put time aside to attend meets wherever and whenever possible. I know that I am retired and have no reason to get back home for any given time, but, I regard the Cougar and the club as one of my hobbies now and will do my utmost to attend meets when I can. It's just a pity I live so far away or I would be attending all the MFSM's as well.
 
Whilst I agree that attendance could be better, I think the mindset that says anyone who hasn't attended has made an excuse not to do so is flawed. it may be true in some instances, but to label everyone with this brush is wrong.

The way some of the above comments read it's like people owe it to the club to attend, and should feel guilty if they don't.
It was comments like this that put me off attending Fest 12, when I had been a member for a mere two months or so, frankly I just didn't get the impression I would be welcomed, and that is a poor reflection on us all.
 
My previous post probably didn't read too well but what I was trying to say was that if any celebration clashes with Fest, we can make it part of the Fest party.
Sorry if that caused upset.
Fest is our party and it includes our families too. Every member and their families are welcome.

I still stand by my comment though "If you really want to go, you'll make sure you're there."

It is fustrating when people pull out, clearly making excuses e.g. needing 4 new tyres when that eventuality is so predictable.
Genuine reasons e.g. Jim's wedding are accepted - my wedding also kept me away from the first Fest.
Also when people post that they will never go for whatever reason - is that post really worth posting?
I personally wouldn't make such a post, I'd just keep quiet.

One comment I remember from Matt's (Ginja's) wedding was from Kev SDM's wife. She said something like 'I never knew you were such nice people and all your families were involved. If I'd have known I would have come along too.'
Kev was a regular show attendee but always on his own.
Sorry Kev to use you as an example, but this just demonstrates how people don't know what they're missing.
If only they could be brave enough to 'take the plunge'.

I was apprehensive and shy during my first meets but that soon changed.

For me the shows and meetings are the big highlights of being part of this club, purely because of the friendships I have made and the fun we have together.


Sorry in advance if I've cause further offence.
 
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The Ford Fair suggestion could be another divider lol. The last couple of years it's been the day after Asda day as it is this year.
 
They're a week apart this year, but you're right they've been on the same weekend recently.

Fest should be standalone IMO, I think teaming it up with another show would only serve to water it down not strengthen it.
You'd end up with the non-Cougar guys staying at Grendon while the others went off to Sillystone for the day.


The best thing we can do collectively is send a positive message and encourage more to join us next year.
 
spjmorris said:
Whilst I agree that attendance could be better, I think the mindset that says anyone who hasn't attended has made an excuse not to do so is flawed. it may be true in some instances, but to label everyone with this brush is wrong.

The way some of the above comments read it's like people owe it to the club to attend, and should feel guilty if they don't.
It was comments like this that put me off attending Fest 12, when I had been a member for a mere two months or so, frankly I just didn't get the impression I would be welcomed, and that is a poor reflection on us all.
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I quoted reasons or excuses and I have heard plenty of both over time, people commit to coming and then decide that it's no longer a priority, because they don't want to be seen to let the side down, they make up an excuse. I haven't tarred everybody with the same brush either but I read people quite well and of the people that I know that have ducked out, I know who's bullshitting and who's genuine.

As I said previously, people will only attend if they want to, we can't force people and no matter how you try and encourage more to attend, you end up with people saying that they feel pressured to go, on the other hand, if you don't try and drum up interest, there's a chance that the event won't go ahead, as has happened regularly with shows over the years.
Then we get the people that won't attend because they don't know anybody, I don't think that anybody was made to feel unwelcome at the weekend, it was a little fragmented to start with because we were all settling in but once that was done, everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. I remember my first meet which was at a pub at Preston Brook, there were more cougars there than attended Cougarfest this year, about 14 or 15 iirc, it was daunting meeting people for the first time but ultimately worth it. My first show was The Modified Nationals at Newark showground in 2005, again I was a show newbie but I got through and had a brilliant weekend.

So those that have never been, come next year and pop your cherry!..........:eek:

(y)(y)(y)
 
The only reason why I have not attended this event in the past is cost. It is hard to provide for my children being a single parent without any financial help from there mother at all, pay my mortgage, pay and maintain the car and try to attend shows that for me are all very far away ( apart from Castle Combe )
I have said it many times in the past, if I could I would show up to every event every year, but I just can not afford it. I am glad people do take time out and do this for the club and it's members. You never know, I might make it one year.
 
I missed the fancy dress this year, I will most certainly make a cake next year too, maybe the recipient of the Chris Adams award can cut it, just finding our Cougar legs again but next time we will be on it!

BTW when I said about hiring Grendan around ford fair, I didn't mean to combine both events, I meant to make Ford fair a weekend camp over for the club members that want to take things at a more leisurely pace. It's a long way to travel for a day.

- - - Updated - - -

This time last week eh?

Where....did.......you.....get.....that.....(blank).....blank.....expression on your face!:LOL::LOL::LOL:
 
I've created this new thread with the bulk of the post-fest discussion as I think it deserves it's own space.
 
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i havent been to any shows ,thanks to the assholes at work!
to be honest i didnt even know about cougarfest, couldnt you have like an advert banner or someting.
you know a small banner saying cougarfest coming soon when you go to the main site.
i normally find out about it after its happened..with some lovely pics.
but i hope to do some next year and finally meet some of you guys im always reading about on here and show you my pride and joy.
 
shirtyzeus said:
but i hope to do some next year and finally meet some of you guys im always reading about on here and show you my pride and joy.
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there is still Ford Fair in 2 weeks which isn't too far from you (couple of free tickets available I believe) or Blackpool in September
 
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