NEWS

You can now vote for your 2021 Handbook Cover, via the club Facebook Group. Voting will close Sunday 25th October 2020. Any votes cast after this date will not be  counted. The winning cover will be announced on the Facebook Group.                    ...

The nominations for the 2020/21 committee have now closed. The final list of nominations can be found here...

With less than a week to nominations closing the list as at Monday 28th September can be found here. We have an experienced volunteer for the Treasurer role for the next year, so if you are interested in the role but don't feel you have the right experience, why not join the committee and learn the role. At present we are still running committee reports, not yet face to face meetings, and new input and ideas are welcomed. Please consider supporting us for 2021.  ...

Further updates regarding rallies, AGM's and the Test & Trace QR codes have been received from the club and can be read using the following links. Covid Secure Guidance for Rallies ver 1.7 AGM Guidance for Centres, Divisions and Regions 2020 v1.2 QR Codes - Test and Trace...

NOTICE FOR ALL SUFFOLK CENTRE MEMBERS AGM MEETING 2020   Following consultation with the Club the Committee has taken the decision that for 2020 the AGM meeting will have to change in the way that it is operated.  This will now be run as a closed meeting – Centre and Club members will not be able to attend.  This does not mean that members will not be able to take part and have their say. Members will have differing views on this course of action, which we appreciate, but times are not normal and we feel in this way all our Centre members will have the opportunity to be involved and remain safe, not just those who may have attended a face to face meeting.   The following will now apply: DATE AND PARTICIPANTS OF AGM As Trinity Park is unable to host our AGM due to current restrictions, and subsequently the rally, our AGM meeting will now be held onSunday 18th October at which those...

Dear all After the Government’s announcement that new legislation will come into effect on Monday 14 September limiting social gatherings to six people, the general Rule of Six principle is that if you are operating in accordance with current Covid-secure guidance (as rallies are) you will be able to continue doing as you are currently, provided that individual groups obey the Rule of Six. Scotland have followed suit with this legislation, and Wales have since announced that the Rule of Six will apply indoors. It is really important that all aspects of the rally follow the Covid secure guidance previously issued. There should still be no social gatherings on the rally, however groups of up to six may mix (this does not apply to individual households or support bubbles of more than six, who will still be able to gather together). The Rally Officer/Marshal must continue to collect data for NHS Test and Trace purposes. Please ensure that you have a copy of the...

We have just been advised that the rally at Hallowtree Scout Camp by the Anglia Region over 13 to 15 November is being cancelled and we believe contact will be made with all those booked on. They hope that their AGM will be held that weekend, but they are still in discussion as to how this will take place and will let everyone know in due course....

AGM 2020. As members will no doubt be aware the next major issue for us will be the AGM. The meeting itself is currently under discussion with an announcement hopefully to be made shortly but what we can confirm is that the rally as advertised in the handbook has been cancelled. We have been advised the venue at Trinity Park will not be available. J Dobson, Secretary...

With AGM rapidly approaching, we understand that the post for Treasurer of the Centre will be vacant, as Mark Terry will not be standing for this position for 2021. If anyone is interested, please contact Mark for full details of what is involved. Please consider this as it is one of the vital positions we need to fill....

We have sadly been advised that another rally has been cancelled. The marshals of Octoberfest at Hallowtree are really sorry and will be getting in touch with all those booked on. Hopefully we may see this in the book next year....

Club Update. We have now received further information on the Risk Assessments required by the Club before a rally is run that will give further information to members and Rally Marshals. Other Centres, like ourselves, have obviously been querying what we are supposed to do and I hope the information will be helpful to everyone.  Any questions please email me at secretary@suffolkcentre.co.uk. Latest Club Update. Thanks. J Dobson, Secretary...

We have received a message from the Club. It may not concern us for rallies but may be useful for those members off on their travels or visiting family and friends. Message from the Club states: The latest guidance is here. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-of-england-local-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do If rallies are run in these areas, There should NOT be any mixing of households within vans or awnings (or any enclosed areas). If you are staying within the affected area you must avoid socialising with people indoors. When in outside areas, in line with the national guidance for England, you can continue to meet in public outdoor spaces in groups of no more than six people, unless the group includes only people from two households. If you are a Club member who resides in one of the affected areas, you are still able to attend a rally in another location, but must continue to observe the rally covid-secure and social distancing protocols in full. We will continue to update members...

