Chairman's Log

New Season Camping

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:31:19 GMT

Hi folks, and welcome to the new season.

Many thanks to all of our members who attended the AGM and fish'n'chip supper at Addington Village Hall on 11th February. I would also like to thank our special guests from the South Eastern Region, Chairman Paul Westripp with his wife Helen, (although, as they are ours, they don't really count as guests!) Secretary Joan Pannell with husband Colin, who is also the Region's PRO and Site Secretary, and Trevor Pilbeam and his wife Doreen.

At the AGM, I submitted my report for the 2011 season and looked forward to the new year. Our Treasurer Ray Scawn gave a full report of our accounts, as well as a very interesting insight to the working of DA finances for all of those who have never been involved. For the first time, Dennis Killick our Vice Chairman, and SE Regional rep, gave a full report on regional issues. The Treasurer is appointed by the Committee in November each year, and along with the Treasurer, I am pleased to report that we were able to appoint a full Committee this year, with all of the existing members being re-appointed, as well as new member Graham Cottle, who is taking over my old role as Webmaster. I am also pleased to advise, that Avril Ford has again agreed to take on the role of Auditor.

On the subject of the Committee, I was reminded by the Regional Secretary that each committee member should correctly be elected for a 2 year period, with 50% of the Committee only, standing each year. Therefore, to conform with the rules, I had to advise the membership, that at the 2013 AGM, arrangements will be made to elect half of the Committee members for 1 year and the other half for 2 years. In 2014, only those elected for 1 year in 2013 will stand.

After the AGM, a short tea break was taken, whilst the Committee met to appoint officers for the coming year, the meeting was then reconvened and opened as an open forum. and useful discussions were held on the purchase of a new large DA pennon, and the conduct of visitors, and parking at weekend meets. Paul Westripp also addressed the meeting and gave details of this year's Regional Council elections.

Apart from Graham taking over my role as Webmaster, I am able to announce the following changes to the Committee. With immediate effect Pauline Wilson, has taken over as Secretary from Sam Hill, who has had to stand down pending surgery following her motorcycle accident last year, but will continue on the Committee. Trevor Wilson, will take over the Sites Secretary role from John Sparrow, who has stood down after many years in the role, but is to continue on the Committee as Trevor's mentor. I would like to give special thanks to both Sam & John for the great efforts in the past, and look forward continuing to work with you both on the Committee.

Moving on from the AGM, our first meeting will take place over Easter, at Nightingale Farm, Yalding, and I would like to thank Pat & Dennis for stewarding the meet for us, a full program of suitable seasonal entertainment will be laid on.

Preparations are also well under way for our big meets this year. As announced earlier, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee meet has been extended to the 10th June, and a full programme of events are being organised, including a street party, disco and the opportunity to watch the big party at Buckingham Palace on a large screen TV in the party tent. I also understand that there is a full program of local events happening as well. Onto the big THS at Stockbury to coincide with the big event in London we are not allowed to mention for copyright reasons, everything now seems to be in place apart from crossing the 'T's and dotting the 'I's on the stewarding rota.

Our 80th Anniversary and FOL preparations for Bodiam( I know in the club's magazine it says Robertsbridge, but this is a technical issue caused by the postcode, we are aware, and are working to put it right) in September are also advancing well, with a program being prepared which includes a disco, cheese & wine evening, quizzes, fireworks and silly games. Full details on these events will be on our news page, as and when available.

Finally, how are your editing skills? Although Graham and I will continue to monitor and update the website as and when we can, we both have full time jobs as well as other commitments. What we would like therefore, is a volunteer/s, who would be willing to spend a short while each week to collate, collect news and update items for the website, then forward them to one of us, who would then do the technical bit and update the site

Welcome to 2012

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:20:28 GMT

Hi I am back.

Sorry this feature has not been updated for a while, we have been updating the site and things.

Firstly may I wish you all a Happy New Year, and hope that you all enjoyed the festive season.

On the topic of seasons, wasn’t last year’s a cracker!

All in all we had over 1350 unit nights, well up on 2010. May I thank everybody who helped as Stewards, served on the Committee and put on entertainment etc without these special people we would not have any camping.

I would also like to pay a special thank you to all who participated in our FOL which was held at Smarden in September. As those that were there know, not only did we have our annual lighting up, and last night sing song, but we also had Edward Prentice from Help For Heroes join us to receive a cheque for £625 which was raised at our memorial meet for Rosemary Prior who sadly passed away in 2008. A further £200 was raised by the sale of merchandise, raffles etc over the weekend. I would also like to thank Ray in particular for arranging the evening.

Looking forward to this year, it is going to be busy.

Our AGM will be held at Addington Village Hal on 11th February, followed by a fish and chip supper for those who wish to partake ( a small charge of £2.50 per head will be charged for fish & chips unfortunately, times are hard!!)

In June we will be holding a THS at Hole Park to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

In July we will be hosting a THS at Stockbury to coincide with that major event in the capital that we are not allowed to mention for copyright reasons, but is the biggest thing to hit these shores since London hosted the Olympic Games in 1948!!

To top it all, it is our 80th Anniversary this year, and to celebrate we will be holding a special birthday meet at Bailey Reed Farm in September. Celebrations will include a disco, wine & cheese night with a music quiz, ploughman’s lunch, fireworks, silly games etc.

Full details of all of these events can be found in due course, by clicking on to the calendar

Here’s looking forward to seeing you all in the field.

