The first rally of the season was held at the above venue at the weekend. The snow a few days prior to the rally made it doubtful

that our marshals for the weekend, Gerry & Lorraine McLintock and Pat and Jim Calder would be able to dig themselves out to

get down to Irvine, however they made it. Thanks to them for their effort. I opened the rally on Friday evening with

a few short words as it was bitterly cold and sleety rain was falling. Lorraine had made lovely warm soup which was greatly appreciated by all.

Saturday evenings bowling competition had to be cancelled due to a problem with the hall so we all went back to the vans

and made our own entertainment. I think most of us put on our ovens to have those essential “Blue Nose Rally Pies”.

On Sunday morning the flag was lowered in memory of Jean Ferrol a much loved member of the centre who died recently.

Our rally marshals led the Sunday Morning Service followed by the coffee morning, competition prizes and lucky van prizes.

Our next rally is the Early Birds Rally at Craigie Caravan Park on 12^th to 14^th March.

Our Early Birds Rally was once again held at Craigie Caravan Club Site in Ayr. Although this was not our first rally

of the season this is when many members bring their units back out. We had 2 vans from Dumfries & Galloway, 3 from

West & 14 South West making a total of 19 vans. The rally was opened on Friday night by Tony & Olwyn Allison the current

wardens on the site who made everyone very welcome, however no one took up Tony’s offer to help him weed the site on Saturday morning!

Saturday was a lovely sunny day and we all took advantage of the good weather, even if it was to take a visit to the shops.

The social on Saturday evening was in Wallace Town Church Hall. Music was by our resident D.J. the vociferous Fergie who

dished out his usual witty comments to some poor unsuspecting people, however his music was up to his usual high standard.

Thanks to Jim. Dancing and games were the format for the night although I have to say the children did not cheat as much as the

adults in the games and were more deserving winners. Later in the evening rolls with sausage and onions were served for supper which

Sunday morning was another lovely morning. Coffee was served followed by the competition results followed. George Gabriel won the

adult competition, he must have cheated! Stewart & Fiona Campbell were our marshal’s, this was Stewart’s first time running a rally

so well done Stewart, Janet and Ian Steele were their assistants so thanks to both couples for an enjoyable rally.

The next rally is at The Ranch Caravan Club Site at Maybole on 26^th – 28^th March. Hope to see you there!

This weekend saw us back once again at the Ranch Caravan Club Site in Maybole for our Cowboy Rally.

Friday turned out to be a very cold, wet and windy day and our sympathies had to be with Ronnie & Jim who were seeing the vans

into their pitches.The rally was opened on Friday night by Kenny Robertson, Past President of Scottish Caravan Club. Kenny also

presented our Secretary, Maureen Ferguson with a 60^th Birthday Card, which he claimed to be her Bus Pass!

Saturday was a lovely day although bitterly cold. The social was held in the Maybole

Memorial Park Bowling Club a lovely cosy venue where we are always made most welcome by their friendly staff. Most of the rallier’s

joined in the theme and turned up in an assortment of Western Outfits. During the evening Maureen Ferguson cut her Birthday Cake

which was made for her by Jean Gilmour. Tommy tells us he was the model for the cake, however he failed to convince us and if

you look at the pictures on the web site you will see what we mean. The cake was served later with a glass of wine.

Thanks to Maureen for this gesture. Cowboy supper of Pie & Beans and Wagon Wheel Biscuits were served and enjoyed.

Thanks to Jim Ferguson our resident D J who kept the night going with a swing.

Our Vice Chairman, Jim Ferguson proposed the vote of thanks for the weekend, thanking our marshals

SCC-1, West–2, East-2, South Lancs-1, Fife & Tayside-2, & South West-13, making a total of 21 vans at the rally.

Sunday morning was again very cold. Coffee was served followed by the competition & lucky van prizes.

Our next rally is the Easter Rally at Castle Douglas from 2^nd to 5^th April, bookings for this rally to Tommy Gilmour.

The Easter Rally was again held at Mollance Farm, Near Castle Douglas. This is a lovely setting and

18 vans arrived for the rally. Jim Ferguson was standing in as Chairman for the week-end

On Friday Robert McAllister from the West Centre opened the rally with some interesting history and

On Saturday the weather stayed reasonably good and most people ventured out, either into

Castle Douglas or Dumfries. At night we went to an old school hall nearby where Jim Ferguson

and Ronnie Duff kept us entertained with the music. A number of ralliers took part in the fancy

Easter bonnet parade, with the winners being Jim Calder, Christine Sweeney and four year old Lauren Morrow.

Birthday cards were given to Jim Ferguson who celebrated his birthday on 31^st March

Jean Gilmour had homemade macaroni and cakes for the supper, which went down a treat.

At 2 p.m. it was time for the hard boiled egg rolling, and some had disastrous results with egg shells everywhere,

but it was great fun and everyone joined in. It was good sitting in the sun and enjoying the company.

Someone said coffee and tea and before long the tables were out, the urn was on and we all

Sunday night turned wild with the wind and rain and on the Monday the farmer had

to pull a few off the field. Some decided to stay till the Tuesday before moving.

It was a very good rally and thanks to Jean and Tommy Gilmour and Patricia and Ronnie Duff for all their hard work.

172 vans from all over the U.K. made their way to the Dumfries & Galloway Agricultural Showground at Parks

Farm in Dumfries for the 60^th Scottish National Rally. South West had 14 vans on the field

On Friday night we congregated in the Marquee for tea and biscuits and to meet up with friends we had not seen for a time.

Saturday morning was dry but there was a chilly wind which stayed with us most of the weekend. The platform party were

piped in by Stewart Allan, the South West have listened to Stewart when as a young lad he started to play the pipes and it was

nice to hear how well he has come on since then. Well done Stewart. The rally was opened by Mrs Patsy Gilroy who is the

Convenor of Dumfries and Galloway Council who welcomed us all to the area and told of the many places to visit nearby.

