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Hearty Happenings
Issue 2
A Message from the Editor
I can’t believe its 3 months since I last “spoke” to you all. It has been great to see so many of you on rallies and your input in helping these be so enjoyable is really appreciated by us. Thank you.
Anything you would like included in the next edition please let me have by October 1st to my e-mail at maggieathofe@waitrose.com or my home address, which is in your rally folder.
Here’s to sunshine!!
Margaret
Chairman’s Note
Well what can I say about this summer, except that it is the first one for Heart of England and we have now had 4 rallies, some blessed with remarkably good weather, others were not so lucky in escaping the rain and storms. St George’s Day was one of the lucky rallies as the rain held off until the Monday but Upper Quinton and Ullesthorpe suffered very heavy rain on most days. Not that we were deterred! Afternoon tea was served outside in a break in the clouds and whilst the communal BBQ did not materialise, a few hardy souls did light up to cook at Meon View and the teddy bears picnic did take place at Ullesthorpe.
Membership continues to creep up and we now have around 80 members, more that I ever thought that we would get to half way through our first year. We continue to receive requests for information so I am confident that this number will continue to grow.
Our 2008 rally programme is nearly complete and I am very grateful to the members who have volunteered to find and marshal a number of the rallies next year. Our holiday rally to Port Eynon on the Gower coast of Wales is also now firmly in the programme, more details of this later in Hearty Happenings.
We have already started work on the 2009 rally programme, with some weekends already booked. If you have any ideas of good rally fields or would like to arrange or Marshal a rally please do let one of the Founder Members know.
Sue and Merv are looking at the viability of a Holiday rally on the Rhine and Mosel rivers in Germany during the last two weeks in June 2009. More details are to be found later in Hearty Happenings.
May I encourage those of you with web access to keep an eye on the club web site as we will publish all the latest news and updates on the web site to keep you right up to date.
The web site address can be found at www.heartofenglandccclub.org.uk
Margaret and I are looking forward to the rest of our first rally season and are keeping our fingers crossed for some good weather for the Caribbean Carnival weekend at Stoke Bruerne in August.
I look forward to seeing you on a rally soon.
Steve
Rally Happenings – St Georges’ Day at Barnstones
Our second rally, which took place at Barnstones Caravan Park during April coincided with St George’s Day so the theme for the weekend was set. 14 units enjoyed the early spring sunshine near Banbury. The weekend started off with a get together in the Marshal’s awning on Friday night, but the main event of the weekend took place in Bourton Village Hall on Saturday.
Steve set a challenge of building a rocket to transport 2 pieces of paper along a length of wire. We were given lots of different articles including balloons, paperclips etc. to help us. Much hilarity accompanied the building of the rockets and even more when they were launched. The winning team of Amanda, Jean Cole, Sheila and Gareth showed us all how we should have built them. Although Steve let us all in on the secret at the end, when we found out that most of the articles were “red herrings”. However with a fish and chip supper followed by jelly and fruit a great time was had by all! Those that stayed on until Monday enjoyed dinner at The Red Lion at Cropredy.
I have to admit that we never dreamed that the first day of this rally in July would turn out to be one of the wettest on record when we put the plans in place nearly a year ago. We had visions of a relaxing weekend in the warm summer sun with a BBQ and a glass of cool wine. OK, so we got that wrong!
Fourteen units were expected at the rally but many found that the weather forced them to change their plans and it was only the members who had set off before the worst of the weather set in that were able to make it before the floods. In the event, six units had arrived by mid day on Friday and that was it for the weekend. However, we were delighted to have day visits from a number of those who were not able to bring their caravans on either the Saturday afternoon for the teddy bears picnic or Sunday morning for coffee.
Sue and Merv had a great programme arranged for this rally and despite the weather and the smaller numbers, the majority of the programme survived the weather. The party tent also survived the weather and provided the indoor venue for the teddy bears picnic and the Saturday evening quiz. Although we had to partially dismantle it during the worst of the storm on Friday evening and abandon the plans for Friday’s get together.
A great number of teddy bears of all ages and origins turned up for the picnic. I believe that Margaret Rose’s 65 year old teddy bear was the veteran of the event. We also enjoyed a special guest appearance by Mervin Bear during the teddy bears’ picnic.
The Saturday evening “Bear” quiz was won by Sheila and Graham Taylor who clearly had a great recollection of their earlier years to get so many of the answers!
Sunday saw some blue sky and sunshine and a very enjoyable get together over coffee. Another 8 members joined us for coffee and an opportunity to enjoy some long awaited sun.
Many thanks to Sue and Merv for a very enjoyable, if somewhat wet weekend.
Rally Happenings – Lazy Days of Summer at Meon View
Rain didn’t exactly stop play at Meon View but it had a good try. Most arrived in the rain and within a short time were splodging in mud. Jean and Gordon, who were marshalling, had a swimming pool in their awning.
