My first 'National' - wow

Trade Stands?

far better to have a small qty of quality exhibitors than loads of junk and duplicate traders ... 

the food stands I thought were excellent.. And the exhibitors offered just enough for the qty of people attending the National..

whilst a lot of work goes into the set up of the event we felt a bit more attention to the areas that the grass was as much as 15" long.. And in the Electric hook up pitches seemed rather close together ????

we would also prefer to seen the centre lines return, it just seemed a little odd mixed in regions..

did we enjoy ? All in all yes great weather great venue we also saw the Elton John Show and well entertained..

Oh the Spitfire made the hair stand up on the back of our necks... 

I used to love Nationals when we had more of a 'village' area than an arena area, local food traders, butchers, bakers etc rather than the mini market we get now. As workers we rarely made it off site so it would be nice to have local independent traders of all kinds rather than the same old purveyors of caravan related goods that frankly we have enough of anyway. Perhaps the Club could advertise locally around Sandringham now, for traders to attend ??

Alison

We were at the National this year, it was an excellent venue and we enjoyed the whole event. Weston Park had organised a food and craft fair so there really was something for everyone. The "national" survey which I've just completed asks if another food and craft fair would be a good idea, I think it would. Weston Park was such a lovely venue due to the beautiful parkland, gardens and house with easy access from the CC area to the host area. I'm wondering if Sandringham will provide such a variety of choices due to limits on access to the grounds and no entry for dog owners. Anyway I can recommend the National, I'm glad we went, all these events evolve and change over time. We went with a bit of trepidation after reading some of the comments on here, I'm glad we didn't take them all to heart.  (Lying back once more in the sunshine of the Lakes and pleased to have extended the holiday a bit further.....)

It was our first time on a National too and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We were lucky with the weather, nevertheless we think we would have enjoyed it anyway, regardless of the weather. There were plenty of sheltered areas marquees etc.

There was something for everyone. Miniature railway, adventure playground, lovely parkland with mature trees, a lake, footpaths through the woods etc.

I stopped till Wednesday last year whereby all the traders had gone, indeed most on Monday. This year I stopped till Tuesday and low and behold the same thing had occurred again with the main food shop and food traders all gone. 

If the traders don't go to the National then the National will die.It's been on a steady decline for the last five years, yes it's good to see 1500 vans, long time goers have seen twice that amount!!

I cannot agree with the above post,the organisation,weather,venue,entertainment,walking in the parkland and the Saturday "cheese" and wine party in the arena,Hurricane?  fly past,wine and buffet put on by my region, all positives.

I think the Club are listeneing to members requests and Trade is getting difficult area to plan.But to say the National will die without decent trade area is in my opinion incorrect.

If future Nationals are as good as this,and I do not believe over 1500 vans its in decline.

I didn't go to the national but feedback I have had from those that did, Echo's exactly the comments made by JohnAshBurton particularly about the traders leaving.  

Additional comments were made that people on some of the non electric pitches were pitched next to the generators so had continuous noise, lack of information, critiscism of the blue badge area in relationship to the number of pot holes and its distance from water and chemical disposal point. 

Sounds like people experienced 2 different nationals. But when people who have been to 20+ nationals, say never again.  I am inclined to listen, sorry.  

I do not believe over 1500 vans its in decline.

So that means 99.5% of Club members don't attend ?  It doesn't sound a hugely popular event to me. 

I do not believe over 1500 vans its in decline.

So that means 99.5% of Club members don't attend ?  It doesn't sound a hugely popular event to me. 

 

Write your comments here...Perhaps it's just as well. I doubt there'd be enough space to accommodate the other 99.5%.

We enjoyed it but can understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea.

We have friends in Bristol that came to visit us not long ago, who are also Caravan Club members. They stayed at Littlehampton Caravan Club site and they said they preferred not to go to the National Rally. However, they do use the Club sites and CLs from time to time.

Fozzie

I make my comments based on my own experiences only. I dont know how many Nationals you've been on or when you arrived or went home this year. As I stated I can remember twice as many vans attending and a day with the huge empty space where the traders have been is rather depressing in my eyes hence my Tuesday departure.

Furthermore it's blatantly obvious the decline in sports is mirrored by the decline in attendance for those who've been many times. 

Never the less we shall hopefully be there next year and marshalling, as we always enjoy the National!