July 1st 2007 brought about the smoking ban in England. This lead to a couple of changes at Searles, a smoking shelter built outside (which protects smokers from the rain, if not the cold) and it gave Searles the excuse to remodel the Sundowner Bar. Apart from new carpets, furniture and a larger stage, no longer is there a barrier between the bar and the seating area. This last change to me hasn’t improved the room, the bar area was a place where you were separated from the band and dance floor and could have a chat with people – but perhaps the ‘regular’ holidaymakers in the summer prefer it without a partitioned off area.

What the Committee said…

What the Committee said…

Hi gang

Just to let you know that support has been superb this year and we will actually INCREASE on last year’s attendance. Amazingly this is the first year since 1991 that attendance has gone up. Funnily enough, 1991 was my first WASH!

LATE BOOKINGS

Because of the brilliant turnout we have a number of groups who have ‘spare berths’ and are happy to accommodate any late bookings. So if you have any stragglers or can ‘persuade’ any more to come and are worried that an extra person may incurr an extra charge for an un occupied space – DONT WORRY, we can sort it for you!

With the numbers we have booked, the revamped venue and some awesome entertainments planned it seeems a shame if anyone still pondering coming but worried about upsetting group’s carefully laid caravan plans, doesn’t come. We WILL accommodate them with mutually acceptable people.

Paul – WASH 2007 Bookings Officer

The new-style Sundowner Bar, rather different to before

What they said…

We set off on Friday – two cars, six people – each with our own designated driver, designated map reader and designated lay-about. It was a long, but easy drive (guess who was the lay-about in one of the cars) and we arrived safe and sound at Searles Caravan Park (thanx drivers and map readers). After the so much needed (beer) shopping we all got in our fancy clothes, took some pictures and decided to go and have a drink at the bar…

What a party!!!! Fantastic to see so many new faces and ‘old’ friends! One special mention to Mr Jacuzziman who really didn’t know till the day after that he was wondering around, slightly (?) intoxicated with full make-up on 😀  Our Wash Virgins blended in quite nicely with all the other mad Plussers and Questarians and it didn’t took them long to dance and drink the night away..

The next morning (yes, we miraculously made it to get up before noon!) we had a proper full English and some of us went for a nice stroll along the beach to visit the picturesque village of Hunstanton. Others went to shoot some clay. It was great fun and I was rubbish (and my arms still hurt). In the evening we had great grub (thanx for cooking, Chef!) and hoisted ourselves into our evening outfits. We had decided on Cops & Robbers and for whatever strange reason we ended up with 4 cops and one robber (I must have been a mayor flight risk 😉

The comedians were funny, but am still smelling Mr Methane..

We danced and drank another night away and our Wash Virgins were the ones attending every after party on site – Way to go!!

On Sunday (after another tasty breakfast) we decided to take part in the quiz – Well done, The Joy of Six (our team) for making it into the Top 10! And after another delightful dinner (did you already guess we love our food?) we got ready for another party night.. Must say, my feet still hurt from all that dancing (and my head from the numerous vodka lemonades).

This time we all made it to the after parties (as the band did too!) and rounded the evening off with a couple of hands of Black Jack.. We rolled into bed just before 5 this morning – not long after the cleaning crew pounced on our door ‘Aufmachen!! Auss! Aus!’ We finished cooking our left over breakfast, ate it, cleaned the van and packed our cars…

Been home now for about two hours… Big thanx guys for organising and making this another Wash to remember! Also thanx to everyone who was there to make me want more…

Wash 2008 – Bring It On!!

Kirsty – Plus email forum

Badness

One of the best bands ever to appear at WASH

What they said…

Well, what a fine weekend ! !

Friday night was the usual catching up with all the people you only see 2 or 3 times a year, the band ‘Envy’ I personally thought were pretty mediocre, but they played tunes that people knew and so went down okay

Saturday started with Aqua Line Dancing – though this year I only managed to keep going for half the session… too much alcohol and too little sleep caught up with me…. which also meant I missed most of the karaoke and the boozy bingo while I recharged my batteries.
Saturday night… hmm, comedy show was interesting, the jokes maybe a bit racist and as for Mr Methane.. well what can you say apart from that it’s certainly a different type of act, probably takes quite a lot of effort to do it and probably went on for 5 minutes too long… one too many songs performed.
The band ‘Red Shed’ were very entertaining, especially if you kept popping out of the room for the bar / toilet etc… every time you came back to look at them they were wearing less !
To round off the evening thanks must go to Lara and Chris for their excellent hospitality that apparently went on until 5.50am… though I gave up well before that.

Sunday morning and back to the pool for swimming and sauna… excellent way to wake up and sweat some of the alcohol out of your system… then it was a light lunch before the Quiz… not perhaps quite as slickly performed as previous years, but with a similar result to previous years in that the team I was in came second… one year I WILL be on the winning team !
Sunday evening has often had the best bands of the weekend – and this year was no exception, ‘Badness’ were brilliant, their act perfectly suited to a Plus audience that really joined in with the band.

As usual WASH flew by so quickly, seemed like it was closing time on Sunday night only about 6 hours after I arrived on Friday teatime.

Now, next year… WASH 25, the Silver Jubilee event, and the Kings Lynn group want our ideas as to what they can do to make it a really special WASH.
I doubt that my idea of having drinks at 1984 prices will actually be possible 🙁
But there was another idea being bandied around late last night… how about having a FOUR day WASH weekend ? ?

Fil – Plus email forum
Hey, that’s me ! – I don’t remember writing it !

Envy

A funny thing happened…

On the 2008 series of Britain’s got Talent Mr Methane did not go down very well with the judges, who gave him the boot before he had chance to finish his act. However, Simon Cowell did admit that he had seen him before… maybe he is a fan !

The finale of Mr Methane’s act…

A balloon burst by a blowpipe dart

What they said…

Sheer Brilliance, need I say more. Especially, Badness and Red Shed. The Monkees theme will never be the same again… Loved the entertainment so much, I would love the WASH Committee, if they could get Badness to come back next year, ie WASH 25. Well done for everybody’s hard work that goes into booking all our holidays for us Plussers. – Kathy

I must say that this was the best WASH I have been to in a long time, nearly did not come this year, but so glad I did indeed, it was a blast. It was great seeing so many old friends and making some new ones as well. I thought the entertainment was spot on, not without its moments, but I will say enjoyed every minute of it, had a great dance with Lyn and thanks Christine for the boogy. BADNESS were excellent and I believe from when they were in the caravan later they do other stuff, so Keith please get them back. – Wayne

What can I say but thank you for such a fabulous WASH this year. I really have to confess that to date it is the best WASH I have ever been to. The atmosphere was fantastic, the events well-organsied and fun and the accommodation was in a different league to before (in a good way I mean). The highlights of this years WASH for me was Envy and Badness. Both brilliant bands, very entertaining indee!!! I really enjoyed the fact that this time there was only one act on per night as it gave a better atmosphere. However if I do have to be critical in a negative way I have to confess that for me the worst act of the weekend were Red Shed. I personally thought that the act was rather childish and not very entertaining. I did however like the idea of having a comedy night in the evening and I would have prefered to have a disco after the comedy night and do away with the band. – Nikkie

