2010

• 27th June - The funeral of Brenda Silvester will take place at 1:20pm on Monday 5th July at Barham Crematorium (click here) and afterwards at the Dover Ramada Hotel Singledge Lane Whitfield (click here). It is requested that there is family flowers only and any donations to the Pilgrims Hospice please .

• 27th June - The rally at Wateringbury July 9 - 11 will close at 4pm and not 7pm as stated in the rally book.

• 23rd June - It is with regret  to announce that Brenda Silvester passed away peacefully this morning in the Thanet Pilgrims Hospice. Norman and Brenda have been active members of the centre since the 1980's. The East Kent centres sincere sympathy goes to Norman and her family at this very sad time. Funeral arrangements are currently unknown, but  the website will be updated as soon as the details are known. 

• 23rd June - On Thursday 15th July at the Whitfield Rally members have the chance of a guided visit to see the workings of Dover Harbour Port Control. The Port Control is the department that manages all the ship and boat movements in this the busiest ferry port in the world. There may also be a possibility to see other areas, this is to be confirmed later. If you are attending the rally and are interested in taking advantage of this rare opportunity to see behind the scenes, please let the marshals know by the rally closing date (5th July). Those attending will need to have in their possession at the visit either a valid Passport or Driving Licence (photo licence both parts required).

• 21st June - Our centre charity needs your support - East Kent members have been asked to support the Thanet Disabled Riding centre's appeal in their bid to win £500 in the Chandlers Community Fund competition which is being run locally. Members can nominate them for this award by either phoning 01403 783400 or emailing chandlersthanet@pmwcom.co.uk and putting Thanet Disabled Riding Centre in the subject box. Deadline is Wednesday 23rd June, so there is not much time left. A huge thanks in advance from the Thanet Disabled Riding Centre.

• 17th June - Attended a good rally and want to thank the marshalling team? Would like to share your experiences of rallying with East Kent? Want to see what other members have to say? Click on the submit thanks and comments tab on the left or Click Here. Please note that this is a free service to East Kent and have no control of the advertising.

• 17th June - New Southern Centres website online click here

• 17th June - 44th birthday rally photos uploaded to website click here

• 16th June-  Two members who attended the birthday rally made arrangements with GS spares on Friday night to swap their gas bottles while he was setting up his shop, and pay later. Unfortunately these members did not return to settle up. The committee are convinced this is an oversight and if the members concerned could contact John Forrest as soon as possible, it would be appreciated. GS spares provides an excellent service to the East Kent Centre and it would be a shame to put this at risk.

• 15th June - Members who have booked into Port Lympne Rally will have to show their Caravan Club Membership Cards to obtain half price entry to the park. There will also be a communal bbq or just bring your dinner on Saturday at 5pm where desserts will be supplied. We will be celebrating Youth President Hollie Burch's birthday on Saturday evening in the party tents, where you can enjoy music from DJ Kev. All are welcome.

• 9th June - The East Kent poem used at the 2003 Christmas rally Click here was penned by Dee Wright, a past Chairman of the Centre, and is depicted on the Centre mugs sold in the Centre shop for many years. Thanks to Peter Newman for passing on the information. I bet he memorised the poem after selling all the mugs in the centre shop for a number of years (Webmaster)

• 8th June - The youth have been kindly donated 2 bikes, all proceeds will go to our chosen charity.  They are both 24” duel suspension with 17” frames, alloy wheels, 18 gears, rear shock and V-brakes.  The girls bike is purple and silver and the boys bike is red and black.  We will be raffling the bikes in a separate raffle which will be drawn at the AGM.  Don’t worry if you are not going to the AGM all names will be put on the tickets along with the preference for boy’s or girl’s bike and the winners will be notified within 14 days of the draw, the winners will also be publicized on the website.  The tickets will be on sale at most rallies between now and the AGM but if you are not able to attend a rally to purchase a ticket please contact any youth council member or committee member and they will organize it for you.

• 7th June - There will be food and refreshments at the Birthday rally. Friday night & Saturday afternoon: Burgers and Hot Dogs will be on sale with the Newmans Arms open for liquid refreshments. Cream Teas will also be on sale during the charity fete on Saturday afternoon.

• 1st June - The National next year is at a new venue, Sledmere Hall near Driffield in East Yorkshire.

• 31st May - After 9 years of dedication serving the centre as Hon Secretary, Brian Mackender has announced that he will be retiring at the AGM. If any member is interested in standing for this position, please contact John Forrest or Brian Mackender who will brief you on what the role of centre secretary  entails.

• 31st May - The East Kent Centre have received a cheque for £19.53 from easyfundraising. Please go to the youth page to see how you can help the youth raise even more money by online shopping.

• 31st May - GS spares will have a full supply of caravan spares and gas at the birthday rally at Folkestone.

• 26th May - Following his Dads footsteps, Craig Bailey has designed a website for his project based learning school assignment. He would like feedback to get extra marks and would appreciate anybody taking time to have a look click here.

• 26th May - The South East Region AGM rally, 12th to 14th November, will be hosted by the East Surrey Centre and the venue is at Oxted School Oxted Surrey RH8 0AB. Booking form will be published by the region nearer the event.

• 26th May - Headcorn Aerodrome 4th to 6th June Opens at 2pm Friday closes 6pm Sunday. Friday night Noggin & Natter.Saturday night "Come fly with me" fancy dress - come dressed as anything that flies eg pilot, trolley dolly, fairy, butterfly. There will be a light hearted quiz and bring and share supper. Sorry, no newspapers at this rally.

• 26th May - Chris Allen is running a cake stall at the Birthday rally and would appreciate any donations, Carol Williams would also like donations for the Tombola stall.

• 24th May - Don't forget to print out the Caravan Clubs great days out vouchers before going on holiday click here. For the Caravan Club online Great Days Out brochure detailing all the attractions click here

• 24th May - The rally fee for Woodchurch 23rd to 25th July that is printed in the rally book is incorrect. The charge for this rally is 1 night £14 and 2 nights £25.

• 19th May - Members of East Kent wish Diana Brown a speedy recovery after having a bad fall and breaking her shoulder where the Humerus goes into the shoulder socket.

• 17th May - More East Kent Centre memorabilia added. Check out the price of the 1978 Dinner and Dance which included wine click here. My personal thanks goes to Marge Wootten who has supplied me with so much East Kent history. Also to Michelle and the kids for having to put up with losing me for hours to the scanner.

• 13th May - Great news from the youth. At their rally 25th to 27th June, they are subsidising further the half price entry into the Port Lympne Wildlife Park for East Kent youth who meet a set criteria, Click here. Further details on this offer will follow shortly.

• 11th May - 44th birthday rally 11th to 13th June, come and join in your centres birthday celebrations at Folkestone. Centre charity fete on Saturday followed by fantastic evening entertainment. Put on your flares and platforms and groove with Good Times 70s & an exciting, fun & nostalgic 80s evening  click here . Great value for the weekend at only £14.17 for 2 nights and social prices are £6.00 adults, £2.00 children or £15.00 Family Ticket (2 adults, 4 children of same family).

• 11th May - Current centre charity fund is currently at £2196, well done to everybody who has supported the Thanet Disabled Riding School and the centre youth section.  

• 11th May - Further details on the Dinner & Dance rally Click here.

• 11th May - Dinner & Dance rally booking form uploaded to fixture page click here

• 10th May - Click here for an East Kent poem used at the Christmas rally in 2003, Poet currently unknown.

• 10th May - East Kent Centre memorabilia page under construction click here. Have you got a piece of East Kent history? Please let the webmaster know.

• 10th May - Youth page updated click here

• 9th May - Paddock wood ( Dinner & Dance) 17th to 19th September has entertainment to suit everybody. Firstly there is the dinner and dance in the luxury setting of the hop farm, dancing the night away to 'unit 5' http://www.unitfive.co.uk/mp3s/music.htm . Book into the rally and save £££s on the entrance into the hop farm http://www.thehopfarm.co.uk/visitor-info/ and the southern model air show www.southernmodelairshow.com Normal 2 day price adult £49 and child £39 - Special rally 2 day admission price is £7 each. There is plenty of room and the rally is open to all members. Full use of site shower and toilet facilities, electric available but restricted to the party tent and emergency use. More details to follow.

• 30th April - April newsletter uploaded to website.

• 25th April - The Youth Rally at Birchington is now fully booked.

• 25th April - Sellindge poster uploaded on website yesterday was incorrect, link to poster has now been corrected.

• 24th April - Click here for details on the caravan club collection at the national motor museum

• 24th April - Sellindge has been extended to finish on Tuesday 1st June. Click here for further details.

• 23rd April - Due to the resignation of the centres charity officer, the youth section who are also raising money for The Thanet Disabled riding school, have agreed to raise all the charity money. Currently East Kent Centre have raised a fantastic sum of £643, so please continue to support the charity and the youth.

• 23rd April - Greatstone Rally 21st to 23rd May. Murder in the Orient supper arrangements have been changed and is now bring and eat your own Chinese meal (or whatever you prefer).  Everybody will eat together in the school hall at approx 6.30 pm on Saturday.  It is NOT bring and share.  This will be followed by the Murder Mystery.

• 19th April - Youth Rally Update - The youth have been organising events for a fun packed May day long weekend for everybodies enjoyment. The following is an update on planned events and requests of support. Family, friends and members not attending with their van will be made very welcome at the charity fete or any time during the weekend. Opening time changed  This rally will now open at 2pm on Friday, please note there will be no newspapers at this rally. Donations  The youth would be grateful for any donations of cakes, empty clean glass jars, plants, tombola prizes, bric-a-brac, and bunting for some of the stalls at the charity fete. May Queen The May Queen competition will be held at 12:30 on Saturday, so dust off those party frocks and come and see if you can be the East Kent Centre May Queen 2010. Disco On Saturday night there will be a disco.  The theme is Loud and Leary so dig out all those Hawaiian shirts and brightly coloured shorts.  There will be a prize for the best dressed boy and girl. Chinese  Auction On  Sunday night there is a Chinese auction, the entry will be a gift for £2.  Please ensure all gifts are new and unused. There is still limited room available, please contact Hollie if you wish to attend.

• 19th April - Click here for further details on the Sellindge steam fair rally 28th to 31st May

• 14th April - If you would like to order a copy of the South London Centre Pantomime DVD, please could you email Michael Holness ASAP as he is about to place an order. Michaels email address is  m_holness@hotmail.com

• 13th April - Gwen Letley is running a Plant stall at the youth rally. Plant donations of any type will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Gwen if you have any plants that you would like to donate.

• 12th April - The webmaster has been informed of a possible Visa & Master card scam that members may be interested in reading about Click here. Although this has not been confirmed, it is plausible and came from a reliable source.

• 12th April - Mike Letley now has a supply of Year Bars which can be collected at £1.00 each or sent to you for £1.25 including postage.

• 11th April - Members of East Kent wish Jean Baldery a speedy recovery after having an operation on her knee.

• 7th April - The Funeral of Maureen Dimmick was well attended today and Ken was pleased so many from East Kent attended.

• 7th April - New guide to marshals booklet downloaded to website click here

• 31st March - Martin Brooman has moved house which means the marshals address for the Faversham Hop Festival 3rd to 5th September is now incorrect. Please do not send any rally slips to the address in the rally book. Please give booking forms directly to Martin at a rally or contact him on the emergency mobile number that is in the book for his new address.

• 31st March - Due to the weather, the Easter rally field is unable to be used. To avoid cancelling this rally, the marshals have negotiated the use of the area around the farm buildings. This may be a little cosy, but the marshals are doing their best at such a late stage.

