Newsletter Late Spring 2022
GREETINGS TO ALL OUR LUNAR OWNERS CLUB MEMBERS
Hallo all Lunar Owners & Others!
We have now well and truly started the rally season and all is going well. The reports in this newsletter will give you some idea of how much owners are enjoying the rallies.
Please read Caroline’s report carefully as some rallies have had to be cancelled due to lack of bookings so you may not be able to attend now if you were thinking about a late booking to one of these.
Please continue to support the club by attending as many rallies as you can or even just visiting perhaps for the day.
Let us look forward to a glorious summer and many more enjoyable rallies together.
David Cowan ~ Newsletter editor ~ 0161 820 2466
Email: newsletter@lunarownersclub.net
CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE
Dear Members,
I hope you are all keeping well and looking forward to getting out and about with your caravans and motorhomes.
We have opened the year with a number of successful rallies (see “Rally Reports” later) and have many more booked.
If you haven’t decided which ones to attend, I would encourage you to review those on offer for the remained of the year and try to book at least one. There is always plenty to do and places to visit. If you have never rallied with us, make it this year. But hurry! A number of future rallies are getting close to being fully booked!
An early reminder from me that the AGM Rally will take place between 22-27 September at Lickhill Manor CP near Stourport on Severn. I hope as many of you as possible will attend either the rally or if that is not possible the AGM itself on the Saturday afternoon, 25 September.
John Kilby – Chair – 0161 820 2466
Email: chair@lunarownersclub.net
Well, the season is certainly with us now!
The previous 3 rallies have been very well attended and have been much enjoyed by the participants. Unfortunately, the gatherings at Dale Hey and Lime Tree Farm have both been cancelled due to lack of support but.......
Harrogate Caravan Park, hosted by Peter & Margaret Kerins in late June is currently fully booked and with a Waiting List; the last rally before the schools break up!
There is also a waiting list now for Lairhillock Caravan Park near Rugby in late July and only 1 space for August Bank Holiday at Disserth in lovely mid-Wales near Llandrindod Wells, even after we added 2 more spaces!
The rallies at the end of the season all have a few spaces at the moment…..
• Hampton Bay Park near Herne Bay on the sunny Kent Coast, hosted by Peter & Katina Ward between 8th to 18th September
• Mill Pond C&CC site near Ledbury, hosted by me and Roger between 13th to 18th October
• Bucklegrove Park near Cheddar between 17th & 24th November, hosted by Keith & Jenny Nicholls. This is an excellent venue for coming to see the beautiful Somerset Carnivals – such a spectacular sight!
• Finally, there’s always Cotswold Park, near Chipping Norton, hosted by Cathy & Phil Butterworth between 2nd & 7th December, with a Christmas Lunch in private room in Chipping Norton and a possible visit to the stunning Blenheim Palace close by as well as other activities!
• As John Kilby mentioned, don’t miss the AGM Rally at Lickhill Manor (even with the supper provided by the Club) so if you are interested, please book early!
For the New Year we have negotiated a site, Dodwell Park near Stratford upon Avon, between 29th December and 2nd January 2023 with the use of a nearby hall for the New Year celebrations. Any volunteers to run this would be very welcome but we won’t press gang you! Just email or call me to volunteer to host this additional rally. but do book anyway – it should be fun! So hopefully see some of you on one of the forthcoming rallies, but book soon!
As always, you can get the latest information on rallies online at www.lunarownersclub.net
Caroline Applegate ~ Rally Secretary ~ 0161 820 2466
Email: rallysec@lunarownersclub.net
OTHER RALLY NEWS – FORTHCOMING RALLIES DISSERTH
Peace and Tranquillity for August Bank Holiday
Now we have seen for ourselves (we visited recently) how peaceful and sheltered Disserth Caravan and Camping Park is! It is in a valley bordered by the banks of the River Ithon (fishing possible!) on one side and a historic Church on the other. Red kites and buzzards hover overhead and all we heard on our visit was the sound of birds!
We have arranged several optional activities for us all on the Rally, including a guided tour around the National Bicycle Museum in Llandrindod Wells. Did you know the oldest bike was made in 1817 out of wood? Cream tea will follow in the classic Victorian Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells.
The beautiful Elan Valley is nearby. The Elan Valley Estate, owned by Welsh Water, is made up of the catchment of two rivers, six dams and their reservoirs. It’s a ‘must visit’ for walking, cycling (bike hire is available at the Visitor Centre) or just driving around by car. Spectacular views abound! And then there is the Lavender Farm and Red Kite Feeding, not to mention the Victorian Festival in Llandrindod Wells.
