Lancia Beta Forum

While I note that Tony has collected a  fantastic array of events(2 within 10 miles of me) and apologies if I have missed something( entirely possible) and also not wishing to tread on anyone else's toes- but has there been any planning for a Betameeta 2023?

Would be happy to host again in Shropshire if not- just throwing that out there.

Mark

No plans afaik Mark. I was also thinking of a re-run of Yorkshire given it was the pandemic Betameeta attracting a dedicated but small crowd. Would be happy to re-visit Shropshire again too...

Thoughts?

I would be very happy to join at either location: all Betameetas are great fun and I love giving B85 a proper blow. My difficulty is usually my summer work schedule but I'll be there if I possibly can. July better than June... H.

Hi

Would look forward to it if I am here, I will be away from the 16th July for 4 weeks.

I was hoping to organise one of these in the coming years, but not this year.

Peter

Yorkshire or Shropshire is win/win for us, count me in wherever we end up.

I’ll liaise with Neil and we’ll see what we can do.

Mark

I'm keen to travel to either Shropshire or Yorkshire.
May I be a bit bold and suggest Aug/Sept?

Nigel

Neil and I have conferred and its Shropshire.

Pretty flexible on dates once May and early June are out of the way so can I canvas some more preference please? I assume we will aim to miss LMC AGM (28th-30th July) We are away mid September which takes out 15th and 22nd September and a few random weekends otherwise. So a reasonably open field at this point.

Plan is to base once again at our house Nr Shifnal. There are a choice of hotels including a Premier Inn that several used last time just up the road with positive reviews. There is a campsite in the village ( just changed hands but new owners already adding facilities). Short walk to our house.

I'll try to sort a few drives - not too long as people will have driven quite a way in many cases. Getting some decent road surfaces in Shropshire may be more of a challenge- although hardly unique these days.

Plenty of interest to look at if required - Ironbridge George, steam trains at Bridgnorth, historic towns, etc.

So here goes....

Mark

Thanks for stepping in Mark. I've seen photos of what I think
is your place from a few years ago.
It'll be a nice drive up.

May I suggest either Aug 12/13 or 19/20. These avoid Mark W's last open day
in Somerset on the 5th.

Regards, Nigel

My vote would be for 19/20 August. Goodwood is the week after I think ( I can't do 12/13 - a wedding...). Otherwise early or very late September to fit in with your absence. First weekend in October might work too....?

That feels like a good target for me to finally get my beta to an event, distance wise a good run out without being too far.

I will be at Goodwood  again this year so 19/20 Aug or 2/3 Sep look good for me.

Chris

I won't be able to make any dates with the Beta. It's still going to be a work in progress but I'd still like to pop down for a meet! I've pencilled in every suggested date so far and will be going to one (or more) of Mark's open days.

Guy

19/20 Aug or early Sept will suit me

Peter

Scrap my early October comment; 1 it hasn't gained any traction. 2. I'm now heading to Montenegro on 28th September... nice.

Ok and thanks all for the replies.

Let’s go for 19th and 20th August. Might even be summer by then.

I’ll start pulling some ideas together but can’t imagine it will be wildly different to last time i.e Saturday - assembly at ours for breakfast with flexible arrival time. A drive with lunch stop. Rest. Evening meal of some description.

Sunday- another drive/ steam trains/ local history to suit demand. Lunch and then hit the road home.

Any suggestions welcome.

Mark

How about Cosford Aircraft Museum as a finish of a drive?

Peter

Yep- and I’ve never been which still surprises me.

Mark

Hi Mark

Which Premier Inn did we use, I cannot remember?

Peter

I think it was Newport/Telford which looks a bit pricey again at £129. The Bell Inn, where I think some of us stayed, is looking better at £67......

Hi Neil

Thanks, just booked.

Peter

Me too, I've booked in for the Friday night as well.

Do you have to pitch up in a Beta for these event? I kinda doubt mine will be done by August and I'd like to pop along. can someone point to the right hotel? And what day is the planned visit to RAF Cosford? About time for another visit there!

Cheers
Guy

Hi Guy

Not at all, you are also welcome to be a passenger (with me at least) on the drive out as well…..

