Rally Report at Sperrin Integrated College Magherafelt 11th to 13th March 2022
This was to be a Saint Patricks Day themed rally and, as is well documented, Saint Patrick spent time tending sheep on the sperrins so where better place to hold this rally than Sperrin Integrated School. Our Rally Officer never misses a beat. Good one Selma.
42 vans arrived on Friday evening and another one on Saturday morning, total 43 vans. We were greeted by our hosts Irene and Florence very resplendent in their green outfits in keeping with the occasion who together with our welcome sheets gave everyone very beautiful knitted coasters, complete with shamrocks of course. A big effort Irene and Mary.
Robbie and Joe parked everyone up. The Cavalry were called upon and soon had the hall furnished for the evening and at 7.30 pm. Hayley and Brian provided a tutorial in the art of dancing which was well attended and proved to be both entertaining and informative. (The evidence of this was clearly apparent on Sat. night).
Friday continued with a few drinks, a bit of craic, banter and a generally setting the world to rights. Games were played, including bingo all adding up to a full and enjoyable evening. Magherafelt is a fairly large, bustling, market town, with loads of trendy shops, bars and restaurants giving a wide variety to the many members wishing to walk into town.
Now there was a very special treat in store for the ladies (Not that any of them really needed it) Alex Mellon demonstrated and assisted in the preparation and application of a range of beauty products. ( Enda you are way out of your depth here. Stop whilst ahead.) In any case the ladies loved it, please come back Alex.
The Saturday night dance in a nice warm hall, music by Dave Kane, dancers fresh from their tutorial with Hayley and Brian, the ladies aglow thanks to Alex. Wow, you reap what you sow, very well done to our committee.
Could I at this point welcome new members Albert and Oliva Everett, now I am a little confused, did they learn to jive like professionals before meeting Hayley and Brian or after. In any case they were brilliant and welcome to the club. The ballot was held, plenty of prizes, thanks to all who donated.
Sunday Coffee Morning. Our Chairman Joe addressed the floor and much to our shame had the unpleasant task of remonstrating that unknown few who clearly don't read the rules in the Hand book. Enough said on this matter.
Number plate Draw. 1 David McFadden 2 Liz McKenna (This woman must have a direct line to the Blarney Stone.)
Quiz. This one was somewhat different to the usual being impossible to either know nor Google so well done Robert and Joy Coulter for coming the closest.
It was fabulous to see Roy Smith back behind the camera and the results can be seen in Gallery. Mobile phone cameras are great but Roy's' camera and expertise are hard to beat, thanks Roy.
Those green shoots of normality I spoke of in an earlier report have definitely grown and matured into strong young stalks and are looking great.
See you all at Cookstown 25th to 27th March D.V.
Enda and Flo.