Caravan Club, Cumbria Centre  -  Webmaster, Deborah Black

Cumbria Centre

This page will be added to as material is submitted, it will include Rally Reports and photographs which can be submitted electronically via this site.  

Fireshow Spectacular Rally

Nov 6th-8th 2009 at Green Acres, Houghton, Carlisle

 

Ever been beaten in a quiz by a dog? A little embarassing you might think - I do hope he is not going to be there on our next CC event! I had 19 out of 20 correct and was feeling pretty confident when Jim was announced as the winning entry with the full 20 marks. Damn it!  How did he get the last one we asked? “The dog did that one” he admitted .The leggy black pup looked a little a little sheepish at this point. As this was only our second CC rally ever, I was not sure of the protocol here- or the quiz rules either but I was sure this must be within club rules as the rallies are so well run.

 

Our thanks to Nancy and Nigel, Margaret and Ray for ensuring things went smoothly at the site. Good hardstanding pitches, very clean and well kept, with lovely open outlook .It was nice to see a variety of families and couples there, all in good humour. We were also much impressed by George’s rum butter on rich tea biscuits.

 

Anyway I can report that our trip to Carlisle Fireshow was a great success despite the mud underfoot (I felt sorry for people with pushchairs, and for those who had forgotten wellies). It stayed dry for the entire evening and we enjoyed flames and wonderful fireworks accompanied by dramatic music. The large crowd almost filled Bitts Park but they were well behaved and appreciative. We would definitely go again.

 

Oh and by the way, I didn’t win the bingo either!

 

Heather Fishwick

 

Westmorland County Show & Torchlight Rally

Low Park Wood, Kendal

September 8th to 13th 2009.

 

After a day of wall to wall rain on Tuesday, we met with Joan & Stan Leece, for a warm & sunny run through the Lakes on Wednesday morning to join the rally, having been confused by the Rally Programme  showing that the rally started at 2pm on Wednesday 8th. We decided that it must be a misprint, and that the rally would start on Wednesday 9th, as the Westmorland Show was on Thursday.

 

We stopped on the lay-by alongside the dual carriageway, North of Kendal, had our lunch whilst waiting for the clock to move on, before heading for the site for 2pm.

On arrival, the old saying of “never assume anything” proved to be true, as the rally had started the day before, i.e Tuesday 8th. (was this a gunpowder plot? – see below) However, the journey was much more pleasant in the sunshine than it would have been in Tuesday’s rain.  We were greeted by Raymond Smith, who was holding the fort on his own as his fellow rally officers were not to arrive until later in the week, being away from home on Club business.

 

Low Park Wood, previously the Sedgwick Gunpowder Site, is a lovely site cut into the forest, surrounding the ruined buildings of the Gunpowder Factory, which is often very wet, with the roadways and pathways looking more like rivers. This rally period, however, was warm and sunny throughout, and the site was very dry and pleasant.

After many outdoor events had been cancelled this year, due to inclement weather, Westmorland County Show, on Thursday, was blessed with a lovely warm, sunny day, the field was quite dry and firm, and only a few pairs of fashionable. Multicolored wellies were to be seen. We wore our walking shoes, and trainers, as our wellies are drab green, and not pretty.

 

The organizers must have been very happy with the attendance, and the trade stands seemed to be very busy, especially the ice-cream and drinks stands. The only downside to an excellent day out was the heavy traffic between the site and the show, which is barely a mile as the crow flies, but which took over an hour by car. We even encountered many idiots driving the wrong way down the slip-road from the dual carriageway trying to avoid the congestion.

 

At Thursday evening Flag, the rally officers provided a welcome tea/coffee to enable the members of the 17 attending outfits, to meet and chat on a still warm evening, although as darkness fell, the temperature quickly dropped.

 

Friday dawned on another lovely day, which involved a hard morning of lazing in the sunshine, drinking coffee, and gossiping  before heading into Kendal for the Torchlight Parade, in the early evening.

As usual this was quite a spectacle, and very pleasant with the warm evening not requiring coats to be worn, and the parade lasting for about 2 hours, with almost 200 entries of illuminated floats, bands, dancers, walking entertainers, vintage cars,  tractors and steam engines.

 

Saturday was again fine and sunny involving more lazing. The afternoon brought a walk through the lanes from the site to the excellent Low Sizergh Barn farmshop and tearoom, and back, in time for tea.

 

Flag was held on another sunny morning, on Sunday, when Deborah wished a Happy Birthday to Alan Rooke for that day, and to hubby, Malcolm Black for Monday.

The competition involving solving clues to Foods named after Famous People was won by our visitors from Wiltshire, Geoff and Sheila Shepherd, who correctly answered all 18 questioned. It was interesting to hear that some members (including yours truly) decided that the soft drink invented by Charles Alderton in Texas was Dr Pepper, and not Mr Coca Cola, as they thought.