• 31st March - It is with regret  to announce that Maureen Dimmick passed away on Saturday 20th March. Maureen is the wife of Ken Dimmick who served as centre Hon Secretary for 11 years from 1983 to 1994. Her funeral will take place at The Medway Crematorium on Wednesday 7th April at 11am and afterwards at the Holiday Inn, Chatham. The East Kent centres sincere sympathy goes to Ken and her family at this very sad time. Floral tributes from the family only please. Charitable donations to Cancer Research through T. Allen funeral directors.

• 26th March - The rally due to take place at Yalding over the weekend 7 - 9 May has been moved to Maidstone Girls Grammar School. The Conference cup quiz will now take place in the evening as we have use of the dining hall. Prices - 1 night - £10.05, 2 nights - £17.00. Social charge £1.50 per adult, no charge for children. Directions to the school can be found from the rally on 12 - 14 February.Please see website/noticeboard for any further updates.

• 25th March - Click here for details of the Murder Mystery rally at Greatstone  May 21st to 23rd

• 24th March - Click here for details of the St Georges rally at Lamberhurst  April 16th to 18th

• 22nd March - Click here for details of the August bank holiday rally at Farming World, Faversham August 27th to 30th.

• 21st March - If you are towing in France this year you may be interested in speed changes to the French highway code which also stipulates that 80 and 90 stickers must be displayed by vehicles towing a caravan/trailer where the vehicle has a gross train mass of over 3.5t - or a motorhome that has a gross vehicle weight over 3.5t. Click here for more details

• 21st March - Sue Smith is looking for volunteers to role play in the murder mystery weekend at Greatstone 21st to 23rd May. If you are interested helping Sue, please contact her ASAP.

• 16th March - Care must be taken on Kent Roads when towing a caravan due to the large pot holes.     Click here to see the damage a pot hole caused to a touring caravan.

• 14th March - There are limited electric points available on the October half term holiday rally at Cambridge. These will be assigned on a first come first served basis when booking into the rally.

• 14th March - The main marshals at Sellinge (May 28th to 1st June) has changed to Dave & Jo Edmonds. Please send the booking slips to Dave and Jo, the address can be found listed in the rally book  under Rye (August 13th to 22nd)

• 10th March - There are only a limited number of spaces left at this years youth rally. Contact Hollie ASAP if you wish to attend.

• 10th March - If you are attending the national rally and would like to represent the Centre, please could you contact Darren Burch. The theme for this years decorated float is 'Circus at Weston', please contact John Forrest if you would like to be involved.

• 9th March -  At the Canterbury Rally(19th to 21st March) there will be an "Australian bottle Quiz" that was postponed at New Year. Loosely based on 15 to 1 the entry fee is three full unopened bottles per person. A wrong answer and you will lose one life (bottle) and, depending on the number of entrants, the winners and runners up will share the pool of bottles. If there are 20 players = 60 bottles - 1st place 30 bottles 2nd place 20 bottle 3rd place 10 bottles. Please come prepared.

• 9th March - Members often ask the webmaster if he could advertise an item for sale. Members can do this themselves by going to the 'shop' page and clicking on 'Items for sale / wanted'. Please feel free to use or browse this free service.

• 7th March - New page added - Monthly caravanning tips and knowledge. Click here for a safety demonstration on Caravan Stability.

• 7th March - Prices for the South London invite to Boughton Monchelsea, May 14th to 16th, have been updated on the fixtures page.

• 7th March - Youth rally - The Youth are planning a fun packed rally at Birchington over the May Bank Holiday period 30th Aril to 3rd May. The May queen competition will also be held during the rally, so kids, don't forget your best clothes. This rally is always very popular, and if you are thinking of attending, you are advised to book early to avoid disappointment. If you can't make the whole weekend, they would be delighted to see you at their fete starting at 1pm on Saturday.

• 7th March - Next edition of the newsletter will be out at Canterbury.

• 7th March - Dymchurch - Easter 1st to 5th April is again fully booked.

• 7th March - Photos - More photos for Folkestone Christmas rally and New Year have been received and downloaded to the photo gallery. Please continue to download your photos to the photo gallery, or alternatively email them to the webmaster or give Kevin Bailey a disk.

• 3rd March - Tunstall - A reminder that caravan toilets can not be emptied at this rally. Hall toilets are available all weekend.

• 2nd March - 44th birthday rally - Plans are being finalised for a fun packed birthday rally. Evening entertainment has been booked. Put on your flares and platforms and groove with Good Times 70s & an exciting, fun & nostalgic 80s evening  click here . To help spread the cost over several months, you are reminded that vouchers can be used for this or any other rally. More details will be published as soon as they have been finalised.

• 2nd March - Easter - The programme for Easter has been updated on the fixtures page. There is also an additional social charge of £3 per van for this rally.

• 2nd March - Palm Bay 5 - 7 March - Unfortunately, the additional rally that had been organised at Palm Bay school, Cliftonville  has been cancelled due to lack of numbers. 1st March - Dymchurch - Easter 1st to 5th April. A few extra spaces are available and will be offered on a 1st come 1st served basis. Please contact Derek Horman ASAP if you are interested.

• 25th February - Photo Gallery - There are now close to 900 photos on the East Kent photo gallery for everybody to enjoy. Have you got a photo that you would like to share? Download it now by clicking here

• 25th February - EKC twitter - You can now tweet with other East Kent centre members. Twitter has many uses for both personal and business use. It's a great way to keep in touch with your friends and quickly broadcast information about where you are and what you're up to. For example, "I'm going to a rally this weekend, and it's my birthday. Anyone like to join me for a BBQ on Saturday?" for more information on twitter click here. Click on the twitter icon above to get started.

• 22nd February - Dymchurch - Easter 1st to 5th April is now fully booked.

• 11th February - Due to the bad weather in East Kent, it is regrettable that a decision has been made to contact the school early to cancel the Maidstone valentines rally. All members booked in will be contacted and  money refunded.

• 11th February - If you require a 'year bar plaque', please could you contact Mike Letley.

• 11th February - Congratulations to the immediate past chairman of the East Kent Centre, Darren Charnock, who was elected unopposed as Southern Centres chairman.

• 11th February - We regret to announce Eileen Killick's resignation from the committee for personal reasons. Eileen joined the committee in 2008, taking on the role of charity officer and during this time organised a very successful birthday rally fete and other various activities which raised £2160. We would like to thank her for her contribution to the centre committee and her fundraising efforts over the past 18 months.

• 11th February - For safety reasons, the area around gas bottles will be strictly out of bounds to children. Please could all parents ensure that their children are instructed not to enter the marked off zone that will be placed around the gas bottles.

• 02nd February - January 2010 saw a record number of visitors to the East Kent Centre Website. There were 965 unique visitors in January with the previous best back in July 09 with 785 visitors.

• 02nd February - Palm Bay 5th to 7th March - Programme for additional rally is Saturday 18:30 Fish and chip supper followed at 20:00 Dancing to live entertainer Roy Douglas **Subject to number of vans

• 01st  February - Additional rally 5th to 7th March - Due to Tunstall being full, another venue has been booked at Palm Bay School, Cliftonville. Full details will be posted on the website as soon as they have been finalised. Further details are on the fixtures page.

• 25th January - Attended a good rally and want to thank the marshalling team? Want to share your experiences of rallying with East Kent? Click on the submit thanks and comments tab on the left or Click Here. Please note that this is a free service to East Kent and have no control of the advertising.

• 23rd January - To avoid disappointment, you are advised to book in early to rallies.

• 23rd January - Tunstall 5th to 7th March is now fully booked

• 15th January - New Year photos added to photo gallery

• 14th January - Please note that the email address for AWD that is advertised in the 2010 rally book is incorrect. The correct email address is awdcaravanservicing@live.co.uk

• 11th January - East Kent Centres best wishes goes to Terry McDonald who is currently on the road to recovery from having knee surgery.

• 11th January - South East Region question time - Gatwick Manor. Saturday 20th  March 2010, at 2:00pm. Admission is free but to assist with seating and catering, tickets are required for this event and are limited to 120. Early application is advised, please Click here for further details.

• 9th January - Chantelle Bailey had her operation today and is recovering well. She will be able to return to school in 10 days time. We would like to thank everybody who wished her well.

• 8th January - East Kent have currently raised £32.00 so far for the youth charity by using the East Kent Centre website when shopping online at places like Tesco, Argos, Amazon, Ebay, Comet and M&S. It is totally free and costs you nothing, all you need to do is register and enter the 'shop' of your choice through this website. Up to 2.5% of what you spend will go to the centres charity. Please use the shop tag above to enter the online fundraising page. You can go direct to our fundraising area using this address http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ccekc. If you do not wish to register your own email address, please use user name shop@eastkentcentre.co.uk password abc123.

• 7th January - 2010 interactive rally page completed click here.

• 4th January - Due to the forecasted bad weather at the weekend, it is regrettable that a decision has been made to contact the school early to cancel the Saltwood  rally. All members booked in will be contacted and  money refunded.

• 4th January - Tony Brown is currently recovering from a full knee replacement. He was discharged from hospital on Thursday and is currently hobbling round the house on crutches. He should be able to drive again on 10th Feb.

• 4th January - Xmas at Folkestone photos uploaded click here

• 1st January - 2010 interactive rally page added click here. This page is 80% complete and still being worked on.

• 2009

• 22nd December - There will be no further updates until 1st January. On behalf of officers and committee I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year

• 22nd December - Message from the Chairman- There is an excellent programme of events lined up for next year and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible out rallying and enjoying the family atmosphere which has been created over the years. If you haven't booked in for the New Year rally yet, there is still time to contact our social officer Derek Horman. A full programme has been organised over the five days with a traditional Scottish Hogmanay on New Years Eve. As the year end is fast approaching, Pearl and I would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and happy & prosperous New Year and we look forward to seeing you soon. Best wishes John

• 22nd December - Advance warning - GS spares have informed the centre that as of the 4th January 2010 Calor are increasing their  prices due to the strength of the £ against the USD. All LPG products are purchased in USD.

• 21st December - Message from our German members Kurt & Gertie Munker & family. We wish you and all members of the East Kent Centre we know a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Much to our regret we cannot meet you at Gillingham because we have to work until the 30th so the time to come to see you will be to short. We will try to join a Summer-Rally.

• 21st December - December newsletter uploaded to website

• 20th December - For all the big and little members of the centre, you can track Santa at a great website called Norad. Hope he brings everything you want, and make sure you are in bed and asleep when he arrives. Click here

• 20th December - There will not be gas available at the Addington Xmas Christmas rally.

• 20th December - 2010 East Kent rally programme sponsors downloaded to website click here. The East Kent Centre thank all our sponsors for 2010, without their support, the centre would not be able to offer their rally programme free of charge to the members. Please ensure you mention East Kent when you are dealing with any of our sponsors.

• 20th December - Gas will be available at the Folkestone Christmas rally and the Gilliingham New Year rally. The webmaster is currently waiting confirmation if there will be a supply of gas at the Addington Christmas rally.

• 20th December - Aubrey 'Bomber' Harris  funeral will take place at Barham Crematorium next Tuesday 22/12 at 10am.

• 17th December - Traffic (Top right) and weather (bottom left) widgets added to home page.

• 17th December - Members of East Kent wish Sid Pape a speedy recovery after being admitted to hospital.

• 17th December - It is with regret  to announce that Aubrey 'Bomber' Harris has passed away. His funeral will take place at Barham Crematorium next Tuesday 22/12. The East Kent centres sincere sympathy goes to his wife Jean at this very sad time.

• 16th December - Charity - Since 1998 the East Kent centre have raised a fantastic sum of £49850 which many local and national charities have benefited from. Full details on the history page click here

• 16th December - Hoo Xmas dance photos downloaded. click here

• 15th December - Committee Oompa loompas photo added to committee page. Photo gallery moved to dedicated page. If you have lots of photos of one rally, please send them to the webmaster who will download them to an individual area.

