Benimar Owners Club Magazine
Issue 20 - 2005- 6
In this issue:- EDITORS COLUMN A GREAT IDEA PRESIDENT'S RAMBLINGS WPC 2004 LINCOLN MUSIC SHOW RALLY THE GLENN MILLER FESTIVAL 2005 PENNYMAR FROM NEW MEMBERS MAJOR RALLIES 2006
Well I hope it has been a better few months for all BOC members, I know many of you have had a good time because you have kindly written and told us about it. I have included as many contributions as possible, but in some cases I have had to reduce them a bit to fit it all in. What a great problem to have and I hope you will all enjoy it.
We all had such a brilliant time at Twinwood that I included two different accounts to give you the picture. Alex and I enjoyed it all and were particularly pleased to pick up some 40's outfits for a village show, which were perfect.
You will see from the photos that we forgot to tell the Chairman that when it says ‘dress up’ it’s only the ladies who wear the dresses, but you will be relieved to hear I think he has got the hang of it now.
We took our Benimar to Rvtex for a habitation check and Ian and Pete made us very welcome, they even looked after Ben while we went to lunch. The small amount of damp detected was quickly dealt with, the Hekki removed and re-sealed and replaced. We were glad they detected it before it became a problem.
Ian was particularly concerned that all BOC members should understand that the habitation checks are mandatory and must be completed by a professional and submitted to Benimar to safeguard your warranty.
We had no problem locating Rvtex, just put the postcode in the sat.nav. and away she went. In case you don't have this facility I have included the full details for you in the mag.
A GREAT IDEA, from Nichol and Lorna
Nichol and I would like to say how much we enjoyed the Glen Miller weekend and send our thanks to everyone involved.
As there was much talk of a repeat performance in 2006 we have put the date in our diary already.
During the week prior to the Twinwood event we planned to spend a few days at the International Festival in Edinburgh. We stay at the Caravan Club Site at Silverknowes (it's necessary to book in Dec. 2005). There's a bus outside the Campsite gate, which runs regularly to the city centre. There's a real carnival atmosphere at festival time with street theatre, many events staged by the International Festival, hundreds of fringe shows, a book festival and of course there's the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (There may even be a demonstration of 1940s dancing from the Benimar Glen Miller Group at the Tattoo)
If anyone is interested in doing an "add-on" and would like more information then don't hesitate to call me.
Lorna Thomson.
Post Peterborough Thoughts
Now that I have had time for recent events to sink in, I realise what a wonderful weekend it was. The weather was superb, the company was delightful, the AGM went very well I thought, and I am so glad that we have such a strong and willing Committee to carry the club forward. The gifts to Judy and I were much appreciated. We now have the first entry in the WCLC (worst Chairman leaving card competition).
The only downside to the weekend was that I broke the golden rule and spent some money at the show (just an awning, safari room etc, nothing too expensive).
Judy would like to apologies to Mary and Christine who got up very early on Saturday to sneak off and catch the first bus to Peterborough, especially to buy her flowers, only to find that Judy insisted on coming with them! Judy also bumped into Mary on the Friday night when she was hawking the extremely large WCLC around the vans.
WPC 2004
All 24 entries were displayed at the Peterborough Rally. The winner this time was Sylvia Tilley with a view of some water (sea or pool I am not sure) and she received a bottler of wine for her effort.
It was a hard choice and there were 5 highly commended. I gave a special prize to an entry that should have been disqualified, because it was digitally enhanced, but was so good that I just had to give Vi one (if you will excuse the expression)!
WPC (Worst Postcard Competition) 2005
I have only 3 entries to date so please start searching. Don't forget "Worst" is best defined as “why on earth should anyone send this card”.
Final thought.
I've got a stepladder. I never really new my real ladder.
