Members News

Sadly Norman Scotting one of our Honorary Life Members passed away very suddenly recently. Norman and Pat joined the club back in 1985 and soon became regular ralliers. They were both very enthusiastic about the club and Norman became Chairman just 2 years later. After retiring as Chairman he took on the roles of Publicity Officer and Advertising Officer for 3 years with a year as Rally Equipment Officer too during that period!

I worked alongside Norman as Hon. Secretary during his final year as Chairman and can vouch for the fact that his enthusiasm had not waned. It was a time when membership was at its peak and if a night went by without a ‘phone call I had to check he wasn’t ill! (no email or txt in those days).

It is many years since Pat and Norman rallied but they will always be remembered for the PatNor BBQ Trophy which they donated to the club and is still contested every year.

Many members will recall lots of fun times with Norman and Pat both at home and abroad in those early years.

Our thoughts are with Pat and their family at this sad and difficult time.

RIP Norman

John Brailsford, President

If you are a long-standing member and remember them then Pat and the family welcome you to join them to celebrate his life.

Please contact David Hill by text or phone if you are able to attend. 07866 892609

Funeral details as follows:
Date & Time: 9/10/24 at 10:00am

Location: Amber Valley Memorial Park & Crematorium
Derby Road, Swanwick, Derbyshire, DE55 1BH

Wake: Trent Lock Golf Club
Lock Lane, Nottingham, NG10 2F

A gentle reminder that Swift Leisure have invited our members to attend a VIP event on their stand at the NEC October show. The event is from 10:30 to 11:30 on Wednesday 16th October 2024. So far I only have 6 names of the 26 possible places available. If you are attending the NEC October Caravan Show on the Wednesday and would like to be included in this event then please let me know. My contact details are: Email address marketing@swift-owners-club.com or via call/text message to 07412 636628.

Gareth Roberts, Marketing Officer

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