THE MOTOR CARAVANNERS' CLUB

Saturday afternoon, Ruth & Bryan Parkin taught line and Partner dancing to an enthusiastic group.

I apologise for the quality of the pictures. I forgot my decent camera, and my cheap pocket sized snapper didn't like the lighting!

Part of our table centres for the National Rally was on display, and we used it to highlight our raffle prizes. The raffle was drawn by our youngest visitor, Thomas.

On Sunday morning we held our EGM to approve our now audited accounts for last year. We also co-opted Jeanette Boyce onto the committee. Jeane will take the Rally Coordinators job, much to the relief of Jack our Chairman, who was finding it too much. Thank you Jeane.

Dave & Vanessa

Thomas

doesn't he look great!

Ruth & Bryan taught several new dances: 123 waltz, which was a lovely dance; Nice Work; Stupidville, and Drinking bone Boogie for partners. We also had a refresher on Crystal Chandeliers, which is another easy partner dance.

You can download the dance sheets on our Dance Steps Page.

Our new, improved Banner (the old one was our welcome sign!) was carried by Sarah Cleverly & Pat Clarke followed by Brian & Ann Dilley; They dressed for the occasion as we all did, and as you can see they did us proud!

On Party night, we had the theme of "Wagon Train" for our tables. We had our Wagon's which Brian Dilley made for us down the centre of the tables, with some small lanterns, lots of drink and a little bit of food! (We took the Wagons down after a while, so every one could see across & down the tables).

We dressed in prairie dresses or as cowboy/girl, and had our "Trilogy Flags" at the end of our table for a big splash of colour.

We were pleased to welcome 3 new members to our group; Barry & Debbie Groom, Ray & Sue Everett, and James & Rose Beer.

On Friday morning we gathered for coffee outside our vans, and got to know each other as we had Sid & Josie Taylor, Roger & Val Burge and John & Lucie Sumnall-Campbell rallying with us for the first time.

We were kept busy attending Groups conferences, the AGM and Members meeting, as well as the fun things like the dog show, where our dog Max won a rosette for 2nd place as "Most Handsome Dog". On Monday the Country & Western Group taught Partner & Line dancing to an enthusiastic group of dancers. Our thanks to Margaret Gratton who taught us "Stompin it out" & "Jailhouse Creole". Ruth & Bryan Parkin taught us 3 partner dances, "Rebel Strutt", "Crystal Chandeliers" & "Drinking Bone Boogie". Thank you Ruth & Bryan. It wasn't easy, as we had no microphone and had to compete with the noise from the Penny Arcade which was taking place along side us at the same time.

We also brushed up on "One step forward"; "Red hot Salsa" (at the insistence of Charlotte), "Stupidville" & "Ziggy" (danced to You are no Angel). We put most of them into practice on the dance floor over the course of the weekend.

The Banner at the closing ceremony was carried by Ann & Brian Dilley.

More pictures in our photo gallery.

Wednesday dawned bright and sunny as Jack, myself and Mel Harvey headed to Preston in Lancashire for our Country and Western rally. Brian & Ann Dilley were there before us, and we were glad we had arrived early as we needed to clean all the tables and chairs & sweep the floor before we started to decorate the hall. It was a good venue though, capable of taking many vans. We decided against using the kitchen area due to the four legged residents we discovered. We were given a great welcome by the owners and also by George and Mary, who acted as caretakers to the camping facilities. On asking George & Mary about buses to Garstang for a shopping trip the following day, George kindly offered to take us in his car. (Jack’s scooter included).

Bruce

Sunday morning came round too fast. Another hour in bed would have been nice! However, we had to vacate the premises by mid-day, so we soon got coffee morning under way. Sharon & Andy Carter won the quiz; Dave Pickford read out the answers to our motoring story, and kept dissolving into giggles as he did so! You were as entertaining as the quiz story Dave! We welcomed 11 first time visitors, and 2 new members, Charles & Joan Taylor.

Thank you to every one who helped clean and clear the hall. We really do appreciate the help.

MALVERN MOTORHOME SHOW

CONGRATULATIONS CHARLIE!

Charlie (in pink) won the best dressed Westerner at the Malvern Show.

Last year it was won by Country and Western members Val & Gordon.

Are you next?

26 vans camped out together from our group. For some of us it was an opportunity to top up the "western" wardrobe; for others it was an extravaganza of entertainment, with displays by Lonestar, a western re-enactment group depicting scenes such as "The Gold Miner's Revenge"; "Gunfight at OK Corral"; & "Whiskey & Wild Women". American West performed traditional and modern Native American Indian dances, as well as demonstrating teepee construction, and living history. In the food court we were entertained by our very own Bob Oakley, as well as Clive John, who later sang as part of the Johnny Cash Tribute Roadshow, and The Original Backroom Boys, who played fiddle and guitar.

It was a good weekend, but very tiring. We had a positive response from the MCC recruiting stand. Brian Dilley dressed up each day & drew attention to us. – Our photo board was there too. Brian enjoyed himself, and it slowed down his spending, - although he did buy himself a Winchester!

Back to Top

Ruth caused a stir. She arrived "dressed" for the evening in a nice long skirt. On a complaint that we couldn't see her feet, she whipped her skirt off! Thankfully she had a shorter one on underneath!

Sunday morning, and it was time for our AGM. Kate Jones represented Council of Management. Sadly David Gall, our treasurer since concept, resigned due to failing health. The good news is, David has agreed to remain on committee to guide us in the right direction. Many thanks to David, & his wife Kay for the help they have given us. Jeane Boyce resigned as Rally Bookings Coordinator to become our new treasurer. Thank you Jeane. We also welcomed back onto committee after a year in Korea, John McEvoy; and new committee members Andy Carter (Security); Sharon Carter; Mike Boyce (Security). - Their photos will appear on the committee page in due course. We have a larger committee than is probably normal, so that we have at least 5 members present at most, if not all rallies, in order to deal with any matter that need discussing.

Sadly, not many vans arrived at Hendra for the Cornish Blue grass Festival. Those who did make it enjoyed every minute.

There was a huge line up of artistes, performing during the day as well as Friday and Saturday nights. It was hard to choose where to go and who to see.

Included in the band line-up were: The Foggy Hogtown Boys from Canada, Corrine West and Doug Cox from America and Canada, from Germany L.Bow Grease and from Spain Lluis Gomez and the Joan Pau Cumellas Band. Top UK bands included: New Essex Bluegrass Band, Doghouse Central, Down Trodden String Band, Buffalo Gals, Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys and many others.

In the evening we made our way over to the Tavern Club, dressed in our finery. The theme for the evening was Tombstone & Crinoline. The Tavern laid on the mini bus, so we didn't get wet or blown away. Our artistes were the Lovely Vanessa, a great favourite of ours, who sang "Happy Birthday" to Joyce Hillsdon & Brian Clarke; plus Mickey Page. Both were very good; (Vanessa, the best we have ever heard her!). At the end of the evening, they sang a couple of duets, earning them a standing ovation.The dance floor was full all night. The "Big W" Country Western Club from Weston-Super-Mare performed a special Trilogy to finish the evening.

It was a very a very wild night, with heavy rain and gales, and most of us woke to ducks swimming around our pitches. All our "jobs" were done in the pouring rain, which stopped as we drove off site!