Written by Gill.
Just over a week has gone by since our recent clocks back camping weekend. The weather forecast was poor to say the least with high winds and heavy rain the weekend was looking bleak. Our dear friend Lord Norland, one of the longest attendees of the clocks camps since 2004/5 was as per usual intending to arrive on Thursday to help us set up but instead came on Wednesday to travel in the dry although had some of the biggest storms during the night. Thursday was a bit damp in the morning, then we had some glorious sunshine to set up in, but by the time the rest of the early birds arrived it was pouring with rain again for a couple of hours. Dave and Becky Fellows arrived with Dave forgetting his waterproofs! Alan loaned him an old Mac so they could get their glamming situation set up. Rocket John and Barbs arrived on Bike and in car, and if they weren’t wet before, they soon were but headed off into town in the car to wait for a break in the weather. Meanwhile Des arrived and stayed in his car until the pub opened, then slept in it and put his tent up the next day. Flakey (Robert) also arrived through a torrent of rain. The other camper was Trevor who used to have a Breva and was at one time in the Pennine branch but now we found is living in Stourport so is now in our branch area, though I don’t think he has a bike at the moment.
During the course of the weekend, we had several cancellations and others arrived at the last minute when the weather was holding. Poor Harry late of the Scottish branch but now living in Penzance made it all the way up to us in atrocious weather. It must be all those years in the Scottish weather, porridge and haggis put hairs on his chest! It probably felt like a Summers day to him😀. All joking aside we really appreciated all those who made it through some of the worst weather in a while to come and camp with us and we hope that all those who had to cancel, due to health issues and other family stuff, will all be fit and well again for the March camp.
It was certainly a different weekend to usual. Paul and Karen Hartley who help us with skittles, etc, couldn’t make it due to illness and Karen Manion and Ian Fisher had family commitments, though Karen did pop a lovely cake selection (Lemon drizzle, Victoria sponge, choc fudge cake brownies, scones with butter and jam) up to us on Thursday, which along with my two Malt loaves and energy bars from Martin Taylor and extra milk from Annie, which along with the Tea and Coffee and a quick whizz through the bar on Saturday night we managed to raise £130 for the Air Ambulance. So, thank you all for that.
During Friday and Saturday people arrived either in campers or on bikes, I think we were about 50/50 on that score. The weather held for most of Friday and started raining again whilst we were in the pub. A Glorious sunny morning greeted us on Saturday though the wind was bitter cold all day. At breakfast I broke a tooth on some bacon which had been kept warm a bit too long, that was one for the risk assessment! watch out for killer bacon as Becky called it. I’ve only just had it fixed it cost me £175 
. More arrived as the day progressed and many of us sat in the sunshine just enjoying the company. There was a lady singing some Fleetwood Mac stuff in the pub on Saturday and allowed me to get on her microphone at the end of the evening to chivvy up anyone who hadn’t yet donated to the Air Ambulance and a super game of Skittles was played in the Skittle Alley. Andy and Ian Butcher got us all started, along with Trevor helping with the scores and we all mucked in one way or another and had an excellent evening. Even I had a go, though I came in last!
I think overall we had a split of newcomers and old hands and over the course of the weekend had about 35 of us which was good considering the forecast. Plus, several visitors took the chance in the sunshine to come and pay a visit. After telling everyone what choice of food would be available each evening, it ended up completely different with the normal menu being served. So next time I won’t bother, I will just see what’s on offer.
All In all, it was a lovely weekend and a big thank you to all who came, it wouldn’t be the same without you!
* Just a reminder that the Clocks Forward is March 27-29th 2026 so keep an eye out as all branches will have to do tickets now, so hopefully will have something ready by mid-January.