Deja Vu at the Four Ashes
 

It is currently available on the New River website as below:

https://i.imgur.com/WcgyF9rh.png

The current manager at the Ashes is leaving and has a thriving pub elsewhere in Cannock and he took the Ashes on as an extra string to his bow but if he cant do anything with it given his experience in the pub trade then not looking good for others.

Hi Rob.
So it turns out the girl whom lives by me and was working there was correct, when she told me she had given her notice in because Doug was intending to not carry his contract was up, he must of know this when you spoke to him in late October early November.

I live near the Ashes and pass by most days so will be keeping an eye on things and will put updates on here, hopefully someone will take it on before our 1st meet in March

Now that would be sad if you lost that place

I will be doing the same as I am only down the road, also have spoken to the girl whom worked there again, and she said herself & boyfriend may be interested it trying to make a go of it, so something to keep an eye and ears out for ;)

had a quick ride down to the FA yesterday no sign of life, all I saw was a few old fridges outside, there is some lorries parked on there which I presume are the ones used for the summer air slides and pools etc, I wonder if they may take it on? will do a drive by again later this month.

Is it trespassing if we turned up anyway? I mean if nobody owns the land then surely no permission needs to be asked?

Yes trespass, the pub will be owned by the brewery.

I agree it would be trespassing, but if we could get the go ahead from the Brewery to use until a new owner took over would be good :}

lorry trailers and caravan
 

I come past twice a day and somebody is living in the small caravan on the site. They even have the keys to the toilet and shower block. I had a look yesterday and the lights were on in the shower block and toilets at half six in the evenning . Quite sure we seen a hock up lead running along the grass to the toilets :shrug::shrug:

[QUOTE]]

Hi Derek.
Thank you for that information, sounds interesting I will take a drive up over the next few days and see if I can have a talk to them:} hopefully finding out what occurs, also if they have the key to the field gate, it may have something to do with the football, or even the bouncy castle people ? cheers Arctic.

They put a to let sign up the other day on the wall on A449. So looks like they have nobody ready to go in just yet.

I thought Doug was the man and his staff to get that place up and running. Kez and myself used the pub on the weekends for drinks and meals and to be honest enjoyed it. But didn't like the idea of being kicked out the Lounge at around 10 pm and like other people we simply just went home in a taxi or to another pub. They called the lounge a restaurant. Big mistake its just a main road pub nothing special at all.

Fingers crossed it gets a new landlord soon

Thanks for the updates Steve and Derek, when we were in the exact same position last year I contacted the owning company with a view to using the field if a tenant wasn't found by the time of our first meet in March and they responded by padlocking the gates so won't be doing that again in a hurry
The caravan occupant might be security as if they leave it empty much longer the inevitable will happen

you might find somebody is still living up stairs because the window is open up stairs and things are still in the rooms because you can see from the road side that things are still in the rooms. But as you say it cant be left empty for long or god knows what will happen in this day and age. I will have a look again tomorrow when i go past on the way to work. It all so looks like the Harrows is closed as well because builders are there doing brickwork and painting the place. The marina is all so closed nowadays. So all in all its not looking good for a meet anywhere close in March.

Hi Derek, The Harrows is only closed for refurbishment during January and it will reopen after that, no idea about the possible venue at the marina as it was not being used when we looked last year, also no idea if the Harrows will reopen under new management as previous owners owned the marina venue as i understand it, but we can only ask if the Ashes doesnt reopen

Might be thinking caps on for the next few weeks if the ashes are not open again on time. Bradford Arms was my last guess because of there field next to the pub with toilets (well one loo) next to the pub in the yard.

You know i have had a thought the Standford cafe over the road from the ashes have a big lorry carpark and a massive field to the right. The carpark has only a few trucks that park over the weekend because they run there business from there. There is an outside loo but the cafe is not open Saturday or Sunday. I have breakfast there Monday to Friday and I know they are car mad ppl. I will sound them out Tuesday morning. Might be something might be nothing but worth a shot.

HI Derek.
That would be good if you could sound then out, there was talk of that same place last year but because the FA opened we did nowt about it, I have also contacted the girl at fishing pools again which I did last year, again I never followed it up as FA was running.

