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.

JUNE 2008.

Editorial

Well, here we are again and this will be our penultimate pacesetter, as I have already said we have enjoyed doing it (the pacesetter) over the last 5 years and will miss the phone calls and Emails.

We will be handing over for the safe keeping the hard copies from the early years of the pacesetter to whoever takes over as Editor. (Makes for interesting reading).

Had some sad news a couple of weeks ago Gerald had a heart attack and thank God he was in the right place and at the right time (outside the A&E of a hospital. We are all rooting for you Gerald get well soon.

Had a few days in Rome and wow was it hot but what an experience, crammed a lot into 3days came home completely exhausted.

Unfortunately we have not done many rallies this year but the ones we have done have been great because we were with friends, and lets face it you don’t go to a rally for the weather, do you?

According to the write ups some great times were had on the rallies.

Hope to see you at the AGM. Have a great time wherever you put your legs down.

Colin

Chairman’s Bit.

Let’s start with our Web Site. I have had several phone calls saying members can’t access our site. May I remind you that we have had to change our site address to the following:-

www.abiandfriends.org

Have a look and give us your comments and any ideas of how we may improve/add to it. Look at the photo gallery for a laugh and add it if you have any good photo’s. Don’t forget you can also sell items on the site. We have also included links to other caravan services.

Simon Potter is sadly standing down, at the end of his three-year term, as treasurer at this year’s AGM. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank Simon along with his wife Sharon for all their efforts on behalf of the club and it’s members during the last three years.

Plans are well in hand for this year’s AGM at Lady Margaret Hall near Worksop. We have planned a hot meal in the evening followed by live music. There are also no fees to pay for the weekend. See you there.

Enjoy you summer caravanning.

Pete G

Pacesetter Position.

Marjorie Hooley has put herself forward as our new Pacesetter Editor. If no one else comes forward by 31^st August, Marjory will automatically take over from Colin/Jackie Ham at the AGM.

Treasury Position.

Simon Potter will be standing down as Treasurer at this year’s AGM, due to illness, after completing his three-year term. Sam Farrington has taken over the treasurers reigns and will continue until this years AGM. We are now looking for a new Treasurer to take over, and we already have someone who said they are interested. If you fancy joining us, just send in your nomination form by the 31^st August, and the job could be yours.

Membership Secretary

For several years we have had Helen Hepworth as Membership Secretary on our committee. We now need to include this position within our clubs constitution. Therefore at this year’s AGM the committee will make a proposal to amend the constitution to incorporate our Membership Secretary as a committee position.

Pete Grubb (Chairman)

NOTICES OF MOTION.

Notice of motions are required to be in writing, and need to be signed by the proposer and seconder complete with their membership number. This information should be sent to our General Secretary Bill Murphy, no later than 31^st August 2008

Motion 1.

The Membership Secretary’s position to be included in the club’s constitution.

Proposed by the committee.

The Rational.

For several years we have had Helen Hepworth as Membership Secretary on our committee. We now need to include this position within our clubs constitution to consolidate this position within the committee.

Event 6 Swiss Farm

This was a holiday weekend which promised to be a great start to the season, that is until the weather decided to take a hand. Thursday saw most of us arriving and setting up. That evening most enjoyed the hospitality in the awnings/gazebos. (There were 37 vans after all ). During the night/early morning disaster struck, Pete, Margaret, Alan and Helen did not get a lot of sleep that night. 7.30 in the morning saw them all together with some early risers hanging on for grim death as the wind put paid to more than a few gazebos.

Over the weekend the weather gave us all it could muster gales, rain, sleet, sunshine, thunder and lightening, frost, and even snow. Over the weekend the marshals must have gone from plan A to almost plan Z it even looked as if flag (which must have been plan Y) would need to be altered as the snow got gradually heavier. Never the less it abated and it went ahead, during the raflle Fred changed hands the recipient almost came out with a naval expletive allowed for all to hear.

During flag Peter welcomed some new ralliers (not really new, returning to the club after a few years absence, must be gluttons for punishment) Despite the weather everyone had a good weekend. Congratulations to Pete & Margaret for finding such a wonderful location and all the hard work put in by Pete, Margaret, Alan, Helen and Sandy, who did everyone of us proud in such arduous conditions and frustrating weather.

