Is this the end of VeloSolex Club U.K?

Background information.

VeloSolex Club U.K. was set up in 2013 with the aim of providing a free Solex information service to the English-speaking Solex communities and to other parts of the world. Initially, the website was on one of those free-hosting platforms. Eventually, by the end of 2018, the facilities provided by the original free host became so unreliable and unstable we had to look around for a new host.

Wix.com came along with a good track record, easy website building tools (very important!) and early in 2019 the current platform was launched. The basic website plan contained adverts (because it was free!) so the Premium plan was chosen as it was ad-free and better suited our needs. Although there was a modest cost involved for this, a plea for donations amongst the membership soon raised enough money to cover the cost for the next 12 months.

A year later, costs had risen slightly, but again the membership rallied round and they were covered for another 12 months. In 2021, I recall the terms and conditions changed and there was yet another price rise. However, this time, Wix.com gave us a small refund and then a discount meaning we could afford to go for the 3-year plan shown below. Again, the membership rallied round and this (relatively) small cost was covered by members voluntary donations until the total had been achieved.

 The future of VeloSolex Club U.K?

Now we are coming to the end of 2024 and Wix.com have ‘introduced updated and improved Wix Premium plans’. As you will see from the letter following, the price has increased dramatically from the old 2021 price. With very little notice from them, we either have to pay the new price or the site will close. But actually, it is worse than that. The renewal is currently set to auto-renew against my credit card, meaning they will attempt to possibly take this payment around 26th October 2024. I have no alternative but to immediately turn off this auto-renew as there are no funds to cover the charge. If the payment is not made somehow by the 9th November, this site will close forever.

To sum up: We have about 14 days left to come up with a payment plan before we lose everything.

Possible Options.

·         A quick plea for voluntary donations from the membership (based on my two previous experiences) is unlikely to succeed. We would need at least 52 voluntary donations of 10 GBP to reach the target. (And not everyone will think this site is worth 10 GBP anyway!)

·         A generous benefactor could step forwards to pay the full amount and keep the site alive for another three years.

·         Two generous benefactors could make themselves known to me and split the renewal fee between themselves.

·         Someone could suggest an alternative quick method to raise the money I have not thought of. However, the idea of charging for VeloSolex Club U.K. membership, administering membership fees, having a bank account, producing annual accounts and all that goes with it is not going to happen whilst the Club is in my name. I have kept this site alive (and I hope interesting) for the last 11 years as a bit of fun and something I can do in my spare time. I am not now going to be weighed down with administering any more financials and all the associated problems it would inevitably bring.

·         Another person could volunteer to take over this website and (subject to quickly paying the 3-year fee) could run it their own way by, maybe, introducing membership fees, paid advertising or whatever?

So, my Solex friends, that is the urgent situation in which we find ourselves in. If you think you have a viable suggestion or two which can be put into practice before the 9th of November 2024 please leave your comments below or start a new thread in the Forum. But be quick! Time is fast ticking away if we are to continue.

Paul G.

VeloSolex Club U.K. site owner.