Rally Programme for 2018

Date Venue Occasion

March

4th Sunday Ruislip Lido Winter Walk

29th Mar - 2nd April Merryweather Farm Oxon Easter

April

13th - 15th Horsley C & C Club Surrey

May

4th - 7th TBA ® Mayday

17th - 21st Moreton in Marsh Cricket Club ® 5 day Thu-Mon

25th - 30th Sledmere House E. Yorks ® National

25th May - 3rd June Stratford upon Avon Racecourse Spring B/H

June

8th -10th Basingstoke Canal Centre, Mytchett

15th - 17th? MG Live Silverstone Event

22nd - 24th

50 Anniversary Bloxham Steam

Show Event

July

6th - 8th Peachcroft Farm Oxon PYO fruit

August

11th-19th Whitemead C&C Park Dorset ® Holiday Rally

23rd-28th Normans Bay C&CC E. Sussex ® BH & 5 Days

September

14th - 16th Kop Hill Event, Princes Risborough Event

October

12th - 14th Princes Risborough School Bucks AGM

19th - 28th Barleylands Essex Holiday rally

November

16th - 18th Wheatley Park School Regional AGM

December

7th - 9th Princes Risborough School Bucks Xmas party

Centre Event

Rallies with EHU

Rallies without EHU

Bank Hoildays

® Rallies all require Rally Officers, please help if you can

Newsletter

AGM Christmas Party 2017

RUISLIP

LIDO Reservoir Road

Ruislip HA4 7TY

Sunday 4th March 2018

WINTER WALK 2018

There is a new venue for our winter walk in 2018.

Ruislip Lido has a natural lake surrounded by woods with a

beach at one end. There is a well maintained path for our walk,

also suitable for disabled access. The path has a total of just over

1.5 miles of easy walking. Toilets are available at various points.

The Waters Edge restaurant/pub (this is a Stonehouse Pizza and

Carvery pub) is situated at the entrance to the Lido, with free car

park opposite for customers of the pub. There is also additional

parking for anyone not using the pub.

There are generally members who come along just to join their

friends for lunch. So, next year we shall be eating lunch before

taking a leisurely stroll around the lake. We hope this makes it

easier for everyone to meet up at a set time, without any waiting

around. Anyone wanting to walk can make their way outside

after they have eaten, allowing others to continue chatting or sim-

ply follow their separate paths in their own time.

Final details will be available in the Centre’s Rally Book 2018.

We hope to see you there!

Princes Risborough School

17 - 19 November 2017

A welcome return to this hospitable site and a chance to catch up

with friends and acquaintances from other local Centres. We were

a small but friendly group.

Friday night started with soup and rolls courtesy of the

Regional Council, plus a selection of drink that most people

missed. The Region later donated it to Middlesex for our

Christmas party. Thank you Northern Home Counties Region!

At the Regional AGM, Saturday afternoon, we saw Jackie Lee

elected as the new Chairman, Dave Rickard as Vice, Ray Daniels

as Secretary and Alan Cadman as Treasurer. Retirement gifts

were made to retiring Chairman Phil Batchelor and his wife Sue.

Before leaving the meeting we collected our copy of the Regions’

Centres rally programmes and have already made plans for 2018.

Saturday Evening saw us all back in the hall where decorated

tables and celebratory balloons awaited. It looked a treat. The

evening started off with a fish and chip supper with buttered bread

and condiments, followed by a choice of dessert. There was wine

on the table, with nibbles, plus a mini bar.

A tagged bottle, raffle and roll a coin were held, all in aid of the

Centre charity (Salvation Army). A grand total of £130.00 was

raised.

We were entertained again by the live group, “Easy Living”.

Great music and dancing kept us up all evening. This must have

been a good evening as some were reluctant to leave.

At flagpole on Sunday Middlesex were thanked for a successful

rally and again people were reluctant to leave, just sitting around

chatting. A great weekend - our thanks to all who helped.

Commemorative Fleeces

We have a limited supply of commemorative

fleeces for sale

Please speak to a Janet Sumner if you wish to order

£25.00 each

M/L/XL

Maroon

TONY TOSDEVIN

It is with deep regret we announce the recent death

of Tony Tosdevin, past member of our Centre, who

regularly rallied with his wife Linda and his family.

Our deepest condolences go to Stephen and Leanne

Welcome to the Christmas edition of the

Middlesex Centre Newsletter. If you would like anything included in the next

edition please contact: June Taylor 07949 489408

The next newsletter will be available at the 2018 Easter Rally

Chairman’s Letter Dear Friends,

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your Chairman for

the past four years. Sadly, the time has come for me to stand down, but

the Centre is fortunate in having a good Committee standing for 2018.

I would like to express my appreciation to the outgoing 2017 committee

and their partners, for their continued support and commitment to the

Centre, throughout their terms of office.

