Lunar Owners Club Summer 2021 Newsletter by Phil Butterworth

Newsletter – Summer 2021 GREETINGS TO ALL OUR LUNAR OWNERS CLUB MEMBERS Hallo Lunar Owners Well, are we seeing a return to normality at last? I know that Covid 19 may be with us for the future but with careful management and hopefully everyone getting vaccinated life will carry on as near normal as possible. We have had so far 3 successful rallies so far this year; you can read the synopses later in the newsletter. The Christmas dinner rally has changed venue to Somers Wood near Meriden, Coventry. See the website www.lunarownersclub.net for more details and there’s more information later in this Newsletter. It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Diana and I will no longer be rallying with you in the future. This is due to mainly my health issues and also we are getting less able to cope with the rigours of setting up and breaking down the ‘van at the start and end of each rally. However, fear not or maybe fear we shall still be able to visit rallies on a day visit basis that are within a reasonable distance from home or from where we now store our caravan on a site near Ludlow so that we can keep in touch with our many friends we have made over the years with the club. We will see you all that are able to attend the AGM rally and also the Christmas Dinner and New year rallies. Diana and I would like to wish you all a good season of rallying, see you soon.

David Cowan

~ Newsletter editor ~ 0161 820 2466

Email: newsletter@lunarownersclub.net

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE It is just over 2 years now that Lunar Caravans went into administration. Much water, together with much confusion, has passed under the bridge since then. It now looks as if Lunar Automotive, who were supposedly to take over the reins, have also had problems. The works at Preston apparently moved to Blackpool and were then closed and their registered office moved to Wiltshire. Any information I and your committee have gleaned, has been from Facebook. Since my first communication with Lunar Automotive 2 years ago, the silence has been deafening. Fortunately, we are not beholden to any manufacturer and, as I have said many times before, your Club is managed and run purely for you the members. As if all this was not enough, we have had Covid19 to contend with. Your committee has been determined throughout the last 2 years to keep your Club alive and they have done that. The Rally Secretary has been furiously planning for when we were (are) able to get out rallying again with several chops and changes being made in line with Government guidelines. Some campsites have been asking for firm bookings with deposits, whichever were not always able to provide. However, there is light shining at the end of the tunnel, which bodes well for our future rally programme. © - Lunar Owners Club Newsletter Summer 2021 – website: lunarownersclub.net – Club Help Line 0161 820 2466

The AGM, our first live session in 2 years will be held during the Lickhill Manor rally on Saturday 18th September and we hope to see as many members as possible, including those members who have recently joined us. If members are unable to turn up for the whole rally, you can still attend the AGM but don’t forget to bring your current membership cards with you. In May of this year, your committee polled the whole membership with respect to a possible change to the Constitution. This was a result of Lunar Automotive no longer manufacturing caravans and some members having to leave because they were unable to maintain their Lunar caravan due to a very costly repair or unavailability of a similar replacement. The result of the Poll, which was purely a survey of members, was quite significant. Out of the total membership of 179 units, 58 replies were received. From the 58 replies, 53 were in favour of a change and 5 were against. (Note that these results are in stated in units of caravan or motorhome, so 1 unit equals a maximum of 2 actual members). In view of this result, your committee has decided to put forward a Resolution at the AGM as follows: "Full Membership may also be granted to any bona vide ex member of the Lunar Owners Club who, post September 2019, was unable to maintain their Lunar caravan/motorhome due to the unavailability or costly repair or replacement to their caravan/motorhome and thereby had to change to another caravan/motorhome marque. Applications by such ex-members, should be sent to the Membership Secretary for approval by the Committee." This proposed Constitutional change will be voted on at the AGM itself by the members present. By the way, unless some disaster happens, the AGM will be held in the local Stourport Community Hall. I and your Committee look forward to see you all again, face to face and not virtual reality on Zoom. In the meantime, stay safe, stay well and happy caravanning. As I have mentioned before I am standing down this year, so our Club is looking for a Chairman. Any volunteers? I am also standing down from the PR & Marketing post, in which position I was only holding on a temporary basis.

Terry Hughes

~ Chairman ~ 0161 820 2466

email: chairman@lunarownersclub.net

RALLY NEWS - REPORTS

HAXEY QUAYS CARAVAN PARK MISTERTON, DONCASTER THURSDAY 27 TH MAY 2021 TO TUESDAY 1 S T JUNE 2021 (SPRING BANK HOLIDAY)

Our Ralliers started to arrive on Thursday afternoon to find our ten vans were to be pitched on five pitches with shared EHU! All sorted with the usual amicable consideration and a fine weekend was kicked off. Our rally field was about ten acres, and we were sharing with a large pack of Husky dogs who had fortunately brought along their owners. Dozens of campers were also alongside us and the noise from the nearby children’s playground was something to be heard. The usual welcome tea from the marshals was enjoyed and as the weather was so glorious afternoon tea on Saturday was also served.

