The Club year has started for Joy and I already (I write this in mid February), we actually got to Bob Sinclair's Blue Nose Rally at Banbury this year, we were booked to go last year, but could not make it as only 4 inches of snow had fallen but the whole of south-east England was at a standstill with us marooned in the middle of it. No struggle this time, but although not cold, it was wet and windy, a sudden strong gust came through the site during the early hours which woke everybody, but luckily without resultant damage, always an interesting first rally of the year, look forward to Blue Nose 2005. The other event which starts the New Year is a winter walk, the third week in February seems to be the traditional date for the Lincoln one, this year it was well supported with about 30 turning out for a gentle walk around Boultham Park followed by lunch a short drive away, all ably organized by Brian and Carol Foottit. A few years ago there used to be a number of winter walks in different areas so how about reviving the tradition in other areas? It's easy to organize as no site is involved, just find an interesting venue starting from a car park, preferably with non-muddy paths, and if possible a Restaurant or Pub who would feed the walkers, send in details on a Rally Booking Form to our Vice-Chairman for publication in either the Rally Programme or Newsletter and the Club has another event for it's members. You can have a Club event which does not involve Caravans or Motorhomes, how about one year organizing a dinner-dance in a hotel with reduced cost overnight accommodation, I am sure there is support within the Club for these kind of get togethers so how about someone trying it! The other major happening at this time of the year is the Caravan and Motorhome Show held at the N.E.C. This is very important to our Club as we recruit new members from a stand provided for us by the Explorer Group, this time we were side by side with Compass and Buccaneer Owners Clubs in a block of 3. Not ideal, but our dedicated team of members (organized by Martin Hill) who staffed the stand did us proud by signing up 36 new members over the 9 days of the Show, you all have our thanks for a job well done. Have a great season,
Ken Wootton.
Dear Members,
The new Rally season is now underway, please try to book early for any Rally you wish to attend. With this Newsletter will be a 'Formal Notice of Motion' form and a 'Nomination for Committee' form. The Formal Notice of Motion forms must be returned to the General Secretary by Monday 4th of July 2004 and the Committee Nomination by August the 15th 2004. I would like to thank Di and Paul Hassard for their efforts in collecting and posting the Newsletters over the past years, also Janet Jones for the Newsletter. We would still like to see more new members, so if anyone would like some application forms please contact me. We still have a vacant post on the Southern Committee, anyone wishing to fill this post please contact me. Regards.
John Harrison.
Firstly, my apologies for the errors which crept into the Rally book, I promise to try harder next year! I'm sure that you will all find a multitude of exciting Rallies in prospect, I know that I have, and with my impending opt out from the rat race Jan and I will be making the most of the opportunity to sample some of the longer Rallies. It will be a pleasant change not to have to pack up on Sunday afternoon. The Boat and Caravan exhibition at the NEC always gets my thoughts turning to dusting off the 'van and getting it ready for action, and this year has been no exception, there were some mouth watering exhibits. As always, the team of volunteers who manned (or womanned) our stand did a fantastic job of recruiting new members. Can I ask all the Rally Marshals who are running extended rallies and to whom I have sent the questionnaire, to let me have it back as soon as possible if they have not already done so. If you have access to the internet I am sure that you will appreciate the changes which have been made to our website, it is well worth a visit. We look forward to seeing you around and about during the year and wish you all happy Rallies and safe journeys.
Jim James
The accounts for 2003 have been sent to the Auditors and Arthur Roberts has very kindly prepared a disk, this has also been sent to them. At the end of the year we should have made a small profit or break even. A copy of the Accounts will be sent to each member of the committee before the next meeting when this can be approved. Unfortunately I will not be at the meeting in April as I shall be in Australia. I hope you all have a good caravanning year.
Angela.
Hi everyone.
I would like to tell you that over £850 has been raised for the "Jeans for Genes" charity since the AGM. If you do run a fund raiser for this year's charity please send your money in to me, or the Treasurer as soon as possible, and if you haven't thought of raising money for the kid's charity this year, I think you should consider it. I would be very grateful for any donations. I would like to say thank you to the people who have donated prizes towards raffles and people who have run raffles (and let me run raffles) on their Rallies. I would like to write your names down but there are too many of you. (Dad is keeping a list and there will be a roll of honour at the next AGM.) This is the end of this piece but I hope to see you all on a Rally soon.
