Rally Report MCCNI Cookstown 29/12/23

  Despite a horrendous weather forecast, 25 vans arrived at Cookstown Primary School on Friday 29th December and our hosts David & Christine and David & Thelma assisted  by Roy & Jenny  expertly ensured they were parked and all signed in for this three day rally. Heavy rain continued through Friday night, but it didn’t appear to disrupt the get together in the hall, where friends were reunited (catching up on all the news) and the music provided by Roy had plenty of us on the dance floor. 

  Fortunately, the rain ceased for Saturday afternoon and shopping in town where many traders had braved the weather and set up their market stalls. Saturday night, Bob McEwan assisted by his wife Iris, had us all scratching our heads with a table quiz centred on N. Ireland, modesty nearly (but not quite) forbids me mentioning that it was my team that won! 

  Quite a few of us headed out on Sunday to the local Royal hotel for meals, which were reported to be of generous portions and great quality. We later gathered in the school assembly hall to toast in the New Year. The club had provided a couple of bottles of wine, snacks, nibbles and party poppers to each table to get the evening off to a fine start. Dave Kane provided the live music and ensured that the party atmosphere continued right through to the small hours with EVERYONE filling the dance floor. 

  A very successful raffle with a numerous selection of prizes was run by Denise, Betty Iris and Barbara and £200+ was raised.  2024 was welcomed in at midnight with the usual joyous celebrations and singing. Despite the lateness and conviviality of the previous night’s celebration 

  The Monday morning coffee morning was well attended. Our Chairman, David Kyle Ewing, welcomed everyone and gave deserved congratulations to our own Joy Coalter, who had been awarded a BEM in the King’s honour list for her work in the field of Education. New members Deborah & Steve Parry  were given a warm welcome. The Chairman  also announced that the rally quiz sheets will no longer be used and a bonus voucher will be awarded instead in addition to the normal number plate draw. The number plate draw was won by Ernie Corry and the additional number plate draw was won by Maurice McIlhagga. The Chairman concluded by wishing all a safe journey home and looked forward to our annual Dinner dance in Ross Park hotel on 13 th January. 

  ...Sam Arlow...