Issue 19 - 2005
That rare sight - men working - Harry, Roy, Ron and Tim
Cook-up a great Barbeque at the Peterborough Show
In this Issue:- EDITORS COLUMN GLEN MILLER RALLY PENIMAR
TIPS ON EASY COOKING SUSSEX "COOK IN" RALLY 2005
Chief Marshall
Colin Varley
Auditors
Geoff Perry and Gerald Dickerson
Website
Webmaster
A full report of the Peterborough Show will appear in the next issue, but I would like
to take this opportunity to say thanks to those members who stepped down at the
AGM. A special thank you was given to Ron Smith for all the service he has given
over the years, and he was elected Honourary President at the meeting.
This was not what I had in mind for my first crack at editing the Mag. But we thought you needed to hear from us sooner rather than later in light of the Benimar/RDH situation.
The result is I have not received many contributions that were promised and this is therefore a scaled down version of the Mag. On top of leaving for 8 weeks in France on Sunday with only one week to produce this issue, my e mail crashed, my computer died and then my printer ran out of ink, so it is not quite the standard I would have liked.
RDH have severed their connections with Benimar and gone into liquidation. The intention had been that Barrons would take over the contract, but at the 11th hour Benimar would not agree terms with Barrons to cover the warranty work and the deal fell through.
Steve Reynolds is not sure what the future holds for those whose vans are under warranty, but he is hopeful that someone will take them on. I had been promised an update from both Steve and Benimar, but on going to print I have received neither.
The Webmaster had to close the web page for a time following some unhelpful contributions, this was disappointing behaviour from Club members of whom we would expect better and a little cooperation when we are all in a difficult position.
There is no truth in the rumour that any Committee Members were aware of the gravity of the situation at the Peterborough Show.
We will try and let everyone know of further developments via the web page. Thanks to Alan Williams for the information on BCS, (see under Penimar Item).
— Thanks to Geoff Follows for information
It seems that the Glenn Miller Festival at August Bank Holiday has caught the fancy of many members, so I have included the complete information for any other members who might want to join us. Don't forget to mention you are Benimar when you book and we look forward to a big gathering in August.
Firstly, Congratulations Julia on your new role as BOC Magazine editor and I am looking forward to reading your first BOC magazine.
Its sad to have learnt the news of RDH going into official receivership, but on a positive note, I am delighted to inform you that the UK will not dry up of new Benimars as Paul from BCS in Herne Bay is going to continue to import and sell new Benimars direct from Spain together with the used motorhomes they have for sale. Good on you Paul, wishing you every success.
I was the winner of the 2004 BOC Penny 'Mar' which I believe the club raised approximately £28.00 in raffle tickets at the 2004 AGM. Having passed her over to her new owners at the 2005 BOC AGM, I was pleased that Penny 'Mar' has not only got new owners and new destinations for 2005 (including Australia, wait to hear more about that one!) but I was also delighted that the club members who contributed towards more raffle tickets raised a total sum of £150.00 which is going to be donated to the Great Ormond Street Charity on behalf of the Benimar Owners Club. Well done to you all.
Well hello dears. I've just had a wonderful holiday with my new travelling companions the Marshall's. First I met them at the Peterborough AGM This was an absolutely fabulous meet. My new companions arrived just in time for a fantastic BBQ on Friday evening. There was lots of sangria, food and scummy deserts. Oh my I had a wonderful time, the food was out of this world and the company the best we've had so far, I think I heard someone say we had 40 or more units on the site, which is terrific and that's when I met my new travelling companions. The Peterborough Shaw was really good, lots stalls to browse, nibbles to try, vans to look round, and lot's of new ideas. We had the AGM and as our chairman had bought another van from a different supplier, he said he had to stand down and let someone else with a Benimar (my hero) take over. By the end of the meeting nearly all the officers had changed with either new people altogether or others moving from one position to another. We had some scrum my cake then and champers, oh what a delightful day all very exciting. ON Sunday morning all the new officers had taken their places we then had a coffee morning and as I was talking to my new companions they were telling me of their holiday plans for this year and I asked if they would like me to accompany them as they were going to all the places I would like to visit. They said Yes! I'm so delighted and I've already been to Spain with them, not in the Benimar but on a jet plane.
We went for ten days, the weather was wonderful, hot and sunny, we went out for meals and laid on the lovely soft clean sandy beach or had a swim in the lovely pool with sangria not far away, (I've got a lovely tan, not telling you where) and as we had my companions grand-daughter with us we all had someone to talk to and share girly moments with. We were sad to come back home again, but we're going to Germany next, down the Romantic road through to Switzerland so I'm
packing again, I'm so excited once more, I have to plan what to take and make sure I have everything, so I'll have to say goodbye for now and I'll write again soon. Love to all, yours truly, Penny mar.
Alan Williams
We raffled her once again and raised £142.00, which will be going to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children from Benimar owners club.
VI would like to thank all for taking part in the raffle and special thank you to Rob (RDH) and Paul (BCS).
It would be a great idea if we could continue to raise monies with Penimar every year after the AGM. All your
comments would be welcomed. BIG THANK YOU FROM PENIMAR (I understand she is off to Australia with her new owners?)