Peter

Guy

All welcome irrespective of vehicle - give the neighbours something to look at - some keep asking when we might be doing it again. I’ll post on LMC too.

Not sure which Bell Neil and Peter have booked? The Bell at Tong has just been refurbished but wasn’t aware it had rooms- might be a potential evening meal venue  too. Caroline and I will scope it out.

There are several hotels options relatively local. I’ll do some research.

All plans presently ‘flexible’ is perhaps the best way of putting it!

Mark

Hi Mark

It is not the Tong one which does not appear to have rooms it is

http://www.thebellshifnal.co.uk/ (http://www.thebellshifnal.co.uk/)

Peter

Ah, that makes more sense- was a french bistro until Covid.

Again, might be interesting central meal venue.

Mark

Hi Mark,
Just to confirm I'll be joining you for this weekend, looking forward
to it.
I'm also staying at The Bell, Shifnal, doing a room-share with Peter.
( he still doesn't mind my snoring)

Edit to add that I'm happy to have a passenger for the drives out.

Regards
Nigel

Great stuff - Thanks Nigel.

I think the Bell has a car-park tucked round the back too.

Mark

I've had a quick look at accommodation options on Booking.com given that £130 for a Premier Inn is crazy.

Bargain basement - camping- Hunger Hill campsite- formerly known as 'Teds'. Walking distance from our place.

Hotels and the Like:-

The Ramada Telford looks reasonable at £81. Good pubs in Ironbridge- Swan and Malthouse £65/80- have stayed but some time ago.

Days Inn on M54 services

The White House at Muxton £89- no idea what its like.

Going up in price a little :-

Buckatree Hall Hotel

The Huntsman in Little Wenlock.

The Swan at Forton

Hadley Park Hotel

Haughton Hall - Spa type place, quite nearby on outskirts of Shifnal.

These are the sort of money that Premier Inn want, but much better I would hope.

As an alternative, there look to be some nice Air BnB-type places that sleep 4 in Ironbridge - i.e Hodge Bower Holidays - might work out better value.

Hope that might help.

Mark

I found the Anvil Lodge in Shifnal, walking distance to the Bell, at £85 and will probably book that for the Saturday night if the group is meeting at the Bell for food on Saturday night? Is that the plan?
Guy

Guy

Anvil Lodge is attached to excellent Real Ale Pub. Parking limited, but you can leave cars with us and we can block them in on our drive with moderns and Caroline will taxi people about to help people feel easier.

I think basing the evening in Shifnal makes sense the way things are developing. There is a fair bit of choice.

Mark

Thanks for the offer Mark but I think the Fiat Panda 100HP or the Alfa 159 Q4 would be safe at the pub. Nobody really knows what they are.... There's no chance of the Beta being there this year!

Real Ale Pub. That's me sorted then!

Guy

Public parking in Shifnal is all free, so no worries - unless you were tempted to come in the strato of course.

Mark

I think the Stratos rep can stay in the garage..... Everyone in Shropshire would hear it arrive.  ;D

Guy, the people in our street wouldn't mind to be honest.

Anyway, I have been considering more route and activity options.

For example, if Cosford seems popular, would there be any appetite for a tour if we can arrange one?

Steam trains are another option but may take up quite a bit of time to do a return trip.

Ironbridge Gorge has plenty of viewing options, but generally terrible road surfaces. However, a bit of local knowledge helps there. Can always include a bit of the Gorge on a drive.

Mark

Me three! Or should say "us four" as I just booked Linda and I into The Bell for Friday and Saturday nights  :D

I'd love a guided tour of Cosford's wonderful museum. I can spend hours staring at details of German WW2 aircraft (the 410 especially but also the FW190 and the Mitsubishi Dinah is the only remaining example in the world) Oh, then there's the Boulton Paul Defiant and ME262.

Sod it. I'm going to the museum wherever the tour ends...

Yeah, put my vote for RAF Cosford please!

Guy

Happy with guided tour, but not at expense of decent drive out for me

Peter

Sods law that I've spent the last year working in Telford, but now based in Thames Valley. Used to stay Telford Hotel Spa and Golf Resort. Tucked out of the way so a bit safer for parking the cars as opposed to the town centre ones like Holiday Inn.