• 14th December - 2009 Dinner & Dance - Darren Charnock would appreciate any photos of this years dinner and dance. Please could you email any photos to darrencharnock@yahoo.co.uk

• 11th December - Click here and here to see the East Kent Officer Elves at work.

• 8th December - New Year eve social prices - £5.00 adult (£6.00 for visitors) and £2.50 Child. Fixture  prices 1 night £8.70, 2 nights £14.40, 3 nights £20.10, 4 nights £25.80 and 5 nights £31.50. The New Year rally will have a 'round the world theme' ending in Scotland for Hogmanay. If you would be interested in running or helping run a themed evening please contact Derek Horman. More information and themed evening prices to follow.

• 8th December - East Kent Charity The Thanet Riding school has their annual carol service which all our members are welcome. This is to take place on 13th December at 2pm at Callis Court Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 3AH and will be followed by tea, cakes and a raffle. 

• 6th December - Addington Xmas rally - There is still one place remaining - If you are interested, please contact Alison Palmer.

• 6th December - Saltwood 8th to 10th January - Social price for St Trinians has been revised – Back to school evening with a packed lunch will be £3 adult and £1.50 child. The fixture Charge remains the same: 1 night - £10.05   2 nights £17.10.

• 2nd December - The dates previously published on the website for Saltwood and Sturry were both wrong and have now been corrected. Saltwood is 8th to 10th January and Sturry is 22nd to 24th January

• 1st December - Saltwood 8th to 10th January - Social price for St Trinians – Back to school! evening will be £6 per outfit. Fixture Charge: 1 night - £10.05   2 nights £17.10.

• 30th November - With the festive period fast approaching, many members will be enjoying themselves at the East Kent Xmas dance,  Xmas rallies and New Year? If you have a great time, why not share your photos on our photo gallery or leave your appreciation on the guestbook? There is a one meg limit for each photo, which you can easily reduce the size of the photo by using the link above. If you have a lot of photos, you can give them to Kevin Bailey on disk.

• 30th November - Youth council photo updated Click here

• 28th November - Click here to take the Youth Presidents puzzle challenge

• 26th November - For members who would like to use the youths 'Penny Post' Click here for the Hoo Xmas dance attendance list.

• 24th November - Boxing day Pantomime - SOLD There are 3 panto tickets available for the Hazlitt theatre in Maidstone on Boxing day. Please contact John Forrest if you are interested in attending click here

• 22nd November - Burns at Sturry 22th to 24th January. Social prices are Adults £4.50 & Children £2.00. Please pay cash on arrival for Social & indicate on booking form whether an alternative to Haggis is required.

• 19th November - Please click here for exciting news if you are attending an East Kent Xmas rally.

• 19th November - Are you shopping online for Xmas presents? You can raise a bit of money for the East Kent Centre charity by using this website to shop online at places like Tesco, Argos, Amazon, Ebay, Comet and M&S. It is totally free and costs you nothing, all you need to do is register and enter the 'shop' of your choice through this website. Up to 2.5% of what you spend will go to the centres charity. Please use the shop tag on the left hand side of this page to enter the online fundraising page. You can go direct to our fundraising area using this address http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ccekc. If you do not wish to register your own email address, please use user name shop@eastkentcentre.co.uk password abc123.

• 18th November - 2010 national rally at Weston Park in Shropshire on 28th May to 1st June can be booked online Click here.

• 18th November - The 2010 rally book will be available to members at the New Year rally. If you want to receive a rally book by post, please send a stamped addressed envelope (A5 + 90p stamp) to Brian Mackender. The interactive rally program will be active on the website from January 1st.

• 18th November - The Christmas “Penny” Post is a tradition in our Centre that our Youth Council will sort & deliver members Xmas cards at the Xmas Dance Rally for a donation to their Charity Fund. Cards may be posted in the Xmas Post box as soon as it appears at the rally, and donations given to the Youth councillors.

• 15 November - An East Kent member sent details of Euro Tunnel day trips for just £15 per car return every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 17th November to 17th December. Click here for further details

• 12 November - There will be a marshals meeting at 10am at the Hoo Christmas rally. The meeting is designed to give all Marshals for the 2010 season an overview of the procedures, including accounts and paperwork. If you are new to marshalling, have many years experience or thinking about running a rally in the future, please try to attend this meeting and share your concerns and experiences.

• 12 November - All members are reminded to respect the marshals and not arrive before the opening time at rallies, especially at schools this time of year. Marshals are not allowed to arrive very early at schools  and results in little time to prepare the site for your arrival. Early arrivals not only causes problems with marshals but results in annoyance to other members who abide by the rule.

• 12 November - The Southern Centres AGM will be held at Churchill School  Westerham  Kent, on Wednesday 20th January and will commence at 7.30PM

• 12 November - The South East Region of The Caravan Club AGM Will be held at St Richards School Bexhill-on-Sea. TN40 1SW, on Saturday 14^th November 2009. Light refreshments will be served prior to the meeting and will commence at 2.30pm. The rally is full, but any member can attend the meeting.

• 10 November - New year eve social prices - £5.00 adult (£6.00 for visitors) and £2.50 Child. Fixture  prices 1 night £8.70, 2 nights £14.40, 3 nights £20.10, 4 nights £25.80 and 5 nights £31.50. The New Year rally will have a 'round the world theme' ending in Scotland for Hogmanay. If you would be interested in running or helping run a themed evening please contact Derek Horman. More information and themed evening prices to follow.

• 10 November - Christmas Dance social prices - £4.50 adult and £2.00 Child. More information to follow.

• 2nd November - Please join the East Kent mailing list if you would like to receive updates by email, please click on the mailing list icon on the left of this page. Your email address will not be sent to any other member or 3rd party organisation.

• 2nd November - Do you fancy having a Christmas away on an East Kent Centre Rally? A vacancy has become available at the Addington Christmas rally, so if you are interested, please contact Alison Palmer as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Click here

• 2nd November - Sellindge Firework Rally Update - On Friday evening from 6pm, there will be a selection of either, Chicken & Mushroom pies, Steak & Kidney pies or Sausages with mash & beans/peas on sale, please bring your plates, knives & forks and chairs to the party tents.

  Sausages, mash and either beans or peas     £2.00

  Pie, mash and either beans or peas                  £2.50 

  On Saturday evening before and after the fireworks, Soup, Hot Dogs and Burgers will be available from the Party Tents. 

  Thick vegetable soup              50p

  Hot Dogs                             £1.40

  Burgers                                £1.40

  Cheeseburgers                   £1.50

   

  Please support the food as the profits go to help paying for the fireworks.

• 22nd October - Sellindge Firework Rally - East Kent are in the final stages of organising the joint bonfire rally with South Essex at The Homestead Sellindge. There is a lot planned for the weekend which includes hot food both Friday and Saturday. Also there will be a Guy making competition (bring own material) As usual, the amount of fireworks depends on the number of vans attending, profits from the hot food and the raffle, so supporting these will make the weekend go with a bigger 'bang'.  If you are planning to attend and have not yet booked in, please contact John Forrest and not rely on the post. Click here for contact details. Brian will not be available next week. Further details on food and prices will be posted on the website next week.

• 19th October - We are pleased to announce that all advertising space for our 2010 rally book has been filled. This achievement  means that we can continue to issue our rally book free to all centre members. Please try to support our advertisers next year and make sure they know where you got the contact from.

• 19th October - The East Kent Centre are pleased to announce that the chosen charity for both the adults and the youth for 2010 is, the Thanet Disabled Riding Centre. Click here for more details.

• 19th October - Chairman's welcome updated.

• 12th October - Chairman's farewell photos click here

• 12th October - Youth president's welcome updated

• 12th October - For details on the Bonfire rally click here

• 12th October - It is regrettable, but the Halloween rally at Swanley has been cancelled due to not being able to replace the marshal.

• 11th October - Youth section news updated click here

• 11th October - New South East region website online click here

• 11th October - Shop page updated

• 11th October - Sports page updated

• 11th October - The webmaster would like to congratulate the charity officer for getting centre members at Mersham to recognise the success of Arsene Wengers 10yrs in charge of Arsenal football club. Eileen managed to raise over £16 for charity and invites all members to the bonfire rally to honour how Arsenal have 'set the premiership alight' with their skill and entertainment :) .

• 11th October - Committee and Contacts page updated

• 11 October - Chairman's welcome under construction

• 11th October - Youth area under construction.

• 8th October - Have you got a favourite CL in the South East Region? Please let your South East Region reps know. email john.forrest@eastkentcentre.co.uk or darrencharnock@yahoo.co.uk

• 8th October - Preview of 2010 holiday rally click here. Please note - No bookings for any 2010 rallies, unless published in the 2009 rally book,  will be taken until January 1st.

• 8th October - October newsletter added click here

• 7th October - 2010 draft rally programme added click here

• 7th October - Would you like to assist a marshal next year? David and Shelley Whitham are looking for assistant marshals to help them run Farming world August bank holiday next year. If you are interested, please give David a call on 07976977131.

• 6th October - Swanley - Final request for a marshal to run the Swanley rally on the 30th October to 1st  November. If nobody comes forward, the rally will have to be cancelled.

• 6th October - New Year venue - The New Year rally will be at New Brompton College in Gillingham. Further details on the fixtures page.

• 4th October - GS spares will have a full supply of caravan spares and gas at the Sellinge bonfire rally.

• 4th October - New year eve social prices - £5.00 adult (£6.00 for visitors) and £2.50 Child. Fixture prices 1 night £8.70, 2 nights £14.40, 3 nights £20.10, 4 nights £25.80 and 5 nights £31.50. The New Year rally will have a 'round the world theme' ending in Scotland for Hogmanay. If you would be interested in running or helping run a themed evening please contact Derek Horman. More information and themed evening prices to follow.

• 4th October - Christmas Dance social prices - £4.50 adult and £2.00 Child. More information to follow.

• 4th October - Allocation of party tents - If you require one or more of the party tents, please arrange this with Peter Smith. It is best to arrange this as soon as you know that you will need them to avoid disappointment. Even if there is no other rally on at the same time as yours, East Kent sometimes lends them to other centres.Tel : 01227 471325 or 07749892190 email - peter.smith@eastkentcentre.co.uk

• 4th October - Elected members for 2009/10  Chairman - John Forrest   Vice Chairman - Derek Horman  Hon Sec - Brian Mackendar Treasurer - Chris Allen Fixture Sec - Gary Fisher Committee Press & Public Relations - Kevin Bailey Publications - Becky Watson Social - Margaret Kinchin Charity - Eileen Killick Centre Equipment - Peter Smith Sport - Darren Burch Youth - Carol Williams Saleable Equipment - Mike Letley

•  4th October - Elected Youth for 2009/10 President - Hollie Burch Vice President - Rachael Fisher  Secretary - Craig Bailey Council - Ricky Bailey (Events), Jordon Oliver (Events), Samantha Edmonds (Events), Georgina Edmonds (Web & Newsletter), Callum Burch (Sports), Katy Gisby (Charity) and Molly White (Sports). Co-opted - Ashley Oliver (Sports)

• 27th September - Thank you - The youth would like to say a big thank you to everybody who has helped them raise £2102.22 towards their charity, the St John Ambulance and £503.41 towards their events fund. Also a really big thank you to everybody who attended the harvest rally or who sent donations. A fantastic sum of £220 was raised for the adult charity fund, which is also the St John Ambulance.

• 27th September - There will be a marshals meeting in the morning of the Christmas dance rally. The meeting is designed to give all Marshals for the 2010 season an overview of the procedures, including accounts and paperwork. If you are new to marshalling, have many years experience or thinking about running a rally in the future, please try to attend this meeting and share your concerns and experiences.

