Section : General

Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

Posted By : Clive Speaks, 31-May-2006, 03:58pm

Had a slightly unpleasant but illuminating tel.conv. with the membership secretary of another triumph Club last night. I'd phoned the number in Practical Classics to get the number of their local area organiser. Having been asked who I was and why I needed it, (I was responding to an invite to visit their meeting) I then got an ear bashing about the

"Shameful and disgusting way the TSSC was poaching members from other Clubs by aggressive marketing"

When he drew breath, I was feeling a little miffed and explained politely that I was merely a Triumph nut who was giving time to his club as an AO and had no interest in the "Politics" of the situation.

2 things I picked out of his rant. First one detailed above shows raw nerves over 3 years after the change to all Triumphs was made,
secondly and more worrying was his perception that the change was caused by commercial/financial motives of people earning their living from the TSSC (emloyees) who saw their natural congregation shrinking and therefore their own income shrinking as a result. Thirdly was his observation that FJ have a questionable relationship with TSSC and anyway are now owned by an American firm and have been told to earn their keep.

Like a said a bit disturbing but I did get the number I needed.

• Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

  Posted By : Wayne Farnworth, 31-May-2006, 04:56pm

  Clive
  
  You should have sent him here for your reply:
  
  http://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=53.364219,-1.334319&s...
  
  Full story here:
  
  http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/31/huge_word/
  
  
  Wayne

  • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

    Posted By : Stephen Pratt, 31-May-2006, 08:57pm

    Why oh why do people get so uptight about this topic? - I'm a member of the TSSC and CT, largely because I find both clubs are complementary in their different approaches and information available - and now having bought a Stag I am seriously thinking of joining the SOC as well! - I am not with FJ, but with RH Specialist Car division and have been since I bought the Spitfire, but now I find I can get &163;35 discount on the Stag insurance if I join the SOC - with joining fee that just about breaks even. But I won't desert the TSSC or CT because of this, in my view each club has its own merits - lets not pander to those who have such a blinkered head in the sand approach.
    
    We are all here to enjoy our cars and the Clubs are here to support us.

    • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

      Posted By : James Bertram, 31-May-2006, 09:49pm

      I couldn't agree more with the Stephens views. I am a member of three triumph clubs, mainly because I love Triumphs and find the differant clubs have differant offerings. I also like to think that I am supporting a wide range of Triumph issues and suppliers. As for the comment about Footman James, well if you don't like their qoute then there are plenty of other insurance companies you can go to. I can't stand this sniping between clubs after all aren't we all just trying to promote the Triumph marque and driving classic cars in general, lets face it there are plenty of people, government agencies and other pressure groups who are more than willing to put the boot into our hobby.
      
      Jim

• Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

  Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 31-May-2006, 11:10pm

  Sounds to me like that membership secretary is out of date and probably more worried about his own position in whatever club would want to have someone like him as a member. IMHO.
  
  Jeeze, why can't everyone get over it and get on with enjoying their triumphs? This ground is very old and well trodden....

  • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

    Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 01-Jun-2006, 08:08am

    Perhaps a well aimed letter to the management of (un)said particular club about the negative impression created but this individual's uninvited opining would be effective?
    
    but as you say, very well trodden ground.
    
    which club, just in case I'm ever out and about???
    
    j

    • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

      Posted By : Steve Cureton, 01-Jun-2006, 08:30am

      On the other hand I have just organised a Triumph day (see other posting if you're intersted) and it was attending by members of different clubs (and non-club drivers) and everyone got on great with no gripes. I did hear one discussion about the merits of TSSC vs CT but only in a very constructive way.

      • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

        Posted By : John Davies, 01-Jun-2006, 10:22am

        Clive,
        Why be so coy about the club's name? If the Secretary was speaking as Secretary, and I presume he was as you rang him about a club matter, he is speaking on behalf of the club, and his members as well as ours should be aware of his attitude.
        
        But I have encountered this before. The TSSC, however unfairly, is seen as a commercial enterprise with paid officials (don't stone me, AOs!) while others are run by enthusiasts. There are good and bad aspects to both, but IMHO the larger the club the more need for professional managers.
        The TSSC 'expansion' debacle caused a lot of ill feeling. IMHO, a request to be more involved in the activities of other clubs would have worked better. Prosletysing your own religion may recruit the faithless, but it actively antagonises those of a different persuasion.
        
        As Steve says, this attitude is not held by most 'ordinary' club members, whose choice of club is a matter of taste, the activities organised, the facilities offered by each club. It seems to me to be managers who see it as a problem, perhaps for very human reasons. If you have ever been involved in the amalgamation of two organisations, you will know that one of the inevitable results is the loss of some managerial posts.
        
