This letter is to provide the initial information about the 2024 Inter-Group Festival being held at Camper UK Leisure Park, Church Road, Swinethorpe, Newark, NG23 7EE. Further details can be found each month in theMagazine.
This year we are trialing some of the ideas raised by members at our last National Rally, including using a smaller site and not running at a loss. The price reflects the rising cost of facilities and entertainment.
One change is that all pitches will have to be pre-booked and members will not be able to just turn up at the gate and pay. Please help us to make members aware of this.
We were asked to find more traders – not an easy task over a bank holiday! Do you have any contacts? We offer a free pitch for one unit and stall. Contact suep@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk
We are looking to organise more activities such as holding a Cookery Corner to share ideas for BBQs, Cadac, Ramoska, Ridge Monkey or Air Fryer. Again, do you know of anyone with cooking skills and experience who
would be prepared to share their knowledge? Or maybe you have a really good idea of something you would like to see included during our Festival. Please do get in touch, we’d love to hear from you. Please reply to annet@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk
INTER- GROUP COMPETITIONS: We are keeping some of the traditional activities, as well as introduce new ones.
We would like to get every Group involved to hold as many inter-group competitions as possible. To
achieve this, we are asking Groups to organise one of their favourite competitive game or activity with the aim of amassing points throughout the rally. Kate Jones will be contacting you to discuss this further.
Points will be added to the various inter-Group competitions: the Homecraft Group Entry, Intergroup quiz, and the best decorated Group table on Party Night. Do consider entering teams for these. Remember, individuals can contribute to the Homecraft Group Entry without having to attend the rally. (For Homecraft individual entries however, the member must be attending the rally).
INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIONS: We have retained the Homecraft Competition and Dog Show. Your members have the opportunity to enter the various sections of the Homecraft competition – all the details are in the Handbook. Selma McMullan is our Homecraft co-ordinator and entries need to be registered with her. If you know of any of your members who may wish to share their craft or hobby with others, please ask them to contact Selma : homecraft@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk If anyone wants to enter their canine friend into the Fun Dog Show, they will be able to sign up at the Festival.
BOOKING FORM. The booking form will be available in the magazine and online on the Club website. Please inform your members and keep an eye on the Club website.
GROUP MARSHALS – This year we are not asking for Group Marshals to park members up as the site is smaller than a showground and members will be parked up as they arrive. However, it would be good to have two named members of your Group to be a point of contact.
GROUP CONFERENCE – your Group’s chance to raise items for discussion with members of the Council of
Management. Any issues you want to be discussed need to be submitted in writing - Les Kendrick will contact you with information about this. You may wish to consider who will represent your Group at this meeting.
PARTY NIGHT on SATURDAY: The Party Night theme is “School Days” and it is hoped that Groups will
participate in decorating their tables and wearing costumes in line with the theme. Please choose your own take on that theme! Please note, table decorations must not be above a height of 30 cm (12 inches) to avoid blocking other members’ view of the entertainment.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS In order to reduce costs at the National, it would be very useful if Groups would bring along any Fire Extinguishers for use in their own camping area. If you can help in this, please would you inform us of how many and what type would be available in your camping area.
Looking forward to seeing you and your members at the Inter-Group Festival,
Sue Pilkiw
Inter-Group Festival Secretary