A big thank you to the WASH committee for another fantastic weekend of great entertainment. I especially enjoyed Red Shed, the boozy Bingo & the Big Glow sticks from the joke shop.
I think my feet have just about recovered from dancing all weekend to the great tunes spun by the Black Express roadshow, cheers guys! Here’s to next year… – Hazel

I’d just like to add my thanks to the committee for a great weekend. Hope everyone else had as good a time as I did. – Lala

Thanks for the weekend guys, this was my fourth and overall the best one I have had the pleasure to experience… – Richard

Over all, a belting weekend – particularly Friday and Sunday night’s entertainment. Sorry that some had to travel back before last night, because they missed the best band of the weekend – BADNESS. Hopefully the committee will seriously think about getting them back for the Saturday night next year. – Chris

Hopefully you all arrived home well after your long journeys from wash. It was a great weekend and seeing loads of new faces that were not there last year. Lets hope we can keep the numbers up for next year as the suggestions in the voting form proved to be quite good. The bands were great especially Badness and Redshed. Envy were okay but she sounded really flat towards the end, sorry for moaning. – Serena

All from the Plus Email forum

Red Shed

Lorraine, Tracy and Lara, scared to death by men in pants

What they said…

“The clock had just clicked past half past six and as the sun began to rise again, the bus pulled into the Searles Holiday Park in Hunstanton, Norfolk (in chance), found a place to park and Badness
slept…………..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

As we set up almost twelve hours later we discovered there was a P.A already set up (thats good) a lighting rig already set up (thats good as well) and bulbs around the mirrors in the dressing room..!!! It was soon pretty obvious that the holiday park had’nt booked us…………..but who had…………..?………….something was not quite right…………………………………………….?
Now i hope i get this right, it was a national organisation called ‘PLUS’ formally ’18 PLUS’ and they have this annual get together at the Searles Holiday Park in Norfolk (in chance)……sorry i just love doing that ). I tell you what, these guys know how to have a good time. Top night all round, great gig, great crowd and everyone seemed to be right up for it..!!! Rumour has it them bastards Shomaddymaddy have got the same gig for next year, well i just hope they have as good a time as we did. Big thanks to Keith and everyones hospitality especially the drinks at the end….!!!!”

Commander’s Blog on the Badness website www.badnessaka.co.uk

Mike, from Badness… AKA The Commander

What the Committee said…

Hello guys

On behalf of the WASH Committee thank you to each and every person who attended this weekend. It has given us such an enormous lift to see numbers increase and we only had less than half a dozen ‘friends’. Thank you to everyone who put suggestions down, we will be looking ath these and see what we can realistically do for you. Don’t forget that WASH 25 is a week later next year (boo, hiss). we kick off on Friday 14th, which happens to be my birthday (hint, hint).

My highlights of the weekend:
The first pint when almost nobody is there – and it was bought for us by Keith Barnes!
Formal Friday looked really good, just like the old days
I seemed to end up with my head resting in lots of cleavages, I am told that I either Looked pathetic or need mothering – my thanks to Lara, Jo, Lucy, Hazel, Emma and anyone else who looked after me so well.
Kareoke- sunk to new levels of direness and I sat through the entire thing because I am good like that
Red Shed – Thanks for making me look even more hunky after shamefully getting your kit off
Lara’s Party – I went in drunk and came out even worse
Fireworks – I know it’s a dirty job but someone had to warm Lucy T up on the landtrain back!

See you all soon

Paul, WASH 2007 Bookings Officer

Maybe 1:27am is just too late for some people !

Click to go to
Previous Year 2006
Next Year 2008

Click to go to
Previous Year 2006
Next Year 2008

The biggest change in the twenty-odd years I have been going to Searles happened in 2006… They swapped the toilets over !  The Ladies toilet had become the Gents and the old Gents had become the Ladies.
I always had a certain regard for the old gents toilets, the door handle made a satisfactory sound when it banged on the tiled wall and the counter with the sinks was a suitable place to put your drink down if you found you were still carrying it into the loo’s.

The girls, who were now using what used to be the Gents toilet were amazed at the size of their new toilets and complained that the boys had had it good for so many years as the Ladies had much smaller facilities. What they didn’t seem to grasp at first was that the Gents toilets had been smaller, but had now been extended for use as Ladies facilities.

Even in my drunkest state I only ‘forgot’ which toilet to head to and went towards the wrong one, though there were other people (of both sexes) whose confusion sent them right into the wrong room.

What the Committee said…

Hi all

Hope the heatwave continues – wonder if will last until November? Perhaps not because some things never change at WASH

BUT SOME THINGS DO!!!

We may have some exciting news next week about altered drinking hours, a novel way for loads of people to see the fireworks, and even more of the top accommodation available

Big thanks to those who have paid deposits – numbers are looking good, so if you thought you would give this year a miss as numbers falling DON’T. Target 300 is definitely looking on. Just think how good it’s going to be – full venue, top entertainment, a totally revamped Saturday night, return of the film at the Princess Theatre AND the chance to ply me with alcohol all weekend!

A band booked for Friday night was seen through an alcoholic haze by Keith, me and Dawn lot last Saturday at the Kings Lynn Festival. 7,000 other people packed into the market place for what is in the top ten free festivals in Europe, quite rated them as well. They got their spot by winning Battle of the Bands on the local radio station.

Next week we will let you know how YOU can take part in some voting that will help shape Sunday night’s musical entertainment.

18 days until deposit deadline
76 days until balances deadline
113 days until WASH (oh bugger, where’s the Valium!)

Paul, WASH 2006 Bookings Officer

What the Committee said…

What the Committee said…

What the Committee said…

What they said…

I must add my thanks to Keith and his team for putting on another fine WASH weekend…

On Friday night the main entertainment was watching peoples confused embarassment from going in the wrong toilets ! The band was good too, though being old I preferred their second Glam Rock set to their modern set.
Lack of a chip shop was a bit of a problem at 1.30am Saturday morning, fortunately our caravan was well stocked with pringles, crisps, biscuits and the like for those late night munchies 🙂

Saturday I had a quietish morning going to Tesco’s cafe for breakfast and then wandering into Hunstanton to look around the town. I have always liked going to the Princess Theatre, but didn’t bother this year cos I saw “Over The Hedge” at the cinema and didn’t think it was worth seeing again, so Saturday afternoon was spent taking it easy, then we had a sing song and a bit of a tea time party in our caravan (lethal vodka jelly !)
The Comedy Show on Saturday I thought was a bit hit and miss… mainly cos I could only understand about 1 word in 3 of what the Australian guy was saying… the Hillbilly version of Bohemian Rhapsody though was a highlight of the whole weekend.
Shamus O’blivion and the Megadeath Morrismen may not have been to everyones taste but my hands still hurt from banging my morris pole on the ground for an hour though I left most of the manic dancing to those far younger and fitter than me !

Sunday morning and a quiet introduction to the day in the form of Aqua Line Dancing in the pool… it was really great, much more entertaining than the aqua aerobics sessions of previous years, then it was back to the caravan for bacon sandwiches before going down to the quiz. unfortunately my team didn’t win the quiz, we were in a clear second place but were beaten by the WASH committee team… though we claim a moral victory on the grounds that
a) there were less than 6 people in our team
b) none of our team related in anyway to the people doing the marking of the answer sheets !
c) none of us were the people responsible for the booking and the paying of the quiz masters !

