Pre Rally

Last weekend on a wet grotty Sunday, team North Beds headed off early to The Cottlsole School in Wing. It was pre rally and therefore time to kick off the rally season. The Pom Poms were packed, the intermediates had handfuls of baler string and the seniors had every colour of the rainbow in sugar icing. The 30 strong team of members got signed in and were ready for the mornings class. With many entires in the craft class from the rest of county the pressure was on for us all to preform to a high standard. A big well done needs to go Joanne Jordan, who's pink icing sugar flowers were brilliant and to Bridget Herdman with her lovely baler string dream catcher. After we all did some colouring in for our illustrated writing we moved on to mood boards and birthday cards. With new member and pre rally veterans we made sure the everything was entered and that everyone had fun. After a lunch came the first aid, limerick and flat pack challenge classes which had full entries. As Josh Morgan-Jones and myself stepped on to stage for the flat pack challenge we soon found the one of us was to be blind folded and asked to build a shelving unit. Josh donned the blind fold and I was to direct, which I did in classic male fashion of not reading the instructions. So unfortunately after some dodgy construction we came 6th and moved on to the Guinness challenge, a class Joe Mitchinson has been training for during most of his adult life. With Andy Bell pouring the perfect pint, Joe not spilling a drop and young josh Morgan with some speedy washing up fingers crossed for another good placing. Next Sophie Gilkes and Josh Morgan moved on to the Irish dancing which after coping the expert for a 15 minutes, North Beds had there first 1st place. Next was the my big fat YFC wedding in which Phil Draper, Bec Harris and me created a dress from recycled waste and were pleased and shocked with a second place. With fashion the theme of the next class, Iona Sapsed walked on to stage modelling a knitted jacket made by Katie Gibbs. Iona, who we all know loves a stage even did a few spins for the audience. After this came the big one, cheer leading and with a fifth team entered from Norfolk, it was now a eastern area competition. So with our skirts, leg warmers and six weeks of training under our belts 10 of the red and black army walked out on to the front of the hall. It think we can all agree it was our best performance to date and everyone gave 100%. As we wait with baited breath for the results the whole club was nervous. Then as soon as it was announced the Silsoe had come second everyone erupted in to shouts and cheers of joy. It was a brilliant day for the club and one that I know we all enjoyed. On behalf of the club I'd like to thank all the judges, stewards and organisers of the day for all your hard efforts. We look forward to seeing you all at rally.
Simon