My dad just went to his circuit assembly this weekend - a 2-day one.
He reports that they used to split the circuit into 3 groups over 3 weekends, now they split it into 2 because it's more efficient. I tried to suggest that it's because so many people are leaving, but he sticks with what was probably presented as the party line. That this is more efficient. It means they have to heat it less weekends, use less electricity, and so on.
I try telling him, the place used to be full. Cramming 3 groups of people into 2 weekends means there's 50% more people at each weekend. If there weren't less people, how would they fit? Where would they sit?
Then he changed the subject.
The same old BS. Every time they have to comprimise because they've lost some battle (be it membership numbers or taxation or whatever), they always put some spin on it to make it seem like it's some brilliant idea they came up with to improve things.