The site	Inside the hall

Thirteen units attended the rally at Donnington Park Hotel, not bad for this late in the year.  Electric hook-up was available for all, and did we need it.  It was the coldest weekend we have had this year.  Just about everyone switched the heating on as they arrived and didn't switch it off until they left.  It's nice to have a little comfort now and again.  It's not a bad site but quite boggy in places.  Only one got bogged down, I won’t name him but it's a good job I have a mover fitted to my caravan otherwise I'd have been there still.
Despite the very cold weather and biting wind the usual idiotic half dozen had to gather for a drink in the late afternoon.  No one had anything to Bar.B.Q. but they managed to talk John into lighting his just to have something to stand around.  Margaret took pity on them and supplied half a dozen sausages to cook and Jan came up with the bread and a bottle of sauce.  A hot sausage sandwich and a few beers went down very well and it didn't seem such a daft idea after all.
On the Friday evening a dozen or more of us met up in the piano room at the hotel.  We had a pleasant, warm comfortable evening, but the drink was very expensive which didn't encourage us to stay too long.
Saturday afternoon is, as usual, the shopping day, many visiting nearby Derby. A good idea this Park and ride saves a lot of messing about trying to find parking.
Prior to the social evening Debbie, our new leader, called a committee meeting.  She had a full agenda lined up, many things were discussed and decisions made.  She obviously intends the committee to take a full part in the running of the area.  She also wants anyone with ideas for rallies in 2010, especially new venues, with halls if possible, to have a word with her.  Let's giver her all the support we can.
By 7.30pm we had all gathered in the "Oak Room" This is one of the more comfortable rooms that we use.  Under floor heating, new chairs and with the added bonus of being able bring our own drink. This is sure to be one that we use again.    Ken and Colin were hosts for the weekend, assisted in no short measure by Ann and  Jan.  Ken called the first three games of bingo.  Then Janice, realising that his voice was about to give way offered to call the last two.  After the raffle the answers to this weeks quiz were read out.  Phyl won getting them all correct but one.  We finished the evening off with a good old fashion natter a few more drinks and then crawled out about midnight.

We don't have a coffee morning at Donnington we all have a brisk walk to the nearby Sunday Market.  On this particular occasion the weather was very cold and damp and the market was only about half its usual size but we had a good walk round and bought nothing.

Metal Mickey.

COPT OAK VILLAGE HALL
17^TH.TO 19^TH.OCTOBER 2008.
A.G.M.

Debbie Lee New Area 6 Organiser	Colin Hubbard Assistant Organiser

 It's A.G.M time again and this year we decided to move it back to Copt Oak village hall, hoping to get a better attendance, and we were not disappointed.  We had 19 units and three day visitors.  It shows that there is still a great deal of interest in the area.  Most of it due to Brian's past efforts as Organiser.
Dave and Debbie were hosts for the weekend and as it was Brian's last rally as Area Organiser they wanted to make it a good one.  They decided to make it a cheese and wine party. They spent all Saturday morning shopping for all the bits and bobs.
  The A.G.M. was set for 3pm. but Margaret was in the hall bright and early, with the kettle on to make sure that everyone had a cup of tea before we started.  It's these little thing that make a difference.
By 3pm the hall was full and the meeting was opened dead on time.  The Chairman apologised for the shortfall in the number of copies of the minutes of the last meeting and the Treasurers report but the attendance had exceeded our expectations and would they mind sharing with each other.
  After giving his Organisers Report Brian formally announced that he would not be standing for re-election. He thanked everyone for the help given during his term of office, especially to his wife Pauline for all the support she has given over the years. This brought a resounding applause from the floor, lasting quite some time indicating the strong feeling everyone has for them both.   John Iliffe had earlier made it known that he would be standing down as Assistant Organiser but would be willing to serve on the committee if required. He and Margaret have been Brian's side-kick for a good many years and it will be nice to see them on the committee. They must have a few years work left in them yet.
Phyl then gave her Treasurers report indicating that we were still viable, in the black, and ready to do some serious spending on the Christmas Party.
  The meeting was then open to the floor for general discussion. One member stated that he had heard comments that there were to many cliques in the club and some didn't like the system of saving places. It was pointed out that the word clique means exclusive group excluding others.  We don't have cliques but we do have groups of family and friends who like to be together you will always get this in any type of club or association.  Anyone can join in with any of the groups and be made welcome. Many often do.  Me for one.  On the social evenings we all start off in the so-called groups but by the end of the evening everyone has mingled together.  The majority didn't find this a problem.  In regard to the saving of places if the site is big enough with plenty of space there doesn't appear to be any problem.  If we are restricted for space, as at the Christmas Party, then each member is allocated a space as they arrive and everyone is quite happy with this arrangement.  One of our lady members hit the nail on the head, she said," I come with this club because I can come when I want to, I don't have to book in advance. I can park were I want to, within reason, do what I want to, providing it doesn't interfere with others.  Then I can leave when I want to." 