• 27th September - Would you like to spread the cost of caravanning with the East Kent Centre? Stuck on what to buy a fellow East Kent Member for their birthday or a thanks? .................Why not consider buying the £5 gift vouchers? For more information see the July newsletter on page 10 click here

• 27th September - Reminder - The youth AGM is at 13:30. All youth of East Kent members parents are invited - Youth between 10 & 18 are allowed to speak at the meeting (Adults invited to show support but not allowed to contribute). The Annual General Meeting of the East Kent Centre will start at 15:00. Members must show their membership cards when attending the meeting in order to contribute to the meeting.

• 10th September - ****Dinner & Dance important information**** - Due to access issues to Stile Farm, the rally has been relocated to Howfield Lane, Chartham. The good news is that it is in walking distance to the dinner and dance venue. A really big thank you to Gary Fisher for finding an alternative venue at short notice. The marshals will be in contact with all attendees next week, however the directions are as follows -From Canterbury -  Follow signs for A28 Ashford. Drive through Wincheap crossing the A2 near Morrisons, and continue through Thanington. At the roundabout take the last exit to continue on the A28. Immediately after the roundabout you will go over the  river and the railway, then the road bends around to the left. You will see a Howfield Manor sign in the trees on your right hand side and Howfield Lane is the first turning on the right. Turn into Howfield Lane. From Ashford and the M20 - At Chilham, the A28 joins the A252 heading towards Canterbury. Go past Chartham on your right and continue towards Canterbury. When you see a number of stores and dealerships, including the Wyevale Garden Centre, the Volvo dealership and Brownhills Campervans, slow down and prepare to turn left into Howfield Lane, signposted to Chartham Hatch. From the M2 and A2 from London You cannot join the A28 from the A2 coming from the north west (Faversham, London), although it might look as if you can on a map.                Postcode CT4 7HG.  Click here for map. The site will be well signposted off the A28.

• 10th September - Thank you - The youth would like to say a big thank you to everybody who has helped them raise £2506 so far this year. £2047 towards their charity, the St John Ambulance and £459 towards their events fund.

• 10th September - Mersham rally 9th to 11th October is now fully booked.

• 7th September - Sausage and bacon butties will be served at around 10:30 at the dinner and dance rally. £1.25 each with profits going to the youth events fund. Please indicate numbers on arrival.

• 1st September - Ricky Bailey would like photos of any of the  East Kent youth enjoying themselves at any of this years rallies for the AGM Powerpoint presentation. Please could you email any photos direct to rickyjbailey@blueyonder.co.uk . Any photos sent will not appear in any publication (Unless requested).

• 1st September - Directions and map to Dinner and Dance added to fixtures page. Rally opens at 4PM Friday and closes at 5PM Sunday.

• 27th August - Want to buy or sell an item, you could try the facility on this website. Click on the shop link then on Items 'For sale' / 'Wanted'

• 27th August - Can you help? The committee would like to continue issuing the rally book free of charge to all EKC members. To achieve this, advertisers must be found to cover the printing costs which continue to increase. This is proving very difficult this year with only two confirmed companies.  If any member knows of a company which may benefit from advertising in our 2010 rally book, please contact Kevin Bailey or any other committee member.

• 27th August - The dates and times for nomination forms to be handed in are as follows - Youth to Rachael Fisher  by 1:30pm Saturday 19th September 2009. Youth are eligible to stand if their immediate family are East Kent members and they have attended 5 or more rallies in the current season.  To stand for council, youth need to be between their 10th  & 18th birthday  and to stand for office, youth need to be between their 12th and 18th birthday. Executive office or committee to Brian Mackender by 3:00pm Saturday 19th September 2009. Notices of motion must be received in writing to Brian Mackender by Saturday 29th August.

• 27 August - Please remember that the dinner and dance and Penny Springs rally have swapped weekends. Penny Springs is now 11th to 13th September and the Dinner and Dance is 18th to 20th September

• 27 August - Hope you all had a good summer holiday. Why not download some holiday photos onto the photo gallery to show everybody what you got you to.

• 30th July - Brian Mackender had his right knee replaced today. They offered Brian an earlier date for his surgery, it went well and he is in good spirit. He is currently in the William Harvey hospital and can be contacted on his mobile phone.

• 30th July - East Kent have currently raised £20.00 so far for charity by using the East Kent Centre website when shopping online at places like Tesco, Argos, Amazon, Ebay, Comet and M&S. It is totally free and costs you nothing, all you need to do is register and enter the 'shop' of your choice through this website. Up to 2.5% of what you spend will go to the centres charity. Please use the shop tag on the left hand side of this page to enter the online fundraising page. You can go direct to our fundraising area using this address http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ccekc. If you do not wish to register your own email address, please use user name shop@eastkentcentre.co.uk password abc123.

• 30th July - Click here for details on the harvest rally at Lydden farm, 25th to 27th September.

• 30th July - Bob Watt would like to thank everyone who attended the Whitfield Rally for helping him celebrate his 60th birthday. He hopes everybody enjoyed the “surprise” party as much as he did.

• 30th July - Thank you - The youth would like to say a big thank you to everybody who has helped them raise £2211.21 so far this year. £1808.88 towards their charity, the St John Ambulance and £402.21 towards their events fund. 

• 26th July - Children's price for the harvest supper (25th to 27th September) will be £1.00 each

• 26th July - The website is due to take a well earned break and will not be updated between 1st August and 28th August. Please ensure any updates is sent before this date.

• 26th July - East Kent members wish Brian Mackender best wishes and a speedy recovery for his knee replacement surgery. Brian will be going into hospital on Sunday. Best wishes also goes to Mary Mulligan who has been restricted to her bed for the past few weeks with suspected kidney stones.

• 26th July - Guide to marshals updated. click here

• 26th July - Due to the previous news regarding natural England, the EKC booking slip has been amended and the committee request that all members should start using this one ASAP. Thank you for your support. Click here for the updated booking form.

• 26th July - July newsletter downloaded to website click here

• 20th July - Equipment requisition form added to info to marshals / equipment page click here

• 20th July - Peter and Sue Smith have a fold up green chair that does not belong to them and have lost one very similar at the Painters Forstal rally. Please could you check that you have not picked up the wrong one by mistake.

• 19th July - Gary Fisher is now looking for marshals to run rallies in 2010...

• 19th July - Mike & Gwen Letley have a problem with their tow car and are looking for another one to buy before their holiday. If you know of any reliable cars that are currently for sale, please contact them on 01795 537867.

• 7th July - If you are attending an EKC Christmas rally Click here for important information.

• 7th July - Calor gas - New ruling from calor gas means that you are now unable to interchange 6kg and 13kg bottles of propane and 7kg and 15kg bottles of Butane.

• 7th July - The nomination forms for the youth AGM will be available from Southern centres. If you are between 10 & 18 on the date of the youth AGM, and have attended over 5 rallies, please click here for more details

• 7th July - Longleat 14th to 19th August - The marshals would like to let everybody attending this rally that no pup tents are allowed to be erected (Longleat estate ruling). The marshals will be organising a communal BBQ on Saturday evening.

• 7th July - Due to the change in dates of the Norfolk holiday rally, the youth are unable to marshal the Halloween rally at Swanley. If anybody is interested in marshalling this weekend, please contact Gary Fisher. Venue can be changed if required.

• 7th July - The Norfolk half term holiday rally is now full. Contact the marshals if you wish to go on the waiting list

• 23 June - The Christmas rally at Addington is now fully booked.

• 22 June - Thank you - The youth would like to say a big thank you to everybody who has helped them raise £2035.72 so far this year. £1699.51 towards their charity, the St John Ambulance and £336.21 towards their events fund. 

• 22 June - Peter Newman and Ian Boughton would like to thank everybody who sponsored and supported them on the London to Brighton bike ride. On behalf of the officers, committee and members of the centre, congratulations to both of you and hope you are not too sore.

• 16th June - Longleat - Please use the coach entrance and not the car entrance when attending the Longleat rally 14th to 19th August.

• 16th June - An additional rally has been organised on the 19th to 23rd of August at Ivymwead farm in Margate. For further details please go to the fixtures page.

• 16th June - The youth had planned to arrange a tea and cake afternoon at Ramsgate before it was cancelled. They are now going to hold this event at Stockbury, and would be grateful for any cake donations at this rally.

• 16th June - Click here for details and booking form for the 2009 Dinner & Dance. Members are reminded that this rally is also open to those who do not wish to attend the Dinner & Dance. The party tents will be available for evening entertainment for those who remain on site.

• 16th June - Click here for details on the Penny Springs rally 11th to 13th September. The dates for this rally has changed from what is printed in the rally book.

• 15th June - Natural England (click here) controls the caravan clubs exemption certificate. They are the organisation who have insisted that we fly the red flag and they are also showing an interest in centre rallies which should only be attended by caravan club members. Failure could result in the Caravan Club losing their exemption certificate. The East Kent centre committee take this threat seriously and are requesting that all members attending an East Kent rally should carry their membership card and be prepared to show it on request.

• 15th June - Thank you - Eileen Killick and the committee would like to thank everybody who attended the birthday rally and made it a huge success. The total raised for the St John ambulance was £1107, which is fantastic.

• 15th June - Thank you - Darren Burch would like to thank everybody who helped or/and took part in the sports at this years national.

• 15th June - The next EKC at Ramsgate has unfortunately had to be cancelled, however East Kent have accepted South Londons invitation to join them at Birchington for the Thanet air show. Click here for more details. Please contact Mark Sinclair-Watson direct for more details.

• 15th June - Officers, committee and members of the centre send their best wishes to Wendy Luxford who is recovering from surgery after having a very large tumour removed from a kidney.  Wendy is in the Kent and Canterbury hospital at present and has had a very bad few days, however it looks as if she has now turned the corner and is recovering. We all look forward to seeing Wendy & Mike back caravanning soon.

• 9th June - The funeral of Peter Dent will take place at 12:00 on Wednesday 17th June at Barham crematorium (click here) and afterwards at Sturry Road Social club, East Street, Canterbury (Click here). It is requested that there is no black ties or flowers. Peters wish was that any money collected should be split between the Parklands resource centre (Grandson Bens youth charity last year) and Braborne Ward (Oncology) at the Kent and Canterbury hospital. Please make cheques payable to Marion Dent and send to Gary Fisher, and they will ensure the money is split accordingly. Gary's address can be found in the current rally book.

• 9th June - Sports page updated with 2009 National sports photos (click here)

• 6th June - It is with regret  to announce that Peter Dent  lost his fight to cancer and passed away today. Peter along with Marion  attended their first rally with East Kent at Sellinge in May 2004 and enjoyed many rallies since. They also introduced their family Gary, Nicky, Ben and Rachael Fisher to rallying and they have all supported the centre with Marion & Gary on committee and Ben and Rachael on the youth. The East Kent centres sincere sympathy goes to Marion and family at this very sad time. Funeral arrangements are currently unknown, but  the website will be updated as soon as the details are known. 

• 31st May - East Kent have currently raised £17.34 so far for charity by using the East Kent Centre website when shopping online at places like Tesco, Argos, Amazon, Ebay, Comet and M&S. It is totally free and costs you nothing, all you need to do is register and enter the 'shop' of your choice through this website. Up to 2.5% of what you spend will go to the centres charity. Please use the shop tag on the left hand side of this page to enter the online fundraising page. You can go direct to our fundraising area using this address http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ccekc. If you do not wish to register your own email address, please use user name shop@eastkentcentre.co.uk password abc123.

• 31st May - The Maidstone River festival weekend (24th to 26th July) will now open on Thursday 23rd July at 3pm. There is no charge for this extra night.

• 19th May - Dave Wilson recently stayed on Rex Goodbans CL and is walking around England in aid of Cancer Research. He is a Caravan Club member, and is sponsored by the Caravan Club. He is currently in the East Kent area, walking from Ramsgate to Whitstable. Please go to www.davesbigwalk.com for further info. 

