News

Hi, It has been queried if there is still a need or interest in producing a Newsletter? Well only you can answer that question, do you still find it of interest, keeping you up to date, providing useful information and do you still like to receive a copy? You can of course unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time. Any feedback appreciated to:-  chairman@westsussexda.co.uk

WSDA  AGM -  We recently held a very successful annual AGM at Clapham Village Hall on the Saturday morning during our Easter Meet.
There was a very good turn out with 51 members in attendance and a positive response from the floor as four new members volunteered to join your WSDA Committee replacing our retiring members. June Worley is taking on the roles of Secretary & Webmaster, Roy Harris takes the role of Vice Chairman, Lyndsay Barnes & Keith Wheway are Committee Members and our new Treasurer is Mary Tibble. A big thank you to our retiring members for their time and efforts over the past years.

DA MEETS:-  The warm weather this Spring has encouraged the campers out in good numbers to our three meets so far this season. There was a full house for the season's first meet at Wild Heart Hill, Findon in March. Lovely weather and a great walking area on the south downs attracted a few new visitors.

Easter Meet at Clapham & Patching Village Hall entertained 31 units and included our WSDA annual AGM which was followed by a complimentary beautiful buffet lunch spread, organised by Celia & Ian Whitby. The Spud Shack mobile jacket potatoes van was onsite for the evening meal, followed by lively entertainment from the folk/rock duo of Bucklers Reel! Easter Sunday started with a walk into the bluebell woods before a communal Easter Meal in the Hall and then finally a brilliant quiz evening by Lin & Steve Harris.

May Bank Holiday gave us a new venue with Whitehouse Farm, Uckfield. It was highly thought of by everyone and has been booked again for next year. We all enjoyed a sunny afternoon for a cream tea celebration for VE Day.

THE NEXT WSDA MEET - Coming up next we are re-visiting the previously named, Duncton Cricket Ground after many years break. Some of our senior members may remember when we used to camp there in the early 1990's. Who can forget the 'Search for a Star' evening in the hall, compared by our very own Ken Pumphrey opening the show with, 'There maybe trouble ahead' ?!  Acts included Jill Belchamber with her Piano accordion, Pat Carpenter on trumpet & guitar, the Ward & Packham families with the Twelve Days of Camping, dear old Kevin Lishman with a sonnet and several others. I hope that brought back some happy memories from this site; also a superb area for walking.

• Duncton Village Hall, Petworth

• 22nd - 26th May Whitsun Bank Holiday

• Stewards are Pat & Chris/ Steve & Tina

• Info on the website & FB Group & Out & About

It is with a very sad heart that I have to advise you of the passing to a higher service of my dear friend and camping companion, Mr Cliff Wilson. I believe Cliff joined WSDA in the early 1980's ,a very long serving committee member and past Chairman on a couple of occasions. As has been mentioned on the Facebook comments, Cliff was one of life's characters . Our thoughts and condolences go to Jamie and his family. The funeral is on 9th June, 12.00pm at the Ian Hart Funeral Chapel, 92 Broadwater Street. BN14 9DE, then afterwards at the Broadwater Working Mens Club.

LANCING COLLEGE THS 2025 - This year is the 40 years anniversary celebration camping on this site since 1985 when first organised by Ray Reed and his companions. I’m pleased to say that it is as popular as ever with visiting campers.

This year there will be live entertainment in the marquees every weekend, with the main celebration events being on Friday 15th August evening with ABBA Tribute act, Chiquetita, with fancy dress of an 80's Abba Theme. Saturday 16th afternoon celebration cream tea with the Camping & Caravanning Club Silver Band, followed in the evening with 'The Last Night at the Proms !' with your union jack flags and hats !!
Hope that some of you will make it to what promises to be a great Meet.
 

SITES 2025  - It is getting harder to find suitable sites for camping these days and although it is not generally our policy to make the Meets pre-booked, it is a great help to us to have some idea on the numbers that may be attending. No advance payments or restrictions, merely an idea on pitches required which can be done by emailing our booking line on;-    booking@westsussexda.co.uk  As always it would be of great help to volunteer to Steward a weekend just once in a while.
 

Thought for the Day - There are no strangers at a WSDA camping meet, just friends that haven't met yet !

HAPPY CAMPING IN 2025
Pat Carpenter   (Ed)     chairman@westsussexda.co.uk