That's probably true Russell, though 2CVGB does have a lot of overseas members.

I also think the magazine is a bit dull at the moment but then, I don't contribute to it so as such, don't think I have any right to complain!

As for the club, I don't get to many of the camps and in fact, this year, I'll not be able to make any of the big events as they clash with races.

However, I do go to our local monthly meet where I've met some great people over the years including Mrs Spanners and still find them enjoyable.

I think though, that Sean has probably made some of the best points the main one (in my opinion) being fighting our corner with the FBVHC and such like. Without the club doing things like that, there's a real chance that one day, cars like 2CVs will be banned from being used on a regular basis or banned from certain "zones" within the country! Who wants that sort of bollocks and beaurocracy?

It really is a case with 2CVGB of "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours". I.E. Support the club and it will continue to support the members and enable them to carry on enjoying their 2CVs.

Let's face it, you can't go out and get shittered on 25 quid these days, it's a crap chinese delivered to your door, 4 packets of fags and so on.

Put your money where your mouth is folks, there's a hell of a lot more to it than just a magazine!

Just my two penneth.

I haven't been a member for two years now. I don't claim an insurance discount, use their website, haven't yet needed to buy any SPOG parts through the club and having seen the latest magazine, although I understand there have been staffing issues, I wasn't interested in any of it.

However, as Paul has said, You do meet people. I would estimate that 50% of the British 2cv owners I know, I've met through being a 2CVGB member. Of the four moderators here, I met one (Neil) attending a 2CVGB event.

It's your money, and if you don't feel you're getting what you want or good value, then don't spend it. You shouldn't feel obliged to pay into something that you don't feel benefits you. I haven't and I can honestly say it's affected me very little.

What this makes me wonder is how other national clubs charge their members and what benefits they recieve. What does it mean to be a member of CCNL, or a local group affiliated to the Assosciation of 2CV clubs of France? Have you considered joining one of them instead? I certainly would, and may well do so.

I don't think it displays 'Bad attitude' saying you're not getting any benefits from it, however, I don't think it would hurt letting the club know why you don't want to rejoin. For me, It's simply that I have no interest in the magazine, the website, and this year, going to any events they organise. There was no 'falling out' or major problems had with them in my case, I just don't really benefit from it any more, nor gain any pleasure from it. Aside from a small minority of their members I don't really feel I 'fit in' with it.

That's not a crime.

You know, its comments like that which make me give less of a shit what people think. It's nothing personal. But it is just my honest opinion. Im not going to go out of my way to please anyone.

No Russ, I agree, it's not a crime.

But, to raise the Great British beaurocracy card again, we can't fight it on our own.

I think most car clubs have representatives who fight their corner for them but it takes clout to take on the government, and the more clubs there are that can provide that "clout", the better. Therefore, the "healthier" a club is, the longer it can continue to do this for us, all of us in the UK that want to drive and enjoy our cars.

Just an example of what they're helping with http://fbhvc.co.uk/about-the-fbhvc/

Maurice won't be re-standing for another term - I was actually chatting to Nikki (chairwoman) about it and the editor no longer has to do the laying out - just proofing and selecting content. I'm kinda tempted to stand, I'm a trained english teacher... does that qualify me to edit?


The Wrench?

Why not Sam? Dooooooo eeeeeeeet






Watch your tongue pal!

I think its a bad attitude because indirectly we all have and continue to benefit from 2CVGB. As said in other posts the weight of a large club representing a significant size of membership does have clout.

One thing that should be remembered is that SPOG [part of 2CVGB] is there to make parts that are no longer commercially available. It can do this because the club has money and can call on people to get things done.

Lets look at a scenario when a part becomes unavailable that affects the cars ability to pass an MOT. Who would muster up the cash and time to make it available.

A few years ago SPOG made the lower windscreen panel for a Dyane so there are lots of Dyanes on the road still as a result. The same may happen to 2CV's as the manufacture of parts becomes less commercially viable.

The last two vehicles I filled up were £85 and £110 respectively. 'Less than a tank of petrol' isn't a very good measure of cost nowadays. Soon, a night of top class hookers, a mountain of class A narcotics and a cellar full of the finest champers will soon cost 'Less than a tank of petrol', and I'd rather have that than be a 2CVGB member. Although I think that's also a fairly bad comparison.



But if he doesn't like it, he doesn't have to join. You can't force people to part with money for something they don't want. I Don't belong to OSF any more, and they seem to be doing fine without me.

Oh i am not disagreeing with you. But for me, personally, i am not able to spend as much time participating in the active part of the club. Therefore I do not see the benefits that others can. This might change when i have some more spare time, but at the moment that £25 quid a year is better spent on other things.
The thing that winds me up is people telling me what i should be doing, and that i have a bad attitude because i am not conforming with them.