PACESETTER SEPTEMBER 2007 No 140

Pacesetter is published by the ABI & Friends Caravan club four times per year. Items of interest to the members should be sent to the editor for inclusion on the next available issue. The editor reserves the right to edit any material published in the magazine. The views and opinions of contributions are not necessarily those of the ABI & Friends Caravan Club. Members may place free non-commercial advertisements but the club cannot accept responsibility for the quality, operation or delivery of any product advertised in the PACESETTER. Authors must ensure that material does not contravene statute or regulation.

The ABI & Friends Caravan Club does not endorse or support any product advertised herein.

MARCH 2010

Editors bit!

Hello everyone! Hope you are all well and getting ready to enjoy another season of caravanning! We have had quite a harsh winter haven’t we? Not only here in the Yorkshire hills but it seems to have been nationwide. But there is a sense of better to come! I have been walking today, 9^th Feb, and the snowdrops have, at long last, opened up and they are looking beautiful. We will soon have lambs and daffodils!

I can see from your articles for the Pacesetter that those of you who ventured out for the New Year all had a good time. I know we did. I do hope that was a sun-dance that Colin did and not a rain-dance! We should be in for an excellent summer this year.

Our caravan is going for its service next week, ready for the road. Our first outing is at Brompton on Swale. We used to have some lovely rallies there with the ABI. We have some great venues to choose from in the rally book in some lovely areas. I look forward to hearing all about them in your write-ups.

This is the year of our club’s 40^th Anniversary and I am sure we will have a brilliant rally in June. Arthur and I have only been members of the ABI club for half of that time. Have we any members who have done the full 40? We would all love to hear from you!

Enjoy your new caravanning year and we look forward to meeting up with most of you at the various rallies throughout the year.

Best regards to all from Marjorie

Chairmans Contribution

When I started writing this, the country was gripped in the coldest winter for over 20 years. Alan and I along with two other ABI couples made an escape to Spain in search of a warmer climate. The highs of our adventure so far are that the sun has lived up to expectations and the site is very good but the low has been our money and passports were stolen. Resolving the problems was made considerably easier by the fact that we had photocopies of all documentation and emergency phone numbers to hand. A timely reminder therefore for anyone who is planning a trip abroad to carry a copy of all the appropriate documentation. You never know when you are going to need them.

Hopefully, by the time you are reading the pacesetter, the weather has significantly improved encouraging you to make the most of your club. The rally book once again provides you with opportunities to travel to both new and tried and tested venues.

The pacesetter is distributed to all members, if you have not attended a rally for a while why not make a belated new year resolution to join one in your area and see what the club has to offer you.

I am looking forward to seeing you on the rally field, especially at the 40^th Anniversary Rally in June.

Wishing you all the best for 2010

Anita Williamson

VICE PITCH

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the cold 2010 Year we certainly had some snow, let’s hope it goes away quickly. A new caravanning season starts and some units have already been out.

We are just getting ready for Whitacre Heath.

Our Chairman is in Spain I hope she has the sun there, in her absence we will have a committee meeting at Whitacre Heath Items for discussion will be the 2010 AGM and The fortieth year rally.

We are up to 24 vans at the moment. Please get your slips in before March 31^st We only have 32 hookups and its a first come first served basis .

I have heard the national parks are increasing their boundaries which could affect our rallies in their areas, we will monitor this and keep you informed.

The rally book looks good with 42 events, A French Holiday Rally , A Scottish Holiday Rally and Hunstanton Holiday Rally ,what a good cross section. If you can run a rally in your area we can add it to the itinerary and advertise it in the pacesetter please let your Liaison officer know, every new venue is a bonus.

Also if you can put pen to paper and send a write up into Marjorie,

It shows you enjoyed your weekend.

It shows your Marshal the rally was appreciated

It shows the people browsing the web you had a good time.

It gives the people who could not go to the venue an insight to the place, and they might go next time.

Well I hope to see you on the Rally field soon,

Happy caravanning Sam.

