Since the last article appeared in ST and on the website I have received several phone calls and E mails. I got some useful suggestions and recommendations which I have followed up but just keep getting stonewalled.

I have approached lots of specialist insurers but the answer is always the same…..kids + cars in a public place = NO WAY!! Some of you may labour under the misapprehension that Suffolk showground is private land and cannot be deemed to be a public place. Many months ago Roadsure corrected me when I said our greatest responsibility was to our membership. Not true…our biggest responsibility is to the ‘great unwashed’. That claim was backed up by a meeting with Jim Kerr (Head of Traffic) in Suffolk on June 24. The idea that the ‘rules of the road’ don’t apply on private land is very outdated. The very fact that we welcome non members on site (not only as day visitors but as weekenders) at the Nats makes Suffolk showground a ‘public place’ when we occupy it for the weekend

During these discussions it slowly began to dawn upon us that this not only has repercussions for the tots and teens but for the ‘spirit of our events’ (bar stools, double beds etc) and for the cars that are trailored. In short…from tots upwards…if it doesn’t have insurance it doesn’t move on site under its own steam.

I begged and pleaded with our show insurance company but they won’t budge. Quote ‘If a vehicle moves about with it’s engine switched on then we expect it to be covered by its own insurance policy, it has nothing to do with us and we would not entertain a claim arising from an incident/accident involving a moving vehicle’.

We’ve got to look at this in the cold light of day. If the uninsured run around our events with nothing to back them up then we are wide open to being sued. Let’s go even further and tell you that if the comparatively small pot of money that the NASC has to put on shows was made to pay towards a compensation claim then that would be the end of us. It is a very real possibility that when the NASC pot is exhausted they could come looking for us personally. As organisers it’s perfectly possible that we could face both civil and criminal charges.

I feel that I’ve exhausted every avenue now. If you as parents can come up with some sort of insurance cover for your child then we would be happy to look at it and hopefully spread the word but for now we are forced to say that all Tot ‘N’ Teen rod and ‘Spirit of the event’ vehicles will only be able to participate in the Show n shine event.

To end on a more positive note, we are aware that the incentive to bring your Tot’n ’teen rods to the Nats will have diminished so we are intending to put some worthwhile goodie bags together for the kids with cars who do show up. Added to that Bryan Smith of the DHSS crew has sourced a sponsor who will be providing lots of trophies for the show and shine event. It would be useful if you could let us know names and ages of kids who will be bringing their rods so I can tailor the goodie bags accordingly. Please email ousevalley@ntlworld.com with names, ages or any comments or suggestions on the above (please keep em clean and civil)