Bye. Dominic (DJ).
Happy New Year to you all - I hope you had a good one! I hope the weather has been kind to you, with not too much frost and snow. The Caravan show at the NEC was as good as ever with lots of goodies to tempt us to spend our hard earned cash. As there have been fewer rallies over the past few months this edition of the newsletter is slightly smaller, but I'm sure once you start getting out and about again that you will send in your Rally Reports. If there is anything you would like me to put in the Newsletter please don't hesitate to contact me.
Have a good Easter - Pasg Hapus.
There have been some long distance Rallies in the past, but South of France for a weekend it had to be a joke! But no, it was valid or as it was told it sounded valid. Why that weekend? It is the climax of the local fete. Why not longer? It is a commercial site, come earlier, stay on after, there is no pressure, make it fit in with your own holiday plans, but be there for that weekend said Clive and Doreen. First to arrive some 8 days before the Rally was Jim & Janet, they had stayed only one night on the way down. Next day came Clive & Doreen they had stopped two nights on the way down. The following Monday Ron & Kate arrived, from a week in the Dordogne, closely followed by Karen, John & Emma who had been in the Pyrenees. We pitched near each other so tea, coffee, cold beers and wine were being handed out whilst the caravans were being sited - sea views for everyone. The local fete provided much of the entertainment with Abrivados or Bandidos at lunchtimes, and free events in the arena most afternoons. Abrivados are where the Guardians (French for cowboys), from the local farms, run bulls through the streets, just like John Wayne delivering bulls to Abilene in a cowboy film. In the arena there was Carmargue bullfighting, where rosettes are attached to the horns and forehead of a bull and the rassateurs have to grab the rosettes as the bull charges past (rassateurs = idiots in plain English). Then there was Toro-piscine (bull washing) and other games with incomprehensible rules and aims, but hey it's free and good fun so just go along and watch. The area is fantastic and with Clive & Doreen's advice, plenty of famous sites were visited. You can walk into Grau along the beach, it may be September but the sun is shining, temperature in the high 70's, and the water is warm, so have a swim and get the chairs out. In the late evening it is still warm enough to sit and watch as the lights around the bay reveal themselves. Events in the local fete included some we worked out, "Course de Caddies" was a race pushing young male jockeys in a supermarket sweep trolley, Dale Winton eat your heart out. But for further explanations of other events please ask a rallier - but don't expect sensible answers. Clive started the rally on Friday by hoisting the Elddis Flag and handing out a quiz, all about France and some questions in French. Name some French birds e.g. Huitrier Pie, Choucas des Tours, Marie & Fifi were not valid answers. Clive's theme for Friday was wine & cheese, not tea & biscuits, and Sunday Flag was coffee & croissants, with the plaque being presented by Jim James fully decked out in the new Vice Chairman's necklace, but after the Rally closed no one left. John & Karen were first to go later in the week answering Emma's need to return to Uni, then Ron & Kate's work commitments beckoned. But that still left 2 vans on site continuing to enjoy the good weather and laid back lifestyle. They were even planning to breakfast on the beach! It certainly was a new style of holding a Rally and maybe Clive & Doreen can be persuaded to do something like it again.
A total of thirty four Elddis members visited this popular Rally. It started on Thursday; we were greeted by Derek and Freda for coffee and a chat. Lytham is a delightful town with nice shops for browsing. The weekend Ralliers arrived on the Friday and coffee was served again in the evening. Many of us went into Blackpool for the illuminations, not as many as I remember from many years ago, but still very nice. Sunday morning we had flag and a lucky van draw, we were very pleased to receive the only prize, a gas grill which was much appreciated as ours was getting old. Many thanks for a good Rally Derek and Freda, and assistants Ralph and Evelyn Murray, we all look forward to 2004.
