Changes to the Facebook group

Two announcements today. First, Kevin Piggott has kindly agreed to take on looking after the social media content on Facebook and the website. As those who know me know, I am more technical than a creative, so I will continue to handle all the behind the scenes and Kevin will concentrate on keeping the facebook content up to date and informative. So any content queries, please contact Kevin.

The second announcement is that this Facebook page will be going public in a couple of weeks time. The Caravan Club have suggested that if we make this page a public ‘Friends of South Essex’ page we could attract more people to rallying with us. As this is a private group at the moment, I wanted to give people time to find out what we are doing. ALL THE PREVIOUS POSTS will still only be visable to those who were members at the time I switch it over. The person who wrote the post, will have the ability to make it public if they want.

I feel, and have convinced the committee, that this Facebook page is a great way of showing what we do and the fun we have, so please, all those who post now, please continue posting and anyone else please join in.

If this trial period of going public causes too many problems with moderating (i.e. spam posts), I will go to plan B and switch it back to private but allow anyone to become ‘members of the group’. This will allow us to control who can post a lot easier. I hope this all makes sense.

Longest Day Rally 2026

Join us for our Longest Day Rally, taking place from 18–22 June 2026 on the scenic Rally field at the lovely caravan site, Homestead, Weeley. This is a five day rally, as requested by many members, however you can choose to stay as many nights as you wish.

Ideally situated for visiting Clacton, Walton, and Colchester, the site also benefits from public transport available just outside.

There is also a well-stocked Caravan Spares shop on site, with a 10% discount for ralliers—sure to be something in there you didn’t know you needed.

As Sunday is Father’s Day, 21 June 2026, flagpole will be held on Saturday evening.

Book online now. Our original booking system is back up and running, providing a more effective solution, easier to book, and easier for marshals to confirm—thanks to Tony Harrison Smith.

Book today to support your marshals, support your committee members, and support your Centre.

For Rally Marshals – Online Booking system changes.

First a bit of history. Last year, the software that the online system was written in was updated and that stopped our online booking system from running properly without a re-write of the program. So we bought in a simplified system where the online bookings went straight to the rally marshal and they handled replying to the raller and printing out individual booking slips.

This has not proved popular and Beverly asked me to re-write the programs so that the old system can be re-instated.

The first half of the online booking system is ready to go live. This is the bookings going into the database and then onto the marshals rather than straight to the marshals. All new bookings will go through the new system as of later today (14/5/26).

The second half is the ability to print out 4 slips per page and the weekly report showing marshals who has booked on their rally. This will be rolled out on a rally by rally basis for those already booking and available straight away for those booking from next week.

The reason for the roll out is that I have to manually enter all the previous bookings for each rally and this will take a couple of weeks or so. I will start on the rallies that are about to run and work my way through the list.

There may be a few teething problems, so please bear with me.

Tony Harrison-Smith

Webmaster.

Clare Priory changes

For those going on the Relax at Clare Priory 4th-7th June 2026 rally, please be advised that the rally is now closing at Noon on the Sunday and everyone has to be off the field by then. For more details, contact the marshals.

MID SUMMER MADNESS RALLY BOOKINGS

MID SUMMER MADNESS RALLY

3rd – 6th JULY 26

Come and join us for 3 days at White Rodings for a little Madness.

Friday to Monday

Booking available from 24 April 26

TERRY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RECEIVING EMAILS OF PEOPLE BOOKING ON THE ABOVE RALLY EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW THEY HAVE BOOKED

IF YOU HAVE BOOKED ON, PLEASE COULD YOU EITHER PHONE (number in rally book) OR EMAIL TERRY TO LET HIM KNOW.  terry_brockman@hotmail.com.

Marshals  –  Terry & Lorraine

terry_brockman@hotmail.com    

Asst: Marshals: Toni & Roland Hooper &  Bev & Alan Walker                                                                         

Defibrillators

Dear Marshals & Members

Defibrillators

In our recent Committee Meeting we were discussing about location of Defibs and although we have two Defibs to take on rallies they may not always be in the right location at the right time.

Kevin Piggott investigated this matter and has found the following website, which very easily gives the location of Defibs near to a postcode address. 

DefibFinder – find the defibrillators nearest you.
https://share.google/k2q6bU35q7LFjSCM6

We wanted to share this with you, so you can look up the information prior to any rally and it can be put in paperwork or have to hand should it be necessary. Do give it a go.

Thanks very much to Kevin

Beverley

Chairlady SECC

Roy Sewell, funeral details

Just bumping this to the top of the page.

ROY SEWELL

03/07/1953 – 27/03/2026

It is with deepest grief that we share with you the unexpected loss of Roy. Husband to Lena, Dad to Helen and Graeme, Grandad to Morgan, Finnlay & Kinsey, In-law to Keith and Sarah.

We share with you that his funeral, in celebration of his life, will be held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Church Road, Corringham, Essex SS17 9AT at 3pm on Wednesday 6th May 2026. Wake at The Bull, Church Road, Corringham after the service.

We ask please for family flowers only, if you choose to, we will be collecting for Essex Air Ambulance who’s team really tried to keep Roy with us.

Smart casual is preferred, colour would be appreciated.

BOOKING DATES FOR RALLIES 2027

NOTICE for Rally Marshals and all Members

Dear Members,

We have had several complaints and grumbles this year regarding the Booking Dates for Rallies, for many different reasons.

This matter has been taken to Committee to be discussed and it was unanimously agreed that from 2027 this needs to be simplified and return to the previous practice of Booking Dates for Rallies as follows:

Holiday Rallies and Special Events – 1st February

Weekend Rallies – Six weeks prior to the Rally Date

We know there will be exceptions and these can be discussed with Ian Carter.

Please, therefore, can I ask you to put the relevant date on your planning sheet for 2027 before sending to Ian to assist him.

Thanking you in advance for all your help with this matter.

Kind regards

Beverley

Chairlady SECC