• 19th May - Margaret Kinchin would be grateful for wrapped tombola prizes for the birthday rally.

• 18th May - Faversham Birthday Rally 12th-14th June. - Plans for the birthday rally are in the final stages. Charity fete in aid of the St John ambulance starting at 2pm on Saturday. Other events include Bouncy Castle/slide for kids, Newman's Arms, burgers and hotdogs, alternative beauty pageant and the Saturday  finale is an ABBA tribute evening (click here). Not booked in yet?? Don't worry, there is still room. Don't want to get the van out?? Don't worry, the committee would be delighted to welcome you to their charity fete or/and the ABBA tribute evening. Social £6.00 Adults, £2.00 Children, £15.00 Family ticket 2Adults 4Children (same family).

• 18th May - May newsletter added to newsletter page

• 4th May - Longleat 14 - 19 August - Contact number for marshal 07906065567

• 4th May - Teaspoons - The youth would like any donations of teaspoons for their tea & coffee. If you have any odd ones that you do not need please let David and Shelley Whittam know.

• 4th May - Click here for details on the River Festival Event being held on 24th to 27th July

• 4th May - Sellindge steam rally 22nd to 26th May - The Post Code is TN25 6HH and not TN25 6HT as in the book. Free entertainment has been organised in the party tent for Saturday evening. Terry & Fred straight from La's Birchington................. Please bring your own jokes.

• 27th April - Ann Saunders gets gunged at the youth rally click here

• 27th April - The funeral of Raye Bunt will take place at 1230 on the 5th May at Hawkinge and afterwards at the Oddfellows Club at Cheriton.

• 26th April - Thank you - The youth would like to thank everybody who attended their youth rally at Linton. They are excited to announce that they have raised the sum of £1030 for their charity, The St John Ambulance.

• 26th April - The Detling caravan show rally 1st to 4th May has been cancelled at short notice. An alternative rally at Nightingale farm, Yalding has been arranged. Cost of the rally is 1 night £8.75, 2 nights £14.50 and 3 nights £20.25. Please contact Brian East for further details.

  • Directions are as follows - From Maidstone on A26 in Wateringbury Turn L onto B2015, After approx 3 ½ miles turn L onto B2162 sp Yalding Site on R in approx 2 ½ miles ( ¼ ml past B2010 jct) Follow EKC signs. Click Here

  • Rally opens at 2pm on 1st May and closes at 6pm on 4th May

• 23rd April - Youth rally - Entry to the rally field will be by turning round in the yard opposite. Do not try to turn left into the field.

• 22nd April - Rhodes Minnis  - Rally book instructions state turn into White House Lane, but should read  White Horse Lane.

• 21st April - Detling motor home show - Entertainment for the weekend will be Paul Gee on Saturday and Keith Ryder on Sunday.

• 21st April - It is with regret  to announce that Raye Bunt suddenly and un-expectantly passed away on Sunday. Raye along with husband Cyrle attended their first rally with East Kent at Sellinge in May 2004 and enjoyed many rallies since. The East Kent centres sincere sympathy goes to Cyrle and family at this very sad time. Funeral arrangements are currently unknown, but  the website will be updated as soon as the details are known. 

• 20th April - Ray Hurley has had his second knee operation two weeks ago and hopes to be driving in four weeks time. Beryl Hurley is now recovered from her back operation. They send their friends and fellow ralliers their good wishes and hope to be on the rally field soon.

• 18th April - click here for details on the Painters Forstal rally 3rd to 5th July.

• 18th April - The  youth would be grateful for any donations of cakes and wrapped tombola prizes for some of the stalls they are organising at their youth rally.

• 16th April - Only one more week left before the youth rally. Not booked in yet?? Don't worry, there is still room. Don't want to get the van out?? Don't worry, the youth would be delighted to welcome you to their charity fete starting at midday on Saturday.

• 16th April - Gwen Letley has requested that if anyone who took photos at Saltwood, would they put them in the gallery or send them to her. Gwen is building a CD of everything that happened at Saltwood and it would be great if every one who took photos were given the opportunity to contribute to the CD. Gwen would be more than willing to give them a copy when it's completed.

• 16th April - Mike & Gwen Letley are assistant Marshall's at the Sellindge Steam Rally.

• 7th April - The youth would like to thank everybody who have supported them this year. They have currently raised a little over £680 towards their charity and events funds. They are looking forward to running their rally at Linton on the 24th April, and hope to see as many members as possible there. If you haven't booked in, the rally is only £12.40 for the weekend with no social charge.

• 7th April - East Kent have currently raised £7.79 (click here to see details) so far for charity by using the East Kent Centre website when shopping online at places like Tesco, Argos, Amazon, Ebay, Comet and M&S. T. It is totally free, all you need to do is register and enter the 'shop' of your choice through this website. Up to 2.5% of what you spend will go to the centres charity. Please use the shop tag on the left hand side of this page to enter the online fundraising page. You can go direct to our fundraising area using this address http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ccekc. If you do not wish to register your own email address, please use user name shop@eastkentcentre.co.uk password abc123.

• 7th April - You can also raise funds for the centre charity when you search the Web - with easysearch, a search engine with a difference! When you search the Web with easysearch instead of Google or any other search engine, you’ll raise funds for EKC with every search you make! Just like easyfundraising it’s completely free to use and if you make just 10 searches a day, East Kent could raise £20 a year - or more - for the centre charity,  just by switching to easysearch. Check out our unique easysearch page at http://ccekc.easysearch.org.uk and use it every time you search the Web.

• 7th April - Gas will be available at Saltwood from Friday

• 5th April - Saltwood Social charge for this rally is £5.60 per van to be paid on arrival.

• 5th April - Youth rally Linton If you have any bunting that the youth can borrow, please could you bring it to the rally or contact Ricky Bailey. Also, youth attending this rally are requested to bring wellies if they would like to take part in the fun sponsored assault course.

• 5th April - Stelling MInnis click here if you are attending this rally for advance details of planned activities

• 18th March - East Kent History in photos currently under construction click here

• 18th March - Social price for the superheroes evening at Maidstone on 27th to 29th March is £3 per Adult and £1 per child.

• 17th March - Jim would like to thank everybody who donated money towards cancer research at Mel Smiths funeral. A fantastic amount of £547.25 was collected.

• 16th March - Past chairmen page currently under construction click here

• 16th March -  It is with regret  to announce that Frank Wigmore passed away on Thursday 26th February at the QEQM hospital. His funeral was today at the Thanet crematorium.

• 9th March - The Youth are planning a fun packed weekend at Linton on 24th to 26th April. They are hiring an inflatable slide and gunge tank so would like to see as many youth attend as possible. Why not bring your grandchildren, Nephew and Nieces, cousins or friends? click here for more details. The May queen (and possibly King) competition will also be held at this rally, so kids, don't forget your best clothes.

• 9th March -  Information on the Saltwood Easter rally click here

• 5th March - Two past East Kent chairmen will take part in the 2009 London to Brighton Bike Ride. If you would like to sponsor them and send them a good luck message you can do so securely and easily by clicking on the link to the past Chairman’s sponsorship page:- www.justgiving.com/teameastkent

• 5th March - Jim would like to thank all those who  asked after Mel during the last three years whilst she was waging her fight against Cancer. In particular Jim and the family would like to thank everyone for their cards of condolence and especially those who were able to attend Mels recent funeral. Mel was an inspiration to her many friends and she will be remembered best for her bright and bubbly personality.
  Jim will be joining us on the Rally Field again later in the year.

• 27th February - EKC Juke box added click here. Listen to some music whilst browsing the web and request tracks to go onto the EKC play list.

• 26th February - February newsletter downloaded click here

• 25th February - The Easter rally at Ebernoe has been cancelled due to no marshals. The national follow on at Rutland water 26th to 31st May will also be cancelled shortly if no marshals come forward. If you are interested in running this rally, please contact Gary Fisher ASAP.

• 24th February - Team 'CC' will take part in the 2009 London to Brighton Bike Ride. Click here to find out more. The South East Region would be most grateful if you will kindly show your heart of gold by sponsoring Team CC for this event.  You can do so securely and easily by clicking on the link to the Club Chairman’s sponsorship page:-http://www.justgiving.com/grenvillechamberlainCC

• 23rd February - The Ruckinge rally 2nd to 7th June is now full. Please contact Tony Beaney if you would like to be added to the waiting list. There is not an alternative rally planned for this weekend.

• 20th February - Congratulations to Joanne Upton (now Rutter) East Kent youth president in 1997, who gave birth to a baby girl. Katherine Grace was born on 3rd February weighing 5lb 7lb. Joanne and Katherine are both doing well and have made Pat and Ray Upton very proud Grandparents.

• 19th February - Minster rally 6th to 8th March - The bad news is the sports hall will not be available on Saturday night. The good news is that we have been offered the warmer gymnasium, and we are in consultation to have a hall for the Friday & Sunday. Please note we will have to supply our own tables and chairs and wear suitable foot wear.

• 19th February - Click here for details on the River Festival Event being held on 24th to 27th July

• 19th February - The French holiday rally at Chef Boutonne is now fully booked

• 17th February - Click here for details on the Southern Centres extravaganza and booking form. This rally is being held at the Laughton show ground in East Sussex over the August bank holiday period. Book early to avoid disappointment.

• 8th February - The marshals at Hoo (valentines) are organising a swimming trip at around 1pm on Saturday. If you are interested please remember your swimming costumes and let the marshals know you wish to attend when you arrive. Youth under 16 are able to swim free of charge.

• 6th February - Funeral arrangements - The funeral of Mel Smith will take place at 10am on Wednesday 18th February at Thanet crematorium. No Flowers or morbid clothes please. The family wish this to be a joyful occasion. Donations to cancer research UK via funeral directors A Walsh 94 Station Road Herne Bay. Click here for directions

• 4th February - It is with regret  to announce that Mel Smith sadly lost her fight against cancer and passed away peacefully yesterday. The East Kent centres sincere sympathy goes to her partner Jim and family at this very sad time. Funeral arrangements are currently unknown, but  the website will be updated as soon as the details are known. 

• 3rd February - Do you shop online at places like Tesco, Argos, Amazon, Ebay, Comet and M&S? You can now raise money for the centres charity by using the East Kent Centre website when shopping online. The East Kent Centre website have teamed up with easyfundraising.org.uk to raise money using over 600 shopping websites. It is totally free, all you need to do is register and enter the 'shop' of your choice through this website. Up to 2.5% of what you spend will go to the centres charity. Please use the shop tag on the left hand side of this page to enter the online fundraising page. You can go direct to our fundraising area using this address http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ccekc. If you do not wish to register your own email address, please use user name shop@eastkentcentre.co.uk password abc123

• 3rd February - You can raise funds for the centre charity when you search the Web - with easysearch, a search engine with a difference! When you search the Web with easysearch instead of Google or any other search engine, you’ll raise funds for EKC with every search you make! Just like easyfundraising it’s completely free to use and if you make just 10 searches a day, you could raise £20 a year - or more - for the centre charity,  just by switching to easysearch. Check out our unique easysearch page at http://ccekc.easysearch.org.uk and use it every time you search the Web.

• 31st January - New host up and running. Thank you to all who have fed back issues, hopefully they have all been resolved. The photo gallery has been increased to hold 2000 photos, so please download all your photos to share with fellow members.

• 24th January - Advertisers page added - See above

• 24th January - Centre equipment page added to info for marshals

• 22nd January - If you are running a rally next year and are planning to use one or more party tents, please can you arrange this with Darren Charnock as soon as possible.

• 21st January - The website host has been changed to increase the size and ease of maintaining . Unfortunately there may be some links that do not work on the new host. If you do have a problem, please let Kevin Bailey know.

• 20th January - If you have an old caravan aerial that you do not require please could you let David Whittam know on 07976977131.

