Beefstock
- 16th - 18th July 2010
Rally Marshals -
Cordell & Florett Jackson - Dave & Amanda Smalley
Words & Pictures - Dave & Amanda Smalley
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After what
looked set to be a very wet weekend, with torrential rain and high winds on
Thursday evening/Friday morning, the ‘Beefstock 2010’ festival’ at Field
Farm, Allestree proved to be a huge success. Field Farm is a well drained, level
field bordered at one end by the River Derwent and attracted 48 caravans on this
occasion. There are various local walks that can be taken from the site;
one to the local pub was quite popular with the ralliers.
After a rather relaxed Friday evening, ralliers woke to hazy sunshine on
Saturday morning that eventually gave way to clear blue skies and glorious
sunshine, just in time for ‘Beefstock’. For those of you who have
never heard of ‘Beefstock’, this is an annual music festival by invitation
only, with all proceeds going to charity. So, as visitors to Field Farm,
the Derbyshire Caravan Club was rather privileged to be able to join in this
fantastic event.
Starting at about 2:00pm on Saturday, we were entertained by eight bands
ranging from the ‘Osmaston Wind Band’ (I thought I’d found a niche for
Dave, but it’s not that kind of wind!) through to ‘The 11th Hour’ who
covered rock classics from AC/DC through to ZZ Top! More fantastic
performances from Omen Searcher, Vanity Box and not forgetting the amazing
‘Blues Assurance’ featuring our very own Cordell Jackson on bass guitar and
backing vocals and the very talented lead vocalist, Alistair Boden, the site
owner.
Besides the music, there was a range of stalls for our enjoyment, from
reflexology (recommended) and face painting to cake and book stalls. Not
forgetting the hot beef and sausage cobs to satisfy your appetite and the
‘real ales’ beer tent (though I never actually saw a tent!), to wash it down
with. A trampoline and table tennis kept the children entertained for
hours.
The atmosphere
during the afternoon/evening was fantastic – everyone seemed to be enjoying
themselves singing and dancing along to the music, enjoying their picnics in the
sunshine.
Just like one
big, happy family having a fantastic time in what literally was Alistair and
Jessica Boden’s back garden. A huge ‘thank you’ to them both for
allowing us to be part of Beefstock 2010.
And I am sure
the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance will be thanking them
for their generosity. All the proceeds from Beefstock 2010 will be donated
to this very worthwhile cause.
We have asked for this rally to be put on the programme next year, subject
to confirmation of dates. So, fingers crossed, “Roll on Beefstock
2011”.
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