Dorset DA Since 1952.
About the club.
The Dorset DA have been camping since 1952.The weekend comes and it is hitch up and off. Over the years the DA has probably visited every site through out Dorset.Many members of the Dorset's can say they have camped with the club for twenty years or more giving the club a great deal of experience to pass on.
Today the Dorset DA has a wide range of membership, of all ages and backgrounds, always striving to give the sense of community and belonging.
The Dorset DA is a District Association of the Camping and Caravanning Club. The Club is split into about 13 Regions which are split again into 93 District Associations. Membership of the Camping and Caravanning Club is required to camp with the Dorset DA. Once members you are free to camp with any of the DA's through out the country. The Camping and caravanning Club send out The Big Sites book with the welcome pack, giving its members the opportunity to camp through out the UK and Europe.
Membership to the Camping And Caravan Club is only £36 per year (plus a £10 joining fee that's waived if you pay by Direct Debit). You need to do this as a first step, joining a DA is automatic, you will be allocated according to your home address. After you join in the welcome pack you will receive the big book of sites and other information. The Dorset's produce a diary bi-monthly, not only giving the list of sites planned for that year, but as a way of communicating with the members of the DA.
District Associations are run by local members for the benefit of members. They arrange meets either at popular sites or providing more basic sites located near local festivals or arranged simply to take advantage of the local area , always at reduced rates. Social activities are often the focal point of the weekend which are open to any members of the Camping And Caravan Club.
Often the Dorset's will book a hall, or erect the marquee to cater for the various entertainments offered in any program for that weekend. The committee are the organisers of the program , but the steward, for the weekend, has the responsibility of the site. This will include booking people onto the site, taking the site fee, pitching you , and generally ensuring the members are keeping to the guide lines of the Camping And Caravan Club.
A Teddy Bear’s Tale.
Our first Teddy Bear’s Picnic started 21 years ago. In those days there were not many things done for the children.
We camped at East Stoke, a nice quiet site, just as well! We had the usual jelly, ice cream and an abundance of Teddy Bears. Afterwards plenty of games - rounders, the wet tarpaulin and tug of war (before the Health and Safety rules applied). A great shame as it was a lot of fun. We also played team games, passing various objects, balloons, soap, coal with only our feet. In the evening a communal BBQ and disco, some adults dressed in Teddy Bear suits. All was going well until the sight of flashing blue lights coming up the field – oh dear!
A neighbour had thought we were gypsies having a party, mind some people did look a sorry sight, yours truly tied up in a sleeping bag on the floor! The Police had stopped off on the way home and were relieved to find we were harmless (a few were legless!). They stopped for a coffee and chat. Hence the first Teddy Bears Picnic plaque has a teddy bear and Police car on it.
We had many years at East Stoke then change site to Woodgreen near Fordingbridge on the edge of the river. After a trip abroad Ray had seen a festival of lights – origami style floats with night lights sailing down a stream so we copied the idea. In the daytime we would had swimming races in the river, dingy boats and surf boards came into use as well. The usual games and jellies afterwards. We camped there for several years with good memories of jelly fights and scaffolding falling down, unfortunately the site was sold.
In 1999 we went to Carringtons site where we incorporated crab racing and see who could catch the most. It was back breaking job for me to count the hundreds of crabs and then set them free. They all lived to be caught another day.
Wigbeth was another site we used, it wasn’t ideal as the lake had too much wildlife. We then found Witherington Farm, a perfect site, a large net at the bridge to stop any floats and also for duck racing.
Things progressed to Diane and helpers doing workshops in the morning with the children painting, gluing and making their floats with much trial and error in and out of the water to test them out. I must admit the men are far worse, we had all sorts of craft, some worthy of Sunseeker, others just blocks of wood or beer & plastic bottles tied together. The competitive nature amongst them was rife. One year Jayne made a fantastic swan, it looked regal floating down the stream that is until the night lights set it on fire. Mind you it did cause a nice glow!
We have camped ever since at Witherington and it has certainly progressed from the first one. I think I’ve only missed one of these meets – where do the years go?
We now have to make it a booked meet as it is so popular. It’s hard work for the stewards and helpers but worth every second. I’ve some great memories of the comical things that have happened over the years, long may it continue.
Sandra Cripps.
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