Osberton Horse Trials Rally, Osberton Estate, 4th -6th October 2024
What a fantastic rally we had this weekend, 29 vans were out including marshals with visitors from Derbyshire, East Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire and 18 Notts Centre Vans.
There were 3 first time rallier’s, Mr & Mrs Glanville, who also won the lucky van draw, Dawn & Ash Litchfield who were unable to join us a flag as they were in the wrong place when they needed volunteer’s to marshal fences in the cross-country early Sunday morning, and Mr & Mrs Mitchell with a warm welcome back to the centre to Kirsty and her family in her own caravan. We had 2 Wedding Anniversaries, Mr & Mrs Glanville, 21 years and our marshals Kay & James Harvey.
Over the weekend we enjoyed everything that the Osberton Horse & Carriage Driving Trials had to offer across all days, from the Cross Country Course, show jumping, dressage, Pony club activities, Shire Horse demonstrations and not forgetting the shopping.
In the evening we had some fantastic entertainment and if you were lucky enough to arrive on Thursday you were treated to 400 free pints of lager, which kept most of us topped up all evening, then on Saturday free prosecco all night for some and birthday cake on arrival. Thursday evening was a Bavarian Night with a four piece band, Friday was ABBA Tribute night and Saturday DJ Party night, all included in your rally fee. A cracking few nights followed by sore heads in the morning.
I also need to mention the weather, we were blessed with sunshine for the whole weekend so many people were able to take advantage of the late summer sun and enjoy cooking and socializing outside their vans.
Many thanks to the marshals, Glenn & Wendy Harper and Kay & James Harvey, who spent 2 whole days siting vans and not forgetting the time spent before the event pegging out the pitches with the event organisers and Glenn’s impeccable communication to us all prior and during the event. Well done all.
Shelt Hill Rally, Woodborough, Nottinghamshire 6th / 8th September 2024
There were 32 vans in attendance including marshals with visitors from Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
There was 1 first time rallier, Mr & Mrs Weightman (who won the 50/50). There no birthdays notified and 1 anniversary, Richard & Gill Hitch, 45 years.
Friday night was in the marquee catching up and partaking in a quiz with a twist on the big screen
Saturday daytime was the inter-centre fishing competition between Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire whilst those not fishing enjoyed relaxing, walking, visiting local pubs or garden centres.
Saturday evening was again in the marquee with a hot stew and crusty bread supper followed by horse racing on the big screen.
Many thanks to the marshals, Jane and Paul Tomkinson and Tracy and Nick Orchard with Ella and Elliott for a great rally and weekend.
The Inter Centre Fishing Competition
Leicestershire and Notts entered full teams and Derbyshire entered a scratch team with some ‘ringers’. The weather could have been kinder with initial drizzle that eventually petered out.
The top 5 individuals were:
Pete Sinclair Notts 124lb 04oz
Mick Coope Notts but fishing for Derbyshire 104lb 09oz
Jamie Allman Notts 79lb 13oz
Richard Hitch Notts 68lb 14oz
Cliff Young Leicestershire 65lb 08oz
Section winners were:
1. Pete Sinclair Nottinghamshire
2. John Chapman Leicestershire
3. Nick Orchard Nottinghamshire
4. Richard Hitch Nottinghamshire
5. Mick Coope Derbyshire
Total weights by Centre were:
Nottinghamshire 387lb
Derbyshire 212lb 06oz
Leicestershire 208lb 09oz
Overall competition winners based on 1 point for a section win, 2 points for second and 3 points for third were:
Nottinghamshire 7 points
Leicestershire 11 points
Derbyshire 12 points
Overall there weren’t any losers as everyone took part in good spirits with the usual banter and camaraderie which this event always enjoys. The inter centre fishing rally next year is again at Shelt Hill, a superb venue whether you fish or not, on the 5th / 7th September 2025.
Finally it would be remiss not to mention John Shipley, who after many years of organising this event, enjoyed his retirement from it although he was still on the rally. Many thanks for all of your efforts John, you’ve given fantastic service to ensure that this event has continued and long may it do so.