Well, it looks to me like Guy has volunteered to be our guide at Cosford, which sorts that query out and saves a few quid.

I am presently thinking of Cosford as part of the Sunday morning itinerary so we can do a drive with lunch on the Saturday and people can leave when they wish on the Sunday like last time.

Mark

Ok, time is moving on, so its time to start thinking a bit more about this.

Are there any more people interested in coming along on 19th August?

Also, to add a veneer of competence to this, could someone with the authority possibly change the thread title to 'Betameeta 2023'?

Mark

Hi Mark

I have asked on FB but no response so far.

I am changing the thread title, but you need to change each entry individually…..

Peter

Thanks Peter- that seems to have worked form my end.

Mark

A little more info. Cosford RAF Museum is open from 10.00. Free admission but £7.50 to park(£6.50 booked in advance). Not sure this will suit the no plane buffs at that price .

On this basis, not sure whether to include Cosford on itinerary for Sunday but leave it open for those who are most keen. Let me have you views. Cosford is 10 minutes from base or Shifnal so doesn’t really influence route planning.

Mark

How gutted I am having spent the last year working in Telford, but now back in Thames Valley

Hi Mark

Happy to go to Cosford whenever.

Peter

Me too.

And me.

I'm up for Cosford too. But then again, you might have know that!

I appreciate that we may not be at our final numbers yet, but are there any votes for any particular type of cuisine for Saturday evening? We went to the Fox at Chetwynd Aston last time which is still good but on the expensive side. Feel free to have a look at the menu.

Mark

2 weeks to go so we are definitely in the countdown phase.

Are there any more who might come along?

Routes are reccied, still open to food ideas when numbers are more certain.

Oh, and there’s hoping for some rather better weather!

Mark

Hi Mark

I too am putting in my request for better weather, getting a bit fed up with it especially as we should have been in France….

Peter

Sorry a little late to the party, been one of those years.
I'm up for this, as are John Bower, Amanda/Steve Dodge and possibly Andy C.
Checked the mentioned accommodations, which are all booked for the Sat night.
Not knowing the area, and not wanting to be too far away from the Sat night meal, can anyone recommend anywhere.

Thanks Tony

 

I'm staying at the Anvil Lodge, Shifnal, walking distance to the pub venue for the meal. See if they've got rooms left?

Guy

Good news Tony

I'll have a scout about for alternative accommodation.

We can collect /ferry people about for the Saturday night anyway.

Mark

A quick search suggests that there are still few rooms.

 Lilleshalll Hall for the price of the Premier inn, or Days Innn at the M54 services outside Shifnal or the Park House n Shifnal , Swan Inn at Newport look possible. The White House at Muxton, Mecure or Holiday inn in Telford.


https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-gb.html?ss=Sheriff+Hales%2C+Shropshire%2C+United+Kingdom&ssne=Lyndhurst&ssne_untouched=Lyndhurst&label=msn-7 (https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-gb.html?ss=Sheriff+Hales%2C+Shropshire%2C+United+Kingdom&ssne=Lyndhurst&ssne_untouched=Lyndhurst&label=msn-7)*h3G5*7Zoz42nmjXchaog-80745410834424%3Atikwd-80745436851625%3Aloc-188%3Aneo%3Amte%3Alp69108%3Adec%3Aqsbooking.com&aid=375654&lang=en-gb&sb=1&src_elem=sb&src=index&dest_id=-2607627&dest_type=city&ac_position=0&ac_click_type=b&ac_langcode=en&ac_suggestion_list_length=1&search_selected=true&search_pageview_id=b6dc3bb14312016d&ac_meta=GhBiNmRjM2JiMTQzMTIwMTZkIAAoATICZW46DFNoZXJpZmZoYWxlc0AASgBQAA%3D%3D&checkin=2023-08-19&checkout=2023-08-20&group_adults=2&no_rooms=1&group_children=0&sb_travel_purpose=leisure


Or we have a campsite in the village!

Mark

Thanks Mark
That's great will take a look.

Tony

I've booked a room at Lilleshalll Hall for the Sat night, as have Amanda and Steve Dodge.
Due to dog walking commitments, I will arrive around 12.30.

Great stuff Tony. We will work something into the timetable.