• 19th January - All updates to the 2009 rally book can be found by clicking on the fixtures icon. It is a good idea to check this page before booking or attending a rally.

• 18th January - The Youth council would like to thank everybody at Tunstall who helped them raise £102 towards their Event and charity funds.

• 18th January - If you would not like yourself or any member of your family to appear on the website, newsletter or any other East Kent media, please could you put this request in writing to Brian Mackendar.

• 18th January - If you own a croquet set or a fete game that has loads of keys and one lock to open, please could you contact Kevin Bailey as he would like to borrow it for the Minster rally.

• 18th January - If you have booked into the national and are interested in participating in any of the planned activities, please let Darren Burch know.

• 18th January - Darren Burch is organising a netball practice shoot at the Sturry burns rally

• 18th January - Cliftonville rally 13th to 15th March is now fully booked. There is second rally this weekend in Canterbury, which is the West Kent invite to their dinner and dance. Please contact Janet & Pip Hill for further details

• 16th January - Message from Marion Dent and Nicky Fisher - Peter Dent is in remission and was discharged from hospital on the 15th January. He is going to be an outpatient for a while and then in 10 days he will start his next phase of treatment. He will be in Brabourne for 3 weeks in isolation. The outlook is good. Thank you to everyone for your cards and get well wishes.

• 10th January - Plaque brochure link added in info for marshals page.

• 10th January - Invitation........Don't be late, for a very important date. If your feeling MAD, you'll be very GLAD to book into the Alice in Wonderland themed rally at Minster on 6th to 8th March. Come in foolish attire for all to admire.

• 8th January - New page added to website (see above) to resize your digital camera photos so that they can be downloaded to the photo gallery. It is also very useful for resizing photos if you want to send them by email.

• 7th January - Valentines rally 13th to 15th February at Hoo. Social prices for the valentines prom are £4 for adults and £2 for children.

• 5th January - December Newsletter added click here

• 3rd January - Fancy a breakfast at Tunstall click here

• 2nd January - Chairman's welcome updated.

• 2nd January - To avoid disappointment, you are advised to book in early to rallies.

• 2nd January - This website has been designed to give members the latest information on your centre. If you have any suggestions to improve the website please contact Kevin Bailey. If you require further details on a rally that you are about to attend, please contact the rally marshal who will be pleased to help.

• 2nd January - Future Marshals - If you have any updates or information on your rally, please email Kevin Bailey so he can update the website or send out an email to the mailing list.

• 2nd January - Enjoyed your time at the Xmas rallies and New Year? Why not share your photos on our photo gallery or leave a comment on the guestbook? There is a one meg limit for each photo, which you can easily reduce the size of the photo by using Microsoft office picture manager and following these instructions click here. If you have any problems, contact Kevin Bailey.

• 1st January - 2009 interactive rally list added click here

• 2008

• 23rd December - Officers, Committee and their families wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

• 23rd December - The website will not be updated again until January 1st.

• 19th December - Message from Marion Dent and Nicky Fisher - Peter Dent has been taken into hospital this week following his recent illness, tests have shown he has Leukaemia. Peter is going to start a course of Chemotherapy on Monday. He cannot receive visitors at present because he must be in a sterile environment. If anyone would like to send cards they can send these to Peter at Brabourne Ward, Kent & Canterbury hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG. Please do not send flowers as these are not permitted............. It goes without saying that the EKC members thoughts are with Peter, Marion, Nicky, Gary, Ben and Rachael at this time.

• 14th December - Scroll down on this page to see 'What happened today in history'

• 13th December - The committee have decided that due to the 2009 rally book already at the printers and the likelihood that VAT will be raised again, profit on rallies due to the decrease will be split between the adult and youth charity funds.

• 13th December - Gary Fisher is organising a trip to River Valley golf course in Upchurch on New Years Eve morning. Please contact Gary if you would like to round the year off with a game.

• 13th December - Several members have expressed a desire to dress up for the masked New Year Eve event. After discussing this at the last committee meeting, it was decided that the committee would wear dinner jackets (and hopefully trousers) to assure those wishing to dress for the occasion, that they would not be alone.

• 9th December - It has been reported that the East Kent website on some web browsers is not working correctly. This hopefully has been rectified, but if you are having problems please report them to Kevin Bailey. The website is best viewed using Microsoft internet explorer set to medium text.

• 8th December- You can download more than one photo at a time to the photo gallery. It is really easy, give it a go. Click on the photo gallery tab (on the left of this page), Click on public upload, Click on select photos, find where your photo is stored on your pc and double click. When you have downloaded the first photo, just click again on select photo/s. When you have finished selecting all the photos, click on finish uploading photos. There is a one meg limit for each photo, which you can easily reduce the size of the photo by using Microsoft office picture manager and following these instructions click here. If you have any problems, contact Kevin Bailey.

• 8th December - The youth would like to thank everybody for their donations towards the penny post. You helped them raise £63 towards their chosen charity.

• 8th December - The two spare panto tickets have been claimed, thank you.

• 7th December - Tunstall rally 16th to 18th January is now fully booked. There is second rally this weekend in Canterbury, Langton boys school. The rally is in an ideal location to grab a bargain in the January sales, and there will be a quiz on Saturday evening. Please contact Peter Newman for further details

• 2nd December - John Forrest has two spare panto tickets for boxing day at the Hazlitt in Maidstone. Please contact John if you are interested in attending.

• 26th November - Jane Leslie funeral arangements are as follows : Tuesday 9 December 11.20 at Pitsea Crematory.  This is on the old A13 between Pitsea and Sadlers farm roundabouts. The family have requested that everyone is welcome afterwards at St Thomas Moore Hall in Hadleigh.  No flowers, donations to Little Havens Hospice via the undertakers F W Alden, 101 London Road, Benfleet.

• 23rd November - 2009 national rally at Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire can be booked online Click here. Booking forms are also available from Brian Mackender.

• 23rd November - The 2009 rally book will be available to members at the New Year rally. If you want to receive a rally book by post, please send a stamped addressed envelope (A5 + 66p stamp) to Brian Mackender. The interactive rally program will be active on the website from January 1st.

• 22nd November - The East Kent centre send their condolences to the South Essex Centre and the family of  Jane Leslie, wife of their Hon Secretary Alan, who died suddenly today.                                                                                                                 

• 18th November - New Years Eve has a masked theme, but is not a Ball. All sorts of Masks can be worn and there will be a prize for the best designed or originality.

• 17th November - Committee minutes updated Click here

• 17th November - October newsletter downloaded to website Click here

• 16th November - The Christmas “Penny” Post is a tradition in our Centre that our Youth Council will sort & deliver members Xmas cards at the Xmas Dance Rally for a donation to their Charity Fund. Cards may be posted in the Xmas Post box as soon as it appears at the rally, and donations given to the Youth councillors.

• 16th November - 2009 August bank holiday weekend, Southern Centres are running a rally at the Laughton show ground in Lewes, East Sussex. Our centre reps are working very hard on behalf of our centre and the draft programme looks very exciting. Please consider this rally when booking your holidays.

• 16th November - If you hold a current first aider certificate or a food hygiene certificate, please could you let Brian Mackender know

• 16th November - We would like to wish Becky Watson a speedy recovery after breaking her foot at the committee meeting. Our centres meetings are not usually this aggressive !!!

• 9th November - Please send Becky any articles that you wish published in the centres newsletter ASAP.

• 3rd November - The South East Region rally at Maidstone 14th to 16th November is now full. If you are not attending with your van, you are invited to the free buffet at 12 noon. The AGM follows at 2pm.

• 3rd November - Please remember to use the photo gallery to share your rally photos.

• 2nd November - The youth would like to thank everybody who attended the Halloween rally at Hoo. They raised £125 for their charity, St John Ambulance.

• 2nd November - Steve Wren has now left hospital and is comfortable at home

• 25th October - Steve Wren requires further surgery on his back due to a screw touching a nerve and this will take place on Monday. He is currently not enjoying his extended stay in Medway hospital and would be grateful for any phone calls to help pass the time - 07813903946

• 18th October - We are pleased to announce that the last advert has been received and filled all advertising space for our 2009 rally book. This achievement  means that we can continue to issue our rally book free to all centre members. Please try to support our advertisers next year and make sure they know where you got the contact from.

• 18th October - The Christmas rally at Addington is now full.

• 15th October - South Essex are in their final stages of organising the joint bonfire rally at Barley Lands Farm near Basildon. They have a lot planned for the weekend which includes hot food and Guy making competition (bring own material) , but as usual, the amount of fireworks depends on the number of vans attending. If you are planning to attend, please send a rally form to the marshals, and you are reminded that due to South Essex rules, no payment is required until arrival.

• 15th October - Steve Wren is comfortable in hospital after having major surgery  on his lower back this week. He will be spending some time in Pembroke ward at Medway hospital. He is allowed calls to his mobile, and would love to hear from centre members.

• 15th October - Andy and Alison Palmer would like to thank everyone who gave us their thanks and good wishes over the AGM weekend, it was quite overwhelming, we would like to wish Gary & Nicola (and all the new committee) good luck, and assure them of our help whenever they need it. As for the ralliers, we will still be rallying (& marshalling) over the coming year and hope to see all of you

• 9th October - Committee, Youth and sports photos updated

• 6th October - New committee members - Please contact Kevin Bailey with phone numbers and email addresses to be published on the website contacts page.

• 5th October - Committee page updated

• 5th October - Youth page updated

• 5th October - The youth charity for 2009 is St John Ambulance. The youth would like to thank Gwen Lettley for bringing the needs of the charity to their attention.

• 5th October - Halloween Rally - On Friday evening there will be pumpkin face making. If you would like to join in, please bring your own pumpkin. There will also be soup and a roll on Saturday afternoon for £1. Please indicate on booking form or let the youth know when you arrive. There will also be a swimming trip organised.............. Don't forget your swimming trunks. During Saturday evening there will be an American supper.

• 5th October - Officers and committee would like to express their thanks to Andy Palmer (Fixture secretary) and Steve Wren (Sports officer) who both retired at this weekends AGM. The centre have benefited from their hard work.

• 30th September - Prices for the New Year rally at Gillingham - 1 night £8.70, 2 nights £14.40, 3 nights £20.10, 4 nights £25.80 and 5 nights £31.50. Social price for New year eve celebration - £5 adult, £2.50 for children and £6 for visitors.

• 30th September - To prevent any embarrassment on future rallies, Gwen and Mike Letley would like to let members know that their 14 year old dog Jack died this week.

• 30th September - Click here to see nominations for 2008 AGM

• 30th September - Sorry to report that Kay and Jeff Martin have to leave EKC as they must sell their caravan.  They hope it will not be for long as they will really miss all their friends they have made in the Centre. They will be keeping track of what is going on 'online' and will pop in for a visit from time to time..  

• 28th September - There will be no vote at this years youth AGM.

• 28th September - A big thank you to everybody who helped raise over £180 at the harvest auction at Denton

• 16th September - Lost and found page added. Small items are lost or found on the rally field all the time. Have you got a plate or a spoon that isn't yours, and would like to return it but don't know how? This page has been added so if anybody has lost or found an item they can list it on this page and hopefully get items returned to the correct owner. Please scroll down and click on the lost and found icon.

• 16th September - 2009 rally list added click here.

• 15th September - There seems to be a technical problem with the photo gallery since they upgraded it to 200 photos. The description of the photo is not being transferred. Hopefully this will be resolved soon.

• 15th September -  There are only two spaces left at the Addington Christmas rally. Please contact Jackie Batt as soon as possible if you wish to attend.

• 15th September - Current youth nominations for 2008 AGM click here

• 15th September - A rally site has been found in wales with full facilities for a holiday rally. If you would be interested in marshalling this holiday venue, please contact Andy Palmer.

• 15th September - The committee are looking for a photo for the 2009 rally book front cover. Please download any to the photo gallery or hand a copy to a committee member.

