It was a very moist first day for the six vans that attended but we laughed it off at that evenings get together in Edmonds awning with Daphne making us all so welcome. The next day after the rain we had collective fish and chips and had flag for presentations etc. Sunday was a free day and on Monday evening Edmond arranged a concessionary evening carvery meal at the Sportsman Inn for us all and this was most enjoyable.

Wednesday was the day of the Royal Flower Show at Sandringham in the presence of the Prince of Wales. I don’t believe any of us saw him but perhaps that was because some of us visited on the drier following day and by then he had gone.

On Friday we celebrated Des and Silvia’s Golden Wedding Anniversary. The champagne flowed and the cake Silvia had made in a pan was enjoyed and the recipe was noted by all. On the last Saturday it was fish and chips again together with an enjoyable end of rally social in Edmonds awning.

Perhaps because of the unsettled weather the most enjoyable part of the rally was every morning when the Marshals’ awning was open for ‘elevenses’ where we all got together, and did we chat! I understand that another rally has been booked here for next year, so thanks Edmond and Daphne for an enjoyable rally and we look forward to this event.

The Hatton that didn’t happen!

On the 26th of July 2007 twenty two families were looking forward to a great five days at Hatton Country World to celebrate the Silver Wedding anniversary of Bob and Maureen Sinclair, but there were just a few problems: The first problem was that the field was extremely muddy-but that was alright, the second problem was, if you went on that field you weren’t coming off in a hurry. There were a few tears and some worried faces and without Pauline and Charles Bayliss the rally would have been cancelled. So with some phone calls made by Bob Sinclair we found a new location called Mount Farm in Ratley near Banbury. It was a little windy but a really nice location great for flying kites, wasn’t it Pauline?

Some people forgot that cars need fuel to get to their destination safely. One couple managed to arrive by the skin of their teeth, whilst the others had to be assisted, mentioning no names are we Steve! Plans had to be changed, as it was far too windy to erect the Pavilions.

Thursday evening we gathered in the Marshal’s awning and had flag for the very few people that were there, as usual we had tea, coffee and biscuits. We stayed and had a chat for an hour or so and had a laugh and a joke. Friday night we had flag again because eleven other vans had turned up earlier that day, again we stayed and had a chat after flag had finished.

Saturday night we had a big BBQ, everyone brought and cooked their own food and gathered outside the Marshal’s awning to eat together, it was great! About an hour or so after that we had a big party in the village hall (it would have been in the pavilions) for bob and Maureen’s 25th Anniversary (see photo – left).

Diana Owen went round with a collection to get Bob and Maureen a gift, in the end we got Bob a crystal decanter and Maureen some silver photo frames and a stand to put them on.

People had also brought some little nibbles so we could have a finger buffet NOT an American supper! Ben Sinclair was the DJ for the evening; we all had a great time.

Sunday morning we had the big breakfast cooked voluntarily by Charles Bayliss, Moss Owen, Bob Sinclair and Maureen Sinclair, and served by Pauline Bayliss, comprising of egg, bacon, sausage, beans and bread and butter. Everyone ate all their breakfast and thought it was delicious. Straight after that was flag. The winners of the quiz were Diana and Moss Owen, there were six plaques given out at flag. Jamie-Lee Stephenson was awarded with her ‘Thirtieth’ Plaque along with Danielle Mundy. Sam Kent was awarded with his ‘Hundred & Thirtieth’ and Margret and John Vernon were awarded their ‘Hundred & Fiftieth’. (Photos below).

Marshals Maureen and Bob Sinclair and Pauline and Charles Bayliss were given their plaques all presented by Jimmy James.

Monday was a free day, Monday night was an impossible social quiz won by Diana and Moss Owen again, who won yet another box of Quality Streets: this time they shared them!! On Tuesday it was Bob and Maureen’s actual Anniversary, we joined them at their awning for tea, coffee and fruit cake cooked by Maureen Sinclair herself. Quite a few people had second helpings of the cake as it was extremely tasty! We had Elddis’ own Pauline Bayliss singing the Anniversary Waltz; fortunately the sun stayed out just like it had all weekend!

Throughout the five days we had some noisy animals and I am not talking about the cows and ducks Pauline! Having a small glass is no excuse!! We all had a really great weekend, congratulations Bob and Maureen and well done for a really spectacular five days that was nearly a disaster!

It was noon on Thursday, the start of Maureen and Bob Sinclair’s Silver Wedding celebrations and there they were down to the axles with caravan and 4x4 which had all terrain tyres on, so what chance did we have? After being pulled out with a JCB onto the safety of the car park a tearful Maureen with twenty two phone calls to try and stop ralliers as Hatton was off! Then Bob said “It’s now plan B” (after 25 years I thought he would be past ‘plan B’). Charles Bayliss enquired “What’s that?” No idea said Bob, but within ten minutes he did his Sir Galahad and three vans were on their way to Mount Farm in Ratley on the top of Edge Hill some seven hundred feet above sea level, what a good idea.

