Chairman’s Chat

What a smashing time we had at this years Bogie Race. We smashed the record for the number of units attending, nearly 200. That’s more than most Regions get for there Region Meets! We smashed the record for the number of entries, 132 different drivers with 69 teams taking part. We also ‘smashed’ quite a few bogies. Over 40 drivers failed to negotiate a very testing course. Three casualties required hospital treatment, but all accepted they knew what they were doing in advance. We wish them a speedy recovery. We will need to look a bit more closely at things next year and have already discussed changes with Stuart, the landowner. See our website for pictures from the day.

The Junior Youth café raised over £500 for JY funds. A great effort by the team involved and a big thank you to those who donated cakes, buns etc. The raffle in aid of the Chair’s Charity also raised £448 and again my thanks to those who sold the tickets and for the donated prizes.

It was very gratifying to receive so many congratulations from other D.A.’s and individuals on such a well organised event. Yes it was a bit hectic as we were not expecting such a large turnout, but my thanks to everybody who helped make this a weekend to remember. If the comments are to be believed, next year could be even bigger.

The annual Cheese and Wine event took place at Ripon the following weekend. No shortage of cheese on offer (it really is difficult to judge quantities and more than half of those camping did not join us in the evening). This year’s champion wine connoisseur was Colin Darbyshire, who scored 5 out of 7, just ahead of two runners up with 4 each.

Matt Dawson triumphed as the king of ‘pop’.

Looking forward to the next weekend at ‘Winston’s’. Where we will be holding the ‘Sports Meet’. Only one more meet then a rest for a few weeks as the holiday season kicks in. I wish good weather and a great time for your holidays. Don’t forget to consider a few days at Leeds D.A’s THS’s running at Whitby and Fraisthorpe. Pam and I, as well as others, will be holidaying at the NFOL working party – deep joy.

See you out and about…

David Isbell

Chair

Bogie Race Café

The Bogie Race Café made over £500 towards Junior Youth Funds, many thanks to all those that donated cakes buns & biscuits, and a superb effort for all those hard working people in the café

A BIG Thank You, to you all on behalf of all Junior Youth Members.

NDLA Thank you

Hello

I would just like to thank you all for a fantastic weekend we've just had with your DA for our first Bogie Race.

We were made to feel very welcome even though we travelled from over the Pennines........Ha Ha Ha

I would like to thank the steward and his wife (Brian & Maureen) for their help, when I and my sister had to wake them Saturday evening, when we needed to call an ambulance for my brother in law whose hernia had popped.

You all worked very hard and should be very proud of yourselves on pulling such a fantastic weekend together.

We will be back next year to try and get a better place than 18th but then again we were very happy with that place, but you know what men are like with their toys.

Once again thank you

Helen and all members of NLDA

Youth Report

Oh how the months have passed by so quickly and never a dull weekend regardless of the weather. But in true spirit the Youth have been out in force and the youth area has been overflowing with our all weather campers......

Brimham on the 13th June saw 8 Leeds youth and 1 visitor from YDA arrive for the weekend.. We woke to sun and clouds on Saturday morning but in true tradition of the time of year the rain followed in the afternoon but that didn’t stop everyone taking part in a spot of family abseiling up at the rocks themselves. Pretty much everyone took part and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. So much so that they went back again on the Sunday to find a bigger more challenging rock….

Big thanks to Nick Verrall for sharing his expertise & humorous behaviour and to Bob Fox for bringing the equipment.

Saturday teatime some of the youth cooked their tea in preparation for doing their youth test.

Ashley Flanagan prepares his meal Amy Hodgkinson enjoying her meal

Next Followed the much loved Bogie Race where the Youth area overflowed with lively youth (11 LDA and 7 Visitors). Oh to be that age again when they believe there’s nothing wrong with a guitar solo piece at 3am Sunday morning……!!!! Shame the leaders didn’t agree hey!! 6 youth teams took part in the Bogie race and they all did us proud… A few cutting of corners but no Youth injuries, thank goodness.

The evening saw Kath give a youth test cooking demonstration which went down well, and a big discussion followed as to who would be brave enough to test the food she’d cooked…………. Hence to say it was given to Michelle to try first!

And finally 11 Leeds youth travelled to Durham for the National Youth Rally, 59 went in total from Yorkshire region, making a grand total of 250 at the event itself.