See Ya, Ron
Marshals Paul and Carol Smeaton
Thursday afternoon was overcast with a threat of showers from the weather forecasters. However, Marshals Paul and Carol Smeaton warmly welcomed arrivals together with assistants Mary and George Pennington. They were soon sited on their pitches for the weekend and by Saturday evening 27 vans had arrived. The BOC have been lucky for the last two years in that the Benimar area has been close to the Entrance Gate, Main Event Arena, Music / Bar and Loos.
Soon, familiar faces surrounded us, which for some is as much the reason for attending as the Music. The evening brought the threatened showers, but they were short lived and it was still warm enough for impromptu gatherings under awnings or to see the Rock and Roll on offer in the nearby hall. The Rock and Roll tribute featured songs by Brenda Lee and Buddy Holly, very good reports were received.
On Friday, breakfasts were had in brilliant sunshine, but for those waiting at the entrance at 9:30 down came another shower. After a brief look around to see what was on offer it was 10:30 and time for the club’s coffee morning. Paul opened by thanking everyone for coming, then he gave a rundown of the schedule for the weekend and handed out a quiz sheet to be completed by Saturday, the winner to be announced at the Sunday coffee morning. He then handed over to Chairman Roy Gill who welcomed members and their guests, with a specially warm welcome to new members. Roy informed us with reference to the RDH take-over that new owner Richard Wood would be coming that evening to introduce himself and to tell us his plans for the new RDH. After Roy had thanked everyone for coming it was time for tea/coffee and a general chat.
Chairman 'Peaks' too early Hon President swings to the music
The new owners of RDH had put on a good display at short notice, though sadly, they had not yet taken delivery of any Benimars in time for this show, hopefully there will be some on show at York. During the day Ian Hollingworth and business partner Pete Evans who used to be with the old RDH, called in to tell us more about their new Service & Repair Company ‘Rvtex’. They will be taking on the servicing side of the new RDH and will also be the Midlands agents for Strikeback Alarms. They will be operating from an excellent location only 2.5 mls from Junction 27 of the M1. Their address is: Unit 3, Alexander Court, Hazelford Way, Newstead, Notts. NG15 0DQ. The phone number is 01623 722477 and email address rvtex@hotmail.co.uk On Friday evening as promised Richard Wood the new owner of RDH called in to tell us of his plans for Sales and Service of Benimars in the Midlands. He brought a welcome note of enthusiasm after the past weeks of uncertainty and we wished him every success in his new venture. If members have any queries about sales, parts, warranty or service they should not hesitate to contact him on 0870 7585050.
Evening entertainment in Hall ‘A’ was by courtesy of ‘The Diesel Cowboys’ a Country and Western group, of which we received very good reports. In Hall ‘B’ the Mike James Sound covered music from the 40’s to 60’s, however, many members were just happy enough to meet up with old friends to catch up on the latest news.
Saturday was free for shopping, and by mid afternoon some of us took the opportunity to take our chairs down to the arena in order to be together for the evening concert. First on stage were A Kind of Magic with a very good tribute to the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen, these were followed by Marty Wilde in person, accompanied by The Wild Cats most of whom also seemed to be original members of the band. They brought memories flooding back as our feet tapped along to the rhythms while binoculars were passed around to check on authenticity! Top of the bill were The Manfreds with Paul Jones and Mike d’Abo along with four other original members of the group. We were treated to such memorable oldies as Pretty Flamingo, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Semi-Detached Suburban Mr. James, Ha! Ha! Said the Clown and many many more.
Sunday was sweltering which was not good news for the Stall Holders as potential buyers stayed under their sun awnings. At the morning coffee get together, Paul read out the answers to the quiz and presented the prize to the winners. Plans of the 2006 new designs for Benimars had been acquired and were passed round for discussion.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing or visiting the stalls again, looking for those last minute bargains. During the afternoon some members departed, but for the remaining few, teatime brought another impromptu gathering in the form of a ‘Street Party’ tea, with a string of tables to seat nearly 30.
