Chairman’s Pitch
Well that’s another year gone. First of all I would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year. Jackie and I are looking forward to seeing you at the rallies we have planned for 2012.
The season started in 2011 with the Valentines Meet at Warwick Marching Band site.
With 15 units and many more attending the live group Saturday night a great time was had dancing the
night away to the Duo, Double Take.
Easter was held at Heathcote Lakes near Leamington. 42 units (20 CDA) enjoyed the sunshine
and entertainment around the lakes.
In May we held a meet over the Bank Holiday at the Heritage Motoring Centre.
What a great place to hold a rally, with its marked rally field and reduced entrance fees into the centre.
We enjoyed good weather and car rallies on Saturday and Sunday.
Some of us even ventured on the off road course in the very expensive Land Rover Discovery.
In March Melvyn Evans and Zoe Mapp resigned as committee members due to lack of time to continue camping.
Also in May we held the annual Fishing Competition at Dog Lane Fisheries.
Once again the man with the smallest rod and least tackle won with 11lbs 9oz of fish.
Mrs Mulchrone won the largest fish caught with 4lbs 9oz.
In June the Family and Charity Meet was held at Horley Scout Camp near Banbury.
This is another great location that we have used for New Year many times before, but not in the summer.
We presented a cheque for £1500 to Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
Over the weekend many of those attending enjoyed Archery lessons and the zip wire.
With the family BBQ, Auction and stalls we raised £265 towards this year’s charities.
In August Jackie and I started our 4 weeks away in the van. We started at Comberton Golf Course, with Northants. Great golf and evening quizzes. After moving our daughter into her new house in Worcester we travelled to a little site in a field near Rock, Padstow with Tamar DA for 2 weeks. On our way back to Newark we stopped off at Victoria Farm, nr Rugby to check the house, before moving to the NFOL at Newark Show Ground.
I had “volunteered” to be the Safety Officer for the meet, whilst Jackie found herself on the catering team.
We were not the only CDA members who volunteered, Dave Sewell was the Treasurer, you thought my job was bad, and Pam worked in admin. Sue and Gary Chinn and Girls stewarded a section, well done to them in the pouring rain. What hard work it was, but a fantastic meet.
In October we held a meet at Bretford Village Hall for all those that had stewarded for CDA over the year.
Not only did we have a great weekend we also persuaded the stewards to steward again for 2012.
We also presented the Chinn family for attending the most meets with CDA.
Also in October we held our traditional rally at Warren Farm, Brean Sands, Burnham on Sea. Units started arriving on Friday and never stopped until the following Friday, with well over 400 units attending over the week.
The first weekend was spent settling in with the Warren Farm entertainment and carvery in the Beechcomber and the beach 400yrds away what more do you need.
During the week we presented the site owners and staff with a CDA pennon for helping and
supporting CDA over the last 7 years.
On Wednesday 2 coaches of club members were taken on a day trip to Cardiff.
Whilst our women were shopping Mick and myself found time for a game of golf at the golf courses at the back of Brean Leisure Park, the sun even came out.
Wednesday night was Carvery night with the DA entertaining. Play you cards right,
children’s games and supper raffle went down really well. We also auctioned a painting of Cardiff Castle,
painted and donated by a member. It raised £30 for our Charities.
Off the site we visited some of the many attractions around.
After dropping off our friends and children at Wookey Hole on Halloween night,
Jackie and I went walking up Cheddar Gorge to see the spectacular views,
and wild goats over the hills to Brean Sands.
We just got back into Cheddar to meet our fiends before the heavens opened.
We had to shelter in the nearest pub!
Thursday brightened up for the traditional Ramble along the beach and up Brean Down
for the views over to Weston Super Mare.
The weekend saw people packing up and attending the site end of season party before heading home.
Another great week at Warren Farm.
The last meet of the season was the spectacular bonfire and firework display at Hollowell Steam.
This meet and the steam Rally in the summer has raised over £1 million for local charities.
It was started 25 years ago by a now CDA member Allen Eaton,
who can be seen below receiving his MBE from the Queen.
The year was finished off with the Xmas Party Night at Binley Woods Village Hall.
With live entertainment “Lighting the Fuse”, hot food, Father Xmas and his lovely helper,
all the children and adults were well entertained.
I would just like to end with a great big thank you to the rest of the committee,
the stewards and most of all the members that have attended and enjoyed CDA rallies in 2011.
We hope to see you all in 2012.
Dean Bennett
Chairman Coventry DA
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