Rally Basics

Rallying is simply a gathering of Centre Members for a weekend or holiday to promote friendship and to socialise. Most rallies are run by a Rally Marshal and a Co-Marshal (with the exception of Committee run events). Marshals are ordinary members who have volunteered to organise and run the rally on behalf of other members. They may arrange a ‘social’ during the weekend, which could be anything from a communal barbecue to a village hall with a band and a three course meal. Some marshals also provide other entertainment such as our famous ‘sticky fingers bingo’ and quiz nights.

To book on a rally you should first ring the marshal as listed in your rally handbook to enquire whether there is space on the rally (especially for those listed as limited) then send a completed rally slip to confirm your booking. (These can be photocopied from those in the back of your rally book/printed from the home page of this website or are usually available on the equipment sales table on the rally field). Please let the marshals know if this is your first rally (this is so that they can advise and help you if necessary and also to ensure that a ‘first rally’ bar is available for you).

When you arrive at the rally you will see the centre flagpole and the marshals van, usually the first on the field, will be signed (a yellow floor standing sign marked ‘Marshal’). You will need to stop at the marshals van to pay for the rally and also to receive rally instructions. The rally will usually start at 12 noon unless stated otherwise, this is to allow the marshal sufficient time to prepare so please do not arrive before that time unless previously arranged with the marshal.

Where rally marshals have set out site pegs, the caravan should be parked with the front offside corner (driver's side) as near to the peg as possible, unless told to do otherwise.

Although we do rally on some commercial sites and at village halls etc. some of our rallies are held on land that comprises a field, fresh water tap and chemical toilet disposal only. In view of this, in addition to items you would normally expect to take on a commercial site (fresh & waste water containers etc.), you will need:

• Your own toilet and a water container to fill it (toilets must never be taken to the fresh drinking water tap, this is a serious health hazard).
• A waste bin/bags for dry waste that you will need to take home with you.
• Simple wooden wedges/levelling blocks (we do try to book mostly level sites but it is advisable to carry these just in case).

If you intend to rally in the winter months it is advisable to use propane gas (red bottles) as butane may freeze if the outside temperature drops below freezing.

At the end of each rally there is an informal gathering that we call ‘Centre Flag’. Everyone gathers at the marshals van where the Chairman thanks the marshals for their work during the weekend and welcomes visitors and new ralliers (this is where you are presented with your ‘first rally’ bar). Birthdays and forthcoming events are also announced here and there is usually the chance to book on future rallies (rally slips can be given to the marshals at Centre Flag).

If you have trouble towing off a rally field as a result of adverse weather conditions etc., never struggle, see the rally marshal and they will arrange for one of our members with a four wheel drive vehicle to give you some help.