This is the current state of play on rallies today, 27th July 2020, and we hope they now explain to all members what will be involved moving forward. On 21st July we received information from the Club about restarting rallies from the 7th August, but attached to that were forms that Centres would now have to submit before a rally could take place. The Centre Committee felt there were issues that needed to be dealt with and all our concerns were raised to them.  We were therefore at that time not in a position to fully inform members and giving the right information is paramount. The Club undertook a Zoom exercise among the Centres also.  The Club have now responded and we are now able to publish a copy of what we have received. As you can see this will impact on not only the few remaining rallies for this year but also going forward into rallies for 2021. Attached are: Initial Email of 21st July from...

Club update 27 July 2020. As already told to members Centres can look at restarting rallies from 7th August. We also received specific Risk Assessment forms for rally and Covid precautions, some questions for which raised severe concerns for the committee and members, and showing due concern for everyone, these points were questioned. In order to keep members fully informed, as we have tried to do all along, this is to let you know we have today received a response from the Club. The response is lengthy and detailed and will take a short while to go through to understand what this will mean for us all - members and marshals. All the information we have received from the Club, and copies of forms, will be published shortly on the Centre website as this will concern rally marshals for 2021 also. Look for "what is new" on the website and this should take you to the page you want. Please bear...

We have sadly, and reluctantly, been informed that another of our rallies has now been cancelled. The marshals of "Up high and down low" at Fowlmere Village Hall, weekend 18 to 20 September are really sorry and will be getting in touch with all those booked on. Hopefully we may see this in the book next year as it would have been a new venue for us in 2020....

The Centre committee has now been advised by the Club that rallies can re-commence from Friday 7th August 2020.  The date has been given with a very large HOWEVER at the end of the sentence, with very strict guidelines associated with the operation of any rally, which need to be carefully considered before deciding if we have the confidence to proceed with a rally. They have summarised the Government guidelines in allowing a gathering of more than 30 people, on the basis that: 1.       The gathering must have been organised by a business 2.       The person responsible for organising the gathering has carried out a very detailed risk assessment (**The risk assessment must satisfy the requirements of regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999(1), whether or not the gathering organiser is subject to those Regulations - this is therefore an equivalent risk assessment to that which is conducted within a workplace with employees) 3.       The gathering organiser has taken all reasonable measures to...

Norfolk Centre rallies. We now understand from the Norfolk Centre that they have cancelled July rallies as instructed by the Club but have also cancelled all their rallies for August....

As the committee look ahead to the AGM in October, and the possibility of not much time for everyone to meet up, we have looked at another way members could get nominations in order to stand for committee for 2021. An electronic form has been put together and can be found on the AGM page. Nominations will be accepted by this or the form in the handbook. We are waiting for Club guidance on the actual running of the AGM meeting and will update members as soon as we hear further. All posts are open for nominations and if any questions please just ask. Janet Dobson, Secretary...

The third newsletter of 2020 has arrived! Keep up with the latest news and rally reports via the Suffolk Centre Newsletter. The May 2020 edition includes the following: Committee Reports Important membership updates from the secretary A little light humour to brighten even the dullest day Our Vice-chairman would like to hear from you Find the latest edition here...

UPDATE FOR MEMBERS 29TH JUNE 2020 Following on from the Government announcement recently that the Club would be able to look at opening its sites and CLs from the 4th July, there had been no firm announcement with regard to the Centres of the Club and rallying.  A protocol document had been received by us earlier which led to the decision that we could not meet the requirements and the Centre Committee cancelling all rallies in our programme for July and August. Following the Government latest update, we subsequently received a message from the Club that due to issues raised in the announcement they were putting all Centres into a “holding” position and would update us further, and this is what was received today. It would appear that there was an unexpected provision factored into the guidance about “meeting up” which stated it would be illegal for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place.  This was stressed because this provision will...

The committee has received further information from CAMC HQ today (29th June) which they will need time to work through, so please bear with us. What we can tell members is, is that there is NO date as yet for rallies to re-start and in fact the Club has withdrawn the exemption certificate for all Centres (under which rallies can run) for the month of July. We have instructions that all rallies for this month are to be cancelled. Rallies due August onwards will be discussed by them on 20th July. We understand this is due to legal implications....

We have been advised that the Tangham campsite at Rendlesham is not opening at all this year. Therefore, we are very sad to announce that the Autumn Mists rally 24th-27th September has been cancelled. The marshals will be in touch will be in touch with everyone who has booked on....

We  have been advised that North Essex Centre are cancelling all of their August rallies, therefore the invitation to the Chairladys Charity Rally over the August Bank Holiday, which is in our program, has also been cancelled....

