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South Essex Matters

Newsletter 222, Easter 2018

After all the snow, Spring has sprung and the committee wishes all

South Essex members and their families a wonderful Easter.

We look forward to seeing you on a rally field very soon.

Stay Calm and Keep Rallying

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WELCOME FROM YOUR CHAIRLADY

Happy Easter to you all. Here we are at the end of March already, spring has arrived and we are looking forward to planning our summer season of rallies we will be attending. Let’s hope the weather will be kind to us. It was a great shame, we had to cancel the Annual Dinner Dance this year, but unfortunately we have no control over the weather. We were extremely lucky that the Centre did not lose any money as we cancelled before the cut-off date. As the Golf Club, DJ and coach company were so understanding arrangements have been made to rebook for 1st to 3rd March 2019 (a date for your diaries). Once again, Will & Penny have arranged the Charity Indian meal for Wednesday 11th April at 7.30pm at the Tandoori Parlour, Hart Road, Thundersley. I’m sure we will have another great evening, so if you haven’t yet booked on, please contact Will & Penny, tickets are £12 per person for an all you can eat buffet. As you are aware, the National this year will be held at Sledmere House in Yorkshire, why not extend your trip and spend a little longer in the lovely Yorkshire countryside. It is South Essex’s turn to host the Anglia Region Get Together over the long weekend of 21st to 24th June. The Committee and I are busy arranging a full programme so please book on and support us, it promises to be a good event. Three weeks later, it will be our Chairman’s rally at Brookfields. We hope to see lots of you there. We have booked the village hall opposite once again for the Saturday evening where we will entertain you and serve a light supper. Enjoy your summer where ever you may go and please remember you are always welcome to have a chat and a tea or coffee at our caravan. Don’t eat too many Easter eggs. Take care. Sue

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Dogs on rallies Dogs are more than welcome on the rally field, but they must be

kept on a lead at all times when outside their vans.

Please do not ask or try to take your dog into a social as this puts the

marshals in an awkward difficult position, which is unfair.

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

Notice to Marshals If you have a first time rallier attending one of your rallies, please let Carol Harper (new member liaison) or any other committee member know. We can then make sure they are made extra welcome and receive their rally book and a £15 voucher towards their 2nd rally. Thank you.

Guide Dogs for the Blind Presentation At the last Committee meeting, the chosen name for our nominated guide dog was picked from all those supplied by you the members. It ended up with a decision between Bailey and Marshal, with the final winning name being Marshal. The presentation will be made at the Redbridge Training School for the Guide Dogs for the Blind, Findlay House, Manor Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 8ER on Thursday 5th April 2018. We are lucky enough to be able to have a tour around

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the Centre, 10 people can attend at 10am for a talk from a puppy walker and maybe a blind person, then shown around the kennels and the training school. The cheque for £1,130 will then be presented. If you would be interested in attending, please contact Sue Maran. Thank you to everyone that chose a name and supported the Charity Chinese meal and sponsored Paul & Will on their walk. Regards. Sue

Charity Indian Meal Due to its success the Charity Indian Meal has been booked once again for 7.30pm on Wednesday 11th April 2018 at Tandoori Parlour Indian Restaurant, Hart Road, Thundersley. The money raised will be going to a local Essex charity called

the Dream Factory , which grants wishes and dreams to children and young adults aged 3-25yrs with life threatening conditions or disabilities. This promises to be a great evening out with good company, good food and maybe a bit of a boogie to work it all off afterwards. The meal is an eat as much as you like buffet with over 50 dishes to choose from All for £12 per person, which includes a starter and a main course (desert and drinks are charged separately). An English menu is also available.

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You do not need to be a South Essex Centre member, all family and friends are welcome. Contact Will or Penny if interested on 01702 463014 or 07708 048746 Don’t forget to re-register with South Essex Centre, which

you must do every year at www.caravanclub.co.uk or on

the phone to the Caravan and Motorhome Club on 01342

488397. This is free and allows you to vote and helps the

centre.

Please let your insurance know about your tow bar as this is a

modification.

Two South Essex members have had their caravans stolen

from storage during February.

Make sure you use all your security measures both in

storage and when on a pitch to make it as difficult as

possible for would be thieves.

Keep your unit as safe as you can and make sure you have

photos of your unit.

Sports equipment and games Any Marshal that requires any sports equipment or games please get in touch with a Veteran sports committee member. Remember as main marshal you are responsible for all equipment and it’s safe use.

Centre equipment Please ensure you book out any equipment you require through Geoff Appleton and return it as soon as possible and if you are

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passing it to another marshal please check with Geoff first as it might already have been booked out by another marshal.

