Hi all,

After attending the AGM and jumble sale, I came away feeling quite disappointed. The MYA make a huge effort to organise this every year, and the traders dutifully turn up with their goodies to show and sell. There were some amazing bargains on offer from brand new boats to RMG winches at half price. Yet the members that did turn up were only interested in parting with a pound or two here and there.

Personally this has cost us two days out of our production facility, and £200 in accommodation and fuel. I know others went to huge effort to bring their boats and rigs to the event with nothing to show for it.

Another disappointment was observing members turning up, having a Quick Look round, then sitting down to eat the free lunch, and leaving while the jumble sale was still in full swing, not bothering to stay for the AGM. I personally didn’t eat as by the time I had finished and packed up, most of the food had gone.

I always like to support the MYA AGM, and another observation was that most of the members in attendance were the regulars that you see every year.

This brings me to these questions:

Do we need a jumble sale or trade show at the AGM if it’s attended by pretty much the same members each year ?

Should the AGM and jumble sale be in an area where some of the bargains to be had might be more appreciated .

Should it be in a more central location, like it used to be.

Your thoughts please.

Nigel Brown.

Edited December 3, 2025Dec 3 by Catsails

Evening Nigel I’m a fairly new member of the MYA but I do appreciate the efforts put in by the organisers of the AGM and obviously the jumble / trade stands.

My thoughts in answer to your questions. Yes I believe the Jumble / Trade stands should go ahead the chance to take advantage of good offers is welcome. For me the prospect of an 8 hour plus round trip fuel and if necessary an overnight stop on the run up to Christmas was a contributing factor on deciding not to attend.

That brings the answer to the rest of your questions. Perhaps rotating the AGM around the districts would bring different people into the attendance records and also giving MYA members a chance that might be appreciated for said bargains. Changing the timing even just a month back to the end of October would also then allow regional and club AGMs to arrange / adapt to any changes from the MYA before year end and add that extra cushion before the expenses of the Christmas season begin.

My understanding is that the AGM will be in the Bristol area next year. I will not go as it is too far to travel but others will undoubtedly benefit from the more southerly location. Personally I enjoyed the AGM, having not been to one since the last century!!