Solent D A
Solent DA ‘Quick Chat’
October 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi everyone. Thank you for all your great feedback on this publication.
This is my second edition. With both Halloween and Bonfire meet publicised, in this issue, we have Bashley, our 40th update and our New Year meet, plus a quick advert for a date for January (yes already!). I hope you enjoy this issue too!
I must also mention our ‘committee’ and I have added extra pages as a separate document to cover off how we work and where you can get involved. Our AGM is in February, so why not make a difference and volunteer yourself?
Best wishes
Chris Deane – Solent DA PRO
Mailto: deanecf@avaya.com
Solent DA Web: www.solentda.org.uk
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Note – all items are subject to change as we get closer to the meets- but will try our best to keep to the programme) – My get out of jail free disclaimer for when I get it wrong
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bashley Park – New Milton 20th – 22nd November
As this a commercial site, everyone is allocated a camping pitch with electric hook up. There are showers, rubbish disposal, nice dog walks and off course excellent company!
The site benefits from shower and toilet blocks, a club house with bar and hot food on sale, a great in-door swimming pool with sauna, children’s play area, shop, golf course (additional charges apply) plus many other things to amuse yourself.
The site opens at 11 AM on the Friday. There are no tents or trailer tents permitted, but awnings are allowed.
John does need money in advance as we pay for the site fees via a cheque. The weekend is great to relax and the only thing planned is our coffee morning on the Sunday at 11AM. If the weather is nice, it is usually by the stewards van, but if really nasty, we may adjourn to the club house.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solent DA 40th Celebration: Friday 4th December – Sunday 6th December
An update from the last edition of Quick Chat
Camping is available from 6PM on Friday but please DO NOT arrive early. Even the stewards cannot pitch until 6PM. It’s not a nice place to ‘drive around the block’
We hope to have a get together in the hall Friday night – stewards will have details
Saturday: 2 PM – I am sure there will be volunteers who will like to decorate the hall for the party in the evening. All welcome
Saturday 4:30PM – Doors open
At 4:45 we have booked 'Stupido’ the Clown' 4.45 - 5.30. We must have children (big and small) in the hall at 4.30 please. A great entertainer and very busy this time of the year! Come along for some fun!
We are having an American Supper from 6:00PM and hope you can bring along some food to share. An American supper is where all of the food is placed on a table in the middle of the room and everyone helps themselves to all.
At about 7:15 PM, our main entertainment starts with two great acts. We have Jeff Judge (One man and his guitar) who appeared at this years NFOL, and ‘The Minkees’ a 60’s cover band.
Dancing through to late, bring your own drinks and nibbles.
We have a celebration cake and raffle as well! Raffle tickets will be on sale all evening with the draw around 9PM ish.
Please purchase your tickets from
Lyn Smith
‘Adults only £5, 17 & under only £2,
7 & under –free’
Coffee morning on the Sunday – location to be advised but probably the hall at 11AM (after any volunteers have to helped to clear up the hall!)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Year Meet – Testwood School –Totton - Southampton – Monday 28th December to Saturday 2nd January 2010!!!
Before I begin, just a little back ground. Solent has run this meet for a number of years. In more recent times a sub-committee has been formed to organise this event. As so much is going on, it takes a lot of planning. Just like the rest of the members, the volunteers also pay full fees as well as give up their time. Hence we can keep the price as low as it is.
Before we go into the programme of events ….
We camp on the school tennis courts and tarmac areas i.e. predominately hard standing and no awnings. We do have space for tents and trailers tents on grass as well. Please let John know if you need grass before arrival. For those with kids and pup tents, these can pitch on the grass and we do set an area for the kids to pitch together, but this is NOT youth lines as such and you will need to ask Debbie & Chris if your youth can pitch as we will need phone numbers, names car registration numbers etc.
As there are a lot of us and limited space, we do organise pitching of caravans, so we will try to help you be with your friends but to guarantee it, please arrive together. We have rubbish disposal in a large skip, Elsan is through the main sewage system (look for the signs), water tap as expected (look Russ – you can wash!) but NO ELECTRIC hook-ups I’m afraid. To help, John runs a battery charging service; take you battery to the stewards and they will charge it for you. Please empty your waste water down the storm drains.
Can we also ask that you park your cars at the front and side of the school. This is to allow more units to camp in the secluded area at the rear of the school and to reduce the number of vehicles moving in such a tight space.
Security – as we are in a built up area, we do find kids like to wander into the site. Don’t feel you have to challenge anyone you don’t know – just let one of the working party, stewards or committee members know and we are happy to understand who and why they are there.
To help with this we have a few things in place. Firstly, there is a coded padlock on the gate in the evenings. Please look in the hall at the notice board for the code and replace the lock if you leave site.
Also, as we spend most of the evening in the hall – a lot going on – each table is passed a torch at some time in the evening. We ask one or two people on the table to take a wander around the site, just to make sure all is well. Any problems just let the organising committee know. Hopefully you will guess who they are pretty quickly, but if unsure, ask on stage. They will be happy to deal with any visitors you are unsure off.
We have full access to the School Hall only (plus corridor to toilets) throughout the meet (normally 10 AM to late at night) but it is secured during the night. All other areas of the school are locked to us and out of bounds. We do arrange one class room for the children to use on the understanding they keep it tidy. They often have play stations, CD players etc and helps them have their own space.