 

A very enjoyable rally, and our thanks go all the attending members for the chat, and  to Deborah and Malcolm Black, and Margaret and Raymond Smith for the organisation

 

Liz & Ken Robinson.

 

Chairman’s Last Stand Rally

Welton Village Hall

October 2nd  -  4th 2009

 

First of all we would like to say a large thank you to Deborah and Malcolm for the excellent work in their terms of office, also thank you to their family for the understanding support required by them.

 

After a relaxing journey up to Welton, we arrived on time and were duly greeted with the normal friendly aplomb by our rally marshals, quickly showing us to our pitch and the location of water and elsan facilities.

 

Friday evening and opening flag, drinks, biscuits, introductions and a welcome to our venue, Welton Village Hall.  It was our first visit to the hall and we would like to say thank you to the people of Welton for a lovely clean and warm venue.

 

Saturday morning was free and easy to do whatever; shopping, relaxing or the quiz.  In the afternoon it was into the hall to view the crafts and hobbies of some of our fellow ralliers.  We found a varied array of both on display and enjoyed talking to the exhibitors on their works.  A big thank you to all those

taking part.

 

Saturday evening and the social.  What can we say!  The legendary ‘Sinc Soup’ (choice of 3), tray bake pie, peas & gravy followed by a sweet plus tea or coffee, all for £2.50 each.  Some restaurants want to take note!

 

The Social was the last fundraising event for the chairman’s charities and a grand total of £3,000 was raised over the year, with both nominated charities receiving £1,500 each.

 

After the social finished and people retired for the evening the weather changed slightly with the wind and rain both picking up somewhat briskly and a turbulent night was had by most, fortunately without any damage occurring, unlike the marina at Maryport where the gates were ripped off and numerous vessels were damaged or sunk.

 

Sunday morning and blue skies - typical English weather. People began packing up ready for departure after the AGM.  The meeting was held in the hall and after normal formalities and voting the newly

appointed chairman was elected to office.  Congratulations to George.

 

Once again, many thanks to Deborah and Malcolm for the excellent work carried out by them both over their terms of office.

 

Finally a safe journey home and thank you to all fellow ralliers for another enjoyable weekend.

 

Joan & Neville Perkins

Meathop Fell Caravan Club Site Rally

21st - 23rd January 2010

 

The warmest welcome we have ever had on a rally. We rolled up on a dark and foggy light to be greeted by Andrew, Sheila & Raymond. Our pitch was waiting and within 5 minutes we were guided in and someone went for the shower block keys for us. If we’d waited I'm sure the water and legs would have been done ha-ha. Unfortunately we had to miss the warming cup of soup round the flag at 7.30 (the twins were asleep long before then).

 

Saturday morning was a free & easy day but a group of intrepid walkers took to the hills finding sustenance at a local hostelry on the way. (Quelle surprise!)

 

Sunday, bright and early at 10.30 found us ‘round the flag’ for coffee and being tempted by an extremely delicious selection of biscuits and cakes. Sheila had arranged for a strange yellow disc to appear in the sky for a short while …

The twins were really appreciative on winning a box of Ferro Rocher and even more appreciative when a kind gentlemen donated his prize of a tube of chocolate mini eggs to them too!

 

 

We would like to thank everyone who showed us such kindness and made us feel so welcome and an extra thanks to Andrew for all his nautical advice. This could be our last message as we take to the water in Coniston, at Easter, on our first voyage in our first yacht.  

 

Ian & Julie Garner, Tyson & Gohan.

 

 

Winter Warmer Rally

Ravenglass C&CC Site, 4th - 7th February 2010

 

Approximately twenty units descended on Ravenglass over the 4th and 5th February 2010 for a relaxing weekend.

 

Friday evening opening flag was a welcoming helping of lentil soup provided by Nancy/Nigel and Sue/Peter - with seconds for anyone who could manage it - a nice change from the usual tea or coffee.

 

Saturday mornings leisurely 3 1/2 hour walk again kindly arranged by Nigel was poorly supported - only 8 participants- despite the beautiful sunny morning.

 

Unfortunately due to the fire over Christmas/New Year the Ratty Arms was still unable to provide Bar Meals. However thanks to Craig (Site Manager) a Bar Meal was negotiated with the Pennington Arms Hotel in the Village which 41 people attended.

 

Nancy organised the compulsory quizes - again showing the limited intelligence of the group - although the quiz person could not remember the answer to one question - so what chance did we have ?

 

Sunday saw the end of the Rally although several of us stayed on until Monday - another  beautiful sunny morning walk on the beach with the dog.

 

Ron & Yvonne Stables