Created: 09 January 2024

Last Updated: 09 January 2024

Happy New Year Everyone

For those of you that attended the Christmas Dinner as you read the below you may notice an obvious omission. This will be explained/resolved at the Feb Club Night.

With our January Club night being the Christmas Dinner and Awards ceremony, it seemed to extend the Christmas festivities for everyone involved. The venue was our usual haunt, The Cricketers Pub in Fordham Heath and people started to gather at around 18:30 in preparation for the evening. Myself and Caroline handed out the name tags, which also had people’s menu choice on the reverse, just in case they had forgotten. Starters, Main and Dessert were served by the Staff with great efficiency as usual. On the night we had a total 45 people, which were a mix of Members, members wife’s and partners. A good turnout considering the floods that were occurring around Essex.

After Tea/Coffee and mince pies we kicked off the awards ceremony. This year we had 5 awards to hand out plus a couple of Specials. 

The First was The Reeve Family Cup, awarded for most occurrences of using a vintage machine. The award went to Paul Davis who has nothing but vintage machines, so it was a good probability he would win.

Paul being presented with the commentative photo and Cup. I just about got my hand with the Cup in the picture.

The Second award was The Ralph Davis Cup.  Awarded to a member for their increased involvement in club activities and for this year for suggesting and volunteering to run an annual ride out in memory of Gordon Levett.

The Piston Broke Ralph Davis award was presented by Caroline to the winner -Shaun Parker.

The next award was the Alan Jones Cup, which is for exploits and antics on 2 wheels and in this case, 1 involving a Tractor. The cup went to Dr Vic Sayers, who this year either turned up on a bike or occasionally in plaster and a neck brace – hence the mention of a Tractor. We also got Vic a toy Green Tractor to add to the prize giving.

Caroline, Vic and Nick

The last award is The John Lay Cup. We decide to present the Cup to someone who has tirelessly been running the club for many years and finally found someone to take over. His parish notes and injected humour has been enjoyed by club members for many a club night. Now it is time for him to enjoy being in the club and watch others run it, hopefully as well as he did. The Cup went to Colin Smith.

Caroline, Colin and Nick

As this was a special night for Colin, the club members had a whip round over the last few months and have awarded him with a permanent gift of an engraved Salver.  This was to show our appreciation of the efforts and commitment they have given over the years and in keeping the club running. We also presented Colin’s wife Jane with a bouquet of flowers for her efforts in supporting Colin and sending out the members birthday cards.

And if you are wondering what happened to Kim, she was the one taking the wonderful Photos and hence not in them.  All pictures taken on the night can be viewed and downloaded from our this website link: 2023 Christmas Dinner

Roll on the warmer weather and longer days so we can all get back on the bikes. Hopefully at the Feb club night we can start to plan a week/weekend ride out somewhere, Rain, Snow, weather permitting of course.

See you all on 7^th Feb at the Cricketers

Thanks

Nick, Caroline & Kim

Created: 09 December 2023

Last Updated: 09 December 2023

What a fun time we had at the December Club meeting. There was some confusion as to whether the meeting would go ahead as a few of us remembered that last year our venue couldn’t accommodate due to the Christmas party bookings. As a result I sent out a broadcast on our Email group, WhatsApp chat and Facebook page that the Club night was to be cancelled. As it was such a late announcement, a few us went along to inform anyone that arrived that it was cancelled. To our amusement there were already a few members having a drink and the Pub very kindly set an area aside for us to have the meeting. Over the next 30-40 mins, the message got out and slowly members arrived for some Christmas cheer. A few rogue elements decided to go out for the evening anyway – thinking Club night was cancelled - and sent a picture from one of our old haunts, which was nice. In the end there were 19 members – in situ – 5 at alternate location and 2 guests. Not a bad turnout for a “cancelled” meeting. The evening was eventually a very Merry affair. May be it was due to the time of year/beer but everyone seemed relaxed and in good spirits.  Our Annual Christmas dinner and Awards Ceremony will be held on the 3^rd Jan and attendance numbers are on a par of last year, which will make it a big social event again.

Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to Everyone 

Created: 07 November 2023

Last Updated: 09 December 2023

The inclement weather reduced our Club Night attendance - but a good time was had by the with 21 Members and 3 guests who made it. Only Dale C was brave enough to arrive on 2 wheels!!

We have had an unusual request come in from Major Luis – C/O (Commanding Officer) of Colchester Salvation Army.

Major L would like us to help deliver over 400 presents to Paxman Academy School, Shrub End, Colchester using our motorbikes - weather permitting on Friday December 15^th, departing Colchester S/A at 10am. Major L is Portuguese and set up a similar mission in Portugal which has built up to 6000 deliveries annually!!!

If we use our bikes it will be just panniers, top boxes or back packs. If you are able to help please conatct Colin.

Parish Notices followed the usual format with the exception of one major announcement. Instead of the normal ‘2 minutes silence’ that follows the request for new leaders to take over from George and I. It was with great pleasure to announce that as from January 1^st 2024 Nick, Caroline and Kim have agreed to be our new leadership team. They are already doing sterling work behind the scenes including arrangements for our Annual Meal on January 3^rd 2024. Regarding Club affairs they will have a blank sheet of paper and will run the show as they think best. It will be up to us as Members to show support if we wish to carry on with good numbers etc. 