        John

        • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

          Posted By : Clive Speaks, 01-Jun-2006, 12:46pm

          John,I didn't mention the other club on this board because I could see no point in causing further aggravation. I had an interesting chat with Chris Mills (TSSC Council Member) last night and having explained the conversation I let him know (in confidence) who the angry gentleman was and which club he represented.
          At Chris' suggestion, I also had a look at the last set of Published TSSC accounts and all is open to inspection and completley kosher
          Chris remembered this individual being somewhat intemperate at a Triumph Forum meeting some time ago and it looks as though he has yet to recover his good humour and is certainley not representative of the members of that club. Anyway the contact number he gave me was correct and our joint meeting is all set so I'll chalk it up to experience and carry on dealing with other Triumph Clubs at a local level.
          
          One further thought, how about inviting all the Triumph Clubs to Stafford? At a local level for instance, in the past we have been invited to the TR Register National Show at the 3 Counties Showground Malvern and were made to feel most welcome. Would be a great way to bring all Triumph nuts together and would give Stafford a real shot in the arm.

          • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

            Posted By : Kevin Rochfort, 01-Jun-2006, 01:38pm

            As far as inviting other Clubs to "our" events is concerned, any Triumph enthusiast is more than welcome to come to the All Triumph Day at Duxford on the 17th September, organised by the TSSC Herts and Beds area. Details here http://www.tssc.org.uk/events.asp?uid=200202221213...

            • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

              Posted By : John Davies, 01-Jun-2006, 02:25pm

              Kevin,
              That's Duxford in cambridgeshire - the air museum?
              Hmmmmmm.
              Castle Combe on the day before, might come back the long way.
              Free entry if you're driving a Triumph? It was for Binnington and I at the Kit Car Show!
              
              John

              • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

                Posted By : Kevin Rochfort, 01-Jun-2006, 04:59pm

                John,
                
                Sadly it's not free entry - but a major discount on the normal entry price - &163;9 per person if you are in a Triumph.
                
                Kevin

            • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

              Posted By : Andy Cook, 01-Jun-2006, 03:10pm

              Kevin,
              
              Duxford has always been a great event and I've always considered this down to the fact that all Triumph clubs are invited as well as the fact it is a great venue.
              
              I was part of the team that put the first Duxford event on and we took a concious decision to invite the other clubs. When we organised the first Duxford Matt Hollingsworth was joint Essex AO with myself, Matt had had some involvement with the TR register in any case as his father owned a TR4A that Matt restored and also used to drive quite a bit and I think it was probably his idea to make it an "All" Triumph day rather than just a run of the mill TSSC event.
              
              Looking forward to this years event, I've already booked a room at a reasonably local Hotel the night before so that the family can enjoy a really full day there!

              • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

                Posted By : Kevin Rochfort, 01-Jun-2006, 09:45pm

                Andy,
                
                We're looking forward to the event as well, especially as it is now back in September, having been shunted into October last year.
                
                As a warmup for Duxford this year, we are also coordinating the display of Spitfire cars for the Duxford Spitfire day on the 13th August. We have a limited number of "tickets" to allocate to Spitfire owners who are prepared to come along to Duxford for a FREE day out - details in this month's Courier and the events calendar. http://www.tssc.org.uk/events.asp?uid=200309012319...
                
                We are offering places for the Spitfire day to any Spitfire owner, regardless of Club affiliation. If we manage to fill our allocation of tickets and then put on a top class display, then it will really set the scene for the All Triumph Day a month later. What I'm really looking forward to is to be able to leave my Spitfire in the display and then visit the museum properly, rather than having to rush around during my breaks on All Triumph Day.
                
                Kevin

          • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

            Posted By : George Ralph, 01-Jun-2006, 03:11pm

            Clive,
            
            Your idea of an open invitation to other Triumph Clubs to Stafford .........INSPIRED!

            • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

              Posted By : Philip Willcocks, 01-Jun-2006, 04:58pm

              I understand that all Triumph clubs are invited to Stafford anyway.
              
              We have certainly extended the welcome to all Triumph clubs to join us at Le Mans Classic .This was done in the spirit of friendliness as opposed to PR and over 20% of the bookings are non-TSSC. I think this shows that we really are one 'church' albeit with several family pews.

        • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

          Posted By : Wayne Farnworth, 01-Jun-2006, 08:58pm

          
          >>Prosletysing your own religion may recruit the faithless
          
          I'll have a pint of what you're on please john!
          
          What a fantastic word.
          
          What does it mean?
          
          
          Wayne

          • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

            Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 01-Jun-2006, 09:15pm

            means "pursuading the innocent to buy one another pint"
            
            Wayne, I'll have a pint of Heavy
            
            j

            • Perceptions of TSSC in other Triumph Clubs 

              Posted By : Wayne Farnworth, 01-Jun-2006, 09:21pm

              
              OK, thanks Jonathan
              
              Coming right up!
              
              Wayne