Welcome to the Oyster newsletter, I hope the first few months of 2022 have been happy & healthy for you all.
Although it was a while ago, thought it would be good for members to still see what events took place at the end of 2021. So here goes………………
End of Season rally:
A big thank you to the new committee for putting on this End of Season celebration. Great to see club traditions continued with food and entertainment provided for this key annual event.
This new team working together for the first time did a great job entertaining us all weekend.
Light refreshments and a fun quiz on Friday warming us up and starting conversations. Who knew Michael Jackson composed Sonic the Hedgehog music!
Saturday morning was a ramble around the beautiful Orwell river with its wonderful autumn colours in full splendor.
Saturday evening, we were provided with a roast beef dinner followed by singing from Jill.
Great to see people enjoying themselves after a difficult season.
Well done to the new team, lovely weekend.
(Rob & Maz Rice)
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Christmas Rally:
Christmas Eve afternoon we all arrived. Settled in, we went to meet up with friends we had not seen for quite a while. Tea & Coffee was laid on for us to enjoy while we all nattered. Lunch was a bowl of homemade soup, either broccoli & stilton or pea and ham, with a freshly baked roll…….yummy.
The evening meal was homemade beef or chicken pie, desserts were sticky toffee pudding or jam coconut sponge with custard, very nice. All cleared and the games started with table football, darts and snooker. With bellies full we all went back to our vans.
Christmas morning came and so did Santa with a ‘little Santa’ on our steps. Time to get up and get ready for our continental breakfast. Lots to choose from, different meats, cheeses, cereals and fruit. With plenty of tea, coffee & orange juice to wash it all down with. While we ate we watched old NECC videos, good fun to see all those young faces.
Some went back to their vans to sleep and some went for a walk to make room for the next meal. Christmas lunch was all the Christmas fare and trimmings. Desserts were Christmas pudding or apple pie, with brandy cream or custard. All accompanied with wines of your choice. Again with bellies full off to the vans to rest we went.
Not so for the Marshals, in the evening we had a cheeseboard with either port or baileys, whilst crisps & sweets adorned our tables every day. While we sat enjoying the meal we had pass the parcel, sing bingo and a quiz, everyone enjoyed themselves.
Unfortunately the rally had to close on Boxing Day, we felt so sorry for the marshals as they had all worked so hard, disappointing for the marshals as it was their last year of running this rally.
A BIG THANKYOU to the naughty elves.
(Kath Murton)
ONTO NEW YEAR…………………………
Four days of clockwork precision run by the Marshalls Debbie & Barry Bridges and Greg & Tina Potter, unfortunately Mick & Marion were unable to attend due to covid.
Although it was the usual venue Trinity Park, we had the use of the main hall which was absolutely brilliant with lots more room. Roaring 20’s was the theme and everyone dressed up in style, flapper dresses and gangsters, and a super peaky blinders race night thrown in as well.
The food was fantastic, two cooked meals which were fantastic with a cheeseboard as well. The Marshals worked tirelessly and must have been exhausted at the end. The hall decorations were brilliant and complemented the theme exactly. Overall you could summarise it in one word…..BRILLIANT….Roll on next year.
(Dave Kench)
Me, my husband and three children (aged 8, 6 and 2) attended the new year ‘Roaring 20’s’ rally at Trinity Park, Ipswich. This was only our second rally and we absolutely loved every minute of it. We haven’t stopped talking about it! From the communication leading up to the rally, to the final night which was Race Night, and everything in between, it was so well organised and we couldn’t fault it. Barry and Greg were so welcoming. The food provided was really lovely, and there was so much included! The entertainment was brilliant. We got involved in decorating the hall during the day and everyone was so welcoming, involving the children like we were all family!
New Year’s Eve was one of, if not the, best NYE we have had, we have already booked for this year!! We loved it!
(Jade Shaw)
We had 54 vans attend the rally with one first time rallier Alan & Maria Girling, with visitors from South Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Mid Anglia, & East Kent, we also recognised a 200th rally for Barry & Debbie Bridges.
The Marshals and their families did us proud especially with them not knowing whether the rally would go ahead or not, and the need to observe all the covid rules.
They put on a varied programme of quizzes, film shows, cabaret show, disco, race night, together with the wonderful food.
The effort, vision and planning required to decorate the hall must have taken hours, and was well received by all.
(Roger Tiffin)
Now into 2022 rallying………………
Valentines & Rally marshal rally:
North Essex Valentines rally and rally marshal’s meeting took place in February this was for some the first rally of the year where we could catch up with old and new friends. The weather was kind to us and we were able to site the vans easily and also get them off without any problems. The rally marshal’s meeting was well attended and their packs were issued, updates from the caravan club were discussed and problems aired. During the day table tennis was played both indoors and outside, the local pub did a roaring trade from us all over the weekend. James held one of his quiz evenings which was well attended. It was also a pleasure to present Rob & Maz Rice with their 300th rally plaque. And also welcome our first time ralliers Colin & Chis Richard who we hope to see more of during the season.
(Roger Tiffin)
Sadly the Dinner Dance at Chelmsford racecourse had to be cancelled this year, let’s hope it is back on track for next year…..no pun intended!
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Thank you to our Chairman James Lamb for the following report:
Rally 11 ~ Question Time at IWM Duxford – Mid Anglia Invite
The rally was held at Fowlmere Recreation Ground and Village Hall which provided a great site for the weekend. The weekend was arranged in conjunction with the Anglian Region who were hosting a CAMC Question Time event at the Duxford Imperial War Museum.
This was the third time trying to organise the event and at last they got there! To visit the museum for free, you had to attend the question time forum, and this certainly brought out members with the forum held in the museum auditorium with over 130 members sat down.
