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 | 2024 Easter Rally and AGMThursday 28th March to Monday 1st April 2024. Bishops Green Farm |  |
I have now produced the routes (gpx tracks and turn-by-turn instructions and will be publishing them by next weekend.
The routes for the rally are now in the rides database, accessible from the Attendees Event Information
After checking 2 road closures, I have completed updating the TCE2024 rides. You may now download them again to get a consistent set. The Event Attendee Information page lists which routes have changed.
Janet and I will be bringing a selection of items from the Club Shop. Look for our white campervan ML06KNO
i have just added a printable list of cafes with their Easter opening times to the attendees information page. It also contains a table referencing cafes to routes.
Details of Friday night social and AGM added to the attendees information page.
Arrived on the Bishops Green campsite yesterday(Wednesday). Be aware that the ground at the campsite is very soft from all the rain. The very friendly farmer had to tow our campervan onto our grass pitch with his tractor. Those with campervans / motorhomes will more than likely be towed on by the tractor. If you can bring some ‘tyre grip mats’ or maybe a couple of suitably sized bits of marine ply to position under the wheels when parked up.
Also have your towing hook ready.
How is the weather there today? I checked and it was forecast to be very gusty,not ideal for setting up a tent! I'm pondering whether to arrive tomorrow after the worst of it, am I overthinking it?
I cycled to the campsite at 9:16 this morning, just before the heavy rain. It did not strike me as particularly windy when cycling. It did become gusty when the heavy rain came in though. So I think as long as you pitch during the sunny periods this afternoon/evening you should be OK.
The earlier crash on the A34 south bound around Newbury has now been cleared - Google shows traffic flowing normally again.
For various reasons, we plan on doing the shortest ride tomorrow (29 miles?). Is anyone else planning to follow that route?
For various reasons, we plan on doing the shortest ride tomorrow (29 miles?). Is anyone else planning to follow that route?
For various reasons, we plan on doing the shortest ride tomorrow (29 miles?). Is anyone else planning to follow that route?
The West & South routes travel over a ford near the campsite. This was in full flow on Thursday afternoon, but Tim (on the tractor this afternoon) said it normally recedes within 24 hours, so I expect it will be OK by Saturday. There is an alternative route that goes south through Ecchinswell then heads west just as you leave Ecchinswell. I cycled that route this evening and it was OK.
Just a thought. Should we discuss with the tractor driver about drawing up a booking sheet for tow outs? I guess some attendees will be leaving Sunday evening given the forecast for Monday. Maybe have time slots on the sheet,
Just insert name and pitch number. Circulate sheet tonight and tomorrow?
Hello. Has anyone found a fluorescent yellow helmet rain-cover please. Lost this morning (Good Friday).
If you are taking a car to the social tonight, pleasd consider offering a lift. I have 4 spaces left on my second run, after Tony+Janet
Stop press ig is around 2 miles to the hall. There is plenty of parking
Please bring a glass or mug with you.
If anyone is going to the International at Veere and has space to take the Tandem Games kit with them, that would be really helpful. I can bring it back, but cannot take it out (the current Mrs Harmer has been very clear on that). Please speak to me this evening. Phil Harmer.
As I mentioned last night, please do consider dropping in at the Blackbird Cafe in Chapel Row, RG7 6PD today. They kindly put on an extra member of staff for us yesterday. The food and cakes are delicious! They will be serving hot food until 2pm today, and will close at 3pm. The EM, EMP and EL routes alll go through Chapel Row. You can find it as you turn south by the Bladebone Inn.
Warning: EM, EMP, EL rides flooded beteween Ufton Green and the A4. It is about 300m long and 1 foot at it deepest. I suggest change route to get to the A4 at Padworth
The Padworth route is all dry. Aim for Padworth Common up at the top, then from there head down to Padworth.
The West routes all go via Adbury ford (see attached screenshot of route). We drove over this route this evening. The water has receded below the ford now and it is entirely passable. Beyond the ford, the road has a lot of muddy debris on it. The ford route is 3.7 miles from the campsite to Sandham memorial chapel. There is an alternative route - see my next post
The alternative route is 5.2 miles from the campsite to Sandham Memorial chapel. Whilst there are still potholes, the road is clearer.
Janet & John Roberts lost a roll-up tool kit today - black & sized like a glasses case. It likely dropped off their bike near the Honesty Cafe, Greenham Common. If you see the tool roll, please let Janet or John know.
A parcel addressed to Giles Orton of the Tandem club has arrived at Barter Books. I have put the parcel in the webdesk for collection
 Watership Down, south of Ecchinswell |
 House in Ecchinswell |
 Greenham Common, early one winter morning |
 Highclere Castle |
 Kennet and Avon canal near Thatcham |
 Cobbler's Lock on the Kennet and Avon canal west of Hungerford |
 St Nicholas Church, Newbury |
 The Control Tower at Greenham Common, now a museum and cafe |
 St Thomas' Church at Woolton Hill |
STOP PRESS:
Bookings are now closed. Routes are available on the Attendees Event Information page. I am visiting the campsite on Friday 22nd March. Campsite info will be posted after that.
N.B. In order to access the routes, you must be logged into the TC website and your login email address must match one of the 2 email addresses in your booking form. Your booking confirmation form will show which email addresses are in your booking. I can edit the email addresses in your booking if you need them changed. tce2024@tandem-club.org.uk
The Area
The 2024 Easter Rally will take place at Bishops Green Farm campsite, on the Hampshire / Berkshire border, south east of Newbury. Bishops Green lies just south of Greenham Common, which was a cold war U.S. air force base, but has now (largely) been returned to use as a common, and open to the public for outdoor activities. The area is surrounded by lovely countryside and beautiful villages with typical Hampshire architecture. There is a network of delightful small roads linking the many villages and small towns. You will never be far from a café or pub.
