NEWS | MCC Nene Valley

IMPORTANT NOTICE RE STOKE BRUERNE August 14-19

In view of the prolonged dry weather, with no real rain forecast for the Stoke Bruerne Meet, can everyone bring a bucket to be filled with water and placed in front of your van. We will increase the distance between vans for more safety, and there will be NO OUTSIDE BBQ'S WHATSOEVER. Thank you all for cooperating in this time of extreme conditions.

Due to alterations by Lloyds Bank, our Treasurer can take payment by cash or BACS, but unfortunately we have to add 50p to every payment made by cheque, due to Bank charges.

We will now have to impose a £10 non returnable deposit for rallies where food and/or entertainment have been arranged. This is the result of several recent ' no shows with no communication '

Message from our Chairman

Following the 2025 AGM at Oundle, I am pleased to tell you that you do have a Committee willing to stand for a further year. However we are in a very vulnerable position, in that all of the present incumbents are of a certain age, and if anything should happen to any one of those members, then we have no-one in the wings, so to speak, who could slide across into any of the mandatory required positions for the group to carry on.

I am appealing to Nene Valley Group members to really consider volunteering to help our very successful and happy group move forward, and remove some of that vulnerability. You don't get any perks being on the Committee - just a great feeling that you are putting something back into this great Club of yours. We are a well oiled ( some will say well lubricated! ) team that I am very proud to be part of, but we do need extra help.

Please speak to me , or any member of the Committee and we will be only too pleased to explain any of our roles, and what is involved.

I do look forward to hearing from you please ! Paul

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News from the Summer Tour

REYDON July 16-24

Tony, Kathleen and Mick arrived on site early to open up for us. We had a total of 15 vans - 7 NV, 3 Anglia, 2 Chiltern, 1 East Mids, 1 N Counties and 1 Sussex. The weather was decidedly cooler in the East of the country, with a constant wind blowing. Coffee morning was on Friday, and in the evening we had the use of the Community Hall, where Jane arranged a couple games of Bingo, and Tony delivered a ' quiz with a difference ' with old sayings incorporated. Saturday and Sunday were free to visit Southwold, or those with bus passes could get further afield to Lowestoft, Beccles, Norwich and Yarmouth. On Monday we held a late afternoon 'sausage sizzle' and get-together, which always seems to be popular. On the Tuesday evening we were back in the Hall for Jane's Bingo, and a new game to us - Scattergovies - the answers to some of the categories, I'm afraid, would not be for tender ears! On Wednesday afternoon we held our competition to find the new 'Bowmen of England' which was won by Mick Midgeley. This was followed by cake to round off the afternoon. Thursday we had our final coffee morning before we departed next day to Weeley. We were pleased to have Steve and Marion Wynn, from COM, with us again trying to catch their breath between their many duties for the Club, and Steve updated us on what was happening in the COM world, and in particular , updates on the National at Statfold 2027, which will be bigger and better than ever ! Our thanks to Anglia Group for the use of their patch, and to our stewards and everyone who helped.

HOMESTEAD LAKE PARK, WEELEY July 24-29

A disappointing turnout, but we managed 13 vans - 8 NV, 1 East Mids, 2 Chiltern, 1 Sussex. Colin and Lynne were our enthusiastic new stewards who, as we had acres of space, parked us up in an interesting waggon corral style, which worked well. We began on Friday evening with ' Pymms o'clock' organised again by Steve and Di. Always popular, and a great way of getting people together - thank you both once again! Clacton, Walton on the Naze, Frinton and Brightlingsea seemed to be the popular visiting places, with a bus stop just outside the site. Colin and Denis managed to get in a good days fishing on site, and the on-site accessory shop did brisk business with our on-site card discount helping. Lynne and Colin lay on a lovely cream tea for us, followed by a game of Smite - thank you both for all your work - you are now officially trained stewards! Our thanks go to Essex Group for what I think is our first venture onto their patch, which we enjoyed very much. Colin and Lynne have also asked to pass their thanks to everyone for their help and support. PAT

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AUGUST 14-19 STOKE BRUERNE

We are hoping that enough members will come and be interested in us chartering a boat, to do the boat trip through the tunnel to Blisworth and back. We need to put the money up front for the boat operator to do this, so it is not possible just at present.

Blisworth is the third longest navigable tunnel in the UK, and it is the longest wide freely navigable tunnel in Europe, meaning that 2 narrowboats can pass each other in opposite directions.

Canalside there are 2 pubs with restaurants, and an Indian restaurant. It is free entry to the waterside museum, which is in an old corn mill, there is no wheelchair entry to the upstairs exhibits, but easy access to the ground floor cafe, shop and exhibits . On August 15th it is Pirate day at the museum, aaaarh me hearties. Walks along the canal in both directions, a woodland walk, fishing and gongoozling whilst eating an icecream. The fish and chip van comes early Friday evening, and we have Northampton Ukulele Group to entertain us on Saturday evening as we sit with a favourite tipple, with good company , what more could you want?

If you intend to come to this lovely setting, can you please book with Pat, 07477 503636, ASAP, and let her know if you are interested in taking a trip on the boat, we need at least 26 people to fill the boat. Thankyou

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Next Meets -

Please note - The AGM will now be at Prince William School, Oundle from Friday 30th October 2026 until Sunday 1st November 2026

September 11-14

The SCARECROWS are back! We will be at Grange Farm, Harpole NN7 4DJ

WE WILL BE PUTTING DIRECTIONS HERE SHORTLY, DUE TO ONGOING NEVERENDING ROADWORKS - PLEASE CHECK HERE BEFORE LEAVING.

Amended date for Cranford Steam Fayre - A14/J11/A510 Cranford - Start 1pm Thursday 24/09/2026, finish 12 midday Monday 28/09/2026. The price, set by the site owner is fixed at £70 for 1 to 4 nights camping and unlimited entry to the show.