Members News

Most members should have now received their 2026 Rally Venues Book. Please note that you can use the new login details shown on your membership sticker in the front of your book right away.

The 2025 login details will still be available until 31st December 2025 as anyone who has not yet renewed is allowed access the Members’ Area until that date.

From 1st January only the new login details will allow you in.

Webmaster

Sadly, when the Membership Officer emailed Betty to confirm her membership for 2026, she received the following from her son Rob:

“I’m sorry to inform you that my Mum, Betty, passed away on 29th August this year after a short spell in hospital.
I would, however, like to thank The Swift Owners Club for the huge amount of pleasure and enjoyment you gave to both my Mum and my Dad, Vic, over many years of caravanning together.
Regards
Rob Swindells”

Betty and her late husband Vic joined the club back 1974 and were regular ralliers. One of the regular rallies they marshalled, and will be remembered for, was the very popular annual Finingley Air Show rally where they marshalled a section of the air base for the S.O.C. for many years, possibly until the base closed in 1996. Many members will have enjoyed being sited on the air base and not having to leave with the masses when the show was over!

Following Vic’s passing many years ago, Betty retired from caravanning  and became an Honorary Life Member.

R.I.P. Betty

John Brailsford, President

 

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Honorary Life Member Jenny Harrigan. I have just been informed that Jenny passed away on 9th December but I do not know the circumstances.

Jenny and her husband Michael joined the club back in 1989 and were well known ralliers until they gave up caravanning and became Honorary Life Members. They made many friends within the S.O.C. and will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of their company.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael and family at this sad and difficult time.

John Brailsford, President

 

The Searles, Hunstanton Holiday Rally is now full and a waiting list will be in operation should you wish to be added to it.
Sarah Lawson, Marshal

Gill and Siân Bevan would like to thank everyone who has sent them cards and good wishes following Clive’s death, it has meant a lot to them.

Clive’s Celebration of Life Service will take place on Monday 22/12/2025 at 3pm.

Dress code: Smart casual.

Location: York Crematorium
Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 2QD

Family Flowers Only Please.

The Wake: The Ship Inn
Hauling Ln, Acaster Malbis, York
YO23 2UH

Please message Gill if you are able to attend but she appreciates it is a difficult time of year. Her number for messages is 07778 135206

Webmaster

Are you thinking about January at the moment? Of course you are not, as it’s so close to Christmas now. HOWEVER, MAYBE YOU SHOULD.
Remember that bookings are already open for the Burns Night Rally from 22nd to 26th January at Silverhill Woodland Retreats, Teversal, Nottinghamshire and filling up fast.
Please see Autumn Going Places or the 2026 Rally Venues Book for full details which states hard standing pitches with 16amps electric and an excellent heated amenities block.
The piper who attended the rally last year and is returning again to this year’s event.

It will only take a moment to contact David Lovett to secure yourself one of the remaining few places before they are all gone. davidjlovett19@gmail.com

Webmasters

It would be appreciated if members when reading their new Rally Venues Book 2026 over the coming weeks could report any amendments. It is not envisaged that there will be too many but a possible transposed post code or phone number can be problematic.

PLEASE DO THIS BY EMAIL TO BOTH webmaster@swift-owners-club.com AND editor@swift-owners-club.com

It is necessary that all members have the opportunity to receive this full information irrespective of whether they visit the website first or view it in the February edition of Going Places.

Thank you,

Webmaster

As the Rally Venues Book 2026 is starting to drop on the doormats you will all be eager to view all the details of the rallies that you are planning to book from January 5th.
STOP A MOMENT 🛑 Please don’t bypass page 7 and consider offering to take up one of the several positions within the club that are becoming vacant by the next AGM. Many of those members have held the the position for many years and now it is your turn to offer “new blood” to these roles to shape our wonderful club for the future.
Please give this your serious consideration. 🤔

When your Rally Venues Book 2026 arrives this month I’m sure you will all be eager to plan your year.
Before you complete your rally booking forms for issue on January 5th, please check you are using an up to date form.

Many of us have preprinted details already on our forms. Therefore it is easy to forget how many years ago you prepared that form and if it lacks details that the current booking form contains.
All the details on the current form are helpful to marshals so they don’t have to contact you unnecessarily.
If your forms are handwritten, please use capitals for email addresses.

When sending bookings by email please send separate emails (with the rally name/number) even if you are booking 3 rallies with the same marshal. This is very helpful to marshals too so that bookings don’t get missed.

Booking forms can be downloaded from General Info/ Main Page/ Miscellaneous Information & Forms.

Webmaster

It was such a shock and heartbreaking to receive a phone call this morning informing us that Clive Bevan had suddenly passed away yesterday.
Gill and Clive joined the club in 1992 and we were marshals on their very first rally that they attended at Tatton Park in Cheshire.
On that particular rally we were organising a children’s sports day. Their young daughter Siân took part in all the races and absolute loved it, especially as she had made close friends with two little girls who were also on their first rally.
That of course was over 30 years ago and Gill & Clive immediately became regular ralliers from then on and have rallied at home and abroad. They have marshalled very many rallies over the years and a regular rally at this time of year for more years than I care to remember.
They were very well known and lots of fun to be with as the banter between Gill & Clive was quite amusing. Clive would always appear to be the quieter of the couple but he did have his moments.
He will be sadly missed by anyone whoever had the pleasure of his company.
Our thoughts are with Gill, Siân & Thane at this very sad and difficult time.

R.I.P Clive, it was a pleasure to have known you.

John Brailsford, President

PLEASE DO NOT RING Gill BUT SHE IS HAPPY TO RECEIVE CONTACT VIA TEXT MESSAGES or MESSENGER.