It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing away of Ray Reed earlier this week.
Ray was a long time member of some 50 years and a Past Chairman of West Sussex d.a.
Our thoughts and prayers go to his family at this sad time
Many of you will have known Ray and probably camped with him at sometime over the past 50 years as I have.
He was a log term serving member of our committee organising many events and giving freely of his time.
It was a real delight that Ray was still camping with us at Lancing THS only last August for the 60th Anniversary Reunion where he thoroughly enjoyed catching up with old friends & members.
(I have no further details at this time, but be sure I will advise when I hear more)
We had a very good turn out for our first Meet of the season at the Clapham & Patching site with the AGM also well attended followed by a wonderful buffet lunch.
I am pleased to report that we have a hard working committee elected for another year with one space still vacant should anyone wish to join us. The weather stayed kind for us although the field was a little on the soft side initially with three units regrettably getting stuck. Thankfully there’s usually Boys with Big Toys on site always willing to lend a hand with a tow out of the mud.
At this time of the year your DA hire the hall which gives us a warm retreat for the evening fun & much laughter for all, including, games ,music, a quiz and this year an alternative Bingo using playing cards.
On Easter Sunday Morning a local walk was enjoyed taking a route through the bluebell woods and visiting a pub. Unfortunately the walkers were followed home by a home by a herd of inquisitive Goats that ran riot for a while around the caravans.
This was all taking place while the Chefs, Pat & Chris and their great small team of helpers were preparing the Italian Easter Sunday Meal. The Menu was, Bruschetta, Linguine Bolognese, Tiramisu ,followed by Limon Cello & Mints. It was all very well received and the four course meal was enjoyed by everyone.
The sum of £2,143.03 raised from Charity events, raffles, and donations over the course of the WSDA THS at Lancing College has been presented to the local representative from this year’s chosen good cause, KSS – The Kent, Surrey & Sussex AIR AMBULANCE.
FABULOUS THS, AND DA 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION LANCING COLLEGE, 5th to 30th August 2022 . A total of 1200 nights, spread over three weeks, in all types of caravans, motorhomes and tents, were camped at this truly outstanding THS held in the beautiful grounds of Lancing College, where great organisation and heatwave weather was a wonderful combination. Lancing THS is as successful now as since Ray Reed first organised the Meet 37 years ago in 1985. During the Meet we were entertained by brilliant live acts provided by Suspiciously Elvis and a cheeky thrusting Tom Jones. Vocalist Tyler had the Marquee rocking on the final Friday evening with an engaging mix of dancing & sing along tunes and Peter Ridge entertained us during the 60th Anniversary afternoon with a selection of golden oldie favourites. Something for everyone.
It has become an annual tradition that we support a Charity at Lancing THS & this year it was the KSS Air Ambulance. The two main events to raise money were ‘The Great Lancing Bake Off’ afternoon on the 2nd Saturday and the increasingly popular Charity Plant sale & Breakfast morning on the 3rd Saturday.
Well done to Lyndsay Henshaw-Barnes for winning this year’s 60th Bake Off Competition!The West Sussex Charity Garden Centre
We even had our very own Spitfire fly past over the field as a recognition to supporting the Air Ambulance by the Spitfire piloted by John Romain. A pat on the back to Roy Harris for organising that special treat!! (The Video is on Facebook)
Our Charity events this year were as popular as ever. Everyone has been so generous that we couldn’t ask for better support. We are very proud to say that a grand total of £2143 was raised during this THS and since 2015 the total raised for a variety of charities is almost £14,000 by WSDA at the Lancing College THS Charity Meets which is an amazing achievement. A special mention must go to Sheila and Val Who walked the streets of local businesses drumming up superb donations for the charity raffle prizes. Our thanks to all the businesses pubs and restaurants for their generosity once again. Another special mention must go to Tina and Steve for all of the hard work each year in creating their ‘West Sussex Garden Centre’ & the charity plant sale and raising so much money for our charity.
Another big event made this year’s THS special was the getting together of so many older members of WSDA for a reunion and hog spit roast. It was so wonderful to see so many old/familiar faces once again after so many years, on a beautiful bank holiday Friday afternoon with celebration cakes, Pimms, live singalong music, joy, laughter, reunions and finishing off with the enjoyable hog spit roast supper that had been roasting over the grill all day. A memorable afternoon enjoyed by all & a recognition to all those who have supported WSDA over 60 years to keep West Sussex the success it still is today! which brings me to another special mention for Celia for baking well over 100 celebration cakes and organising the Pimms and for Ian for all of his hard work in organising the spit roast and for the clearing up. Of course, none of this would happen at all if it wasn’t for all of the hard work of your committee and of course the THS would not take place without your Stewards, Chris, Pat, Lin, Steve, Sheila and Val giving up their time for almost a month and working so hard to look after you all and run the meet! (Which of course we all very much enjoy !!) Thank you everyone for all of your support. We make a great team and once again you have done West Sussex da proud!!
