Newark Showground — Attraction in Newark and Sherwood

Cracking Newark Scooter Rally – Perfect for #Vanlifers (and Scooters Too!) Ah, the Newark Scooter Rally 2024, what a cracking weekend we had in our trusty van, Florence! Now, I've read a few gripes online about the number of vans compared to scooters, and let me set the record straight. There were definitely more scoots than vans, but because vans are bigger, they naturally stand out more. It's simple geometry, folks! Sure, four scoots and two tents fit into the same space as one van, so it might look like there are more vans, but that's just an illusion.

And let's talk numbers. More people at the rally means a better event, right? We have a scooter, but it's not roadworthy at the moment. Many others brought their scooters in their vans or trailers for various reasons. There's a bit of snobbery from those who always ride their scoots to events, chanting "Ridden, not hidden" like a badge of honour. But life happens – illnesses, disabilities, age – not everyone can ride their scoot all the time. Imagine if only scooters were allowed; the rally would've been tiny and ticket prices would've skyrocketed. At £100 a pop, the place would be like a ghost town. Would the "Ridden, not hidden" purists still attend then? I doubt it. Rant over.

Now, onto the showground itself – flat as a pancake with great road access, perfect for us #Vanlifers. Plenty of water points and a convenient Elsan for emptying the loo, which is always a plus. However, food options were sparse and a bit pricey, though fresh and tasty. Drinks were better catered for, with several bars open most of the day – just forget about the cost (those cocktails could knock you on your arse!).

The custom show on Saturday was short but sweet, showcasing a nice variety of scoots. The barn it was held in, though, was a bit bleak – poor lighting and a bit grubby, but the scoots made it worth the visit.

The live bands were the highlight for me. It's rare these days to get right up to the stage without feeling like you're being judged by a pack of Monkey Men staring at you with barely concealed hate. The atmosphere here was relaxed, and a few bands even invited people onstage! The star of the show for me was Death of Guitar Pop. They're always brilliant live and take the time to connect with their fans after their set, keeping things grounded and real. They kicked off with a belter, "Skinhead Reggae" – a fantastic opener that got everyone skanking. The vibe was pure ska energy, and they really knew how to get the crowd going.

A constant symphony of sound, a sensory overload in the best possible way, filled the air at the Newark Scooter Rally. The buzz of Vespa and Lambretta engines – pops, whines, and the occasional purr – became a rhythmic counterpoint to a constant soundtrack of scootering culture. Classic Northern Soul and Ska anthems, mingling with the occasional punk anthem and the slightly off-key renditions of "Baggy Trousers" filtering in from the outdoor karaoke stage, created a beautiful cacophony that perfectly captured the spirit of the event.

Oh, and a bit of drama on the way to the rally – a scooter rider had a mishap, hurting his knee and damaging his Vespa. Maybe he Should O' Held On just a little tighter! It's a reminder that these events can have their ups and downs, but it's all part of the adventure.

Overall, the venue was good, the facilities were reasonable (though a better food variety would be nice), and the shows and stalls were interesting for both scooterists and #Vanlifers. I'd attend again in a heartbeat. It was a brilliant weekend! Newark Scooter Rally, Do I Love You? (Indeed I Do). I'll be back if they put...

I have been to many events at Newark showground and it is an excellent venue, however this weekend's show (9-11 June) organised by Warners is without doubt the worst show I have ever been to. Half of the promised attractions didn't appear ( 3 stages for the live bands became 1. 100 classic cars was about 20. Trade and hairdressers didn't appear). And when we arrived at the show usually we are given an information pack with what events are on over the weekend, and a list of the traders who are attending what they sell and where they are situated, where to find the fresh water points, where to dispose of waste water and where the elsan points are situated. Also contact numbers for security, emergency services, out of hours vets etc. And what to do in case of emergency (eg. who to inform on site).This time this information was not available and from what I saw it was sorely missed. The temporary showers were filthy and the temporary toilets were no better and the rubbish bins were few and far between. I paid well over £100 for this weekend and feel very ripped off and I know I am not the only one. Come on Warners, you are moving a big show from Peterborough to here. Get your act together because if this an example of how the show is going to be run in the future, the future does...

Visit to Antiques Market. Parking was easy and free. Dogs allowed on short lead. Toilet facilities good and clean. Hand gel at strategic points. Lots of fast food and drink points but they all could do with more seating. I had the best cheese hamburger ever at one of the permanent cafés. Tables were cleaned regularly. Lots of bins to hand.

The big con was that after paying an entrance fee, some of the stalls started to pack away as early as midday and some had actually left before 2pm. I don't think that stall holders should be allowed to begin packing away before 4pm, especially as the weather was beautiful. We payed to at least view and if you wanted to return to buy something you saw but did not want to carry all day, you could well be disappointed.

I do recommend buying your entrance in advance as the ticket has a QR code with your contact details that they scan in case of Covid. Pay at the gate costs more and you will waste time queuing to leave your contact details. All in all a nice outing, lots to see and very convenient. Finally, the showground management ought to consider putting a surface on the roads leading to the parking, they are very rough and full...