It was 7th May and it was time to set of for the 2004 AGM rally. We arrived at the venue, Southwell Racecourse, to a warm summers afternoon, which was completely contrary to the weather forecast. We caught up with some old friends while setting camp (that’s why it always takes longer to erect a dandy than it quotes in the sales brochure).

 Unfortunately the evening saw rain arrive but we never let that dampen our spirits. Our chairman Dave Jones had the dubious honour of appearing on “The Weakest Link” and some cruel person had arranged to show the video of the show in the lounge. Then just to top that there was also a video of the spoof certain club members had done of it at the final rally of 2003.

            It rained heavily through Friday night/Saturday morning but the rain stopped in time for the Dandy dogs and Daft Ducks show. The various species of dogs, ducks and owners were all a credit to the work that had been put in to produce them. The most notable of these though were Dogter Who and the Dalek, and a Bernie Clifton type duck ably jockeyed by John Roe.

            The afternoon was mainly taken up with the actual AGM where we elected our new committee and agreed a few policy changes. It also gave us the chance to speak to Ian Smith ,the owner of Riva leisure and makers of Dandys, who has just been voted club President .After the meeting, due to a last minute change of venue, we had the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a race meeting.

            The main entertainment at a AGM rally commences as usual with an evening meal, and this year we had the return of an old favourite The Green Parrott Band. The re-elected Chairman Dave Jones arranged and co-ordinated various dances including “Strip the willow” and “The Grandfather clock”, to name but two, while the band expertly wove the musical accompaniment.

            Sunday always arrives with an air of sadness as we begin to pack up and say our goodbyes though not before we attend the final event of the weekend, which is the Flag meet. There we had our obligatory raffle but just to give a twist Jim Mitchell presided on a fun quiz for which we donated a token amount for any question we failed to answer. At the AGM all proceeds of the raffle, and on this occasion the quiz, go to a charity chosen by one of our members. This year it was to be Knightthorpe Methodist Church, Loughborough that was to benefit for their rebuild fund, to the tune of £260. 

(click here for Thank You from Knightthorpe MethodistChurch)

            The last event over and our final farewells said we all departed our 2004 AGM. We had made more new friends, continued previous friendships, and steered the club towards an even brighter future. All together a great success.

 Tom