Saturday started with heavy showers (we were all used to it by then) but for a time in the afternoon we actually got to sit out and enjoy a delicious cream tea. We managed a get together in the evening.
With a supurb garden centre down the road and Stratford on the doorstep nobody was at a loss for amusement. An enjoyable weekend despite the weather and well done to Jean and Gordon for carrying on despite it!
A message from Sue and Merv
We really must say thanks to everyone who gave us a helping hand over the weekend. From putting up the tent to taking it down (it was funny watching Joan & Sheila trying to dry it off with a broom wrapped in paper towel.) For helping with the awning, food and anything else I have missed. Thank-you everyone.
Sue & Merv
Future Happenings - Holiday Rally June 2008
The rally will be held at Port Eynon, one of the most picturesque beaches on the beautiful Gower Peninsula and it will run from 20 to 30 June
Carreglwyd Camping and Caravan Park is located just behind the beach, protected from the west by Port Eynon Point. Port Eynon is located on the southern shores of the Gower Peninsula about 20 miles west of Swansea and with easy access to all of the wonderful Gower beaches, the castles and the spectacular coastal scenery.
It is hard to imagine a more picturesque location, tucked away at the end of the road with the headland and the beaches surrounding three sides of the camp site. All of the Gower beaches are within about 30 minutes drive from the site and the pretty Mumbles village, which is well worth a visit with its castle, shopping, pier and lighthouse are also about 30 minutes away.
The price will depend upon the number of units attending the rally but is expected to be in the order of £15 per unit per night. Booking forms are available from Steve and Margaret and bookings will have to close on Sunday 17th February 2008.
Full details of the proposed programme will be available later this year, but the emphasis will be on a relaxing holiday and an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful scenery. We are looking at a couple of half day coach trips and a boat trip to view the scenery and wild life of the National Trust coast around Worms Head.
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Heart of England Club Logo Wear
We are pleased to be able to offer members a small range of Heart of England Logo Wear.
We have added a couple of other items to our range of club logo wear for the summer season. These are a tee shirt in white or red at £10 each and a red base ball style cap at £8.
The fleeces, polo shirts and sweat shirts all remain available as do two very lovable and cuddly teddy bears, both with their Heart of England jumper.
Each purchase makes a small contribution to the club funds. More details from Steve and Margaret.
Future Happenings - Holiday Rally June 2009
The current plan is to stay at Camping Burg Lahneck in Lahnstein, near Koblenz , Germany for 12 nights and 2 nights at Chateau Du Gandspette near St Omer on the way back to break the journey before the ferry.
The site is located just south of Koblenz and it sits on top of one of the escarpments overlooking the river Rhine just outside Lahnstein. This means that there are fantastic views and stunning scenery as the site overlooks the beautiful Rhine and the Castle Burg Lahneck. The views are excellent and at night the vista just gets better. Being located near the river means that riverboats can be used instead of buses and cars. Everything we need is on or next to the site. The facilities on site are spotless. There is a short climb up to the site on a very good road from the river and the area is convenient for visiting all the little towns along the river e.g. Rudesheim, St Goer, Boppard to name a few, whilst getting to know more about this wine-growing area. Castle Burg Lahneck is open to visitors.
We would like to organise a wine tasting, restaurant meals and maybe a river trip down the Rhine or Moselle, depending on what you are interested in. It has also been suggested we could have a champagne breakfast one morning.
To express interest or get more information please contact Sue and Merv.
What is a Senior Citizen?
A senior citizen is one who was here before the pill, television, frozen foods, contact lenses, and credit cards…. and before man walked on the moon
For us “time sharing” meant togetherness, not holiday homes
A “chip” meant a piece of wood. “Hardware” meant nuts and bolts, and “software” wasn’t even a word.
We got married first, then lived together and thought “cleavage” was something that butchers did.
A “stud” was something that fastened a collar to a shirt, and “going all the way” meant staying on a double-decker to the bus depot.
We thought “fast food” was what you ate during Lent.
A “Big Mac” was an oversized raincoat and “crumpet” was what you had toasted for tea.
In our day “grass” was mown, “pot” was something you cooked in, “coke” was kept in the coal house, and a “joint” was cooked for lunch on Sunday.
We are today’s senior citizens. A hardy bunch when you think about how the world has changed!!
By Anon
Future Happenings – Christmas Dinner 2007
The first Heart of England Christmas Dinner will be taking place on Saturday 1st December at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Rugby/Northampton. I am pleased to confirm that the dinner night has now been booked for those members who requested places and or accommodation at the hotel. Menu selections will need to be made a little nearer the date of the dinner.
Thinking of you
There are a few members who are not enjoying the best of health at present or are waiting for operations. I know that I speak for all the members in sending you our best wishes for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you soon.
Margaret
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