NEW YEAR RALLY RUFFORTH

The weather was certainly seasonal for this year’s New Year rally at Rufforth! We arrived on the Monday at the usual venue to find it like a skating rink! Joan and Alan, our Marshalls, were very worried about the ice but they arranged the caravans around the edge of the site so we were all able to walk on the frozen grass quite easily. We were welcomed with a warm drink by Joan then got ourselves organised. Some of us went to the Wetherby Whaler for a lovely fish and chip tea then it was into the hall for an evening get together.

On Tuesday morning we went to one of the shopping centres then back for lunch and a walk before going into the hall for a game of carpet bowls. In the evening we had supper of jacket potatoes followed by fruit crumble or rice pudding. This was followed by a very entertaining ‘casino night’. Kath won first prize and Eric won second.

Wednesday we went for a drive then back for lunch and into the hall for a game of skittles. In the evening we all went to a local inn for a meal, which was lovely. We then came back to the hall for a game of Deal or no Deal which was really funny and Eric was the winner.

Thursday was quite a mild day after the freezing temperatures. We went into York and had a look around. We walked along the river bank then we watched the skaters near the Museum on the temporary rink. They looked to be having great fun. We had a look at some of the sales in the big stores then made our way back to Rufforth.

In the evening we had a beautiful three course meal with a guest appearance from ‘Charlie Chaplin’ then played a couple of games, including ‘remote controlled football’ which was hilarious! We just managed to see in the new year when we had a power cut! We watched the fireworks all around then drifted back to our caravans. We had a fresh fall of snow whilst we were in the hall and the moon was full and it was almost daylight outside. It was really stunning!

New years day we all gathered for ‘brunch’ about eleven-ish. Arthur and I had a little walk then we joined the others in the hall for Jack’s bingo. This was followed by a buffet tea. Later in the evening we had flag then we had a few games

Saturday morning seemed to come around very quickly and it was time to pack up and make our way home again. Another great new year rally, hosted by Joan and Alan. Many, many thanks to you both for all your hard work in running this rally and making it such a success in spite of all the set-backs. We really enjoyed it.

Happy New year to all. Best regards from Marjorie and Arthur

Christmas rally at the Horse and Jockey.

Thankyou Sylvia and Jerry For the Christmas rally at the Horse and Jockey.

Friday afternoon we had a nice time looking around the village of Bently. In the evening we all met up outside Sylvia and Jerry's caravan for hot sausage rolls,mince pies andmulled wine.It was a cold night so it went down a treat.

Saturday we went into Tamworth to finish our Christmas shopping.

On Saturday evening everyone went across the rally field into the Horse and Jockey pubfor flag, followed by a lovely three course meal.

Good food and good company!

Thankyou,Sylvia and Jerry for running this rally.

We will be back next year! From Christine and Richard

Hi After the madness of Christmas - shopping, cooking, family get togethers etc, it was time for us to get ready for Colin & Jackie's New Year Rally at Chipperfield. With a eye on the weather forecast for the time we were due to leave and then a call from Jackie, to come earlier if we could; we cautiously set off and to our relief had a very good journey to their Hertfordshire school venue.

Together with their most able assistants Mark and Carol Blomfield they began the celebrations at a heck of a pace with organised events right from the outset. Hot soup and rolls were very much appreciated on Tuesday with a few fun games. The rest of the days continued with an organised film show on Wednesday afternoon followed by an arranged meal in a local pub.
By Thursday it had got very icy but we kept warm in our vans and in the school: we played bingo and enjoyed afternoon tea and cakes before it was preparation time for the evenings fun and frolics.
New Year's Eve was exceptionally well organised with a super buffet, good music and games. The New Year arrived on time, with party poppers and the popping of champagne corks. After a hearty 'Auld Lang Syne' we continued to boogie and with such good company chatted on well into the night.

On the morning of New Years Day our able Host Team ensured we enjoyed bacon rolls followed by a brisk walk through the local woods. This was most enjoyable as the weather had calmed some after overnight snow and with an icy frost made the area white and snowy and very picturesque.
Later on New Years Day we arrived at another nearby pub for much needed sustenance followed by: back at the caravan, a welcome snooze before the evening flag, raffle etc.