Music from the 30’s and 40’s Swing Era was relayed from Mary and George’s van but was soon lost under the sounds of the ‘Ivy League’ performing in the nearby hall. The party drifted on into the ‘twilight’ with the romantic flickering of many candles and solar lamps. All too soon it was time for sleep and we said our goodnights.
Monday saw the sad task of packing up and saying goodbye until we all meet again. Our sincere thanks to Paul and Carol, Mary and George for a job well done. Without Marshals we would not have such happy get togethers.
Some, reluctant to return home so soon were continuing on to ‘Lakeside’ a beautiful site near Louth for the rest of the week.
Thanks to Harry and Pat Hodgkinson for the 21-page report on their European Tour. I have only been able to print a taster in this issue, but hope to give you more installments later.
I'd never been to Paris although I'd camped, used Gites and taken my Motor home to France many times, so why not Paris? Traffic. Tales of horror about the Parisian highways had put me off, but approaching my 64 birthday and after discussing what we should do for this year, Pat my wife said we should visit Paris in spite of my forebodings about traffic. Just before Christmas last year I decided I'd discuss the Paris trip with our friends Carol and Mike, as they were frequent visitors.
Yes Paris is a busy city, but for that matter so is Manchester they said and over a very good meal we discussed our holiday plans. They were keen to see Croatia another place I'd never been. The floor was soon covered in maps of Europe and our travel appetites were wetted, the wine flowed and by the end of the evening we had decided to visit Paris, the Black Forrest, Austria, Italy Slovenia and Croatia in that order. Our trip would take around 106 days. Carol and Mike were eager to come along, so planning started in earnest. Mike and Carol had been out with us in the Benimar last summer for some weekend breaks, so they were fairly familiar with how it all worked. I booked the ferry with Sea France, out 26th April, return 10th August.
This event, which was held on 21st, 28th and 29th August at the Twinwood Arena and Airfield near Bedford, had only one downside as far as I was concerned and that was motoring down the M6 on the Friday of a Bank Holiday weekend.
Once there Geoff and Edna Follows, the marshals, had the Benimar area set out for the arrivals. It was Geoff who first muted the idea at the Peterborough Show, confirmed it at Lincoln and Julie who put it in a full page spread in the June Benimar Newsletter.
Most people arrived on Friday, the rest arrived Saturday. All told, fourteen units turned up.
On Friday after arrival, time was spent reconnoitering the place and finding out what was where, followed by a general natter and catching up with the news.
The first good news was when a guy came around handing out ration cards and informing us that there full English Breakfasts in the officers mess each morning. There were also evening meals. Each time you went for a meal, your ration card was stamped, five stamps and your sixth meal was free. The breakfasts were cooked on a pair of the largest frying pans I have ever seen…………..
On show around the grounds was quite a selection of WW2 vehicles, plus people enacting the life style with their uniforms and equipment (non fired)!
To add to the general atmosphere, lots of the people attending were dressed in the period costumes and uniforms. Uniforms and badges of the period were also for sale on the stalls in the sales area, as were CD’s of most of the bands of the era.
The live music was what people went to the event for, and it started with a Big Band at 13:00 hrs on Saturday, all very nostalgic.
After the afternoon session and before the evening; session: Geoff' and Edna held a welcome party, with the wine and nibbles doing the rounds.
On Saturday evening John Miller, nephew to Glenn Miller had his big band on stage. John was also comparing throughout the weekend. Whilst the music was playing, the dance floor in the arena had plenty of use over the weekend.
Apart from the music on the stage, there was a show by The Jiving Lindyhoppers and could they move!
To fill in between the bands setting up, Terry Elliot was playing music of the era, as well as presenting a fashion show of clothes of the era.
One thing, Mother Nature was kind to us, once or twice it had the appearance of some bad weather coming in, but each time we were spared.
Spared to the extent that it allowed a Spitfire to display and do a fly past on the Saturday and Sunday. On Monday there was a fly past of the Battle of Britain Flight, but it did not actually fly over the arena. We were also treated to a very close and low flyover of a Dakota to much waving.
