BVWS Harpenden - time to move?
 

Hi All,

Given that Harpenden suffers from poor parking (you need to arrive early, or park in St Albans;) ) is it also time to find a better venue?

Ok, the hall is quite big, and has a nice lecture room, and seperate dining area, but this is all completely useless, unless people can actually park, and attend the meetings

Is it also time to try to attract different sellers?

Lets have suggestions for suitable venues, and ideally costings for them, taking into account the amount of room the current event requires.

Cheers
Sean

Anarchist and general trouble maker:devil:

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

Sean, you are not the first to have suggested a move from Harpenden. A few years ago the hall was getting severely overcrowded and we were contemplating a move to a bigger venue. Then the numbers dropped a little and the idea was dropped. The parking isn't that bad. I have arrived at all sorts of times over the years, from very early when I was helping to set up, to very late when I couldn't be bothered. I never had to park too far away. There's quite a bit of parking within a few hundred yards of the hall but it's scattered. I agree it can be a bit of a scrum if you're a stall holder with a lot to unload. There are also 1 or 2 dealers who shall be nameless who rather take the mick by parking right outside the front door in an area that would otherwise be most useful for unloading.

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

??? Hi Jeffery, er you sure you got the right event ? Harpenden ? ;)

I've often found it very difficult. However if anyone is really stuck the railway station car park is just a couple of minutes walk.

TTFN,
Jon

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

... who has clearly just read my recent post in the NVCF section.... :D

We welcome suggestions for suitable venues in the same general area of the country, and will investigate anything that sounds viable.

Grumbles about the current venue and just suggesting that it be moved don't help. Good ideas for suitable venues would be much more helpful.

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

Sean is not just your average grumbler, anarchist or trouble maker.

He has a track record of organising amateur radio events and is definitely somebody to have on your side. A safe pair of hands and not prone to panicking when trouble strikes.

Despite Jon's comments, I still reckon there's just about enough parking in Harpenden. There's no other reason I can think of to move, apart from that infinitely depressing portrait of Eric Morcambe that hangs in the entrance hall.

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

I agree. I meant to put a simile in there - sorry Sean! :-[ :wall: Now amended. :D :thumbsup:

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

I go by train & have no problem parking. ;D See you next week!

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

I have only been once, and found that parking was not a problem - I ended up in the small cul-de-sac at the end of the hall is.

Later, I noticed that there is plenty of room all around the residential streets near the area (hope the natives don't mind too much).

Even though it is nearly 200 miles for me, I thought it was a good venue and easy to get to from the M1.

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

The station car park is only a four minute walk from the rear of the hall, is free all day Sunday and has plenty of spaces.
Neil

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

I've never had a problem parking their either.

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

Personally, I think it's an excellent venue and I hope it won't be changed. We've never had any problems with parking in the surrrounding streets.

Jack

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

Yes, situated just a few minutes walk from the station with a good Sunday train service on the Brighton-Bedford line it's a brilliant venue for us public transportees - please don't move it!!

Alvin

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

Hi all if it can be moved nearer Suffolk then fine !!! (selfish) but other than that I have never had a prob parking and am very happy with the venue, so would prefer it stays where it is

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

Hello there.

Harpenden is fine, I cycle there so that I can’t bring any more radios back home! Seriously though, there is another public car park a short walk away in Bowers road (behind Sainsburys) that is also free on Sundays.

Max.

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

It's interesting to get opinions from a number of attendees like this here. Normally all the committee hear is the grumbles, not comments from those who are happy with things as they are.

I have only atteneded one Harpenden event (it's too far to travel from Hereford) and didn't arrive until after the public entry time, yet was still able to park close by (due to having a fairly small car). It would also have been possible to park back down the road too, which would only have been a couple of minutes walk.

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

I'll add my name - perhaps a bit selfishly - to the list of those happy with Harpenden as a venue since for me its only some 20 minutes up the M1, & I've never had any problem parking. Admittedly I'm used to parking in Central London!
The hall is a fair size, the second hall means that lectures can carry on without disturbing the main meeting & the refreshment area seems adequate. The entrance hall also is big enough for a few tables as well.
Unfortunately I won't be able to make it tomorrow but I'll look forward to the next one.

Joe

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

Im quite happy at Harpenden--Ive not had trouble parking ever--ianj

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

I'd like to add my name as another content with Harpenden. I generally park by the green opposite the halls and then drive round to load up after the auction. If only I didn't tend to bid on such heavy items I'd use the train as it's an excellent service even on Sundays. It's also useful having the shops (and cash machines!) so close by.

By all means look for somewhere else but I think it will be hard to find somewhere better overall.

Edward

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

I attended every one until 2003. And NEVER had a problem.

Cheers,

Steve P.

Re: Harpenden - time to move?
 

No problem here either. I suspect if you expect to park very close you may be disapointed. If you can walk there is an abundance of spaces. Keep it at Harpenden.

Kneale