Upton Jazz Festival - Tewksbury, June 2006 Reports by Jeff Way & Trevor Donohue Pics by Jeff Way

First report
What a contrast from the previous weekend where we had been busy with the organisation of the Group Rally. We arrived at this lovely site, located next to a country pub, where we were to spend a perfect, and most welcome, relaxing weekend.

Although nearby Upton was host to the annual Jazz Festival many of us spent the weekend sitting, reading, chatting and tasting the fine cask conditioned ales on offer next door to the site! One Executive Committee member’s wife however preferred the Guinness!

Saturday evening saw us all enjoying a communal barbecue, with wine and fruit cup kindly provided by Alec & Cheryl Yates and desserts made by the Marshals.

Sunday morning saw Alec & Cheryl being presented with their 150th Rally shield by Len Field who made his usually excellent job of highlighting their rallying history.

Many thanks to John & Loretta Bennett and Len & Dot Field for a superb sociable weekend, with fourteen vans present it made for a great weekend.

Jeff & Carole Way

Second report
Having acted as line Marshal the previous weekend at the Group Rally where we were siting 93 vans (and one no show), it was great to get back to a basic weekend rally of 15 vans in a field at £3.50 per night.

As usual the field tested the Marshals as to where to pitch the vans and avoid the deep tractor ruts but being June the weather was glorious, hot at times, but always warm and sunny with the ralliers sitting out until after 11.00 each night. Just chatting and being sociable with the odd bottle(s) of wine.

The Marshals in their very thorough planning had arranged for the field to be attached to a Public House, so it was only right that a dozen or more of the ralliers should sample the three real ales (& Guinness for one lady member) that were on offer at Saturday lunchtime. This ensured that the Saturday afternoon was spent for some with closed eyelids, though there was a complaint from one van about the writers snoring while reclining in the mandatory position.

Saturday evening was more than just a communal BBQ as our lady Marshal provided a range of desserts for us all. (Future marshals please note, this should be a standard for all rallies.) Alex & Cheryl Yates were celebrating their 150th rally with the Club and kindly provided a fruit punch and wine for the members to enjoy during the evening. A light quiz of 50 general knowledge questions was organised by our dedicated Marshal, who as usual had to remind the ralliers that the Marshal is always right!

During the weekend one of our members improved the standard of their pitch by introducing a large and very colourful hanging basket. I think the practicality of Swift incorporating a bracket for this item as standard is unlikely.

On Sunday we were treated to celebration iced cake from Alex & Cheryl prior to an early flag. (An afternoon football match & an Eagles concert may have had something to do with this.) A superb rally & weekend and we thank the Marshals John & Loretta, Dot & that ‘old fox’ Len for this. Clever of Dot to match the anagram competition with food & drink & the benefit of the pub next door. Thank you.

Trevor & Jenny Donohue
 

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