Missing Centre equipment Please check if you have any Centre equipment and if you have please arrange to return it to Geoff Appleton as we are missing some items mainly a white projector screen in a wooden box.

New Venues needed

If you know of any potential new venues please contact David Mills so he can investigate.

New Advertisers needed

Do you know someone who may be interested in advertising in our 2019 rally book?

Prices are very competitive starting at just £70.

Please contact Paul Maran on tel 0208 550 1201 as revenue received from advertising keeps the ultimate price of the book to members as low as possible.

Calling all Rally Marshals (experienced and new)

Are you interested in running a rally next year, if so please contact David Mills or Paul Maran to ensure you get the date and venue you want.

Don’t forget the clocks spring forward on Sunday 25th March 2018 when British Summertime officially begins.

Remember this is where we lose an hours sleep.

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Rally News

Confessions of a pair of Virgin Rally Marshal’s.

Having been a member of SECC for a while and attending a few rallies, we finally agreed to help on a rally, as assistant Marshal’s. It was a murder mystery weekend that included a 3 course meal on the Saturday night. The weekend kicked off on the Friday afternoon when we arrived at the venue to meet up with the main Marshals and the other Assistant Marshals, making 6 of us. The main Marshal’s had everything needed for the event in their car and caravan…. After picking my chin off the floor at how they had got that lot in there, we proceeded to unload and carry it all into the venue. Apart from setting up the tables and chairs, Friday was quite straight forward and easy. The hard work really began for us, on Saturday afternoon. Whilst everyone was watching a film “Death on the Nile”, we began cooking a meal for 40. So 40 chicken breasts were wrapped in bacon, 200 new potatoes were checked, counted and put into the biggest saucepan we had. In fact the saucepan was big enough to bath my cavalier dog in. Once the chicken breasts were prepared for the oven. It took 2 helpful men to light the very large gas ovens. They needed to do this without burning themselves as a lit taper had to be held towards the back whilst holding a button in at the front. Eventually we were able to get the ignition button to work, but the gas button still has to held in until the oven fires up. The rest of the meal was easy, except that whilst boiling the vegetables, I realised that the gas had run out, so the 2 helpful men were called upon again to change the gas cylinders and relight the ovens. I was warned by a few seasoned Marshals and Assistant Marshals, that the ovens were very slow and to allow double the cooking times. They weren’t joking, the ovens actually took 2 hours to cook the chicken breasts (the usual time in my home oven is 30 -40 mins), and as for boiling the potatoes, by the time the water actually boiled the potatoes were cooked…. 1 hour!!! Serving the food was easy. After having their starters, everyone lined up to collect their main meal; a bit like the school dinner queue but much better behaved (no pushing and shoving)!! After dessert of gateaux or fresh fruit salad, it was time for the main event, a murder mystery written by Carol and Glenn Harper. Oh what a laugh that was….I think we pulled it off…. Just!! The washing up and clearing up took a while, but we managed it, ready for flagpole on the Sunday. We returned home absolutely knackered, but we think we quite enjoyed it. But our parting comment to the main Marshals was…. Thanks, we had a whale of a time!!!!

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Burns Night

We arrived on Friday evening where we were treated to mulled cider and oak cakes while we were all catching up with friend at the customary natter and chatter with a jigsaw for those that like a bit of a challenge. After a leisurely breakfast on Saturday morning we had the chance to pop into Chelmsford or go a little further afield.

On Saturday evening we went over to the hall which had been decorated to set the Scottish theme for the evening where we had a dinner comprising of Haggis, neeps and tatties with a wee nip of whiskey to enjoy. Then after some Haggis racing where the overall winner was Alan Walker who was a deserved winner for some magnificent riding, we danced the night away to the tunes supplied by Lance.

We even had a rendition of Donald where’s your trousers as even Donald Long was in a kilt.

South Essex done Robbie Burns proud in all their attire, kilts and tartans with the ladies looking beautiful as they always do on these occasions.

On Sunday after flagpole we bid farewell to each other another great rally with wonderful company.

Thank you for all your hard work Marshals, you exceled yourselves again.

Report by Glenn Harper and Photo’s courtesy of Ruth Thomson

MYSTERIOUS EGYPT

We arrived on a cold but sunny Friday afternoon and the fun began that evening in

the dig house of a 1920’s archaeology site with a narrative from Carol (Harper) about

the origins of her passion for Egyptology, and careful listeners were able to pick up

answers to some of the 20 questions on the competition sheet. Spelling them would

be the problem though! We then had time to catch up with old friends and enjoy

lovely cakes made by the marshals and assistants.

