I just thought I’d take the time to reflect on the AGM and the times had by everyone at Southwell. It was really good to see old friends and meet up with some not so old friends again. One thing that was noticed, and not just by me, was the increased number of children on the rally. I know that there is a lot of childish behaviour at rallies, the AGM especially, but this time most of it actually came from children. I am always amazed to see how people will band together and offer help. Several people were half way thought setting up when the skies opened and help was willingly given. Mind you I used to pride myself on setting up really quickly, (it annoys the caravanners on big sites) but it often takes me over half an hour just to get water because I keep stopping to talk to people I haven’t seen for ages.

The entertainment was up to its usual very high standard. My only regret is that I didn’t get much time to look round the craft displays but it would only have made me feel inadequate (or more inadequate as some would have!). Saturday’s duck racing was I’m sure fixed but not as blatantly as last year and thanks must go to everyone who helped move the ducks along in the races.

The AGM itself introduced a new face in Ian who has taken over the manufacture of Dandys. I did at one point on Saturday evening see him wearing a bemused expression almost as if to say " I’m supposed to be associated with these people?" There was a good debate on the proposed changes to the rules; some went by on the nod but others produced quite a diverse range of views. It was great to see most people joining in.

I have a minor grumble about the meal on Saturday night. As usual it was billed as starting at 6pm (ish) so arriving promptly, at about twenty past, we found that they had already started serving!!! And I thought that the ish usually meant after the hour and not before. Still not to worry as we and another family had trouble finding enough chairs together we set up our own table and went round filching cutlery from empty seats. Much more in the spirit of Dandying I feel. Mind you at one point we had so many children running in circles round our table I began to realise what the cowboys felt like when attacked by Indians. Saturday night’s "Take your pick" was definitely and obviously fixed but was made all the more fun because of it. I think Ron who came over from Holland wins the prize for "Entente Cordiale". He is living proof that the British don’t have a monopoly on humour. Mind you some of the contestants gave as good as they got from Dave and I think he was worried once or twice that he’d taken on more than he could chew (Eh Bryony?).

The flag meet on Sunday had the raffle which is always very well supported and raises huge amounts of money for our favoured charity. If it grows any more it will become an event in itself. We will soon have to start drawing the prizes before the tickets have been sold just to fit it in. Maybe we should have a "Raffle Rally"? Does that sound like a whinge? It’s not meant to be and I can’t complain as both the kids won something and we acquired a pair of "Whoopee Cushions" to boot. Someone had better watch out after that I can tell you.

So how do you sum up this years AGM? Warm mornings, damp afternoons and wet nights. Warm friendship, heated debate and tears of laughter. Yep that will do. See you next year.

 Julian Geraghty