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Post by electrospanner on Dec 31, 2010 9:36:55 GMT 1
Hi too all Many of you are familiar with my story and the "off the road" saga we had when we bought our Bambi which had been dormant on someones drive for over 11 years. We eventually after much time and effort and not a little expense got her back on the road and it has given us much pleasure and continues to do so Many too are familiar with the ensuing battle that was fought on the field of the BOC website forum upon which i used to post regularly. I bacame appalled at the treatment of those who used to ask for help with say their Elddis Nipper or Honda acty motor homes. The replies from the faithful amounted to owners of these super little vans being treated like lepers and in short were saying "GET OFF OUR WEBSITE BAMBI OWNERS ONLY WELCOME HERE" it saddened and angered me at the same time. The battle that ensued involved most of my posts being removed or changed such censorship i felt was unacceptable. I was not alone in feeling this way either and a number of members voiced their support both publicly and privately for what i was saying and some asked that the posts would be reinstated and the sensible adult debate be allowed to continue. Despite the pleas and the promise by the webmaster of an "investigation and possible reinstatement" this did not happen, Instead the chairman urged in a private message that my post be "ingored and not commented on" This angered me and many others even more and led to my "below the belt" final posting where i urged those who were similarly dismayed by the clubs attitude to put their head out of the trenches and say something. I became the man the club most wanted to silence, but ironically my story then got printed in the bambi tales magazine, again this seemed to annoy the powers that be, my understanding at the moment is that this magazines future is in doubt, that is a shame i think and i hope it had nothing to do with this battle. Anyway someone did put their head above the trenches and was fully prepared to get it shot off, the result was the inception of this new forum and website and the amazing support it has already received, congratulations to Chris for all his work in setting it up and long may it continue. I hope the new year brings us all an opportunity to get together at some point and show off our vehicles and get to know each other better and welcome all those with Nippers (now it is no longer a swear word) Actys Romahomes Piaggios or whatever, and i like to think i played at least some part in helping this site off the ground. Kind Regards Andy  |
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Post by duncanamps on Dec 31, 2010 11:17:43 GMT 1
The battle that ensued involved most of my posts being removed or changed such censorship i felt was unacceptable. I was not alone in feeling this way either and a number of members voiced their support both publicly and privately for what i was saying and some asked that the posts would be reinstated and the sensible adult debate be allowed to continue. Hi Andy, I've been censored too - my access to the members only area of the BOC forum was removed in November and none of the committee had the backbone to say they had done it or why. The webmaster simply ignores my emails, and as a fully paid up member of the BOC I don't take kindly to being ripped off by the club. I'm absolutely astounded to see that kind of childish behaviour from what purports to be a national organisation. Re: meet ups in the New Year, my Bambi is off the road with a failed gearbox although I expect to have it fixed in the next few weeks (got new gearbox, just waiting for a starter ring gear). Maybe we need to pencil in a rally date/location or two? |
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Post by rascalvan on Dec 31, 2010 11:50:58 GMT 1
Hi Everyone, Tim here from Bedfordrascal.com. I ended my ( paid for) advertising and free advice to the Bambi club for a number of reasons, but most recently and the final straw was that a committee member told me someone had stated I wasn't a proper mechanic. For those in doubt I hold City and Guilds certificates parts ,1 , 2 and 3. I have been in the motor trade since leaving school in 1978. I have run my own business repairing vehicles since 1984. The committee member of the bambi club refused to name the person who made the statement. ( thus harbouring the culprit, which meant I couldn't defend myself and my good name) This appalled me as I have been helping out both Bambi owners AND the garages that they take their vehicles to for repair for over 12 years. ( we are now very careful who gets advice) So I decided if I wasn't a "proper mechanic" then I had better not offer advice had I . Since stating my reasons to the likes of J Page etc, only 3 older members have contacted me,and offered any kind of support. As Electro-spanner says, the Bambi club can be very insulting, I took up a request on the BOC forum from a poor chap who asked for advice to sell his Late fathers " Bambi Romahome", well sure the chap didn't know what vehicle his poor old Dad had, but no way was the reply he got from the Bambi club justified. quote: " you can't ask advice on here as you don't have a Bambi". They could have offered something much more friendly under the circumstances. Incedently I have that Romahome for sale if anyone wants one ??. I was very pleased when Chris and Doreen started the Rascalcampers as we have always had a lot of requests from other Rascal camper owners for a club, so I am fully behind Chris and Doreen, and will help in anyway. I have now removed the bambi club link from my website and put the rascalcampers one there instead. I would like to wish everyone a very "HAPPY NEW YEAR !! ". and hope we can all help the forum/club have a great, fun 2011. We as a business are looking to try and build some small campers next year, as well as trying to keep as many rascals on the road as possible. Good Luck, Good Health, and Happy Days to all !! Regards Tim Thornbury. www.bedfordrascal.com. |
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Post by rascalvan on Dec 31, 2010 11:52:28 GMT 1
Note. I have a contact for a chap who can supply the ring gear.