We were all welcome to visit the dig house on Saturday morning when hot drinks

were on constant supply, but at 2 o’clock a showing of Death on the Nile introduced

us to the intrigue that would last through the day. With one eye on the film a few of

us were also attempting a jigsaw or playing games, all on the theme of Egypt. A tasty

meal, beautifully cooked by the marshals and their assistants, was laid on in the

evening, , during which a loud scream told us that the body of the unfortunate

Collette had been found. We spent the next couple of hours quizzing the suspects a

la Poirot and trying to identify the villain. This time the butler didn’t do it but the culprit

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was eventually found and is, no doubt, now languishing in gaol somewhere. So with

jigsaws completed and murderers apprehended we could all sleep peacefully in our

beds before leaving Egypt and taking the short trip home on Sunday morning. A

great time was had by all (except Collette!)

Report by David Tyler & Photo’s courtesy of Tony Harrison-Smith

YOUR CHANCE TO DANCE

Have you ever seen Carol and Glenn on the Dance floor, and thought "I could never do that", well WE DID ! But we booked on all the same, as did many others claiming that they couldn't dance. . . . . . Not only can Carol and Glenn demonstrate, but they can also teach extremely well. By the Saturday evening we were all showing off our newly found skills, having dispensed with that second left foot et al. The weekend started with the usual Natter and Chatter, where Carol recollected some of their dancing history. For those that listened carefully there were some useful facts to help with the weekends Quiz. There was a themed jigsaw puzzle for those of us that had more patience. Saturday Morning lesson 1 started at 10am prompt, with the Waltz. An Hour and a half later, we could all, not only count to three, but also get around the hall elegantly (Well most of us, elegantly). We had also learned a Line dance. Lesson 2 commenced at 1pm, and nobody was late this time, as we were all very keen to learn the Cha Cha Cha. Again by the end of the lesson most could Cha Cha Cha, open out and even turn. A Film show followed, called Take the lead, and then there were Tea & Cakes to enjoy. Saturday evening there was a surprise demonstration by two junior ballroom champions. WOW!! they were absolutely amazing. Sophie (15) was from Rayleigh, and her partner, Gideon (17), came from Felixstowe. What a treat this was, even if it did bring our achievements down to earth. The rest of the evening was spent doing the Waltz and Cha Cha Cha, to tunes played by Glenn, doing his first ever Disco. Whilst writing this review, reflecting on what a great time we had, I am also thinking 'If it doesn't ache, it must of fell off.' That reminds me; where is that second left foot? Now I just can’t wait to do it all again. Once again, thanks to all the Marshals for their hard work, and to all fellow ralliers for a wonderful time in great company. Report by Marion Mills & photo’s courtesy of Carole Long

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Cupids Calling We arrived on Friday early evening and it was still light which makes a pleasant change. After having something to eat we went over to the hall to catch up with old friends and make some new ones at the natter and chatter. On Saturday afternoon Carol and I held a dance class where we went over the Waltz that we taught last weekend with some familiar faces in attendance as well as some new faces that could not make the previous week. Then the main event Saturday evening where we walked into a transformed hall which was beautifully decorated with hearts and red lights and was served a wonderful dinner of shepherd’s pie and veg followed by apple pie then we were treated to the wonderful vocal talents of Sue O’Brien who sung a variety of songs but included the Waltz so South Essex members could display their new found talents. It was fantastic to see so many people on the dance floor which was packed most of the night. Everyone enjoyed the evening which is a testament to Penny, Will and their assistants who put on a wonderful weekend. There was some disappointing news at flagpole, that Will and Penny are not going to run Valentines anymore, so we are going to need new main marshals to host this rally for which Chelmer has been booked for next year. Thank you Marshals for a wonderful weekend. Report by Glenn Harper

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Racing at the Rodings

I would like to thank the marshals for a lovely rally, the hall was open on Friday

afternoon and evening we went to pay our dues then natter and chatter, Saturday

hall was open then in the afternoon we had a quiz (which I managed to answer some

questions! our team came second. Half way through we had cake and tea/coffee.

Saturday evening we had a jacket potato ploughmans and strudel for afters very

tasty. after we had eaten we had the horse racing lots of cheering and laughter it

was great fun some did very well others not so good, it was a great evening as we

were able to chat to people some we hadn't seen for a while. Then Sunday flag pole

guess what? more tea coffee and cakes great!

A great weekend thanks.

Report by Joan Carter

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Down Memory Lane

In 1967 South Essex Centre had a mention in “En Route”, now The Club

Magazine, The Rally was held at Orsett to celebrate the Caravan Club’s

Diamond Jubilee. Fancy dress theme was Edwardian 1907, the year our

Club was founded.