2017 in my view has been a great year for our Centre. We held our 50th

Anniversary Celebrations which got many past and present members

together again. It was a great rally. We also hosted the Regional AGM,

which again was enjoyed by all.

For the last few years our Centre chose Salvation Army as their charity

and you have continued to generously raise money throughout this year .

Lesley and I wish you all a very happy year rallying in 2018 and hope to

have the pleasure of your company on numerous rallies to come. Please

support as many of our rallies and events as possible; but wherever you

go, my main wish is for you to enjoy your caravanning.

For me it has always been very pleasing to hear visitors say how welcome

they have felt in our company, which just goes to show Middlesex Centre

continues to be ‘the friendliest Centre’.

Thank you for showing me your support and friendship over the past

years. I wish the new Chairman and Committee every success for 2018

and may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas

and successful new year to come!

Best Wishes

Over 1,000 things to see and do

Steam vehicles large & small,

market stalls galore, LIVE

entertainment, classic caravans,

food, crafts, market, fun fair,

music and lots, lots, more……

Fun for the whole family!

Please keep dogs on short leads

Free evening entertainment

Special Booking Form

required

Check Centre website next year,

or speak to the new Committee

for further details.

BloxhamBloxham SteamSteam FayreFayre 22 - 24 June 2018

Mill Farm Camping & Caravan Park, Fiddington

3 - 7 November 2017

8 units 4 Middlesex. The site was a bit out of town but we are a

resourceful bunch who found the best place to park a motor

home, or free parking for the car.

The Carnival was superb - from the most enormous colour

floats to a young boy dressed up as a ball of knitting wool, with

needles.

The weather could have been a tiny bit kinder. We were cold

and wet by the time we got home but I wouldn’t have missed it

for the world. One couple with a relative in town started off in

one pub, staying to the bitter end to watch the squibbing, then

finishing off in another pub and didn’t make it home until the

early hours of the next morning.

Sunday and Monday were free to enjoy local places of interest

and local coastlines. This was another enjoyable weekend

Canterbury Camping & Caravan site, Kent

21 - 29 October 2017

What a great site this was.

10 units attended, including 6 Middlesex and we were parked

in a quiet corner down the bottom of the site.

Exploring the local area was easy with a bus stop just outside

the gate, ideal for going into Canterbury to visit the Cathedral,

the Abbey or even the shops. From here you could also pick

up a bus to anywhere along this coastline. Even a day trip to

France was possible. Or take the bike to Whitstable with some

breathtaking views along the Crab and Winkle Way.

Wednesday flagpole saw us all enjoying cake and Pimms and

a friendly game of conkers. Dave Hudson was declared the

Middlesex Conker Champion 2017 with 2 wins. Glad to say,

not too many accidents.

Thursday evening saw us all on

the bus to The Three Tons public

house for an enjoyable meal and

evening out. We were only a little

rowdy misbehaving bunch on the

bus back to site but the locals

seemed to enjoy it. I can still see

all the torches shining on the path

back to site.

This site is well worth a second

For Sale

Fiamma Caravan Stor Zip 4.1m Colour Ocean £50

Milenco Double Step £10

2 Alko Wheel locks Code No.15 (Swift Etc) £100

each

Milenco Hitch Lock £10

40L Aqua roll (including Bag) £10

2 Milenco Towing Mirrors £20

2 Tripod leg steadies £10 pair

Double lock and level pad £60

Robstop Hitch Lock £10

2 Lion Wheel Clamps £10 each

Interior silver screen Fiat/Peugeot £50

For full information and sale:

Contact Dave Tanner 07850 541600

**************

Rally Officers are required for a few 2018 rallies.

Please see information on back page

If you are able to run a rally for the Centre

please see John or Anne Moss for details

MIDDLESEX CENTRE

50th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Barnstones Camping & Caravan Site

Banbury, Oxon

12 – 17 Sept 2017

A VERY SPECIAL DAY

Arriving at this very pleasant site on Tuesday we received a warm welcome

from Roger & Janet (rally officers) before setting ourselves up for a most

enjoyable week leading up to ‘the day’.

Early Wednesday morning a lorry arrived with the marquee on-board. Leaving

the contractors to it, we drove to Moreton in the Marsh for the day with our

friends Hazel & Jim to visit the Cotswold Falconry Centre. I highly recommend

this place, both for the many birds and the very knowledgeable man who flew

them. On the way back we also stopped at Chastleton Hall (National Trust).

Another NT property crossed off the list! Back at the site, we all met inside the

marquee for an evening get together before popping off to bed.

Next day the four of us were away again visiting the National Arboretum.

We’ve been there before but there are always new memorials to see. Returning

that evening we found everyone had now arrived on-site and the marquee was in

use once more. After our later-than-usual dinner however we decided to stay in

the van and held our own Triominos ‘challenge’ in the van. The wine flowed,

the jokes too and we went to bed happy.

