Gala day will go ahead
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| Police Gala Day 2008 at the Norfolk Showground, Costessey. |
10 February 2009 07:39
One of the main fixtures on the Norfolk event calendar will go ahead this year, despite the county's police pulling out of the annual gala day, organisers have pledged.
Hailed as the biggest event of its kind in the country and attracting more than 20,000 people, the Norfolk Police Gala Day had been running for 31 years until the force pulled the plug last month, saying it had become a victim of its own success.
However, Steve Thacker, who has organised the event for more than a decade, has joined with Norfolk Showground Ltd to produce a new gala for 2009 to be held on September 6.
Mr Thacker said: “Old Gala was one of the most successful and popular events in Norfolk's calendar and we will continue to build on this success to attract more than 20,000 visitors to make the new Norfolk Gala Day the largest single event in Norwich, after the Lord Mayor's Show, and the third largest event in the county.”
This year's format will continue to provide opportunities for charities to raise funds as well as helping a wide range of public services and community groups to showcase their work.
The family fun day will also include:
As previously reported, a police spokesman said the gala had grown beyond its original aim of showcasing the force's work to become a major event, which no longer represented value for money.
Police gala day to be axed
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| Police Gala Day 2008 at the Norfolk Showground, Costessey. |
08 January 2009 08:35
It has been hailed as the biggest event of its kind in the country and became a fixture of the county's social calendar - but yesterday Norfolk police announced it was axing its annual gala day.
A police spokeswoman said the gala, which began 31 years ago, had become a victim of its own success as it grew beyond its original aim of showcasing the force's work to become a major event which no longer represented value for money.
Despite attracting thousands of visitors to the Norfolk Showground and raising funds for charity, the gala has always operated at a loss. And, although the force is looking at smaller scale events to replace it, the message last night was: “We are not in the entertainment business.”
Communications director Anne Campbell said: “Police gala day has been a huge amount of fun but it was time to review. One of the issues is the sheer size of the event and the challenges that organising an event on that scale brings.
“We want the public to want to find out more about how their police service works and we plan opportunities that will enable them to take a closer look at what we do and how we do it.
“Over the years gala day has become something which should have been organised by a specialist events company and we had to ask ourselves whether we are reaching the kind of people we need to reach in the way we need to reach them.”
She added that the decision was partly due to the need to cut costs. In recent years the event has operated at a loss of more than £11,000 although bosses have always insisted that the promoting the force and raising money for charity was more important than making a profit. In 2006 the event cost £47,000 to run - £20,000 of this covered the cost of hiring the showground.
Ideas for alternative events include a smaller scale open day at the force's Wymondham headquarters or piggy backing on the back of existing events, such as the Aylsham show.
The decision also spells the end of an era for the police's partnership with BBC Radio Norfolk car rally partnership.
Radio Norfolk editor David Clayton said: “I never thought the Old Car Rally would run beyond the first year, but 27 rallies further on, the event has grown far beyond its original intention into a major celebration of transport from far outside the county boundaries. “With Norfolk police re-focussing on their gala day activities, it's a chance to look again at how we reflect Norfolk's love of classic cars. As a radio station we plan to be out and about this summer at many of the county's major events and I'm sure some of those will feature classic cars.”
The BBC Radio Norfolk Old Car Rally started as an event on its own, but combined with the Police Gala Day in 1984. Over the years more classic vehicles like buses, commercial vehicles and car clubs have joined in.
Mr Clayton said: “There are plans for a similar event being talked about which will hopefully pick up on the spirit started by the police gala day and old car rally.”
Do you know of a long-running event which is being axed? Call Evening News reporter Lucy Bolton on 01603 772429 or email lucy.bolton@archant.co.uk
Norfolk Police Gala 2008
I would like to thank those that attended the show this year this is our best attendance so far, each year we get another couple of cars.
However things could have been a lot better originally I ask for names of those that wished to attend this year and was very pleased to collect fifteen names. Obviously I have to collect names early (By the end of March) and then apply for tickets; I applied for fifteen tickets and received them. Then I was asked by a further four members if they could attend the show. I had to say no but if I can obtain any more tickets I will let you know. I asked for more tickets from the organizer two weeks before the show and was told yes, no problem, a week later I still hadn’t received the extra tickets so contacted him again. He apologized and said he would send them. They never arrived so the four members didn’t get to go. The day before the show I was informed by two members that they were unable to attend. This is always a disappointment when someone says they can’t attend, but much appreciated they let me know (Common courtesy I would say) and at least I know.
On the day of the show I was informed of another member not attending via a member (at least I got to know and we didn’t end up waiting for them) and then another member that just didn’t turn up. I know that it’s not always possible but if I had had more warning those four tickets could have gone to the others members that wanted to go.