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Post by duncanamps on Dec 31, 2010 12:13:29 GMT 1
Note. I have a contact for a chap who can supply the ring gear. Thanks very much Tim for help, but have already ordered one before Christmas; just waiting for the supplier to receive it from India any day now (it might even be the same contact as you have in mind, "Joey X"?) Happy New Year to you and yours and good to see you on this forum. |
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Post by electrospanner on Dec 31, 2010 19:14:55 GMT 1
The battle that ensued involved most of my posts being removed or changed such censorship i felt was unacceptable. I was not alone in feeling this way either and a number of members voiced their support both publicly and privately for what i was saying and some asked that the posts would be reinstated and the sensible adult debate be allowed to continue. Hi Andy, I've been censored too - my access to the members only area of the BOC forum was removed in November and none of the committee had the backbone to say they had done it or why. The webmaster simply ignores my emails, and as a fully paid up member of the BOC I don't take kindly to being ripped off by the club. I'm absolutely astounded to see that kind of childish behaviour from what purports to be a national organisation. Re: meet ups in the New Year, my Bambi is off the road with a failed gearbox although I expect to have it fixed in the next few weeks (got new gearbox, just waiting for a starter ring gear). Maybe we need to pencil in a rally date/location or two? Hi Duncan Ah i am sorry to hear that you received the same treatment as i did and i see you have been censored since November, odd that as you joined this forum on the last day of October. Coincidence? I doubt it. Hope that the loss is not too great to bear and that you feel at home here among friends. I do think though that you are entitled to at least a partial refund as the tales appears to have gone ( one of the things listed as a member benefit) and you can't access the forum in its entirety. If i were you i would press the matter and make sure i got at least some kind of monetary recompense. As far as the private forum in fact all of the forum from what i have seen it is no great loss really, you can now get much more help, advice and camaradaie (excuse spelling) here and your posts are always informative and interesting your fridge wiring and relay were superb and will doubtless be copied by many users of these fantastic little vans All the best and look forward to meeting you and yours in the coming summer months Kind regards Andy |
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Post by electrospanner on Dec 31, 2010 19:31:15 GMT 1
Hi Everyone, Tim here from Bedfordrascal.com. I ended my ( paid for) advertising and free advice to the Bambi club for a number of reasons, but most recently and the final straw was that a committee member told me someone had stated I wasn't a proper mechanic. For those in doubt I hold City and Guilds certificates parts ,1 , 2 and 3. I have been in the motor trade since leaving school in 1978. I have run my own business repairing vehicles since 1984. The committee member of the bambi club refused to name the person who made the statement. ( thus harbouring the culprit, which meant I couldn't defend myself and my good name) This appalled me as I have been helping out both Bambi owners AND the garages that they take their vehicles to for repair for over 12 years. ( we are now very careful who gets advice) So I decided if I wasn't a "proper mechanic" then I had better not offer advice had I . Since stating my reasons to the likes of J Page etc, only 3 older members have contacted me,and offered any kind of support. As Electro-spanner says, the Bambi club can be very insulting, I took up a request on the BOC forum from a poor chap who asked for advice to sell his Late fathers " Bambi Romahome", well sure the chap didn't know what vehicle his poor old Dad had, but no way was the reply he got from the Bambi club justified. quote: " you can't ask advice on here as you don't have a Bambi". They could have offered something much more friendly under the circumstances. Incedently I have that Romahome for sale if anyone wants one ??. I was very pleased when Chris and Doreen started the Rascalcampers as we have always had a lot of requests from other Rascal camper owners for a club, so I am fully behind Chris and Doreen, and will help in anyway. I have now removed the bambi club link from my website and put the rascalcampers one there instead. I would like to wish everyone a very "HAPPY NEW YEAR !! ". and hope we can all help the forum/club have a great, fun 2011. We as a business are looking to try and build some small campers next year, as well as trying to keep as many rascals on the road as possible. Good Luck, Good Health, and Happy Days to all !! Regards Tim Thornbury. www.bedfordrascal.com. Tim Hi It is great to see you posting on here and don't fear for your reputation it precedes you, I have seen references to your good advice mentioned on other small van forums all of them positive.# I know of the problems you had on the Boc site and was as appalled as you at the treatment of the gentleman with the romahome and the acid replies he received in view of his circumstances it was shameful to say the least and i know a number of members were utterly dismayed at the comments. However whilst they stood by and wrung their hands and shrugged their shoulders only two or three people actually did anything about it. I also had to chuckle when you quoted autodata's recommended cam belt change period/miles and one obviously very knowledgeable member questioned Autodata and said he had never even heard of them!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought everybody used and trusted Autodata's Data obviously not though. I laughed out loud when he suggested that garages would say anything just to get some business and cash by changing a timing belt, does he not know it would be much more lucrative to make money repairing the damage caused by broken belts, obviously not!!!!  Well anyway i digress we are all glad to see you on here Tim and as for your advice it is invaluable, thanks for it and for the time it takes you to put it up here. Hope you have a prosperous new year Tim Kind regards Andy |
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Post by medhead on Dec 31, 2010 21:10:35 GMT 1
I'm proud to say that I also joined the ranks of the great unwashed after having been publicly insulted by one of the aforementioned members (even though I had been trying to defend him at the time, after all you shouldn't poke fun at those whose faculties are less than they should be ) but hey ho, they can keep the remainder of my £12, I look upon it as a contribution to Help the Aged. I have had my access to their private forum withdrawn again with no explanation, ah well, I never read anything that was worth reading anyway. I have posted on there since to try to assist other innocent members who had a question that I could help with, but I got a sarcastic mail afterwards so I won't be doing that again. Anyway, I hope to be doing some work on the bambi this weekend, I took off the scuttle panel above the cab (it was covered in awful sealant so i wanted to clean it up) and found it's ply backing was rotted and the wood batten it was fixed to was also largely gone, so some remedial work to do. I have bought a nice new rubber seal as well. I'll try to take some pictures as I go and post them here. Happy New Year to all!! |
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Post by doreen on Dec 31, 2010 22:43:07 GMT 1
Me, too!