Had a drive up to the FA this afternoon seems someone is doing a little work in there? and a services van was outside, the for let sign is still up though, lets keep looking guys cheers Arctic.

Would be a great shame if you lost this venue Steve, not many pubs like this about that would allow car clubs to descend upon them.

looks like we have a new manager going in to the four ashes as there is a white range rover there and work is being done inside of the pub.

Thanks Derek I will pop in tomorrow and see if I can find out any more

Any update folks ?

Errr, see post 22;)

[QUOTE]]

Hi Rob.
I have had a couple of rides up look at post 19 & Derek's post 22, both times I have seen someone working inside, also saw a grey services van there, which looked like it someone was doing work in the kitchen, Trebor is going to have a ride over tomorrow if he can if not I will have a ride up myself or Sunday ;)

Just been no sign of any work going on, 1 car on car park next to front door and smoke coming out of flue so someone living upstairs by the looks of it, looked inside windows no evidence of work and looks a bit of a mess but can't see the kitchen area from the window, will try again over the weekend

I Rob.
I also travelled up today, a gave you a ring while I was there and left you a message on your answer machine, there were two cars when I was there ford & VW parked close to the entrance, also steam coming from the boiler outlet in the kitchen, there was also a FL2 parked further up the carpark so went over to the chap he was just waiting for someone so nowt to do with the pub.

Also looked through into the entrance just a pile of stacked chairs, maybe worth giving the pub a ring to see if anyone picks up the call ? I am sure if it was taken the TO LET sign would be removed asap.

I drove past at 6 o'clock yesterday evening, and all the lights were on in the pub, and all the outside lights were on. !!!!!!

Hi Mark.
Hope you are keeping well ;) there is definitely something going on at the FA, we must keep monitoring the goings on with a fair few of us on the case now we should soon see if it is going to open or not we have 7 weeks before the first meet date :}

The telephone number on the internet for the Ashes is old and out of date so dont bother, I will be going past to and from work tomorrow and will have another reccy

Sign on the door says Ashes is reopening on 15 Feb, as soon as I can make contact with the new tenant will find out about our meets


https://i.imgur.com/SoGiyMRh.jpg

A glimmer of hope at least, still keeping everything crossed. ;)

Excellent!
David will be happy :clap:
Hope it comes off OK...

good bit of news then Rob, that sign was not there on Saturday when I went up, gave you a ring before I left, but got your answer machine, so this Saturday then I have a sneaky feeling that it may have something to do with the bouncy castle people, if so they wanted our field this time last year when I went to see the girl who was running it for Doug.

The chap was offering a cut from what he took, so if it is them I think we have a chance of a space on the land somewhere if not the same field.

not sure its bouncy castle weather Steve, but we shall see

Great work Rob, Steve. :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

These are brilliant meets, although I haven't made it up for too long now. The help and support from owners to owners far and wide is invaluable. Hoping I'll make it up to at least one meet this year.

Hi Ben.
Hope you are keeping well & and you are getting somewhere with your cars now, yes would be good for a catch up if you could make a meet this season.

I have just had a drive to the FA and the doors were open so I went in, spoke to a lad named Shaun whom informed the manager is a chap named Damon , and that they have a 5 yr contract but as we know most the contracts do not get to the end base.

Damon was busy on the phone and also sorting out some electrics they are having done, therefore I passed my phone number to Shaun whom said he would pass it on to Damon .

I have also contacted Rob ( trebor ) who said if he can he may pass by later today if not Saturday.

Hopefully it will go good for us once again ;) Arctic

Ok just seen the new tenant at the Four Ashes, Damon, who is happy for us to continue with the Nano meets without any changes to our existing arrangements. He was not aware of our meets and I said I would drop the 2020 dates in over the next few days.

The reopening is now delayed though and earliest will now be Tuesday 25 Feb so watch this space for the exact date when I know it.

In the meantime the 1st Social evening meet set for Tuesday 18 Feb is cancelled until the Ashes reopens.

Damon is medium height and I would say in his mid to late 30s, he has a lot of experience in the pub trade at Telford but doesn't have any other pubs at the moment so can hopefully concentrate on making the Ashes viable again

Never managed to make one of these meets yet, but intend to this year - they look great!