Out of the twelve vans due on Thursday we ended up with five. Things were now looking up, we had flag in the Marshals awning where we mulled over the days events and how stressful it had been for Maureen and Bob, but didn’t they do well! It was amazing that we had a rally. What a difference a day makes, well over a dozen people sat in a circle having a drink and enjoying the sunshine, that’s what rallying is all about. By flag we had fifteen caravans which was exceptional after the cancellation on Thursday morning.

Saturday another good day, in the evening we had a communal BBQ, later everyone set off for the Village Hall for music, dancing and a buffet. Maureen and Bob were presented with gifts from fellow ralliers of a decanter and a silver framed photo stand to mark their Silver Wedding. The night ended with a large circle of friends formed around the happy couple dancing the last waltz.

Sunday morning all ralliers were served with full English breakfast by Maureen, Bob, Pauline, Charles, Di and Moss in pleasant sunshine followed by flag. Diana Owen presented the Marshals and Assistant Marshals with their plaques, Maureen and Bob, Pauline and Charles and handed over to the Chairman Jim James who presented Jamie-Lee (see photo)and Danielle with their ‘Thirtieth’ Rally plaque – well done! John and Margaret Vernon were presented with their ‘Hundred and Fiftieth’ plaque. Sam Kent was awarded a plaque for attending his ‘Hundred and Thirtieth’ rally. He also commended the Marshals on the rescue of the rally at such short notice.

Monday saw an informal quiz evening set by Bob which was a tie between Mr & Mrs Owen and Mr & Mrs Gott with the Owen’s winning on a tie break question, the rest of us had spent too much time behind the bike shed. The rally closed on Tuesday which was the actual date of their Silver Wedding where they received more good wishes and cards. Maureen produced a cake freshly iced to celebrate the day. I can’t say how pleased we all were that your 25th turned out so good in the end from Hatton that never happened to a cracking good rally in Ratley for the celebrations on Edge hill.

We had a really good time in Holland on Dave & Val’s rally. Lyndon & Ruth helped on the rally and did the beer tasting too which was fun. I really liked swimming every day, Dutch kids club and beating Dave at boules all by myself – he cheated!

We went to lots of places for days out – best of all was Efteling which is a bit like Disney. Val helped me make a cocktail for the competition but Lesley was the judge and somehow Martin won. I want to go next year so that I can play boules and do the beer tasting again.

For this rally 13 outfits had gathered to celebrate our Marshal Brian and Jean Smith’s Silver Wedding but to avoid any hint of bad luck the adjacent CL contained a further 2 ex members. So there were lots of little groups forming to catch up on the “We haven’t seen you since xx”. The weather was hot and dry but Brian had erected his tent with the assistance of Peter and June Pool his Assistant Marshals. One tip for less experienced ralliers don’t arrive too soon, but get there early and you can watch the casual ease with which habitual caravanners site there outfits and manage to cadge a cup of coffee from earlier arrivals.

By the Thursday night and about half the attendees had arrived and by 8pm were gathered in Brian’s tent for a good gossip. Friday consisted of getting out and about and exploring the area before returning to join the GG which was performing a stately, slow moving circle round the Aspen tree, every 45 mins it had to move, allowing those liking shade, to be in shade, and those liking sun to be baked. It is a hard life but someone’s got to do it. That evening Brian greeted all and outlined his schedule for weekend, Saturday was a repeat of Friday with the GG (gossip group) reformed round the tree. But hark we hear “Green Sleeves” – Brian went to intercept and direct the Ice cream van into the rally. Brian returned, said the van was coming – but it went all round the estate before it finally came to us. We were disappointed to find out the ice creams were not being provided out of the rally fee. Well it might have been. Brian arranged for the van to come again the next day – he got another cornet! Favouritism.

The village hall had been hired for the evening and Brian and Jean with their helpers had laid out a handsome spread, with wine, beers and other drinks all provided by Brian and Jean. Mike (Elddis’ own Vicar) in his best robes blessed Brian and Jean’s marriage. Then the music played and the happy couple led the dancing to get the evening started. It was a magnificent party, and everybody had a great time.

Sunday Flag and Brian was thanking us for coming, and his helpers, –but it seems we should be thanking him and Jean – so Chairman Jim did that on our behalf, as well as presenting the assistant plaque to Peter. But only a few left – the rest of us stayed – so that night Brian – well Jean really, had us playing Bingo for bars of chocolate – she almost had the patter. But we shared the laughter and had a good evening. Still the rally carried on – so Monday night there was a quiz and other games and more laughter – Brian and Jean had delivered a super rally, we can only hope they enjoyed as much as we did.

This was Malcolm & Margaret Jagger’s last rally as Rally Marshals having run over 40 rallies, they now have decided its time to hang up their pitch marker pegs. Thank-you for all your efforts, your rallies have been much appreciated. With 26 caravans & 1 motor caravan attending this was run as a free and easy rally, exactly what is needed pre AGM. Alf, Joyce & Linda Holiday ably assisted, with Linda doing the morning paper run. This site is booked for next year in June; hope you will support the new Rally Marshal!