  The meeting than went on to the election of the club officials.  There were only one nomination for each post, the nominations were: -
Area Organiser.  DEBBIE LEE

Ass.Organiser.    COLIN HUBBARD

Treasurer             PHYL BOWMAR

Committee Members:-

JOHN ILIFFE,  KEN MERRICKS,  JANE HERTZIG,  COLIN RICHARDSON.

  All were voted in un-apposed.    The meeting was than closed.
  A great deal of healthy discussion carried on afterwards and Phyl dished out the Christmas invitations.
Before we all returned to the hall for the social evening the new organiser took her band of willing helpers into the kitchen to prepare the evening snack.  Dave did the job as M.C for the evening calling the bingo and running the raffle.  He doesn't sell the tickets he can't deal with money. We all then had a plate of cheese and biscuits washed down with wine. We had a good natter and did a lot of mingling.
  Many of the members stayed on till after midnight so that they could sing happy birthday to Stephanie on her sixteenth birthday.  They also sang it to her twin sister Chrissy even though she was unable to attend the rally.  It must have been well after 1am. Before we finally locked the hall door.

  At the 11am coffee morning Chris was presented with a box of chocolates for winning the quiz.  Debbie gave her first coffee morning speech, Stephanie had another session of happy birthday and we all went home happy in the knowledge that 
Area 6 is in safe hands for another year.

COLLINGHAM CRICKET CLUB
3^RD.TO 5^TH. OCTOBER 2008.

Ken with his mates	Metal Mickey shares his bottle of best Cognac

The days are getting shorter and the evenings are getting colder, so it is time to put away the club tents until next spring.  This is the time of the year when we start to use village halls and such like for our venues.  We become a little more civilised and get dressed up for our Saturday evening get together. It’s a change from wellies and overcoats. 

Our first autumn venue was the ever-popular Collingham Cricket Club. We have the use of the pavilion on both the Friday and Saturday evenings sixteen units attended, most arriving before lunchtime on Friday.  Ken re-appeared after a long absence due to his globetrotting and his veteran motorcycling. (He's the veteran not the motorcycle.)  The first thing he did was set up the Bar.B.Q.  This was 2pm in the afternoon and we don't light it until 5.30pm.  All he wanted to do was gather his mates together and stand around the unlit Bar.B.Q with a bottle in his hand.  In fact we got through several bottles before it was actually lit.  After his bottle of wine and a glass of Brandy with his meal he didn't make it into the hall on the Friday evening.  I wonder why?  Twenty or so of us gathered in the hall for a quiet drink and a natter, several making it last until about midnight.

Although the weather forecast had been for heavy rain and strong winds Saturday morning was sunny and quite warm. Mid-morning I was dragged off to the local wholesale warehouse in search of raffle prizes and by the time we arrived back at the site the wind had got up and was quite strong.  But this didn't stop Ken.  Late afternoon he found a sheltered spot and there he was with his Bar.B.Q.  This time we waited until he'd lit it before we got the bottles out.

In the evening we all congregated in the pavilion.  First off, half a dozen of the ladies went into the kitchen to start preparing the hot dogs and mushy peas for later in the evening.  Margaret and Stephanie sold the tickets and Ann and Chloe took charge of the Bingo board.  9pm. was suppertime then the raffle.  It was so nice to have plenty of room with warm and pleasant surroundings, most of us carried on until well after midnight.  By this time the forecast of heavy rain and strong winds had caught up with us and a few were getting concerned about towing the vans the following day.  They needn't have bothered because by Sunday lunchtime it was a lovely dry sunny day without a breath of wind.  Perfect towing conditions.

The next rally is at Copt Oak when again we have the use of a hall.  Saturday afternoon will be the A.G.M. when hopefully we will have a good turnout and vote in a new organiser and committee.

Metal Mickey.

THE END OF AN ERA

The weekend Rally at Sweethedges Farm marked the end of a very important era in the history of Area 6.  BRIAN TILDESLEY announced his intension of resigning as Area 6 Organiser as from the next A.G.M.

Brian has been a member of the Auto Camping Club for nearly 40 years and for at least 26 of these years he has been involved in the organising of the Area.  He has been Organiser, Assistant Organiser and Treasurer.  For the vast majority of that time he has been the organiser.  Whenever there has been a problem or a crisis Brian has taken over the helm and sorted it out.
Organiser have come and gone but Brian seems to go on forever.  During all this time Pauline has been by his side giving him support. 
 
I have never met anyone who is more dedicated to the ACC than Brian.

Brian and Pauline will continue to rally with the club and I am sure that if there is ever another crisis Brian will be on the front line helping out.

Enjoy your retirement and a good many more years rallying.

Mick Bowmar  (Metal Mickey)

SWEETHEDGES FARM
19^TH.TO 21^ST. SEPTEMBER 2008.

