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For the Enthusiast

Crowns, Cars, Trains and Gunfire!

The thirteenth year of the Rally; with the downpours of two years ago and the foot and mouth last year, we were all looking forward to an easily organised rally this year, with no surprises or turnups. Some chance!

We had decided upon an official rally logo for this year and all future rallies, Gary had gone to see No.1 at the NRM last year, also there was Tom's Alvis. So, a drawing was made from a photograph and that, as they say was that.

This year the field ended up being shared with the display from the 1879 Group; this had originally been planned for the Market field, on the other side of Tywyn but, being on the Market field, there was a market to be held there on the Monday! It was arranged that they would pay for the field and take all takings on the gate, as they had already produced posters advertising their event, with an admission price advertised, and at 75p for 2 events, what a bargain! The same weekend as all this, there was also a 1950's weekend being organized! They had requested that the rally could supply a few vehicles to help with the display that was going to be put on at Wharf, which we were more than happy to help do.

Bookings were slow right up to rally weekend. All of a sudden it was time to see if the railway could cope with three different events all going on at the same time. Well, after locating our part of the field and setting up, putting donation boxes out, photocopying of the programme, putting out the signs, obtaining a small float from Wharf, locating blackboards for announcing notices etc. we were ready for Sunday with slightly bated breath.

Sunday arrived, misty and not too promising, there were cars already on the field when we got there, some regulars, some who were returning after a few years and some newcomers. The outcome expressed a wide variety of ages and makes of cars; Alvis, Bentley, a French Citroen, Oxford and Cambridge, and a fair selection of Minis. The weather didn't hang around for long and it soon turned hot and clear skied. The day was enjoyed by all, apart from a few entrants who had brought along their dogs who weren't overly keen with the demonstrations from the 1879 Group which included gunshots!! On the plus side the cafe had record takings, so well done Ed for coping! Entrants were made aware of the film show, courtesy of John Smallwood with David Lowe on the organ at Neuadd Pendre and the BBQ at Dolgoch that night.

Monday was accompanied with thunder storms aplenty, but after an hour it cleared up to rival the previous day weather wise. Entries were the same again, there were about 40 cars on the field, some different from the previous day but about half were returning from the Sunday. At noon, in recognition of the Queen's length of reign there was mass gunfire from across the field. The rest of the day went very well, a few cars participated in the Jubilee Parade organised by Tywyn Carnival Committee, which started from the Halo factory and ended on the seafront.

Even though we had a relatively low turn out every one who attended seemed to enjoy the event. This included "Nelly", Derek Allen's Series II Land Rover who is celebrating 40 years of existence this year and has attended every rally so far but as of yet hasn't won a prize, possibly due to her being used as "Rally Control" for such a long time. Maybe people didn't realise that she was an entrant!

Our thanks to every one involved for this years event, and look out for news of next years event.

Russell Prince