Members News

Bookings for the Loire Holiday Rally 2023 are now open and further details published. For the rally details and a booking form please see the link in the Overseas Rallies under the Rally Info menu.

To all those booking onto this Rally. Please be advised that the site is on a septic tank and Green  fluids required. Many thanks, Sue & John Deuce, Marshals

I have been informed by the marshals that following their site visit they have reluctantly had no option but to cancel the rally.

The current condition of the location has become totally unacceptable both in terms of accessibility and health & safety issues.

IMPORTANT: If you used the email address in the Rally Book to book the rally this was incorrect. The marshals will not have received your booking and will be unable to contact you with the cancellation details. (The correct email address was given in Rally News on 19/12/21).

Webmaster

Sadly due to Mick’s health issues he & Lou Bradford have now given up caravanning.

Keith & Jenne Essam have kindly agreed to sell an enormous number of their caravanning items for them at the AGM table top sale.

A lot of high quality items and several brand new items are available.

You will find the enormous list below and you can ring Keith & Jenne for further details.

Landline : 01245 461187

Keith: 07834 859938

Jenne : 07739 260389

The List:

1 Avtex 21.5” Television in case used 4 times

2 Kampa Airpro Ace 500 Awning with extension sun canopy and full Height side annexe  Not available at AGM due to size and car space but picture available​

3 Kampa Revo Zip 400 Roll out Canopy complete with poles and side panels

4 Kampa Awning Carpet, 250 x 400  8ft x 13ft – unused in carry bag

5 Kampa Awning Carpet, 190 x 190  6ft x 6ft – unused in carry bag

6 2 x Kampa Windbreaks

7 Kampa Skirt Organiser to suit any Caravan, can be cut to suit, boxed/unused

8 Kampa Limpet Pads – set of 8 for Air Pro Awnings

9 Suncamp Airvolution 220 Swift Airplus Porch Awning – used/slight damage in windflap

10 Weatherstrap Kit to suit Awnings with clip mounts – boxed and unused

11 Suncamp Storm Weather Kit – boxed and unused

12 Table stool

13 3 boxes of screw in ground pegs unopened

14 1 box screw in ground pegs used

15 4 Melamine mugs boxed/unused

16 Collapsible Bowl new

17 Collapsible bucket x 2 -new

18 Collapsible sink drainer/cutlery rack – new

19 Assorted colour rubber interlocking mats new and unused

20 Protec Pro Full winter Storage cover with wheel covers for twin axle boxed and unused Not available at AGM due to size and car space but picture available

21 Protec front towing cover unused

22 Aquaroll mains water feed kit to Aquaroll – used twice

23 Truma Mains Water feed hose with balance valve – new

24 Grey Waste Water hose 5m x 29ml – new

25 Awning LED light kit – Starter kit plus 2 extension lights – boxed and new

26 Set of 3 grey Melamine Bowls, 9, 10 and 11.5 dia.

27 Vango Mulberry Table with adjustable legs, drawstring bag 110x70x70 new

28 2 Aero Towing Mirrors complete – used

29 Round shower head and hose new

30 3 Small pyrex style mugs and holders

31 Continental adaptors for refillable cylinders

32 Co-ax Sattelite Extension Cable

33 Green breathable awning matting 2.5m x 5m new unused

34 Continental gas cylinder adapter

35 Milenco universal wheel clamp and keys

36 Alko Wheel lock and keys Style 44

37 Brand new mains electric extension cable

38 Kampa corner steady legs wheel brace

39 Powertouch Motor Mover operating handle and socket new

40 9” Spirit Level

41 2 Aquaroll Insulated Covers – 1 blue 1 Maroon unused

42 Aquaroll and Wastemaster in storage bags also available but not at AGM due to car space

The AGM reports for the Secretary and Rally Secretary have now been added to the AGM Documentation section on the General Info page.

The Treasurer’s Report with accounts to 31.12.21 has been added to the AGM Documentation section. All AGM Documentation can be found on the General Info page.

The Committee issued the complimentary Rally Booking Vouchers as an incentive for members to support the clubs’ rallies in our Golden Anniversary year 2021 including the special Birthday Celebration rallies held throughout the year in our various Areas. We are pleased to say that many members used their vouchers in this way as intended.

However, some of the vouchers had remained unused at the end of 2021. These vouchers were not valid for use in future years as it states clearly on the voucher that they were only for use on rallies with a start date in 2021. 

At its recent meeting, the Committee was made aware that a very small number of vouchers had been accepted in 2022 by mistake. After a range of options suggested in advance of the committee meeting and significant discussion it was decided not to extend the expiry date for use of the vouchers and to remind members and marshals that the vouchers had expired. This information was added to the SOC website and Face Book platforms. 

It was considered by a large majority of the committee that it was unfair to members who had used the vouchers or had disposed of their unused vouchers to now extend the date for their use. In addition, of course the vouchers could no longer be used as was intended to support the clubs’ rallies organised in our Golden Anniversary year of 2021. If you wish to discuss this further, please contact your ACM or a member of the Exec.

Elaine Baker, Hon. Secretary

The Committee would like to remind members and rally marshals that the complimentary Rally Booking Vouchers which were issued for use on rallies in our Golden Anniversary Year 2021 have now expired and may no longer be used for rallies in 2022 or future years.

Frank Rostron, Rally Secretary

Our club is a member of the Association of Caravan and Camping Exempted Organisations (ACCEO) which is a group of clubs that hold exemption certificates allowing them to organise and hold rallies. ACCEO represents the interests of member clubs with government bodies and provides a range of services including coordinating rallies in National Parks, club insurance and advice to member clubs.

ACCEO has recently informed us that they are looking for new people to join their committee which currently has a number of vacancies including Membership, Minute Taking, National Park and Extended Rallies as well as general committee work.

Members of the Swift Owners Club can apply to join the ACCEO committee and if you are interested please contact our Rally Secretary, Frank Rostron, for further information rallysec@swift-owners-club.com

Sadly, I have recently heard from Geoff’s son that his father, a long-standing member of the Club, passed away on 29th March, just a few days after he celebrated his 93rd birthday with his family.

Many of you will remember Geoff and his late wife Ella from Wrexham. They were well known regular ralliers for many of their 31 years of membership. They enjoyed rallying with the SOC and also frequently went on camping trips in a tent as they really loved the outdoor life.

Many will remember Geoff was a keen Radio Ham and enjoyed a good quiz. He was definitely one to have on your team!

In the last couple of years Geoff’s son has towed Geoff’s caravan to sites for family holidays and another was planned for this year. He was also hoping to be able to attend a local SOC rally but sadly that couldn’t be. Geoff will always be remembered fondly by his many SOC friends.

In the email to the Club Nicholas Blore said “My best wishes to you and the club. Dad and Mum enjoyed the fellowship and kindred spirits of the SOC members very much indeed”.

Geoff’s funeral will be on 21st April at 1pm at St Margaret’s Church, Garden Village, Chester Rd, Wrexham LL11 2SH, followed by a short service at the Wrexham Crematorium (Pentre-Bychan Rd, Rhostyllen, LL14 4EP) at 2pm followed by refreshments at the Holt Lodge Hotel, Holt. 

John Brailsford, President