We arrived on a bright sunny Friday morning at the Elddis Owners Club encampment at the far end of the Three Counties Showground, which is handy for the exhibition halls. It was lovely to see Ron and Ann again, this was a free and easy Rally as we had passes to the exhibition, and there is so much to see and do in this lovely part of the country. Fortunately we had good weather, which gave us a wonderful view of the Malvern Hills - all fifteen vans. At Friday flag everyone was amazed to see that Lyndon had not re-grown his beard yet, but wait until the cold weather! Unfortunately there was no Elddis stand at the show, but we didn't see another van we liked and so we purchased items for the caravan at good prices! At closing flag, Ron told us that after eight years he would no longer be running this Rally, which is a great shame, but said he and Ann would be here next year as Ralliers, as Pauline and Charles Bayliss are taking over as Marshals. There was much concern about no more of Ann's Welsh cakes, particularly by Dominic Sinclair, but Ann promised to teach Pauline how to make them, so the tradition would not be broken. On behalf of everyone who has attended Ron and Ann's Rallies in the past, well done, and many thanks, people like you ARE the Elddis Club.
Six vans arrived on Friday, most of us in the rain. Four had been there for a few days already, staying on the CL site. On Friday evening we used the hall on the site. Derek Pedder had taken beer and wine to celebrate Freda's birthday which was the following Tuesday. On Saturday, it was Bill Clarkson's birthday and the social event took place in the hall again. At that time of year it is great to have facilities like a hall actually on the site. Fran had put a hot buffet type of supper on, and very nice it was too! Most people got dressed up for Halloween, they really looked the part. Sunday flag was held and Darren Medley did his first official duty by thanking the Marshal and presenting her with a first time Rally Marshals pen. Menston. 31st Oct to 2nd November 2003. This was anew venue for Elddis, and was attended by ten vans for a spooky weekend. After pitching our vans, everyone met in the sites hall for a get together. Unfortunately on the way across, Ian Bennington tripped over the flags guy ropes and extinguished the Halloween lanterns, but it was very dark! Saturday saw most ralliers going out to explore the area, there is plenty to see and do here, with wonderful views from the site. In the evening everyone gathered for the social in the hall, this had been decorated to a Halloween theme, even Uncle Fester, Morticia and Wednesday showed up! We were treated to an excellent tea followed by home made parkin and Halloween biscuits, these had been made by Tony and Frans daughter, who had also done a marvelous job with the decorations in the hall. Sunday brought flag and we all met for tea, coffee and a natter. Birthday cards were given to Freda Peddar and Bill Clarkson who were celebrating over the weekend. Fran was presented with her Marshals plaque, and First Time Marshals plaque and pen. Then all too soon it was time to hitch up and head for home.
Louise Pharis brilliantly ran the Halloween rally, with the help of her family. On Friday night everybody gathered together for flag, which most children were looking forward, to because at the end it was children's trick or treat. Saturday morning at 11am there was pumpkin carving for everybody, this was a great activity and nearly everyone joined in, this was later judged by the site owners. On Saturday night everybody started arriving at 6.30pm for the fancy dress disco, which was again judged by the site owners and D.J. was the DJ for the evening. Before the disco there was a very appetizing feast which started with cream of pumpkin soup or purple sludge soup, there was pumpkin bread and toffee apples for all the children, and other delicious goodies too numerous to mention. During the evening we had pumpkin bingo, a mummy wrapping competition, a junior disco competition (won by Jade, Charlotte and Jamie-Lee), we also had an adults dancing competition (won by Brian Mosley) and later on there was apple bobbing. Everyone really had a great time, anyone who didn't must be a real grumpy-nut, and it was great. Sunday we were in the clubroom again for flag and presentations, Alyson Borg won the children's competition and Dave Withington the grown-ups. Jamie-Lee Stephenson and Ricky got 15th Rally plaques, Sophie and Sam Kent and Charlie Pharis got 75th Rally plaques, and Louise got a special plaque for attending over 100 Rallies and her 10th as Rally Marshal, so well done Louise. Then we all set about getting ready to go home (well the olds did, us kids just carried on having fun for a bit longer) but all good things have to end, and so did this Rally, but we have put our names down for next year.
