MOVING, Time to talk about the elephant in the room Options

[loud bloke]

To all Wellingborough club members

As most of you will be aware the building we occupy in Wellingborough is in a state of uncertainty. I think we can no longer deny something needs to be done. I have tried all the ways I can think of to contact the land lord, even dropping a letter through his door, but I have not had any response. We could hang on until something really bad happens; the roof is already in a very poor state and is very unlikely to be fixed. A brief chat between club members was held last night where our options were discussed. One of the members has some space in his business premises in Corby but it’s not ready and as he has broken his hand, may not be ready for some months unless we help him to get the place sorted out. I was hoping to get this started on the 14th but as he will not be there that’s not possible.

Its not a ‘done deal’ we will move there and if anyone has any other ideas for a venue please come forward as all options are welcome. It may not be possible for all our members to get to Corby so another venue could be better.

Df

[vfr750]

Hi David,

I haven't been to the club for some time as I'm trying to work more in winter so that I can afford to work less in summer when I want to be gallivanting off to Bordeaux, Parma etc. I keep getting offered shifts on club nights. Also the weather hasn't been very biker friendly.

I agree something needs to be done and we need to make a decision soon so that entrants to Double Trouble and other meetings can arrange hotels etc. I don't know of any suitable premises. If we move to Corby I'm even less likely to appear in winter but would enjoy the longer ride in summer.

I am however still proud to be a member of what I believe to be the most diverse club in the country. Any move is going to increase our costs, what can we afford to pay if we move to another premises? I am happy to pay weekly subs even when I can't get there. If you let me know the club bank details I can set up a standing order. I will also try to make it to the work party when it is arranged.

Cheers

John

[Yazoo]

Hi Guys. I know exactly how you must all feel at this time as i'm going through the very same thing at Presto Park as some of you may have seen on SF.

It is a worry especially when you may have to cancel any Open Meetings.

I went around my local farmers and spoke to them taking with me photos of the track so they could see what we are all about.

Northants like Norfolk is quite rural in places and you may be able to drop onto a little unit that is in the sticks if only for an interim period. Providing the farmer doesn't use it for himself and rents it out you should be safe.

I wish you all the best.

Mike (Presto Park)

[vfr750]

Just a thought, what sort of footprint do we need for the 3 tracks and pitspace?

Cheers

John

[loud bloke]

Hi everyone especially John.

Sorry if this seems like a bombshell but we do need to move. Some of you may know the engineering company that we rent the room from has gone into liquidation and while the building is owned by his family members, I have not been able to contact any of them. There were other rooms in the building that were rented out and they are all empty now. We are the only ones left.. So it’s only a matter of time before the building is sold, vandalised, squatters move in, the roof caves in or we are simply locked out. It’s been like this for some months now. The other issue is the electrical supply, it comes through the ground floor and we don’t have any access to it, at some time the lights may well go out. Mick tells me we have been there since 1998 so it’s with sadness we have to come to this decision.

We had discussed moving before and it was decided it would be the last thing most of us would want to do but I think we are better shifting now at a pace that we can control.

The space that has been on offer to the club will unfortunately not be suitable for everyone and I wish we could find somewhere closer to either Wellingborough or Northampton. Could any members that won’t be able to make it to Corby please let me know either on this site or please email me at davidroyfarrow@hotmail.com . We would need to get some idea how many of the members will follow us. If anyone knows of anywhere we can go, please step forward. We would need a space of 25 feet by 80 feet if my memory is correct. I think Mick K has the size.

The plan, such as it is, is to get the new place sorted before we move and if we are not there then we should still be where we are. If we do end up going to Corby then we need to lend a hand to get the place sorted out as quickly as we can. I hope and I can’t see any reason why we won’t be up and at least limping by the Double Trouble in April. It depends on how much help we get from how many. The club has some funds behind it and we should manage the cost of the move not least as we haven’t paid any rent for a while!

I thank you John for your offer to pay every week and welcome your endorsement for our club, a club that boasts a diversity you help to build, but I don’t think we need to accept any other payments that are any different to any other member.

If anyone has anything to add then please do.

David Farrow.

Just to point out
RACING WILL CONTINUE AT WELLINGBOROUGH UNTILL FURTHER NOTICE

[Mick Kerr]

There is a scale drawing of the two main tracks, and the room they're in, on the club website.
The current main room measures 51ft 6in x 25ft 6in.
You then need enough extra space to fit the Slotstox track and a refreshment area.
As I understand it the space we have been offered in Corby is big enough for all three tracks in one room but I've not actually been there and measured it myself.
The price we are being asked for as rent, although more than at present, is very reasonable and it's a much more modern building.
There is apparently a fairly significant amount of work to be done before we can move in but this should not cost the club too much money provided we get enough helpers for some regular work parties.
When it comes to moving the tracks, the Slotstox is obviously very easy, the Raceway should be very straightforward but will require some re-braiding, and the Scale track is likely to involve quite a lot of work. This will apply no matter where we move to.
Cheers.
Mick.

[loud bloke]

There you go, I told you he knew!!

[ss67]

Hi,

I know I'm not a member but I'm local.

If I can be of any help please let me know.

[lowrider]

If there's a large truck involved, you've got a driver.

L.

[mtucker666]

David

first off thank you for all you efforts so far in trying to sort things out with the current landlords. Can you liaise with Gavin about agreeable w/e where a working party can come and start the work necessary to prepare the new premises.

Matt

[loud bloke]

I will be racing with Gavin at Wellingborough this Sunday and i will post when we can get together.

[loud bloke]

And thank you Low and Simon,,, how come we dont get a Simon,, who are you and please feel free to come along.

[ss67]

Who am I?

That's a good question.

I'm more of a digital man than a "racer".

I would like to come along sometime but my other commitments don't make that easy.

I live in Moulton but am in Corby frequently.

The links in my signature show a bit more about me.

[vfr750]

Considering the above I would support a move to Gavin's place and if we're going to do it we should do it as soon as is practically possible.

Personally, the extra distance to Corby wouldn't make much difference to my attendance. If the weather is biker friendly and I have no other commitments I would enjoy exploring different routes on club nights.

I'm booked on a guitar workshop during the morning of Saturday 21st but could come along after it if a work party is arranged, I'm free on the Sunday.. I'm away the following weekend. I do have days off during the week though and if left some simple tasks to get on with I could do them then assuming I could get access.

Thanks for the offers of help Simon & Steve.

Cheers

John

[vfr750]

P.S. Jen says she'll help too

J