The site	Enjoy your coffee

It would appear that summer has returned.  The weather for the Sweethedges rally was perfect with lovely warm balmy days, although it did drop a little cool in the evenings, but still very pleasant.  We had a fair turnout considering that we still have quite a few away on holiday.  The site is quite nice and the grass is cut short, but it had only just been cut before we arrived and the cuttings were being carried into the van.  But you can't have everything.  The site slopes in just about every direction; I was only the third to arrive and had the pick of the field as to were I placed my van.  I moved it at least four times and made numerous skid marks before I got settled.  After over forty years of caravanning I was beginning to feel like a novice.  That is until Colin J. arrived he moved at least six times and created more skid marks than I did, so I didn't feel quite so bad.  Everyone else settled the first time, including Dave and Debbie and they arrived in the dark.   We erected only one of the club tents for the Friday evening giving just enough space for a dozen of us to sit and have a couple of drinks.

Saturday was another glorious day Howard, Barry and Jamie had found the fishing lake so that was them settled for the weekend, their better halves settling for a day basking in the sun.  An’t life great.  I settled for a day shopping in Stamford.  Some of us are born to be martyrs.  Late afternoon and out comes the Bar.B.Q's. and the beer.  We had a feeling that this may be the last chance this year to have an outdoor celebratory street party.  So out came the tables and the bottles of wine and fifteen of us sat down to a great party.  We sat there until almost dark then retired to the club tents for the usual Saturday evening get together.  Dave and Debbie did the bingo and Margaret and Auntie Maureen dealt with the raffle.Sunday was another lovely warm day; Phyl and Margaret prepared the tea and coffee.

Brian sat down to give his usual Sunday service, which was unusual, he normally stands.  After his little talk, it became obvious why he was sitting. He went on to read out a very emotional letter stating that after over 26 years on the organising side of the club he was stepping down as Organiser as from the next A.G.M.  He was hoping that someone younger would take over.  There wasn't a dry eye in the house. No one could speak.  You could taste the emotion in the air.  Brian and Pauline are to carry on rallying and will be on hand to give help and advice if needed. True to form Brian has finalised all the rallies for 2009.  He never leaves a job half done.

 Metal Mickey.

WEST STOCKWORTH
SEPT 2008

   HEAVY RAIN SLUDGE AND MUD EVERYWHERE.  -   CARS AND VANS SKIDDING.  - PADDLING MUD INTO THE VANS.  -   NO WHERE TO GO AND NOTHING TO DO.   -   ANYONE WHO MISSED THIS RALLY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING.  -   BIG CLEANING-UP JOB WHEN WE GOT HOME.  -   
  -NO PHOTO'S TAKEN.  -    THIS ONE BEST FORGOTTEN.

Coffee morning	It was a close call

The Thursday club strikes again, this time we had seven units arriving on the Thursday. Many of them stopping until Tuesday, making it a full five nights. 

All together we had seventeen units attend the August Bank Holiday rally at Chapel St. Leonards.  Not a bad turn out, but then where else can you get a seaside site over the bank holiday period for six pound per night.  We had a large well-cut field all to our self with easy access to the beach, Skegness, Mablethorpe and Inglemells and plenty of room for the kids to play without causing any trouble I'm surprised that more don’t come.

We had quite reasonable weather. We had a little wind and a little rain but mostly it was dry and warm.  We managed several Bar.B.Q's and had most of our meals outside.  The club tents were put up but they didn't get used much most did their own thing except for Saturday evening when we had the usual social gathering hosted by Colin and Mandy.  Mandy called the bingo and Colin did the rest.  They had a competition about films I had a look at it but couldn't understand it.  Then again I have only been to the cinema three times in the last thirty-five years and one of them occasions was this week when I was persuaded to go and see "Mamma Mia" in Skegness.  I wouldn't admit it to everybody but I quite enjoyed it.  On the other hand Phyl knew all the answers and won the prize.  Now I know were she goes to when she goes into Nottingham every day.

Most left by Tuesday but a couple of us went onto the small site with electric hook-up facilities and recharged our battery prior to carrying on to Chatsworth House.  Half a dozen of us spent the following weekend at the Chatsworth Country Festival. In the early hours of the first morning we almost got our caravans crushed by low flying hot air balloons.  They had taken off at dawn only a few hundred feet away, couldn't get any lift and landed within a few feet of our vans. The noise of the gas burners woke me up; I looked out and saw Margaret in her shorty nightdress taking photos.  I've got a lovely photo of her, if you want to see it, and many more look on Area 6 web site.  www.acceastmidlands.co           