A Dinner Dance was held in the evening at The Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries and by all accounts appeared to be a success.

Sunday morning was bright and sunny but again that cold wind was still there. The morning service was very well attended

and taken by Mrs Jan Patterson with accompaniment by Mary Whittle, there was a nice selection of well known hymns

sung to different tunes which was nice. Well done to Jan for an excellent morning service

Then came the inter centre sports played in the marquee and enjoyed by all apart from the hiccup in the scoring at the end.

The Children’s Sports was won by Steven Baird from our own centre. The cup was won by the West Centre who did the

usual lap of honour with a Champagne filled cup. A Family night was held in the marquee on

Monday was a free day to explore the area or relax, many of our members had to go home as they were back to work

on Tuesday, in the evening there was music in the marquee with Willie Smith.

Tuesday brought the rally to a close with some lucky people moving on to Moffat for the follow on rally

25 vans attended the Rally over the Bank Holiday Weekend at the Valley International Park in Crossford.

The breakdown of the vans was as follows:- 1 South Lancs, 2 West, 4 East and 18 South West.

On Friday evening the rally was opened by Mr Jim Brown who is the Foreman and in his words “general dogsbody”

at the park. We were then served with rolls and sausage which was enjoyed by all, including the midges.

Saturday was a bit showery in the afternoon, Jim had told us there was a wedding being held in the function suite

so the ladies went over to watch and comment on the fashions. In the evening we had a do it your self BBQ

followed by games and some line dancing. It was nice to have some children on the field this weekend and

Sunday morning’s service was led by Geoff assisted by Anne. Prior to the service the Centre Flag was

lowered in memory of Madge Walker and Willie Luke who died recently. Thanks to Geoff and Anne for

a lovely service. The collection amounted to £42.35. Coffee and lucky van prizes followed.

The children had coloured in their pictures beautifully and all received a prize. Anne Hadley won the adult

competition, a well deserved win, we were really struggling to find the answers and it kept us guessing all weekend.

Again we had a good selection of games in the afternoon and a Birthday Celebration for Christine Sweeney a regular

visitor from South Lancs. Christine celebrated her 65^th Birthday and John surprised her with a beautiful cake

John had a large family contingent visiting and it was nice to see them joining in with us in the games,

in fact John’s brother in law and his great nephew took two of the prizes along with Marion Leggatt.

The majority of the rallier’s were staying on until Monday. We enjoyed a good weekend and the weather was kind to us.

This was Geoff and Anne’s first time marshalling far less running a rally! So thanks and well done to them and to their assistants

My thanks also to Jean Gilmour for allowing me the use of her camera as I had forgotten mine AGAIN!

15 caravans attended the 800th Rally of the South West Centre held at St. John's Town of Dalry. The Rally was opened by

Hugh Wilson, a Past Chairman, who in his opening remarks went down Memory Lane and recalled where and when previous

Due to the low number of ralliers attending, the Saturday Social took the form of a party night with Willie Smith providing

the music and some of the members attending doing some party pieces. A celebration cake baked by Committee Member Jean

Gilmour was cut by Hugh and Isobel Wilson. Margaret Devine, SCC President, then read out cards sent by other Centres and

Proud rally marshal Jim McWaters closed the party with the taking down of the flag assisted by George Mackay and presented

The Sunday Service was taken by Jim and Jean McWaters with Willie Smith providing the music.

Thanks go to the rally marshals, Jim and Jean McWaters, Willie and Jessie Smith and Ian and Ginty Steele for a well run rally,

and a special thanks to Fiona Campbell, our Treasurer, for standing in for our Chairman on this special rally in the Centre's history.

The warm sunny weather held for our charity rally on the weekend of 25^th – 27^th June at Turnberry Lodge Farm, Turnberry.

On Friday evening the rally was opened by Mr William Gray who kindly donated the site fees to our charity, The Ayrshire Hospice.

Following the opening hot peas, our Vice Chairman’s favourite were served, however the after effects were not appreciated by Maureen.

Saturday morning saw us all up early to set up the stalls and to make preparations for the barbecue which was to follow. Saturday

was another sunny day which enabled us to sit outside and enjoy the barbecue. The draw for the Safeguard treatment donated by

Andrew Duff was won by our Vice Chairman Jim Ferguson, he always said he would win this prize, I wonder if he bribed Andrew

to draw his number. There were some really good prizes in the raffle which was also drawn after lunch. Gerry McLintock followed that by

an impromptu auction, whereby he sold off all the remaining goods from the stalls. Well done Gerry! Elizabeth our Rally Secretary

bought a Belly Dancing Kit complete with CD so we hope Kenny appreciated it, we shall have to ask him next time we see him!

The social at night was mainly games, with a few line dances. Geoff and Anne Orry had brought along their games to be played in the

afternoon, however as there had not been much time to play we played the games in the evening, with Geoff and Anne providing the prizes.

Sunday, apart from a quick shower before most of us were up, we had another hot and sunny day. Church service was

The children were well provided for this weekend. Billy Gray had his Grandchildren over from Australia and had goal posts and other

games set up for them, he invited our children and teenagers over, and they had a ball! We had trouble getting them to come

My thanks to my rally marshals, Jim & Maureen Ferguson. Thanks to Tommy & Marion who brought their awning

but finished up rolling up their sleeves and helping throughout the weekend.

Thanks also to Ronnie & Patricia for the use of their awning, and to everyone else who helped to make this a really successful rally.

The total raised for the Ayrshire Hospice at the weekend came to £596.80. A magnificent total for the numbers attending rallies.

Thanks