As I listened to the weather forecast on Thursday night I began to worry, rain, gales and localised flooding especially in the west, was expected for the whole weekend, and we were going to a carnival! As we traveled west along the M6, M42, and M5 on Friday afternoon, the rain got heavier, the wind stronger and the traffic got more and more congested. On the radio we heard warnings that the Severn Bridge had closed, and there had been several road accidents on the motorway due to poor weather conditions, we wondered if we had made the right decision to come all this way just for the weekend. When we arrived in Glastonbury it was dark and pouring with rain, but we managed to find the caravan site, there we were met by Mike Pilot the Rally Marshal. He was there with his son Richard, and just one other motor home. Other members had been forced to cancel due to the weather conditions and ill health. During the night the rain and wind continued, so we were most surprised to wake up to sunshine, and we were shortly joined by 2 more caravans who had delayed their journey until the weather improved. These included Lyndon and Ruth and Mike was joined by Nina and Emma. This was the first time we had stayed in this area so we set out to explore, but only made it 2 miles down the road to Street, where we found Clarks Outlet shopping village. This is an excellent place to shop, built on the land which was once occupied by Clark's shoe factories. We took the opportunity to buy some bargain Christmas presents, and during the day we bumped into everyone else from the Rally doing the same. Mike had warned us, that if we wanted to watch the illuminated carnival at night in Glastonbury, we should go early to get a parking space, so as soon as it got dark we ventured into town. We spent an interesting 2 hours wandering the streets and standing waiting for the carnival to arrive. Glastonbury was packed with people wearing all kinds of wild and wonderful head gear, and on every corner was a food vending van selling every kind of food and drinks to keep the waiting onlookers warm and fed. This was the first time we had watched an illuminated carnival, which I understand are traditional in this area of Somerset and we were not disappointed. It took nearly 2 hours for the floats to pass, and each one was different, we marveled at the imagination of each one. As the last one passed we joined the crowds walking back to our car. Litter was everywhere, and we wondered how long it would take to clear away. After flag on Sunday morning we decided to venture into Glastonbury again to see the town in daylight, we were most surprised to see everything had returned to normal and not one plastic beer glass was to be seen. After a short walk around the shops, and a pub lunch, we made our way back to the site to pack up. We had heard about the illuminated carnival at other Rallies, and always intended to come, but the time of year, and the distance had put us off, but I am pleased to say we did not regret the journey at all. It didn't matter that only 5 caravans were able to come to the rally, it was still an interesting and enjoyable weekend.
Jim & Janet Longly's Christmas Dinner Rally this year, was held at Torksey, the caravan centre only a short walk away. The workers arrived on Friday, taking the total number of units to 18 - a very good turn out for this time of year. The customary tea, coffee etc was served on Friday night, together with local information on the Lincoln Christmas Fayre. Jim gave directions to the best car parks, I hope it didn't put anyone off; I was lost after the third instruction! .
The social was held in one of the several pubs within walking distance. The picture shows an unexpected visitor - does anyone know who he is? There was a choice of 3 starters & 3 sweets, the main course being a carvery, with 3 choices again, followed by mince pies & coffee/tea - all very civilised. Sunday at Flag Janet provided Coffee, together with a beautifully decorated homemade Christmas cake, which tasted every bit as good as it looked, there was also a Yule log made by Janet. Then Father Christmas arrived to give the Children their presents. Lesley Hill presented the Marshals plaque to Jim & Janet, then the Assistant's plaque to Tom & Margaret Short thanking them all for a lovely Rally, she then stole a kiss from Father Christmas. The Rally ran like clockwork and everyone is looking forward to booking again for next year. This picture shows Sam and Chloe receiving their presents from Father Christmas. Ho Ho Ho
What a lovely location for a Christmas dinner, very quiet, with hard standings on the car park of a very nice hall / cricket club. Seventeen caravans were there, most were trimmed for the occasion, as was the hall, tables and Ralliers - what a sight! At Friday night flag we were greeted with mince pies and mulled wine which I think had a little something added - Very nice! On Saturday most people went out and about, as there were plenty of places to visit or buy Christmas presents, we left the cooks to prepare the feast, and what a feast it was! There was pate or soup, turkey and all the trimmings, Christmas pudding, cheese and biscuits, coffee and mints, and red and white wine with our dinner. There were also seconds and mince pies if you had any room left. The tables were decorated with candles and crackers and Christmas music was played. Gordon gave an after dinner speech, or was it a quiz, a monologue, or mastermind? Those of us who didn't have a calculator used their fingers, or pen and paper, I don't know how to explain what he did, but it was to do with numbers, ages, and dates. He had to explain it twice, and it would only work in 2003. Afterwards we used the kitchen to wash our plates etc, I say we, but I sent hubby to do the job. We then sat chatting into the night, and home to bed with very full stomachs, I don't know how they did it for £7.50p. Sunday flag we received a Christmas present of liqueur chocolates, and selection boxes for the children. Thelma Hey made a lovely Dundee cake for us to have with our tea. Many thanks and much appreciation was given for our Marshals Gordon and Jean Addison and Assistants Edmund and Daphne Horn. Appreciation also went to their helpers Brian Smith, Margaret Clarke and Davina Rhodes. Roll on next Christmas, we can't wait. Well done to you all!
