So, the Scrumpy VIII Rally has been delayed as long as we possibly can, hoping that the Government Guidelines for the 4th July would be in our favour and allow us to host the Rally. As always, our members health and wellbeing should always be our first consideration in the first instance.
Sadly, in the announcement on Tuesday in Parliament and, with the publication of the document on the Government website Wednesday, we can now, at this stage, no longer hold the Rally legally. Also, with the number of restrictions in place, it makes it impractical and not an enjoyable experience to do so.
These rules are due to come into force on the 4th July in England, so we can’t speak for the remaining home Countries. I know it was my intention to wait until July to review the situation, but now the Guidelines have been announced, nothing will be achieved by waiting until then. They can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do-after-4-july
We have waited long enough to update the VSOC at large, and at least by announcing now, people will have time to make their own arrangements for what they wish to do this summer, rather than being kept on tenterhooks waiting for the Scrumpies Committee to decide whether our Rally will go ahead.
For those who read the attached page above to my last email, thank you, for those that didn’t, the following points are what prohibit us: (selected extracts from online document para; 1.1 & 1.4)
You should not:
- gather indoors in groups of more than two households (your support bubble counts as one household) – this includes when dining out or going to the pub.
- gather outdoors in a group of more than six people from different households; gatherings larger than 6 should only take place if everyone is from just two households.
- interact socially with anyone outside the group you are attending a place with, even if you see other people you know, for example, in a restaurant, community centre or place of worship.
- hold or attend celebrations (such as parties) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing.
It will be against the law to gather in groups larger than 30 people, except for a limited set of circumstances to be set out in law.
The following businesses will need to remain closed, as we have assessed that they cannot yet be made sufficiently COVID-19 Secure:
– sports venues/facilities.
The above is just to host, there are further limitations for the Bar, Food, Seating, Showers and Toilets making it impractical for an enjoyable Rally. As a law-abiding National Bike Owners Club, we should not be encouraging our members to effectively break the law, irrespective of our views (and we all have them) and what we see the public doing in recent events, by going ahead, just because “everyone else is doing what they want and ignoring them!” aka; Bournemouth Beach yesterday to name but one!
I have spoken to Vicki at CCRFC, their Committee view is the same as I’ve given you above, in that they no longer think it is viable to go ahead this year. Both of us however, have agreed to rebook the event for the same weekend next year, that is Friday 27th– Monday 30th August 2021, with the Scrumpies there a few days before to set up, inline with the other VSOC events that have been cancelled this year.
That about sums up the position we are now in, I hope you agree with the action I have taken, though CCRFC’s position on it makes it the only one really. The last thing to do is Archie, can you cancel the Portaloos for this year please. I will speak to Emma the caterer, do the Facebook posts, notify the National Committee and include it in the Monthly Round-Up this weekend.
I would appreciate any feedback that you may have please.
Best Regards
Steve Rhodes – C17 Rep
