Members News

Earlier today I received the very sad news that long standing member Marion Brown passed away this morning after a long illness.

Many of you will remember that Marion and Barry celebrated 50 years of membership at this year’s AGM rally. During their 50 years of membership they had attended every AGM and were determined to make 2024 no exception, even though Marion had only just come out of hospital. She bravely managed to attend it even though they could only manage to come for the day.

Val and I will always remember when we first met Barry & Marion on our very first SOC rally 40 years ago. They gave us lots of information about the club and made us very welcome. We left determined to do more SOC rallies.

Our thoughts are with Barry at this very sad and difficult time; Marion and Barry had been married for 67 years. Our thoughts are also with their children Susan, Maureen & Michael and families.

RIP Marion.

John Brailsford President

Sadly we received a phone call yesterday from Don saying that they were reluctantly leaving the club.

On behalf of the membership I would like to express my gratitude for what they have done for the club over the years. Not only have they run many rallies both, at home and abroad, but over the years Don has served as our Chairman and as an ACM; Jean also served as an ACM and between them they have covered the roles of Minutes Secretary and Publicity Officer. They have also introduced family to the club and one son is still a current member.

Hopefully we may occasionally see them visiting their many friends and their family on future rallies.

I wish them many more happy years of touring.

John Brailsford, President

DON & JEAN’s FAREWELL MESSAGE BELOW:

After 35 years membership, Jean and I are leaving the S.O.C.

Not because of any dissatisfaction – on the contrary – we have many, many happy memories of rallies at home and abroad and we have made many friends!

Personal circumstances have forced us to move to “the dark side” in order to enable us to continue touring and as we have been unable to find a ‘Swift’ product that meets our requirements, we have now bought an Autotrail!

Hopefully we may still catch up with our numerous S.O.C. friends and acquaintances on a neutral field, somewhere, sometime!

We wish the Club every success in the future!

Don & Jean Munro

Janet Bubb and family have set up an official public tribute page for David where memories can be shared for the family to cherish forever.

I know many of you posted on the SOC Facebook notification and you may also like to post on here too. Those who are not on Facebook can now have the opportunity to share their memories and express condolences via the tribute page.

Click on the following link to leave your memories. https://davidbubb.muchloved.com

If you wish, donations to Macmillan Cancer Support in David’s name may also be made there. If you are attending the funeral you may donate on the day if you wish to do so.

John Brailsford, President

If you are wishing to attend David’s funeral then please let Rose Wasley know via Text or WhatsApp on 07748 820 952 ASAP as she is kindly collating numbers for Janet.

Janet would like you to wear bright colours to celebrate David’s life and donations can be made to Macmillan Cancer Support on the day should you wish to do so.

It is wonderful that there are around 50 comments from members on Val Brailsford’s Facebook post. Janet’s daughter and Rose have confirmed that Janet is very touched and overwhelmed by them.

My news item post yesterday highlights what David has done for the club over the years.

John Brailsford, President

The funeral details are as follows:-

Date: Friday 27th September 1pm

Location: Worcester Crematorium, Astwood Cemetery, Astwood Road, Worcester WR3 8HA

Wake: Gaudet Luce Golf Club, Middle Lane, Hadzor, Droitwich WR9 7JR

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Honorary Life Member David Bubb from Droitwich Spa. Worcs. David passed away in hospital on Sunday 1^st September after a long illness. He will be greatly missed.

David with his wife Janet joined the SOC in 1993 and soon became well known regular ralliers and marshalled rallies. He helped and supported the club in many ways over the years and always had the future of the club at heart.

He was the Area Committee Member for Area 4 between 1995 -1999 and then Publicity Officer between 2000 – 2001. After a short break he took on the very demanding role of Membership Officer between 2005 – 2012. A few years later in 2017 when we were stuck for a Membership Officer, he stepped back in to the role and continued until 2020. Despite his health at the time, he suggested the club had an Honorary Life Member Liaison Officer to keep in contact with all our Honorary Life Members. He was offered that role and took it on for a couple of years. I know that was much appreciated by those he contacted.

Many members will also remember David for his association with the ever popular ‘Catch 22’ competition. Around 1995 a shield was presented to the club by the ACMs for areas 4,5,6 and 7 for a fishing competition between Areas. (4+5+6+7=22).

David will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with Janet and family at this sad and difficult time.

I will publish funeral arrangements here as soon as I have them.

RIP David

John Brailsford President

Membership Renewal for 2025

If you joined the club before 1st September this year, then unless you are an Honorary Life Member or have a Direct Debit mandate set up to cover membership renewal, it’s time to think about renewing your membership for 2025. Early renewals are appreciated and you will receive your 2025 Rally Book as soon as it’s available. CLICK HERE or click the link in the renewals section of this page for details of how renew and the various payment methods available.

The Swift Owners Club will not have a stand or any presence at the NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show in October, this is because the Swift Group need all the available space to display their motorhomes and caravans. However, they are inviting members of the Swift Owners Club to attend a presentation and to enjoy a bacon sandwich with them on their stand. This will be on Wednesday 16^th of October 2024 at 10:30. Numbers are limited to 26 people, therefore, if you would like to be included, then please contact me via email/telephone (call or message) to ensure you get your place. At the show you will be able to view the new 2025 range of Swift Caravans and Motorhomes. My contact details are; Email address is marketing@swift-owners-club.com or via call/text message to 07412 636628.

Gareth Roberts , SOC Marketing Officer

Please tell other ralliers who may not see this.

A dangerous bacteria has been found in Reblochon de Savoie cheese causing the French customer services watchdog Rappel Conso to issue a major product recall.

The recall concerns four Reblochon cheeses sold throughout France in Auchan, Leclerc, Carrefour, Casino, Intermarché, Système U and Monoprix supermarkets

As many ralliers have been travelling through France for a while you may have some in your fridge.

Val Brailsford

Swift have requested some ‘action’ photographs and videos of our Swift Rallies. Ideally they would like ‘action’ photographs/videos of people, children and dogs. Playing games and of people barbecuing etc with a Swift caravan(s) in the photograph/video. These are for use at the NEC Caravan Show in October. I know it’s a very tall order and fairly short notice as they would like the images for next week. I have a couple of photos I can send. Any photographs or videos need to have the full permission of any people in the said photograph or video (to comply with GDPR).

Please email any images to me.

marketing@swift-owners-club.com

Thank you, Gareth Roberts, SOC Marketing Officer