NYE 2025 Cookstown

     Despite the frost & snow weather warnings our hosts, Mark, Jacqueline, Peter & Marie welcomed 41 vans to the New Year celebrations at Cookstown Primary School. Our rally organiser Selma had the foresight to make this a three day rally anticipating that “some” members would not be fit to drive on New Year’s morning, which was definitely the case.
     Tuesday got off to a flying start with the now famous Hurricane Hutchison with her speed ensuring that all eyes were down to concentrate on our Bingo numbers. Following this Peter provided us with an enlightening game called “Heads & Bums”!! We all learnt many interesting facts as to which reality stars were taller, heavier, I could go on and on. A REALLY interesting concept, where Liz & Casey were the eventual winners. As the evening continued we were treated with great musical entertainment by Albert, who really read the room with his choice of songs.
     New Year’s Eve REALLY turned into a party night, which would have put teenagers to shame, with members dressed in style, tables decorated and laden with savoury party food, complementary FREE alcoholic drinks aplenty. Complete with rousing music by popular Dave Kane, who led us all to dance in the New Year with party poppers and glow sticks. The night/morning eventually ended well into the early hours of 2026.
New Year’s day was greeted with any many and I do mean, MANY sore heads the following morning, that arrived for the coffee morning provided by Selma and her willing team of Maud and Geralyn. Our chairman struggled to give his address as it was definitely the morning after the night before. Tommy & Diane were having their first outing in their brand new van and were congratulated. The big event of the morning was the ballot being drawn for TWO nights B&B at next week’s Ross Park Hotel being won by Selma & Elmer. Alex &Ivan were exceptionally lucky in winning the cost of two tickets for the New Year Dinner dance, TWO years in a row, congratulations to both couples.
The evening entertainment took a different turn with Peter conducting a new to us Chinese raffle game, where prizes can be stolen throughout the game. (You had to be there!)Lynette was the eventual lucky winner of the Cuddly toy, which she generously raffled in aid     of the Chairman’s charity and after some fierce bidding, Mark was able to adopt the little dog (Humphrey). Albert expertly finished the evening with his great collection of musical tunes. Anticipation is gearing up for yet another great party next week at our yearly dinner dance at the fabulous Ross Park Hotel where the hotel’s maximum numbers have been booked.
Sam Arlow