Easter Tandem Rally 2012

Friday, 6th. April 2012 - Monday, 9th April 2012

Avon Tyrrell Activity Centre
Bransgore,
Hampshire, BH23 8EE


Avon Tyrrell House

Lodges

Fishing lake

Fishing lake

Camp fire

Sports field

The 2012 Easter rally was based at the Avon Tyrrell Activity Centre in the New Forest National Park, Hampshire.

Over one hundred and ten people attended this year's Easter Rally which took place at Avon Tyrrell, some 10 miles North East of Bournemouth in the New Forest. The New Forest is an excellent area for cycling offering Forest trails and quiet country lanes. Ideal for families with the opportunity to see a variety of wild animals including New Forest ponies and deer. The area is rich in its landscape and ancient villages. The Activity Centre is the Headquarters of UK Youth in its own grounds of 65 acres near the villages of Bransgore and Burley. There is a play area for small children adjacent to the camping field.

Accommodation
We used several of the the sites Scandinavian style wooden lodges which offered a mixture of 2 - 4 bed/bunk rooms with self-catering facilities and lounges. Including a Fridge/freezer, cooker, microwave and toaster.

Camping
Campers were able to use one of the two camping areas. One with electrical hook ups near the lodges and the other with great views of the lake and house.

Meals
Many people took advantage of the excellent restaurant facilities and were able to take breakfast and dinner in the main house dining room.

Rides
Rides were planned to visit the New Forest, South Coast and Wiltshire Downs with the possibility of a trip to the Isle of Wight. Each day a group of tandems took advantage of joining the led rides on the medium routes.

Entertainment.
On Friday evening we took part in a quiz on such varied subjects as 'The Tandem Club', 'Music,' 'Books' and 'The Royal Family'. The Club's A.G.M. took place after the Saturday welcome party, the evening continued with a social event for people to meet old friends and make new ones. Sunday evening featured a film about the New Forest with a Question and Answer session hosted by John Ward who is Vice-Chairman of the New Forest Association.

Frank Burns blog 'Bedlam of Tandems hit New Forest' tells Frank's story of the event.

Photographs from the rally can be viewed by clicking here.

The formula for this event was the subject of many favourable comments including the management of Avon Tyrrell who were impressed by the excellent way we organised ourselves.

The event was organised by a team of members including John and Sheila Ward, Tony and Janet Prichard and Barbara Moir.

 Map showing location of Avon Tyrrell Activity Centre