Firstly the whole Section and various other Clubs must thank Gordon for staging our annual BBQ again. Both Gordon and Julia put their heart and soul into making a super job by opening their house and gardens for the evening to a record number of barbequers. I would also like to thank Jean, Jane and Les for their support and help. The food was’nt bad either. A few weeks ago we had an evening run to Shotley for a beer which was very pleasant.
Now about three years ago we did the same thing and when we came to return home one of our invited guests leaped onto his bike and promptly fell into a heap on the other side. I found this very funny as it seemed to be achieved in slow motion and he did not hurt himself. However, on our latest visit we parked the bikes in exactly the same place and on our return to start them who did just the same thing and fell off his bike. Yes you have guessed who so things have a way of getting back to you. I must thank the East Suffolks for their invite to meet them at Manningtree for a noggin and natter. Always a good evening and not too far with the 6volt members We had arranged to visit the Transport Museum at Carlton Colville and with Gordon acting as run leader away we went. Now as most of our members will know I have had an ongoing electrical problem with my bike and we only got as far as Ipswich when the usual misfire set in. I thought I had cured this some weeks ago but sadly I had to return home with splutters and bangs. It is now repaired and I am hopeful that it will continue to go properly. When the other members arrived at the Museum they found it was closed but would be opening later which I find rather surprising as it is situated next to Lowestoft and in the middle of summer with thousands of potential visitors at hand. However all was not lost as they then visited Cake Street Classics where John Swann was able to find a solution to a long standing dynamo problem. Jolly good. I was going to mention our visit to the autogyro genius Ken Wallis but there is no need as the details were in last months Jampot.
I have some sad news to report and that is that Roy Mallows has died aged 86. He passed away peacefully midday on Sunday 12th Sept with our fellow club member Ted Snarey present. Roy had been a staunch AJS/MOC member for many years and was riding upto 2 years ago. Prior to joining our Section he had been a long term member of the Fenrunners Section, and was particularly interested in the trials scene. Ted has been a good friend to Roy,certainly over the past few years, and I am sure we would like to thank him for giving him his time and help.
Recently there has been some confusion concerning where we meet to depart from for various runs, having stated one place and then informing everybody we will depart from another point. To end my embarrassment I have decided to have only one point of departure for all runs etc and that will be from The Alma pub and we can use it as a base for all events.
The Funeral of Roy Mallows took place at Cambridge Crematorium on Monday 27th September.
I did not know Roy very well although he had been a member of our Section for about 15 years. When I first joined we met at the Hare and Hounds and Roy would come there on Club nights. Later on Ted would bring him from Hedingham to the Donkey and Buskins but the past few years he has been unable to attend due to his deteriorating health. In his early years he was a particularly good Trials rider and had a cabinet full of trophies to show for it. I had a phone call from Rex Webb from, I think, the Fenrunners Section who knew Roy well from way back and he, and other friends will organise an obituary for the Jampot Mag.