6 minute read
GROUP NEWS & DIARIES
AUGUST 2023
Anglia
Group news coordinator: Jade Soanes
T: 01502 725840 E: groupnews@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk
Post: Motor Caravanner magazine, Countrywide Publications, Reydon Business Park, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6DH
Deadline: 5th of the month for inclusion in the following month's magazine
Important notices: 1. At the 2022 AGM both Derek and Carol announced that they would not stand at the 2023 AGM and as a result the group will require a new secretary and treasurer for 2024. To date (3rd July 2023) no one has come forward or expressed an interest in these positions despite 8 months since the announcement. If anyone is interested in either of these posts please contact Derek Clarke, the Group Secretary. 2. It has been decided that from 31st July 2023 the voucher scheme for rallies will be discontinued. All existing vouchers will be honoured and further details will be in the August group news.
We had 25 vans at Sea Palling, a new venue for us, and the weather was glorious. During the rally we celebrated our Chairman’s birthday and most sat out in the sun or went to the local pub. A karaoke session held in there one evening was well supported by our members. A good beach but little else made a change just to sit around.
Saturday evening most members gathered round Keith’s van in a circle just like old times. A come again site.
Thirty-one vans at Heacham enjoyed good weather and with an excellent bus service trips out along the coast or of course for retail therapy to Hunstanton or Kings Lynn. Friday night was bingo in the village hall and Anglia members got some money out of it! The club house was well supported and many of us went and ate there as well as having Sunday roast before leaving on Sunday. A group of members set off for the beach, some on electric scooters, and they eventually found it.
Thanks to our stewards Mal, Janet, Sandra and Len for a good rally and two brain teasers to get us thinking. Once again good company with good weather what more could you ask for?
Thirty-two vans, including two first timers, at Bury St. Edmunds British Sugar Social Club had a mixed bag of weather but still enjoyed a good weekend. On Friday morning all members were treated to bacon and egg rolls cooked by Ben and Keith to celebrate Caz’s birthday which was very much appreciated. Most went into the town which is downhill going in but very uphill coming back and the local taxis did well over the days we were there.
Saturday evening as usual there was a group playing in the clubhouse and the club was full. There was a raffle which is put on by the Social club and Anglia members won several prizes, even Derek got one! There was a Sunday roast available which was well attended and a good weekend was had by all. Thanks to the stewards Rose and Ken, Keith and Teresa. Scribe Derek
Upcoming rallies: 10-14 August at Hallowtree Scout Camp, Ipswich IP10 0JP. Start 1pm. Invitation to Essex. Not bookable. 24-29 August at Hunstanton Community Centre, PE36 5BW. Bookable to Teresa 07739 463321 or teresa. poole50@virginmedia.com.
Avon
Despite the lack of bottles, cans and glasses at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the National, a total of eleven vans at the Avon table were not suddenly tee-totallers. Their drinks were cunningly disguised in the china teapots and cups! Congratulations to Yvonne for her prize-winning scones. Twenty-nine Avon and visitors’ vans enjoyed a full weekend in good weather at Brecon CC. Pat, Allan, Mark, Sue and helpers offered games, a quiz, food and background music. Hotly contested Jenga was won by Chris with Rowena as runner-up. Steve and Trish, members from New Zealand, undoubtedly won any prize for the furthest travelled. Red Kites soaring, canal-side strolls, Brecon for a food market and choirs and the almost obligatory pub lunches ensured a successful rally.
The Strawberry Rally at Cheddar, with 16 attendees, went ahead with the usual enjoyment.
Thanks to Ceri, John, Mai, Grai, Callum (11) and Alfie (7), three generations of the Jones family, for stepping in to run the Beehive rally. It was very nearly cancelled. Please, if you can, host (or help host) a rally. It’s more enjoyable than you might think, not difficult, and help is always on hand if needed. Their cheerful poster promised lots to keep members occupied, and those that went were not disappointed. Fourteen vans included visitors from far afield, and members took part in a tricky quiz and skittles. Well done Callum and Alfie, who were excellent ball-boys. Lots of laughter and dry weather, with just the wind to keep everyone on their toes. Thank you again, your hosting skills were greatly appreciated.