EDITOR'S COMMENT If it means a free trip to Australia there may be other people willing to be raffled
Following my established reputation in the culinary arts I thought it might be fun to invite all the other experts to send me their suggestions of ways they make a meal in their vans together with recipe.
MY SUGGESTION
Spaghetti Bolognese
1 Tin Marks & Spencer's Bolognese, Spaghetti for two.
Put Bolognese in container in microwave for 4 mins. Boil water and cook spaghetti until soft but not chewy.
Top with parmesan cheese and fresh stuffed olives. Cooking time Ten minutes. If you have a skillet it is possible to put the spaghetti in the bottom half and sauce in the top and cook on gas at the same time.
Now I am sure you can do better than this so why not let me have your suggestions for the next mag.
SUSSEX "COOK IN" RALLY 2005
B.O.C. & I.A.8 MEMBERS ONLY
5th 6th 7th & 8th August
THIS YEAR WE ARE ON A FARM THAT RUNS AN ADVENTURE PARK,
FALCONRY CENTRE AND SKI CENTRE! COULD BE A GOOD ONE FOR THE
GRANDCHILDREN! THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM BUT A QUICK PHONE
CALL TO LET ME KNOW YOU ARE COMING WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
FEES ARE £6,50 PER UNIT PER NIGHT, WATER ON SITE, OWN SANiTATION
ESSENTIAL, CDP AVAILABLE. DOGS ARE WELCOME BUT MUST BE KEPT
ON A LEAD
ARRIVE ANYTIME FROM 2PM FRIDAY AND DEPART BY 2PM MONDAY.
A SHOPPING LIST FOR NEWSPAPERS AND ESSENTIALS WILL BE ON THE
NOTICE BOARD. PLEASE PLACE YOUR REQUESTS BY 9PM EACH DAY
THERE IS A FOOTPATH ACROSS THE FIELDS TO MICHELHAM PRIORY -
13th.CENTURY AUGUSTINIAN PRIORY THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
THE YEW TREE INN IS A BIT FURTHER AWAY BUT THE FOOD IS GOOD.
EASTBOURNE IS ABOUT 4 MILES AWAY AND ASHDOWN FOREST IS
ABOUT 12 MILES.
RALLY FEES INCLUDE A CREAM TEA ON SUNDAY AND ON SATURDAY
WE WILL BE ENJOYING ANOTHER SORT OF "AMERICAN SUPPER."
DIRECTIONS
THE RALLY FIELD IS AT KNOCKHATCH ADVENTURE PARK.
SNOWBOARD & SKI CENTRE ON THE A22 NEAR HAILSHAM IN EAST
SUSSEX. BN27 3PR FOR THOSE OF YOU WITH SAT NAV. FROM
UCKFIELD TAKE THE A22 AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS TO HAILSHAM AND
AT THE BOSHIP HOTEL ROUNDABOUT TAKE THE 3RD EXIT. AT THE
NEXT ROUNDABOUT, CALLED "DIPLOCKS" TAKE THE THIRD EXIT AND
FOLLOW THE PRIVATE ROAD TO THE ADVENTURE PARK. JUST PAST
THE CAR PARK THERE WILL BE A STANDPIPE SO YOU CAN TOP UP WITH
WATER. CARRY ON FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS AND THE RALLY FIELD IS
ON THE LEFT.
FROM EASTBOURNE TAKE THE A22 AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS TO
HAILSHAM. GO THROUGH POLEGATE AND OVER THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS,
FIRST EXIT AT THE ROUNDABOUT. AT THE NEXT ROUNDABOUT TAKE
THE FIRST EXIT AND FOLLOW THE PRIVATE ROAD TO THE ADVENTURE
PARK. JUST PAST THE CAR PARK THERE WILL BE A STANDPIPE SO YOU
CAN TOP UP WITH WATER. CARRY ON FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS AND THE
RALLY FIELD IS ON THE LEFT.
July 8-15 Northumberland
Alnwick Rugby Club
Marshals - Anne & Ken Mitchell
AII hard standings. Access to Toilets etc, but no hook-ups. £4 per night
Mon-Fri, otherwise £6 pn.
July 15 -17 Lincoln Show
Midsummer Music Festival
Marshals - urgently required otherwise the rally will be cancelled
Book using MMM form or on-line.
July 23
RDH Open Day
August 5 - 7
Sussex
Another one of Pip's famous Sussex Rallies, No details yet.
August 12 - 14 Malvern
Western Motorhome Show
Marshals - urgently required
Book using MMM form or on-line.
Sept 16 - 18 York
Great Northern Motorcaravan Show
Marshals - urgently required
Book using MM form or on-line
Oct 7-9 Eden Camp
North of York
Another super rally in prospect at the WW2 museum.
Marshals - Paul & Carol Smeaton
If you know of a suitable venue for a club rally (the handbook
tells you what is expected) and are willing to marshal get in touch with the
Event Co-ordinator, Roy Gill, to fit it in the schedule.
Roy Gill
Sussex "Cook In" Rally 5th to 8th August.
Don't miss this one, full details above, thanks to Pip for getting them to me despite mega problems with my e-mail and printer.
Hope you all have a great time.