After all the music, those of us who remained had a communal BBQ with a few drops of ‘pop’ and thanked Edna and Geoff for marshalling the event and for bringing it to our notice.
No Benimar rally would be the same without mention of Nichol Thomson, this time he had the honour to have the motor home positioned close by a generator and floodlight which was alright, but it didn’t go off until 00:30. It kept his ‘tumbrel’ quiet at dawn.
There was only one sour point to the weekend, Frances Varley badly sprained her ankle as she led some of the more exuberant members of the Benimar group plus half the audience in a Conga. Sadly she had to be laid up for a week.
Once again thanks to Geoff and Edna for looking after us for the weekend.
A follow up, I have been in touch with Twinwood Events requesting details for next year’s event.
GLENN MILLER FESTIVAL OF SWING AND JIVE
What a weekend, sunshine all the way, good company and plenty of music and dancing.
We were the 14th and the last Benimar to arrive at Twinwood airfield ready for ‘take off’. Most of the other 13 Benimars had been installed since Friday and already tested
the £4 Big Breakfast served in the ‘mess’ each morning, checked out the stalls selling every type of 40’s memorabilia from military uniforms to civilian dresses, hats, shoes and jewellery of the era, the vehicle displays and the Twinwood Museum.
We were in time to catch the start of the afternoon entertainment on stage, ‘Jazz Platoon’ a young 5 piece band, who had first performed at previous concerts when they were students at a local ‘upper school’. The Midland all Stars followed playing Glen Miller favourites and as the music played, dancers drifted on to the large floor for Jiving, waltzing, quickstepping and Lindy Hopping depending on the style of the music.
Many of the dancers looked really good in their 40’s outfits, it was super to both watch and to listen to. A 40’s fashion show and a jive dancing display were next after which we just had time to dash back to the vans for a bite to eat and be back in our seats for evening of frank Sinatra from Jim McAllister. Dancing continued on the floor with more 40’s outfits and couples strutting their stuff.
Somewhere along the way Geoff and Edna managed to fit in a cheese and wine get-together. A big thank you to them. Along with the live concert a late night disco was being run in the hanger. We were enjoying the live music so much we gave the disco a miss.
Sunday and another sunny day. The mess was open for breakfast, the stalls etc. from 11 am. The Salvation Army brass band and Sunday service was followed by the Main Line Band, more music from Strings of Pearls, and dancing. A group Kings Cross Hot Club, a Gypsy Swing band proved very popular, and ran out of CDs of their performance. A 19-piece band Sticky Wicket (formed by ex Chris Barber drummer) accompanied the Jiving Lyndy Hoppers in a premier of the musical stage show Jitterbug Joe.
Francis, Carol, Vi, Sylvia and Graham all looked the part in their 40's outfits as they danced to the music of John Miller (I lost count of how many times he mentioned being Glenn's nephew).
Again we all enjoyed the live music too much to go to the full-length disco.
Can't believe it, the sun is shining again. Jazz Platoon started the musical Entertainment after another fashion show. The next performers were my favourites Jive Aces, 6 young fellows dressed in bright yellow suits entertained us for over an hour, their music Hot Jive had a beat of Rock and Roll with the rhythm of Big Band rolled into one, sort that out!
Chris Smith and his String of Pearls orchestra took to the stage for the final two and a half hours. No matter how many times we heard 'We'll Meet Again, Pennsylvania 65000, Bluebirds Over, etc. etc. it didn't matter, they sounded Good. Chris wound up with 'Prom' type songs - Land of Hope and Glory had nearly everyone on their feet singing.
Francis led a conga, until she tripped and sprained her ankle. A few vans had to leave, and those remaining got together for their evening meal followed by a hilarious night.
But for Geoff and Edna Follows mentioning Twinwood at Peterborough Show, we would all still be ignorant about the concert. What seemed expensive at the time, on reflection, with all that entertainment and 4 nights Camping, plus the added bonus of the B.O.C. members company, what more could you ask for?