On Sunday afternoon Margaret and Peter Kerins celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary with bubbly and cake. We were delighted to join with them and offer all our congratulations. Daytime activities were very varied with much exploration of the surrounding countryside and, of course, now that hostelries were open many a pint was enjoyed. Our rally concluded on Monday evening with a wine and nibbles get together and the usual formalities of “Flag” at the end of the meeting. A wonderfully warm and convivial weekend. Marshals:- Ann & Mike Gyles, Judy and “Rory” Mansfield YEW TREE FARM MEETING 15 T H TO 20 TH JULY 2021

WOW, what a welcome to this meeting – wall to wall sunshine and hot with it as well! Tony and Sue, running their Lunar first rally, had done a superb job of organisation ably assisted by the experience of Peter and Katina. Thirteen vans were booked in on this lovely open but undulating site, levelling blocks were well in evidence. What a delight it was to meet once again with all our Lunar friends we had so rarely seen, some for over a year. The programme started with the usual tea and cakes gathering and, by golly, the cakes were good. The days were our own with many enjoying a group coffee or visiting the delightful town of Bewdley and the surrounding countryside. Friday late afternoon saw another gathering (to finish off all the cakes!!) Saturday evening the marshals put on a wine and cheese evening with a sumptuous banquet of many cheeses with French bread and biscuits and nibbles and several boxes of wine which, not surprisingly, emptied themselves quite quickly. On Sunday evening we all joined Sue and Tony for the raffle draw and a quiz and bingo session all carried out with a lot of fun and laughs. Sue had made several of the raffle prizes and one, a firmly stuffed cat (now named Sue!) sits proudly in our caravan watching all we do. Monday morning started with a boules match, ladies versus men. Although playing in longish grass which made it tricky to see the jack the Men won by 13 to (12?). The ladies insisted it was 12 the men thought otherwise! It was then back to the marshals for refreshments. Monday evening, we had a meal in the Pub which was right next door to the site, a three course carvery for £12 – amazing value. And so ended probably the hottest (weather wise!) meeting Lunar had had for many years. Many, many thanks to Sue and Tony and Katina and Peter for all their efforts to ensure we had a great time, we all really did. Mike and Ann Gyles

OTHER RALLY NEWS – FORTHCOMING RALLIES “HALOWEEN” COOMBE NURSERY C.P SALISBURY – OCTOBER 28 TO NOVEMBER 4 2021 We are returning to this excellent site for another Halloween rally between October 28th & November 4th. We have the use of the function room for one or two evenings including a special "do" and have arranged a meal out. If we have enough interest, then we will come up with some trips as well. The guided walk around Salisbury was great! Please join us for a week of exploration and socialisation! Caroline & Roger Applewood are your hosts assisted by Cathy & Phil Butterworth. Book online or call the Club Line on 0161 246 8266 . (Photos from 2018 Halloween rally)

SOMERSWOOD C.P, MERIDEN COVENTRY NOVEMBER 25TH TO 30TH

OUR CHRISTMAS DINNER MEETING Due to unforeseen circumstances the original meeting at Elm Cottage, Winsford, Cheshire, has had to be changed. We are pleased to have been able to re-arrange the meeting to Somers Wood Caravan Park, Meriden, Coventry at the slightly earlier date of Thursday 25th November to Tuesday 30th November, a 5 night stay. Somers Wood is a Tranquil Parks Group member, adult only, and we will be located on hardstanding with EHU. The site fee for the 5 nights is £100. Arrival time is from 1.00pm onwards. A venue for a Festive Dinner is being arranged either on the Friday or the Saturday. Somers Wood, like many sites, are now demanding deposits on booking. They are requesting a £50 non-returnable deposit with the balance paid two weeks before the meeting. Members should book on-line or by calling the club telephone line 0161 820 2466. Members will then be required to contact the site and pay the deposit and paying the balance later. Mike and Ann Gyles are the hosts for this meeting but need co-marshals – can you help? Call the Clublineon 0161 820 2466 if you can. This is always a most enjoyable meeting and a great way to start your Christmas festivities. BRIARFIELDS TOURING PARK, CHELTENHAM, DECEMBER 29 TO JANUARY 2 ND

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR 2022 We are delighted to say we are able to arrange a New Year’s Meeting to celebrate the arrival of 2022! The meeting will be at Briarfields Touring Park, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham from Wednesday 29th December 2021, leaving on Sunday 2nd January 2022, a four night stay. This site, which we have used for New Years in the past, is an excellent site. It is part of the Tranquil Parks Group and is adult only. Hardstanding with EHU. The site fee for the four nights is £90. Arrival time is 1.00pm onwards. The hall has been booked for New Year’s Eve and we hope to arrange one or two get-togethers in addition. Your meeting Hosts are Ann and Mike Gyles supported by Terry & Karen Hughes. If you’ve not enjoyed a New Year in your caravan before, give it a try! Booking is by the Club website www.lunarownersclub.net, (or click here) or if you are not on the internet call the Club telephone line 0161 820 2466.