Pete & Mo

Event 2 Merley Court

Once again this venue is a hit with a lot of us ABI-ers. Friday saw us all arriving at various times of the day to set up and relax in the glorious sunshine. In the evening most of us met up in the bar (where else) . Saturday saw us all back in the sameplace where we had the elephant races, never have I seen so many adults getting so excited over some bits of hardboard in different colours. All controlled by ping pong balls. This was followed with a very good bar meal all at a reasonable price.

Sunday morning was flag, where some new ralliers were welcomed by our Chairman. After flag we all started to say our goodbyes and wend our way home after a wonderful weekend with excellent weather . Our thanks to Terry and Sue abley assisted by those two stalwarts Ernie and Sue.

Pete & Mo

Event 8 Thorney Lakes

New Marshalls, new venue and what a venue. We were assisting Bill and Linda so we arrived Thursday evening driving on site in a glorious sunset. We parked next to Bill and left the awning till morning as it was getting late as we had had a long drive.

We awoke next morning to strong winds so needed a bit of help to hold on to the awning until I had secured it. Site regs did not allow us to join awnings together.

I took my fishing gear but decided against it so took Sue out for a ride around the countryside. Saturday evening was quiz night with Bill as the quiz master, great fun was had by all.

Sunday the sun came out in time for flag so we could take out the front of the awning. Bill thanked Linda for her help and gave her some flowers (steady on bill the other wives will be expecting this).

Thank you Bill and Linda for all your effort.

Ernie & Sue

Event 8 Thorney Lakes

We arrived at this lovely site around lunch time Friday on what could only be described as a rather cold windy and dismal day and not the warm and sunny shorts weather that was promised by our host. First time rally marshall Bill Murphy who greeted us with his normal cheerful enthusiasm, immediately offered a nice warming cup of tea from Linda.

After settling in and a bite to eat we decided to go out and explore. By evening most ralliers had arrived, it was still cold and windy so we decided to remain in the warm rather than accept the marshals invitation to gather in their awning for a chat and a drink. However as we later discovered other ralliers had a very jolly evening in Bills awning celebrating Peter Lipscombes’ birthday which had resulted in a few one over the eights.

Saturday we awoke to yet more rain and wind eventually leaving off enabling us to spend the afternoon in Langport and the local garden centre. Saturday evening we all managed to squeeze into the slightly larger awning of Sue and Ernie Pibworth with drinks and nibbles and a couple of not too serious quizzes and a game or two of card bingo, there were lots of barracking and laughter resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Sunday and the weather improved slightly actually managed to stay dry and even a glimpse of that yellow ball in the sky.. Bill introduced flag and thanked everyone for attending also his assistant marshals Sue & Ernie who received their little piece of plastic and a pressie for all there hard work, and a nice bunch of flowers to wife , Linda.

Sue Grubb gave out forthcoming rallies, Sue Pibworth conducted the raffle and was determined to see that everybody received a prize. What happened to the gnome! Helen and Alan Hepworth received a bottle of wine for winning the quiz. So all that is left to say is congratulations and a big thank you to Bill and Linda on running their first rally and of course the ever, as always faithful assistants Sue & Ernie.

The Moonrakers

Event 17 RALLY AT BOYNTON

We are here again to visit our old friends John and Maria Lloyd, and have our rally on their farm.

Friday morning dawns with blue skies and brilliant sunshine but a cool breeze. “It won’t last,” says our Rally marshal, “it comes and goes with the tide“, and as a local, he knows about these things! We got set up and met in the awning for tea, biscuits and home made cake; and usual greetings, banter and general chitchat.

Saturday was a free day, so everyone went their own way, visiting one of the nearby resorts. Scarbough, Bridlington, Whitby, Hornsea all within easy reach.

We had to be back in time for the meal, prepared by Mary and her assistants in the barn, followed by a game of “ Chase the Ace “ which lasted all the evening. And who had all his three lives intact for the final round and won? That’s right- Derek - the Marshall!

The sun was still shining on Sunday. We were booked in at the nearby hostelry for an early evening carvery, excellent food and company.

We arrived back at the rally field for “Flag”, as some ( the workers) were having to go home on the Monday, and to receive excellent news from Mary that Doncaster, who we support, had beaten Leeds, who Derek and Mary supports.

For those staying on it was a “do what you want day”. There was an excellent Car Boot Sale nearby as well as a good Garden Centre.

It was soon time to take down the awning and prepare to go home on Tuesday, it only seemed a short time ago, we were putting it up, but the weather forecast said it was going to rain.