Metal Mickey

HAYES FARM, NEWSTEAD
8TH TO 10TH. AUGUST 2008

The canopy is bigger than the van	Having a drink with an old friend

We usually get a fair turnout at Hayes Farm and despite many still being on holiday, this year was no exception.  The Thursday Club did quite well, six units arrive early, and a further eight came on the Friday.  Fourteen units is not bad for early August.  The site has 6 electric hook-ups.  These were taken very quickly by the early birds but with a the use of a couple of splitters we managed to get most connected.  
To start with the weather was quite good. Both Thursday and Friday evenings we were able to sit outside to have our meal.  In fact Brian and I sat out with a bottle till well after midnight, then it started to rain.
Friday lunch time John and Margaret arrived showing off their new sun canopy. (I didn't know that you could buy one for toy caravans.)  I've never seen one fitted to an Eriba before.  It has to be bolted to the side of the van and they are very expensive.  Margaret said that John was almost in tears as he put his hand in his wallet.  Never mind John it looks very nice and worth whatever you paid for it.
The weather must have been fine because at Bar.B.Q. time Phyl was dishing out Pimms, and you only drink them when the weather is fine.  We must be moving up-market.  About a dozen of us spent Friday evening having a drink in the club tent. That's another advantage of having electric hook-up; we don't need the generator for the lights.
Saturday and what a change in the weather, overcast, wind and heavy rain.  Many took advantage of the nearby tram.  It takes you straight into the center of Nottingham.  No congestion and no parking fees.  We spent the afternoon in shopping precincts dodging the heavy rain. 

Late afternoon we had a pleasant surprise visit from Jack and Audrey.  We managed to talk Audrey into having a drink of Pimms, but Jack was driving so he had to go without.  It’s nice to see old friends.
We spent the usual Saturday evening in the club tents and despite the torrential rain we were quite comfy.  Dave and Debbie were the hosts for the weekend.  Dave called the bingo and Debbie did everything else.
Sunday morning and guess what Howard, Barrie and Jamie had found a fishing pond. It was even more fortunate that Jamie just happened to have 3 rods in the back of his vehicle. That was them settled for the day.  11am. we had coffee and by mid-afternoon all had left except for the fisherman.
In future we will have to advertise this rally as a fishing rally.  

Metal Mickey

The evening get together	The kids play their games

At last! Summer has arrived. For our rally at Beechwood Park the temperature was well into the eighties and no sign of wind or rain.  We have been waiting all year for this, and did we make the best of it.

The Thursday Club had dwindled to only two units, Brian and Pauline and Phyl and myself we arrived about lunchtime on the Thursday.  We spent all day sitting outside eating, drinking and sunbathing.  It was well after midnight before Brian and myself called it a night.

The site has eighteen electric hook-up's plenty to go around but unfortunately they were all situated in one corner of the field, making it very difficult to get everyone connected, but after a lot of pushing and moving about we managed to get everybody on electric.

We again had a very low turnout, eleven units, but many are still on holiday.  It was nice to see John and Joyce back. Both looking very well after their operations. The order of the day was outside Bar.B.Q's. Drinking and eating, which went on well into the early hours.

The fisherman	Howard's caught one

On the Saturday many stayed on site making the most of the perfect weather.  Howard and Barry found the nearby fishing lakes and spent most of the day relaxing with rod in hand.  I did notice their wives make a least one trip to the lake with a couple of cold beers, I presumed for their husbands.  Aren't some men lucky?

For the Saturday evening social we decided to dispense with the usual club tents and spend the evening under the stars.  It was a striking success; I wish we could do it this way more often.  The hosts for the weekend appeared to be missing so Brian called the bingo and I sold the tickets.  It was well after midnight before the last one's went to bed.

Sunday was another perfect day; we had coffee and a natter at eleven and spent the rest of the day idling about the site.  Howard even found time to have another couple of hours at the fishing lake.  It was well into the evening before the last unit made for home.  It would be wonderful if we could have weather like this for the rest of the summer.

Metal Mickey

REMPSTONE STEAM FAIR
AND COUNTRY SHOW JULY 2008.

Around the Bonfire	Cooking in the rain

  More and more people are joining the Thursday Club.  This is were members arrive on the Thursday instead of Friday and take advantage of the longer weekend.  At the Rempstone Steam Fair and Country Show six members turned-up on Thursday taking advantage of the all in fee of thirty pound covering the site fee for up to five days and admission into the show for all the occupants of any unit.  That's what I call a bargain weekend. A further three arrived on Friday including guests Mark and his two girls from Kent.  They arrived in style with the largest American type mobile home we have ever seen in our area.  A great looking vehicle but I would have hated to pay the petrol bill for filling up the tank.  "Mark, you and your family were very welcome and we hope that you enjoyed the weekend, we will be only too pleased to see you again".  The turnout of nine units is very poor especially for such a great weekend but many are still on holiday and several are still on the sick list.

On Thursday evening the early birds had a Bar.B.Q but they had too cook in the open air as Metal Mickey forgot to bring the Bar.B.Q. Gazebo.  They won't trust him with that job again.  As look had it, it turned out to be a fairly mild night and someone had the bright idea of stoking up the hot charcoal with dead wood from the hedgerows.  It made quite a nice little bonfire and we all sat out till well after midnight having a few drinks and putting the world to right.  It's a long while since we have been able to do that.  