After a lazy day Friday, catching up with the arrivals from yesterday, everyone

enjoyed an evening fish and chip supper, delivered to our tables in the marquee,

from the local fish and chip shop. The weekdays had passed so quickly!

The big day arrived on Saturday with various vehicles delivering food supplies

for us to enjoy. I also saw a van arrive that parked next to the marquee and a

very nice man then set up his gazebo under which he sat all afternoon roasting a

pig for our evening meal. More of which later.

Cars also began arriving from 12pm bringing the daytime visitors to join us for

A Touch of Middlesex History

In 1811 the men from the Middlesex Regiment (The TV series

starring Sean Bean was based on them) were part of the British

forces fighting under the Duke of Wellington against Napoleon.

On May 16th, the Middlesex Regiment were entrusted to stop

the advance of the French into Portugal or the British could have

been trapped in Dunkirk fashion with their backs against the sea.

Instead of Dunkirk the village on the Spanish/Portuguese borders

was Albuhera, and it was here the Middlesex men fought

ferociously to keep at bay the overwhelming forces and might of

Napoleon's army to give time for the British and Wellington to

retrench.

The commanding officer of the young Middlesaxon fighters

yelled at the height of battle "Die hard my men, die hard".

After this tumultuous, history-turning event the Middlesex

Regiment became known as the Diehards and on their

Regimental badge areinscribed the words "Albuhera".

And this is one reason why on May 16th, we salute all the men of

Middlesex who have fought under their County's banner from

their earliest recorded battle - the Battle of Hastings in 1066 right

through English and British history to similar actions as at

lbuhera in the First World War, World War II and Korea.

We must remember the history and heritage of this band of

soldiers who have inspired generations to be proud of their

County and who have scuppered the plans of more than one

dictator at the eleventh hour.

Many congratulations to

Rick and Sally Keen

who celebrated their

Golden Wedding Anniversary on

December 2nd

Junior Chairman with his family.

Our afternoon tea (lunch) was served at 1.00pm amidst much chatter bottles of

champagne also helped the chatter flow! It was absolutely delicious and every

one of us took away a Middlesex Centre tea mug to commemorate the event.

After lunch Colin and Joyce Fentiman, our guest of honour, spoke to us before

Joyce was asked to cut the birthday cake. Then the raffle was called, the winner

of a bottle of whiskey was proclaimed and the Middlesex Haggis was auctioned

(I was lucky enough to get it this time), all to raise funds in aid of the Salvation

Army. I think we raised about £500.

After lunch Joyce, June, Peter & Ivy and Alan & Sylvia had to leave to make

their journeys home but our other day visitors had taken rooms locally and they

all returned later, plus Jackie Pearce (arriving from a family wedding in Kent) to

join us for our evening party.

At 7.30pm the evening social began. The marquee had once again been cleared

and the tables re-laid and everyone took their seats ready for dinner. The roasted

pig was served in a bap, with stuffing, apple sauce and salad. More champagne

was put onto the tables and slices of birthday cake were brought around to finish

our meal off. We were then joined by a 5-piece group called ‘Easy Living’ who

got us moving again after our food and we were soon singing and dancing the

night away in true Middlesex fashion. It was a night to remember. I am so glad

we were able to attend. Actually the whole day was pretty awesome, to use my

grandson’s phrase.

Sunday morning saw most of us packing up

and leaving for home. Terry and I stayed until

Monday, Colin also remaining to see to the

dismantling of the marquee and one couple

from East Kent, Liz and Ian Boughton also

stayed before moving onto another site on

Monday.

Thank you Colin for the great idea of inviting

past members we had not seen for so long and

thank you and your Committee for all the hard

work in making it possible for us all to enjoy

such a special day.

And finally my thanks also go to Roger and

Updated version of My Favourite Things

Feel free to sing along but quietly

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,

Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,

Bundles of magazines tied up in string,

These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,

Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,

Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,

These are a few of my favourite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,

When the knees go bad,

I simply remember my favourite things,

And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,

No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,

Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they

bring,

These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',

Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',

And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,

When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,

When the eyes grow dim,

Then I remember the great life I've had,

And then I don't feel so bad

For Sale

Trailer £60.00 ono

Please contact Kathy Chaplin

Tele:01344 883945 07941 392498

Having recently acquired a motor home Mike Pope has many

caravan accessories surplus to his needs. Everything has to

go and no reasonable offer will be refused:

1) Ventura awning (Fibre Glass Poles)

2 ) Royal Porch Awning

3 ) Various ground sheets

4) 2 Bulldog wheel clamps

5) 4 x 6kg Calor Bottles

6 ) Truma gas level indicator (unused)

7 ) 25m EHU Cable (unopened)

8) Twin Axle Wheel Clamp (Fits Alko threads)

9) Various levelling ramps

10) Robstop hitch lock (BPW coupling only)

11) Truma level indicators for gas cylinder (unused)

12) Various submersible Whale water pumps (free with

every purchase)

Contact Mike Pope on 01494 436702 or 07719 171356