Dear Members,

With this Newsletter will be any Formal Notices of Motions, also Amendment to Formal Notice of Motion forms which must be returned to me by August the 14th 2005.

Please also remember that all committee members must be nominated every year and the nominations must be in by August the 14th 2005.

The membership has slowed down over the last few months; most of our new members come from the internet. Our thanks go to Tricia Musson for this. Don’t forget to book in for the AGM.

Regards,

John Harrison.

I am writing this in between doing the final paperwork for our Netherlands Rally (from this point in time we go in 14 days), dealing with the ongoing business needed to ensure the smooth running of our Club, having to still work for my living and getting ready for the Chapel Brampton Rally, so I am sure it’s a busy time for you as well!

A couple of issues have been brought to the Club’s attention concerning practises which have crept into use over the past couple of years, both are unsafe and go against the guidelines DEFRA lay down as conditions of our having an Exemption Certificate.

The first and potentially most dangerous is the connection of an external gas cylinder to a Caravans system by plugging into the bar-b-que point, if you use this method you risk a gas leak as the standard regulator is all that stops the gas escaping into the front locker, bear in mind that it is not designed to act as a non-return valve and so can cause a leak into this potentially dangerous area. This method of connection is against the British and European Standard for gas installations in Caravans (BSEN 1949) in that ONLY the DESIGNATED input may be used and MUST use the approved Regulator. Explorer Group have already had some instances of this practise causing problems and point out that it will invalidate the manufacturers Warranty, also by implication, if a problem is caused by this kind of connection it could invalidate your Insurance covers.

The second is to do with the draining of waste water, some members have started connecting a long pipe to their waste outlet and leading it into an adjacent hedge. The correct practise is of course to use a waste container and dispose of it where directed by the Rally Marshal, direct dumping is against a specific clause in DEFRA’s conditions. You may think “well, if we are told to drain our containers into the field edge, what’s the difference?” The difference is that a pipe would deliver ALL waste to one point with a possible concentrated pollution at that point, whereas draining a container spreads it over a wider area and so carries little risk. Remember we only tip waste water into a hedge when NO OTHER disposal is possible.

PLEASE Rally safely and have an enjoyable season.

Best wishes to you all.

Ken Wootton.

I am writing this in the hallway with the PC balanced on various packing cases, as those of you who have done it will realise, we have moved house and I can't find anything. Added to this, we are about to leave for Ken's Dutch Rally and it is still the middle of May as I write this (We are going the long way round via the Med.)

The season is now in full swing with lots of great Rallies to attend, packing has not stopped us from going to several super ones so far. We have been lucky, and seem to have avoided most of the wet ones (Scarborough!) I know that it's early, but if you are planning to run a Rally or Rallies next year, please get your proposal forms in to your Area Sec and myself as soon as possible, some dates fill up quickly and it's first come first served. Must dash, we have a train to catch. See you around, drive safely!

Jim.

Hello again! Most of you will know that in order to prepare for her move ‘Down Under’, Angela Palmer has resigned as Treasurer and that I have volunteered to hold the fort until the AGM. I would like to thank Angela for her contribution to the Club and wish her and Roger every happiness in their new life. Roger and Angela have promised to run one or two Rallies once they get settled and will be happy to accept advance bookings, but point out that you should make your own arrangements for the transport of your outfits!

The accounts for 2004 have now been audited and approved by the Directors and Committee for submission to the members at the Annual General Meeting and details are included in this Newsletter in the usual format.

It is not practical to publish the full Statutory Accounts but be assured that all the relevant figures are included. Should any member wish to examine the full Statutory Accounts, every committee member has a copy.

The accounts show that we made a loss before depreciation of £32 and a loss after depreciation of £142.

See you at the A.G.M. when I hope to finally hand over to your new Treasurer.

All matters concerning the Treasurer including Rally Returns must now be sent to him at the address in your Summer Newsletter

With kind regards.

Arthur Robers

Please note that the deadline for articles in the Autumn Newsletter is Sunday 11th September 2005. If there is anything you would like me to put in the Newsletter please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Rally reports can either be sent to me by post or by e-mail. Please note that due to the high cost of printing and postage Rally reports should be kept to a maximum of 250 words.

Don’t forget to send off your booking slip for the A.G.M.

Cofion Cynnes – Best Wishes.

Janet.