The Eclipse – 11 August 1999
Some events stay with you forever, and for many Tamar DA members, the solar eclipse on 11 August 1999 is certainly one of them.
It wasn't just the eclipse itself that made the day so memorable. It was the friendships, the shared excitement and the wonderful sense of community that made it such a special occasion.
The Tamar DA certainly embraced the event. Across five holiday sites, Newnham, Gabber Farm, Rosemullion, St Agnes and Liverton, there were 261 bookings, with members travelling from far and wide to experience this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
The weather gave us plenty of hope at first. The day before the eclipse was glorious, with brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies. Surely tomorrow would be the same?
Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. Eclipse day dawned under a blanket of thick grey cloud, and it looked as though our chance of seeing the sun had disappeared altogether.
But campers are a resourceful bunch!
Rather than let the weather spoil the occasion, a television was set up in a caravan window, with the front of the awning lowered to create an outdoor viewing area. It wasn't quite the same as watching the eclipse overhead, but everyone gathered together to follow the live television coverage while still keeping one hopeful eye on the sky.
As the moment of totality approached, people couldn't resist looking up every few minutes at a slightly lighter patch of cloud where the sun should have been.
Then, just when all hope seemed lost, something magical happened.
The clouds parted.
For a few unforgettable moments, we were able to witness totality. Almost as quickly as it arrived, it was gone again, with the second Diamond Ring announcing the sun's return. Moments later the clouds closed over once more, as though nature had timed everything perfectly.
Around 100 people gathered at St Agnes to watch the eclipse together, and across all the Tamar DA sites there was a real buzz of excitement. It was one of those occasions where everyone felt part of something extraordinary.
Life at Gabber Farm
Gabber Farm welcomed 53 units, and while the eclipse was the main attraction, the day was just as much about enjoying each other's company.
The morning began with coffee shared among friends before everyone gathered to watch the eclipse. Afterwards came a communal barbecue where nobody was left out. If you didn't have a barbecue of your own, someone else happily cooked your food for you.
The food was excellent, the company even better, and there was a legendary bowl of punch that, according to those who sampled it, certainly lived up to its name!
Looking back, it's clear that the eclipse was about far more than the few precious minutes when the moon passed in front of the sun. It was about people coming together, sharing food and laughter, making the best of whatever the weather threw at them, and creating memories that have lasted for more than 25 years.
For everyone who was there, 11 August 1999 will always be remembered as one of the most special gatherings in Tamar DA's history.