The AGM and Rally Launch rally saw 34 units plus 2 marshals attending with visitors from South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.
On Friday night we were entertained with a quiz run by our Chairman, Martin Critchley. Followed by background music. Saturday saw the rally launch well attended and it was heartening to see that all the rallies on the programme were picked up bar two. On Saturday evening, the committee prepared a lovely hot meal of Sausage, mash, peas and onion gravy, followed by lemon meringue and cream. We were then entertained by the fabulous Richard Comfort, a superb soloist who performed on a recent Starstruck TV programme as Rag an Bone man.
Sunday morning was the AGM meeting which was very well attended. The meeting progressed smoothly with Committee positions being filled (some vacancies are still available on our vacancy page) and presentations being made. A presentation for 700 rallies was made to Richard and Gill Hitch, an amazing achievement. The children who had attended rallies over the year received a plaque and a bag of sweets and awards were made to retiring committee members, Julie Widdowson and Paul Tomkinson. The Franz and Hilda Hohmann trophy was presented to Nick and Tracy Orchard for attending the most rallies this year (17 rallies) with a Silver award presented to Ian and Helen Williamson (16 rallies) and bronze awards being presented to 13 other members for 10 rallies and above.
All in all, it was a very successful weekend and thanks must go to the chairman and his committee and partners plus all the helpers for all their hard work.
We rallied by kind permission of the cricket
club committee. There were 21 units including the marshals,
unfortunately 10 units were unable to attend due to the prevailing
weather conditions. On Friday evening the first quizzes and games of
sticky fingers were enjoyed by all. The quizzes were continued on
Saturday evening, with a break for some very nicely prepared light
refreshments, over which almost all struggled to guess "a pair of 'teef'
" in the drinks picture quiz. A big
hearty thank you to the marshals Tom, Dallas, Ann & Ady for all
their hardwork in preparing everything to ensure a great weekend was had
by all.
The rally at Hayfield Lakes was very much a free and easy rally, as planned. There were 18 outfits on including marshals, with visitors from South Yorkshire and East Warwickshire. There was one first rallier, a big notts welcome to Sandy and Dawn Thompson. The weather on Friday was hot, hot, hot and although there was the odd shower on Saturday, it didn't dampen the mood. Over the weekend most people visited the on-site pub and restaurant or socialised round their vans. Some ventured to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park which was not far from the rally site and they said they had a great time. There was a lucky van draw at flag which was won by one of the visitors from South Yorkshire. All in all, a great relaxing weekend. Many thanks to the marshals Becky and Jamie Reed and Dawn and Gary Bishop.
This weekend we had 10 units out with visitors from Northamptonshire. It was a nice, small but very friendly rally and Friday evening was spent in the clubhouse where our marshal, Martin Critchley had to serve behind the bar as the club steward had a family emergency! Saturday was free and easy and some of us visited the local attractions, The Engine Yard and Belvoir Castle plus visits to Grantham and Melton Mowbray. On Saturday evening we were in the clubhouse again where Martin got time off from the bar as the steward was back in charge! Some of those on the rally enjoyed a take-away meal that was delivered to the clubhouse and then we all took part in a dominoes knock out competition that was won by Neil Goulding. Thanks to Martin and Sue Critchley for running and organising the rally on our behalf and thanks to Jane Tomkinson for taking the flag.
We had 39 units out this weekend with visitors from the Leicestershire and South Yorkshire centres. Friday night we settle down to a relaxing evening with background music and a Valentines quiz. Saturday was a relaxing day with some shopping and a visit to the local pub after some fresh air. Saturday evening we met in a beautifully decorated hall for Valentines. We were treated to a 3 course meal then a Mr and Mrs quiz, followed by entertainment supplied by our very own Martin Critchely then finished off with a disco.
Report by Chairlady, Marie Charlton
We had 88 units including Marshals with visitors from Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, East Yorkshire, East Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, South Staffordshire, Scottish Centre and West MIdland Centres. We welcomed 2 first time ralliers and there were 8 members celebrating birthdays.
Some of us arrived a day early to get settled in with one gentleman travelling 305 miles from Scotland doeing 185 of those before even finding out if the rally was going ahead!
On the first official night of the rally we were treated to a 2 course meal of soup and sausage and mash and then entertainment by tribute act Bruno Mars with a disco to finish the night, well done to our 50-50 winner who walked awau with £147.50!
The second night was an Egyptian temed night. Thanks to Paul for the Egyptian props he expertly made for the evening. The evening meal was chicken, veg, Yorkshire pudding and jam roly-poly and custard. We were then entertained by a Queen Tribute act, the best I have seen so far. Well done to the second 50-50 winner who walked away with £111!
On New Year's Eve the main event was 'dress to impress'. Flag was held during the evening followed by a 3 course meal of soup, pork and all the trimmings followed by Vienetta and cream. Then we were entertained by party band, The Warning Tones followed by a DJ into the early hours. We all welcomed in the New Year with a glass of prosecco and sandwich platter. A raffle was held during the evening and also 50-50, well done to our third winner who walked away with £112.50.
That leaves me to thank our marshals Jane and Paul Tomkinson, Gill and Richard Hitch and Tracy and Nick Orchard who were all given a gift of flowers, a wine presentation box and money from the collection that was held during the rally to show our appreciation to our marshals for putting on a fantastic New Year rally. Also a big thank you to all those who helped with food prep, decorations, cleaning and the siting of vans, you have all done a fantastic job at making it a very successful rally. The feedback has been very good which is a credit to the Notts Centre!
Report by Chairlady, Marie Charlton