In the hall we have tea and coffee making on the go all the time (provided by the DA). So please bring along your mugs and use the facilities when you are in the hall. There is a small kitchen area off the hall which we use for hot water etc. This is ok for washing up cups etc but please only use it while in the hall and any washing up in your unit should be done there.
The hall is decorated by the working party in advance of your arrival. Even though it’s a school hall we do try and make it ‘our’ hall for the meet. There are power sockets around the wall and it’s ok to charge up mobile phones and lap tops etc. However, we do plug in lights and PA systems etc, so if unsure, please ask.
Tables in the hall – we only reserve a couple of tables for working party as these individuals need to – well work! These normally have ‘reserved’ on them. Please feel free to sit where ever you like. We have found that members tend to sit at the same tables throughout the meet with their friends. This way, their drinks and nibbles are left on the tables and this saves you taking them away each night. That said, PLEASE take your rubbish home with you (no facilities in the hall to dispose of it) and we will insist on New Years Eve that all tables are cleared by 3PM so we can set up the hall differently for the night!
Oh, and one more thing. Please, no one on the stage other than working party who are the designated users of the equipment. There are a lot of electrical cables etc around, so we are cautious of the danger.
Lastly, everyone is welcome to help clear up the hall from 10AM every morning.
I’m sure I have forgotten something – so please do not be afraid to ask! So on to the programme of events and what to expect …..
Oh, and we will be doing both kids and adult bingo late afternoons, early evening, please see programme for times etc
Monday 28th, arrival – Site open at 12 Noon (Gates are locked until then so you have been warned!)
As you enter the site, follow the road and you will see the stewards. Please wait to be shown to your pitch. As this meet is paid for in advance they will check your name on their list and then pitch you.
Once you have set up your unit, please come into the hall for a welcome tea or coffee and to pick up your programme of events, colouring competitions, quiz (it’s free of charge so have a go!) and tickets for New Year.
We run a raffle and a number of spot events all over the week, so please feel free to support those you wish to.
We normally arrange entertainment for the evenings run by volunteers trying their best to please everyone. We don’t want to give away too much but here is a snap shot and where you can join in…..
We also lay on a few events during the day time for your participation if you feel like it…
Monday evening
Cheese & Wine (please bring some with you to share) and we have some silly games for you to enjoy and get involved!
Tuesday 29th
In the afternoon, around 2PM we invite all members to a ‘show & tell’ about their hobbies outside camping. Please bring your ‘hobby’ to share with others.
Tuesday evening we have our traditional Chinese Raffle – basically, buy your tickets on this evening, and for around 25 minutes tickets are drawn out. You chose the prize you want, but if some one else has their ticket pulled and want your prize, it goes to them. At the end of the time limit, who ever is holding the prizes actually wins them!
Plus we have some other stuff going on for you to get involved …
Wednesday 30th
In the afternoon we are running two events.
Firstly, lady’s pamper e.g. massage / nails etc. this will be in classrooms. Lists will be up in advance to book your slots.
Secondly, we will have ‘Pub’ games in the main hall – fun for everyone. If you have a pub game you can bring with you, please do.
In the evening we are doing a ‘Top of the Pops’ evening. Please dress as you favourite Pop Star (any era!). Lots of spot prizes and dancing etc, plus prizes for Fancy Dress
Thursday 31st
Barry will also be bringing out his studio lighting for those that want a nice photo taken, if you want bring your own camera and use the lighting equipment
The hall is open to socialise. At 11AM there will be a meeting for Solent DA’s participation in 2010 NFOL. All those interested, please come along. The theme is: ‘Theatre’
Please note: The hall is CLOSED from 3PM onward and is only accessible by the working party – sorry no kids. (The toilets and corridors are still open)
This is to allow us to set up the hall for the evening, fill balloons etc.
PLEASE ensure all of your items are removed from the hall for this one night!
Doors open at 7PM.
Admission by ticket only- Lyn has additional tickets on sale for those inviting guests.
Dancing to “The Strand”
During the evening we will draw the top three main raffle prises. All other can be collected the next morning where a list will be posted of winners and prizes.
We also run a ‘bottle’ competition where you can roll 20p coins to win a bottle of spirits or a 10p coins for a box of sweets. Nearest after the times wins the prize!
Balloons at midnight and carry on dancing to the early hours ….
Friday 1st
Hall opens from 10 AM – Major clear up exercise in the hall! All welcome!
Raffle prizes for collection from 11AM onwards.
From 2PM we have our New Year Meal. Just to explain a bit more, you arrange with your friends to prepare your own meal in your units and sit down together with everyone else to eat at 2PM. This ranges from a full roast to a picnic – it’s up to you!
We also encourage a ‘Decorated table’ competition. Make up your table to look different from everyone else’s – prize for the winner – judging by 1PM - you are the judges –each table gets one vote – winner is the one with the highest votes.
Entertainment to follow the meal – relax and join in with some silliness
In the evening we have a pure ‘chill’ out night where we invite everyone to come along and play games (bring your own), natter, and generally relax. Back ground music is on but no formal entertainment is arranged
Saturday 2nd
Hall is stripped down in the morning and coffee morning at 11AM.
Prizes for any competitions and announcements of future events etc.
Site closes at 3PM – have a safe journey home!
One other future event for a plug …
Sunday 10th January 2010
Ian, Maddy, Klim & Tina invite you to join them on the annual walk. Meet at 10.30 am in car park west of A 32 by bridge over River Meon, North of Meonstoke (185/618213). Gentle walk but boots or stout shoes recommended.
See you soon
Chris