I gather a Benimar position has been booked for 2006, so start getting your 40's dress sorted. We left on Tuesday in convoy with five others to Honor and Tim's in Sittingbourne, after using their teabags and washing-machine we had a fish and chip tea, then left to catch the 9:00pm ferry from Dover on routes to Croatia. (But I'll bore you with that in the next magazine!).
Ed. Thanks to Mary for this report that came all the way from Croatia in the post, minor miracle considering that half my address was missing from the on the envelope!
Hello Darlings, this is Pennymar again. I’ve just come back from a most enjoyable holiday through France into Spain to my travelling companions apartment, where we spent a wonderful three weeks idling by the pool by day and tripping the light fantastic by night, (the Spanish waiters answering our every whim, well almost). Then we came back up through France met my travelling companions relatives, spent a few days with them and their wonderful German Shepherd called Arnie, he's as big as a donkey, before catching the ferry from Dunkerque to Dover and then on to the Sussex ‘Cook in’. We arrived here about two thirty to Pip's very warm welcome, giving us all a black bag for rubbish (to be taken home with us when we left) and some leaflets about the area and places to visit. The rest of the day was free to come and go, and chat to new friends, as it was my travelling companions first meet. We cooked a meal and met other members as they arrived. We had seven vans by the evening and saw most of the occupants walking passed our van about seven pm. Being nosey we looked to see what was happening and saw that everyone was walking with their chairs to Pip and Vic’s van and campfire. Not wanting to be left out we did the same and spent a very enjoyable evening with our new friends. Pip took orders for papers for the following day. Another two vans arrived making 9 in total with Ron and Judith expected on Saturday. At 11am on Saturday morning we all gathered together again for coffee morning. Pip treated us to scrummy flapjack and fruit loaf, then Pip told us what we were doing in the evening. We were given a letter, ours was F and a choice of meat or fish and had to cook it ready for the evening in the most imaginative way we could. This caused a ripple of excitement as our minds worked overtime thinking up some culinary delights. We had to have it all ready to eat by seven. Ken and Anne took orders for any items needed from the local shops as they were going into town on their moped, as did Ian and Sylvia who went on their bikes. We went for a walk into town, had a light lunch and walked back having bumped into all of them. I went for a rest when I got back as it was a good walk, and whilst resting Richard and Christine locked themselves out of their van and poor Vi being the thinnest was poured through the window to rescue the day. One of the campers took photos I believe and Ron who had arrived whilst we were out walking took photos of one of us (I’m not sure who) who was flying his kite, which was a red aeroplane. Later we got our food ready and took it down for the seven o'clock deadline. Then Pip drops it on us that presentation was judged first and then taste. I failed miserably on presentation but taste was good. Christine won having done three different dishes and received oven gloves and a bottle of pure olive oil. The rest of the evening passed, drinking, eating and sitting by the campfire, which Vi had made, and we all collected wood for. Later Pip was presented with a pack of Polly Filla and a lovely crystal bowl for all her hard work organising the events, and well deserved they were. Richard brought on an enormous carrot cake which we all had a good portion of leaving just enough room for Pip's wonderful fruit salad. Full and feeling fat we sat lazily enjoying the rest of the evening commenting on Pip and Vi blue lights in their gazebo until it got cold and we retired to bed.