That's a very good idea David, ;)

Hi Dave
I already touched upon the breakfast situation, with Shaun when I spoke to him yesterday "admittedly he is not the person whom can give the go ahead, but he asked about numbers, as we know it is not viable for the kitchens to be opened up if only 5-10 people want breakfast.

As with other owners they wanted minimum of 15 plus, at times it was hard to get those numbers, and even if we reached the required 15 a few would drop out for one reason or another, I think it best to get our first meet out of the way then sound Damon out, but I am sure Rob will have a word with him before the 21st March ;)

What needs to be done is to use the pub for your lunch, have a drink or coffee up there while you are visiting the Nano, or even staying for the day, also if you stay throughout the Saturday enjoy the evening meal that a few go for from about 18.30pm to 20.00pm & socialise in the pub. :}

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=302861

You will be more than welcome, but bring your camera !!

No disrespect to anyone who organise fantastic show meets but these are by far the best meets in the country in my opinion, simply because they are hands on maintenance and repair workshops. They exist to help and educate owners of our cars and share as much information as can be about procedures, work arounds and maintenance tips.
This is why we try to get to as many as we can to add my token input despite the 230 mile round trip. (Well that and to see all the good friends we have made over the years ;) )
We used to have a sister meet to this in Yorkshire called "Spanner meets" with the same pro-former but unfortunately we lost our venue ( Doncaster Air Museum) so they are no more.
Great work as usual from the local crew to maintain the Four Ashes

I will sound out Damon about breakfasts nearer the day, but we went from having over 20 in number to a handful and as Steve says its not viable to open up, employ staff, buy the food, cook it, wash up etc for such a few so if numbers do not return then it wont be possible.

The uncertainty with numbers was partly due to change of tenant(s) as all had different ideas, standards and prices, and some of our owners either didnt like the food or the price etc and voted with their feet as we have had no consistency in terms of services provided for a long time now.

The last tenant did an all day breakfast and that seems to me to be a good compromise as those that want it can wander in and buy it whenever without us having to give any advance warning of numbers.

We use the field for free and we cant guarantee to the new tenant who from our owners will go into the pub and buy a drink or food but the more of us that wander in and buy something the more he will notice people from our meet using his pub, and as Steve said might only be a break for coffee, doesn't always have to include food but please support it as much as you feel able which will all help.

I went past the FA yesterday and lots of activity the for let sign is down, lights all on, so it's looking good for the grand opening between the 25th -29th of Feb.

Some good news at last !!

The Four Ashes has been taken on by a couple, new tenant is called Michelle.

She is in there now preparing to open and is a car and bike enthusiast so all looking good once again as she says we are fine to keep using the field

[QUOTE]]

Hi Rob.
Good news indeed even though the meets will have to be changed to allow for social distancing, as i said when whattsap message, and on the Nano forum.

Space is going to be at a premium, which i have been talking to Rob about today so NONE Rover cars must be kept off the field, we will have to try test as car then a space as wide as a car so on and son on, if planed properly no one can pick us up about social distance, i even suggested to Rob that we use some of the meet funds for bunting & stakes to peg the spaces out.

Also use some anti-bacterial spray and paper towel in and around the T4 tent, that if Duncan is up to doing it in this present time, it would be hard to keep the T4 area safe, so really owner should stay in his car, and no spectators in that area, we can find out about that later, we will need to show we are professional and take the social distance serious.

Remember wearing a mask helps you protect others from infection, its not for your own protection, i think people find it hard to understand that simple concept.

That is excellent news for your regulars, I'm sure.

In the South East, there were discussions, before the lockdowns, about 1 or 2 (maybe more) wishing to travel up to one of your weekends.

If we can be accomodated, I'll co-ordinate things at this end, with your diary.

Regards

Mike

Hi Mike you will all be very welcome, I wil be seeing the new tenant again over next few days to find out if we are ok to hold a meet in September and will report back on here

Glad to see a new tenant is going in, fingers crossed you'll be able to have regular meets again.