Skegness Bank Holiday Rally
There were 29 units in attendance including marshals with visitors from Leicestershire Centre.
There was a first time rallier, Nicola Skitt and her father.
The weather could best be described as changeable with bright sunshine, showers and high winds on two days but overall wasn’t too bad.
During the daytimes ralliers made the most of the numerous attractions in the area.
The winds lead to changes to the planned program as it wasn’t safe to put the Coleman’s up on Friday evening.There was an impromptu social on the Saturday evening in the Coleman’s with adult and children’s games.
Sunday evening the marshals introduced various new games for all ages which were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present. There was also a nice light supper prepared by the marshals.
Birthdays were celebrated by Tamla Ratcliffe, Kev Ormondroyd, Carrie Sutton and Alfie Coope. Rick & Chris Huntingdon from Leicestershire celebrated their wedding anniversary.
The marshals for the weekend who did a great job to deliver an enjoyable rally and didn’t let the weather faze them were Mick and Sheona Allen and Paul and Claire Foulds. They should be congratulated on what they achieved, especially when you consider that it was Mick and Sheona’s first time as main marshal and Paul and Claire’s first ever time as marshals.
Newstead Abbey Rally
We rally here with kind permission of Notts County Council
There were 13 vans plus marshals with 1st time ralliers from the Midlands Centre, Steve & Elaine.
The beautiful weather on Friday was very welcome and we met outside the colmans for a quiz provided by Mark, Frank’s four the spelin test Kirsty, obviously I learnt a lot !
The quiz was won by our visitors , Steve & Elaine, with Theresa Heck & Mr & Mrs Chamberlain, well done all !
Saturday was another lovely day again meeting in the colmans in the evening for a drinks tasting quiz , courtesy of Steve & Julie, the winning team showed a lot of knowledge about alcohol, quite worrying really! ( yes we were in the team ! )
Also played a game with dice and counters, in 2 teams and connect 4 was played although Jessica Brown would probably qualify for the Olympic team if it was a category!
Sunday morning saw continental breakfast served to all with tea and coffee, thanks again to the Marshals
Thanks to the Marshals, Julie, Steve, Kirsty, Mark and William.
Future rallies include
Harlyn Sands - places still available
Skegness Bank Holiday - full now
Shelt Hill- race night and fishing, places still available
See you all soon on one of the fabulous Notts Centre Rallies that we offer.
Thanks, Helen
The AGM and Rally Launch rally saw 34 units plus 2 marshals attending with visitors from South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.
On Friday night we were entertained with a quiz run by our Chairman, Martin Critchley. Followed by background music. Saturday saw the rally launch well attended and it was heartening to see that all the rallies on the programme were picked up bar two. On Saturday evening, the committee prepared a lovely hot meal of Sausage, mash, peas and onion gravy, followed by lemon meringue and cream. We were then entertained by the fabulous Richard Comfort, a superb soloist who performed on a recent Starstruck TV programme as Rag an Bone man.
Sunday morning was the AGM meeting which was very well attended. The meeting progressed smoothly with Committee positions being filled (some vacancies are still available on our vacancy page) and presentations being made. A presentation for 700 rallies was made to Richard and Gill Hitch, an amazing achievement. The children who had attended rallies over the year received a plaque and a bag of sweets and awards were made to retiring committee members, Julie Widdowson and Paul Tomkinson. The Franz and Hilda Hohmann trophy was presented to Nick and Tracy Orchard for attending the most rallies this year (17 rallies) with a Silver award presented to Ian and Helen Williamson (16 rallies) and bronze awards being presented to 13 other members for 10 rallies and above.
All in all, it was a very successful weekend and thanks must go to the chairman and his committee and partners plus all the helpers for all their hard work.