The panel consisted of CAMC Chairman Grenville Chamberlain, Director of Membership Service and Marketing Harvey Alexander, Head of Travel Chris Newey, and North Essex member and Executive Committee Greg Potter.
Two main items to come out of the Club were:
- Cancellations on club sites. This is running at a very high rate with members cancelling at very late notice leaving little time for any other bookings to take place. Therefore, the Club will be introducing a deposit scheme from June whereby a 20% deposit being asked for.
- Electricity. A very hot topic at present and a small surcharge of 70p/£2.50 will be in place from 5th April and depending on the time of year of the booking. The club are looking into the use of meters at club sites on a “pay as you go’ system and are looking to introduce a trial at one club site 2023. If successful it will be rolled out to other sites.
No doubt more of this will be laid out in the club magazine. Following various questions from the floor, some very good, some “what planet are you on!!’ we were let loose to make our own way around the museum. Having waited two years to get here it did not disappoint. There is just too much to see and talk about here, and the hours that were left not enough to see all and further visits being required to enjoy this great site. If you haven’t been, get the van out and stay at a local site and visit. A yearly membership to the Imperial War Museum at £90 for two adults gives a break even of two visits to the museum. You can then go on to visit free HMS Belfast and the Churchill War Rooms.
Back at the site it was time to get ready for the evening entertainment provided which included a two-course dinner and a live band – The Spree – who entertained us late into the evening. Although I think there were a few sound issues!!
An early start in the morning with me having to attend the Region Meeting which took a bit longer than thought, however Margaret proved very adept at the ‘blue’ jobs as well as the ‘pink’ jobs. Just left me to do the Elsen run, hitch up and we were away.
Well done and big thanks to the Anglia Region and host centre Mid Anglia for a great weekend.
As an add on this was our neighbours van…..
A 1960’s renovation project. The owner, a Bedfordshire member, 90 years young, who renovates old vans as past time. Who says you need all the mod cons. Although with single glazing and lacking a bit of roof insulation, it did get a bit cold on Saturday night when the frost lay all around. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the gentleman’s name, but keep a look out on your travels.
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Past Chairman Rob Rice had the honour of being involved in the Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race on Sunday 3rd April………………what an achievement………….well done Rob.
I had the privilege to row Gloriana the Queens Rowing Barge. She led a procession of smaller rowing boats which added a Royal touch to the Oxford and Cambridge boat race. Weighing in at 9 tons and gilded to highest standards, the Queens rowing barge certainly is a spectacular sight on the river Thames. Eighteen oarsmen filled her seats, 9 from Oxford or Cambridge clubs and 9 experienced Coastal rowers. Her wooden oars excelled at 16 feet long and adorned with red and gold serpent painted scoop blades. Setting off from Chiswick rowing an hour to Putney where oars were raised to salute Oxford and Cambridge teams. Dignitaries boarded for the journey back where the race finish could be observed. Strength was required as each oarsman pulled half of a ton each to move Gloriana through the water. Averaging a hard 24 stokes per minute against the tide with flags denoting the Royal Arms of England fluttered gently in the April sunshine.
Thank you to Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club for giving me the experience to be able to take part in such a special event.
(Rob Rice)
Continuing on a sporting theme, don’t forget the centre fishing competition:
20th – 22nd May | Home Farm, Little Walden | Adults/Ladies/Juniors |
2nd -5th June | Blasford Hill Fishery | Adults |
8th – 10th July | Hintlesham Suffolk | Adults/Ladies/Juniors |
22nd – 24th July | Borowaters, Southminster | Adults/Ladies/Juniors |
2nd – 4th September | Hicks Farm, Hanningfield | Adults/Ladies/Juniors |
30th Sept – 2nd October | Homestead, Weeley | Pairs Pebble Plate Adults/Juniors |
Future Events: April to August 2022
- 22nd to 24th April- 3 horseshoes, Takeley (Cancelled, due to double booking)
- 29th April to 2nd May – Stonham Barns
- 6th May to 8th May – Lower Park, Brightlingsea
- 8th May to 13th May – Alton Waters, Tattingstone
- 1st June to 5th June – National rally, Belvoir Castle
- 2nd June to 5th June – Blasford fisheries, Little Waltham
- 10th June to 12th June – Abbess Hall Farm, Ongar
- 15th June to 23rd June – Little Lodge Farm, Santon Downham
- 17th June to 19th June – Ipswich High School, Woolverstone
- 24th June to 26th June – Sunnybrook farm, Felstead
- 1st July to 3rd July – Brokhowse, Weeley
- 8th July to 10th July – Hintlesham Fisheries
- 14th July to 21st July – Ardleigh C & C, Ardleigh
- 15th July to 17th July – Elite Farm, Althorne
- 22nd July to 24th July – Borowaters, Southminster
- 29th July to 31st July – White House Farm, Fambridge
- 5th August to 7th August – Folkards Farm, Brightlingsea
- 11th August to 15th August – Clare priory (Full)
- 19th August to 21st August – Birch Park
And don’t forget our main rally of 2022 ……the centres 60th Birthday, full of fun with lots for adults and children to do. 25th August to 29th August
BOOK NOW…………………filling up fast.
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- What do you get when you crack a bad Easter joke at school? …Egg-spelled.
- Why don’t you see Dinosaurs at Easter time? ……because they are Eggs-stinct.
- What kind of bunny cannot hop? …. a chocolate one.
- What do you call a rabbit with fleas? ….Bugs Bunny.
- What do you get when you put boiling water into a rabbit hole? ….Hot Cross Bunnies.
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The newsletter can only be produced with your input, I would be grateful for any rally news/photos or members news, please email me at oysternecc@gmail.com
Wishing you all a Happy Easter and a Happy Summer of Rallying.