Anyway the show was up to its normal great standard with loads of cars and car clubs present and various other attractions going on in the main arena and around the show ground. The new meeting place at Bawburgh was a great success, and gained us a direct entrance into the show without having to queue (I do however wonder if it’s a good idea parking 10 or more of these cars outside a row of houses at 08.00 on a Sunday morning) we had a lot of interest in our cars and the club most of the flyers were taken. I have so far received one new member, hopefully more will follow.
The weather for the show was just great, maybe too hot at times. I’m glad to hear that some of you were home before the rain arrived. Nigel and I were not so lucky. On the way home I saw the thunder cloud in the distance and stopped to fit my roof. And then the sky seemed to clear again, then the rain started. This was not a very nice experience the rain was so heavy I couldn’t really see a thing apart from the rear lights of the tin top in front, which I relied on for a few miles until I could pull off the road I just happened to pull off at the same point as Nigel. After a chat and the rain stopping we set off again safely arriving home.
Who said risk assesments are a waste of time?
Luckily it's a fake wound this time.
Those present
Kits (11)
Martin Pidd Luego Velocity XT
Paul & Maria Taylor Robin Hood 2B
Bob Rowell & Nicola Taylor Robin Hood 2B
Mike Shearing Luego Viento V8
Andy Petrie & Michaela Westfield
Sue & Roy Thomas Austin 10/4 Rod
Nigel Farrow & Ros Robin Hood 2B
Derek & Marilyn Overfield Robin Hood 2B
Peter Tamblyn & family Tiger Supercat
Richard Strike & family Luego Velocity XT
Fran & Stefan Zbrozec Robin Hood 2B
Apologises
Neil Brown S7
David (Flak monkey) & Sarah
Graham Dockerill Robin Hood 2B
Norfolk Police Gala Day 2007
This year is our fifth.
I had worried that we would have a poor turn out this year, Mike and Andy had a
track day to attend and with only five cars last year and two of them being theirs,
it looked bad.
However after I sent out an e mail I got several members contact me to say
they would like to attend. The number soon rose to nine cars. On the day we
ended up with an impressive eight cars.
The day started off at the travel
the short distance the entrance gate. We soon got split up due to the congestion
around the show ground. Especially Neil and Brenda because I had left the
Travel Inn before they had entered there car. (Sorry) Next year I plan to use an
Alternative meeting place that will hopefully prevent this re-occurring.
We soon found our pitch without the normal drive around the whole site.
The show as normal was very impressive with a massive turn out of classics
etc. During the day we had a lot of interest in our cars with two to my
knowledge really interested in building Robin Hoods.
We also had visits from Steve Caley and his wife, and I’m told Gerry Cole
(Sorry I missed you Gerry).
Yvonne Blackmore also came and said hello, it was nice to see her again and
hear that Peter’s Son, Simon is enjoying driving the 2B.
Hopefully Simon will become active in the club.
I left the show ground at about 4. 40pm from the gate we normally exit from, only
to be prevented by a policeman from turning left and had to queue in traffic for half
an hour before I could get a move on home.
Roll on next year.
Those present
Kits
Richard Strike Luego Velocity XT
Neil Brown S7
Martin Pidd Luego Velocity XT
Maria & Paul Taylor 2B
Bob Rowell 2B
Nigel Farrow & Ros 2B
Chris Shackle & Dad S7
Also at show
Steve Caley
Gerry Cole
Andy Petrie
Roy Thomas
Norfolk Police Gala Day 2006
Thank you to those that attended it was very much appreciated.
I hope you all enjoyed yourselves as Debbie & I did.
It was nice to finally meet Richard Strike, Toad & Terry Wright.
Also good to see Roy Thomas and Paul Taylor again
(Congratulations on getting a first time pass at SVA last week)
Although a small number of Easthoods cars on show it was an excellent display
With some variety (Westfield SE, Luego Viento, Robin Hood 2B, Luego Velocity
And Robin Hood S7)
A big thank you to Bob and Richard for the pictures.
Norfolk Police Gala Day 2005
Thanks again for an excellent turn out,
A great day out, as in previous years too many cars to look at and the sun
Shone all day. This gave us time to relax under the gazebo and have a chat.
I did a BBQ which seem to go down well. There was a lot of interest in the
cars and I had a couple of chats with men that are seriously thinking of
building Robin Hoods in the future.
I would like to thank Roz and Gary for bringing the Gazebo, BBQ and
charcoal, Loraine and Mike for the Tea, Coffee and milk, Also Tracy
and Martin for bringing the water and kettle.
See you all next week.
Piddy.
Those present
Debbie & Martin Pidd 2B, Bernie & Bob Rowell S7, Tracy& Martin Salisbury S7,
Loraine & Mike Shearing Building Viento, Roz & Gary Staff 2B;
Yvonne & Peter Blackmore 2B; Neil Brown Series 1, Andrew Tigue Sub K,
Roy Thomas 2B, Chris ?2B
Apologises
Gerry kemp 2B, Derek Overfield 2B, Fran Zbrozek 2B, Gerry Cole 2B,
Nigel Harvey Cortina S7, Peter Smith S7
