Firstly, an introduction. I am Mark Lima, an LMC member for fifteen years now, owner of an S1 Fulvia and recently accepted as committee member.
A couple of years ago I moved to Basingstoke having previously resided in Surrey for the most part.
Having had rather a long spell without attending a local club meet (due to working a lot overseas and not having a running Fulvia of late) I thought it was about time I showed my face in my new locality (...well relatively new!). However I was dismayed to find that there was no longer an organised Hampshire meet, or at least there didn't appear to be one.
So I sent a few emails around to the powers that be at the club to offer my services as Hampshire Co-ordinator in the event that nobody else was forthcoming. I received the thumbs up in principle and promptly contacted as many Hampshire members by email as I could. I have received a very strong and supportive response from many members already and I would like to ask for further feedback on the proposal which I put forward:
General Location: Central Hampshire. According to google maps, Hampshire's centre point is just north west of Winchester... a promising start. In doing this we may also attract some members who live just beyond the borders (although our friends on the Isle of Wight might still find it hard to attend on a regular basis). Happily there is a pub known to me in that very spot which I shall elaborate upon...
Specific Location: The Chestnut Horse in Easton, near Winchester.
Brief description: Set in a quiet village location, option to arrive via lovely B-roads or (if you're running late) via the A3, A31 or M3 for many, parking for about 25 cars, exterior decked garden area overlooking car park (for summer/ sunny meets only!), plenty of seating, ye-olde-worlde with warm fires, no karaoke or quiz nights, draft ales (Badgers and King & Barnes) and best of all very good food at reasonable prices (weekday menu).
From my own experience I have always been better able to attend midweek liaisons like these more regularly as I, like many others who work a standard week or have children, weekends are often committed to significant and immovable events whilst midweek evenings tend to be more predictable and consistent. Furthermore nice country pubs tend to be rather busy on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For that reason I would propose a weekday meet.
So, my question is this: would there be any objection to me organising this as the new Hampshire Meet and should I be aware of a significant monthly event which would influence the eventual choice of day (eg: that the Eastleigh Italiano Cruise occurs every 4th Monday, so best not to coincide...or something like that). I would like to recommence the monthly meeting by April.
Feedback so far suggests that a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday would suit most diaries, but with so many other LMC and other-marque events happening on a Thursday already perhaps we ought to steer towards Tuesday or Wednesday... the latter breaking up the working week nicely perhaps?
So, in summary, what say you fellow Hampshire members?