The North Downs are just to the south and include Watership Down ("you have read the book, seen the film, now eat the pie."). Further south is the River Test with its clear waters and to the north-west is the River Kennet and the Kennet & Avon canal. Some of the routes visit Crofton Beam Engines pumping station - the oldest working beam engine in the world. The campsite is 4 miles from Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was set. If you do want to visit Highclere Castle then you are advised to book now for Easter 2024 (once on the Highclere Castle website, click on 'ADMISSION TICKETS', then click on 'Spring Public Opening 2024').
Rally Site
The campsite is a sheltered and secluded meadowland park offering very clean and well maintained facilities, in a lovely countryside setting. The campsite has a modern toilet block with a disabled / family room. There are woodland and riverside walks to be enjoyed around the farm. For this rally we have the whole campsite booked exclusively for us. There are 60 pitches mainly on grass but with some hardstandings. 30 of the pitches are electric.
The campsite has kindly agreed that people who are booking off-site may park their car at the campsite during the day. You will not need to pay a fee for this.
The Honesty Cafe (also sells sourdough bread) is located 10 minutes cycle up the road at Greenham Common. The Royal Oak pub located 1.5 miles to the south in Ecchinswell, has just re-opened under new management. There are 2 pubs in Kingsclere (The Crown and Bel & The Dragon). A little further afield is the Carpenters Arms in Burghclere. The closest shops are at located in Kingsclere and the other side of Greenham Common (Newbury Tesco Extra).
Rides
A choice of 3 rides will be available each day - a short, a medium and a long.
For those that have not yet attended a Tandem Club rally, we do not go out as a large group. Instead we tend to set off in small groups, so that we do not swamp the local roads. Each rally attendee is expected to bring their own printed copy of the route instructions / gpx track files. These will be published to those booked on the rally no later than 2 weeks before the start of the rally.
Entertainment
On Friday night there will be a social evening at Ecchinswell Village Hall, Ecchinswell Road, Ecchinswell RG20 4UB. SteLa Tandem will be giving a presentation and drinks and snacks will be provided .
Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held on Saturday 30th March 2024 at 5.00 p.m. in Ecchinswell Village Hall, Ecchinswell Road, Ecchinswell RG20 4UB. The hall is 1.5 km south of the rally site, along a quiet road. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Booking
You need to be members of the Tandem Club or certain overseas organisations to book. See the Terms and Conditions below.
Please use the button below to book for this event. Preferred payment for UK residents is by on-line credit/debit card payment but the form will present you with other options. We have enabled card payments in pounds by EU members - if you do experience any issues please contact the rally team (email address below).
If you have a website login account, then please login before using this form as most fields will be filled in for you automatically. The email address that you enter on the form should be the same as you use for logging in to the Tandem Club website - as it will be flagged to grant access to the Rally Attendees Information webpage.
Although the rally is being held from Thursday 28th March to Monday 1st April, the booking form can be used to book a pitch from Monday 25th March through to Thursday 4th April. Extra nights can ONLY be booked through the Tandem Club. If you later decide that you would like some extra nights, please email the rally organiser at: tce2024@tandem-club.org.uk . If you want an electric hook-up please book for at least 4 nights.
Some of the pitches with electric hook-ups are hard-standings. I will assign these. If you particularly want a hard standing, please add a note in the 'Additional Information' field.
Please also add notes in the 'Additional Information' field if you wish to be located close to the showers/toilets or if you wish to be sited close to particular people.
Item| Item | Price GBP | Price Euros |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch with electric hook-up per night (includes 1 person) | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Pitch without electric hook-up per night (includes 1 person) | 20.00 | 24.00 |
| Camping - additional adult (aged 18 and above) per night | 5.00 | 6.00 |
| Camping - child (age 0 to 17) per night | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Rally fee (age 19 and above) | 11.00 | 14.00 |
Need further information?
- Event attendees detailed information including rides etc.
- E-mail the rally team at: tce2024@tandem-club.org.uk
Map showing location of Bishops Green Farm
Event Information
Attendees Event informationTerms and Conditions.
Booking confirmation:
Your booking is not confirmed until payment has been received in full and cleared which should be before the closing date for bookings. Dishonoured cheques will result in the cancellation of your booking.
Members Only:
This event is open to UK or overseas Tandem Club Members or, in the case of overseas people, members of the following organisations: "Tandem Club of America", "Tandem Club de France", "Tandem Club NL (Netherlands)", "Tandem ClubVlaanderen (Belgium)" and "Tandem-fahren.de (Germany)". You can join the Tandem Club using the forms on the TC website. Joining the TC (About 15 UKP per year).
Disclaimer:
If you participate in any ride or event organised by the Tandem Club you do so entirely at your own risk. The Club, its officers and ride organisers accept no responsibility for loss, damage to property, accident, injury or death, that may occur, however caused, whether by negligence, deliberate act or otherwise.
Cancellations and refunds.
The rally fee will not be refunded after the closing date. Refund of other components will depend on what the Club can recover from the campsite and/or other suppliers. Members may wish to consider taking out Holiday Insurance to cover losses the Club cannot refund.
Photographs taken at the event may be published on the Tandem Club Website, The Tandem Club Facebook pages and The Tandem Club Journal