Members News

Sadly, Honorary Life Member Mick Bradford passed away last night.
Mick and Lou had been members of the SOC for 24 years but sadly had to give up caravanning just a few years ago due to Mick’s declining health. Mick was a keen fisherman and won the Catch 22 fishing competition many times.
I believe the last time we had the pleasure of their company on a rally was at Drax Power Station beer festival rally in March 2020. That was the last SOC rally before Covid shut the world down. I will always think of Mick whenever I play the 20p blocks game on a rally. He made a set for Val and I and for several other marshals.
They were a lovely friendly couple and always a pleasure to be with. They made many lifelong friends in the club and he will be sadly missed by all members who had the privilege of knowing him and the pleasure of his company. 

All Mick’s family were by his bedside to say goodbye. Our thoughts are with Lou and all the family at this very sad time.

I will publish the funeral details here in the Members’ News as soon as I have them and Hilary Farrow will be collating numbers of attendees once details are known.
R.I.P. Mick

John Brailsford, President

As many of you may already be travelling in the EU or have plans to travel shortly, please read the latest UK government information on restrictions before you travel home to avoid Foot & Mouth disease arriving in the UK.

No meat or dairy products to be imported.

Val Brailsford

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-extends-ban-on-personal-meat-imports-to-protect-farmers-from-foot-and-mouth?

If you are not attending the AGM Meeting on May 3^rd and you would like your apology recorded, please email including your name/s and membership number to the club Secretary:

secretary@swift-owners-club.com

Thank you.

Elaine Baker. Hon Secretary.

Yesterday a meeting was held at Swift headquarters with Martin Hailey, National Dealer Development Manager, and Joanne Mitchell, Marketing Director. In previous years, the annual meetings between the Swift Group and associated clubs have been on an individual club basis. This year, for the first time, all the six associated clubs were invited to a single meeting. This was very productive and a great networking opportunity for clubs to help one another and for Swift themselves to hear the concerns owners’ clubs are facing.

SOC representatives were me (President) & my wife Val , Ron (Chairman) & Maureen Ward , Elaine (Hon Secretary) & Colin Baker and Gareth Roberts (Marketing Officer).

We were given a very informative presentation about the Swift business overview and feedback statistics from the October NEC show.

From the discussions during the updates from each club, future planning and Swift support, there was clearly a lot of knowledge and experience in the room and it became apparent that it would be of benefit to us all to share some of it.

It was clear that as clubs, we all have the same issues in attracting new members and maintaining a full and appealing rally programme for all members.

There will be a short survey form available on this website for downloading in due course. A hard copy for completion will also be available at the AGM and on other forthcoming rallies. Completion of the survey will enable you as SOC members to receive exclusive perks from Swift by registering with the Swift Group as club members.

Sorry no discounted caravans or motorhomes I’m afraid!

John Brailsford, President

This 7 night rally will be held at Searles Leisure Resort in March 2026.

For the benefit of newer members:

Links to the full details and booking forms (Word or PDF) can be found in the UK Holiday Rallies section of the website.

Holiday Rallies (at home and abroad) can open bookings up to 18 months in advance with the date being at the discretion of the marshals.

All other rallies cannot be booked until the given date in January 2026

Webmaster

Members please be aware that there will be major traffic disruption around the Coventry / Warwick area from 8pm on Friday 11^th April until 6am on Thursday 1^st May.  The A46 between Coventry and Kenilworth will be closed in both directions at this time. This information has recently been released.  As well as the closure, traffic in the surrounding area is also likely to be hugely disrupted.

Those attending the Easter Rally at Greenhills will be impacted, but so too will anyone using this major route to attend other rallies. 

Although there will be signed diversions, huge disruption is anticipated by those who live in the area. 

One major bottleneck would be when travelling from the north on the M1.  It would be best to avoid the M69 as this changes to become the A46 and will take you in to the middle of the chaos.  It would be worthwhile taking the M42/M40 around the NEC.

Anyone who uses the A46 in Coventry should plan an alternative route, and allow plenty of additional time.  The A46 closure will affect all traffic moving from the M1/M6/M69 to join the M40 at Warwick.  There are no easy local alternatives.

Dave Timothy

Details and booking form for a 2026 holiday rally have been added to the UK

Holiday Rallies page.

Webmaster

There is only one place left on Rally number 9. Bank Holiday Fun in the Shire. Shireoaks is near Worksop in North Nottinghamshire, close to Clumber Park. If you would like to be on this rally, then please email your booking slip to the Rally Marshal at dianner85@gmail.com ASAP. The rally has use of a toilet but no shower facility. Note, there is no EHU. We have a local band on the Friday evening which will be an extra cost of £4pp cash on the door.”

Gareth & Dianne Roberts, Marshals

At the AGM Rally the team have planned a Street Party to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Bring your food & drink, decorate your tables and fly flags & bunting too.
The party will be held mid afternoon on the Monday of the rally. Hopefully it will be held outdoors but we will go indoors if necessary.

Webmaster

Today is the closing date for Executive / Committee nominations and any propositions to be considered by those present at the AGM meeting. AGM Documentation will be published here on the website as soon as possible.

All members are entitled to attend the meeting which is only a small part of the AGM Rally. If you wish to attend the rally you must book a pitch.

You can book the rally by various methods:

1. Online by completing the quick and simple form and paying your money to the club account. See the ‘AGM Rally 2025 – Online Booking’ section on the Members’ Home Page.
2. You can download a paper form from the website. Select ‘GENERAL INFO Main Page’ then ‘Miscellaneous Information & Forms’ where you can download and print it.
3. Complete the form in the Spring Edition of Going Places. DO NOT use the one in the Rally Venues Book as the Spring GP one replaces it.

The general rally information is in your Rally Book pages 33-36.

We look forward to seeing many members there to have a great weekend.

Webmaster