• 15th September -  The youth are running the Halloween rally at Hoo on 31st October to 2nd November. There will be an 'Illuminate your caravan' competition (Battery power only), and  Dancing to 'Taylor made' disco at a thriller theme evening to mark the 25th anniversary. Please come dressed as Michael or a zombie. Social fee is adult £4 and kids £2. Please send your bookings to Ben Fisher. The youth look forward to seeing you there.

• 26th August - The dates and times for nomination forms to be handed in are as follows - Youth to Ricky Bailey by 1:30pm Saturday 20th September 2008 and Executive office or committee to Brian Mackender by 3:00pm Saturday 20th September 2008. The previous date posted on the website was incorrect. The last rally in which nomination forms can be handed in is at Woodchurch, or they can be posted but must be received by the stated time. Notices of motion must be received in writing to Brian Mackender by Saturday 30th August.

• 26th August - Have you got a suggestion what charity you would like the centre to support next year? Please let any committee member know before the AGM or let the members know during the meeting.

• 26th August - Woodchurch 12th to 14th September - For those remaining on site during the dinner and dance there will be a small party for the kids (and adults). Please bring food for an American Supper

• 26th August - Hawkhurst 5th to 7th September - The murder mystery weekend has a cowboy theme. Come dressed for the occasion if you wish.

• 19th August - Click here for details of the evening entertainment organised for the 3rd to 5th October AGM rally at the Simon Langton boys School, Canterbury.

• 19th August - Click here for a youth nomination form and return it to Ricky Bailey. Youth are eligible to stand if their immediate family are East Kent members and they have attended 5 or more rallies in the current season.  To stand for council, youth need to be between their 10th  & 18th birthday  and to stand for office, youth need to be between their 12th and 18th birthday.

• 19th August - Photo gallery has been upgraded to hold 200 photos. Please feel free to download your rally photos to share with other EKC members.

• 20th July - There will be another 'East Kent Kids on tour' family day to Crealy at the Devon holiday rally. Crealy is 17 miles form the site and a group of 15+ will get in for a reduced fee of £6.95 each. Please let Kevin Bailey know if you are interested when you get to the rally.       Click here for further information

• 20th July - Visibility Vests are compulsory in France from July 1st 2008, and in Austria, Belgium, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain (and likely to become compulsory throughout the EU). The rules vary from country to country concerning number of vests required and whether they should be carried in the car or boot. Common sense suggests that there should be a vest for every occupant, and that the vests should be carried in the car, and put on before getting out. Do this and you will not have a problem. click here for more details on driving in France.

• 20th July - New newsletter published click here

• 16th July - If there is enough interest, Alison Palmer will organise a group booking to see the Marlows 2pm performance of Snow White at the Canterbury rally in January. If you are interested, email  Alison Palmer  ASAP

• 16th July - Please click here to download the South East Regions booking form. The rally is being held in the East Kent area on November 14th to 16th.

• 16th July - If you lost a brass chubb key at Wateringbury, please contact Darren.

• 13th July - If you have any information or news that you would like published on the website, please contact Darren or Kevin Click here. The website can usually be updated the same day, but we rely on the membership talking directly to us to ensure any communication is current and correct.

• 13th July - New Year - There will be a masked themed evening for the East Kent New Years Eve celebrations, For those who do not want to make or purchase a mask before the rally, time will be set aside for a youth workshop, and they will be able to make a mask for you.

• 13th July - Youth nomination forms will be available from Ricky Bailey and the website after the Devon holiday rally. Youth are eligible to stand if their immediate family are East Kent members and they have attended 5 or more rallies in the current season.  To stand for council, youth need to be between their 10th  & 18th birthday  and to stand for office, youth need to be between their 12th   and 18th birthday.

• 13th July - There are still a few rallies in the 2009 calendar requiring rally marshals. If you would like to marshal a rally next year, please contact Andy Palmer Click here

• 10th July - Marshals - It is extremely important to order any centre equipment in advance, especially around this time of year when members who store it are going on holiday. Please contact Darren ASAP and let him know of any requirements.

• 10th July - Ricky Bailey would like photos of any of the  East Kent youth enjoying themselves at any of this years rallies. Please could you email any photos direct to rickyjbailey@blueyonder.co.uk . Any photos sent will not appear on the website.

• 10th July - Would you like to organise or help to organise an afternoon or evening activity at this years New Year rally. If you would like to, please contact Derek Horman.

• 6th July - Gas available at rallies must be paid for in cash, no cheques can be accepted.

• 6th July - Nomination forms for officers and committee are now available. Please contact Brian Mackender if you would like one. Nominations must be received in writing by the Hon Secretary by 3PM on Saturday 29th September. The youth nomination forms will be available shortly from Ricky Bailey.

• 29th June - Click here to view a royal concept caravan. Will we start seeing these at East Kent rallies?

• 29th June - Officers, committee and members of the centre send their best wishes to Ann Saunders who is recovering from surgery. Ann is currently at home but will be going back into hospital for further surgery soon. Ann would like to say thank you for all the cards and well wishes she has received. We all look forward to seeing Ann back caravanning soon.

• 29th June - Can you help? The committee would like to continue issuing the rally book free of charge to all EKC members. To achieve this, advertisers must be found to cover the printing costs which continue to increase. If any member knows of a company which may benefit from advertising in our 2009 rally book, please contact Kevin Bailey or any other committee member.

• 29th June - Peter and Sue Smith would be delighted to receive any unwanted DVDs, Books or CDs for the youth charity book stall. If you have any please see Peter, Sue or any Youth member on the rally field.

• 22nd June - Eddie Arnold, who attended many East Kent rallies in the 70s & 80s, passed away on Tuesday 17th . The funeral is on Thursday 26th at All Saints Church in Whitstable. 

• 22nd June -    Thank you  - All the money has been counted and £1051.40 was raised for the Oast House Trust at this years Birthday and Charity rally. Gary would like to thank Vista Leisure, Morrisons, Odean cinema's, Norfolk Line, Wildwood trust, Stone lees Golf Centre, Canterbury Caravans &WM Camping for their generous donations.

  The final thanks goes to everybody who donated, helped and spent their money, it is greatly appreciated..

• 21st June - Don't forget to look at the photo gallery Click Here. New photos are being downloaded regularly.

• 21st June - Thanks to Ian Boughton, a piece of East Kent history dating back to 1965 has been uncovered Click here. If you have any East Kent history that you would like to share, please let any committee member know.

• 17th June - A big thank you from the officers and committee to all who attended and celebrated the East Kent Centres 42nd birthday. Just over £1000 was raised for the centres charity, a fantastic achievement.

• 17th June - 2009 Rally marshals required. If you would like to marshal a rally next year, please contact Andy Palmer Click here

• 12th June - The New Year Rally will now open on the 28th December. The events for the rally are currently being planned and will be published shortly.

• 12th June - The Christmas rally at Folkestone is now full. There are still spaces at Addington (Click here), please contact Jackie Batt.

• 7th June - Only one week to go before the East Kent Centre celebrate their 42nd birthday. If you still have not booked in to either the rally or the Saturday evening social, it still isn't too late.

• 27th May -  East Kent had some success at this years national rally. James Muliigan came first place and Ricky Bailey came second place in the children's baking competition. Danielle Bailey came second in the under 5s children's sport and Megan Beaney was highly commended in the children's photographic competition. Congratulations to our winners and all who supported the centre.

• 27th May - October Half Term Rally added to fixture list. 26th to 31st October at Compton Dundon in Somerset Click here for more details.

• 19th May - Swanley 18th to 20th July - During the inter centre golf tournament there will be table space in the party tent for crafts. Please bring along your works in progress and settle down with like minded people and enjoy. Whatever your hobby, come and share or just come and watch and learn. Tea and coffee will be available (small donation for the youth charity).

• 18th May - There is only one space left at the Folkestone Christmas rally. Please contact John Forrest if you would like to attend. There are still spaces at the Addington Christmas rally click here

• 18th May - The youth are serving breakfast at Elham 4th to 6th July. Please indicate number required on booking slip.

• 18th May - Calor gas will be available at most East Kent rallies in the future. Please let Marion know if you want gas before a rally and she will make sure extra is ordered.

• 18th May - 42nd Birthday and Charity Rally 13th to 15th June. Plans for this event are now in the final stages. Friday night the Newmans arms will be open for liquid refreshment and Burgers and Hot dogs will be on sale. Saturday morning bacon rolls for breakfast will be served at £1:00 each. Saturday afternoon the charity fun fete will commence at 2pm with a variety of stalls. Cream teas will be available for you to sit, relax and soak up the sun. Donations of wrapped tombola prizes and cake donations for the stalls would be gratefully received. Saturday evening will see the climax to the birthday celebrations with dancing to the 5 piece band 'Turnstyle' Click here. There will be a light buffet provided during the evening. Please try to support this rally by attending, booking into the evening celebrations or visiting us on Saturday afternoon, you will be made very welcome.

• 18th May - Officers, committee and members of the centre send their best wishes to Sandra Richards who is recovering from a heart attack. We look forward to seeing Sandra back caravanning soon.

• 18th May - Marion Dents phone number has changed to 01227 710581

• 11th May - Bens page added Click here

• 11th May - May edition of the newsletter posted on website Click here

• 7th May -    Thank you from the youth section to everybody who made the May day rally at Quex park a success and raising a huge sum of £1010.90 towards their charity.

• 30th April - It is recommended that you read page 22 of the May edition of the caravan club magazine on towing mirrors and draw your own conclusions.

• 28th April - Summary of February & March Committee meetings added Click here

• 27th April - The youth would like to thank Sanofi Aventis for their generous donation of £50 towards their charity

• 27th April - Reculver 25th to 28th July moved to Charles Dickens School, Broadstairs. The Fixture charge is :- 1nt:£7.88,  2nts:£12.75 &  3nts:£17.63
  27th April - Coxheath 9th to 11th May,  Due to a change in head teacher, the school will not allow caravans onto the school playing field which means that we will be sited on hard standing. We are in consultation with the school, but currently no progress has been made.

• 27th April - East Kent are running two Christmas rallies this year Addington (Click here) and Folkestone (Click here). If you are interested in either please contact Andy Palmer.

• 21st April -   On May 3rd, 4th & 5th there is a caravan and motorhome show at Detling Kent County Show Ground. Click here for more details.

•   21st April - Swanley 18th to 20th July - Click here for more details on the intercentre golf challenge. This rally is also suitable for non-golfers as there are many other local attractions and is set in 80 acres of woodland with plenty of walks.

• 21st April - Gwen & Mike would like to give their grateful thanks to all the people who helped when Gwen was taken ill at Greatstone and had to be taken to Ashford hospital by ambulance. On the Sunday morning Gwen was transferred to Canterbury hospital for more tests and on Monday evening she was transferred again to Ashford hospital and was allowed home on condition of bed rest Thursday evening, unfortunately still with ongoing tests. The kindness shown by East Kent members was overwhelming and made, what was a very difficult time for us easier to deal with. We are very lucky to have such caring and considerate friends.  We would also like to thank those who have phoned with concern and the get well cards received. We both hope to be out on the rally field very soon. A truly big thank you to all.

  Mike and Gwen  

• 20th April - 13th September, 2008 Dinner and Dance at Woodchurch. Guest Speaker Mike Threadgold (Chairman Anglia Region) With Dancing to Freeloaders. £32 per person click here for booking form. 

• 17th April - The youth would like to invite you to their May Day Fete at Quex Park on Saturday 3rd May. Please come and visit if you are not booked into the rally, they would be grateful of your support Click here for more details

• 15th April - On Saturday 19th April the South East Region are holding a Road Show at Daleacres between 3pm and 6pm. If anyone is interested to come along to meet the Region Officers you will be more than welcome. Refreshments will be provided during the event.