Sunday morning arrived early again, I woke at 9-15! It had been arranged yesterday by Ron and Judith, to go for a pub lunch today. It’s only a short one to one and a half miles and we all arrived eagerly for eleven o'clock. We took the path we had taken on Saturday before going into town, which was a bit squelchy then but which had dried out better today and was more passable. It seemed more than a mile or a mile and a half and Ian was beginning to struggle when we turned a corner and there was the pub, a most welcome sight. On the way there I had picked an apple from a wayside bush and used it later to feed one of the horses which we all fell in love with, Judith particularly, who wanted to take one home with her. At the pub we had a lovely meal sitting with David and Evelyn and Ian’s sister. It was lovely and sunny and once fuelled up again we were ready for the walk back, this lime we went over the fields and passed the horses, of which we became very fond. Anne who was with us at the time fed mints to one of the chestnuts and just touched the electric fence and both she and the horse were shocked, the horse tearing across the field in somewhat of a panic returning timidly and carefully for the mint, offered just as carefully by Anne by way of apology. The rest of the walk went by with no further problems and we picked wood up as we went along ready for the campfire in the evening. We all had a rest ready for the cream tea promised for four o'clock. Anne and Ken who are going to Spain later this evening got their BIG WOK out, we all thought we were in for a treat but as it turned out the BIG WOK was an 85cm saucer (I'd like to see the cup) sorry dish, for their TV. Ian helped them set it up so they could get a good picture once in Spain. Much merriment was made of the BIG WOK and the packaging, cardboard, which kept the campfire going all night, the flaky bits landing on all of us like confetti. Our cream tea was delightful, Scones with various jams and delicious clotted cream. We all sat talking, then Pip bought Merlin out (their parrot) and he showed of his party tricks putting the right shapes into the right holes, putting money in a money box and playing basketball to mention a few and receiving cream cheese as a reward. Eventually we all drifted back to our vans to get ready for the quiz night planned for seven thirty. This was great fun, we had thirty questions and sixty answers or so it seemed, cheating and bribery the like of I've never seen before. We were split into three teams. We had four in our team the Kings and Queens, there were seven in the Thickets or was that thickheads? I'm not sure!
FROM NEW MEMBERS EDDIE AND JENNY CHAMBERS
We are recently joined members and have just received a package from Jane Perry, which included Issue 4 of the Handbook. The contents made interesting reading as will, no doubt, the quarterly magazine that Jane spoke of - we look forward to our first copy. It is in respect of her soliciting magazine contributions and reading the notes on motor home safety abroad in the Handbook, that I was prompted to recount our experience earlier this year and that before we had taken delivery of our new Benimar.
Our motor home was on order from BCS at Herne Bay, we arranged a 6 week trip to France, Spain and Portugal in our Brother and Sister in-law's brand new McLouis.
On our second evening of travel, we stopped in a very large motorway service area at Montelimar and after a meal, decided to stay over. Peter, my brother-in-law, commented on bad publicity he had seen it MMM about this practice but, as they had not had any trouble before and, as this was a very large and busy service area, he thought that all would be well. Nevertheless, we made sure to park immediately beneath one of the huge arc lights and were further assured by several large lorries and two other caravans being only yards away.
Just after 4.00 a.m. next morning, I was awakened by Peter shouting the top of his voice and flinging his big torch, towards the passenger door of the cab! We had been broken into. Of course, we threw some clothes on and went out around the motorhome and the area around but to no avail and no sign of our intruders, one at least spotted by Peter. The lorries and two caravans were still nearby with no sign of life and no people to be seen anywhere. A bag that contained my filofax, chequebooks and both my wife’s and my passports had gone! The local Gendarmerie informed us that we had been victims in what they called "Bandit Alley" and that in the peak months of June, July and August, as many as 10 robberies a night are reported in a 200 mile stretch of motorway!! We did not risk asking what was being done about it!
Careful examination of the cab doors, in daylight, revealed no door or handle damage and hardly a mark on the locks key openings, either very cleverly picked or the ones fitted to Fiat Ducato cabs are suspect remember that this was a brand new vehicle? This last point was not lost on us with our Benimar Fiat Ducato cab. On our return our first task was to purchase strapping to tie the two cab doors together through the door handles! Sadly for us, the horse had bolted.