We rallied by kind permission of the cricket
club committee. There were 21 units including the marshals,
unfortunately 10 units were unable to attend due to the prevailing
weather conditions. On Friday evening the first quizzes and games of
sticky fingers were enjoyed by all. The quizzes were continued on
Saturday evening, with a break for some very nicely prepared light
refreshments, over which almost all struggled to guess "a pair of 'teef'
" in the drinks picture quiz. A big
hearty thank you to the marshals Tom, Dallas, Ann & Ady for all
their hardwork in preparing everything to ensure a great weekend was had
by all.
The rally at Hayfield Lakes was very much a free and easy rally, as planned. There were 18 outfits on including marshals, with visitors from South Yorkshire and East Warwickshire. There was one first rallier, a big notts welcome to Sandy and Dawn Thompson. The weather on Friday was hot, hot, hot and although there was the odd shower on Saturday, it didn't dampen the mood. Over the weekend most people visited the on-site pub and restaurant or socialised round their vans. Some ventured to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park which was not far from the rally site and they said they had a great time. There was a lucky van draw at flag which was won by one of the visitors from South Yorkshire. All in all, a great relaxing weekend. Many thanks to the marshals Becky and Jamie Reed and Dawn and Gary Bishop.
This weekend we had 10 units out with visitors from Northamptonshire. It was a nice, small but very friendly rally and Friday evening was spent in the clubhouse where our marshal, Martin Critchley had to serve behind the bar as the club steward had a family emergency! Saturday was free and easy and some of us visited the local attractions, The Engine Yard and Belvoir Castle plus visits to Grantham and Melton Mowbray. On Saturday evening we were in the clubhouse again where Martin got time off from the bar as the steward was back in charge! Some of those on the rally enjoyed a take-away meal that was delivered to the clubhouse and then we all took part in a dominoes knock out competition that was won by Neil Goulding. Thanks to Martin and Sue Critchley for running and organising the rally on our behalf and thanks to Jane Tomkinson for taking the flag.
We had 39 units out this weekend with visitors from the Leicestershire and South Yorkshire centres. Friday night we settle down to a relaxing evening with background music and a Valentines quiz. Saturday was a relaxing day with some shopping and a visit to the local pub after some fresh air. Saturday evening we met in a beautifully decorated hall for Valentines. We were treated to a 3 course meal then a Mr and Mrs quiz, followed by entertainment supplied by our very own Martin Critchely then finished off with a disco.
Report by Chairlady, Marie Charlton
We had 88 units including Marshals with visitors from Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, East Yorkshire, East Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, South Staffordshire, Scottish Centre and West MIdland Centres. We welcomed 2 first time ralliers and there were 8 members celebrating birthdays.
Some of us arrived a day early to get settled in with one gentleman travelling 305 miles from Scotland doeing 185 of those before even finding out if the rally was going ahead!
On the first official night of the rally we were treated to a 2 course meal of soup and sausage and mash and then entertainment by tribute act Bruno Mars with a disco to finish the night, well done to our 50-50 winner who walked awau with £147.50!
The second night was an Egyptian temed night. Thanks to Paul for the Egyptian props he expertly made for the evening. The evening meal was chicken, veg, Yorkshire pudding and jam roly-poly and custard. We were then entertained by a Queen Tribute act, the best I have seen so far. Well done to the second 50-50 winner who walked away with £111!
On New Year's Eve the main event was 'dress to impress'. Flag was held during the evening followed by a 3 course meal of soup, pork and all the trimmings followed by Vienetta and cream. Then we were entertained by party band, The Warning Tones followed by a DJ into the early hours. We all welcomed in the New Year with a glass of prosecco and sandwich platter. A raffle was held during the evening and also 50-50, well done to our third winner who walked away with £112.50.
That leaves me to thank our marshals Jane and Paul Tomkinson, Gill and Richard Hitch and Tracy and Nick Orchard who were all given a gift of flowers, a wine presentation box and money from the collection that was held during the rally to show our appreciation to our marshals for putting on a fantastic New Year rally. Also a big thank you to all those who helped with food prep, decorations, cleaning and the siting of vans, you have all done a fantastic job at making it a very successful rally. The feedback has been very good which is a credit to the Notts Centre!
Report by Chairlady, Marie Charlton