We Rallied at Fairways International Caravan Park, which over the last two years has had lots of improvements made to it. The main one being that everyone is on hard standing and, believe me, with the stormy weather conditions on Friday and Saturday morning they were a blessing.

The weather later on Saturday was a change for the better, it was dry but cold, but after we travelled to Glastonbury in the coach and the Carnival started, I don't think anybody minded the cold because the amount of heat that the many lights on the carnival floats generated kept everyone warm!

We had 16 caravans in attendance and everyone enjoyed the weekend and especially the Carnival.

The Rally is in the Rally Programme for 2010 and Val and I are both looking forward to welcoming back those Ralliers who joined us this year and those Ralliers who missed this year but would like to join us next year.

May we take this opportunity to wish all West Wales Centre Members a very 
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Brian & Val Cosker

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to you all and we shall see you next year.

Joanne, Dean                    Jo, Jay
Luke, Brad, Jay                 Rhi and James
Bond and Chewy

Weather forecasters said that we had weather warnings, with high winds and floods. These weather warnings put a lot of people off from coming, which ended in 11 vans cancelling, we also had 3 'no shows', but we did end up with 15 vans on site - 10 from West Wales, 4 from Dyfed and 1 from South Wales. So, not a bad turn out really. 

On Friday, flag was erected at half mast, in respect of the sudden loss of Ann Crockett and for her family. It took a while for Marci and myself to put up the flag, but we did it. Dean and other Members on the site left to attend Ann's funeral. 

Vans came in throughout the evening and were all in by 7.30pm.

On Saturday the rain came and went, but at least it held off for Flag, which went very well. Competition winners were 0-5y Dylan Jones, 6-9y no entry, 10-12y James Allan, Teens Rhi Allan, and Adults Tony & Sheila Fitzgerald from the West Wales Centre. Thank you to everyone who took part.

The Rally finished at 3pm on Sunday, due to the nights drawing in early and people needing to get their caravans parked away. All in all a very good weekend.

Thank you all for coming, hope to see you all again next year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Joanne, Dean                Marci, Trev
Luke, Brad, Jay             Dan, Zac and Josi
Bond and Chewy

There were 17 caravans for the weekend attending the Bonfire Rally at Gateway Caravan Park, Bynea. Unfortunately we had 9 cancellations and one 'no show', possibly the wet weather putting some people off.

Friday during the day was quite wet with Gary and Mike Small greeting and meeting caravans as they arrived.

A slight problem with the flag pole brought Barbara Small into action, and an improvised ‘pole’ was set up in our awning, which at least meant the Flag stayed dry over the weekend.

Friday evening there was Bingo in the Clubhouse, with a few West Wales Members cleaning up and winning enough beer tokens to see them through the rugby match the following day!

A few of the non-rally caravanners on the site also provided us with a small fireworks display in front of their caravans (not quite sure about the H&S aspects!).

Saturday it rained for most of the day, which did not bode well for the evening fireworks display. Most of us spent the early evening watching Wales vs New Zealand in the Clubhouse which was enjoyable, but a disappointing result. Then, lucky for us, the weather eased off and a fabulous 45 minutes of fireworks followed, a brilliant show which must have cost thousands - provided by Ken & Dawn of Gateway. Grateful thanks to them both for a magnificent display, and the huge bonfire was still burning well on Sunday morning.

Flag was held on Sunday morning with a minutes silence held for Remembrance Sunday and also for the sad and sudden passing of one of the WWCC Main Committee Member's mother, someone known to many West Wales Members, Mrs Ann Crockett. Our sincere condolences are sent to John, Karen and the family.

Thanks to Mike & Barbara Small for their assistance and to all who braved the wet weather and attended the Rally.

Andrea & Gary Glew

This will be my last input to this website, a superb method of communication. I hope many of you have taken the time to read the regular reports and updates I have been posting over the past few years. 

It has been a long seven years as your Chairman. Both Jan and I have really enjoyed the responsibility of being your Centre's representatives. I have spent ten years in total on our Committee, one year as a Committee man followed by two years as Vice-Chairman to Phil Harries. It was important to complete these years before becoming your Chairman. It will be a surprise to many, but you have to gain a lot of knowledge before stepping up. I personally recommend this to any future successor wanting to aspire to the Chairman's role.

