Dec/Jan 2007-8

Hi everyone.
With regards to 2007 may I take this opportunity to thank everyone for a great year, lets hope that 2008 is better still. There have been some fantastic meets this year and I name but a few.

Country and Western
This was quite well supported, although takings were down on previous years, we had a good time. Any ideas for next years Country and Western. We need Line Dancing teachers, does anyone know of anyone who could help?

SWR Meet
Well congratulations to all. Friday evening went down well, if going by the letters we’ve received thanking us. Everyone said how well the whole weekend was organised. Well done.

The Halloween Meet
at Melbury Osmund was a good evening, the entrance to the site being no problem as some had thought. Thank you to Sue for doing the disco, Anne and Gordon for the punch, and to Val, Elaine and Sandra, and their helpers for the splendid supper and Jayne for the children’s workshop and decorating the hall.

Finally we attended the end of year meet Parley, which turned out to be a terrific evening. The hall was cosy, the American Supper bountiful and the disco kept us on our toes all night. Thank you to all who helped. I must admit when we first arrived at the hall I didn’t think things were going to go with a swing, but true to DA fashion they certainly did and everyone enjoyed themselves, who said I tuck my shirt in!

Di, Terry, Jayne and myself went to visit Mike and Dawn in their new house in France. We were welcomed by Mike carrying a shotgun and candelabra, wearing his caretakers outfit standing at his front door, telling us to clear off. What a place though, it’s a lovely French Farmhouse, with a typical stone fireplace, stone floors and big kitchen, with barns, fields and outbuildings, plenty of room for a DA Meet! Mike has already been decorating. We had a great weekend, thank you Mike & Dawn. Happy Birthday to Mike.

May I also take this opportunity to thank the current Committee members for all their support and help during 2007. I welcome Val Greening onto the Committee as our new Treasurer for 2008 and would like to say a special thanks to John, our retiring Treasurer, for the splendid work he has done.

Also thank you to Jayne for the Dorset Diary over the last five years. I know what a job it is to put it together and distribute. Jayne is now retiring as Diary Editor and Dave Burgess is taking over so please send any stewards reports, information to Dave.

I am pleased to announce that the Chairman’s Charity totaled £254.44, thank you to all who donated. Anne will be sending this off to the Dorset Air Ambulance. Baz usually donates £25.00 to our appeal every year but has asked me to say that this year he has sent his donation to the Warwickshire Fireman. A very good cause too Baz.

Jayne and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Mick
Chairman Dorset DA

Oct/Nov 2007

Country & Western Weekend.
Although the weather was not with us this year, it did not stop us doing anything during the day, but rained during the evening/night although we still had a very enjoyable meet. The numbers were slightly down this year, I think in part due to the weather watchers unable to make up their minds. 2009 is our 25th Country & Western. So get your thinking hats on, and see if you can come up with any original suggestions to make the meet special.

SWR. Summer Meet.
Judging by the number of letters and personal thanks received since the meet, it was an undoubted success. My thanks to all who help in organising, and running the meet. Once again you did the Dorset DA proud.

NFOL. West Point Exeter. Hosted by the S.W.Region
Working Party. 11members of the Dorset DA arrived on the weekend prior to help put the meet together. Catering: Dianne, Jayne, Anne, Sylvia, Mavis & Karina - Electricians: Terry, Keith, Jim, John, & myself. Kit & Brian arrived on the Wednesday to steward for the other Dorset DA members attending the meet. Unfortunately due to there not being enough area stewards, Kit & Brian were asked to help steward the whole of their area. Well done to you all. The entertainment was very good and varied, with the “ Fab Beetles” the “Royal Marines Band” a Jazz “Swing Band”, and a quite brilliant Comedian from Portsmouth amongst the evenings entertainment.

Treasurer.
As mentioned at the 2007 AGM in February, John Forster our present treasurer will be standing down at the end of the year, and in order for the DA to continue we will need to appoint a new treasurer by the 2nd November 2007. It you are interested in fulfilling this role, please contact either John Forster, directly or myself. (Telephone No’s inside the front cover of the Dorset Diary) John will be available to help anyone who would like to take on the role.

Secretary.
As also mentioned at the 2007 AGM in February, Anne Forster our present secretary will also be standing down at the Next AGM, February 2008. It you are interested in fulfilling this role, please contact either Anne Forster, directly or myself. (Telephone No’s inside the front cover of the Dorset Diary) Anne will be available to help anyone who would like to take on the role.

Bon Voyage
We said “bon voyage” to Mike and Dawn Carroll who have left us to go and live in France. Mike always made a big contribution towards helping the Committee and the DA and I thank him for all his help, and wish them good luck for the future.

Look forward to seeing you all at the DA.F.O.L.

Mick Cooper. Chairman Dorset D.A.

Jun/July 2007

Easter
This was our second visit to an even more improved Pooh Cottage Touring Park Devon. It was a great weekend, we went for a walk with the Youth, they, as you can imagine outwalked us, we headed on home, but very enjoyable nonetheless. Dave and Maureen did us proud with the Stewarding and Aunt Sally.

Country & Western
At the Working Party weekend we only had to pitch out (no pots and pans to wash), and some of the pitching had already been done, thanks to Jim and Mavis. We all got together in our marquee in the evening for a drink and chat.

