Hi All I hope you are all keeping well despite the obvious challenges that we are all facing right now. This Winter update normally looks forward to our out of season gatherings but of course this year is rather different, as we have come to expect. On a positive note however, I am delighted to bring you news of our 2021 Meets and THS which (subject to the normal Coronavirus caveats) means we can look forward to getting back to some kind of much needed normality. Although the challenges of Coronavirus has dictated much of our 2020 agenda, I am delighted to inform you that Sheffield DA remains in great shape; we had a record turnout at our THS at Criccieth in August and our Bank Holiday Meet at Hognaston was also very well attended. The DA remains very healthy both in terms of its financial position and also the Committee positions that have been taken up. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Committee for all the hard work that gave us as much camping as was possible under the circumstances. I will round up this introduction with the sad news that we recently said goodbye to Jim Pass, who died on 4th November at the age of 102. Jim was a great ambassador for Sheffield DA and the Club having been a member of the Camping & Caravanning Club for over half a century and at various times occupying a number of committee positions for Sheffield DA, British Caravanners’ Club (where he held the position of Hon. Vice President) and also on the Club National Council, including fourteen years as chairman of the Club’s Communications Committee. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Rita and her family at this difficult time. To read our own Sheffield DA tribute to Jim please click here.
Fixtures 2021
Rob has put another great season together, starting once again at Car Colston in March and taking us thorough to our Bonfire Meet at Torksey at the end of October. In addition to the usual favourites, we have a new fixture at Hoylandswaine, Woodland View 23rd – 25th April and 2021 sees us back at Brackenfield 3rd – 5th September. Socials include: Crazy Card Night Ashover (AGM Meet); Boules competition returns to Kniveton; Cheese & Wine at Tansley; Prize Bingo at our second visit to Ashover; FOL 2021 moves to Marton & Gate Burton; Ashford-in-the-Water hosts the Photography Competition and the season rounds off with the Bonfire and Hallowe’en Meet at Torksey. There will be the usual Easter programme at Hutton-Le-Hole in the North York Moors National Park, May Bank Holiday at Osmaston sees the popular programme of family sports, CCY Penny Fair and evening entertainment and Hognaston remains our August Bank Holiday fixture. THS 2021 take us back to Hutton-le-Hole, Bishopthorpe, Darley Dale and Criccieth, which once again is planned to coincide with the school holidays, so will be a great family holiday meet. THS dates have been released to allow for booking time off work and online booking will be open early in the new year; hopefully we will not be needing the Test & Trace paraphernalia this year though! All fixtures are now available to view, print or download on our website, click here to view.
New for 2021
We have an exciting new themed meet planned for 2021 which is scheduled for 2nd – 4th July, the first weekend of our Darley Dale THS: “A Celebration of Vintage and Classic Camping & Caravanning” Here is an opportunity to dig out and show off your old gear. The theme is open to anything pre-Millennium so if you still have your old tent, stove, camp kitchen, Tilley, Pennons, photographs or anything that brings back Camping memories; the SDA archive will be on display too. More details will be announced closer to the date but hopefully it will be a fun new event for 2021.
Photography Competition 2020
Thanks everyone for sending your entries in for our ‘alternative’ approach to this year; we had 91 entries across the 8 categories and I hope you agree it worked pretty well using the website and online voting. All the images are still available to view on our website, click here.
Here are our category winners, pictured clockwise from top left; congratulations to: Louise Lees (Isolation); Phil Emms (Camping); Wendy Moakes (Turquoise); Paul Wilmot (Doors); Steve Cooper (Clouds); Paul Wilmot (Rivers) Sarah-Jane Sykes (CCY); Lauren Lees (CCJ). Overall winner goes to Steve Cooper for his stunning entry in the Clouds category.
Feast of Lanterns 2020
Sheffield DA has hosted our Feast of Lanterns each year since its inception in 1934 where campers decorate their units around a theme and compete for The Blatherwick Cup. It is normally held later in the season when the evenings draw in and the full impact of the light and decorations can be experienced. After viewing the decorated units, campers vote for their favourites and congregate for a social evening and the award of the Cup. It’s good fun and a strong tradition that we are proud to maintain. Sadly, this year we were unable to proceed with our planned FOL because social gathering were not permitted, however we are determined to maintain the tradition so we will run the 2020 FOL belatedly and like so many things, we will have to be creative in our approach The revised theme for 2020 is "The Blatherwick Cup through the ages" and members will be invited to submit photographs of their own (or their favourite) FOL entries since the start of the Blatherwick Cup in 1934. All entries will be posted on Sheffield DA's website and members will be invited to vote for their favourite entries, via an online voting form. Winners will be announced at a 'virtual' prize-giving ceremony. The date is to be confirmed but now's a good time to start rooting through those photo archives. Look out for further details and dates.
Regional Youth Liaison Officers
I am delighted to announce that Alison Bingham and Charlie Amory have been appointed RYLO for Yorkshire Region. Alison and Paul, Charlie and Karen have been the SDA Youth team for a few years now and it’s great that part of the Sheffield team are now supporting CCY at Regional level. Paul and Karen will continue the good work as SDA Youth Leaders. I’m sure you will join me in congratulating them on their new positions.
Finally, to remind everyone that for reasons everyone will be fully aware of we are unable to proceed with the Dinner Dance, Christmas Party or CCJ Panto over the Winter period but they will return next year! If you wish to continue to receive these In The Field newsletters plus any other information from Sheffield DA throughout the year, please register on our website, www.sheffieldda.co.uk; this allows us to store your details securely, construct newsletters and also add member-only content. We can ensure we are compliant with all data protection regulations and you have the ability to control your own details. It's quick and easy, simply click here. Click here to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Hope to see you all soon Iain Bonfield Chairman, Sheffield DA