This was another of Tom’s rallies to be long remembered, not only because of the hottest period for years, but for the inclusion of a pop concert and a nearby firework display.

Twenty units arrived for the Friday opening for tea and coffee at Tom’s van. Saturday was another glorious day and the breeze from the sea kept the social on the field reasonably cool. After an excellent meal provided by Tom and his helpers a wine celebration took place around the flag for a dual festivity for Derek and Lorna Child and Peter and Linda Turner both couples celebrating their 200 rallies, not forgetting Clive and Audrey Langford for their 50th rally and Neil and Margaret Holden for their wedding anniversary. Plaques were also presented to Tom, Matt and Lillie.

A sunny Sunday gave us a pleasant coffee morning for the workers leaving, and after lunch the adjoining market was well attended by the ralliers. After a free hot day Monday our Tuesday barbeque was amply provided with additional food by Tom and an entertaining and beautiful sunny evening was had by all.

Thursday was to be our ‘farewell’ get together with fish and chips on the field, but the forecast for Thursday was not good, so we had our event on Wednesday instead. The forecasters were wrong for Redcar for we had a sunny afternoon and evening. Friday morning when we all left the sun was still shining, reminding us of the great weather and super company of our friends.

We all hope that we will be able to come again to Redcar next year. All our thanks go to Tom and his team for their efforts.

After another very successful rally held at North Runcton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, run by Edmund and Daphne Horn; in spite of the heat wave, ralliers were falling by the wayside due to illness and heat exhaustion; but that did not deter our Rally Marshals for Crowland, Gordon Addison and his good lady, who were to be ably assisted by Edmund and Daphne, and so they departed the forty odd miles to Crowland caravan site to await the eager ralliers at Alderlands Caravan Site. “Guess Wot”… this must count as the smallest rally, or can anyone go one better? Just one van rolled on, Yes, Leslie and Rowena Wilson from Doncaster, East Yorkshire. So on Wednesday evening we all were invited by Rowena for tea, bring your own cod roe and chips, followed by tea/coffee and plan the week.

A very nice site and those of you who went home missed a treat. Shower/hook up etc. and plenty to see in the area. We all went to the local fish restaurant and feasted on the excellent fare, including complementary wine with our meal.

Flag came round too soon and the Rally Marshals did the ‘hons’ and so did Edmund. Les and Rowena got their plaque and surprise – won the lucky van!! Book us in for next year, 2007.

Alas, time to depart came all too soon but we will always have our happy memories.

“ .. and the train stops at the back of the pub.” That was part of Martin and Lesley Hill’s welcoming speech at the Midland Railway Centre at Swannick Junction. Nine outfits set up for a weekend of train spotting on a site within and overlooking the Centre’s expansive collection of railway rolling stock.

This was a weekend of great activity running regular train rides on the museum’s track by old steam trains and not so old diesels. Pride of place is the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust steam collation whose star is the locomotive ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ which was recently used to haul the Queen’s train on her 80th Anniversary tour of Great Britain. Discounted tickets were available to travel on the trains and entry to the Museum was free.

Unfortunately our proposed barbecue was cancelled due to rain, but Martin and Lesley got everyone puffed up with a quiz based on the Museum. Jim and Janet James steamed ahead and were Victorias, while the rest of us met our Waterloo. This Museum gives examples of the variety of things that people do in their leisure time, all spending their free time which benefits other members of the public.

Strangely I never saw an anorak even when it was raining. For those people who were not interested in trains? Well there is always the National Fork Truck Heritage Centre. Oh! Yes, the narrow gauge railway does go to the pub, the Newlands Inn (Sunday 3-course lunch under £6).

Eric and Barbara welcomed us all to Shuttington, which is a large level sports field behind the village hall, with the usual tea coffee and biscuits in the hall on Friday evening. Saturday provided free entertainment in the afternoon with not one but two football matches. The junior one was memorable for the score, I lost count after twelve goals, and unfortunately the opposing team didn’t score at all.

In the evening everyone dressed up in their best Western outfits, I’m glad that Vic’s six-gun was only an imitation and Barbara provided us with a real American supper of beans, bangers and buns. The flag flew well the next day! Eric expertly provided the music on his keyboard for the dancing, more square dancing than line dancing but it is difficult to stay in line when you are trying to look in four different directions to see what everyone else is doing.

As the rally didn’t finish until Monday we all gathered in the hall again on Sunday evening for bingo, why don’t I ever win anything? A great rally Barbara and Eric on a great site, only a pity that more people didn’t come and enjoy the fun.

This was the second year of this rally and was well attended with 22 vans booked. Gerald and Deborah together with David, Diane & DJ all worked very hard to ensure our stay was the best possible. Food was provided every night of the rally, hot dogs on Thursday, cheese & wine Friday after the auction for the children’s charity & a buffet on Saturday.

The Auctioneer was our own Elddis Elvis & raised £250. The social on Saturday was to have been a fish & chip supper pre booked, however the van could not attend so Deb, Diane, Pauline & Tracy worked very hard to give us a large buffet to which Margaret added a large trifle she had made. This was followed by a presentation of the prizes for the kid’s quizzes by Elvis. All the kids won, each got a prize which was being played with within minutes. The Adults quiz (guess what objects were inside a washing line of socks) was won by Peter & Susan Conway. Bingo was called by DJ on Saturday night.

On Friday night many ralliers walked along the canal to path where a great view could be had of a Queen tribute band and on Saturday the last night of the Proms which was taking place at Shuggbrough Hall. There was a firework display both nights. I don’t how our Marshals manage to find such great venues. Thank you very much for a wonderful weekend.

Once again Clive found a nice field behind a pub with good food close to Woburn Abbey which had a craft fair on at the weekend, some ralliers went to see what bargains were to be had – not many I believe. Saturday social was a DIY BBQ but Clive decided on paella which he made, and very nice it was too. Lea provided a cake to celebrate her ? Birthday.

Later came a quiz in which we had to hum a song for others to guess the title, strange how many times ‘My old man’s a dustman’ came up, it was a really good laugh.

Thanks Clive & Doreen for a good laugh and rally. Hope to be there next year.