The lesson that seems to emerge from all such experiences is, that life has its risks whatever the activity or particular style chosen. One just has to be sensible, logical positive, take all reasonable precautions and get on with enjoying what you do, don't you think? One last point, we have a stout strap joining the two cab doors of our motorhome whenever appropriate, rather than a chain, because the strap passes easier over the centre of the steering column and any tension sets off the vehicle horn - an audible deterrent built in! Secondary deadlocks on all doors help too - it is just the delaying and aggravating factors that all this poses the criminal mind.
Two years ago we purchased a Kevlar refillable bottle from MTH Autogas We have had no problems with it but due to garages bending under pressure from Calor, and increasingly preventing customers from filling portable bottles, we have decided to have a fixed system fitted to our van. After several quotes we chose MTH Autogas as the best deal. We then found that Richard Cecil from Autogas would allow us the full amount that we paid for our original bottle against our purchase of a new system.
A Gold Star to MTH Autogas for excellent customer service
Carol and Paul Smeaton
Van Bitz
I needed to ring Van Bitz regarding an LED on my dashboard and found they were offering an opportunity to all RDH customers, who had Van Bit alarms fitted by RDH. For a fee of £50 they would take on 12 months service and guarantee package to all RDH customers who had had a Van Bitz alarm fitted in the last five years. We had been feeling a little unhappy with our alarm and, since we were in Somerset, we decided to accept their offer full systems check. It proved to be a lucky move since they found several wiring faults, a fault with the movement sensor, and the bike loop did not work.
They fixed all of these problems, virtually rewiring the system and repositioning the movement sensor. All this was done as part of the £50 package, including a nights stay on their fantastic campsite had we required it!
A Gold Star to Van Bitz for excellent customer service.
How nice to be able to report excellent service!
Carol and Paul Smeaton
Free to a good home:
One piece mattress to fit rear comer double bed in Europe 6000SL For a right hand drive van but it would fit upside down in a left hand van. We could deliver to York. Paul Smeaton.
You may not know that many non-living things have a gender; For example?
1) Ziploc Bags - are Male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.
2) Copiers - are Female. because once turned off it takes a while to warm them up again. It's an attractive
reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can wreak havoc if the wrong buttons are pressed.
3) Tyres - are Male, because they go bald and are often over-Inflated.
4) Hot Air Balloons - are Male, because, to get them to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under it, and
of course, there's the hot air part.
5) Sponges - are Female, because they're soft, squeezable and retain water.
6) Web Pages - are Female, because they're always getting hit on.
STOP PRESS - RALLY
Collin and Frances Varley to Marshall a rally in Bath 11/12 th March 2006 More information later .....
Royal Bath and West Showground - Shepton Mallet, Somerset.I3-15th January 2006. Stone Leisure. Pre bookings by 16th December 2005
Three Counties Showground - Malvern, Worcestershire 7-9th April 2006 Motorhome and US RV Show - Stone Leisure. Pre bookings by 24th March 2006
East of England Showground - Peterborough – 21-23rd April 2006 National Motorhome Show.
Benimar Owners Club Annual General Meeting Peterborough Show. - Warners.
Newbury Showground, Berkshire- Southern Motorcaravan Show- 12-14th May 2006. Warners.
Stratford upon Avon Racecourse- 2-4th June 2006 Motorhome and USRV Show. Stone Leisure. Prebooking
Three Counties Showground - Malvern, Worcestershire - 11-13th August 2006 The Western Motorhome Show. Warners
Royal Bath and West Showground - Shepton Mallet, Somerset - 8-10th September 2006
Motorhome and USRV Show. Stone Leisure. Pre bookings by 24th August 2006.
York Racecourse - 15-17th September 2006 - The Northern Motorcaravan Show. Warners.
The Glenn Miller Event. Twinwood Aerodrome Bedford. August Bank Holiday 2006
For information on Warners events: 01778 391123 or www.showgoer.co.uk
Warners prebooking is normally at least a fortnight before the show.
For information: Stone Leisure: 020 8302 6150/6069 or www.stoneleisure.com.