T’was the night before Christmas, frosty but no snow. When 18 Elddis units arrived all aglow. Our Friday night get-together was hosted in the Abbotts Ripton village hall by Gordon & Joan Addison ably assisted by Edmond & Daphne Horn. To suit the festive season we were served with mulled wine and mince pies. After a few introductory words from our Marshal Gordon, we enjoyed a happy evening catching up with old friends who had come from far and wide to enjoy the festivities.

On the Saturday morning most people got out and about exploring the local towns. During Saturday afternoon the hall was made ready for the highlight of the rally, the Christmas Dinner. We sat down to eat at 6.30 pm. Our first course was a warming soup, followed by a traditional Turkey Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and wine. Desert was of course Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, to finish off we had cheese and biscuits helped down with coffee. It was one of those meals which no-one wanted to rush. How it was possible to produce a meal of 4 courses for 31 people of this quality using the hall’s very small kitchen and 2 Caravans beggars belief.

Flag was held after the meal; our Chairman Ken Wootton presented the Marshal’s plaque to Gordon and Joan and congratulated them, their assistant Chefs Edmond & Daphne Horn and all who helped serve the meal. It was a rally very well done and one of the years highlights for all who were lucky enough to be there.

Paul and Janice McArdle have done it again! An excellent rally which was enjoyed by all. A total of 22 caravans arrived in freezing fog, icy roads and thick snow. Nothing was going to deter the Elddis ralliers, even those who took nine and a half hours to get there!

The first night everyone had the chance to catch up with friends new and old. Friday was an afternoon at the panto, ‘Peter Pan’ at Newark Palace Theatre, starring Frazier Hines (Joe Sugden of Emmerdale fame for those of you who aren’t old enough to remember). This was enjoyed by all, especially Pauline Bayliss – much to the embarrassment of her granddaughter! Not satisfied with one panto, Paul decided that evening to put on a show of his own, ‘The Cracking Nuts Dancers’, (see photo, left) ably assisted by Peter Kent and Graham Scarll, who were all dressed in fluorescent tutus, wellies, wigs and tiaras accompanied by balloons. I think you can imagine the scene!This was followed by one of Dave Withington’s famous race nights.

Saturday morning the snow had retreated and we awoke to lots of mud (glorious mud). There was an ‘American Supper’ on New Year’s Eve with food as far as the eye could see. We danced away the evening with DJ Sinclair and his disco, (see photo) and joined a kilted Jim Getty in sampling the pleasures of Tequila, complete with salt and lime. I will never forget the contorted expressions on some of the people’s faces who were sucking on the limes!

After the midnight chimes and party poppers we sang a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne and continued to party into the wee small hours.

On Sunday evening it was the first flag of 2006 and it was time to say a huge thank you to Paul and Janice McArdle and Assistant Marshals Graham and Linda Scarll for their excellent New Year Rally.

We also welcomed first time ralliers Enid Wadsworth and also John, Diannah, Joanna and Dominic Taylor (see photo)

Chloe Kent celebrated her 115th rally (see photo – below right) and
there were birthday greetings for Jamie Lee Owen and Pauline Sanderson.

The raffle for the children’s charity was drawn and during the rally a total of £130 was raised for Childline, well done everyone! We had a pre-decimal money quiz which was good fun, followed by a music quiz. We then continued to party the night away with music from DJ and also joined in his karaoke.

What better way is there than celebrating the New Year with lots of friends around you? This was certainly a memorable rally, and I, for one, will definitely be back next year.

Well done Paul and gang.

When Ruth and Lyndon Wigmore run a rally, you know it will be one of the best you could go to. They work hard from the moment they arrive, to make sure that everything runs smoothly and we all feel welcome.

The village hall in Walford, near Ross on Wye, has been refurbished since we were there last, and, although it was always better than your average village hall, it is now, like Lyndon and Ruth’s rallies, one of the best.

Most vans were able to park on hard standing, which is always a bonus at this time of year, and the car park is being extended so next year, we should all be able to keep our shoes clean.

The main event of the rally was an early Valentine’s dinner on Saturday evening. As usual, when given the slightest encouragement, the Elddis members “scrubbed up well”. Both men and women put on their finery, but I think Vic’s valentine-red jacket was the star of the show. We sat down to a wonderful meal, contributed to by everybody and then Dominic Sinclair, Elddis’ own special DJ got us all dancing for the rest of the evening. He really is a hero, because he hadn’t been feeling well, so we are very grateful that he came.

On Sunday morning, we celebrated Janet and Alan Giles’ 200th Rally. Lyndon gave a wonderful speech about each of their other landmark rallies and we all said we missed Stephanie, who had to work.

Thank you Ruth and Lyndon, for a wonderful weekend.