Mark

I'm getting old and senile guys so I need to ask questions :-[
I've been to Mark's place last time but can't remember where it is so a place and time for Saturday Morning meet will be good.
Linda and I are staying at the Bell in Shifnal for Friday and Saturday nights. I know Neil has also booked both nights at The Bell and Nigel and Peter are staying there too but not sure if it's for Friday or just Saturday. So who is staying at The Bell on Friday and are we to have dinner there (Nepalese/Indian menu looks good!). Do I/we need to book a table for dinner?

See you all next weekend  :D

Theo

My attempted 'one week to go' post yesterday seems to have disappeared( probably operator error).

I'll will issue an email with joining details to all attendees over the next few days.

On food, I'm happy to book the Swan for Saturday evening - local reputation is good, although I've never been- if everyone is happy to indulge in some spicy food?

Mark

(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/07/06/us/oakImage-1688670043721/oakImage-1688670043721-articleLarge-v5.jpg)

(According to Canadian court, that "thumbs up" emoji counts as a contract agreement  ;D So I am in agreement with everything above  ;)

Hi guys. I may travel up for the day on the Saturday but depends on domestic stuff which won't be determined until later in the week. Knowing what time and where to meet on the Saturday would be good please. Thanks C

Hi Theo and Linda,
Indeed I'll be at the Bell Friday night and would like to join you for dinner.
Would you book for all?
Peter is arriving Saturday morning.

Looking forward to the years highlight!

Nigel

Theo/Nigel

Nicky & I will also be at the Bell on Friday, so looks like a table for 5/6.

Neil

Will you guys be ok with curry 2 nights running?

Mark

Fine with me.  :D

Here's my Canadian contractual thumbs up again  ;D
(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/07/06/us/oakImage-1688670043721/oakImage-1688670043721-articleLarge-v5.jpg)

OK, I'll book a table for dinner. 7:30pm OK with everyone?

Good for me Sir.

Ok initial joining details issued to those confirmed and a few floating voters.

Hopefully email addresses are up to date. Nothing has bounced back yet anyway.

Mark

Email received. Thanks Mark  :D

Food at 7.30 is okay with me too. Provided there is beer too.
Guy

Table for 6 (even though we might be 5) booked for Friday 18th at 7:30pm  :D

I’ll probably come along tomorrow evening to say hello, though probably not for food.

Mark

Mark email received, thanks.
Bacon rolls  ;D we will try to leave earlier  ;D
 

Hi Mark, Sorry i'm a bit late to the party with booking as its been a bit touch and go whether i'd be able to make this year due to work - so I only made a definite decision yesterday! I will be coming up roughly the same time as Tony on Saturday and have a room booked at Lilleshall Hall too. Tony kindly sent me a through copy of the itinerary and i'm happy to go along with the flow.

Still on my perennial search for a Beta (more about that coming shortly in another post) so will be in my trusty daily Golf. 

Many thanks for organising this year. 

Alex

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it tommorow because of domestic circumstances but hope you all have a great time and the weather stays good.
C

Great stuff Alex.

I'll pm you the menu for tomorrow night if you can let me have your selection asap today?

Mark

Thanks Mark,

I just txt msg'd you.


Cheers. Alex.

Big thank you to Mark and Caroline for providing a most enjoyable weekend, outstanding to provide breakfast, tea and coffee as well as sorting out the drives and playing Taxi service. Finishing at Cosford was a good idea for me.

Also like to say great to meet up with everyone and look forward to seeing at least some of you later in the year hopefully.

Peter

Thanks to Mark and Caroline from me too.
It was a lovely drive on Saturday, just right time wise and some lovely roads.
Good to throw in some challenging junctions for a convoy ;D ;D

Superb bacon butties and coffee, and a good choice of venue for Saturday evening,
food was excellent. I guess you'll email payment details soon Mark.

And, as always, great company.

Best wishes to all,
Nigel

Yes, well done Mark & Caroline. Another great Betameeta.

I'll second all of the above and would like to add our thanks to Mark and Caroline for an excellent weekend.

Remiss of me not to have posted my thanks for organising such and enjoyable weekend. Mark & Caroline, it was just great organisation and I hope that I can still put names to faces next time paths cross.
Guy