So plenty to do if you would like to. All our reserved pitches are booked, but we have managed to reserve one more pitch. So, if you would like to join us in this peaceful part of the world, during the busy August Bank Holiday week, let us know. We’d love to see you – but hurry!
It’s Carnival Time! Bucklegrove, Somerset
There are many things to see and be fascinated about in this County. Come and see for yourselves!
One thing you will not see anywhere else is the Bridgwater Carnival and the follow-on carnivals at many location including Wells and Glastonbury which occur during our rally. The forty feet carnival floats all lit up with thousands of coloured lights is a marvel to behold. We will be offering transport in a local Community Bus, driven by Phil, to see the carnival in Wells. (Maximum 16 seats, so reserve your place!)
Wookey Hole has many things to ponder on, including the witch in the caves and the paper making.
If you want a hippy experience then Glastonbury is the place for you, its Tor capped by an old church tower and not least its Abbey all of which are worth a visit.
About 12 miles away we have Street for the shopaholics where one or two bargains can often be found in Street Village which has a range of designer shops. Being the home of the former Clark’s Shoe Factory the best bargains on the high street are shoes.
Cheddar Gorge is a sight to behold with its caves and steep rising cliff faces kept tidy by mountain goats and of course we mustn’t forget Cheddar Cheese.
Within reach is a willow factory where you can watch 'stripping the willow' and see baskets, coffins and balloon baskets being made. A guided tour has been arranged for us.
If you like working water mills, then book your place on our visit to see Burcott Mill in action. You can sample cakes made with their freshly ground flour, buy your own flour and homemade bread.
If you would like to see all these interesting things and more come and join us on the rally field at Bucklegrove Caravan Park in November and enjoy the entertainment laid on as well. At that time of year we cannot promise good weather but we can promise enthusiasm and friendship!
Hosts: Jenny & Keith Nicholls, supported by Philip & Cathy Butterworth
© - Lunar Owners Club Newsletter Late Spring 2022 – website: lunarownersclub.net – Club Help Line 0161 820 2466
Hosts: Philip & Cathy Butterworth & Linda and Vic Dore BUCKLEGROVE CP , NEAR CHEDDAR , SOMERSET - NOVEMBER 17 TH TO 24 TH NOVEMBERStart your Christmas in the Cotswold Hills!
Cotswold Hills Country Park is set in open countryside close to the beautiful honeystoned villages of Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford and many more. If you fancy shopping then it is within easy driving distance of Oxford, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Then there is the magnificent Blenheim Place just 12 miles away. We will be arranging an optional visit here, a good time of year to go as there will be the Christmas Market in the grounds.
For something ancient there are Standing Stones nearby – not quite Stonehenge, but worth a visit
From the sublime to the ridiculous - Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop is just 4 miles from the site! Here you can buy ‘cow juice’ and products akin to Glenys Paltrow’s merchandise!!! And there will be opportunities for social gatherings too! We still have places available on this rally, so do contact us if you’d like to book or know more.
As always you can book online or calling the Club Line 0161 820 2466 – but hurry, only 3 pitches left!
Hosts: Philip & Cathy Butterworth and Jenny & Keith Nicholls
RECENT RALLY REPORT S
On arrival we were greeted by the rally marshals Margaret and Peter Kerins assisted by Mavis and Mike Green. At the appointed time we assembled for the afternoon Tea/Coffee etc. around the Marshalls awning. 10 caravans were booked on the rally, and it was good to see Judy looking so well.
Friday was free and easy, with most looking around Lincoln city or the surrounding areas of the Wolds.
Saturday Peter had arranged a visit next door to the LINCOLNSHIRE AVIATION HERITAGE CENTRE, which is the MEMORIAL TO BOMBER COMMAND. This was an event of mixed emotion seeing all the artifacts of destruction and the effect it had on those that had to endure the war. Having said that the highlight of the afternoon was the taxiing of the Lancaster bomber and the ROAR of the engines.
© - Lunar Owners Club Newsletter Late Spring 2022 – website: lunarownersclub.net – Club Help Line 0161 820 2466
Sunday, again left to do what one does on a rally, chin wag and sight-see. In the evening we were invited to the village hall for Wine Nibbles and Quizzes, also thanks to the Marshalls, plus presentation of their ‘medals’ for all their work in organising the rally. There was a presentation to the winning entry of the main quiz, shan't tell you who won - Modesty forbids!
Monday evening the marshals had organised a meal for all in the local pub. What a spread the staff laid on for us. It was all very enjoyable and went down a treat, as someone said we were STUFFICATED.
