MCCNI Lisburn Rally 28th- 30th July 2023.

Hello everyone. We had a great turnout of 39 motorhomes at Friends School, Lisburn.
Thank you to our hosts Arlene and Harry Campbell and Diane and Tommy Waide, the boys parking up the vans and the girls checking everyone in at the entrance.
The forecast for the weekend was poor but fortunately, apart from a late shower Saturday afternoon, the weather over the whole weekend was warm and sunny. Bingo and a catch up on Friday evening in the school hall was enjoyed by all. Thank you Victor for calling the Bingo and giving us a laugh – two little ducks Quack Quack!!
Arlene’s brilliant idea of “Bring a/take a/buy a book” was set up for Saturday morning 10.30am to 12 noon – all proceeds going to our Chairman’s Charity, Diabetic Association of Northern Ireland.
The cyclists among us headed along the Lagan Towpath, a beautiful walk/cycle of several miles beside the River Lagan from Lisburn to Belfast with stop off breaks at Lock Keepers Cottage or further along to Cutters Wharf.
Others headed into Lisburn centre for shopping or a walk through Lisburn Museum and Irish Linen Centre where currently there is a special exhibition of Egyptian Hieroglyphs.
“From the Valley of Kings to Lagan Valley” who knew??
Something I never knew – on permanent show, in a glass case, is quite a large piece of Egyptian linen excavated from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. This piece of linen was given to Belfast man Colonel Victor Unsworth, York Street Flax Spinning Mill’s man in Ciaro in the 1920s when he befriended Howard Carter, the man who discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb.
The hall on Saturday evening was packed to enjoy the music and singing of Nathan Graham, dancing and a raffle with many prizes.
Sunday morning we meet at 11am in the hall for coffee, to hear the latest Club News from our Chairman David and to say thank you to everyone who made the weekend so enjoyable. Arlene, thank you for your gorgeous buns and biscuits, much appreciated by everyone.
Harry started proceedings, telling us of the Saturday game of Skittles that was organised by David Davidson and won by David Davidson – the sum of £11 was raised by this event. Arlene’s book idea made £46.29p all funds going to our Chairman David’s charity - Diabetic Association of Northern Ireland.
Tommy then took the microphone to tell us the answers to the very interesting Quiz he had compiled. It was won by David Gilmore. The number plate draw was won by Stanley Aiken.
Our Chairman, David Kyle Ewing welcomed new members to the club:- Denise and James Waddell, Sandra and Lowry Smyth, Debbie Lamont and Tom Johnston. And returning member Gary Little and his family very Welcome.
After having attended two meets Raymond, Liz and Casey McEvoy were welcomed to their first rally.
David thanked everyone who had organised this brilliant weekend and then introduced Adeline McClenaghan who had organised for Mr Ken Patterson, a Community First Responder for more than 30 years, to give his time to come and show us how to carry out CPR. Many thanks to Adeline and Ken for demonstrating on how to save a life, so useful to us all. See you all soon, hopefully at next rally which is our Holiday rally in Portrush from 8th-13th August
Margaret Jardine.