2 Sep 2009 - RALLY, UTTOXETER RACECOURSE
After a good journey up from Sussex with no hold-ups, we arrived safely at the Uttoxeter Racecourse to be greeted by Ray. The sun was shining and the sky was clear, which was a nice surprise as we were expecting bad weather! The first evening we ate our meal and then relaxed in the van after the long drive.
On Thursday morning the weather stayed fine and after chatting with some of the other ralliers, we strolled into the town. Uttoxeter is an old market town with lots of interesting buildings, but at the moment is looking a little sad as there are so many empty shops (perhaps this will improve when the recession ends!). We found a Wetherspoons pub and had a cheap but filling lunch and, after shopping, we then made out way back to the van.
In the evening we had use of a room with tables and chairs and Meriel organised a classical music quiz - we were surprised by how many of the composers we were able to recognise between us on our table (thanks mainly to our northern friends).
Friday saw another fine day and we set off early to catch the bus into Burton on Trent. It was a pleasant drive through open countryside and the occasional village. What a large town Burton is – we walked around but although there were lots of shops, we didn’t find any Tourist Information Office or signs for any Museums or places of interest. We still enjoyed the bus trip and on the way back passed the Museum of Childhood and Sudbury Hall and decided that we would go back again on Saturday after the AGM.
Once again in the evening we had use of the hall, and another classical music quiz was set by Meriel and our table (named the Dripping Team) managed to answer most of the composers. We were called the Dripping Team because John and Pauline and Colin and Margaret were extolling the virtues of Beef Dripping to us all. Tony and Faye were not impressed (Tony looked slightly green every time it was mentioned!). I will think of them every time I see beef dripping in the Butcher’s shop.
Saturday – the day of the AGM again started off with good weather and we all gathered in the hall for a Coffee Morning prior to the start of the meeting at 10.30. The AGM passed without any major problems and the new Committee was elected in due course.
a lovely old building dating back to the 17th century with lots of lovely plaster work throughout. We just had time to look at the old family church and the village before it was time to catch the bus back. In the evening we once again went to the hall where Hazel had set out a lovely Ploughman’s Lunch with the help of Sylvia and Len.
Sunday was a lazy day for us – we just walked into the town and had a Sunday Roast at Wetherspoons before returning to the site to collect some of the small plums growing on the edge of the racecourse (which have now been turned into tasty jam). Ray had arranged for us all to have a get together barbeque but, unfortunately, just before we were due to start, we had the first rain of the rally and it had to be cancelled – but not before Shirley had set up her table and chairs and was “ready to go”.
We had our last get together in the hall that evening and we all took part in a quiz which Meriel had organised about old Radio and Television programmes. This time the “Dripping Team” was the winning team and we all enjoyed the box of chocolates which was the prize!
On Monday we set off for home in lovely sunshine, but did pass through some small patches of rain on the way. We had enjoyed the rally and look forward to seeing everyone at the Christmas Rally.
Pat Stiles (1324)