Members News

Items for the Members News section

Jan Couchman

Sadly Jan Couchman passed away this morning with Chas and their son by her side in the hospice. Jan was still attending rallies until early March when she suddenly became terminally ill.
Jan was one of the loveliest people you would ever wish to meet and she always had a lovely smile for everyone. We, like a few other members had the privilege of already knowing Jan for a few years before they attended their first SOC rally.

We were the marshals at their first rally in Rüdesheim, Germany in August 2023. Since then they have attended many UK and Continental rallies with the club and made many friends. I know Jan will be sadly missed by the many members who have had the pleasure of her company.

Our thoughts are with Chas and their son Richard at this very sad and difficult time.
R.I.P Jan.

John Brailsford, President

 

Important Email Address Change for 6 Rallies

Please note a change of email address for bookings to Keith & Jenne Essam for rally numbers: 19, 23, 25, 26, 28 and 33

Keith & Jenne Essam have recently established that their BTinternet account has not been receiving emails. If you have sent them an email for any of their rallies they won’t have received it. Therefore they have requested if you would kindly resend it to keithjenne@sky.com

If you are booking any of the listed rally numbers above can you please ensure you use their Sky account.

Webmaster

Rally 34.1: The Nurseries, Askham Bryan, 3rd-6th Dec

This rally is an additional one to the current rally programme in your rally venues book
Rally slips and RBV’s are to be sent to Steve & Tina Nobbs via email nobbsstephen1@gmail.com or contact Steve on 07856 849416 to register your interest.
York Christmas Markets are taking place over the weekend, Askham Bryan park and ride is close by so no need to take car into city
Hardstanding electric pitches, toilets & showers available to use
Site fee inc EHU £28

Sarah Lawson, Rally Secretary

New Draft Rally Programme for 2027

The latest Draft Rally Programme for 2027 has been uploaded to the website, please have a look.
There are still lots of weekends to fill, maybe you’ve thought of running a rally but don’t have a suitable venue? Don’t worry I have lots of suggestions throughout the Country.
Or you may have somewhere in mind but don’t know who to speak to or where to start? Again don’t worry please email me – rallysec@swift-owners-club.com and I’ll guide you to all the help and support that’s available.
New marshals and new venues are always appreciated and needed 🥰

Sarah
Rally Secretary

Peter Downing

Sadly we have just learnt of the death of Peter Downing whose funeral will take place on 27th May.
Peter & Ann Downing along with their son John were regular ralliers with the club in our early days.
In that era all rallies were just  two nights and started at 4pm on Friday. However due to business commitments they were only able to arrive on Saturday morning. However they still enjoyed coming away with the club for just 30 hours each time.
Peter was the club’s secretary in the late 1980’s before handing over to John Brailsford.
The Downing’s and the Brown’s families always remained friends as Michael & John were close friends from an early age. We chatted to John at Marion Brown’s funeral but his parents were not well enough to attend.
There will be a few of our long-standing members who will remember Peter from those early days.
R.I.P Peter.

Val & John Brailsford

 

Rally 9: Gateway to the Lakes, Garstang, Preston

Please support our new marshals who are running their 1st rally very soon

Nick & Sue Parkes look forward to welcoming you to this lovely part of Lancashire. You can just stay a few nights or stay all 9 nights to take advantage of travelling further afield in the area. There are still some pitches available with ELECTRIC which is optional.

The club have held rallies here before and have always been very popular.

So please contact Nick & Sue if you have any questions and get your booking to them asap. It’s past the final booking date but they would love to have you join them.

Please see the full information in the Rally Book on page 56.

Webmaster

New Committee Following the 2026 AGM

Executive Members:
Chairman : Rose Wasley
Secretary: Val Metcalf
Rally Secretary: Sarah Lawson
Treasurer: Steve Nobbs

Area Committee Members (ACMs):
Area 1 Sue Parkes
Area 2 VACANT
Area 3 Pat Conway
Area 4 VACANT
Area 5 Dave Timothy
Area 6 VACANT
Area 7 Bernard Wells
Area 8 Terry Marney

Officers:
Marketing – Ron Ward (Acting)
All other officers remain unchanged.

If you are interested in filling any of the vacant positions please contact the secretary for a job description. It would be wonderful if some of those vacancies could be filled.

Hon. Secretary, Val Metcalf, can be contacted at: secretary@swift-owners-club.com

The full ‘Who’s Who’ section on the website with contact details is being updated in line with the above list.

Webmaster

Rally HR60: Ebdon Bow 21st May – 1st June

There are 2 pitches with electric available at the Ebdon Bow rally.
If anyone would like to join us please contact Maureen on maureenpwells@gmail.com.
Bernard & Maureen Wells, Marshals

AGM Documentation Update

The audited 2025 accounts are not yet available from the auditor so the unaudited accounts, as prepared by the Treasurer, have been added to the AGM Documentation section on the website for information along with the Income and Expenditure Accounts for 2025.

See the AGM Documentation section on the  GENERAL INFO Main Page

Webmaster

AGM Rally – Food Availability During the Weekend

On Friday night a Fish and Chip Van will be on site from around 4.30pm to take orders.

Meals are available in The Cross Keys Pub that’s adjacent to rally field, pre-booking is recommended especially for Sunday lunch by calling them on 01525712442

Sarah Lawson, Lead Marshal