The fine weather didn't last very long on the Friday afternoon we had a very heavy rainfall, which lasted a couple of hours.  It was the time when most of the caravans were arriving and the roadways turned into a quagmire.  At one time they had to close the main entrance and do running repairs, they did managed to get everybody on site.  But I had my doubts as to if we would all get of after the weekend.  In the evening a few of us had a stroll onto the showground.  Wellies were needed but the ground appeared to be drying out quite well.  We finished off the evening with a few drinks in the club tent.

What the well dressed man is wearing.	Pam and Roy made easy work of getting around

Saturday morning and the site had dried out fairly well, we all made our way to the show ground this time without wellies, with the exception of Dave he had wellies, umbrella and shorts.  Best to be prepared for all eventualities.  The show catered for most tastes with Arena displays, plenty of steam engines small, large and many in-between.  There were numerous stalls and side shows, fair ground for the kids, many eating places and of course the Beer Tent with various entertainment which went on till around midnight.  The evening was spent in the club tent with the usual bingo and raffle hosted by Colin and Debbie.

Sunday turned out to be the best day of the weekend, dry and sunny. We spent most of the day at the show and left for home late afternoon.  Brian, Pauline, Colin and Debbie stayed on until Monday making the most of a very long weekend.  Brian has booked it again for next year so if you want a bargain weekend this is the one to attend.

Metal Mickey.

It was nice to be back at Newstead Abbey again. It has been a good many years since we held a rally here. The last time we had a rally booked at the Abbey was when Maurice was organiser and he cancelled it because he thought it was too expensive. seven pound. a night, which included the site fee and entrance to the gardens for all the family for the entire weekend seems good value to me.  The Abbey ghost was thrown in for nothing.

Although the rally was only Friday to Sunday John and Margaret, Phyl and myself decided to make a long weekend of it and arrived Thursday Lunchtime. (One of the perks of being retired.)  The extra day makes a big difference.  In the evening, instead of lighting the Bar.B.Q, we decided the visit the local hostelry and take advantage of the three pound fifty carvery.  Another bargain, the weekend is full of bargains.  We spent the rest of the evening in my van having a few drinks and teaching Margaret how to play seven-card brag.  The more she drank the more she understood it, but by the morning she had forgotten it all.
By Friday lunchtime others started to arrive.  Janice and Colin arrived with sister Anne; (Ken had gone away for the weekend to play with his old motorcycles.) One man and two ladies in a two-birth van.  Colin said he was upset because he had got to sleep on the floor, but when half the men offered to swap with him he wouldn’t hear of it.  He said he was prepared to suffer.
It was quite a low turnout, possibly due to illness and holidays.  Eleven units attended including new members, Richard, Lindsey and the two children.  They came just for one night to try out their new tent.  It was the first time they had been camping.  The gods were good to them it was a lovely warm night, and they appeared to enjoy the experience, especially the children. I’m sure they will come again 

FIRST TIME THIS YEAR	POT WASHERS

We had the mandatory Bar.B.Q but with the weather being so nice we managed to have the meal outside together with a few bottles of wine.
Dave and Debbie turned up with another stray dog, so that's two they have now, any stray dog and they will give it a home.  This one is a Springer Spaniel so they call it Jerry (Springer) the other is a Cocker Spaniel and they wanted to call that one Joe (Cocker) There is no end to their imagination.  They have a Sintra car and they call it Frank. I’ll let you work that one out.
On the Saturday evening we had the usual social get-together in the club tents and for the first time this year we didn't need the gas fires.  Phyl and I hosted the weekend, but Debbie and the girls gave me a hand and sold the tickets and I called the bingo.  The first time in 35 years, I don't know how I have got away with it for so long. It was a bit of a two-sided race out of the five games Anne won three and Phyl won two. Jack and Audrey paid us a very welcome visit and spent the evening with us.  It was very nice to see them again.  The Abbey is very famous for its ghosts; the main one's being the white lady who walks the gardens and the monks who have their own little walk among the trees.  I offered to take Margaret along the monks walk at midnight but she refused, much to my relief.  I had a walk around the vans a few times but didn't see anything.

After Sunday morning coffee we had a final walk around the many various gardens, it can take a good couple of hours to walk round them.  I am sure that this is a rally that we can re-book.  There are many more photos on the Area 6 web site.  www.acceastmidlands.co

Metal Mickey.

PARK FARM RISLEY
13^TH. TO 15^TH. JUNE 2008.

PARK FARM RISLEY  

THE THURSDAY ARRIVALS	THE PHANTOM HORSE

  This must be one of the highest points that we use for caravanning. From the site you can see between 30 and 35 miles in any direction, with some of the best views.  But one of the coldest if the wind blows.  This weekend we were lucky it did not rain and the wind was moderate, although a little chilly at times.  Mostly it was cloudy with sunny periods.