• 14th April - Due to a pending operation, Ann Saunders will require plenty of rest and with this in mind has reluctantly resigned from her position as treasurer. The officers and committee thank Ann for her hard work since the AGM and wish her a very speedy recovery. John Forrest has taken the role as temporary Treasurer until somebody else is found to fill the position. If you would like to volunteer, please see any member of the committee.

• 14th April - Wateringbury rally 11th to 13th July is now being marshalled by Darren and Cheryll Charnock. Please can you send your rally slips to their address that can be found in the rally book.

• 14th April - The Southern region are looking for a team of 10, to comprise of 4 Men, 4 Ladies & 2  teenagers to take part in a 'its a knock out' competition at this years national. If you would like to volunteer please contact Peter Newman.

• 14th April - Due to a lack of numbers, the Swanley rally 16th to 20th April (billed as a Hogwarts rally) will now be a quiet long weekend.

• 14th April - Gwen Letley was taken by ambulance to William Harvey Hospital from the Greatstone rally. She was  transferred  to the  Kent & Canterbury Hospital Sunday morning. She is having tests and scans for a suspected kidney problem. Our best wishes go to Gwen and Mike.

• 8th April - If you are a marshal at a rally and you have a first rallier attending, please could you print out the first rally questionnaire and place in their envelope (Normally found in the 'Info for marshals' page. Click here

• 7th April - Newsletter  The next edition of the newsletter is out at May day. Please support this and get your rally reports, news, views, rally adverts etc to Becky by 11th April. Click here

• 7th April - Calor gas will be available at Greatstone. Please contact Marion Dent if you know that you will require a refill at this rally. Click here

• 6th April - Shop page complete. Please use this page to pre-order merchandise (including Calor Gas) before a rally or advertise / view personal goods for sale click here

• 5th April - The menu at Bredgar (16th to 18th May) will be  - onion soup with cheese toasted French bread, Smoked mackerel with horse radish, Lemon sorbet with vodka, Beef bourguignonne with Lyonnaise potatoes and fresh vegetables and Apple tart with cream. Cheese and biscuits donated by marshals but with a voluntary donation of £1.00 for each plate (small plates please) donated to the youth charity.

  The cost for each meal will be £6.00 and £3.50 for children being paid cash on arrival (Please indicate numbers on rally slip).

  The marshals will need a lot of help with both the preparation and the cooking, the erection of the party tents and the clearing of everything. If anybody has any fridges 12v or mains this would be most welcome

• 5th April - West Kent invitation to Swalecliffe, 16th to 20th April is now fully booked. Please contact the marshals if you would like to go on the waiting list. Alternatively, there is still room on the Swanley rally.

• 2nd April - Unfortunately the Cirencester rally has had to be cancelled. 

• 1st April - Funeral arrangements The funeral of Steve Boulding will take place at 16:40 on

  Monday 7th April 2008 at Charing Crematorium, Charing. NO FLOWERS PLEASE. Donations to Age Concern, Via funeral Directors. High R & sons, 1 Bayford Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10. 01795-472958 click here for directions

• 1st April - Greatstone  will open at 12.00 noon.  If anybody attending the rally wishes to be ‘sited’ next to friends, please arrive together and the marshals  will try their best to accommodate. 

• 28th March - It is with regret  to announce that Steve Boulding lost his fight against prostrate    cancer and passed away peacefully  this morning. Steve was a member with the centre             for many years and was caravanning into his late 80s. The East Kent centres sincere sympathy goes to Steve's Family at this very sad time. Funeral arrangements are currently unknown, but  the website will be updated as soon as the details are known.             

• 28th March - Past chairlady De Wrights daughter Nikki Ware gave birth to a boy on Wednesday morning. Mother and baby are well and the centres congratulations go to Pete, Nikki, Jasmine & Grandparents Dave and De.

• 27th March - Shop page updated and currently under construction click here

• 27th March - Waldershare Steam Fayre - The Steam Fair runs from the 25th - 27th July, but we have permission to go in on the Thursday(24th) and stay until the Monday(28th) for those who wish to do so. There is no extra charge for these nights. Click here

• 24th March - Calor gas will be available at Tunstall. Please contact Marion Dent if you know that you will require a refill at this rally. Click here

• 24th March - May Day   The youth have a lot planned for their charity fete. Please try to support this rally by either attending with your van or visiting on Saturday afternoon. Why not invite family and friends for fun day out by the sea?

• 24th March - Greatstone rally fully booked. Please contact marshal if you would like to attend and you will be added to the waiting list

• 19th March - Due to the weather, the Easter rally will be on hard standing

• 19th March - Officers, committee and members of the centre send their best wishes to Jean Baldrey who is responding well to chemo. Mike and Jean are looking forward to getting back to caravanning after treatment has finished.

• 16th March - Easter - Directions in rally book have been updated Click here

• 16th March - Greatstone rally almost full. Please contact marshals if you wish to attend

• 13th March - Officers and committee are excited to announce further arrangements for the centres 42nd Birthday rally. 'Turnstyle', a band that has developed a reputation for providing quality entertainment throughout London and the South East, has been booked for Saturday evening. Member support and early booking to this event would be appreciated Click here

• 13th March - Greatstone, Birthday and Harvest supper rally information updated Click here

• 13th March - Swingfield Minnis Rally - 1st to 3rd August still requires a marshal. If you are interested please contact Andy Palmer

• 8th March - Reculver rally - 25th to 28th July details updated Click here. The marshals would appreciate some assistants.....if anyone would like to volunteer contact : Brian & Dorothy East on the rally field (or Andy Palmer, Rally Sec) 

• 8th March - Officers and Committee wish Beryl & Ray Hurley a speedy recovery. Ray has had a knee replaced and is doing well and in about 3 months he will be going back into hospital to have the other knee replaced. Also Beryl is waiting to have injections into her spine.

• 4th March - Help raise money for the centres chosen charity by using their search engine  Click here

• 1st March - Reminder To receive special booking forms with programme details and prices of Christmas rallies, you must send a 1st class stamped addressed A5 envelope to the rally secretary, marked 'Xmas Rallies'. These details will be sent out after Easter.

• 27th February - Please register your email address with East Kent if you would like to receive any important updates quickly. Click here

• 27th February - Steve Wren was discharged from hospital on Saturday. He feels well apart from a very sore throat. He would like to say thank you for all the cards and well wishes he has received. 

• 21st February - Steve Wren is comfortable in hospital after having an operation on his neck on Tuesday 19th Feb. He will be spending at least 5 nights in Pembroke ward at Medway hospital.

• 18th February - Easter (Minster) social charge is £4 per adult and £1 per child for the weekend, payable in cash on arrival.

• 17th February - February newsletter on website Click here

• 6th February - East Kent Youth gets mention in local paper Click here

• 4th February - Crazy golf, Pacman & Tetris added to youth games Click here

• 4th February - Summary of January Committee meeting added Click here

• 3rd February - Guide to marshals added Click here

• 2nd February - Tunstall rally 4th to 6th April is now fully booked

• 27th February - Steve Wren was discharged from hospital on Saturday. He feels well apart from a very sore throat. He would like to say thank you for all the cards and well wishes he has received. 

• 21st February - Steve Wren is comfortable in hospital after having an operation on his neck on Tuesday 19th Feb. He will be spending at least 5 nights in Pembroke ward at Medway hospital.

• 18th February - Easter (Minster) social charge is £4 per adult and £1 per child for the weekend, payable in cash on arrival.

• 17th February - February newsletter on website Click here

• 6th February - East Kent Youth gets mention in local paper Click here

• 4th February - Crazy golf, Pacman & Tetris added to youth games Click here

• 4th February - Summary of January Committee meeting added Click here

• 3rd February - Guide to marshals added Click here

• 2nd February - Tunstall rally 4th to 6th April is now fully booked

• 1st February - Valentines rally - Ploughman's Adult: Salad, cheese, ham, pickles, pickled onion, French stick, tea or coffee - £2:50...............Ploughman's Kids alternative: sausage roll, cocktail sausages, packet of crisps, cake bar & drink - £1..........Don't forget your swimming trunks

• 29th January - A new Kent based caravan spares company have agreed to donate a substantial prize to our youth charity and will be advertising in our 2009 rally book. Please mention you are an EKC member if you choose to use this company. Click here

• 28th January -  If you are attending this years Paris FICC rally in July, please contact Rick Jeffery on the rally field or phone Kevin Bailey Click here

• 28th January - Cliftonville rally March 14th to 16th March is now fully booked.

• 26th January - The Youth charity officer would like to thank the support of  McDonalds, Eagle Heights, Sea France, Ice Bowl, The Odeon Cinema, Burger King, Pizza Hut, GS Spares, museum of Kent Life, BBC, The hop farm, Tesco  and all centre members who have donated raffle prizes.

• 26th January - Lydd Air Show has unfortunately been cancelled for this year, but the rally at Headcorn will go ahead as planned.

• 26th January - Devon Holiday rally 2nd to 16th August is now fully booked

• 20th January - Summary of December Committee meeting added Click here

• 20th January - Since 1998, East Kent Members have raised £37960 for charity Click here for details

• 20th January - Shop items listed Click here

• 14th January - To avoid disappointment, you are advised to book in early to rallies.

• 14th January - Rally book amendments Click here

• 13th January - Saltwood (Burns) 25th to 27th January is now fully booked.

• 7th January - Updated booking form Click here

• 3rd January - Maidstone Rally 11th to 13th January is now fully booked.

• 3rd January - The youth would like to thank everybody who helped them raise £1500 for their 2007 charity, The Thanet Air Cadet Marching Band. The cheque was presented during the New Year Eve disco.

• 1st January - Youth Need Your Support The youth are planning a great rally at Hoo for valentines but need your support to make the rally a success. If you are unable to attend with your van, why not attend their valentines ball/disco on Saturday evening? Only £4 per adult and children under 16 free (paid out of youth funds). Ploughman's lunch (£2.50 adult £1 Child), Tea & Coffee on arrival. Aqua rolls filled. Corsages and button holes. Cake decorating. Swimming trip. Photos in frames. Disco/ball with American Supper on Saturday evening

• 1st January - Interactive rally programme added Click here

• 2007

• 20th December - Members 'for sale' and 'wanted section' added Click Here. Have you got an item you want to sell or need? Upload an advert to the East Kent Website from your computer. Item will be displayed for 30 days.

• 19th December - Photo Gallery added Click Here. Have you got a photo or two that you would like to share? Upload your photo to the East Kent Web Site from your computer. This page can hold 50 photos and will be reset monthly.

• 16th December - If you are running a rally next year and are planning to use one or more party tents, please can you arrange this with John or Darren as soon as possible.

• 16th December - If you dispose of your rally book at the end of the year, please can you ensure that it is carried out in a secure manor.

• 16th December - Guestbook added Click Here. All entries will be checked before going live on the website. If any controversial matters arise, they will be bought to the attention of the committee first.

• 11th December - Members who attended the xmas dance rally was aware that Enid Hardes was taken to hospital early on Sunday morning. We are pleased to report that Enid was sent home late Sunday Night and is O.K. She would like to thank everyone for their help and their best wishes. She will be at the Xmas Rally

• 10th December - 2008 rally book available to members at the New Year rally. If you want to receive a rally book by post, please send a stamped addressed envelope (A5 + 60p stamp) to Brian Mackender. Brian has recently moved, to contact Brian Click Here

• 10th December - Youth 2008 calendars on sale. £1.00 each - all money to their chosen charity. Please contact Margaret, Gary or Kevin if you would like to pre-order. Click here

• 10th December - 2008 revised rally list Click here

•  9th December -  Newsletter published Click here

• 19th November - Past Chairman, Peter Newman voted South East Region Secretary.

• 19th November - There will be a swimming trip for the youth at the Christmas dance rally.