4-8 August everyone is welcome to the Pre-Balloon rally at Walcot RC situated north of Bath. A normal weekend extended to the Wednesday allowing members to travel direct to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta Rally opening on 8 August. The clubhouse will offer some meals on a pre-booked basis (book with the hosts) plus the usual raffle, and a quiz and/or game or two. Table-top sale, so bring anything you want to sell. Park & Ride is just across the road for easy trips into Bath for the museums, shops and eateries or just soaking up the atmosphere.
The Balloon Fiesta itself is a big event in Avon’s calendar. www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/about/bristol-balloon-fiesta will give you all the details, mass ascents of over 100 balloons, fireworks, night-glows etc. Entrance to the Fiesta is free, straight across the road from the rally. Buses and cycle paths are adjacent too.
In September Avon will be at Burton Bradstock, then Malmesbury.The Christmas Dinner and New Year will be confirmed very soon. ACG
Upcoming rallies: Please check on www.avongroup.org.uk/ home.html before travelling. 4-9 August at Walcot RC Albert Field, Lansdown, Bath BA1 9BJ. Pre-Balloon. 9-14 August at Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Parsonage Farm, Church Lane, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9LU. Please be aware there are clean air zones in Bristol and Bath. Maps are available online. 7-12 September at Manor Farm, Barr Lane, Burton Bradstock, Bridport, DT6 4PX. 29 September-1 October at Burton Hill CP, Malmesbury SN16 9LS.
Chiltern
Basingstoke Canal Centre, Mytchett. After some time away from attending a Chiltern rally it was a breath of fresh air to turn up and see so many familiar faces. The venue was terrific. The weather was very kind to us, in fact slightly too much, a bit sticky for sleeping but who are we to complain, it happens rarely enough.
Our hosts Dave and Jane proved to be excellent in their organisation providing us with quizzes every evening and coming up with it seemed like an inexhaustible supply of sweets for prizes. My wife, an ex nurse, was gainfully employed attending to a couple of elbows that had become slightly damaged, plasters aplenty, no serious damage.
Saturday afternoon a golf game was provided, Sharon becoming the winner scoring over 200 points and receiving yet more sweets. Talking of Sharon and Paul, they turned out to be the champion quizzers, their haul of goodies has become considerable. A boot fair just down the road provided an added attraction on the Saturday morning; in the opposite direction the Army medical museum was among various things to do plus walks along the canal path. The cafe on site proved to be popular providing much appreciated ice cream and bacon sandwiches et al. A very noisy crib match seemed to consume considerable time in the afternoons, winners uncertain.
There were a total of 19 ‘vans , 17 of which were Chiltern. Thanks yet again to Dave and Jane for their considerable good humoured running of the rally. I think he was in his element doing the quizzes. Pete & Hazel
Long Wittenham Athletic Club. What a scorcher! We mustered 16 Chiltern vans and one (first time) visitor from Severn Valley. This new-to-Chiltern site provided a spacious field and a comfortable – and very welcoming – clubhouse, which was opened for us on Friday and Saturday evening. The club even provided us with cheese and biscuits, samosas and strawberries on Friday evening, and offered to put on a quiz on Saturday.
Some energetic members took walks around the village and reported some rewarding views. On Saturday, lots of us visited Pendon Museum – railway layouts and very detailed 20s and 30s village and countryside 3D schemes. Well worth the visit. In the afternoon, cakes and games laid on by Shirley and Pete. In the evening, the club set us into teams of four and tested us with a four-round quiz. A local team came 3rd, a Chiltern team was 2nd, and a mixed Chiltern/ visitor team carried off 1st prize. Well done, Paul and Sharon, Adam and Mandy.
Our raffle and goodbye on Sunday was a little early, so that we could visit the Club’s car boot sale. Some bargains were secured. We definitely want a return visit to Long Wittenham! Jane & David
Mount Farm Park – From scorching sunshine last week to blustery winds. Twelve vans inc one visitor and one first time rallier attended this luxuriously spaced rally field complete with attractive views. A picturesque village lying in a sheltered valley is the crossroads of many long distance paths, made use of by some of those that attended. Our