The Country and Western went very well, with maximum numbers this year and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, despite the weather. I would personally like to thank all those who worked over the weekend in making this, an undoubted success again for the DA

Hoburne Bashley
Unfortunately this meet had to be cancelled due to lack of support. A week prior to the event I had only received a few bookings. We had to cover 28 pitches and if we didn’t the DA had to pay for them. It was quite a dilemma but we couldn’t gamble on the fact that people were going to book, so the meet was cancelled. I did receive some more enquiries during the week before, but I’m afraid it was too late.

Teddy Bears Picnic
I look forward to seeing you all at the Teddy Bears Picnic, this will be the last year we will be able to camp at Witherington Farm (new venue next year) as the farmer is closing the site to concentrate on the fishing side of the business I believe. So enjoy it.

Congratulations
Congratulations to Terry Sharpe who has been elected as Vice Chairman to the South West Region Council. This means that Terry will be Vice for 3 years and then Chairman for 3 years and then past Chairman for 3 years.

On a personal note Jayne and I were blessed with another grandchild, but one with a difference - a little girl, Imogen. We now have 6 grandsons and one granddaughter. See you in field.

Mick
Chairman Dorset DA

Apr/May 2007

Valentines/ AGM
Thank you to everyone that helped to make the Valentine’s Dance a wonderful evening, the food, along with the hall and table decorations were perfect and all was finished off with Shaun’s fantastic disco.

Many thanks also to all who attended the AGM on Sunday morning, and those of you who travelled out to be there in the morning. The AGM went well and we welcomed the new members to the Committee and together with your help, look forward to a very busy and exciting 2007 season. (See Help Required below)

Merley
Although Jayne and I were unable to camp, we were able to join everyone on the Saturday evening at the Club House. It was good to see so many of you there. Thank you to the New Forest DA for inviting us to join in with their Quiz Night.

Help required
I make no apologies for again mentioning the three items below, but we do need Dorset DA members to respond. So please, if you can help or are interested in taking part, please get in touch with a committee member or myself.

Hoburne Bashley
Trophy Weekend. June 8th to 10th. (Booked Meet) Will all those interested in taking part this year, please get in touch with me as soon as possible. Total of 27 units will be allowed from our DA so please book A.S.A.P. to avoid disappointment. Sorry no tents allowed at Bashley.

South West Region Summer Meet
July 13th to 15th. The Dorset DA is hosting the event this year at Sixpenny Handley. This will involve a great deal of work both before and during the event. If anyone has any nautical items, such as inflatable boats, life jackets, oars, boat lanterns, bells, please let us know.

N.F.O.L. 2007
30th Aug to 2nd Sept. (Second request) - Our Region is organising the 2007 N.F.O.L. at the Devon County Showground, West Point Exeter between the 30th August and 2nd September 2007. The Regional Council have asked all the Region’s DA’s if they can help with the Stewarding of the site. This means arriving on the Wednesday the 29th August to be ready for when the site opens on the Thursday morning. Please contact Terry Sharpe if you are able to help.

Look forward to seeing you all at the Pooh Cottage Easter Meet. Mick Cooper Chairman Dorset DA

Mick
Chairman Dorset DA

Feb/Mar 2007

Hi everyone.
We have moved. Please note our new telephone number and address.

This will be my last Chairman’s Chatter before the AGM so I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the committee for their hard work and support during the last year. It has been a pleasure again to work with such a great team.

Whilst on the subject of committee, I would like to personally thank those committee members that are retiring this year.

Sandra (Sam) who has been a committee member for many years, and has possible Stewarded more meets, and served more Ice cream and Jelly than anyone else I know. Thank You Sam for all your hard work over the years from all the members of the Dorset DA, and enjoy some quiet Camping now, you’ve earn’t it Ray has served on the committee over a number of years, always a willing helper at the event weekends, and along with his wife Myra our DA’s Public Relations Officer has been the booking officer for the Country & Western weekends. Once again Thank You Ray.

Bob’s work increasingly takes him further away from home, and is currently working on a contract in Cheshire for the rest of the year. This entails being away during the week, and returning at the weekends in time for a well-earned rest camping. Once again Thank You Bob.

New Years Meet 2006/7. A great time was had by all over the five days with plenty of good food (Dianne), and Entertainment (Jayne). We also arranged for the Bournemouth Operatic Society to come along again, having been such a hit last year. We were not disappointed. My thanks to everyone who helped with the tasks. (See Dianne’s Stewards report).

Hoburne Bashley. Trophy Weekend. May 8th to 10th. (Booked Meet) Will all those interested in taking part this year, please get in touch with me as soon as possible. Total of 27 units will be allowed from our DA so please book A.S.A.P. to avoid disappointment. Sorry no tents or pup tents allowed at Bashley.

South West Region Summer Meet. July 13th to 15th. The Dorset DA is hosting the event this year at Sixpenny Handley. This will involved a great deal of work both before and during the event. Please contact Mick Cooper if you are able to help.

N.F.O.L. 2007. 30th Aug to 2nd Sept. (Second request) - Our region is organising the 2007 N.F.O.L. at the Devon County Showground, West Point Exeter between the 30th August and 2nd September 2007. The regional council have asked all the Regions DA’s if they can help out with the Stewarding of the site. Which would mean arriving on the Wednesday the 29th August to be ready for when the site opens on the Thursday morning. Please contact Terry or Dianne if you are able to help.

Stewards for 2007 Dorset DA Rallies. Please see Anne or Myra over the Valentines / AGM weekend (or phone) if you are able to Steward one of our weekend rallies during the coming Year.

I look forward to meeting you all at the Valentines/AGM Meet.

Mick
Chairman Dorset DA