Sunday Night saw one of the best acts we have ever seen at WASH… Pop Goes The 80’s, it’s rare to see a band like that with 3 such good singers, they certainly had the whole room dancing, including the bar staff and the St Johns Ambulance people – an audience reaction not really seen since the appearence of the boys from Foxx ten years ago. The band really looked to be enjoying themselves too, I think they liked some of the audiences rock star costumes ! ! They were up in the top 5 of bands ever seen at WASH, maybe not quite up to the standards of Oceanic (1992) Four Bills and a Ben (1995) or the late great Edwin Starr (1990) but up there close behind them.

All in all another highly enjoyable and successful WASH weekend
Roll on WASH 2007…. but remember there’s Brean in the spring first ! !

Fil – Plus email forum
(I didn’t remember writing that either !)

Confusion… which toilet is which ? ?

What they said…

Well I had a good weekend and thanks to the WASH committee for the entertainment.

Friday
Got to Searles at 3:15pm just in time to Book in and say hi to the people at booking in. The band on Friday was good. The Glam Rock band we noticed that the lead singer was reading the words to the verses when singing but then the guy maybe only 20 and was not born until 10 years after glam rock. 🙂  Then again he could sing and play the guitar better than me.

Saturday
Went to Kings Lynn for shopping got the bits we wanted. I liked the idea of the Searles Train for the Firework display. It was better than any Plus coach I had been on. It made the Fireworks go with a bang, rattle, bump or whistle. 🙂 Got back and got into my habit or was it the Deep Fat Friar (Thanks Chris Page) How to confuse a Australian comedian put up a Brentwood Plus Banner and dress medieval. He thought we were all Brentwood Plus, also I had no problem understanding any of them. I just want to know when is the 2nd comedian going to release the country version of Bohemian Rhapsody as I would buy it. I don’t know if it was a good thing or bad, but with the comedian’s could not see us. So no poking fun at people dressed as monks. As for the Morris dance band I thought it was a nice change since we normally have a cover band of some type. But then they said they only did songs about 2 things, Sex or Death.

Sunday
Walked into Hunstanton and had lunch in a pub in town so sadly missed the quiz. But as Joe said I do like good quiz team names like Richard Hammond’s Pit Crew or Saddam Hussein’s Executioners. As for the Sunday bands they were just as good as the others. The venue was the busiest I had seen it on a Sunday night in years as a lot of people have to work on Monday morning.

Monday
Sorted the rubbish in the lodge and packed in the morning. Had a carrier bag full of glass bottles for recycling in Tesco’s bottle bank. Did my bit for the environment then again not as many as past years. I did not want to go home since I had enjoyed the weekend. Avoided the traffic jam just after Norfolk Lavender by turning left there and then the next right in Sedgeford to get to Snettisham then turned left through Dersingham to Kings Lynn and home in quick time.

Only had two problems with the weekend.

1. It was not long enough
2. Nothing

I hope to be there next year

Chris – Plus email forum

Kaboos… played the first set on Friday night

Glamorize… played the second set on Friday night
beneath the make-up they looked very similar to Kaboos

What the Committee said…

Hi All

Hope you all feel as rough as I do. Just like to say an enormous Thank You to everyone who came to WASH 2006. It’s YOUR event so feedback would be much appreciated. WASH 2007 IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING

My highlights of WASH 2006

1. Winning the quiz
2. Being kept warm and safe by Jo T on the land train
3. Winning the quiz
4. When going to pay ‘Pop Goes The 80’s’ last night, seeing the ladies in their bras
5. Winning the quiz
6. Keith Israel getting so wrecked that he ended up in another bed getting his toe nails painted
7. Winning the quiz
8. Lara’s pom poms,
9. Winning the quiz
10. The weather
11. Winning the quiz
12. Our caravan party which went on a bit longer than we anticipated
13. Winning the quiz
14. Being used as a human chair by Pom Pom girl at above mentioned party – I always knew I was fat for a good reason
15. Winning the quiz
16. Impressing Chris by downing in one stupid amount of Ukrainian Pepper Vodka and living to tell the tale
17. Winning the quiz

I’m sure as my consciousness gradually returns I will think of some more. There appears to be a theme to my weekend, involving sexy young ladies and unhealthy amounts of alcohol. Lets have yours

Paul  – WASH 2006 Bookings Officer

Some of the many costumes of Pop Goes The 80’s

Some of the many 80’s costumes in the crowd

What they said…

Great time, great people great atmosphere too…….:) See you next year – Alex

Just wanted to thank the WASH committee for organising another fantasic WASH weekend.
The band on Saturday night certainly had to be seen to be believed. I think I need to get myself a tambourine!! The Sunday night band were also excellent, the most people I’ve seen on the dance floor on a Sunday for a good few years.
Wonder how many of you are feeling as knackered as I am. However it was certainly worth it. Roll on the next one. – Lara

It was an excellent weekend, my thanks to all the organising committee. Put me down as one who thought the Saturday band were bloomin’ brilliant – there’s plenty of dance music played over the rest of the weekend. – Huw

To all, Once again thanks for a fantastic weekend amongst true friends (everybody at WASH 2006). You guys and girls are absolutely amazing. – Pat & the boys – Black Express Roadshow

Just a quick note to say thank you to the WASH committee for another brilliant weekend. I especially enjoyed the friday night band(s)!! and the eighties tribuite band on sunday night. I think my feet have just about recovered from dancing all weekend to the great tunes spun by the Black Express roadshow, cheers guys. Here’s to next year… – Hazel

It was another WashTastic Weekend! Many many many thanx to the whole organising committee!
Friday night was WashTastic – chatting to so many people, getting them to enter the Brean Competition (which btw is won by Richard Leach, who didn’t even know he entered!).
Saturday day was WashTastic – Hadn’t seen the film before and it was funny (could we go to the cinema again next year?)
Saturday night was WashTastic – Loved the comedians (although I couldn’t understand the last one much) and the band was.. eh.. different 🙂
Sunday day was WashTastic – We actually made it to 18th place 😀
And Sunday night.. WashTastic – Where do I start? – Winning second fancy dress prize and playing the part all night (good call, Phill, we had to move Ozzie out for safety reasons), convincing everyone weeks before hand that if we do our little Becks dance people will join in (whahahaha.. glad the dj changed the music after two minutes) and the best compliment of the weekend – ‘I love the Dutch’, said Keith Israel,’They spit when they talk English.’ Thank you very much!!! 😀 And see you at Brean! – Kirsty (recovering while having a smoke and a pancake)

