Hello everyone and welcome to my Autumn update. I hope everyone had a great Summer holiday season wherever you may have wandered. The schools are back and holidays are behind us, but there is much to look forward to over the next few weeks as we enter the Autumn programme. Looking back for a second though, we can reflect on a series of enjoyable events despite the unpredictable weather.
Tansley saw over 30 units enjoy the early July sunshine and another excellent cheese and wine tasting competition. Congratulations to the Baronowski’s, who took top spot, with Andrew and Trisha Lamb taking the dubious award of the slops bucket! Thank you for so many entries and of course the volunteers to wrap the wines, purchase such a lovely cheese selection and of course the entertainment was brilliant as ever ;-)
Yorkshire Region Meet. Congratulations to the SDA teams at the Yorkshire Region Meet at Wetherby, winning the netball and volleyball with the “young team”; well done also to the footballers who achieved runner-up spot.
Hognaston was a great success after an unfortunate start to proceedings when we were joined by some uninvited visitors from the travelling community! I would like to extend a huge thanks to the stewards, committee and members who helped manage this situation and we should also recognise the support of Paul, the landowner, who dug deep to ensure that the meet could continue with no impact upon our genuine members and guests. I am delighted to be able to report that the weekend was a huge success and it was lovely to read such positive feedback on our Facebook page.
Read on for our Autumn programme but please take note of the change of the bonfire meet from Torksey to Marton & Gate Burton, details below..
Autumn with Sheffield DA
We have eight events remaining in our 2019 camping calendar. See SDA website www.sheffieldda.co.ukand join our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/100693510087219/?ref=bookmarks for details. The meets are:
Shepley, Kniveton, Sherwood Forest, Blyth, Ashford in the Water, Haxey Quays, Torksey and Marton & Gate Burton.
Sherwood Forest. 27th–29th September. This is a popular site with easy access to the recently opened Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre where you can explore the legend of Robin Hood and take a stroll to the famous Major Oak. Cyclists of all abilities are catered for, from the serious red-route of the Kitchener Trail through to a number of gentle family trails meandering through the forest. Note that this meet has a further treat because it will be the venue for Sylvia’s support of “MacMillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning”, so not only is this a wonderful cause but also we can look forward to enjoying beautiful cakes!
Blyth. 4th-6th October. The venue is Blyth Cricket Club and will be the Feast of Lanterns 2019. The theme this year is “Festival of Light”, so there's loads of scope to get creative in this traditional but broad theme; I’m sure we will see some impressive displays competing for the Blatherwick Cup. We also have use of the hall over the weekend to add to the fun.
Ashford in the Water. 11th–13th October. This beautiful Peak District village is a popular attraction in itself but the site location at the top of the village makes it easy to reach the Monsal Trail, offering a safe off-road trail for cyclists and walkers. Keep the date for Saturday night, which will see Sheffield DA’s annual photographic competition. This is a fun event, open to all and judging will be based on the following categories: Camping; Orange; Bridges; Agriculture; Family; “Off the Wall”. Feel free to interpret and be creative but all we ask is that the photographs are your own original work.
Marton & Gate Burton. 1st–3rd November. This meet will be Sheffield DA’s 2019 Bonfire & Halloween meet (note the venue change from Torksey this year). This meet will be great for all the family - the CCJ love the trick or treat events and the bonfire is always something to look forward to. We are still finalising our program for the weekend but we have secured the use of the village hall on Saturday night, so it should be a fun weekend.
CCY Update
National Youth Rally. This event took place on 5th July when the CCY leadership team and 5 youth attended the National Youth Rally at Home Farm, Cardington, Beds. Yorkshire youth entered teams in all the sports competitions. Congratulations to Travis and Sarah -Jayne who were selected for the Austin Trophy team coming 2nd: well done! In addition to the sports, the Youth enjoyed bucking bronco, mini farm with animal petting area, assault course and there were discos on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Hognaston was a rip-roaring success for the CCY who took full advantage of the superb late-Summer bank holiday weather to enjoy the 8 mile+ cycle round Carsington Water, strawberries and cream tea on Saturday evening and topped-off on Sunday morning with a watersports session on all manner of floating vessel. Huge thanks for the efforts of the CCY leaders and volunteers to make this a success. It was great to see existing and new young people enjoying the weekend.
Autumn Youth Rally 2019. This event takes place at Alton The Star on 18th– 20th October and promises to be an action-packed weekend with the highlight being a day at the famous Alton Towers theme park. Sheffield DA have a contingent of CCY attending so I hope they have a great time.
Future dates for your diary
Christmas Party. We are planning our Christmas Party along similar lines to last year’s thoroughly enjoyable event. Hold the date for Saturday 7th December at West Bretton Village Hall.
Annual Dinner Dance. Saturday 25th January 2020. Hold the date; details to follow.
THS 2020. Planning is well underway for our four temporary holiday sites next year:
Hutton Le Hole: Spring Bank Holiday 22nd May – 7thJune.
Darley Dale: 3rd – 19th July 2020. Note this is back to the full 3 weekends for 2020.
Bishopthorpe: 3rd – 19th July 2020.
Criccieth: Late July into August, final dates tbc
May Day 2020. Note that 2020 sees a change to the May Day bank holiday. The committee is aware of this and we are actively planning to make the most of the change, so I will send out details once they are finalised.
Stewards required
As you know these events can only go-ahead with member support to steward each meet. We still require stewards for the following meets:
Blyth 4th–6th October
Haxey Quays 18th–20th October
Torksey 25th–27th Ocober
Marton & Gate Burton 1st-3rd November.
If you can help with any of the following please let Rob Lees know or contact us via the website: https://www.sheffieldda.co.uk/contact
That's all for now. Look forward to seeing you all very soon.
Iain Bonfield.
Chairman, Sheffield DA.
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