Report

Let's start with the statistics! Entries both for the FULL and the MINOR continue their slow decline - as with all others to date - as we only attracted 103 and 52 respectively as against 114 and 81 in 1994. There were reductions in the returned answer sheets with 73% in the FULL and 60% in the MINOR. This trend is very worrying to the Organisers and confirms their views that spare time is very much a premium commodity these days and remarks on some of the returned answer sheets of '--- couldn't devote the amount of time that this well organised event deserves' and '----- all just one great rush these days!' doesn't bode well for the future! With 27% unreturned in the FULL the Organisers would be pleased to hear why! A note to Andy would be much appreciated so that he can act accordingly with the planning of NN 96! As usual with the printed results comes the 'How it should have been done' explanations and it is hoped that some spare time can be found to compare your efforts against the Organisers and, hopefully regain confidence.

Malcolm Price - 8th in 93, 3rd last year has made the Number 1 spot and it is felt that the £50 prize will enable him to have a Very Merry Christmas! Jeff White came a very close second - from 7th last year - pushing Roger Lintott (last year's Runner-up) down to third. Colin Hensman - last year's Winner - was pushed down to 4th! It is all VERY tight at the top. Mike Biss - a member from the organising Group - has come up from 16th last year to 5th, and, in so doing, has taken the best CSMA award. Jonathan Ellis - at 6th - has improved on his 11th placing in 94. A newcomer, from Minor, Peter Robertson, a CSMA member, came a very creditable 7th. His remarks '-- Thanks for a very absorbing 3 weeks, Nelly is definitely better than Telly' are very much appreciated! Gillian Goodlass, another regular entrant, picked up the 'Best Lady' award. For their continuous support over the years Dave Bell, Tony Widdowson and Anne Wilson have collected nice cash awards! Not everyone can make the Top 10 in any one year so we are pleased to reward loyalty!

Cecil Green (CSMA) on his first event with Nelly has taken the 1st place in the Minor! It is noted that he has come to us via the Cultivator - a similar event to Nelly - and this is good training ground. (NOTE - Details of the Cultivator will be appearing in the January 96 edition of M&L!). Another newcomer, Ms S. Powrie who responded to our notice in the September M&L, was just pipped to second spot on 'Furthest Cleanest'. David Thornton progressed from 7th last year to take the third spot. Best lady was Shirley Child - another newcomer via Cultivator!

Again - thanks to the sponsors Frizzell Financial Services, Britannia Rescue, Ordnance Survey and Rally Navigation Services for their continued support that has enabled us, even on a reduced entry, to give 27% of all finishers some reward for their efforts!

The Langer Park route is now out - hope you can get your nose out of their map to read your results in the Nelly.

Nelly 96 will be appearing in September and we look forward to renewing our acquaintance then.

Meantime - have a very Merry Christmas! Do drink but DON'T drive! All the best for the New Year.

Brian Bishop, Andy & Keith Endersbee - Joint Organisers.