The first entry of section notes using our new website, northessexjampot.co.uk, and a hearty vote of thanks to Julian Smith, for getting it up and running.

The year started well with twenty five members and partners attending our annual dinner and presentation evening, at the Crown Wormingford. It was a lovely evening, once again organised by John, and a good time was had by all.

The Alan Jones cup went to John Walsh for his devotion to riding his Matchless to far away events, in the same spirit as the awards namesake.

The photo competition went to John Swann for his action shot of Guy Martin at Oliver’s Mount. I think we all have a secret admiration for Guy Martin!

The Ralph Davis award went to John Lay for his unrivalled enthusiasm for running The Section.

The Reeve Family award went to me but I am not sure what for!

John summed up the year and announced that this would be his last year as Chairman.

Sadly, just a few days later, John was taken ill, working on rebuilding a G80, and died later that day.

It came as a shock to us all, and is sadly missed both by his family and ourselves in this Section.

On a personal note, I spent a lot of time riding with John. It was a passion for riding bikes I shared with him, and our long distance trips will stay with me always. The trip we did from Inverness to Colchester in one hit sums up his enthusiasm. The first trip from Lowestoft to St David’s Head in Wales with Colin and John was a real eye opener for me. By far the furthest I had ever been by bike.

He had done so much to make The Section the success it is today, and we will have to work hard to keep up his good work.

At the moment, I along with Colin and John Walsh are doing what we can to continue running The Section in the same vein.

We have a programme of events in place and so far we have had good turnouts,  relying on your continued support.

We would also like to see those of you that don`t have a bike on the road, to join us at the end of the bike runs, and we will publish the destinations in future.

The February club night was a subdued affair with some 17 members attending, everyone still in shock at the recent bad news.

The first riding event, which had been postponed a couple of times on the basis of weather forecasts that proved incorrect, was to The Bell at Crettingham, Suffolk. Seven of us ventured out for the change in venue because the Landlord of the Victoria, Soham, the subject of several winter visits for the last few years, had moved a bit further up the road to a bigger premises. They made us very welcome in their smart restaurant, and the food was excellent.

We revisited the Donkey and Buskins for our February lunch meet and nine of us enjoyed a nice meal. The landlord recognised one or two of us and once again made it clear we would be welcome to return should the need arise.

The March club night was well attended with 18 members present.

There was a strong representation of The Section, as well as other clubs, at John’s funeral on the 9th.

On the 17th, I led a run to Burnham on Crouch, assisted by John Walsh with his local knowledge on the way home, after he met us there. Six of us used the old bikes  for this event.

We ventured a bit further than usual to The White Horse, Ridgewell for our March lunch meet and ten of us enjoyed their hospitality, and agreed it was worth the trip. Too near to Long Melford for me as Julia likes their shops!

The April club night had a reduced turnout because of traffic problems in the area with 12 of us getting there.

The following evening, I led a run for the Hadleigh Club and one or two of our Section joined in. Several of us belong to both clubs. From Sudbury Market Square to Lamarsh Lion, a pleasant evening ride.

On Easter Sunday, I took a group of five to the Bawdsey Radar Museum, near Woodbridge. It’s been on our list for a while and only opens bank holidays. Some of the original equipment is  still there and is being restored making it a must for those interested in WW2. There is a website. Colin made the trip on his own on Monday, as he had Church commitments on Sunday. It’s a new venture, run by volunteers and they had 110 visitors on Sunday with double that on Monday. Given its location, I would say that is pretty good.

I left the group there on Sunday as I had to make a trip to the Festival Hall London, to bring back Julia and some choir members that evening, public transport being totally unreliable.

We managed to get to the lunch meeting at The Fox Mersea, before leaving for a trip to Spa the next day.

I missed the trip to Andrewsfield aerodrome again, and the weather kept the numbers down.

I understand that eight of our section, including two new recruits made it, although I gather the Treasurer felt obliged to have a problem, making  it home with a temporary clutch cable.

Some things never change!

The next club night is coming up with a visit by the Hadleigh Club at The Alma, and the next ride out is to the Whiskey Distillery, East Harling on the 17th of May. I hope to see you there. Gordon.