Valentine's Weekend at Sperrin Integrated College, Magherafelt 14th -16th February 2020
Friday evening saw us warmly welcomed by Irene Hewitt and Cynthia Willis. The parking was directed by their other halves Robbie and Norman.
With everyone parked up and settled, we headed over to the hall for the EGM, which was being held to elect 3 members onto the Committee to bring it up to the full complement of 12. Joe McClune, Evelyn Pirie and Martin Murphy were elected to serve on the Committee until the next AGM.
A night of fun followed, starting with dance lessons given by our hosts Irene and Robbie on the Spanish Jive, Valintino Jive and Breakaway Blues. The willing students who joined in and those of us happy to just watch really enjoyed it.
A raffle for a Ferrero Rocher Pyramid, donated by Cynthia and Norman, was won by new members Keith and Valarie Burton and raised £80 in aid of this year’s club nominated charity the Children’s Hospice.
Norman then kindly provided the dance music for the rest of the evening and, as it was Valentines, the night ended on a romantic high with a rose being chosen by all the men to give to their partners.
A very wet Saturday morning saw almost 40 members gather in the school to discuss “motorhome touring in Europe”. Norman had prepared a hand-out to help direct the discussion in what all agreed turned out to be a very useful and informative morning. Everyone present took some new piece of relevant information away with them. Some members did brave the continuous rain to venture up to the town for a bit of retail therapy, whilst others took the opportunity to stay dry and relax in their vans.
Saturday evening started with a very enjoyable wine and cheese evening. The home-made wine was supplied by Robbie and Irene and perfectly complimented the cheese and crackers. The music for the remainder of the night was supplied by Chapter One who kept the dance floor filled right to the last song.
At Sundays coffee morning our Chairman Joe welcomed everyone and reported that a total of 46 vans had made it to the rally. He welcomed new members Keith and Valarie Burton. Alan and Noleen Fluke were congratulated on their new van.
Wedding anniversaries were Enda and Flo 54 years and Ramunas and Rita 4 years. Birthdays were Akvilei (her 16th), David Gilmore, Maud Ross, Dessie and Carol Crawford and their daughter Julie Irwin.
Joe thanked the hosts for all their hard work to make the weekend as successful as it was. He reported that whilst the raffle had raised £80 an anonymous donation of £20 had quickly followed bringing the total up to £100 and a further 3 donations had since been made bringing the total amount raised to £130.
Before handing the mic over to the hosts Joe advised everyone that a First Aid training course had now been arranged for Saturday the 28th March during our rally in Cookstown Primary School. He encouraged any member interested to consider attending it.
Irene thanked everyone for coming and making it such a good weekend. She thanked her co-hosts Cynthia and Norman and all who had helped them behind the scenes over the weekend and gave special praise to her own Hubby Robbie for all his hard work and assistance.
The number plate winners were Uel Ross and John Kerr and the quiz was won by Flo Carolan.
Irene wished everyone a safe journey home reminding us that our next rally will be in Larne.
Thank you to our hosts for a very enjoyable and successful weekend.
Martin and Winnie Murphy