Delabole Rally Review
19th to 21st July 2024
Blackthorn Camp Site
This event was attended by 10 riders from all over the southern counties.
Including John & Partner from Christchurch.
Phil, Keith and Andy, arrived Thursday and pitched up on the gate side, near
the toilets.
This proved to be a good move due to the weather, as the wash up cabin
made a welcome shelter from the driving rain on Saturday!
Friday, Don arrived on Friday morning, we put up the two banner flags, one by the
entry gate to mark it clearly for other riders, as this site is on a narrow single track
lane and would be easy to miss. Other riders arrived one by one.
Saturday, rain set in all day, mostly wind driven, it did find it’s way into a couple
of tents! Don decided to cancel the “ride out” and went home to collect his gazebo,
four of us got it up during a calmer spell, it provided good shelter when the next lot
of rain came.
In the evening a meal was organised at “a local pub” thanks to Sue & Debbie
for giving us a lift to the pub, some walked back afterward, the rain had stopped.
14 people were at the meal table.
Sunday, Weather cleared and the tents came down dry.
It is a good site, with basic, but well maintained toilets, shower, and a wash-up room.
The chickens roam free and provide some entertainment, along with some goats
which had worked out how to jump over the fence around their compound.
This Rally is usually held at “The Bettle and Chisel” in Delabole, which is now closed.
The Brewery is involved with this decision. This a big shame for the Landlord and Staff
a lot of work had been put into improving the facilities by the Landlord.
Thanks to Don & Sue for organising all this, made more difficult this year without the
Village Pub to stay at.