Four of us decided to make it a long weekend by arriving on the Thursday, plus there were eight electric hook-ups. First come first served.  Although we had 11 units only seven hook-ups were used.  On the Thursday afternoon Margaret, John and myself decided to take advantage of the numerous country walks.  We walked to the first style in the corner of the field.  As we climbed over we saw 7 or 8 horses in the next field.  They were all grazing quite peacefully so we decided to venture in.  We walked about 20 yards into the field when we saw about 2 ton of Shire horse galloping towards us at top speed.  It was dressed from top to toe in brown clothing with a mask over its head and tassels hanging over its eyes.  It looked like something from the Phantom of the Opera.  In fact quite terrifying.  I thought, discretion being the better part of valour, I should get out of the way and pretty quick, so bent down under a length of white tape into the next field, thinking if he continues to charge like that a little bit of white tape would not stop him.  But it did, he veered off towards John and Margaret who by this time had decided to abandon me to my fate and were running up the hedgerow like two March hares.  Margaret reached the style first and cleared it at one go leaving John to stumble over behind her.  The horse then stopped at the style waiting for them to show their face.  Little did we know but the rest of the campsite were watching us and were laughing their heads off.  At that moment one of the farmhands came to our aid.  He explained that the horse had had an operation and had not been out of the stable for months and this was its first time out, all he wanted was a little bit of fuss.  He escorted us to the next style and we continued our walk.  Over an hour later we arrived back at the site and they were still laughing at us.

THE NEW BAR.B.Q. HOW IT STARTS	TAKES 5 SECONDS TO GET TO THIS

Colin Jarvis had brought the new communal Bar.B.Q gazebo. So with due ceremony it was erected. And I got out my new wonder Bar.B.Q.  When folded up it is no more than 18 inches square and less than 1 inch wide, it takes up no storage room and can be erected in 5 seconds and has a cooking area large enough for four people.  I got a lot of derisory remarks from my fellow cooks but I think they were just jealous. Although we had the use of the barn we decided to take up Jan and Colin’s kind offer and spent the evening in their van.

Friday morning we all piled into two cars and made our way to the nearby IKEA store.  We didn’t buy a lot but spent a good few hours walking round and by the time we arrived back at the site most of the others had arrived.  We had another Bar.B.Q in the evening but they wouldn’t let me light my new one.  I cannot stand jealousy in grown men.  That evening about a dozen of us spent a couple of hours in the barn looking over some old AGM minutes I had found in my loft, some dating back to mid 1970.  One of the Christmas Parties listed presents for over 40 children.  Now we are lucky if we get half a dozen.  I think some of the younger members have forgotten how to breed. 

Saturday and we all went our different ways to do some shopping, I finished up in Derby. I just managed to get back for Bar.B.Q. Time, but again they had pushed me out, they had all lit theirs and my little one was out in the cold, although they did give me a bottle of beer. But this time I was determined that my little one would be lit and show its worth.  I pushed into the middle an cooked the little nibbles that we eat with the beer whilst waiting for the steaks to be cooked.  Later in the evening we all congregated in the barn for the usual social activities.  Colin Richardson had his first go at calling the bingo and made quite a good job of it,  Janice and Chloe sold the tickets and Debbie sorted the raffle.

Sunday morning and the Farm owner, Mr. Fogg always joins us for coffee and donates ten pound to the club funds.  Hannah thanked everyone for their sponsorship of herself and Stephanie in the Tesco Race for life.  Brian also informed us that Joyce had had her operation and everything appeared to be going well.  He also told us that an old friend and former member, Brian (Mitch) Mandy's dad, was waiting to go in hospital for an operation.  We all wish him well.

After coffee half a dozen of us decided to do the same walk as we did on Thursday, but in the reverse direction.  Everything went fine until we arrived at the field with the phantom horse.  He was still there and running about like something demented.  No one was brave enough to go through the field.  We walked the long way round, via the road.

Our next rally is at Lord Byrons old haunt, Newstead Abbey.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PHOTO'S FOR THIS RALLY ARE ON PAGE 2 IN THE GALLERY

Metal Mickey.

TESCO'S CANCER RESEARCH
"RACE FOR LIFE"

On Sunday 1^st. June 2008 Hannah and Stephanie Bowmar took part in Nottingham's  " RACE FOR LIFE " In aid of Cancer Research sponsored by Tesco.  Together they raised nearly 250.Pound
Much of it being donated by Area 6 members, together with Mandy's workmates and friends.  The girls would like to thank everyone for their kind sponsorship.

SPRING BANK HOLIDAY
EYE KETTLEBY LAKES.  MELTON MOWBRAY.
INCLUDINGTHE EARLY CROMER BREAK).

