Another unusual use for the caravan - no.2
Having been associated with our local Round Table for too many years to think about, who organise our local Carnival in June every year, I have therefore been involved as a Carnival Committee member to a greater or lesser extent over nearly all those years as well, and for several years have been asked to provide the caravan as a control point and 'counting house'.
Many many years ago they used to have the use of one from a local caravan supplier for the day, usually one of his part-ex units, I guess. It has always been felt necessary to provide a caravan for the treasurer, as he tends to be there all day and it was felt was more secure (I think it was the comfort really!). Bear in mind this is also the control point for the event so there are always plenty of burly marshalls around at all times, for security!!!
In more recent years the local supplier closed down, and no other member had a caravan, all those that camp seemed to have various types of tent. Therefore the hopeful comment usually came my way, "Errrm, you aren't planning on being away for Carnival, are you?"
And so it happened. For several years, my van became the focal point for marshalling the event (from the awning), and the 'counting house' for the treasurer inside the security of the van itself.
Of course, as I was there I was able to provide bacon butties and tea at 9am for the workers setting up the site (it is a one day event, gates don't open till 12noon to the public), and provide teas and coffees during the day as well (ahem! Also chilled beers kept in the fridge too, but we keep that quiet!). This did mean being up by 7am, hitching up, getting to site (about 3 miles), and setting up, but once the bacon butties were done, two or three helpers soon had the awning up (as a canopy only) to set up the control point.
the treasurer was nearly always one of the last jobs to finish, so I was usually last vehicle off site, which usually would mean I was late to the after Carnival party for the committee members and helpers! But we always raised a good sum for the nominated charity so I always felt it well worth the effort!
All the photos I took on this particular day were taken as many of the stalls had arrived but the park was still closed to the general public, a slight lull period in the usually manic proceedings! In the first photo you can just see it to the left of the tea tent, although the awning is also up so it is difficult to make out. The wierd structure set up in the arena is the Vander Brothers 'Wheel of Death!' ...... yes .... well .....
The second picture is a close up of the tea tent with some of the Scope team getting ready (they were one of the nominated charities that year). You can just make out the end of the van to the extreme left of shot.
The third photo shows a fire service caravan that came to keep mine company, and the fourth shows the local radio station 'caravan roadshow vehicle' (that's what they call it!) being set up. From this we run the 'Star for a Day' competition! It goes down well with the audience.
The final one is just a row of the usual type of stalls I am sure you have all seen at all these type of events!