The Suffolk Committee has had to make some very hard decisions having received updated information from the Club on Covid-Secure Guidance. The whole nature of a rally will be altered and there will be many aspects that can not go ahead such as social gatherings – even flagpole. The wellbeing and safety of all our members is our first consideration. A rally is a sociable event, we are sociable people, and so we have taken the hard decision to cancel all Suffolk rallies for July and August 2020. A full statement from the committee, with a summary of the guidance can be read here...

To those of you who may have seen the update on the Club website and the many comments in social media groups, nothing has changed from the post on here of 8th June, below. No actual date has been given by Government for caravan parks/sites etc. as yet. As a Centre, we will have to wait for specific information/guidelines and look at each rally still in the programme, to make sure it is viable and all requirements can be followed. All our venues are different. All we do know is that we will be asked to follow social distancing and social gathering restrictions. Some Centres have already cancelled their programmes for July, some August and some possibly further ahead. As soon as we know more, so will you. We have received some brief information from the Club to Centres to update the current position. The Club is working towards a possible re-open date of 4 July in line with the Governments...

We are sad to report that we have received information that of our past ralliers - Frank Colbear  passed away on 31st May. Frank and Connie rallied for many years with the Centre and was also a marshal on many of the rallies. Our thoughts are with his family and friends....

We are sorry to have to inform members that the Whiskey Galore rally 10th to 12th July has now been cancelled. The marshals will be contacting everyone booked on the rally and are sorry not to be able to run it this year....

We are sad to report that we have received information on two of our past ralliers - Len and Dorothy Theadom. We understand that Dorothy passed away on 28th April at 90 years old, followed by her husband Len in hospital on 10th April at 92 years old. Len and Dorothy rallied for many years with the Centre, records show over 300 rallies, and our thoughts are with their family and friends. We have been advised that if any of our members wish to leave a message of condolences, they can do that on the funeral directors website, which is www.gwinnell.co.uk You can also go direct to their condolence page by clicking here     ...

We are sorry to have to inform members that the Nowton Park rally due 24 to 26 July has now been cancelled. There were various factors we had to consider.  The marshals will be contacting everyone booked on the rally and are sorry not to be able to run it this year....

We have been informed that the Debenham Music Festival for 2020 has been cancelled. Therefore the Centre rally running alongside this event has also been cancelled and we understand the marshals will be making contact shortly with all those booked on the event/rally....

No doubt we are all wondering what will happen next following the announcements this past weekend. As yet nothing "official" has come through to the Centre but there is updated information on the Clubs own website. I am sure once the Club has digested the new guidance and what it means for us as a whole we will be told, and information will be passed onto members as soon as we hear. Janet Dobson Secretary...

We are sorry to have to inform members that the Crowfield rally due 3 to 5 July (Independence Day) has now been cancelled. There were various factors we had to consider, plus the committee at the Village Hall have now told us that all such bookings have been cancelled for the rest of the year. The marshals will be contacting everyone booked on the rally and are sorry not to be able to run it this year....

Whilst we don't know when we will be allowed to rally again, the marshal's for the Anglo-Saxon rally 3rd-5th July, had an agreement with the site to confirm numbers by a certain date, which they are unable to do. Therefore they have had to make the difficult decision to cancel this rally....

It is with great sadness that we have to pass on a message that has been received from Ian Button. He has advised us that John Eves has sadly passed away in the last few days, our thoughts are with the families and friends at this time. Further information will be published when it is received.    ...

The second newsletter of 2020 has arrived! Keep up with the latest news and rally reports via the Suffolk Centre Newsletter. The May 2020 edition includes the following: Committee Reports A little light entertainment Presentation of marshals Hi-Vis Vests from Birchwood Caravan Services Ltd Presentation of charity funds raised for East Anglian Air Ambulance Find the latest edition here...

It is with great sadness that we have to pass on a message that has been received from Trevor Hook (a past chairman). He has advised us that sadly Ken Fordham who was a Centre Vice Chairman, passed away at 4 p.m 28/04/2020. Further information will be published when it is received....

The Suffolk Centre has launched its official Facebook page and closed group.  This page and group is for Suffolk Centre members to keep in contact with the centre and for the centre to pass on any news or information that might be of interest to it’s members.  Please ensure you follow the Facebook page. The group is limited to Suffolk Centre members and will run alongside the existing “Friends  Of “ Facebook group. All paid members, with a valid email address, should be receiving an email inviting them to join the group and follow the Facebook page. When requesting to join the closed group, please ensure you provide your membership number and confirm acceptance of the rules, failure to complete these will delay acceptance of your joining request. If you have not received the email then please search for ‘Suffolk Centre, Caravan and Motorhome Club’. The Facebook page will then give you an option to join the closed group. In the event you encounter any...

