Well here we are nearly at the end of another year and hopefully looking forward to next year when we start all over again, although I’m sure there are those who keep their vans warm by going away the winter months. We have missed a couple of meets this year due to family commitments but all those we have attended have been good.

I know I didn’t get an up to date blurb in the last newsletter, so just to cover the meets that I missed I must say that Rowdeford was a really good meet, albeit the weather on the first day when booking in vans could have been kinder. We had a good sprinkling of visitors from Midland area plus others from other areas and DA’s. I’m sure Chippenham folk festival was pleased we were able to get into to town and enjoy!

Scotts Haven saw a small meet, and we used Soberton hall which was a lovely hall although we gathered at one end. But like all meets we found entertainers and callers so the evening was good. We did use the barn a couple of times but the hall was definitely better for dancing.

Awbridge, a new site for Wessex, was ideal. The hall is on site and the field is as good as one could wish. There is a lovely wildlife wood surrounding the field which we were invited to wander round by the owner, and the Beggars’ Fair in Romsey entertained quite a few of us who went in. We were also given a good view of the Red Arrows as they flew over us on their way back to base. Apparently a RAF flight path goes over the village so it sounds as though people get to see service planes quite often.

Frogham and Breamore were our next meets and that’s when we were missing. I’ve missed speaking to David about Frogham, he’s off to Spain, but I understand it was a good meet as was Breamore. Sorry I can’t go into more detail!

Then it was Wallop with a good turn out and games to play on the field. Great fun! No snail racing this year as they didn’t turn up but there was the vintage gathering just across the main road. It’s an excellent free day with tractors, a bit of steam, classic cars and motorbikes, old farm machinery and a boot sale. We met several people there who found things that they didn’t know they needed!

Again we missed the next meet at Fort Widley but from Ken I understand that it was good and although not a great deal of vans for the weekend there were a good number of visitors to the evening ceilidh and the boiler was back in operation having had it’s new tap fitted in time.

We have three meets left to the end of the year, Harvest supper at Liss, Hallowe’en and ghostly supper at Wallop and Christmas party at Ibsley. Will tell you about them next time.

Pam (Secretary)