So we ended the ABI & Friends Rally programme for 2009 at Colin and Jackie's Rally and on an especially high note - it was a great celebration in great company. And, as you will all know ~ The Colin Ham show would not be complete without a Pipe of Peace with a Sun Dance from our favourite American Indian - Colin (all dressed up in his regalia).

For those of you that were there with us ~ thank you all for making it such a smashing event. Bill and I had a most enjoyable time with you all. We wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

In closing I know you will want to join me in thanking Colin, Jackie, Carol and Mark for all their hard work on our behalf.
For you out there who weren't able to come: You missed out on a splendid occasion but sad to say we won't be able to enjoy it next time as Colin & Jackie say it cannot be repeated next New Year.
I say a resounding,”Boo Hoo!!”

Linda & Bill Murphy

New Year Rally 2010

I suppose it is a bit strange for a Rally marshal to write about his own rally.

First let me say, -- on paper --- I was the marshal, but without my wife Jackie it would not have got off the ground.

Her ability and fussiness’ made it seem so easy but it was a lot of hard work and I just did as I was told.

I would also like to thank our very special friends Mark and Carol for their help because without them and their organising, the setting up and games that kept us entertained would not have been so great.

It was really great to welcome friends new and old to our second and last New Year Rally at Chipperfield School I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and had an uneventful journey home, it’s a good thing that it was not the week after??

Thank you all for the help to get the School back to normality the Head teacher said that she would not have known that we had partied in the school and that there had been Caravans in the playground.

Thank you all for coming and thank you for your interest in my quirky extra way of life. Not everyone dresses up in feathers for fun.Hope to see you all soon

Colin

New year at Chipperfield

Thank you Colin and Jackie for all your hard work at your rally. It was a great way for us to celebrate the end of one year and to see in a new one!

Sue and Ernie

New Year’s Rally Chipperfield.

Five days and four nights, with great company and having Colin and Jackie Ham as our hosts; what more could you want for another great New Year Rally. It’s a return to the fantastic Chipperfield school venue, in the middle of the Hertfordshire countryside, and with two pubs just 5 minutes stroll away. Colin & Jackie, and we must mention Mark and Carol Blomfield who were assisting; the four of them (the famous four) worked tirelessly throughout the five days to feed, entertain and provide everything, including rock salt for the walking areas, to make the rally such a success.

We started on Tuesday with a general get together in the very warm school hall which will be the focal point of the rally’s activities throughout our stay. There were lots of meeting and greeting, then rolls & soup followed with a few silly games. This went on until way past midnight.

It’s now Wednesday; some of the ladies went shopping while their husbands decided to venture out to the Windmill PH to ensure the ale that was to be consumed in the evening, was up to the required standard. Others decided to have a lazy day and were treated to a choice of film shows with refreshments or just socialising with other rallier’s. It’s now very dark and 31 shadowy figures were making their way to the Windmill Public House with torches in hand, for a pre-booked superb meal. Colin and Jackie had organised everything, the table plan enabled the waiters to know who was having what meal and where they were sitting. It was nearly three hours before we returned to the school where we continued the evening with more laughter and party games.

New Years Eve; and in the morning, some cars were seen to leave Chipperfield to go shopping in Watford, a great place for the ladies, however not so for us men, who were seen going from one clothes shop to another!

Those that were allowed to stay behind enjoyed tea & cakes along with a few games of Bingo. We all disappeared with the exception of (the famous four.) They told us they did not want any help, so while we took thing easy, with a little bit of shut eye, they were transforming the school hall into party mode. Balloons, streamers, party poppers, blowers and bubbly, everything you could think of to see the Old Year out and the New Year in. It’s now 7:30 and everyone is dressed up and ready to party. Jackie & Carol had laid out a fantastic buffet for everyone and with the music playing; it was enough to get people up dancing. We stopped a couple of times to eat or play a game until Big Ben chimed out the old and brought in the new. Lots of handshakes, hugs and kisses followed by the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne started 2010. I think it was around 3:00 when we finally fell into a warm bed. What a fantastic day.

