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Country & Western - Ingoldmells
There was a warm welcome waiting on the Lincolnshire coast as members gathered for the Valentine Country & Western Rally at Ingoldmells. By Thursday lunchtime, vans were arriving steadily. In total, 34 vans attended, with visitors travelling from near and far — two from Nene Valley, six from Anglia, one from NWMNW and an impressive 26 from the East Midlands group. From 3–5pm the hall doors opened for tea and coffee, giving everyone a chance to thaw out, catch up and greet both familiar faces and first-timers. The evening set the tone for a lively weekend. Georg hosted a cleverly put-together “cars” quiz that got brains ticking and laughter flowing, followed by bingo, music and plenty of friendly chatter. It was clear from the outset that this was going to be as much about companionship as it was about country music. Friday offered a free day for exploring. A few brave souls caught the bus into Skegness, battling wind and rain for a breath of sea air and the traditional seaside stroll. Back at base, the evening’s entertainment more than made up for the weather. Country singer Darren Busby delivered a toe-tapping performance, with members fully embracing the theme in a colourful display of cowboy and cowgirl outfits. Denim, checks and hats filled the dance floor, while a brand-new axe target throwing game proved a surprisingly competitive — and hilarious — addition to the night. Saturday dawned much brighter, with welcome sunshine lifting everyone’s mood. Another relaxed day allowed members to socialise or explore locally, and by afternoon the hall was once again buzzing over mugs of tea and easy conversation. The evening entertainment came courtesy of professional singer Molly, accompanied by her dad, whose polished set kept the crowd singing along and rounded off the day perfectly. All too soon, Sunday morning arrived. The traditional coffee morning, chairman’s chat and raffle brought the weekend gently to a close, with plenty of smiles, stories and promises to meet again soon. Despite the mixed weather, the rally was filled with warmth, laughter and togetherness. Special thanks went to the hardworking stewards — Georg, Diane, Sherry and John — whose organisation and enthusiasm ensured a smooth and thoroughly enjoyable three days. This month we also say a heartfelt thank you to Paul Arndt, who has stepped down from his roles as chairman and committee member. Paul has been a tremendous asset to the club over the years, first serving as rally secretary before taking on the chairman’s role. Together with his wife Jane, he has devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to helping the East Midlands grow into one of the best-attended and most successful groups in the MCC. We are truly grateful for all they have contributed and hope that, although stepping back from committee duties, Paul and Jane will continue to be familiar faces at many rallies to come. |
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