Springfield’s Christmas Shopping Weekend 25th - 27th November . What a good turn out!  With a total of 15 units turning up, 14 Friday night and one arriving Saturday, with units from South Lincs, Nott’s, Trent Valley, Suffolk and Norfolk.  With help from fellow campers, the marquee was erected ready for a sausage casserole supper Saturday evening and social event after.  Many of the campers went off into Springfield’s and surrounding area’s to do a spot of Christmas shopping, many coming back with lighter pockets/purses and aching arms/legs/feet, with the weight of the goody bags they’d gathered on their shopping spree.  Many hands made light work of the prep and cooking of the sausage casserole, (thank you to those who helped), and with time for supper approaching, all campers arrived with plates/bowls ready to eat.  Campers fit to burst with full tummies, some made social chit chat while others went off to wash pots and pans, before returning to join in.  A few drinks and a little chatter, campers enjoyed a game or three of “chuffin ‘eck”, with the Smith family taking us all to the cleaners, well done to Malc, Nick, Barbra and Jenson. Campers retired to their units to settle down to what was a very blustery night, Sunday morning arrived and coffee morning, announced the winner of “Bonus Ball” raising £24 for the charity and  £25 to the winner – congratulation to Mrs Hibbit.  The raffle raised a total of £32 with donations from Marks and Spencer and Animal stores in Springfield’s, and usual donations from campers. Another £6 raised from “Penny for the guy” at East Kirkby a grand total of £62 raised this weekend, thank you to everyone for taking part, and for turning out in your units on a blustery autumnal weekend, another good weekend with South Lincolnshire D.A.  Many thanks to you all, Chris and Andy.

East Kirkby Fire Works Meet  Another Friday and another South Lincs D.A. meet, this one being held at Hideaway, East Kirkby for the firework display at the Aviation Centre.  Andy and I opened the site shortly after lunchtime, (on behalf of the stewards, who couldn’t get due to having children at school).  Having erected our marquee in between booking the 14 units that arrived in the daylight and getting them settled in, we handed over to the stewards who booked the last 3 units in who arrived in the darkness and amidst the rain of early evening.  Friday evening saw, the unusual for this time of year social gathering in the marquee, for a catch up with friends old and new.  When bedtime called everyone retired to respective units.  Saturday dawned and as everyone rose, the usual activities of children playing and adults wandering round chatting and helping each other out, with all sorts of problems and jobs that need sorting.  Gazebo, Bbq and serving tables erected, onions being chopped by an army of ladies, (thanks to Shirley, Karen and Carole, for your help), who enjoyed an early glass of wine, while others sat in the marquee and started to make the soup for the hot dog/soup supper whilst watching the fireworks.  As the night drew in everyone came out from the caravans/motor homes, ready for supper and the displays.  Search light display, the sound of the Lancaster taxing up and down the runway, and 8 pm sharp the fireworks.  With the soup served the two Nick’s (Smith and Woodthorpe) had the bbq going for hotdogs and burgers (thanks to you both), I think I can say on behalf of everyone, we all enjoyed the display before retiring into the marquee for a few drinks and chatting. Sunday Morning arrives so quickly, and after coffee morning and the raffle, campers started to make their way home. Thank you to everyone for showing your support and for making it a really good weekend.   Chris and Andy.