On Tuesday morning, we woke to a dull, damp day, but as we were going home, it did not matter as we had had a superb rally.

Thanks to Mary and Derek for their hard work and we look forward to returning again next year.

We don’t think the tide at Bridlington ever goes out. The wind never did stop blowing!!!!.

Kath and Jack

Event 6 Swiss Farm, Easter at Henley on Thames

What a wonderful venue our rally marshall found for us. Close to the river and close to the town we didn’t need to use our car all .
Our thanks to Pete and Margaret and their assistants for battling through the worst weather we have had for a long time. I know it was forecast but you never expect it to be as bad.
Despite all the conditions they still managed to supply tea/coffee, hot cross buns/doughnuts on Good Friday afternoon and luck was with us for a short time the sun came out which meant we managed to have a chat with fellow ralliers. In the evening a buffet was laid out in their awning and we could all help ourselves and take it back to our caravans to enjoy.
A social tent had been erected but this was all lost with the bad weather conditions early Friday morning so all the games and quizs that had been arranged had to be cancelled.
Saturday evening a ploughmans was delivered to the caravans a bit like meals on wheels I don’t know how they achieved it for so many people.
On Sunday we watched the rowing Oxford against Cambridge women and mens’ races but it was so cold and windy. We also visited the rowing museum which had a Wind in the Willows story.
Just for fun a few of us had a go with a set of feely bags that Pete and Margaret had done and we all enjoyed guessing what was inside.
Well done and thank you Pete and Margaret and assistants.

Sue and Ernie Pibworth
Heidi and Chloe-Ann Richards

Event 6 Swiss Farm Henley

Where were you Easter 2008? We know where we were! A rally to go down in the record books of ABI history. The earliest Easter for nearly 100 years and probably the coldest and windiest, the old saying “The March wind doth blow and we shall have snow” certainly rang true. However despite the atrocious weather conditions we must congratulate and give a big thank you to Peter and Margaret for all their extremely hard work and organisation that they put in to make it a truly superb rally. It is not always that easy to organise a rally for 10 – 15 vans but for over 30 on a muddy field in the cold and wet it must have been a nightmare. Unfortunately all their organising and hardwork was lost in the early hours of Friday morning when the 4 gazeebos erected and provided for our entertainment collapsed and were damaged beyond repair in the gale force winds.

Still as the hardened ralliers we all are and not to be deterred everything went ahead as per programme with hot x buns, fresh doughnuts, Easter eggs , a buffet and a ploughmans supper being delivered to everybodies vans. All of this being provided over the course of the weekend – didn’t they do WELL .

We certainly enjoyed the few days break in the lovely surrounds of Henley and the river Thames, we managed several good walks without getting too wet and watched the ladies Oxford and Cambridge boat race on the Sunday afternoon.

We also had the pleasure of watching the lovely Red Kites that seemed to always be flying overhead. Flag was as normal with tea, coffee biscuits etc and all the children received Easter eggs and the raffle took place. Peter Lipscombe inadvertently won the gnome. So it just leaves us to say a very big thank you to Peter & Margaret and of course their assistants Helen & Alan Hepworth and Sandy and all the other helpers that contributed in the extreme conditions.

The Moonrakers

Event 14 Holford Arms

This was our 3rd visit to this site, the 1st time we came the field was full of caravans and we thought what a well supported rally. We later found out the field was triple booked, us and two other clubs. What a popular venue.

Sue packed the van the week-end before so it was packed for hot sunny weather. Thursday evening on arrival Mike was at the gate to welcome us then Geraldine put the kettle on. The rain came down in the night and kept us awake.

Friday we went to Tetbury and Malmsbury with Sue looking in all the charity shops for long trousers she was successful. In the evening we all gathered in the awning for nibbles and a chat.
Saturday we visited Cirencester. In the evening we all had a game of skittles. Ron won the mens and Mo won the ladies, with Taylor winning killer.
Sunday the sun came out although it was still chilly. Thank you Mike and Geraldine for wonderful week-end.

Ernie and Sue Pibworth

Even 11 Hidden Spring Vineyard .

