Our Beloved Founder

[markh15]

Hi Anthony,
I was talking with friends earlier today, and some-one asked me if Mr Shepherd is the founder of this fabulous site?  I had to admit that I didn't know, but guessed that he would be aware of it. Could you shed some light on the matter?  
Does Richard have a hand in it?  
Does he visit to see what a laugh we are all having?  
Does he have a dream of hoards of little wooden cars invading London?  
Am I rambling again, yes dear, hand me the tablets!
Curious, Mark.

[Anthony]

Thank you for your kind comments. Anthony is a recommended web designer and having engineered the main Toylander site to a very high score I asked him to build the Toylanderownersclub site. See article in Land Rover Monthly magazine 'Club Focus' as to the way the club was born. Emailed PDF copies available from sales at toylander.com.
 
Yes I do love the idea of a huge fleet of Toylander vehicles taking over a space at Billing or the local vintage vehicle show and builders / owners enjoying comparing notes, testing their drivers, show and shine, most accessories, most economical build, parading round the ring or just parked up on display.
 
The idea is that we will hold the occasional meeting around the country where builders and potential builders [lets not forget the commercial element] can come along ask questions of RLT and other owners/ builders, enjoy some tea and cakes and maybe a driving test or parade. The first of these is likely to be in the early part of 2009 in Northampton [not confirmed as yet] If you know of a potential venue please pass it along.
 
As with any project of this size the slightest concern can cause the project to stall. Even though we offer the simplest solutions we do not have all the answers and a group of likeminded people can help keep a build on the move. The feedback I have had during my seven years of ownership of RLT has been truly wonderful and has resulted in some changes, new ideas, new products and methods.
 
The site is also seen as an opportunity to contact members when we have a gathering looming or something to say.
 
I do visit regularly to see what's happening but not regularly enough to keep the spoilers at bay, luckily I have help from Anthony on this but I think we need you all to be alert and tell us as soon as a spoiler has a go please.

Best wishes
Richard Shepherd

[markh15]

Hi Anthony / Richard,
Than you for clearing that up. I for one am glad that we can all help each other and share ideas in the builds. I just wish that this site had been available last year when I was building my project, then maybe it wouldn't have been such a steep learning curve!
But that said, I might not have accumulated as much knowledge as I have, which will be passed on to others, either through these pages, or on the website, in the form of the build blog, photos and line drawings.

I am fortunate that some of my friends are in the 'Engineering' game, and that their bosses have allowed them to help out with my project, and that other friends are in positions to help out with other parts that were needed, and yes, I did take the car around when it was finished, and let everyone have a go!

My toylander project has spured me on, and am now looking at other avenues, in the hope that I can build a 'Custom' vehicle, and hopefully share that with you all here.

I too would like the oportunity to get together, meet everyone, and put faces to names, lets hope that it happens!

Keep busy,
Regards,
Mark.

[markh15]

Hi Richard,
I was talking to my good friend Gary the other night, and we were discussing some of the topics on the site, and I was showing him the site and some of the members builds, and I have to say he was very impressed.
I mentioned the subject of the 'Get together', and he suggested the Agricultural Showground, just North of Stafford.
Unfortunatley, we can't recall the name of the place!
 
There is a large 'Kit Car' show there (I suppose you could class 'Toylanders' as 'Kit Cars'!), and we both felt that this would be a great venue.
It's pretty central in it's location, has lots of visitors over the weekend, and has a large area outside for displaying car clubs.
It was just a thought,
Regards,
Mark.

[brian]

Hello each.

The biggest kitcar show venue is "Stoneleigh" in Warwickshire, end of M69, past Coventry airport and follow the signs.

Held every year in Springtime.

I'm sure Richard will have been there with his display at some time in the past.

Regards,

Brian.

[markh15]

Hi Brian,
Yes we know of 'Stoneleigh' and have been a couple of times, great show. Can you think of the name of the one at Stafford? 
I'm sure it's at the 'Agricultural Showgrounds' and they're just north of the town, but I can't recall the name of the place.
I was thinking of this venue because of it's relatively central location, making it easier for everyone to get there (except Patrick!).
It was just a suggestion.

Regards,
Mark

[multisync]

Hi Guys
One thing to consider about car shows, steam fairs etc is that the organisers often require entrants to have Public Liability Insurance, so that will need investigating.
An alternative type of venue is a car museum. Many have car clubs as visiting guests, it gives a venue for the club and an added atraction for the museum. I can't think of one that does it just at the moment, except Sammy Millar, thats a motorcycle museum down on the south coast near Beaulieu. Not really very central!!
Walter

[Gremlin]

Some day i might surprise you ......................but i will just wish i was there, if you do make it into a reality, just make sure you take lots of pictures..................

Patrick

[markh15]

Hi Everyone,
The venue at Stafford I couldn't recall the name of is 'The North Staffordshire Agricultural Showgrounds'

The Kit-Car show is held before June (I think), and many Car clubs attend.

Just thought I'd clear up the mystery.

Regards,
Mark