Motor Caravanners' Club National RallyMay 2013

Three Counties Showground, Malvern was the location for the 2013 National Rally.  This was only the second National we attended but the fits one where we were expected to attend and take part on behalf of Northern Counties Club.  The group conference was actually interesting and it was good to put a face to some names on the council of management.  It was also an opportunity for us to meet the new Chairs of other groups.

On the Saturday we were planning a party night after the AGM and member meetings. As a group we were alloated the colour yellow for the Saturday night party night.  We had asked everyone to wear something yellow for the envening and Kim had helped a few to create facinators for all the ladies to wear.  We decorated the tanles with yellow cloths and vases of yellow flowers.  It looked quite simple but effective on the night.  Kim made herself a vintage style yellow dress and even made me a shirt to wear.  The group were realy good and most people were up dancing.

On the Sunday we were over to the hall to place our entries for the homecraft competition.  Lots of members had put forward entries in the following categories and quite a few were placed

Mosaic
1st Allan McKelvie
3rd Margaret Platt

Knitted Hat Scarf and Gloves
3rd Doreen Jemmett
- Janice Burnip
- Jacqui Robson
- Lynne Smith
- Margaret Watt

Quilted Waistcoat
1st Kim McKelvie

Soft Toy Animal
2nd Kim McKelvie
3rd Margaret Platt
- Jacqui Robson

Embroidery or Cross stitch of a single bird
1st Kim McKelvie
- Margaret Platt
- Doreen Jemmett

Painting
2nd Jennifer Ord
- Irene Wood

We also came 1st in the group entry which was on the theme of an afternoon tea party.

Quite a few Northern Counties members contributed to make this the winning entry and many thanks go to all of them including Steve Evans for the table and Chairs, Laurence Hunter  for the best miniture paintings in the category, Kim made the window and curtains, Janice Burnip the tablecloth, Margaret Platt the tea set and tray, Sheila Cottrell the cake stand with tiny cakes, Malcolm Haywood for tiny little cutlery and I managed to get the wall light working and make the fireplace etc.

No wonder we were presented with lots of medals and two group trophies to bring home.  Well done everyone who took part.  Lets hope the sucess can get a few other memebers involved for 2014 when we head off to Northern Ireland for the next National rally.

From helper to leader

After serving on the commitee for a year under our chairman John Cottrell and learning the roles.  John and his wife Sheila, (the group secretary) decided to step down from the commitee in October 2012 to enjoy their travels.  Kim was already helping Sheila as assistant and was expected to take up the post as group secretary at the Annual General meeting if voted back on the commitee.  I had been serviing as assistant treasurer, although I had no wish to become treasurer.

Following the AGM, I was surprised to be voted as Chairman but it was a great honour that people had faith in me to carry out the role, more than I did myself.

After a shaky and nervous start, the other commitee members have supported me and I have gone one to get into the hang of being a group Chairman.  I am still learning but want to do a good job at leading the group.  My favorite part of the role is meeting and chatting to the members at rallies. Kim says it because I can 'blather on about nowt'  to anybody.   Although I admit I still get nervous when I have to stand up and do the coffee morning speaches and I am dreading having to do my first Annual General Meeting in Ocotber.