*****UPDATE******** We have been advised that the email system should be working again. If anyone experiences any issues making contact, then please advise any committee member so that it can be investigated further. Please note that the Centre email addresses have stopped working. We have reported this to the service provider, Hostings UK, who are working to re-instate the service as soon as possible. However we have been advised that in the current climate, it could be several days before the issue is resolved. If you need to contact one of the club officers please use their phone number that can be found in the rally book....

The Suffolk Centre committee has now received guidance from the centre advising that no Club rallies are to be held until after 30th June 2020. Therefore the following rallies are being cancelled, Flixton, Tattingstone, French Holiday, Bromeswell and Clare Priory. All those booked to attend will be contacted by the marshals involved....

 The Caravan and Motorhome Club has now announced closure of all it's sites, including CL's, with immediate effect until 30th June 2020.  Those with future bookings will be contacted.  Arrangements will be made with those on site re their departure. A full notice is on the Club's website.  As yet we wait to hear on outcome for the Club's Centres....

The Suffolk Centre committee has now received information on the Club/Rallies.  We understand that the National event, end of May, has been cancelled and those attending will be contacted in due course.  The Club site network remains open and they are not advising, at this time, that rallies should be cancelled.  However, all social events associated with a rally should not proceed – anything such as a Dinner Dance or other form of social gathering should be cancelled or postponed.  All meetings in enclosed spaces (such as committee meetings) are to be postponed.  This we have done but will arrange reports via email to keep members updated. However, whether a rally should run or not is being left to Centres, and taking advice, looking at the current Government advice, what other Centres are doing, Suffolk Committee has taken the very hard decision to cancel all rallies in our programme to the weekend of 1st June.  This will involve:  Peewit at Felixstowe, Forest Camping at Tangham, VE Day at...

Due to the low number of people attending and the costs involved in hiring the hall and entertainment. The Marshalls have made the difficult decision to cancel this rally. The Marshalls are currently contacting those centre members that were due to attend....

The first newsletter of 2020 has arrived! Keep up with the latest news and rally reports via the Suffolk Centre Newsletter. The March 2020 edition includes the following: Rally report from the 1st Rally Of The Year Rally report from Burns Supper Rally Rally Report from Valentines Rally Report from Natter & Chatter Details of Forthcoming Rallies Presentation of charity funds raised for East Anglian Air Ambulance Find the latest edition here...

Details of all the sporting and non-sporting competitions that will be held at this year’s National at Belvoir, have been released. The Activities and Competitions 2020 document can be found here. The President’s Cup will, once again, be awarded to the Centre gaining most points awarded for their members’ participation in these activities and competitions.  Teams for most competitions can be made up at the event – other groups and individuals that would like to take part will be made into teams whenever possible – everyone is welcome. ...

Are you looking for the Rally Slips on the website and unable to find them? Whatever page you are on, if you scroll to the very bottom, you will find a link to the rally slips under More Links in the green banner. Alternatively you can find them by clicking here...

We are sorry to advise that The Great Escape Rally at  Blaxhall Village Hall, 1st-3rd May 2020 has been cancelled...

It is with deep sadness that we have to advise that Jan Fitch passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th January at 17.30. She was diagnosed with cancer in December 2019. Jan's funeral will take place at Weeley Crematorium, Essex on Thursday 13th February at 3.30pm. It was Jan's wish that black is not necessarily to be worn. Our thoughts are with Paul and his family at this very sad time....

It is with deep sorrow that we inform you about the death of  Ken Syzling, who passed away peacefully yesterday. Known by many members, Ken was a regular attendee on the rally field and supporter of the  centre for many years. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time. Ken's funeral will be held at the West Suffolk Crematorium, Bury St Edmunds, on Tuesday 18th February 2.30pm. Then afterwards at Three Kings, Fornham All Saints, Bury St Edmunds. Donations in memory of Ken, can be made to the Suffolk Punch Trust....

These are now in the process of being despatched but we have several different ways of getting your copy to you this year so please be patient while we work through everyone. The program is on the website as well. If you haven't had your copy by mid January then please let me know. Please check spam boxes to make sure you have not missed any notification from us as well - especially Rally Marshals as your  information has gone out to you via email.  Many thanks Janet Dobson Secretary...

Plans are well underway for the meeting Sunday 20th October. You will only be able to sign in if you are registered, if unsure then please ask Janet Dobson. Tea and coffee will be served, so don't forget to bring your own mugs with you....

Nominations for next years committee have now closed. Details of nominees for next years committee can be viewed here ...

