Members News

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

The minutes of the 26th February 2022 Committee Meeting are now online. See ‘Minutes of Meetings’ section on the ‘General Info’ page. Webmaster

Will you be “JUST” attending the AGM meeting and not the rally?

If so then can you please email me your Name(s) and Membership Number as this significantly speeds up registration on the door and avoids you queuing unnecessarily.

Please don’t forget to bring your membership card with you.

Honorary Life Members are very welcome to attend the meeting but do not have any voting rights.

Thank you for your assistance.

Val Brailsford

val@thebrailsfords.com

The documentation for the 2022 AGM is now online along with the 2021 AGM Minutes and associated documents.

If you are planning to attend the meeting and wish to have hard copies with you, please download and print them yourself if possible. If you are unable to do so, you may request hard copies from the Secretary and collect them at the meeting. Webmaster

If you are not coming to the meeting but would like to send your formal apologies to be recorded then please email Elaine as soon as you can at secretary@swift-owners-club.com

The minutes of the 23rd October 2021 & 29th January 2022 Committee Meetings are now online. See ‘Minutes of Meetings’ section on the ‘General Info’ page. Webmaster

WANTED.  A member who is going to the AGM to collect a raffle prize, to take with them to the AGM, from Forest of Dean Caravans, Parkend, Lydney, Glos. GL15 4JN.  If not going to AGM, we might be able to organise a handover.  If you are able to help, please contact the Marketing Officer for further details.

Alan Druce, Marketing Officer (marketing@swift-owners-club.com)