Eighteen Area 6 members decided to make an early start to the Spring Bank Holiday rally.  From the 12^th May we started to assemble at a campsite just outside Cromer and spent the next eleven days together.  Most of the time we did our own thing but on several occasions had little get-together's.  We celebrated Margaret's birthday with a cake, (bearing one candle for each decade) and a bottle of wine. 

The weather for the whole of our stay at Cromer was lovely and warm, but not so when we all reassembled, together with ten other units, at Eye Kettleby Lakes.  The weather was terrible gale force winds and heavy rain.  The venue was great. A fisherman's paradise, with eight lakes to choose from, stocked with just about every type of fresh water fish you could think of.  There were numerous attractions in the area, Melton Mowbray Show, Sunday car boot sale in the cattle market and a morning market on a nearby airfield but unfortunately all were washed out by the bad weather.

It was nice to see Brian and Pauline back after their enforced absence due to Pauline's stay in hospital; everything would now appear to be OK.

STEPHANIE AND COLIN	CHRISTINA AND COLIN

 Sometime ago Colin Hubbard promised the twins Stephanie and Christina, that he would give them a ride on his motor cycle when we had a rally near his home.  Well this weekend he was as good as his word on the Friday afternoon he took Stephanie to his home and returned with her on the pillion seat of his big red bike dressed in full leathers, crash helmet and a smile from ear to ear. She thought it was great.  On the Saturday he did the reverse journey with Christina on the pillion.  Both girls enjoyed the experience, and I know for a fact that their Granddad would not have trusted them with anyone but Colin.  Before the bike was put away Margaret had to get in on the act and have a little ride around the field.  She said, "It's the best thrill I've had for years, come to think of it. It's the only thrill I've had for years."

Next month Stephanie and her sister Hannah are doing the "Run for Life", Tesco's run for Cancer research.  Mandy pulled out all the stops to help them get sponsors both among her friends at work and Area 6 members. I'll let you know how much after the run. It's quite a substantial amount, you don't say no to Mandy.

John and Margaret hosted the weekend.  John had the sitting down job of calling the Bingo and Margaret sold the tickets and collected the site fee.

THE LAST COOKING SESSION	THE FINAL TOAST

  For years a group of the men have gathered together under an old battered gazebo on the pretext of cooking on the Bar.B.Q, when it is only an excuse to congregate for a few beers.  No matter what the weather the old gazebo has given a certain amount of protection.  But this weekend we decided that the poor thing had just about had enough.  We had a collection to buy another one and retired the old one before it collapsed on us.  We wanted to give it a Viking funeral but the site owners wouldn't let us push it out onto the lake and shoot burning arrows onto it. We hadn't got a bow and arrow anyway, so we just cooked the last sausage, toasted it in ale and put it away in its little battered bag.  There wasn't a dry eye on the field.

Several intended stopping until Tuesday but the weather was so bad that all but two left on the Monday.  Brian has booked it again for next year so all you would be fishermen look out for the date.   

 Metal Mickey. 

By the side of the river	Bar.B.Q time

At last the fine weather has arrived.  We have just spent five days, over the Mayday bank holiday, at the Riverside Caravan Park, near Stratford-upon-Avon.  We had the odd shower but by and large it was dry and very warm, which was a good job because the field is prone to flooding from the nearby river Avon.  Due to illness Brian and Pauline were again unable to attend, so John and Margaret took on the organiser's job.

Four units arrived on the Thursday, doubling the number attending the Camping and Caravan Club rally situated on the opposite side of the road.  That was the only time that we exceeded their number.  We had 14 units and they had over 60, but being the elite club we had the better field.  We spent the first evening entertaining the early arrivals in our awning.

Friday morning John was up with the lark, meeting the members as they arrived, and lining them up in straight rows with the correct gap between each.  The Caravan Club would have been proud of him.  Katie Merricks attended her first rally at the ripe old age of 2 weeks.  Colin and Debbie arrived with a new caravan and Alan and Mavis made it three rallies on the trot we are getting back to normal.

Saturday morning most made their way into Stratford either by walking or by river taxi.  I have to cater for the sick, the lame and the lazy so I took the car.  We had a good day out the weather was fine and it wasn't too busy. You could get about quite easy.  There are a lot of alterations and landscaping being done in and around the RSC theatre.  By next year it should look quite something.

 We managed to get back in time for the ritual Bar.B.Q.  We have just about taken over Ken and Colin's gazebo, but Ken insists on keeping overall control. He has his priorities right. As Chief Stoker he only allows the chosen ones to step inside.  Women and children must stay on the outside.  Once started the cooking goes on for at least 3 hours or until we have run out of beer.

In the evening we all congregated in the club tent for the usual raffle and Bingo being ably called by Debbie Lee. It was her first time and she did a good job, very clear and concise.  She used her best call centre telephone voice.