All from the Plus email forum

Seamus O’blivion…

… and the Megadeath Morrismen

They certainly got the crowd dancing

What the Committee said…

To All

Thank you very much for your attendance at WASH 2006 and your kind comments on this list. Now that 2 weeks have past I would like to summarise as follows.
I thought Friday was fine with Kaboos providing two different and ideal warm up sets. Karaoke went very well and thanks to Adam for the show (Do you think if we started the Karaoke at 3-00pm on Friday and just kept going until Monday morning there would be enough time for everyone to have a go?). I didn’t get to the movie but understand it was well received but I did get to ride on the train to the Fireworks which was great and a bit different. Posts suggest that Saturday night was not everyone’s cup of tea but we wanted to change things about a bit so as not to be samey I note we had one entry saying it was not their thing followed immediatley by one saying it was excellent, the problems of organising a holiday weekend eh. The aqua line dancing was a new and different activity which was followed by the quiz which remains excellent fun and of course the finale was Pop goes the Eighties which had just about total approval from everyone. I could go on about the excellent facilities the fact there seemed more parties that went on later than ever this year and much more but it was a pleasure for me and the committee to once again organise this event and know you had a good time.
Just a couple of individual points
1) Putting nail varnish on my toenails when I am asleep is just wrong Fuscia Blush is sooo not my colour.
2) Kirsty – when I say Dutch people spit I suppose its more of a tshcp sound Martin Jol does it as well I hope you were not offended.
3) Richard – I did not get upset when you called me an old git as on reflection I’ve probably got socks which are older than you. It was good to meet you.
4)We won the quiz.
I am delighted to say we have already sold 25 deposits for WASH 2007 which will be on the 2nd-5th November 2007.

Best wishes

Keith

Click to go to
Previous Year 2005
Next Year 2007

Click to go to
Previous Year 2005
Next Year 2007

Big changes at Searles for 2005 – the carpark in front of the venue was gone and the whole area roofed, right over to the reception building to form the new Plaza – also a childrens play area appeared (similar to the ‘Wacky Warehouse’ play centres). This saw the end of the telephone boxes (see WASH 1990) and the ‘Bovis Tree’ (see the Dossers section). Apart

What the Committee said…

Hi All
Went for a meeting at Searles on Tuesday evening, it’s the third year we have been for a summer meeting with the Searles management and I still can’t get my head around:
1. Children
2. People in shorts
3. Sunshine
4. People who are sober

Never mind! Once the shock had worn off we were given a tour of the new Plaza (which we have already christened the Greenhouse). This is the bit between the reception and the venue entrance. It’s a bit like the pavilions at Butlins and will be a great addition this year.

NEW FOR WASH 2005
Chinese food (eat in or take away)
Burgers
Pizzas
Southern Fried Chicken

WASHFEST 1
THIS IS NOT TO BE MISSED!!! On the Saturday evening (6.00pm to 9.30pm) we will proudly present WASHFEST 1, which is a German themed beer festival with an Oompah band, commemerative steiners to buy (bet I have spelt it wrong!), trestle tables, the lot. Also we will be putting on some real ale as an alternative.

All the bands and entertainment are booked, so I supposed I had better sort some paperwork out for you very soon. Save your pennies up

Paul – WASH 2005 Bookings Officer

The new plaza

What the Committee said…

Whilst by now many of you are aware of the fantastic atmosphere and entertainment the WASH weekend provides and this years new activity WASH-FEST promises to be quite a blast . It is quite possible to overlook that WASH is an ideal opportunity for you to have a relaxing Autumn break in the company of friends in the popular Norfolk countryside at a much reduced price than you would expect to pay at Centre PARCs or other similar centres (Four sharing at Centre Parcs Thetford in similar standard accomodation over the same weekend would be £112 each).

For a start we will be occupying the centre’s top of the range accommodation, which in Mid- Summer would set you back the best part of £1000-00 per week. All units are warm, cosy and have all the facilities you’d expect. Your bed is even made for you on arrival. All have colour TV’s and many have microvaves, dishwashers and DVD players. On site we have an indoor swimming pool with 2 organised aqua aerobics sessions with jacuzzi, sauna and Gymnasium. There is also a highly regarded Country club and 9 hole golf course, all of which are available to members attending. You will also have the opportunity to try your hand at Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting. The Norfok coastline gives the more energetic a chance for spectacular walking and the area is steeped in traditional Country Pubs. Within 15 minute of Searles is Royal Sandringham, with over 1000 acres of woodland to explore. If retail therapy floats your boat, then the City of Norwich is less than an hour away and has recently opened a new shopping centre which has been described as one of the best in the UK. As we have said, we believe the party atmosphere at WASH is second to none, but if a relaxing stress free break in the company of friends is what you fancy then WASH has the answers.

The Israelite – Chairman WASH 2005

What they said…

Keith, Paul, Dawn et all CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

WASH 2005 was superb:- I think this was my 11th or possibly 12th year and I think that it was the best by far.

Junior Rocked!. Steve Ferringo Band were just out of this world again.!! T-rexsasty gave the camp rock you promised *grin*

A weekend to relax – We did in the jacuzzi and Sauna
A weekend to excercise – We did at Aquarobics
A weekend to be challenged – We came 7th in the quiz
A weekend to see and hear live bands – We did Saturday and Sunday night
A weekend to meet old aquaintances and make new freinds – well we did this all weekend long.

For the ammount of entertainment provided I have to say that this was the best value for money in ages. Accommodation just awesome – I mean we had a dishwasher – and yet I still did the washing up 3 times!

Superb weekend. Great to see old friends and catch up on what they have been up to.
Enjoyed meeting new people too!  Matt – Joan’s friend – great laugh – top bloke , Richard – The wig suits u mate another top bloke

Thanks also must go to Caroline, Chris, Dave, Erica and Fil who made our accommodation home from home.

See you all at WASH 2006.-

Biggles (The Original) – email forum

The Steve Ferringo Band – not much more dressed than last year

What they said…

It was really great to be a part of WASH 2005. Had a really good time, drank too much beer……it was brill! – Alex

Hi all what a great weekend it has been at wash many thanks to wash committee – Lisa

Just to a big thank you to Paul,Keith & co. If all members could put into plus what these guys put into WASH, we would never have any problems. – Brian

I also wish to thank the WASH committee for booking the Steve Ferringo Band again they were the best act of the weekend for me anyway. – James

Just like to add my thanks to the wash committee for another fantastic weekend. The Steve Ferringo band were I agree the highlight of the weekend although the rock blues band on the Sunday was great too. Really good to  catch up with all of you who were there, seeing old friends and making some new ones too.
The oompah band they were really funny. Particularly when they got Ian and Richard performing the dance of the sugar plum fairy including lifts. Has anyone any photos?
Having real problems focussing on the screen at the moment. Think catching up on sleep is high on my list of priorites!! A sign of a good weekend me thinks!! – Lara

I think I speak for so’ton friends when I say it was a fantastically brilliant weekend… I went to all but one of the “gig” _really_ enjoyed every act I saw (except the singing “comedian” who I didn’t find at all funny and wanted to heckle off – does any one else agree with me on that? – maybe it’s my sense of humour) my highlights was trying to avoid seeing fleshy bits that the steve ferringo band obviously wanted you to see, while still enjoying the music and trying not to laugh too hard…
I know organising such a large event is a massive task and I want to thank the entire team for their effort (but maybe even more importantly the results)… – Richard

A big thanks to the Wash committee for a great weekend. I had a great time and it was good to meet new people, and of course met up with old friends. The highlight for me was the Steve Ferringo band and the comedians (though not the singer) – Jo