New Years Day another fine cold day and it started with and a welcome drink with bacon rolls for everyone in the hall. This was followed by a refreshing walk in the sunshine. Most of the villagers were out for a stroll like us; the Windmill PH where we intended to go was full to bursting, so we ended up at the Two Brewers PH still within the village. This also soon became very busy as villagers came in from their walks. In the evening we returned to the school hall for flag. Anita Williamson spoke about what a wonderful venue for a rally and thanked Colin & Jackie for working so tirelessly on behalf of the members here. She then presented them with the traditional small piece of plastic denoting Rally Marshal. Colin in turn first thank his wife Jackie, he said, “she was the one who organised everything”, he then thanked Mark & Carol, for without them the rally would not have gone ahead. Colin went on to say, “that this will be the last New Year Rally at this school, and hoped that others would look at running one next year at another venue.” There followed competition winners and a massive raffle with many donations and a marriage milestone. Pete & Mo were celebrating their 47^th year together. This concluded the rally, but wait!! There was more to come, jacket potatoes with choice of fillings and another buffet for everyone. Then to finally close the rally more fun and games till well past midnight. What a rally, but wait!! More to come.

The highlight of the evening for me started with the soft sound of bells somewhere behind us. Colin appeared from a dark classroom dressed in a full Traditional Indian Costume with a Modern Fancy Dance Bustle with the Head Bonnet made from a Fox Skin (which denotes his name) Little Fox the Rain Maker.....The Dance he preformed was the Sacred Pipe Dance which would have been done prior to the ritual of "piercing" of a warriors’ body for the Sun dance. After the dance ritual was completed, Colin went on to answer questions delivering his wealth of knowledge to an attentive audience; a fitting climax to a wonderful New Year’s Day.

Saturday dawns and it’s time to think about going home. The school has to be returned to its original condition with chairs and tables put back to their original location and floors cleaned etc. Next it was time for us to prepare for the journey back home and to say, “thank you” to our hosts Jackie & Colin and Carol and Mark for a tremendous rally”. Just saying ‘thank you’ never seems enough, however the four of them know, that we know, how much hard work and preparation a rally of this magnitude entails. So Margaret and I are just going to say to you all a big

THANK YOU

RUFFORTH NEW YEAR RALLY

Bath to Rufforth a long way to go

Arrived to find it covered in ice and snow,

Finally pitched after a little glitch.

Three lengths of cable from van to switch,

The electric we thought would be fine,

But it was overloaded all the time,

Two huge campers where drawing the power,

Their cable glowed, it made us glower,

Five times to replace the fuse the electric man came,

With our small vans we were not to blame,

With the light a flashing and the power going off

Alan and Joan did a wonderful job,

Providing food for us to fill our gobs.

Our New Year bash finished bang on twelve,

‘Cause that was the time the power again failed.

Brunch next day was a glorious feast,

The electric was on for that at least,

Saturday came Alan was going insane,

That power it had failed again,

We all awoke to our vans gone cold,

The fuse had gone so we were told.

A happy time was had by one and all,

Despite the problems with the hall,

With snow on the ground it was a wonderful sight,

With gliders being towed to gain a suitable height,

We went to York, a wintry scene,

With skaters skating on the green,

We were watching the skaters come and go,

Then it started to fall with snow,

To the cafe tent we did retire,

To sup tea and warm ourselves by the fire,

In spite of the conditions we should not moan

Many thanks for the rally to Alan and Joan,

From David Hancock

MAKE and BAKE YOUR OWN…….

Put 200g of sultanas, 150g glace cherry quarters and 50g of butter in a saucepan with 300ml of water. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 3 minutes

Cool slightly

Stir in 175g of dark brown sugar, then 1 large egg, beaten. And 300g of self-raising flour.

Spread mixture evenly into a greased lined 1kg loaf tin.

Bake at 180 deg C, or 350 deg F, gas mark 4 for about 1 hour 15 mins

Pierce with skewer to centre of cake- it will come out clean if cake is cooked.

Leave cake in tin for 5 minutes then turn onto a cooling tray…..enjoy.