Ok 6 of us met at The Harrows earlier this evening ( Ashes not yet reopened ) and we discussed the forthcoming meet on September 12 and 13, the consensus was as follows:

> Rob to approach the tenant asap to find out if the September meet can go ahead

> Assuming we get the green light we use the first meeting for just a social gathering with no jobs carried out as that is the best way to stay safe and deflect any criticism from anyone observing what we are doing as it will be extremely difficult to be hands on and socially distance

> We will meet on both days from 10am to 4pm

> Bring your camping chair/packed lunch/ or please use the pub for food or drink or whatever floats your boat on the day

> Non Rover cars allowed on the field if owners want to come in their other vehicles

> Owners are responsible for their own safety and social distancing, wear masks and gloves or use hand gel if you feel it is needed. ( owners to supply their own items )

> Owners must put their names down below to say which day or days they want to attend so we can get an idea of numbers

> Should anyone want to camp overnight please say below and I will ask the new tenant if that will be ok

2020 meets have been largely written off anyway so we thought best if we ease ourselves in for the first meet

Thanks for the update Rob, it will be interesting to see how many come considering no work/jobs are going to be carried out. I suppose very simple quick jobs would be ok as long as sensible precautions are taken, possibly some diagnosis of faults could be given as well.

I intend to go on the Saturday when the meet is confirmed but can't make the Sunday. Will be good to catch up with people.

At the end of the day is the individuals choice and down to them to take care and be safe. I will add that I've been to car meets near Worcester and there has been 250-300 cars there, most people used common sense and I did not feel unsafe or unduly concerned.


Martyn

Thanks Rob.

I'll be there on Saturday and, with a bit of luck Sunday as well.

Although I won't have the polishing kit with me I'll happily have a look at headlights if anyone wants me to (socially distanced etc.) and maybe start a list for doing them at the October meeting if we're up and running for that one.

Cheers,

Andy.

Cheers Rob

Was good to get together again after so long.

A sensible approach to getting the nanos back up and running in the current climate.

Hopefully the pubs doing food and we could put some trade over the counter, can always eat outdoors picnicking style

Scott

Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk

Remember the Covid Rules.
 

There still a lot to think about in my opinion, ie will the pub have its track & trace in place before we meet i presume so, also there is still the rule of no more than 30 people meeting.

I also presume when the decision making was talked over last night, (sorry could not be there) that car that are not Rover but owned by person whom as Rover is ok those that do not own a Rover should park on the car park correct?

Are we not going to sort out any barriers then ie metal stakes with yellow nylon rope off the football barriers to posts across so each section will hold a car miss a section and so on? or is it going to be park where you think is ok ?

I would imagine you are less likely to pass on the virus if you were helping the owner on his car either direction at a distance inside the sectioned off area, so only you have him/her are in that section no spectators gathering round, than having a meet where you will crowd round each other putting the world to rights.

Remember wearing a mask helps you protect others from infection, its not for your own protection, i think people find it hard to understand that simple concept.


I also suspect that the numbers will not be high if its a come and talk cars, politics, and any other small talk, was any decision made about someone manning the gate or policing the event as i am sure the manager will expect some sort of professional status from us.

Hi Steve, i need to square things with the pub 1st so will then find out if we can go ahead and what restrictions if any they impose on us

It is essential for this meet that people say they are coming so if we have to restrict to 30 we will know where the cut off point is but if we meet Saturday and Sunday hopefully there will be less than 30 on each day

We did not get too hung up about make of cars as the vast majority will be Rover and the meet is also about the people and it will be great to catch up again so wouldnt want to turn anyone away, if we can get back to normal in October should be room for all on the field

We thought being sensible about parking is the way to go, buying stakes etc that may not get further use down the line might not be best use of funds, and as Bernard said in his post its the owners who need to isolate not the cars and I would imagine after months of lockdown we all know how to do that , in any event we usually leave a decent space between our cars out of respect for not dinking the doors

By having no jobs at this 1st meet it reduces the greatest risk of close contact and we will all be able to socially distance, ive been to a few meets recently where people take chairs sit down in a circle at a decent distance and just catch up.

Its only for the 1st meet not to be a regular thing and if it keeps numbers down that may not be a bad thing to start with, not sure why we would want somebody on the gate if people list their names as coming beforehand, unless we get more than 30

Anyway with time ticking on that was the consensus of those that turned up last night and there were already a couple of other comments about coming to meet up only.

Lets see what others think when they have read all the comments on here

Spoke to Michelle, the Ashes will open on Monday, she is happy for our September and October meets to go ahead and said that are no restrictions in place from the brewery's point of view.