I would just like to say a big thank you to Keith and the WASH committee for an excellent weekend this weekend. Our accommodation was brilliant and it was great to meet so many other plussers there. I am already looking forward to WASH 2006. 🙂
I would also like to say hello to everyone that I met there, and I hope you all had a safe journey home. To all those who weren’t there – you missed out. – Joe

I would like to say that Barnet thoroughly enjoyed the weekend too, thank you to all those in the WASH committee who organised it, you did a great job as usual. None of us enjoyed the comedian musician either!, but the other two comedians were great – Clare

I must have been the only one that got the singing comedian. I got his humour which was dry and very subtle. But then I always say that the comedy at WASH needs to be crude and rude.
But then I realised you needed to listen to what the guy was singing to get it.
I must be getting old as most of the bands were so loud I could feel the air moving around me or was I very drunk and the air was moving anyway 🙂
But I did have a good time even winning a Wok set at the Bingo at Thomas’s on the sea front. – Chris

All from the Plus email Forum

T-Rexstacy – the most realistic Marc Bolan tribute act there is

The ‘Max Bloodaxe Oompah Band’… and dancers !

A funny thing happened…

What links the WASH appearances of Max Bloodaxe (1998), Legiova Maximus (1999), The Big Wolff Oompah Band (2002) and The Max Bloodaxe Bavarian Oompah Band (2005) ? The answer is that they are all the same band, their 4 appearances make them the band seen most at WASH, ahead of Five Card Trick (’86, ’87 & ’88)
The Floating Greyhounds (’99, ’01 & ’03) and Foxx (’96, ’99 & ’08) all who have played three times… though to be fair Foxx from 2008 bore little resemblance to the guys from the late 90’s

Acer entertained on Friday night

What they said…

Keith, Paul & Co. – What can I say YES!!! An excellent weekend, wished I stayed till the end but unable to, I am sure there were tears from many there. WASH 2006 should be another date to remember, so ensure you all book in, if you don’t book you miss out!!
The music was great, the entertainment wonderful, the company magnificent, seeing old friends and making some new ones or just renewing them. Thanks to Donna, Dave, Tony and WASH Virgin Karen (Tony’s Sister) for great company and good laugh to. – Wayne

Just to add to the many comments and thank Keith & his team for the best WASH ever. The live acts were to my taste, the highlight being the Steve Ferringo Band. T Rextacy we’re great although a bit loud. Daffy & The Alien; that guitar solo on Comfortably Numb had me mesmerised. The Hoochie Coochie band were good, again a little loud for the room. Didn’t see the Oompah bad, were they any good? – Mark

Well another great weekend thanks to all the wash committee I had excellent time, was nice to have luxury accommodation again (lodge) 2nd year running. For all those people who asked myself and tracy if wash is running next year, yes it is and I would stongly encourage as many to go you dont want to miss it.
I have to agree with richard about the singing comedian my group all found him awful and so did many others too due to lack of laughing and silence in the room. enjoyed the quiz, steve ferringo band and junior. I am not going to thank the ducks who woke one or two of us up early sat morning.
I would like to thank the people who helped do my sandals up on the way out the venue sat night cant remember who you all were i was slightly drunk.
am already looking forward to next years wash – Lucy

All from the Plus email forum

Daffey & The Alien (Though who knows which is which ?)
proving that you can play rock music on one guitar and some bongo drums

What the Committee said…

It has been quite overwhelming to read the one-list since WASH. From us all on the Committee a huge thank you for supporting us, we have had so many lows this year worrying about WASH, standing there on Saturday evening watching Steve Ferringo made me realise just why we run WASH – for FUN.

You have all proved that there is a future for WASH and that is really nice as we care passionately about it. Anyway, we have to have WASH next year so the WASH WA**ERS can defend their quiz title.

We hope to see all you back next year and hope to see some of those who gave this year a miss.

Paul (who has declared Monday 14th November a day of national  mourning for never being able to call myself a ‘Thirtysomething) WASH 2005 Booking Officer

A funny thing happened…

I’ve never been one to drink and drive, but after a weekend of consuming far too much alcohol, not eating properly, staying up well past the early hours and not getting much sleep – your typical WASH weekend – then you probably are going to be a) still over the limit, b) very tired and c) slightly worse for wear on the Monday morning when it’s time to drive home. A late start and a fried breakfast at Tesco’s probably helps with the first but driving home so exhausted that the only thing keeping you awake is the excessive pain from the pounding in your head is not a good place to be. This happening at WASH 2004 was one of the reasons that I gave up drinking for the whole of 2005. No alcohol passed my lips from about 5 past midnight on Jan 1st to the chimes of Big Ben the following year. Which was “interesting” at WASH, cos I’d never been there sober before !

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Previous Year 2004
Next Year 2006

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Previous Year 2004
Next Year 2006

Attendance at WASH had been gradually dropping from the sell out days of the early and mid 90’s, the twentyfirst WASH actually had fewer people than the first, but we were there to celebrate the birthday, so ‘party’ was  what we did.

We were helped in a small way by Searles themselves, who had come up with a gimmick, presumably for the kids who come in the summer, of a cartoon type character who lived at the camp and drove the amphibious vehicles out into the sea… he even had a catchy little song released on CD that was played at least several times a night (and available at the shop for only £3.99) So the whole place rocked all weekend to the delightful strains of “Captain Willy and the Wash Monster” – fortunately Captain Willy didn’t seem to last to the next year !

What the Committee said…

WASH Waffle

Hi All
Things are happening as far as WASH 2004, the 21st Anniversary, is concerned The Committee had an evening by the seaside recently and were invited to Searles. It seemed very surreal seeing children, not to mention sober people wandering around the place (we were suitably disgusted)!

However some of your treasured memories are all ready for you in ONLY 1 MONTH’S TIME. The ducks are still about and we are reliably informed by their military commander that they are ready to destroy the morning slumber of party-going Plussers. Pot Noodles and other culinary delicacies are awaiting purchase from the shop, and the aroma of the chip shop assailed (or is that assaulted) our senses.

Just to let you know that although the deadline of the 25th is past DON’T STOP BOOKING. We have got a real roll on at the minute with lots of groups improving on last year by bringing members who have joined since coming to last year’s WASH, as well as friends who may join for next year.

Special Announcement

If you bring a ‘friend’ to WASH 2004 who pays £63.00 and then joins your group, WASH will refund that person the £8.00 extra they pay above a member’s ticket this year. Obviously this is only open to those who have not been members for the qualification period of 12 months

Paul Catterwell WASH 2004 Bookings Officer – Plus News summer 2004

What the Committee said…

What the Committee said…

WASH 2004 – QUESTION & ANSWERS

What is WASH?
WASH stands for Weekend At Sunny Hunstanton. It is the biggest annual holiday weekend in 18 Plus & is run exclusively for 18 Plus by 18 Plus members from the Kings Lynn group. WASH 2004 is being held at Searles Holiday Park in Hunstanton, North Norfolk on 5th — 8th November 2004. Last year, almost 450 members of 18 Plus took part in the weekend from across the country.