The next day we had to leave the rally field after a very enjoyable rally. Thank you once again to Mavis & Mike and Margaret & Peter As winners of the competition, we were given the privilege of writing this report
Barbara & Barry AshworthWe extended our booking on the Easter Rally at Sytche Caravan and Camping Park in Much Wenlock by arriving a few days ahead of everyone else to spend some time researching family history. With ancestral connections to Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale, we spent a full day at Shropshire Archives in Shrewsbury in addition to a couple of evenings walking around cemeteries perusing headstones – as you do!
Much Wenlock is a lovely old small market town which has been around since Roman times. It has Medieval, Georgian and Victorian buildings and is noted for the ruins of Wenlock Priory (English Heritage) and its 16th century Guildhall, a halftimbered building which has a council chamber on the upper floor and arcading at street level for markets etc. Displayed on the walls of the lower floor are placename signs showing neighbouring settlements which used to be part of Wenlock Municipal Borough until 1966.
The town is also known for being the birthplace of Dr William Penny Brookes who is credited as inspiring the modern Olympic Games after founding the Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850. Wikipedia reveals there was a mixture of athletics, football, cricket and cycling on penny farthings. Early games included ‘fun events’ such as the ‘blindfolded wheelbarrow race’ and in 1851 an ‘Old Womans Race’ with the prize of a pound of tea! (Future rally party games? Blindfolded water carrier race??!)
Nestled on a hillside, Sytche Caravan and Camping Park is terraced to create level pitches and a great location for some fabulous sunsets. It is just a short walk from the town which has a variety of independent shops, museum, library, pubs and teashops. On the Saturday, there was a special ‘Made in Shropshire Market’ with a variety of handicraft items on sale. Near the library was a talented musical band playing popular music we could clearly hear as we walked all the The weather was kind to us and we were able to leave the car on site and follow three separate short walks from the caravan doorstep as there are many nearby footpaths providing a variety of interesting routes in the beautiful rolling Shropshire countryside. Some of these were mostly level along the former railway line which passed through the town.
We did use the car, however, to reach a car park close to The Wrekin just outside Telford. Many will have seen this imposing former Iron Age Hill Fort while travelling along the A5 and other surrounding roads. Although it had a few steep sections it was well worth the effort reaching the summit for the amazing views. We sadly didn’t manage any walking on Long Mynd so this remains a good reason to visit the area again. Given the peace, quiet and facilities at the Sytche, along with a certain pie shop in town(!), we would have no hesitation in returning there.
Our thanks go to Nigel for arranging the booking when the original venue substantially increased their pitch fees. The late booking meant we were not all pitched together, but no matter as were all able to enjoy a lovely Easter break away. This was a ‘free and easy’ rally but we all met together on arrival for a delicious selection of cakes and later in the stay for hotdogs with fried onions – something we’d not enjoyed for a long time!
The music quiz set by Mike, (held in reserve for some years!), tested everyone’s knowledge. Being based on linking 1950’s and 1960’s songs, bands and solo artists we were seriously out of our depth. We have to confess that without some internet research and burning the midnight oil, the winning prize would probably have not come our way but we were up for the challenge!
This was our first Lunar rally this year and we enjoyed meeting up with fellow ralliers, some seen at the Christmas rally and some not seen for some years previously. Our thanks go to Nigel & Barbara, Mike and Mavis for hosting the rally in an area we will undoubtedly return to.
Linda & Vic DoreREMAINING 2022 RALLY SCHEDULE – MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Here’s the remaining rallies in the 2022 Rally Schedule.You can book online at www.lunarownersclub.net call the Club Line 0161 820 2466 or send in a Rally Booking Slip found in your Handbook
Dates Where Postcode
June 11 – 25
30 June - July 5
July 28 – Aug 2
August 25 – 30
September 8 – 18
September 22 – 27 tbc
October 13 -18
November 17 – 24
December 2-7
December 29 – January 2nd
Camping village La Guyonniere 85150 Saint-Julien-des-Landes, France 85150 France
Harrogate CP, Harrogate HG2 8NZ
Lairhillock Touring Park, Rugby CV23 9TP
Disserth CP, Llandrindrod Wells LD1 6NL
Hampton Bay Park, Herne Bay CT6 8BL
Lickhill Manor CP, Stourport on Severn (AGM Rally) DY14 9TH
Mill Pond C & CC, Ledbury HR1 4JA
Bucklegrove CP, Rodney Stoke (nr Cheddar), (for the Somerset Carnivals) BS27 3UZ
Cotswold Hills Country Park (Xmas rally) OX7 5TC
Dodwell Park New Year Rally near Stratford upon Avon CV37 9SR
© - Lunar Owners Club Newsletter Late Spring 2022 – website: lunarownersclub.net – Club Help Line 0161 820 2466