It was a brilliant weekend despite the weather. Friday night was a lovely summer’s evening as the youth arrived around 9pm and fought to find a space for their tents…. The pop up style tents that so many of them use these days meant that if you weren’t quick enough in getting your tent popped, your space was suddenly taken up with someone else’s pop up, it really was a free for all… Like a mini Glastonbury event!!!

Saturday as the weather man predicted we woke to rain, and it rained and rained all day…It was touch and go whether we would be able to complete the sports but after a couple of hours break mid afternoon the rain eased off, the sports continued and Yorkshire won one event after another, well deserved as they were given a run for their money in all the events…..

This was our first National Rally and all the Yorkshire Leaders made us feel so at ease and welcome. We enjoyed every minute of it and would like to pass on to parents of the Leeds Youth how proud we are of their behaviour throughout the weekend, they were a credit to our DA and even though some of them didn’t make the team this year, they supported the Yorkshire Team in true Yorkshire spirit once again making us extremely proud of them all.

Chris Farthing, Alex Weston, Stuart & Michael Newby watching the sports

Ashley Flanagan made up numbers for the South East Team

Recent Sites Report

20/06/2008 - The Milburn Arms Hotel, Rosedale Abbey

Site report provided by Margo & Tony Streatfield

Arrived on site on the Friday at 2.15pm, to find a motorhome already waiting.

The site was beautiful with well kept, clean grass and perfect views; there was also the advantage that it was at the back of the pub, giving easy access to food & drink.

There are 5 circular walks from the site varying in length and difficulty from 2 to 7.5 miles. On the Saturday morning many campers took advantage of the walks, even in the rain , whilst others sampled the delights of the moors with trips to Goathland, Robin Hoods Bay, Whitby and Pickering to mention a few.

The sun returned on the Sunday but brought high winds with it, leading to an interesting tow home, the six motorhomes and 3 vans all had a lovely weekend, and we look forward to returning next year.

27/06/08 – Grange Moor Farm (BOGIE RACE )

Site report provided Colin & Sue on behalf of Various stewards

The 14th Annual Leeds DA Bogie Race Friday started fine and dry with the first units arriving just before 10 am, followed by a constant flow all day, ending with a record 197 units camping. All were happily sited and looking forward to the racing.

The marquee was erected Friday morning and was rocking Friday night with everyone in party mood, a record number of teams entered for Saturdays racing.

Saturday was mostly dry & fine and the race course was very fast a great day was had by all a few bruises and some broken bits and a few dented egos and some excellent racing, resulting in a run off for the top 10 teams making for an exciting finish, the café was busy and sold out – raising funds for junior youth.

Onto the marquee for the Saturday night Prize giving ceremony which started a night of festivity with the marquee so full. we had to add the party tent to the side to get everyone in.

Ian Nottingham did his usual excellent job as DJ with a real Buzz in the air, we finished at 10.50 with everyone on their feet dancing to “VINDALOO “ na na na… na na na …na na na na na na you know the rest…LOL

We saw rain on Sunday but who cares after an excellent weekend.

See you all there next year.

04/07/08 – Parkfields, Ripon

Site report provided Helen Tremlett

23 units braved the intermittent stormy weather forecast, 10 Leeds DA members were joined by visitors from Lindum DA, Lancs. and Cheshire DA, South Yorkshire DA and Durham DA at this beautiful riverside site, located opposite Studley Royal Park. on the outskirts of Ripon, members were pitched on what some described as “bowling green standard grass”, the new site owners obviously take great pride in their new asset.

Friday evening was a very pleasant evening whereby many members enjoyed evening BBQ’s, many getting their cameras out when a hot air balloon flew overhead and once again when there was a spectacular sun set turning the sky pink…the evening weather was even nice enough for the children to partake in a water fight…..this is what camping is all about!!.

Saturday brought the rain, yet parts of the day the rain clouds subsided to let the sun shine through. On Saturday evening great fun was had by all in a themed cheese and wine evening run by Pam and Dave Isbell in the mini marquee kindly on loan from Karen and Phil, there was even a taste the pop and crisp competition for the 13 children to join in the on site.

Congratulations to Colin Darbyshire for winning the wine competition, and to Matt Dawson for the Pop & Crisps competition

Regrettably on Sunday most members had a wet pack up, but just as I was leaving the sun decided to show its head so let’s hope the latter end of the weekend remained dry for those that left after me.