It is an honour and a privilege to write this event report covering the first event organised by the Ramblers Motorhome Club which took place at the Shepherd’s Rest Pub and Camping and Caravan Park. When I say “First Event” it sounds like the start or beginning or the initial move towards the commencement of a new motorhome club. This could not be farther from the truth. This all started a short few months ago with a group of people with a shared love of motor-homing and socialising with like-minded people. A committee was formed and in that short period an incredible amount of work has been carried out like sourcing insurance, procuring a certificate of exemption, setting up banking needs, creating a web site, acquiring a face book page, preparing a programme and countless other details all requiring frequent committee meetings and I don't know how many emails and telephone calls. In any case the hard work is now done and I suppose we could term this as the start or beginning but as you can see an awful lot of ground work has already been completed. I digress from my job in hand now so let’s get on.
Friday 15th December found a band of some 50 pioneers meet at Shepherd’s Rest, a delightful pub and camping park nestling in the gentle foothills of the beautiful Sperrin mountains. Gary was there to meet us with welcome sheet and Club membership application form. Does not miss a trick this guy and why not? The pub is exactly what poets and writers have tried to describe for years with its soft countryness (if that's a word) the floor paved with heather browns, roaring fireplace. Naturally friendly bar staff, dogs welcome and the Guinness wasn't bad either. Friday evening saw everyone in the pub and it was packed with ourselves and quite a few locals. Christmas jumpers appeared to be the dress mode for the night. My hearing aids were put to the extreme test with that unmistakable buzz that only is evident when a great night is underway in a good pub.
Weather wasn't great on Saturday and that coupled with no Wi-Fi signal, very poor phone reception proved to be just the ticket to encourage people to fulfil the object of the weekend, relax, read a book or maybe, well just a wee one. Saturday evening and we all gathered upstairs in the pub where our chairman David Gilmore gave us a brief welcoming speech and a promise to be more informative on the formation of this new club at the coffee morning. Before our meal was served Gary and Yvonne held the ballot which was an outstanding success raising £255.00. The meal was in keeping with Colin’s (the proprietor) hospitality and professionalism. Though I think the chef may well have contributed a fair share. After the meal and the dishes cleared, we were further treated to a night of music and dancing. I did notice at one stage Colin discretely walking around the dance floor shaking a substance on the boards, probably lux flakes or talcum powder, whatever it was, left the dance floor in superb condition for dancing. That and the music provided by Kieran McAree very quickly had the floor filled. It was overall a very enjoyable evening.
Sunday morning. Jack Little organised the coffee morning with the help of Yvonne and her now highly acclaimed shortbread. After an informative speech by David, on how the Club was set up and what had been achieved so far, the weekend sadly came to an end all too soon. I feel that the resounding success of this event was largely due to the exemplary and knowledgeable hard work of the committee and is surely the stepping stone for many more. Next event is the Old Year / New Year Party at Lisburn Rugby Football Club from Saturday 30th December to Monday 1st of January. Start time 3.00pm.
Enda & Flo