"Hoo's Ready 2 Rock" 2007.

A "Centre 15" production.

13th - 15th July.
The Sturdee Club, Hoo.

Thursday 12th July.

Members from centre15 turned up at the venue, Big Al with the control van, others with banners, flags, bunting but most importantly, Bob Perkins and Ron Burr with the Tea and Coffee tent. After a few hours of feverish activity the club now looked like a VSOC party venue. Baldeagle arrived with his disco and enough lights to make a display that could have graced Blackpool.

A surprise to us all was Rob & Anneka Blokker arriving on site from Holland. They were on holiday in the UK and decided to make our party their last stop before returning home.

With everything in place a well-earned beer or two (eight or nine in some cases) was taken by the lads and lasses  before retiring to bed for an bearly, late night!!!

Friday 13th July.

Friday arrived; we awoke to bright sunshine instead of the pissing rain forecast, could this be an omen for a brilliant weekend? All was ready and we waited for our biking buddies to arrive from other centre's across the country and arrive they did, the 1st arrived at 8.30am, after that the trickle became a flow. Some members coming from great distance in the pouring rain & pleased to be greeted by the dry and sunny conditions. Mike arrived from Cornwall in his motor home; well I say motor home it  was like a detached house on wheels!! People were still arriving well into the night, the last arriving at about 10pm.

With the evening getting underway way, Baldeagle was blasting out some sounds and guests finding out where the bars and food were. About 9.30 the band Headlong took to the stage for their first turn of the night and set about getting people up and dancing.

The band & Disco finished at around 1am although the drinking went on for a few hours after that with everybody catching up with old friends and drinking buddies. >

Saturday 14th July.

Saturday morning arrived, far too early for some people me included! The early birds from centre 15 had awoken though and were up greeting more people who were just arriving.

As we had not arranged a rideout, members from other centres took themselves out and about to various place of interest around the " Sunny" county of Kent.

Games planned for the afternoon, I seem to remember I had got up by this time, got underway. Jousting, water filled balloon throwing, slow riding, Frozen tee shirt and the tug-o-war. Everybody taking part seem to enjoying themselves, it is surprising how the competitive streak comes out in people when the games begin but we all remained friends and there was no fighting!!!!

Our old friends the magicians arrived at about 7ish and started to astound people with their close up tricks and slight of hand. I think they must enjoy working for us, they were booked for two hours and I know they were still there doing tricks at midnight. They are very, very good and it amazing how they do the tricks so close and you still "can't see how it's done"!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday night was well underway with Baldeagle getting things started with the Disco. George Georgiades decided that he would have his hair cut and lose his "Arry" ponytail for charity. He managed to raise over £107 for Breakthrough breast cancer. Well done and thanks George.

Chris and his mates from centre 16 asked if we could surprise Helen, his wife, with a 40th Birthday cake. We did and she was unusually lost for words.

About 9.30 Bad Pennies took to the stage and rocked for an hour or so before taking a well earned break.

The raffle had been drawn and the winners were collecting their prizes. Thanks to Steve Gilman for going round all weekend selling tickets, and thanks to the other members who help tear up and fold the tickets. Thanks to Horizontal for managing to tear and fold about 6 tickets, I'm lead to believe his eyes still had a hangover!!!!!!!!!

Then to the prize giving for the winners of the games.

Jousting. Winners. Mike & Fran, Runners up. Mr K & Ashlyn.

Water Balloon throwing Winners. Mike & Fran. No runner up as people were more interested in throwing the balloons at the judges and photographers.

Slow Riding. Winner Mike. Runner up Gerry from Centre 9

Frozen Tee shirt. Winners. Team from Centre 16.

Tug-o- war. Winners Centre 16. What did we expect with Bill as the anchorman?

My last duty of the night, apart from the thank you's, or so I thought, was to present our patch to and make Rob and Anneka Blokker honorary members of Centre 15. Over the years they have become very good friends to all of us at Centre 15. In our roles as Centre rep and deputy Centre rep, Ron and I decided that honouring them in this way would show my, Ron's and Centre15's feelings towards them.

To Rachel's and my shock Rob & Anneka decided it would be a good idea to help us celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary with the presentation of a gift or two. The wine was very tasty and I'll just say the gifts for us both "fitted" okay!!!! You'll need to see the photos if you were not there.

Bad Pennies and Baldeagle rocked the rest of the night away until 2am.

A mass of tipsy, no pissed, people descended onto the tea tent. Tarzan thought it might be a good idea to crack open a new bottle of JD and drink with Kevin, Sally, Spider and a few others. I decided that valour was better than honour and went to bed. I understand Tarzan woke up outside the tea tent, in the rain and with an empty bottle. Oh dear, I hope the headache is better Tel

Sunday 15th July

All to soon Sunday morning had arrived and it was time to bid farewell to our party guests. A few of them did look a little worse for wear as they bid us goodbye but they all had the same message "What a brilliant party".

As the remaining Centre 15 members finished the clearing up and packing away and said our goodbyes it was getting on for 12.30pm. I think although we had all had a good time we were just about knackered and ready to get home for an early night.

"Hoo's Ready 2 Rock"
Good Company
Good Weather
A GREAT PARTY!!

Bring on the Smugglers rally, 2008.

Ray Nicholson. Centre 15 Rep