The Lakes, Spalding (Stella Mary farewell rally) Sept 2020
It’s been a very strange year with COVID 19 making us all change the way we behave. What with social distancing, the wearing of masks and the cleanest hands we have probably ever had! Still the good news was that we were able rally and also, importantly, say farewell to one of our long term members Stella Mary. She has been a member for over 25 years and attending her last rally with us, before sending her MOHO off to France. We really have to thank Ian and Sharon for marshaling this rally in these difficult times, although you wouldn’t think much was different as they greeted us on arrival with their usual smiles and catch up chats. However unfortunately due to government restrictions we had to maintain our groups of six and socially distance at all times, so sadly no hugs & kisses allowed! Our usual meet and greet meeting was tempered by COVID but we still all managed to say hello and have a general chat as we arrived and set up.
Stella Mary made a rather grand entrance, with her MoHo breaking down on entry to the site, oh no, but Robert and Ian went to the rescue, with Robert able to try out his new jump start gadget and get the stricken vehicle moving again allowing Stella Mary to get onto her pitch and set up.
It’s been a very strange year with COVID 19 making us all change the way we behave. What with social distancing, the wearing of masks and the cleanest hands we have probably ever had! Still the good news was that we were able rally and also, importantly, say farewell to one of our long term members Stella Mary. She has been a member for over 25 years and attending her last rally with us, before sending her MOHO off to France. We really have to thank Ian and Sharon for marshaling this rally in these difficult times, although you wouldn’t think much was different as they greeted us on arrival with their usual smiles and catch up chats. However unfortunately due to government restrictions we had to maintain our groups of six and socially distance at all times, so sadly no hugs & kisses allowed! Our usual meet and greet meeting was tempered by COVID but we still all managed to say hello and have a general chat as we arrived and set up.
Stella Mary made a rather grand entrance, with her MoHo breaking down on entry to the site, oh no, but Robert and Ian went to the rescue, with Robert able to try out his new jump start gadget and get the stricken vehicle moving again allowing Stella Mary to get onto her pitch and set up.
The weather on the first day favoured us, being sunny although with some wind meaning we were able sit out in the daytime and also for some brave enough, well into the evening. With one particular group, who shall remain nameless enjoying a drinkor two and then deciding a Chinese was a fitting end to the evening. A bit like the three musketeers, the men went wandering off into the village looking for food with the women happily enjoying a chat back at camp, it’s a good job we all didn’t go as it was some distance and only open for takeaways!
The only downside of an evening at The Lawns, as many of were to painfully discover, were the infernal mosquitos, a consequence of the rather nice fishing lake near us, which also provided a great dog walk. There was a bus stop in the local village to enable those without cars to explore the local area which many of us did. On the Friday some of us went to Spalding a somewhat tired old market town like so
many others today. It used to hold the Spalding Flower Parade but that finished in 2013! There was however a nice walk along the river Welland, with some people fishing from the banks and we came across a rather large parish church, which inside had a lovely wooden carved ceiling and some beautiful stained glass windows. The graveyard had burials dating back from the 1700’s which gives some indication of the age of the church. That evening we all had fish and chips kindly organised by Ian & Sharon and brought in by special delivery from the local chippy. These were enjoyed either sitting in small groups outside, or for those less hardy (because of the cool wind), in our motorhomes.
During the evening we did all manage to have chat with each other, including being able to give a warm welcome to Jim a new member, (who is local to us in Sussex) and we hope to see him at future rallies.
On Sunday Sharon and Ian planned a socially distanced get together outside, and a surprise presentation for Stella Mary, to celebrate her time with the club and her final rally (at least with her current motorhome!) Perhaps more an Au Revoir rather than a farewell.
Thanks to Sharon, Carol and Jane who worked very hard to put on some lovely food for us all (with close adherence to social distancing and hygiene needs) and to Val who did a wonderful cake in the shape of a motorhome. Robert Hubbard did a wonderful job on behalf of us all, putting together a photograph album which had photographs of Stella Mary at rallies over the years, with images sent in by many of our members. Those members attending the rally signed the Album and added their personal goodbyes. Also a mug was presented with a picture of Stella Mary on it doing her much loved mulled wine and mince pies at the Christmas Rally.
Stella Mary was very touched by everyone’s kindness thanking everyone present and was also very pleased with the wonderful cake made by Val insisting that we all had a piece cut by her personally. She said she had thoroughly enjoyed her 27 years rallying with the club, most of which also as Regalia Organiser and she had made some wonderful friends. I think a few tears were shed during this time.
The only downside of an evening at The Lawns, as many of were to painfully discover, were the infernal mosquitos, a consequence of the rather nice fishing lake near us, which also provided a great dog walk. There was a bus stop in the local village to enable those without cars to explore the local area which many of us did. On the Friday some of us went to Spalding a somewhat tired old market town like so
many others today. It used to hold the Spalding Flower Parade but that finished in 2013! There was however a nice walk along the river Welland, with some people fishing from the banks and we came across a rather large parish church, which inside had a lovely wooden carved ceiling and some beautiful stained glass windows. The graveyard had burials dating back from the 1700’s which gives some indication of the age of the church. That evening we all had fish and chips kindly organised by Ian & Sharon and brought in by special delivery from the local chippy. These were enjoyed either sitting in small groups outside, or for those less hardy (because of the cool wind), in our motorhomes.
During the evening we did all manage to have chat with each other, including being able to give a warm welcome to Jim a new member, (who is local to us in Sussex) and we hope to see him at future rallies.
On Sunday Sharon and Ian planned a socially distanced get together outside, and a surprise presentation for Stella Mary, to celebrate her time with the club and her final rally (at least with her current motorhome!) Perhaps more an Au Revoir rather than a farewell.
Thanks to Sharon, Carol and Jane who worked very hard to put on some lovely food for us all (with close adherence to social distancing and hygiene needs) and to Val who did a wonderful cake in the shape of a motorhome. Robert Hubbard did a wonderful job on behalf of us all, putting together a photograph album which had photographs of Stella Mary at rallies over the years, with images sent in by many of our members. Those members attending the rally signed the Album and added their personal goodbyes. Also a mug was presented with a picture of Stella Mary on it doing her much loved mulled wine and mince pies at the Christmas Rally.
Stella Mary was very touched by everyone’s kindness thanking everyone present and was also very pleased with the wonderful cake made by Val insisting that we all had a piece cut by her personally. She said she had thoroughly enjoyed her 27 years rallying with the club, most of which also as Regalia Organiser and she had made some wonderful friends. I think a few tears were shed during this time.