The days are getting longer, the excitement builds, the caravan, motor home, tent beckons. The new 2023 season is just weeks away!
13 sites/meets have been booked with a total of 72 nights. Our 2022 season was successful as you will find out if you go to our AGM at 2pm on the 4th February at Our Lady of Peace, Carl Barton Hall, 338 Wokingham Road, Reading RG6 7DA but we want 2023 to be even better. It is essential that we increase numbers at some of our sites or they will not be available to us in 2024.
With that in mind we are planning to make some of our meets more interesting by arranging events for you to hopefully enjoy. Remember that you don’t have to participate in anything arranged but there should be something during the year that interests you. If you can support the organisers though it would be greatly appreciated.
So the first half of the year looks like this:-
24th to 26th March – Dust the cobwebs off and come to Swiss Farm Henley. Cafes either side of the site, river walks and within walking distance of Henley with plenty of restaurants, pubs and shops. £14 pun.
6th to 10th April – Our Easter meet at a brand new site YMCA Fairthorne Manor, Curdridge, Southampton SO30 2GH. Easter activities for the children. Google it for full details (remembering its not peak season) but think a 100 acre countryside setting with licensed cafe, toilet and shower block, access to the river Hamble and marquee available at times. Manor Farm Historic Farm Yard and Park 5 miles, Marwell Zoo 8.5 miles. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Paultons Park both about 16 miles away. Bus stop, Botley train station and pubs within within easy walking distance. NO Electric Hook ups. Despite what you might read elsewhere it opens at 2pm. £17.50pun. Whilst the DA meet will finish on the 10th April I believe it will be possible for you to stay on, paying the site their normal site fees.
27th April to 2nd May – 5 nights at the always popular site at Somerley Lakes near Ringwood. Easy access to the South Coast and the beautiful New Forest. It is hoped to arrange a quiz night depending on weather and attendance. Price TBC
11th to 14th May – White Mark Farm, Watlington. A return to this beautiful area next to Watlington Hill, a National Trust Nature Reserve and Christmas Common. It is a slightly sloping site. We are planning a local Cheese and Wine tasting evening with a local supplier visiting to discuss the cheeses being sampled. We will need numbers nearer the time but after a low attendance last year we need your support (hence the cheese and wine blatant bribe!). Price TBC
26th May to 4th June – Pierrepont Farm, Telford. Despite the uncertainty over the site and possible sale we can confirm this meet is on! The nearby brewery is closing though and may not reopen. There are beautiful walks from this site and the next door Rural Life Centre and nearby Squires Garden Centre are well worth a visit. Frensham Ponds are within a couple of miles. It is hoped to hold a ‘Homemade’ event for members to participate in. What do you make at home that you want to show off? Homemade beer, wine, pickles, chutneys, cakes, bread, quiches, the list is endless. Bring anything ‘homemade’ but that doesn’t mean shelves, bookcases or even the kids (although they are welcome). This idea came about whilst I was drinking a members homemade wine with Roy our Chairman who shared with me that he makes his own beer. I will be bringing my own version of Baileys! Get the idea? Price TBC
9th to 11th June – Our Wellington Country Park weekend. Nothing I can say about this that you don’t already know but we have big plans for 2024! Price TBC
23rd to 28th June – An extended stay at Church Paddock, Cookham. With ‘Happy Hour‘ very likely to return this year we have always found it a bit of a rush so we have extended the stay to 5 nights. If you are not sure what ‘Happy Hour’ is then ask if anyone remembers but like the 1960’s if they say they do they probably weren’t there! Briefly though it is food and drink from and a quiz about somewhere in the world! Price TBC
See you all soon
The deer are in fine form at WCP refereeing the volleyball!
.Don’t forget our upcoming Annual General Meeting on 8th February at Winnersh Community hall starting at 1400 (please arrive by 1330).
We need new committee members as 3 are standing down and this does not leave enough to run the DA. If we do not fill these places (and if possible get more) the DA will have to hold an Emergency General Meeting and possibly fold.
Come along and blow the cobwebs out of your hair on our Spring Walk. Meeting in Englefield Green, it’s a walk suitable for all including pushchairs, children and dogs. Afterwards an opportunity to chat over a pint or two in the Pub!
Come and join our celebration of 50 years as a DA.
Plenty to do in and around Henley-on-Thames, 5 minutes walk to the town, close by is Toad Hall garden centre, stop in and have a coffee and cake. Drive to the old town of Hambleden.