The weather was so nice on the Sunday most spent the time on site sunbathing.  In the afternoon a dozen or so of us decided to walk to the distant monument situated on the top of a very steep hill.  I was conned into doing it last year and again this year.  Will I ever learn to say no.  I could hardly move for the next two days

Monday morning we had a little rain but by the time we had been to the local market and back it had stopped and everything was dry.  Four stayed for an extra night but most had to leave by the afternoon.  I think everyone enjoyed the weekend and we have booked it again for Mayday 2009.   Metal Mickey.

TRENTFIELD FARM
APRIL 2008

FIRST I HAVE TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT:-

  Area 6 has a new member, KATIE MELISSA MERRICKS.  She joined the club on Monday 14^th.April 2008. when she was born to proud parents Dawn and Richard Merricks.  Congratulations to you both.

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Bar.B.Q time	In the shed

  When are we going to get some decent weather? We have had four rallies so far this year and each time the weather had been atrocious.  The rally at Tren tfield was no different, gale force biting winds.  Still we had a good turnout, 14 units attended but it should have been 15, the organiser was unable to attend, and that's got to be a first for a long time.  Pauline had to go in hospital for tests, but as I write I am informed that everything appears to be OK.  I have told her to be careful. Dawn has just been in hospital and look what she came out with.  We are all hoping that they will be back with us for the Mayday rally at Stratford.

With Brian and Pauline being away John and Margaret took charge, first he had to sort out the accommodation for the Saturday evening social.  We had booked the sites marquee for the evening but it hadn't been erected and we couldn't find the site owner anywhere, but John persevered and managed to corner him.  He said we could have one of the outbuildings.  This turned out to be a small shed the size of a domestic garage and we had to accommodate 30 plus people with chairs and tables.  A lesser man would have panicked, but not John, Margaret wouldn't let him.  Somehow we managed, every one had to sit intimately close to each other, it's a good job we are all good friends.  There was electric laid on so we had lighting and heating from two electric fan heaters.  I think that it turned out better in the long run, I am sure that it was far cozier than it would have been in the marquee.  John called the first few games of bingo and Mandy gave him a break and finished the last few.  The twins, Steph. and Chrissy   ran the raffle.  It may have been a tight fit but nobody left very early and many stuck it out until after midnight.

It rained again Sunday morning so we had coffee in the shed.  By this time we were becoming quite attached to it.  If we had had any more attending we would never have got them in the Shed. Mandy rang Pauline in hospital and put it on speakerphone so that we could all speak to her. John gave the usual morning service and reminded everyone that the next rally was Mayday at Stratford-upon-Avon and we all prayed for better weather.  Metal Mickey

LADY MARGARET HALL
4th to 6th. APRIL 2008

The Site	Coffee morning

The weather gets no better, we again had rain, hail and snow but we still seem to get a reasonable turnout.  Thirteen units attended our rally at Lady Margaret Hall near Worksop.  It was mainly the reliable regulars, but on this occasion it included Alan and Mavis, their first outing since Mav's illness at Thorsby Hall last year.  Mavis had acquired a new motorised all terrain tank to get about on.  She certainly made good use of it.  She was also sporting a new hair-do.  I thought that the short-cropped style suited her.  It made her look 10yrs younger. (Well maybe 5yrs then.)    It was heart-warming to see them back again.  We also had two new members, Julie and Roy Hartshorn from Leicester.  I hope they enjoyed the weekend and will come again

Late afternoon and the old diehards rolled out with their Bar.B.Q's and crates of ale. Although this time they managed to put up the old gazebo to give a little shelter.  Who knows maybe one day, when I get old enough they may invite me to join them, but that will be a good few years from now.  Even though it is now lighter nights they still sit there until the sun goes down puffing on their pipes and sucking through their straws, (bless their little cotton socks.)

Saturday and we had the usual exodus to the local shopping areas, some to Worksop and some to Mansfield. In the afternoon Mandy and Jane ran a sweepstake for the Grand National with a prize for the first four places.   Hannah had the winner 20 pound, Her sister Stephanie had second 10 pound  Margaret had third with 6 pound and Colin Hubbard got 
4 pound for the forth place.

In the evening we all gathered in the hall for the usual social get together. Mandy and Colin were hosts for the weekend,.  Mandy was doing a lot of coughing and spluttering, she said that she had a chest infection; I'm not surprised with a chest like that.  She did a little wheezing whilst calling the Bingo, but managed to get through it with the help of a little lubrication.  Colin did his bit by demonstrating his latest toy, a model helicopter. He fly's like he drives. Twice round the room and it was broke.  Sunday and we woke to lovely blue skies but very cold.  We had snow and heavy frost during the night.  Our new members Julie and Roy had decided to leave early, everything had frozen and they couldn't get anything to work. They were using Butane.  It was their fist time out and didn't realise that it would freeze so easy.  Roy said he would change to Propane for the next rally.  After a couple of hours wandering around the nearby garden centre we made our way home amidst a combination of bright sunshine and snow flurries. I enjoyed the weekend but I am praying for a little better weather    
Metal Mickey.