Page 16 - Police World Edition 2 2013

Police World Vol 58 No.2 2013
L ong-time Group members and Rally
organisers Albert and Ann Pursey,
together with their guests, Eddy and
Isabel, acted as our our hosts and Rally
marshalls at this Root’n Toot’n Special Interest
Group (SIG) event.
The main event of the Rally was to ‘Shoot in
the New Year’ in the Wild West. The school hall
had been transformed into the Wild West -
complete with the ‘Boot Hill’ graveyard and an
Indian teepee which had been created by
Albert and a few other members.
The evening saw everyone transform into
various characters including cowboys, indians,
squaws and one attractive saloon girl. One
squaw even had a young baby in a papoose.
Strangely this child had been swapped for a
rubber chicken by the end of the evening!
Our meal was an ‘American Supper’ - a meal
where everybody brings some food which is
placed on a buffet table for all. This is quite a
usual occurance at the Group’s rallies.
Suitable music was played during the evening,
with many dancing the night away. At around
midnight the radio was turned on to listen for
the chimes of Big Ben. We then celebrated the
New Year in the traditional way with a rousing
round of ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
New Year’s Day saw a late start for most.
However, three of our members had very
kindly made an early start and had finished
clearing up the hall before most of us even
had one eye open, let alone two. It was all
agreed it had been an excellent finale to a
very enjoyable Rally.
Throughout the previous days, when time
allowed, we met in the school hall for a
natter. Tea, coffee and biscuits were
available, provided you remembered
to bring your cups, (I didn’t). The
hall was open during the days and
evenings of the Rally. The ever
present hot water urn together
with various board games and a
1000 piece Jigsaw, made it a
popular location to while away a
moment. Despite many attempts the
jigsaw remained unfinished!
Each day we were free to do our own thing and
explore Northamptonshire. One group went to
the Grand Union Canal at Stoke Bruerne.
Having visited, they said they would definitely
be back at the end of August 2013 as a Rally
has been planned there.
Sunday evening we all met for a supper
provided by the ever present Albert and Ann.
Again, all we had to do was remember knives
forks plates etc. I did remember this time!
The after supper entertainment was the
chance to win a bottle of whisky. The bottle
was placed in the middle of the floor and
participants rolled a £1 coin at it. The closest
taking the prize. This is easier than it sounds
when playing on a hard floor; if you rolled
the coin fast enough to stay upright then it
disappeared past the prize. The eventual
winner actually hit the bottle and the coin
fell over. This was all in a good cause as the
proceeds were going to Brain Tumour UK, a
charity close to Albert and Ann’s heart. One
of our members, who makes jewellery, also
donated her takings.
At the end of rallies we hold ‘Flag’. This is a
thank you to the organisers and to inform
everyone of forthcoming rallies and other
updates. As the Group’s Treasurer, I thanked
Albert, Ann, Eddy and Isabel for their hard
work. I then passed on best wishes for the
New Year on behalf of the Group’s Chair, Mike
Paxton, and Secretary, Kevin Hullah, who had
been unable to attend. The latter due to
needing a new clutch, probably due to the
number of rallies he attends. I then had the
pleasure of presenting Albert and Ann’s
daughter Nicky, with a cheque for £51 for the
Brain Tumour UK Charity.
Wednesday saw us packing up our wagons
and travelling home, but not before saying
goodbye and best wishes for the New Year
ahead.
Servo Per Amikeco.
David Marchant, Caravan and Camping Group
South End School in Rushden, Northamptonshire, was the venue for the final Rally of
2012, or was it the first of 2013 - depends on your point of view? Either way this New Year
Caravan and Camping Group Rally was attended by 22 members and guests of the group.
A Hot Diggity 2012
Howdee Partner
Visit:www.ipa-uk.org/
Event-Catalog/Caravan-Camping-
Group to find out what the Group
has planned for 2013
Barbara Marchant and Wendy Robson
David Marchant presents the cheque
to Nicky
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