Mysteriously, I was removed from the BOC private forum, a few days after joining here, and all but one of my posts were deleted, simply because I was standing up for my husband.
I was going to post the following rhyme there, but I thought they are not worth it. So here it is, and I hope it raises a smile.
Our Bambi is home from big repairs,
And it's thanks to a man with lots of cares.
It was said on there, 'He's talking rot.',
But certificates he has are quite a lot.
I'm sure you will know who I'm talking about,
But the Guru of Bambi's - there is no doubt.
We know him here as Rascalvan,
Tim Thornbury will forever be Mr Bambi Man.
I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and maybe, we will all meet in the near future.
Doreen
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Post by medhead on Jan 1, 2011 18:17:27 GMT 1
;D ;D ;D
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Post by rascalvan on Jan 2, 2011 11:34:31 GMT 1
Hi all, thanks for the words of support.
I heard a saying once which might be apt in the circumstances.
"don't argue with idiots only to be beat by experiance ! "
I fear there are plenty of experienced idiots about !!.
Thanks for the rhyme Doreen !!.
another note.
I questioned a refund of my last months advertising in the BOC as it appears there isn't going to be one, but didn't even get a reply. ( was £70 a year)
I am going to donate some parts to the Rascalcampers forum, which Chris can use for whatever rewards he thinks fit, such as good posting, or good story, best camper, etc etc.
Regards Tim.
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Post by chris (zaphod) on Jan 3, 2011 11:57:29 GMT 1
Tim, that is a magnificent and very generous gesture. Thank you.
I guess, I will leave it to forum members to vote on whatever posting, story, camper, etc., when it comes to it.
I think a photo competition might be a good kick-off, but open to suggestions, of anything you have taken, Camper related, in some way.
Maybe funny stories/videos involving your camper, that raised a smile - including Duncan's video as a start?
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Post by rascalvan on Jan 3, 2011 19:21:03 GMT 1
Hi All, I restored a Bambi which then travelled to the Artic circle !!, but seriously how far has anyone travelled ? ( will try and find the photo ).
I had an idea last year of doing a Lands end to John-o-groats run, for charity. But fuel prices are so high now, but again any comments anyone ?
We might be able to get some fuel sponsership, I am sure BP need to improve their image !!.
What better way than sponsoring such an event.
How about a "counties visited" collecting the right photo of the site/place.
Regards Tim.
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Post by duncanamps on Jan 3, 2011 20:30:34 GMT 1
Fuel prices are a real challenge with the Bambi, during the summer I went back to see my family in the Western Isles going up my normal route of M11 / A1 / M74 etc. On the way back I did the "East Side" visiting my Mothers side of the family and covered Forres, over to Fraserburgh and then down to Peterhead followed by all the cities on the East side of Scotland, then home. Including mileage travelled around the Western Isles themselves the total came to 1751 miles which needed 12 stops at filling stations with receipts totalling £327.74 - not cheap and worked out about 29.5 MPG  I like the counties visited idea - it encourages people to use their campers and see more of the country they live in. |
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Post by duncanamps on Jan 4, 2011 0:55:01 GMT 1
I do think though that you are entitled to at least a partial refund as the tales appears to have gone ( one of the things listed as a member benefit) and you can't access the forum in its entirety. If i were you i would press the matter and make sure i got at least some kind of monetary recompense. OK, this is the message I've dropped on the Bambi Owners Club web site tonight... The link is here but I suspect it won't be available for too long bambiownersclub.com/page16.html/viewtopic.php?t=3596Hello pipit, my access looks to have been deliberately removed by the committee / moderators and messages to establish why are being ignored. Ted is clearly in on this as he is ignoring my messages, and likely the rest of the committee too.
I don't take kindly to being ripped off by the Bambi Owners Club and look forward to a refund.
_________________
Regards,
Duncan Munro
1987 Bambi "Daisy" : BOC Member #402
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