The only issue she has is getting the field ready for us in time and I said we could probably provide some help from among the group if it helped.( some people have already offered in previous threads )

So I have arranged to go back in on Monday 24th when it reopens and have a chat to see what needs doing, I will then post back on here.

In the meantime if you are likely to have any spare time for a tidy up or grass cutting please post on here.

So now we have the go ahead we really do have to make a final decision on what type of meet we are having so let the debate continue........................

If it's going ahead me & steve will be there either Sat or Sun, once we have a definite will arrange which day. Looking forward to it!

If anyone viewing this thread intends to attend the September Nano, whether you need a job doing or not , or maybe you want to camp , will you please go onto the Nano website and record your name(s), job etc

It is essential for this next meet that we know numbers in advance and if it is recorded on the Nano website we can keep it all in one place.

If you have not registered on the Nano website before it is easy to join and completely free, thanks for your cooperation

Link to Nano website in my signature below

Good luck with the meet up. I’ll try and make your October meet, be in the Bear.

Will deffo turn up October. September is a bit short notice, but I might be able to make it.

Hi Rob.
On Monday when you meet up with Michelle, ask if she want all the rubbish putting in a skip which is out side the changing rooms, she would have to supply the skip of cause, if that was done then that area could become a two or three car coral for working on maybe with the big tent erected ? at least then we have an area we can control.

No one was about today when i had a run up there, otherwise i would have asked myself.

https://i.imgur.com/8DrfIcPl.jpg1

https://i.imgur.com/uqOvBXwl.jpg2

The field is not in that bad a shape to be honest so should not take much to sort out if enough of use get stuck in.

https://i.imgur.com/zDQ5Xh4l.jpg3

Just been to the Ashes which should be opening later today, spoke to Michelle who has her hands full with the pub opening and not helped by water leaks and electrical issues.

She is more than happy for our September and October meets to go ahead with camping if there is anyone who wants to camp and we can get back to a Saturday evening camp fire if we want and she is really grateful for any offer of help as she has not yet had time to assess what needs doing outside, other than she is having the grass cut in the beer garden area. There are no restrictions placed on us by Michelle or the brewery so we just need to take our own sensible precautions.

The gate to our field is shut but there is no padlock so it can be entered, the grass needs a cut but is nowhere near as bad as the adjoining football pitches and she is happy for us to turn up whenever and just get on with things, she offered to pay but I told her it would be a thankyou for use of the field

So what needs doing ?

> Grass needs cutting
> Strimming edge of our field and maybe approaches to the field from the car park
> Tidy up wood near changing rooms - she will be having a bonfire in November but a lot of the wood there at the moment is not much use and she is happy for us to burn it as we please - Steve Devilish has offered to help with this

It will be difficult to coordinate our efforts to show willing and do the above jobs as I have no idea when people are available, so maybe a way forward might be to post on here if you are going to help and if anyone else is available on the same day and time they can also post on here and that way we may form a small group.

There are not many jobs listed as yet for the meet ( viewtopic.php?f=191&t=629) and it may be a good thing for the first meet as we can all get on the same field and there will be plenty of room for those carrying out any jobs to maintain a distance and the rest who maybe just want to chat and catch up can do that too.

If you are coming please visit the pub if you can and make a purchase

Hi Rob.
Good news then no restrictions from Michelle or the brewery, but lets keep in mind the government guide lines no more than 30 to meet and must still keep a social distance.

Therefore as you said above we just need to make & take our own sensible precautions, those that can not follow them should do the honorable thing and remove themselves from the field if asked to do so and not kick up a stink.

We are deserve to be treated fair, and worthy of respect from each other, i am sure we can make it work if we pull together.

Regarding the field tidy etc, would it not be best to allocate nest Saturday or Sunday to meet up and those that want to help or can help put there names forward many hands make light work etc, again at a distance like an army marching across a field :D

Those that can meet i the week could also go and make a start if they so wished again using a distance.

