Committee Christmas Chatterbox

17 December 2025

As we near the end of 2025, the Committee would like to wish all members and friends from other centres a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We have much to look forward to in 2026 with a full and varied rally programme including several long weekend and extended rallies:

Southport

Ashover

Bridlington

Hutton-le-Hole

Bakewell Carnival

Ambleside

Hatton World

Foxton Locks

Chatsworth

Eyam Carnival

Cromford New Year

It is a fine line between having some new rally venues and old favourites; extended and holiday rallies, alongside the regular programme of 2 night weekend rallies.

Members are encouraged to book onto any rally that they plan to attend as early as possible, so that we can assess the viability of each rally.

If you have any suggestions for new rally sites or if you have a holiday rally you would like to run, please let Glyn, our Rally Secretary know on rallysecretary@derbyshirecentre.com

Just for a bit of festive fun, I posed 3 questions to the Committee members so that you can get to know us a bit better:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG OR CAROL?

Amy – Fairytale of New York

Ant – We three kings is my favourite because it's the first carol I learnt as a child and that's where it takes me back to.

Craig – Well Dominick the donkey has to be here as a fun song, the one you can't get out of your head all day. Fairytale of New York the original one and Stop the Cavalry, both songs that make you stop and enjoy and feel the music. There are so many Christmas songs that bring back different memories as someone who listened to music from an early age then at work the radio was never off.

Denise – I’m not even the slightest bit embarrassed to admit that it’s Wombling Merry Christmas. A 1970s classic!! I still get goosebumps when I hear the original Band Aid ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’, and who doesn’t love ‘Last Christmas’?

Glyn – Fairytale of New York

Michelle – Last Christmas

Sherry – One More Sleep by Leona Lewis

Richard – Fairytale of New York

Rick – Stay Another Day by East 17

Shaun – We Three Kings and Dominick the Donkey!!

Tilly – “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire). It reminds me of family sing-songs with my dad at the piano. My boys have taken the baton on the piano now.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FESTIVE FOOD?

Amy – Pigs in blankets (Gluten free)

Ant – Leftover cold meat sandwiches with chips and leftover veg on Boxing Day. It's very easy to do.

Craig – Pigs in blankets with gravy on. Then cold turkey sandwiches for the next 4 days as no-one else likes cold turkey.

Denise – Boxing Day bubble and squeak is a winner for me. Also enjoy a retro Snowball with a cocktail cherry – Christmas is the only time of year you can get away with a Snowball!!

Glyn – Vol au vents

Michelle – Christmas Dinner

Richard – Pigs in blankets (not Gluten free!!)

Rick – Baileys. I only like it at Christmas

Shaun – Mince pies

Sherry – Mince pies

Tilly – Red cabbage with a turkey dinner

WHICH RALLY ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST IN 2026?

Amy – Lee’s Meadow Farm Bavarian Bier Fest

Ant – Ashover for the May Day carnival.

Craig – Ambleside. Taking the Derbyshire Centre up into the Lake District for a summer holiday rally. The Lakes are an absolutely fabulous place to visit so much to see and do, walks or just sit with a drink and watch the world past by with stunning views. It’s our favourite place we can relax and do as little as possible or go walking up the hills and earn that cream tea when you get back with a drink.

Denise – Looking forward to the Hutton-le-hole and Foxton Locks rallies, both of which are ‘new to us’ venues. But there’s also always something very special about Chatsworth Golden Gates.

Glyn – Ambleside

Michelle – Foxton Locks

Richard – Bakewell showground

Rick – Buxton. Also, Bakewell & Eyam rallies for the carnivals

Shaun – Southport, Bridlington, Hutton-le-Hole and Ambleside

Sherry – Hutton-le-Hole

Tilly – Bavarian Beer Fest theme rally at Lee’s Meadow, Middleton Top. The site owners (Richard, Kate and family) are so friendly and will do everything they can to accommodate us. They are improving their site at the moment. It won’t all be beer though! Beautiful scenery, nice walks to local pubs and some bier fest fun.

Once again, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you on a rally field in 2026.

Denise

Chair