What does it cost?
Only £55 for members and £63 for ‘friends’. This includes your accomodation in luxury caravans plus most daytime & evening activities and entertainment. The on-site facilities include a swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, gym, supermarket, chip shop & restaurant. You will need to pay for your own food & drink. A small charge may be levied for some of the daytime activities.

How do I book a place for WASH 2004?
Your group will elect a Group Booking Agent, who will collect your deposit (£20) & pass this onto the WASH 2004 Bookings Officer to reserve your place. The balance will need to be received by WASH 2004 by 25th September 2004, so expect to pay your Booking Agent at least a week before this date.

What happens then?
A couple of weeks before WASH, your Group Booking Agent will pass you a Booking-In Slip. Keep this safe & make sure you take this with your membership card or receipt to WASH.

What happens when I arrive at Searles on the 5th?
The first thing you must do is book-in at the Searles reception. To do this you will need to hand over your WASH 2004 Booking Slip & show a valid membership card or receipt.

What is a “valid” membership card?
Please note only membership cards which do not expire until after 9th November 2004 are acceptable. If you have a membership receipt, these are only valid a month so, this must not have been issued prior to 9th October 2004. If you do not have a valid card/receipt or forget to bring it, you will be required to pay a levy equal to the current full membership fee. There are no exceptions to this rule. Under current Federation rules, you are able to claim a partial refund of this money from National after the weekend.

What about a pass for the weekend?
After booking-in, you will receive a programme with your name, group & caravan number on it. This is your pass for the weekend and must be shown to gain entry to the Clubhouse & the Princess Theatre. It must also be shown on demand to any member of the WASH 2004 Committee or the Searles security staff. Your pass also gives details of the activities & entertainments taking place over the weekend.

What happens at the end of the weekend?
Please ensure your caravan is left tidy & clean, strip the linen off the beds & return the keys to Searles reception before you leave.

What if I have any questions?
Please speak to your Group Booking Agent. If they are unable to answer your question, please ring any member of the WASH 2004 Committee.

BRING A FRIEND – YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Following various consultations and the success in membership recruitment terms of last year’s Bring A Friend incentive, and to ensure the financial existance of WASH we are offering non-members the chance to come to WASH. This is not an ongoing allowance, the fact is we need to have 350 people attending to ensure Searles continued support, once membership rises again we will reconsider.This is how it works.

Who Can Make The Most Of This Opportunity?
Every group knows people who have ‘nearly’ joined 18 Plus but for one reason or another have not, people such as brother, sisters or workmates. They may not be able or willing to commit to all that individual groups do but may be interested in attending a weekend event. How about ex-members who haven’t rejoined for similar reasons.

Who’s Eligible?
Anyone who has not been a member of the Federation for at least the past 12 months. This will stop members from not bothering to renew their membership in order to attend WASH 2004.

Who Will Be Responsible For ‘Friends’?
Every ‘friend’ who attends will need to be proposed by a group, who will be responsible for them. ‘Friends’ will be expected to observe booking conditions in the same way as members..

How Much Will They Be Charged?
Friends will be charged £63 per place, the extra £8.00 will cover administration charges

How Will It Benefit WASH 2004?
WASH has always been renowned for it’s friendly atmosphere, unlike nightclubs there is no trouble and people mix freely. More people will make the atmosphere even better so everybody will benefit.

How Will It Benefit The Federation?
When non-members or those whose memberships have lapsed see what a friendly, fun time being in 18 Plus is all about our hope is that a percentage of ‘friends’ will want to join.

What Happens Next?
During early June the booking forms will be sent to group chairpersons and last year’s booking officers.

WASH’s 21st Birthday … Here’s the Key to the door

What they said…

WASH 2004

Dear All,

I would just like to thanks the entire WASH committee for putting on one of the best WASH events so far, the bands were excellent, the boozy bingo a great laugh, the Australian comedian was great, so was the legend of the quiz (although Norwich Supporters). Well done to Adam for the Karaoke, wish it ran on a little longer though, but maybe next year.

I would like to thanks all of you that took the Mickey out of me, I shall get you all back one day. But I support that’s what being National Chairman is all about.

Keith keep up the great work, and as I said you the members are the only ones that can keep WASH alive with the number near the 400 mark, go out and get more members.

Again thanks guys and girls you were all great.

Regards

Wayne, National Chairman – email forum

Doctor & The Medics

The Ing Ongs

What the Committee said…

Hi all,
Hope you are all feeling as rough as I am!
Just to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to all 378 who came. Hope you will agree with us that this year was something special. We had 5 acts who we would happily re-book again at sometime in the future. The quiz was great as usual and well done to the WASH W***kers who were magnificent in third place.

The half board is well attended and was blooming nice, fancy dress seemed to go down a storm, the atmosphere was lovely and I even took part in bingo for the first time in my life (I think having the word ‘booooozy’ tempted me a little bit)!

One of the biggest compliments to you all was paid by the lead singer of Evolution. He said that the last couple of gigs he did were ruined by fighting. He could not believe that 400 people can get on so well and have such a brill time, so THANK YOU.

We are working on plans for this year already. We had a meeting with Searles when we handed them a rather large cheque and they were well happy with us. They really love having us and look forward to our return in 2005.
THE DATE FOR WASH 2005 is 4TH – 7TH NOVEMBER.

See you soon

Paul Catterwell WASH 2004 Booking Officer – email forum

Jumpin

Paul the Booking Officer – in his Uniform

What they said…

Hi All.

Just thought I’d take the time to join the queue to offer my hearty congratulations to the WASH crew for a superb weekend of entertainment, fun, smiles – OK, and a few drinkies!

After the events of a couple of years ago (naming no Eurovision Song Contest winners!), it was a delight to be able to listen to six top-notch groups, including the amazing Doctor and the Medics – top act, just what WASH needed.

The Quiz was a hoot (4th Place for Halesowen), the comedy was excellent, and Man City didn’t lose (Wayne………)

All in all, everyone had a blast (except for one misery who seemed to spend the whole time stood near the bar – not drinking, mind) – shame on you and a plague of head lice, WASH is about FUN, not skulking about.

To all those who commented on my American Football Ref’s uniform, many thanks, it was much appreciated, although others (like Christian Hayter) were spectacular.

You know what, I can’t wait for next year!

See you around

Mark, Halesowen Group – email forum

Lara in her Headmistress ‘Uniform’

Ian and Iain can’t handle the late night parties anymore
even with Iain’s pocketful of Pro-Plus !

A funny thing happened…

There was one thing that had all the guys (and some of the girls) drooling at Searles this year… Jonathan’s Lambourghini.

But if one lesson was learned about taking a Lambourghini to WASH it was
DON’T PUT DIESEL IN A LAMBO’S PETROL TANK !

Click to go to
Previous Year 2003
Next Year 2005

Click to go to
Previous Year 2003
Next Year 2005

The 20th WASH saw the return of the film show at the Princess Theatre, even though it was a film that many people had already seen it got a good crowd… the Theatre had been renovated since we’d used it last with a new entrance, and new gents toilets that are much safer to queue for as they aren’t down so many steps.

In Hunstanton the pier had been rebuilt, though actually ‘pier’ is a bit of a misnomer as it doesn’t go out into the sea, in fact it doesn’t even go as far as the edge of the sea wall… not that it did before either !