Next Year

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:21:14 GMT

Next year is going to be busy for the West Kent DA, at last it will be Olympic year, plus it will be the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and last but not least, it will be our 80th Anniversary.
The Committee are hoping to put on a full program of events, including a THS for the Olympics, but would appreciate some assistance. Remembering that this is actually your DA, we are calling for volunteers to join in with ideas for entertainment, venues etc. for more information, please contact me at tony.topley@blueyonder.co.uk, or better still, come and have a chat with me in the field

Stockbury

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:55:22 GMT

23rd-26 June 2011: Thank you to Trevor and Pauline for stewarding Hill Green Farm Stockbury. 11
units from WKDA and 1 visitor from East Kent totalled 31 unit nights, (for those that like keeping
count, that is 845 so far this year, well up on last year at this stage!) The weekend also gave us
the opportunity to do some preliminary work for next year, because I can now announce that the
WKDA will be holding a THS at this site for the duration of the Olympic games, opening the day
before the Opening Ceremony, and closing the day after the Closing Ceremony, further details will
be announced in due course.
See here for more details

SER Anniversary Meet

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:52:35 GMT

16th-20th June: The South Eastern Region Anniversary Meet and AGM, was held at the Hop Farm, Beltring.
This year's theme was the Roaring Forties, and members were treated to a very enjoyable weekend of
fun and games, including a disco, craft fayre, sports (again hosted by the West Kents this year,
many thanks to all those that helped umpire etc.), music quizzes and a 1940s themed dance troupe.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the SER Chairman, our very own, Paul Westripp having his
head shaved for charity by Tracy and Pat, for which he raised in excess of £500 over the
weekend. From the West Kent Da point of view, Paul Westripp was re-elected as Chairman for
another year, as was Trevor Wilson to the position of Vice Chairman, and yours truly as Regional
Countryside Care Officer. Over 80 units attended overall, 11 of which were from WKDA.

Linton

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:51:48 GMT

June 9th-12th: A very special thank you to Brian and Margaret for stewarding their very first meet
at Wares Farm, Linton. After the disappointing turn out at this venue last year, it was nice to
see the numbers more than doubled this year. All together we had 9 units, 8 from the West Kents,
and one much welcomed visitor from Lancashire We totaled 19 unit nights, and most importantly, after
being lead to believe that this would be our last year here, we have been invited back. To those
that missed out, I will just mention that Tracy (no not my Tracy, Tracy from Phoenix Yard), made
a special batch of muffins, mmmmmmm...............................

Yalding THS

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:51:13 GMT

May 26th-June 5th: Tracy and I stewarded our first meet of the year at Nightingale Farm, Yalding
(and coincidently our first temporary holiday site). Apart from West Kent members, we were joined
by 39 units from across the country, including visitors from South Lincs, West Sussex, South Suffolk,
Yorkshire, Lakeland, East Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and the South Downs, and totalled 162 unit nights.

Website Changes

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:49:13 GMT

Those of you that regularly read this log, will notice that it has not been updated for a few weeks,
and for that I apologize, but how many of you have noticed that subtle changes have been occurring
about the site? I am pleased to announce that Graham has taken over the reins and things have actually
started to work properly. (for example, those of you that do not use Internet Explorer, check out
the Other DAs page) as the song says "things can only get better". Many thanks Graham,
and welcome aboard.

Wateringbury

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:47:59 GMT

May 12th-15th: Many thanks to Asdis and Mick for stewarding our first visit of the year to Wateringbury,
and for laying on an excellent high tea on Saturday afternoon. 21 units, all from the West Kent DA,
enjoyed 56 unit nights, giving us an impressive 633 unit nights, in just 3 meets this year.

Hole Park THS

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:47:31 GMT

April 21st-May 2nd: Wow what a meet! and yet again I have to make an extra special thank you to
Doreen and John for being such excellent Stewards (can I book you for the Jubilee next year please?).
114 units from as far a field as Hereford and Worcester, to South Suffolk, Yorkshire, Coventry and
Wiltshire gave us a remarkable 533 camping nights. Excellent weather blessed us for most of the 11
days, and thank yous have to go out to the Easter Bunny and the Royal Family for putting on some
excellent entertainment for us. see <a href="news items/Hole Park 2011.html">Easter Holiday meet</a>
& <a href="Images/index 23.html">Easter Holiday photos</a>.

Oldbury Hill Working Party

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:45:29 GMT

April 7th-10th: Our first real weekend of camping, and what a spectacular start. 18 units turned
out for a wonderful spring weekend amongst the new born lambs at Henhurst Farm, including guests from
Dorset DA, East Kent DA, and the TT&FCG. Many thanks to Pat and Dennis for stewarding our first
44 camping nights of 2011. see photos <a href="Images/index 21.html">Henhurst 2011</a>, (and I
warn you there are a couple of aaarhs)

Canterbury Working Party

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:44:46 GMT

March 18th-20th: The first working party of the year, and for those who attended, what a wonderful
weekend it was. 4 units, 2 each from East and West Kent DAs camped, as well as day visitors, and
we repaired fences, painted, jet washed, and re-seeded, all in glorious early spring sunshine,
and were kept suitably refreshed by our ever appreciative hosts, Scott and Michelle. see
<a href="news items/Canterbury Working Party.html">Canterbury working party</a>. Hopefully next
weekend at Oldbury Hill will be just as enjoyable.

Annual General Meeting

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:37:37 GMT

February 26th: The 2011 Annual General Meeting was held at Addington Village Hall and was attended by 45 members. Special guests from the South Eastern Region included: Chairman Paul Westripp, with his wife Helen: Vice Chairman Trevor Wilson with his wife Pauline: and former Chairmen Trevor Goodwin and John Woolgar with their wives Pearl and Dee respectively (although the current Chairman and Vice Chairman don't really count as guests as they are West Kenters anyway, so it was their own AGM). The new Committee was elected, and following a much needed tea/coffee break, they hosted an open forum. The evening concluded with a fish and chip supper supplied by the DA. For full details see <a href="news items/AGM 2011.html">2011 AGM </a>