I see Facebook as a necessary evil and have an (empty) account.
It was actually hacked a while back, to start with I thought I wouldn’t bother recovering it, but as you’ve illustrated there are times when it’s useful.
Mine was hacked because, as I had no info or posts on it, I hadn’t bothered enabling 2FA. The only info the hackers would acquire was an email address and a password not used anywhere else. Anyway after jumping through a few hoops with Facebook I have the account back, doubled down on security, I doubt anyone (even friends and family) can find my empty account now.
But, like your instance, my local BMW dealer and a few Cornwall bike groups use (only) it for ride-out info, so an account is necessary for those.
If used as I’m doing I see no issue, I’m far more wary of all the data Google holds on me, but balance that against the convenience it provides.
I disagree that Facebook is necessary. There are other ways to achieve the same goals but as long as people fall in to line they will continue to advantage and make billions from their products (us). It isn’t always convenient not to have access to their walled-off world but it is a small inconvenience compared to the principles at stake, in my view.
I would be far more wary of Facebook than Google. Put psychology and data together and they have a powerful and often insidious influencing tool. Advertisers and politicians have known this for decades. There are some good books on the subject. Forewarned is forearmed, as they say.
I don’t have any FB account anymore, and I can live without.
But as you stated, lots of events are using only FB to communicate.
I prefer miss some events or rely on friends to make me aware than having to be on facebook.
Not got Faecesbook.
From what I’ve seen a lot of people just use it to gloat about what a beautiful life they lead and how wonderful they are…
Not for me at all…!
My wife has Facebook to keep in touch with our daughter in New Zealand and family in Oz and Canada. I only WhatsApp them, maybe it’s just as bad, I don’t know… truth is, I don’t really care! Sorry…
Can you not see the car show info without actually logging in?
Likewise my son and his partner have remote family in Scotland and Australia, they occassionaly post photos of their young family to keep in touch. As you say, Whatsapp could be used just as easily.
But they also use the Facebook Marketplace where they swap, buy or sell their kids toys/clothes etc with locals, convenient and avoids lining Ebay’s pockets.
Mmmm… Isn’t that what we’re doing here most of the time? 
But in the real world we live in companies (Triumph/BMW/dealers/clubs) use Facebook (not “other ways”) to communicate, so if I want to hear I need an account.
I don’t want to come across as some sort of Facebook fan boy 
, far from it! I’ve never made a single post, my account is empty/invisible, and I’ve zero interest in what Joe Blogs had for breakfast. It’s just a tool I take advantage of when needed.
Totally agree. Certain people I know post all kinds of cloyingly sentimental tosh and everything is Rosey, when I know for a fact they are perfectly miserable. I avoid it at all costs.
I’m rather proud to say I have never done facebook. Market place sometimes temps me but I have never given in. I hate when people only advertise on it and not on the usual channels. Much like the bike event above! The internet in general is a bit shit now with censorship, advertising/money, personal data. Still has good sides though and pretty much a necessity of modern life. So glad I grew up without it though.
This. And without having all my stupid antics and fashion disasters and terrible hair styles etc etc etc filmed and put out there forever for the world to see.
I wouldn’t have done half the stupid shit I done when growing up or partying if everyone round me had a video camera in their pocket. Happy days 
Each to their own. I have no overseas family so have no need to use FB.
If it works for you, that is great. It certainly is not my thing.
I don’t even use YouTube unless I have a specific need to find something out.
Too many of my friends seem to spend hours and hours on it…!
Indeed. When I was young and foolish (as opposed to old and foolish), PCs and mobile phones hadn’t even been invented. The only PCs were men who wore funny helmets and rode LE Velocettes.
Yes, when I see people with a phone stuck to their hands. I think,‘So glad I grew up with out it, and can do things without it.’
Aaaaah, my triple denim days.
There’s a “style” I thought I’d never see again…
Went to the local hospital for an MRI (just for gallstones… as far as I know!) - it has a new restaurant on the first floor… but the MRI scanner is in an articulated lorry outside! Good old NHS, eh? 
I went for a colonoscopy last year at my local hospital and that was in the car park. Luckily it was in a portable unit and not out in the open…
MRI are often rented from private source…
And I’m sure the rental companies are non-profit organisations. 
It’s okay the rental costs are covered by the lease income from the first floor restaurant.