Peter Madden's Report

• 2007 Event

  After the glorious weather of 2006 we once more had poor weather, although considering that many people across the country had flooded houses, we were much better off than some. The poor weather meant that 2 days before the event we lost our spectator parking on the Common by Cravells Road. We were very grateful to the Rothamsted Experimental Station who allowed us to use their parking facilities after 6.30pm.

  In 2006 we were able to donate a record £5,800 to local charities/good causes. In 2007 as a result of the poor weather, and increased expenses, it dropped to £5,000 as follows.

• 2007 Disbursements

  Charity/Recipients	Amount
  New Jumbulance Travel Trust	£2,000
  Sir John Lawes School	£2,000
  Red Cross Harpenden	£200
  Herts Police Widows & Orphans	£300
  Rothamsted International	£500
  TOTAL	£5,000

  This figure still represents in excess of 100% of the standard entry fees, made possible by your generous donations above and beyond the standard entry fee and the other income we are able to generate to offset the event costs.

  As always, my thanks go to all of those who help, it wouldn’t be possible to organise the event without the support of those who help set up, steward, offer advice & support and all of you who attend and enjoy.

  Since last years event, I’ve had a couple of meetings with the Town Council, we did end up paying for the hire of track matting, largely trying to find a more permanent solution to the ongoing problem of providing spectator parking. We are no closer to a permanent solution, but similar arrangements to last year will be in place.

  I was honoured by our friends at Classic & Sports Car magazine with a nomination for the Meguiars Car Enthusiast of the Year. I didn’t win but Lorraine and I had a lovely evening out!

   

• Classics on the Common - Wednesday 30th July 2008

  The date is now set for Wednesday 30th July and I am ready to start taking your entries.

  The entry fee has been increased to £5, I know many of you won’t mind as you already send that and more. For those who mind a bit, it will hopefully be the best £5 you spend all year!

  This year's main beneficiaries will be Townsend School, St. Albans, Keech Cottage Hospice, and Trinity Hospice in Clapham South London. Many of you will know that I’ve generally supported local charities/good causes, however, I’m making an exception with Trinity Hospice. It will be my last year organising Classics on the Common, and I want to acknowledge the care that Trinity gave to my Mum many years ago.

   

• 2008 Arrangements

  As in recent years, we will not be allowing any entry on the night without a pre-booked entry pass. Last year it was a sell out about two weeks prior the event, and I had to turn people down who turned up at the house. So please don’t leave your entry too late. To try to avoid any confusion all vehicles who want to come onto the Common including scooters and motorbikes should have an entry pass. PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE with your entry form. At a peak I get and have to process 30-40 entries a day, and it makes it surprisingly more time consuming when I have to write out envelopes.

  I’m pleased to announce that once again Harpenden Village Rotary Club will be assisting us with the event they very kindly get more and more involved each year to the point where we now couldn’t manage without them.

   

• 2009 and beyond

  After 15 years this will be my last year as organiser. There is a team in place from Harpenden Rotary and the Carpenters Arms Classic Car Club who will be shadowing me this year to take over in 2009. More on the transition later in the year.