Well, this year's bash was a great success, and once again everyone had a good time. But, what a contrast to 2001. The weather forecast was bad and predicted to get a lot worse. So, armed with flippers, snorkel, waterproofs and wellies we took the chance and made our way down to Crewkerne battling the floods and torrential rain. The site we have is brilliant for this type of weather, with a picturesque lake for the water to drain into and a lot of hard standing (which inevitably reduces the mud). The marquee is heated and there are various bars (where we are made welcome with log fires to dry out in front of). I must confess I wasn't looking forward to this one; it felt like we had done one too many rallies during the year and this was one too many. It made it such an effort to get underway. But with the offer of a dry inside room instead of camping making it more attractive by the minute.

Our arrival was welcomed with a mutter and grumble from Scruff (Clive Kidby, Somerset Rep) who had suffered great difficulty in organising this event, as he mainly did it on his own. Although he had our support, there was not much we could help him with. (In previous years there has always been a team of volunteers to help with the running around and last minute hitches). So with the weather matching Scruff's mood we started to set to work setting up the site. This had also been delayed due to a function the Thursday night, which required a clear area around the marquee, so no toilets caravans or stalls were allowed. What more could go

wrong? Well the bonfire had been delivered in the wrong spot again and unless it was man handled down to the safe area would be cancelled, and due to the 'lovely neighbours being even more miserable than the weather we were unable to have fireworks either. Poor old Scruff, what a headache he had before the hangovers at the event! The weather kept up its avalanche of water but the people arrived despite it. Even five from France travelled over 400 miles just to be there ('Loulou' being one of our regulars to the event. A Bonfire Bash would never be the same without him that's for sure). Reps from far and wide attended and gave the event all they had to help out, with the odds against us. Finally, the event was in full swing, the silly games under way and the bands, who were excellent, 'Stevie' on his mandolin, a local guitarist (whose name I have forgotten). There was a terrific band called 'Channel 4' (playing sounds of Led Zep, ACDC) and the stage room dripping with condensation from all the damp dancing bodies. (There aren't many rallies you go to that can boast the added facility of a Swedish sauna). The bike show was pretty sparsely attended, so the reps put their machines in to boost the entries. This had the inevitable effect of some of them winning the lovely trophies made by 'Nighthawk Leather' at the last minute. Personally, I think they deserved it with all the hard work, and the travelling, leave alone all their efforts during the past year. (Working for the NABD does have its downside as we very rarely win anything or get anything for ourselves due to the nature of the charity and work we do). As usual on Sunday morning there was a break in the clouds and we saw the sun briefly for the first time the whole weekend. As it turned out, with the weather being as it was, we would not have had the bonfire and fireworks after all so it was just as well none of this had been set up.

We have had the bonfire Bash for ten years now and out of all of them one every three years has been superb weather. Also, due to the recent new rules and regulations the Government has imposed on the insurance companies for this type of event, we are now thinking of moving the date and the nature of the event so we can have more profit for the charity and more enjoyment for yourselves so again I will say watch this space.

Many thanks goes to all who attended and to Scruff (who did his damnedest to overcoming all the problems set against him). To Minn and Roger the owners of the site, to Arthur Butler our oldest member and John Lance our oldest hippy for judging the bike show and to all the marshals and reps who helped make it a great success.