During my term I have had the pleasure of working with 32 Centre Members who have volunteered for our Committee. They have supported the Centre and myself to make the Centre what we have today - an extremely successful Centre. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their commitment. Some of those 32 never realised the work involved and, for various reasons, handed in their resignations. This should show Members the work and time that is given by your Committees on your behalf.

It is refreshing to see that when we (your Committee) arrange events that they are well supported. Look at the recent Welsh National with 225 Members in attendance. I did ask jokingly "where are you every weekend?" It is in fact true that Rally figures are on a downward trend, not only with ourselves, but with all other Centres. I will use this soapbox to mention the importance of your support for Centre Rallies, it is always needed.

During our office, Jan and I have been lucky enough to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and a visit to the Palace of Westminster. Probably two events that without our caravanning association we would never have attended. We have attended 43 annual Dinner Dances (one as Vice-Chairman) which has been a very expensive pastime. It was extremely tough one year as I was unfortunately made redundant and I am sure you will appreciate finances were quite tight, though we still struggled to maintain our commitment. I hope there will be many more opportunities for our future Chairmen to attend these fantastic events on our Centre's behalf.

I would also like to mention the support Jan and I have received from retired Chairmen. Mr Peter Thomas, Mr Brian Harries and Mr Alan Rees and not forgetting Mr Harold Wilson Thomas. When the chips were down and I needed an answer, these gentlemen would be my first port of call.

I must mention our Centre's Sub-Committees. Again a lot of pressure is taken from the Main Committee by these Sub-Committees. The support Jan and I have received from them has been terrific. For every large event we organise, those three Sub-Committees are always there to help and take the pressure off the Main Committee. I thank them all for their superb support and I know many events would have been a lot harder without them.

I have been at the helm a long time and I am sure Committee decisions have not always been popular with all the Membership all the time. That unfortunately is what the Committee is there to do. That is why you the Member has a decision when you make your vote. I have never been the Centre - it is you the Members that are the Centre. 

I must say I always will have a soft spot for the Sports Sub-Committee. This Committee set me on my way forward in the Centre. I spent 10 years on this Sub-Committee, seven of which I was privileged to be it's Chairman. A good grounding for what was to come. I was lucky to make probably hundreds of friends from a love of mine - sport.

What next? So much time on my hands? Well now its time for some payback. After 20 years giving to the Centre, it is now time to do some of the things Jan and I have always wanted to do. Balloon Festivals, Air Shows, Carnivals and visits to other Centres to celebrate their great events. Jan and I have made many many friends from the other Welsh Centres and beyond. It will be great to see them on their Rallies and I will not be wearing a Dinner Suit for a change!

So finally to you all, Committees, other Centres, Colleagues and friends. Thanks to you all - it has been a ball.

Best wishes to you all and your families.

Ronnie John
Former WWCC Chairman

765 outfits in total from all over the country. Thanks to one and all of you for attending.

With 230 of our own West Wales Members in attendance - that's about a third of our membership - you all deserve a big thank you.

The invaluable help from our various Sub-Committee members and indeed our Main Committee ensured that the event was a great success.

We had some horrendous weather which should have, but never did, dampen our spirits. It is most uncomfortable to be out first thing and get a soaking, but most of us remained soaked for the rest of the day (we've got to save on the washing somehow!).

I have had many fantastic letters and e-mails thanking my Committee who worked tirelessly to ensure all visitors had a good time. As I said in the Rally Programme - enjoying the Rally was up to you.

Our entertainment evenings were both sell outs and to-date I have only had one  complaint (not a bad thing considering there were over 1500 people in attendance on both evenings!). You know what they say - you can't please everybody all the time . . .

Can I offer my sincere thanks to all of you who entered the many competitions, both under canvas and in the Sports Teams - not forgetting the Concours D'Elegance and Caravan Reversing events. It is your enthusiasm that has brought the InterCentre Cup back home! A hiccup last year, but it is now back with us.

I hope many of you will remember that I gave the Centre a two-year commitment in 2007. A commitment which not only I, but also my family made. They have been behind me through tough and testing times and I hope you don't mind me mentioning the fact here. I could not have done it without them, especially without the unfaltering support of my wife Jan.

Finally, thank you for the terrific support you have ALL given to make OUR Welsh National Caravan Rally one of the best on record! Jan and I have, once again, been highly honoured to represent the Centre on your behalf. 

Thank you all once again!

Ronnie John
Former WWCC Chairman

P.S. Click on these links to see some National Photos and Competition Results.