Interesting things to note:

• This rally was celebrating 60 years since the formation of The

Caravan Club.

• Now we have moved on another 51 years.

• The number of vans on the Rally was 165.

• South Essex had only been formed 5 years earlier.

• It is obvious that dressing-up was as popular then as it is now.

• Dr William Gordon Stables was the owner of The Wanderer

Caravan, which he donated to The Caravan Club and is still restored

and kept by The Club.

The article read as follows: The Stars Came back

for S. Essex Edwardians

Me and my old dutch hitched up the barrer and went down the old Essex

Road to take a “butchers” at the Diamond Jubilee Rally of South Essex

Centre at Orsett Park.This attracted a record number of vans, 165 in all.

The theme of the Rally was “Edwardian Year 1907”.

An Olde Tyme Music

Hall was held in a

large marquee.

everybody was there:

Marie Lloyd, Vesta

Tilley, Charles

Coburn, Florrie Ford,

Chelsea Pensioners,

Sherlock Holmes and

Flower Girls. The

whole marquee was

alive with Cockney

humour. This was the

world that our first

President, Dr. Gordon-Stables, must have witnessed.

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The members put on a first-class show: can-can dancers, barber shop

sketch, and supplemented by the whole company singing old time

songs. After the music hall came dancing to Bobby Bean’s Old Tyme

Dance Band.

A barbeque of three whole sheep roasted, plus a licensed bar, took care

of the refreshments. As midnight approached the colourful, elegant

dresses of the Edwardian caravanners left the marquee to step out into

1967.

As always, hope you have enjoyed our step back in time and if there is any

particular item or period of time you would like me to research, please let me

know.

Kind Regards - Pamela Wakeling - Centre Historian

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Spotlight

on the

Committee

Sue Maran – Lady Chairman 1 year on

Question 1: During your time as Chair what changes have you seen or been a part of?

Sue: We have two new members on committee this year which I am very pleased about.

Question 2: Has Paul been able to cope with your promotion to Chair and has he really become a tut tut?

Sue: Yes Paul has coped very well with me becoming Chair as we are a team just as we were when Paul was Chair, it is just the roles that have reversed. Paul has not really become a tut tut, but then he is still on committee.

Question 3: What’s the funniest or strangest thing that’s happened since you have been Chair?

Sue: That has to be on a North Essex charity rally last year when their members were putting on a show. Paul and I got dragged up and did a Neil Dimond song on

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the karaoke and people came up after to say it was really good (I think they were just being polite).

Question 4: Would you recommend the position of Chair and what advice would you give to anyone considering the role.

Sue: Yes I would recommend it and I think you need to be patent, diplomatic and have the ability to listen and spend time socialising with the members.

Question 5: As Chair do you have to work more closely with other Centres?

Sue: Definitely, I think we have a good relationship with other Centres, which is important and that you should try to go on other Centres rallies.

Question 6: Do you receive support from the main Club?

Sue: If you have any queries we have a Lady we can phone who is very good so we have a contact, but generally we have limited contact with the Club. At Question Time in March, there are officials from the club at the event.

Question 7: Is there anything that you want to change which is possible by being involved in this article?

Sue: I would love to see more weekend rallies that are aimed at children and young families and also venues close to Zoo’s, farm’s or events. This I believe would hopefully encourage young families and children as that would ensure the future of the club.

Question 8: How do you feel about winter rallies?

Sue: I enjoy winter rallies but sometimes when we arrive, I think what am I doing leaving my nice warm house, when it is so cold in the caravan.

Question 9: Would you say 3 years to serve as Chair is too long, too short or just about right?

Sue: I would say it is just right as the first year you are just finding your feet then the second year you really enjoy it and the third year you are preparing to leave and are on the final countdown.

Question 10: What is your favourite caravan recipe or meal?

Sue: To be honest I like it in the summer when we can get the barbeque out and I like Salmon & Steak and it is an added bonus to eat it outside.

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To anyone celebrating a birthday, anniversary

or any other special occasion.

However you choose to celebrate, have a

wonderful time.

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Veteran

Sports News

The Veteran Sports team made their first appearance of 2018 at Mainly

Marshals where archery, curling and bean bags was enjoyed by many ralliers

and the competition was fierce with the eventual winner being

Don’t forget to thank and support the Veteran sports committee who give their

time voluntary to run various sports and games for your enjoyment.

The Veteran sports committee will be making an appearance at the Chairman’s

rally and various other rallies throughout the year where they will have the

equipment out for your use.

If any marshal needs sports equipment that is not at the storage then please

speak to any one of the Veteran sports committee.

Please remember the Veteran sports committee give up their time to provide

games for you to join in so please give them your support and thanks.