Swift Owners Club - Short history
The Club was formed in 1971 when 42 couples responded to an advert placed in Practical Caravan magazine seeking support for the formation of an owners club. The inaugural rally was held at Alton Towers with 28 vans attending.
Shortly afterwards a constitution was drawn up and a second rally arranged. The Club was here to stay!
The following year a visit to the Swift factory took place followed by the very first Annual General Meeting, which was held at Billing Aquadrome. Since then the Club has gone from strength to strength and has raised many thousands of pounds for charity along the way.
Here are some highlights:
- 1974 – First continental rally. It was held at an RAF station in Berlin. Thirteen vans were escorted through the ‘Berlin Corridor’.
- 1975 – 50th rally, held at Newark
- 1979 – 100th rally, held at Welbeck
- 1984 – 200th rally, which include another visit to the Swift factory
- 1989 – First edition of our Club magazine ‘Going Places’ launched. 400th rally held
- 1992 – The Club becomes a member of ACCEO (Association of Camping and Caravanning Exempt Organisations)
- 1994 - Two fully equipped Swift caravans presented to the Red Cross from the proceeds of our Charity year plus a “top up” from Swift
- 2000 – 800th rally held at Leamington Spa. SOC hosts the first ever Swift Group rally (held at Stanford Hall). 350 outfits attend
- 2002 – 900th rally held. The first second generation Swift owner is appointed to the Committee
- 2003 – The Club hosts the second Group rally at Stanford Hall. More than 300 outfits attend. £2,500 raised for Cancer Research UK
- 2004 – The Club raises £5,00 for the charity the National Association for Colitis and Crohns
- 2005 – 1000th rally, held at Newark. The cake was cut by two founder members
- 2006 – The Club hosts the third Group rally at Stanford Hall. More than 300 outfits attend. £2,500 raised for Cancer Research UK
- 2008 – The Club opens its doors to owners of other touring brands from within the Swift Group