Congratulations to the Winners: Martin & Jayne Bevan

This year's Summer Tea Rally was once again held at Weobley Castle, the weather was glorious which only added to the enjoyment that was had by all.

Saturday morning saw three Ladies Sub-Committee members fighting their way around a well known busy supermarket collecting orders for 120 cream teas.

Although this part of the cream tea is never actually seen by fellow Ralliers the adrenaline level and heart rate is immense, as we finally get to find out if the ordering/collection system is actually adhered to! As usual, there was one little hiccup which saw the Ladies Sub-Committee members practically clear the shelves of the existing stock of strawberries with an audience of ‘regular’ shoppers looking on flabbergasted, no one actually got in our way or challenged us surprisingly, but there again they didn’t have Barbara Small to answer to if they came back empty handed!

The Summer Tea itself, which consisted of strawberries, scones, cream, tea, coffee or squash, was a great success and very well attended, a huge thank you to everyone who supported us in both the Summer Tea and our Raffle, as every penny we get is spent on various children’s activities throughout the year.

Also that weekend the Sports Sub-Committee held their Boules Competition, which was very well organised and attended, so hopefully there will be several teams entered into the Boules Competition at the forthcoming Welsh National Caravan Rally.

Once again a huge thank you to all for your ongoing support, we really do appreciate it.

The Ladies Sub-Committee

A very informative and constructive meeting was held. I and the Committee thought it went very smoothly. I outlined the need to continually monitor the 'plaque' situation as some Rallies were only getting requests from a handful of people for plaques. The Hon. Treasurer is maintaining a close watch on the situation.

I then went on to explain the reason for increasing the 'Rally Fee' this year. With the £2 Rally Fee being in place for several years, the Committee had decided to raise it by 50p. This will take into account increases in costs for provisions, etc., needed for our 'Flag' gatherings at every Rally.

The Hon. Secretary has been experiencing a large volume of queries relating to Membership and especially the lack of Rally Handbooks being sent to Members. I explained that the Caravan Club is introducing a new computer system named 'Genesis'. The reason for some Members not receiving their Handbooks is as a result of this new system's implementation. We can only apologise for this and have been assured by the Caravan Club that this issue will be resolved shortly.

After a short Q&A session, the weather was so nice that we continued to talk with issues relating to the forthcoming Welsh National Caravan Rally.

WWCC Equipment Officer, Martin Bevan went on to explain that we are still looking for Members who can help out at the National. Also there is a need for all manner of equipment - high visibility jackets, cable ties, torches, electrical cable, etc, etc. If you can help with any of the above, please contact Martin.

I then re-thanked all who had taken the time to attend and closed the Meeting at 12.05pm.

Ronnie John
WWCC Chairman

Heart of the Country C.P. - Rally Report
1st - 4th May 2009

A first to my knowledge took place on Saturday evening after flag when Ronnie John, our Chairman, was seen to leave us and went to bed long before Jan and many other Ralliers - he claimed he was tired!! You can make up your own mind . . .

All those who attended the Rally left on the Monday having had a very enjoyable weekend.

Brian and Val Cosker

With 4 caravans on site a great weekend was had by all. The weather was OK, with some rain in the night, although it was quite pleasant in the daytime. Flag was held in the Marshal's van on Saturday evening, this extended through into the night with the usual pastime of a noggin (or two!)!! An aerial display (Please note: This was not organised by the Marshal!) with parachutists descending throughout the weekend was an added bonus.

Ronnie & Jan John

Nia Lewis
Chairperson, Youth Sub-Committee

This year we tried something a little different to our usual format! We picked a hotel with more rooms! This gave Members the opportunity to make the most of the weekend with an overnight stay if they wished.

The food was delicious and the hotel service was superb, Mr Phil Doyle, our entertainer kept us all highly amused and the disco played us out till the end of the evening. The Function Room catered for our 72 attendees very comfortably, although, this year after extensive advertising, the Committee had hoped to attract more Members to this new venue. 

During the evening, I thanked all Committee Members for their hard work. I especially thanked John and Karen Crockett. John as our Social Secretary and Karen for her work organising the successful savings scheme (and I believe this scheme will run again this year).

I would like to thank all those who attended for supporting the Main Committee Raffle, and my wife Jan for organising the great prizes.

A good time was had by all (see some photos of the event below). I am pleased to report that the Diplomat Hotel has been provisionally booked for our 2010 Dinner Dance.

Ronnie John
WWCC Chairman