Rakes, spades, sheers, strimmer's, or petrol mower would be good i don't really think it will be to hard to sort out ;)

You're 100% right David, this is why a lot of the larger meets you have to book on line, the Nano meets can't do this of course, they then have all the details they need, which is also why you can have more than 30 people. I have been to Wheels on Wednesday meets over 200 cars there, Donington Park and today Mallory Park also a lot more than 30 people at both events. Also it is not mandatory to wear a face covering outside provided you social distance as far as I can see, it's an individual's choice, if everyone is careful, sensible and uses common sense there should be no great problem.

A diary/list of attendees contact details, email or phone number must be noted down as required and requested.

Martyn

Yes thanks David, we will need a register of who turns up and their contact details just in case, and if you are willing to do that and intend to come both days please go ahead.

I have been to Oulton Park today, entry restricted to 2000, lots of clubs there and all distanced and no issues.

The best car at Oulton Park today by a country mile would have come last in every race, its a 1924 Buick export model, limited edition and the only 1 left, beautiful !!


https://i.imgur.com/flkcWKYh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WrLKToSh.jpg

Hello Nano team. Just noticed this great update on the forum. A massive thank you for all the time and effort you have all put in so we can all meet up and tinker with our cars. I will have to miss this one but should be good for the October meet. Hope all goes well for you all and thanks again. your all stars. all the best Chris ( super chip )

The September meet is still going ahead each day from 10 - 4.

Given how things have worked out and now everyone has had chance to put their names down , this will obviously not be one of our usual Nano meets as attendance numbers will be down and jobs are few and far between , so it will be more of a social gathering as we first thought it might turn out

We will be recordIng details of those in attendance and I will hand my mobile number out at the meet and ask people to just text me with their name and number and say they were at the meet, that way should any track and trace be needed we will have the required details. I will print my number on some slips of paper and hand them round on Saturday and Sunday

Despite how things have turned out it will be good to catch up with everyone , we are all adults and will be sensible about things , feel free to take whatever precautions you think you need to make in terms of bringing mask and gloves and hand sanitiser but we will be outside.

The weather forecast is pretty good for Saturday and Sunday with some Sunshine and very slight chance of rain , I will not be erecting the events shelter so maybe bring a brolly in the back of the car just in case , other than that looking forward to seeing everyone

Hi Rob,


I will pop over on Saturday for a couple of hours to catch up with everyone but I cannot log into the nano site, I have forgotten my login details so just letting you know!


Regards,


Tom.

Ok Tom will be nice to see you, will pop your name on the list

Rob

Closed Once Again
 

Once again the Four Ashes is closed down, this manager never even got to open it at all, a local member saw the manager loading her personal belongings into her car.

Michelle had also gone from answering all of Rob's / our calls to leaving phone on voicemail and never ringing back, that was before said member saw her leaving, so i think the time as come to find another venue for 2021 if the restrictions are lifted for us to have a meet, but we must not let this close our meets that's for sure.

I don think they can sell the FA to a superstore etc, the Nano meets have only been disrupted by the Covid 19 rules and regulations which can not last for ever, once they are lifted the meets will rise again i have no doubt about that.

I have a couple of places in the pipe line, and Duncan as also mentioned a place, we will not let this destroy what as been built up over 10yrs or more, or end the existence of what is the very best R40 meets in the country :cheers: bar none.


I have two venues i will be looking into hopefully one or both may be ok for us, even if we have to pay a small fee to use the land, it would mean that each car may have to make a small fee of £2 or £3 we will know that once talks with the owners have been sorted out.

There will be no October meet as i can see please keep looking in over the next few months and into 2021 all the best Arctic.

Sad news but we sort of saw it coming :mad:.

Thanks for the efforts to find somewhere for us in 2021 - assuming we can get going by then. Hope so.

Stay safe.

Andy.

Would the Spread Eagle up the road be an option?

If only, right next to the garden centre with a massive car park that has loads of space in it. They even do B&B. it would be perfect if it could be arranged. Cannot see the Spread Eagle and the Garden Centre giving it the OK though :(.

Good luck sorting a new venue Steve, as you say, the meets have to continue :bowdown:

I missed the last one as I didn't expect any this year, but once Covid is sorted wouldn't mind paying three quid for a plot :)

If we have to pay to use a car park somewhere then it would be worth every penny to restart the nano meets.

I agree with your suggestion, even if it cost us a fiver each it would be well worth it for a nice venue with loos and food available.