New Year Celebration Rally

2015 New Year’s Rally at Trinity Park in Ipswich.

To Jan and Paul and to all their supporters. We just wanted to say a great big thank you to you all for a tremendous rally over the New Year.

From the word go, there was treat after treat. We arrived to set up on the Sunday after an unintended tour of the Europark industrial area! We had a good level pitch on grass with electrics which was a bit temperamental for the first 24 hours but even that provided a topic of conversation as we met up with other caravaners.

We were a bit slow setting up – we were the ones with an awning- so we got to the hall late but it was lively with conversation as auld acquaintances were renewed. We paid our fees and received our programme.

The evening saw sleigh racing as four different “volunteers” for each race pulled Father Christmas sleighs across the floor. We all made a quick assessment of form and went to the Tote to place our bets.

On the Monday we visited a local Supermarket for breakfast and some shopping and had a restful afternoon in the caravan. The formal Dinner on the Monday was superb as we abandoned our fleeces and Crocs for Dinner Jackets and posh frocks. What a transformation. We were allocated to a table of eight and got on so well with new found friends that we stayed as a group for the remaining events.

We were so impressed with the lovely three course meal, particularly so because the marshals and helpers did it all themselves; we had (naively perhaps) assumed there would be caterers. We had also assumed that the included wine would involve a glass or perhaps two at the most but it kept flowing.

Afterwards, there was dancing to a tribute band for The Blues Brothers who we had seen before at the AGM Rally and who were very very good. There was some very lively dancing and even some on stage singing contributions from ralliers.

We had never attended a Chinese Auction before and this was held on the Tuesday afternoon and that was great fun. Fluffy toys seemed particularly desirable and were claimed and reclaimed time after time. It ended on a wonderful note when the final winner of the large fluffy tiger (a young man) gave it away to a less young lady who had so lovingly held the tiger more than once only to have it snatched away. What a true gentleman. Tuesday night saw another live band who were good although the drummer was at times perhaps a little over enthusiastic.

Wednesday afternoon saw cash bingo which kept us all very quiet as we concentrated. However, the highlight for us all was the afternoon tea in the interval. There was a wonderful variety of thinly sliced sandwiches, cakes and scones, surely a presentation to match a classy hotel. The plates were all empty on our table although one couple were still set on having their stew and dumplings evening meal.

Flagpole started the evening followed by a raffle with an impressive array of prizes. The evening disco was very lively with lots of variety. There were many varied costumes on the theme “Superheroes”. Particularly impressive was Mrs Pankhurst, Rod Stewart and the Ninja turtles from Essex. The stroke of midnight came all too soon and after the usual celebrations we partied on. We don’t recall a more enjoyable New Year.

We really appreciate how much hard work this all took and are very grateful to you all. Please can we book for next year?

Maurice and Joan

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Leap into the New Year…

Anyone attending rally’s at home or abroad marshalled by Paul, Jan and their team will have come to expect a difficult to exceed standard of excellence together with clockwork organisation and precision timing akin to tranquil ducks moving gently through water. We not privy to behind scene activity have no idea how fast those little legs below water must thrash in order to achieve such excellent results.

This year’s New Year rally was no exception and a tribute to all involved. From the power supply flashing like the best of Christmas lights to the lucrative sleigh racing and the rally team cooked and served black-tie dinner.

It was soon time to meet all those favorite, and throughout the year regularly seen peg prizes being recycled. The ‘‘surely someone will want this 20 year old analog big buttoned DVD remote controller complete with corroded batteries’’ fun afternoon, better known as the amazing Chinese Auction! Fun it was.

Next, the ‘‘some could settle their credit cards but most wouldn’t’’, afternoon of Bingo. Very good it was also, but not as good as the afternoon tea and sandwiches with no crusts!

Finally, it was time to see the New Year in as Super Hero’s. Well, perhaps from me, the less said the better, except to say that those who didn’t see the New Year in with this remarkable four day event, didn’t see the New Year in!

Ron Johnson