What they said…

So what about WASH? Well, it was a great holiday The heating in the caravans worked, the beds were cosy (for some a bit small), there were great events for everyone !
On Friday there were two great bands in the evening (Kuda and The Floating Greyhounds) On Saturday you could participate in aqua-aerobics, karaoke, laser clay shooting and of course the big quiz the afternoon (we came 12th out of 30, thanks to Breakfast Homer). In the evening the Wississippi Jazzman gave us a nice piece of music to listen to and we kind missed out on the dance session (we were getting dressed for the Pyjama Party).

2003's Film - Curse of the Black Pearl

The Steve Ferringo Band was extremely weird, but a extremely great! 5 steps Abba was good at dancing and changing outfits, but (in our opinion) could not sing (it kind of did hurt our sensitive ears).

On Sunday there was 5-a-side-football, a fantastic comedy show and a cinema showing of Pirates of the Carribean (still deeply impressed with Johnny Depp and Legolas). The band East of Java was giving an excellent performance in the evening and 2Unlimited… well.. we were glad it was short and less glad it was painful.

We shared our caravan with Ben (who kind of escaped to a better place: caravan 210? and Andrew, who decided to become member at So’ton Friends after spending a weekend with us (quite remarkable!)

We would like to thank Keith, Dawn, Paul, Sherrie and Lynne for organising WASH 2003. It was amazing and will be back next year!!!

Soton Friends – Plus News Spring 2004

The Steve Ferringo Band – weird ?

The Wississippi Jazzmen – wierder ?

What they said…

WASH – what a wonderful weekend it was

Need i say more – steve ferrengo band – good voices, oh and looked good too. ‘5 steps to Abba’ good entertainment, East of java, excellent musicians, The Floating greyhounds, good but mix was not quite right, i thought, vocals were drowned out a bit too much, otherwise, overall brilliant weekend

well done to the committee, can’t wait for next year 5-8 for the 21st WASH.

suppose i will have to.

kathy Solihull Plus – Email Forum

East Of Java – Rocked the venue

Martin is a big fan and wants to be part of the group…

… and play his guitar in front of the watching crowd

What they said…

WASH – a case of too much and not enough…

That’s too much enjoyment and not enough sleep of course ! !

For those who didn’t go, this year was definitely one of the top WASH’s of the last 19 years…
The bands were great, the comedians top quality, the film noisy enough to keep us awake ! the parties full and raucous and the chips and curry sauce just what you need after a dance and a drink… there’s not really much you can do to improve WASH except perhaps make it longer ! !

Oh and the aqua-aerobics… all those girls bouncing up and down in their swimsuits… worth getting up for ! !

Thanks Keith, Paul, Dawn, Sherrie and Lynne… WASH 2003 was great

nice to see some of the old faces there again as guests as well

Fil – email forum
(me again !)

It’s amazing what you see
if you hang around outside the ladies toilets long enough

Helen – jammed into the Yellow Submarine
and finding you can’t get out while it’s moving, and it never stops if someone keeps feeding it 20p’s !

What the Committee said…

Thank You

Hi All

On behalf of Keith, Dawn, Sherrie, Lynne and myself can I say a huge ‘Thank You’ to all 410 of you who made WASH such a spectacular success. It was great to see so many people returning for the first time in a year or two. It was quite overwhelming the sheer number of people who thanked us for the weekend, believe me the pleasure is ours.

All we ask is that you come back next year, and if there were people in your group who didn’t come, tell them how good it was, because next year is the 21st anniversary and we have BIG plans.

It was very strange coming home this morning, because I instinctively checked the post and the answerphone for WASH messages because that’s all I have done for the past 4 months. At least we can eat tea in the dining room because for the past 2 weeks it has been WASH HQ.

Let us know what you thought, good bad or ugly!

Paul, WASH 2003 Bookings Officer – email forum

The Israelite… finds it’s raining outside

Click to go to
Previous Year 2002
Next Year 2004

Click to go to
Previous Year 2002
Next Year 2004

Something new and WASH changing happened for 2002… Tesco’s opened right across the road from the site entrance. No more would we have to go a mile into town to Budgens (now Somerfield) to get food… and it has a cafe for getting full English Breakfasts at a reasonable price within easy walking distance of your accomodation – oh and a petrol station which is cheaper than the previous filling station that was nearby.

Another thing that had happened in Hunstanton, that had even got reported on the TV news was that the pier had burned down (okay it burned down in May 2002, but it was still a change to Hunstanton) I’d spent many an odd hour playing on the slot machines in the pier over the years, it was odd for it not to be there.

What the Committee said…

What they said…

Friday night was the usual drunken meet & greet of all the old and new friends. Nick Brittain was back as WASH DJ and got the WASH party going by introducing the Friday night bands, two local covers bands “Tweeky’s Wind” and “The Blues Tubes”, the first in a rock vein, the second more of a soul sound, they both seemed to go down quite well on the dance floor. After the dance there was the usual long queue at the chip shop… (so as I said I would, I went in through the Out Door, jumped to the front of the queue and got served straight away… chips’n’curry sauce, lovely….) There were a couple of parties about on Friday, Solihull had a lively one in their caravan and one of the Northern Area cabins had a quieter one.

Saturday morning I was up early and at 7:45 I was down walking on the seafront… and I wasn’t the only one, a number of the early risers were out making the most of the bright start to the day. Tesco’s opened at 8:00 so we wondered over there shortly afterwards and bought some breakfast. The sauna was hot and the swimming pool cold on Saturday morning, the jacuzzi started off cold as well, but by 12:00 it was like sitting in a very hot bath, nice and relaxing, a couple of hours in the pool area revived me from the after effects of Friday nights alcohol. I just got out of the pool in time for the start of the Karaoke, now I hate karaoke and I only stayed for one song… but what a song that was… you don’t normally get karaoke Motorhead, but Joe from Thurrock was a star with his version of “Ace Of Spades” !
Saturday afternoon was the WASH quiz, 26 teams of 5 or 6 members each took part, making it the most participated in event of the weekend. As an alternative there was the Laser Clay Pigeon shooting, which got higher numbers of shooters than any previous year even though the weather started getting a little damp.
Some people were a bit disappointed by the lack of a film show this year, as I gather it, the Theatre was not available for us to have this year, someone else had it booked first ! But not having the film show in town did mean all the entertainment was on-site this year and as it was pouring down with rain on Saturday tea-time at least we stayed dry !

Saturday evening started off with the barn dancing of “News Of The Victory” excellent musicians and the people who danced really enjoyed themselves, but perhaps the barn dance format is a little slow for a Saturday evening due to
the breaks between songs as the next dance is explained, Barn dancing has been done before at WASH, but on a lunchtime. Next up a brief appearance by “Katrina”, a woman who has had 3 hits and sang 4 songs, as with all these ‘P.A.’ type affairs it was a singing along to a backing tape thing.. sort of Stars in Their Eyes ‘Tonight Matthew, I’m going to appear as myself’.
It’s a long time since Katrina appeared before at an 18 Plus event (Caister 1988), but not so long since Saturday Nights final band “Northern Exposure” played for 18 Plus, as they were the band who entertained at this years ANC. They are a band who play music to dance to, and that’s just what the WASH crowd did.
Saturday Night was the Beach party, I was a little surprised that there weren’t more people in fancy dress, I seem to remember more in school uniform last year… (okay, so I was just hoping for more bikini’s among the girls !)
Saturday nights parties all seemed to be over in the Log Cabins, I’m not quite sure who was living in 206, but they certainly had a lot of visitors.