Entries for the front cover of the 2020 handbook should be sent to me as soon as possible please. All photos must be in portrait layout only taking into account the normal wording that goes on each year. Please either post your entry size A5 or email me at rallysec@suffolkcentre.co.uk. Entries to be judged at the AGM. Alan Dobson Rally Secretary...

Thank you from the Guide Dogs, for the proceeds of the Charity Breakfast at the Chairman's Rally in Newmarket  2nd August 2019 Guide Dogs Donation letter...

Reminder to all that our AGM is Sunday 20th October at Trinity Park in Ipswich.  I have received notification of registered members and please note if you joined after 14th September you are most welcome to come along but cannot sign in or speak/vote.  For those August renewals who have not renewed to the Centre yet - quite a few of you - your details will have gone void by this time.  Please check your membership of the Centre with either myself or the Club.  I cannot renew Centre membership only through the Club. Nominations for committee are due to me by noon Sunday 6th October.  Any committee member can explain to you what is involved and new members with ideas are most welcome. View current nominations here. Janet Dobson Secretary  ...

It is with great sadness that the committee announces that Peter Wilson has tendered his resignation as Vice-Chairman. Peter's wife, Ineke, has recently been suffering from poor health and Peter feels he need to concentrate his efforts on looking after her for the foreseeable future.  The Committee wish them both the very best and look forward to seeing them back on a rally field soon....

Thank you from the Guide Dogs, for the proceeds of the Giant Teddy raffled at at the 20-19 in 2019 Tangham Rally 10-17th May 2019 Guide Dogs Donation letter...

The rally marshal's have advised that, due to limited interest , it will not be viable for this rally to proceed. Therefore, the decision has been made to cancel this years rally. Please contact the rally marshal's for further information....

Nominations for the 2019/20 committee. Nominations for the 2019/20 committee are now being accepted. Please ensure all nominations are received by the Centre Secretary, Mrs J Dobson, no later than noon 14 days before the AGM. Incomplete or late nominations cannot be accepted. View current nominations here....

Some ralliers have recently been asking about flagpole and its purpose. Flagpole is the name given to the informal gathering that takes place at each rally. This is an opportunity for all the ralliers to assemble and publicly thank the Marshals. Each rally only takes place due to people volunteering to give up their time for the benefit of other members. Therefore please take this opportunity to show the Marshals your appreciation. This is also your opportunity to hear the latest news and updates on club activities. Flagpole is usually conducted by a senior Committee Member who is on the rally.  ...

Presentation of Centre donation by Chairman Gary Pyett to East Anglian Air Ambulance... more>>...

Due to some marshals retiring and steady demand, the Centre Committee are looking for volunteers to help us run more rallies in 2020. We already have some fresh ideas and events planned and would like to involve more members in the running of the Centre programme. It would be great to use some of the venues from past years and also explore new places and ideas. We have lots of contacts and all the support necessary to help you run an event however small in 2020. If you are a Suffolk Centre member and would like to be a Rally Marshal, or just prefer helping another Marshal run a Rally, please speak to our Rally Secretary or any Committee member and they will put you in touch with the Rally Secretary....

New rally slips have been designed for 2019. Please ensure that you use the new slips and destroy any old versions. You can rally without Suffolk membership, Suffolk Rally slips can be used but where it says centre it should be completed as Club Member....

The 2019 programme is now available and you are able to book on to all 2019/20 events listed. Click here to view the 2019 programme....

Are you aware of the centres rules when attending rallies? Ignorance is not an excuse, make sure you are up to date. Check the centre rules.... HERE...

More information will become available in the New Year, check the dates in your diary and join us at Ragley Hall, Park and Gardens. The National...

Following the AGM on 14th October 2018 your new team have now been appointed...  Click here to view the Suffolk Centre Officers and Committee ...

At our AGM in October 2018 mention was made of the use of splitters where EHU is available on rallies. After further discussion and with the advice from our Anglia Region this is to make members aware that connecting cables and splitters are not to be used on the rally field. The following has come from Club office. “The Clubs stance regarding the compliance with the ‘Electrical Wiring Regulations’ and the updated requirements is that a cable supplying a caravan must be of one single length, without any connections (including splitters).  These rules are the current wiring regulations and information is also stated in the Sites Directory, that no cable connections joining two or more cables together are permitted. Guests are welcome to have an electric cable plugged in from their outfit into their awning, like many do for heaters etc.” This applies to both members and marshals as sometimes sites allow marshals access to an electric point, which is useful for...

Presentation of Centre donation by Past Lady Chairman Janice Kent... more>>...

We have a long list of tips and ideas to read and enjoy... more>> ...

What to expect from a rally...more>>...