Here we are again for our third visit to this wonderful site we arrived on Friday afternoon in glorious sunshine. Ernie had been fishing all morning at the cl we stopped at last night we are both lucky in that we do not have to work Fridays.
After legs down we sat out and enjoyed the sun. In the evening we got together we our fellow ralliers in Helen and Alans awning for a chat and a tipple or two.
Saturday saw a visit to Eastborne with a walk along the pier and the sea front the weather could not have been better, there was a French market and a display of classic cars. In the evening we all enjoyed Alans chilli with Helens jacket potatoes and gateaux for pudding ending with us all sitting around discussing what we had done during the day.
Sunday Ernie was up early as he was going fishing he was gone approx 9-10hrs and caught over 100 fish which had to be put back. I was just settling down with a good book when Pete and Marg asked if I would like to go out with them so I had another trip to Eastbourne and saw some different things to the day before, thank you.
Flag was held Sunday evening and we were treated to bacon rolls and sausage rolls. It seems all we do is eat and drink on ABI rallies
Monday was departure day as flag was the evening before the day was free to do as you wish.
Thank you Helen and Alan and not forgetting your assistants Pete and Margaret.

Sue and Ernie Pibworth

Event 18 Sallywood Farm

We arrived at this picturesque Cotswold Rally on Friday 23 May greeted by Simon and Sharon - "Just park anywhere" they said and when feet were down we were to join them, Mike and Geraldine for a cuppa.

Well, where to park. We were spoilt for choice of views it was just lovely. Finally we decided on a spot and parked the van and put out our small sun canopy as the sun was shining ~ what more could you want.

The weather then decided to deteriorate rapidly and the wind began to blow - we watched carefully for any problems with the canopy and tied it down as securely as we could. Spent Friday evening with Simon and the rest of the ralliers who had come over for an evening get together.

Saturday came in bright but still the wind was getting stronger by the hour. We then decided the canopy had to come down. Later in the day we decided to do a trip to Bourton on the Water, what a lovely little place. We wished we had left earlier in the day to be able to spend more time there. We visited the little motor museum, and spent a good couple of hours there wandering around the cars, toys and memorabilia only to admit to the lad on the counter when we left that we did not realise that we were sooo old!!!! All the stuff on display was from our era or was just familiar from our childhood. Wonderful thoughts from Memory Lane.

Saturday evening was spent with all our friends in the Marshals awning with our cooked evening meal: salad was kindly provided by our hosts. We had flag during the evening and as always lots of raffle prizes were on offer ~ another evening of good company and chatter finished off the day.

Sunday came in really cold wet and blowing a gale. We spent a quiet day reading and resting and enjoyed a visit to a local pub for a couple of pints and a Sunday Roast. Later we joined everyone for bacon baps in the evening which was great.

Monday we managed to pack up in quite awful weather and wondered, if we are going to get a summer at all this year!!!

Many thanks to Simon, Sharon and family, ably assisted by Geraldine and Mike ~ a good week-end enjoyed in beautiful surroundings. Shame it was spoiled by the elements.

Linda and Bill Murphy

Rally Amendments/Alterations

Event 32/33 Hunstanton

Unfortunately these rallies have had to be cancelled.

EVENT 52 – WOODMANCOTT Nov 7– 9

New rally officers. Sue & Ernie Pibworth.

02392785906 Mob :07808174098

£5 per night £6 rally fee. No Sunday Papers.

Event 49 Bashley Park. Oct 10-12

New Rally officers Sue & Terry Grubb.

£24.OO incl. Electrics..NO SUNDAY PAPERS.

There will be no skittles on Saturday night. Do it yourself week-end.

Rally Amendments/Alterations

Event 53A

28^th – 30^th November 2008

Hamble Primary School,

Hamble. Southampton SO31 4ND

Christmas themed Week-End will include a children’s party in the afternoon.

As it’s a school we will not be able arrive until Friday evening.

Full details to follow in September Pacesetter.

Sue Pibworth,

023 92785906

07808174098.

Event 44 Cobnor House

Dates of the rally are 12.00 Thursday 11th September to 12.00 Monday 15th September.

AGM 2008 Lady Margaret’s Hall

Please note that if anyone wishes to come a day early (Thursday 17^th) they may do so but no arrivals before 11-00am please.

Also anyone wishing to stay on can do so but only upto the Wednesday 23^rd, The cost for extra nights is £4-50 per night.

Finally there is hard standing at the side of the hall so anyone coming with a motor home if

they could indicate this on their booking slip and also the length of unit, we can site you there.

Alan Mirfin

Landmark Plaques

250^th Rally Plaque

May 2008 Bridgnorth

Jerry & Sylvia Cashmore