Sunday, and the sun was shining and some brave fools played football. Me I was in the pool again, the sauna was hot, the pool was warmer, and the jacuzzi was almost at boiling point (it really was a little too hot).
Another alternative on Sunday morning was the Rocket Building, again a record number of participants constructing their own Saturn V’s – though I believe some of them put the caravans in more danger than the International Space Station.

Sunday Lunchtime saw the return of the madmen from Huddersfield who have previously entertained WASH as Vikings (Max Bloodaxe, 1988) and Romans (Legio Va Maximus, 1999) This time they were the Lederhosen clad “Big Wolff Oompah Band”, turning the Sundowner Bar into a Bavarian Beer hall – though you don’t often get Waterfalls, Surfers or Greek folk dancing in most beer halls !
Sunday Afternoons comedy show suffered from the non appearance of one of the acts, maybe he thought East Anglia was still cut off from the previous weekends storms !, The other acts extended their acts to fill up the time, but the show was over before anybody realised – but that might have been because nobody actually said that the show was at an end !, the audience were still waiting for another act as we weren’t aware one hadn’t turned up.

Sunday night in the venue started quietly, did you really all stay in the caravans watching Top Gear or Monarch Of The Glen ?. But after 9:00 the place filled up and soon the first band “Marlo” came on, a fine rock band who showed that the best way to get everybody up on the dance floor and jumping about is to play ‘Smells like Teen Spirit’.
The second band “Hollywood” seemed to go down well with the men in the audience, fronted as they were by a ‘big’ girl in a small white top and a long haired girl in a tight black outfit.
Sunday night always finishes too soon, (unfortunately for Wayne, who was on a promise !), but there were a couple of parties to go to into the small hours, Hounslow had a quiet one and Banbury a very full and noisy one.

And then it was Monday morning and all over again apart from the round of goodbyes.

The WASH weather was good this year apart from late Saturday afternoon, it was sunny and bright during the day and quite warm at nights (for the time of year) so you could stand around on the verandahs at parties in reasonable comfort. I didn’t even notice the ducks being as loud this year… maybe the “Classic Cabins” have better sound insulation than the caravans ! !

Fil Bettis, 18 Plus email forum
(hang on that’s me again… don’t remember writing that either !)

Wayne – on a promise ? ? ?

Katrina – No Waves and hardly any songs either

Marlo – Here we are now, Entertain us !

What they said…

WASH 2002

In a way that is in almost no way at all reminiscent of Brigadoon, the time was upon us again for WASH, the home planet of the Plussers, to appear for its annual two and a half day existence.
Our journey up to Hunstanton was remarkable only for the free child portraits being offered by the photographer in the supermarket that we stopped at for a late breakfast. Mid morning on a school day we can only assume that this was as innovative new initiative by the anti-truancy squad.

Our hut turned out, uniquely, to be closer to the stage than the stage is to the bar. Thus it offered easy access to the venue coupled with little prospect of early nights.Soon enough we were over at the venue.The first band of the weekend was “Tweekys Wind” a band of four men, two guitars, some
drums and some singing. They were remarkable only for being named after their drummer’s flatulence. The second act of the night, “The Blues Tubes”, was a respectable jazz type band, good at what they did but an unusual choice for WASH.

Of course, when we got to the karaoke the following afternoon we were yearning for the musical normality of the previous evening. As ever, Plus karaoke showed itself to be very much like non-Plus karaoke.

There were many choices of activity afterwards; WASH quiz, clay pigeon shooting, etc. We chose to spend seven hours slowly consuming a picnic as we waited to be seen at the Kings Lynn hospital casualty department. Even better than that, at some point someone had decided that what the waiting room there really needed was a number of xylophones for the hoards of frustrated and bored children to tunelessly bang away on for hour after hour after hour.

We got back to Searles just in time to catch the final act of the night, “Northern Xposure”. On the face of it they were just another four-piece band as we had seen the previous night. They had something more about them though. I can’t put my finger on exactly what but it was not just their spectacularly perfuse sweating.

I was disappointed to miss most of the Saturday night entertainment. After not being able to get a tweed jacket (with or without elbow patches) for my Mr Ransley school days costume last year, I had put a lot of thought into what to dress as this year. Obviously, when I first heard that the theme was beachwear, I had thought of costal erosion. Not wanting to over stretch myself I had decided to dress in the white colonial garb, which I tend to wear when
inspecting Mediterranean beaches. When the time actually came, there seemed little point in changing so late in the day.

I was particularly disappointed to miss “Katrina” – late of “the Waves” – though not, apparently, by much. I had wanted to see her for the part that she played in that unforgettable 1997 government changing, Eurovision winning weekend. At least now when someone mentions “Katrina and the Waves” I can honestly say that I would have seen her live if it were not for the chronic under funding of the National Health Service – not a claim that many can make.Apparently the first band of the evening “The News of the Victory” was also quite well received. This was despite my having taken audience non-participation to a whole new level – actually having been in another town, over a dozen very rainy miles from the venue, at the time of the performance.

Although the clocks said that it was the afternoon, it still felt very early when we made our way back to the bar for the Sunday afternoon of comedic entertainment. The session kicked off with some slick anarchy in the expected style from the “Big Wolff Oompah Band”. After some further improvised silliness we were into the stand up proper. “Mr Brian Damage and Crystal” read the audience well with their tambourine-based humour.Unfortunately Jeff Mirza’s green suit centred humour seemed to slightly miss the spot.

I have long wondered why bands go to such great lengths to be able to reproduce original recordings in live performances when the recordings can so easily just be played. “Marlo”, the first act up on the Sunday night, was a case in point. The only thing to distinguish “Marlo” (who reproduced the original recordings very well) from so many others was the disproportionally large number of guitars that they used. In contrast the last band of the weekend, “Hollywood”, had a bit of fun with the music, moved about a bit and clearly found the audience very amusing. This, coupled with having Chris Page lifted onto stage to demonstrate his glove puppetry skills during their set, made them the best group of the weekend.

As always with WASH the sunlight on the Monday morning seemed the brightest of the weekend as we stumbled around in it, loading up the car before WASH fades back into our memories for another year. As ever ducks that were hoping for the last of the bread surrounded us. Unusually though this was the first appearance that the ducks had put in all weekend. Not even the formation of a significant lake beside our hut during the rain of Saturday night had tempted them into an earlier visit – which was probably for the best.

Erik, Stevenage Group – Plus News Spring 2003

Site of the Hunstanton pier
It burned down in the early morning of 18th May, nearly 6 months later it was still a demolition site

Budgens in Hunstanton
It’s now Somerfield, and caters for those who think Tesco’s business practices are the work of the devil
(my Mother would shop there if she lived in Hunstanton !)

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