The Ramblers rolled into Magherafelt to a warm welcome from our hosts David & Caroline and real red carpet treatment from St Pius X College who generously accommodated us following a sadly essential venue change from Portrush.
Kicking off the weekend on Friday night our resident Bingo caller Florence Little called out the numbers and made a lot of people happy and none more so than Alan & Noleen Fluke whose luck continued to hold since Donaghadee and won a round each. However, it was it was Margaret O’Donnell who won the big one and took home the Jackpot. Some music followed suit and plans made for the following day and thoughts drifted to The Grand National, especially as our very own Enda & Flo were taking in the whole experience and enjoying the atmosphere.
As Saturday arrived it turned out that The Ramblers luck was holding out too with sunshine for the second event in a row. There were a few showers here and there, but it was good to know the big yellow ball still exists and made for an enjoyable shopping experience. Saturday night got going as usual and the line dancing lessons were clearly bearing fruit as with the party barely underway they were up and running. At this rate I am barely keeping up and fast running out of songs - all suggestions will be warmly received!
Sunday coffee morning was a real highlight with the clubs’ new Defibrillator proudly on display and the members all taking a good look at the result of their outstanding fundraising. As many members have said “it great to have it but let’s hope we never need it”. With our Chairman David returning to the fold for our Omagh Event Joe made his last stand and gave us all another bout of good news advising that thanks to Enda’s hard work the event programme for the remainder of the year was now complete. As an additional bit of good news we also learnt that agreement has also been made with our good friends at Donaghadee RFC to use their car-park on the night before our Bangor event at the UK Pipe Band Championships on 17th-19 May making it a 3 day event and a welcome rest-stop for our further travelled members. In keeping with DRFCs’ request all site fees will again go to their chosen charity. Having rounded out a relaxing weekend we hit the trail eager for our next event in Omagh. Looking forward to seeing you all there.
Gary & Yvonne