18 units turned out for a 6 night Rally in the middle of winter and had a thoroughly enjoyable time of it - fair-weather caravanners don't know what they are missing! The Rally began on Sunday, 15 of our number arrived at various times during the day, to be welcomed and sited, some bringing decorations to adorn the hall. By the time of the usual first evening get together the hall was transformed into a sparkling, glittering, cosy room. Monday dawned a crisp day, however, the sky was blue and as the day progressed and the sun shone it became a beautiful day for any time of year let alone December. 8pm saw us all journeying to the hall again, this time home made mince pies and punch followed by games. We had a visit from Lilly Sewerage, who assisted the quizmaster in a game of Pictionary. Then it was back to our snug units as electricity was included in the site fee. Tuesday was a very full day, a visit to the Panto in Newark had been arranged, this was booked for 2.30pm which gave time to see this beautiful market town, have a leisurely lunch in one of the many hostelries, then the highlight of the day the Panto …… Oh yes it was! A wonderful day, thanks Paul and Janice. Then to the hall, for more games! The young people as Paul likes to call them entertained us with their version of Pictionary, whilst we consumed our nibbles and wine. Wednesday, New Years Eve: Billed as American supper, bring, eat and dance to the Young Ones Disco Sound. Both hot and cold buffet was provided; it looked wonderful and tasted just as good. There were the usual sandwiches, cold quiches, pork pie etc supplemented by hot jacket potatoes with fillings, and chilli & rice, more than enough for all. The disco was provided by DJ Sinclair, (an appropriate name) he did a very good job keeping most of our number on the dance floor till way past our bedtime. Thursday saw DJ at work again, this time with a slightly smaller audience; however, he rose to the occasion and gave a repeat performance, this time however allowing us to catch up on some much needed sleep. Flag was on Friday as some Ralliers had to return home. Lyndon and Ruth were presented with their Rally plaque for 300 Rallies!
Ken was asked to don his Chairman's hat to mark the achievement, although he was Assistant Marshal. He also gave Jenny Pharis her Rally plaque for 75 rallies. Lesley Hill thanked both the Rally Marshal's Paul and Janice McArdle and Assistant's Ken and Joy Wootton for a wonderful Rally, and presented the relevant plaques. DJ raised £64.00 for the children's charity. A very big thank you goes to all those who worked so hard to make such a very memorable Rally. Paul and Janice are running it again next year. This, their 1st Rally will be very difficult to top.
Over the past 26 years I have been with my Mam and Dad to over 400 Elddis Rallies. I have now left home and am living in a Residential home. Many of my friends in Elddis have very kindly sent me cards, wishing me well in my new home; also they have sent me cards from the various Rallies they have been on. I would like to thank them ALL for their kindness to me, and hope that they don't forget me in the future when they are on a Rally. I would love to keep receiving their cards, so that I can keep in touch with them ALL.. I do hope that I shall be seeing them again at the holidays, when I will be Rallying with my Mam and Dad. Paul Jagger.
We are the owners of an Elddis Typhoon XL, and have recently moved to France, and have now purchased a French registered car. Now unfortunately we are unable to use our caravan, as it needs to be registered with the French authorities, therefore giving it its own identity i.e. its own number plate and registration document. To do this we need a "European Certificate of Conformity" for the caravan, have any members any idea where we could get this from? And perhaps other members who are thinking of moving to France should take note of this. David & Anita Thomas. Please send any replies / information to the Editor in order for them to be forwarded.
George and Anne Rickels are happy to announce the early arrival of Lily Grace, who arrived on Christmas day in Hamilton Canada. Lily is the first baby for Alan (our son) and Michelle, and our first grandchild. Lily was due on Jan 1st but obviously was in a hurry and decided to give us all a surprise present. We have seen photos taken of her minutes after birth, and also web cam pictures, and she is beautiful.