I was talking to a well-known engine man and friend this morning, who passed this little gem to me by email. As far as I can see it is genuine, the The National Jumblers' Federation has a secretary called Dave True.
I quote it as received with no comment:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The National Jumblers'Federation, by their very nature, keep an eye on rules, regulations and bureaucratic meddlings that may possibly concern the future of auto jumbles, other such gatherings and motor transport matters in general, particularly within the vintage and classic field.In their latest issue they print a list of proposed measures that have been raised and temporarily put on the back burner pending the result of a General Election. These are as follows:-
1 A proposal to prevent people working on their own vehicles. All work to be carried out by an approved garage. This would kill restorations stone dead and close a lot of clubs. Also, how many modern garages would be prepared to work on classic machinery?2 Only vehicle manufacturers through their agents and dealerships to sell spares. An instant end to auto jumbles. Where would we find classic spares?
3 Every vehicle to be subject to a possession tax each year, regardless of age or condition - even a box of bits.4 Cradle-to-grave taxation on all vehicles, again regardless of condition.
5 The Kent Act to be extended across the whole of England and Wales, a disaster for stall holding events. At the moment a free licence can be obtained from Kent County Council and there are few Trading Standards officers to police it. If the present Government is re-elected then County Councils will be ordered to appoint all the jobsworths they need to enforce the Act and to recoup the costs, which equates to a hefty licence fee.6 Local Authorities will be given greater powers to seize vehicles parked on private land.
7 The use of vehicles over a certain age, maybe only 15 or 20 years, will be severely restricted. Owners will have to submit to their local authority details of their intended trip and submit a route for approval. Local Authorities will of course have to charge a fee for this.8 Vehicles over a certain age, not considered to be historic (by whom?) to be compulsorily scrapped.
9 All vehicles, regardless of age, to be fitted with catalytic converters.10 All event organisers to be forced to apply for planning permission for their events, and the abandonment of the 14-28 day rule which permits venues, such as farmers' fields, to be used for occasional events without planning approval. Imagine the time it would take: there would have to be consultations with police, opportunities for the public to object etc. What about the proposed fees - £750 for an event worth 6000 to 9000 in attendance, £50,000 for events of 75,000 or more.
11 A proposal for compulsory security staff, all vetted and licensed, to be employed at any event where alcohol is served.To quote Dave True, general secretary of the NJF: "If all the above items come to pass then the additional cost to organisers will be horrific. It will get to the point where stallholders will refuse to pay the rents and the public will not come because the entrance charges are too high. Result? A lot of colour drained from a lot of people's lives. How many people will take part in car boot sales every Sunday? Hundreds of thousands, if not millions. Do they realise their hobby/pastime is going to be severely curtailed?"
Isn't this absolutely frightening? Can you imagine how miserable this country would become? Are we to become the latter-day Eastern Bloc?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Peter
-- Peter A Forbes Prepair Ltd, Luton, UK snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk