A Centre Built Together

Thank you for placing your trust in me, and for giving me the privilege of serving as your Suffolk Centre Chairman.

The Suffolk Centre is more than just a calendar of rallies and a committee; it is a community. It’s the shared laugh around the awning on a Saturday night, the helping hand when a jockey wheel breaks, and the simple pleasure of seeing our beautiful county from a new pitch. It is the heart of our caravanning life, and it’s something truly special—something worth fighting for.

But let’s be honest with each other. While we have passion, passion alone won’t keep the wheels turning. I’m here not just to accept the chairmanship, but to deliver a necessary truth: We cannot continue to thrive, or even survive, if the responsibility for running this Centre falls onto the shoulders of just a handful of people.

The reality is that we are at a crossroads. We have a fantastic heritage, but if we don’t increase participation—not just at the rallies, but in the running of the Centre—we will eventually hit a wall. We risk burnout among our volunteers, a reduction in the quality of our events, and ultimately, the failure of the Suffolk Centre as we know it. We simply won’t have the manpower to organise the events, manage the finances, or secure the venues that make our rallies possible.

This is not a criticism; it is a call to action. My vision for the next year is not one where I stand at the top dictating terms. It is one where we all stand side-by-side.

We need to pull together. We need to pool our talents, our energy, and our passion.

• If you’ve enjoyed a rally, consider giving one weekend next year to help the rally marshall.
• If you have great ideas for a new venue or event, please don’t just tell me—tell us, and then help us make it happen.
• And if you can only come along, please come along with enthusiasm. Bring your neighbours, share your stories, and encourage the new members.

My commitment to you is absolute. I will lead with transparency, listen with an open mind, and work tirelessly to make the Suffolk Centre the best it can be. But this is not my centre, this is our centre.

Paul Fitch
Chairman
Suffolk Centre, CAMC