Preparations for 2011 Show
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
As we prepare for the 2011 AOVC classic Show, all the AOVC directors have been working tirelessly to ensure that all old vehicle enthusiasts and their families have a wonderful day out at the showground's in Ballymena on Saturday 25th June.
Entry forms have been printed and will be sent out to all those on our database within the next couple of
weeks. When you receive your bar-coded personalised entry form we would ask you to please consider
the option of paying for your entry by credit card online, this will not only save you the cost of postage it
will greatly help to reduce the cost involved in banking charges which ultimately can only be good for
you and your club as members of the AOVC.
We had planned last year to relocate the position of the Autojumble but on the Friday before the show a
small number of traders demanded that it be kept in as it was in 2009. We realise now that keeping it in
that position was a mistake and we will be placing the trading area on the tarmac area close to the
display cars and adjacent to the Slemish Hall this year as it has become obvious that the majority of
jumblers would wish for us to do this.
After last years show, we listened to some points that had been made regarding how we could improve the event for this and subsequent years and we have agreed a plan that we are putting into practice for 25th June. The main change will be placing all the club display cars on grass surfaces, we have gained permission Ballymena Borough Council, weather permitting, to fully use the grass sports pitches within the showground's that will ensure that all the display cars will be parked on level surfaces as will all of the club stands and it will give a better and more comfortable walking surface for exhibitors and spectators alike.
Catering - We were congratulated, by many, on the quality and value for money of the food available
in the Des Allen Suite last year, I might add it was a vast improvement on the first year and we intend
that this quality is carried through to this year's event. We have been asked to organise a greater variety
of food than was available from the outside caterers so plans are afoot to give people what they have
asked for with the inclusion of Noodles, crepes and such like. The council has had a request from a local
trader who would like to make available for the show, bar facilities; this is under consideration at
present.
Signage - Some people felt that there were not enough signs around the site for the show in 2009, we
took this on board and spent a lot more money on signage approaching the showground's and within the
site for 2010, the result was thought by many as being money well spent. With the change around of
where cars are displayed and the relocation of the autojumble we are aware that we will need to
increase and update our signage for 2011, this is already in hand.
Dust and Uneven Surface - After the severe problem we had with dust in 2009 we all agreed that
although it was a very annoying and unfortunate thing to happen we would do all within our powers to
nullify this problem for 2010. We took advice from the building control department of the council and
brought in a 30ton roller in advance of the show, this resulted in a smoother walking surface and a lot
less dust than we previously had in the events area. The events area, the gravel surface, for 2011 will
have limited access and will only be used for the display of commercial vehicles and tractors so that
should cut down the risk of any dust to a minimum.
Samuel Spence Chairman
22nd February 2011
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Admission Adult £5.00, Child £3.00, Concession £3.00, Family Ticket £10.00
