Firstly what a rally isn't. It is not some sort of mad speed trial for cars with caravans attached chasing around the countryside at breakneck speeds doing handbrake turns and power slides. Leave all that to the car rally drivers!!
Do you own a caravan, motor home or trailer tent?
Do you always stay on commercial caravan sites?
Ever thought about attending a caravan rally but don't know what a rally is? Please read on…….
What is a rally?
It is a gathering of Caravan Club Members who enjoy weekends away with fun and fellowship thrown in for good measure.
Use your caravan or motor home all year round in lovely surroundings
at reasonable prices. You can enjoy a natter, have a laugh and perhaps a drink or two – a real opportunity to make new friends and visit new
places. Take a look at the Picture Gallery to see photos taken at rallies during the last few months.
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Who goes on rallies?
A complete mixture of people ranging from families with young children, families with teenagers, people without children, people whose children are grown up, retired people, people on their own, people with
their dogs (and cats and budgies and hamsters!). One thing all these people have in common is enjoying the freedom offered by caravanning.
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Where are rallies held?
The Berkshire Centre of the Caravan Club holds rallies throughout the year (yes, even during the winter) at a variety of venues throughout Berkshire and the surrounding counties. Most rallies run from late afternoon Friday until late afternoon Sunday. Many rallies are held in quiet fields. Others are held at locations close to a local attraction or event (such as Wellington Country Park or
the Royal County of Berkshire Show at Newbury). A few rallies are held at commercial sites such as
Hoburne Bashley, New Milton in the New Forest. During the winter months, the rallies are usually held on hard-standing in school playgrounds (no getting bogged down in the mud!). See the
2007 rallies for a summary of the rallies being held by the Berkshire Centre this year.
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What about holidays?
Holiday rallies are held during periods such as Bank Holidays, half term or in the summer. For example, this year the Berkshire Centre has
a foreign holiday rally in France, a summer holiday rally in Birdham
near Chichester and Bank Holiday rallies at Windsor Racecourse,
Upper Lambourn, Chidham, Dummer and Longleat.
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What happens on a rally?
Lots! Generally, the day time is available to spend at your leisure although sometimes optional activities are arranged (such as fishing, golf, walks, tenpin bowling, coach or boat trips).
Take part in as much or as little as you wish - there is no pressure
to join in anything or everything. A competition or quiz is often
provided for you to work on over the weekend. On the Saturday evening a
social event, sometimes with food provided, is often arranged. Again, attendance is entirely optional but the social can be the highlight of the weekend. You never quite know what to expect - but you can guarantee an enjoyable (if sometimes unusual) evening. Flagpole, normally on Sunday morning, is the formal part of the rally at which forthcoming rallies are advertised, rally officers
(the people who run the rally) thanked, raffle drawn and competition winners announced.
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Are there any special rallies?
Yes. A number of competitions are held at rallies during the year with trophies presented to the winners. These competitions are for
golf, fishing, observation tour (March Hare Rally), and best decorated (& illuminated) caravan window based on a theme (Lantern Rally). Competitions are held at the
Chairman’s and Wheelie Rally for caravan manoeuvring, cycling, soap-box derby, children’s sports, flower arranging, photography, baking, pub darts, lawn darts and
petanque. There is also an annual formal Dinner/Dance and a Burns Supper.
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How much does it cost?
This is the great thing about rallying. Prices obviously vary depending on the venue, but can be as low as £3.00 per night (plus VAT) plus a small rally fee and administration fee. The optional social is charged for separately to cover any costs involved. Even rallying on a commercial site is at a reduced rate.
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How many people attend a rally?
Again this varies. Some rallies are small with less than ten caravans attending. Others, especially those near a popular event, attract over fifty units. At the top of the scale is the
National Rally (at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock this year) where up to 3000 outfits will attend.
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What facilities are there?
A fresh water tap is available on the rally field, and an elsan waste disposal point.
Apart from the rallies held at commercial sites, no electric hook-up is available. Don’t let this put you off though. Modern caravans and motorhomes are perfectly suited to running entirely with bottled gas and a 12V leisure battery.
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How do I go on a
Berkshire Centre rally?
Firstly, you need to join the Caravan Club. You then optionally register with a Centre (hopefully the Berkshire Centre). On registering with
us you will be sent a copy of the Berkshire Centre Rally Programme
booklet, which contains full details of all the rallies being held
throughout the year by the Centre. Decide which rally you wish to attend, and
post a booking form (found in the Rally Book) to the Rally Officer running the rally (or book online). Then just turn up at the
venue on the appointed day. Full directions to the rally site are in
the Rally Book and also on the website with a link to a map. The
final part of the route will be marked with yellow BCC signs.
Being a member of the Caravan Club also entitles you to attend any rally held by any Centre, details of which can be found in the Club Magazine or on other
Centres'
websites.
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Are you interested?
Yes, we know its hard to make the first move, but be assured you’ll be given a warm welcome when you attend
a rally with the Berkshire Centre. Give it a try and your weekends will never be the same again!!
If you have any questions not covered here, please send an email.
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