As stated many times before the strength of our group is down to the foundations put down by the late John Lay and carried on by Gordon, George and I.

PS Please remember if you have any ride out ideas please speak to Paul who is looking after this aide of things until Steve T takes over.

Created: 14 October 2023

Last Updated: 14 October 2023

The October Club night was missing the usual ride out, but that's to be expected at this time of year when the light fades and the temperatures drop. But in this instance the temperature hadn't dropped and several turned up on bikes making those - including me - wondering why I came in the car. 

Another busy night with 25 Members and 2 guests enjoying another very nice Club event. Just the 1 apology of absence (G C) but good news that 2 of our regulars (BI and PW) returned after medical issues.

With Colin looking to step down in December and no one volunteering for the job. A collective of  Nick, Caroline and Kim will continue to beaver away keeping the Club on track, with Paul looking after the ‘ride outs’ until Steve T takes over sometime next year. 

The September evening ride out to Mersea Island was led by Paul and Kim where 8 members enjoyed a Fish and Chip meal together. The heavens decide to open up and there was a bit of a mechanical failure but all ended well.

Nick brought everyone up to date with the Coach outing to The Motor Cycle Museum in Solihull. An e-mail and whats-app message has been sent with parking and pick up details. Many thanks to to Kym Stroud who has mange to get permission for a central location for parking. The club is looking forward to the event as the NMM is an amazing place to visit. 

Created: 10 September 2023

Last Updated: 10 September 2023

For what seems like a long time coming, the sun shone brightly as the pre-meeting ride out set off at our usual leisurely pace. 14 of us headed off on various machinery towards Bures, turning left near the Railway Station, which took us on a nice little back road through to Wakes Colne and a return journey to the Cricketers Pub. Amazing how the nights are drawing in and the Sun was down when we got back. Everyone seem to enjoy the ride and there were several comments on that it was probably the last pre-meeting ride out this year.

After everyone had got their refreshments and fodder, the meeting kick off with Colin calling out the statistics with 14 members attending the ride out, 24 members at the meeting and 1 guest. We also celebrated that we now have a new member, a Mr Kym Stroud who has signed up after a short period of attendance, which must say something good about the club members.

We thanked Shaun Parker for leading a Saturday ride out around Manningtree and Walton. He has also offered to lead a ride out once a year in memory of Gordon Levett who passed away earlier this year. The ride will be to one of Gordon’s favourite haunts, which will be a fitting tribute to his memory.

The current club leadership is looking to pass on the baton towards the end of this year. Colin after many years of dedicated service has advised that he will step down at the end of the year.  There are discussions occurring on how to run the club to ensure we maintain consistency but also to move the organisation forward. Other methods of club communication are now being used and we are seeing a good up-take on the mobile forums. We hope these new methods will provide members with more speedy information but more to come on this subject.

The Coach trip to National Motorcycle Museum is now fully planned and members are blowing out the moths from their wallets to pay for the trip. Caroline and Kim are doing a sterling job of extracting money from the members, although some are still to pay up.

Lastly, it was good to see quite a few members at the Copdock Show near Ipswich, these events are a good place to catch up and chat to people, purchase memorabilia or another Motorcycle if the Garage has space.  

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the October club meeting – and don’t forget your wallets.

Created: 04 August 2023

Last Updated: 04 August 2023

The great British Summer weather struck again with a down pour of rain for most of the day, which caused the pre-meeting ride out to be cancelled. A couple of hardy people turn up on bikes but most thought of bringing canoes rather than bikes. Having said that we had a good turnout of 21 members and 3 guests. The meeting kicked off with Colin going through his meeting statistics, with a special mention of the Ride out, led by Julian, that took place on the Monday to a location called “5 Miles from Anywhere” in Upware. Several members attended and the feedback of the location was very good, the full English Breakfast seems to have been the favourite choice.

One of our members who was unable to attend the ride out was Vic Sayers (commonly known as Dr Vic) as he was in hospital after an accident involving a Tractor and trailer near Derby. Vic was out on a ride-out with some old friends in the Midlands when the accident happened. He spent some time in Stoke hospital before being transferred to Ipswich and he still miraculously managed to attend the Club meeting on Wednesday. He is a true trooper and a much love member of the club. I won’t go into his injuries but his positive attitude is an example to us all.

Discussions of a Ride out being planned for the 26^th Aug were voiced and Shawn has kindly offered to take us on a trip around Manningtree and Walton, again weather permitting.

The National Motorcycle Museum Coach trip has now been finalised. The trip will take place on the 28^th Oct, pick up location and return times will be sent out to club members. This is great opportunity to visit a remarkable place with more makes and models than most people realise.

Lastly, we have to mention that our Club main stay Colin, will be 85 on Sunday 6^th Aug, the whole club sends you best wishes and happy motorbiking and thank you for all you do to keep the club running.

 Happy Birthday Colin and Get well soon Vic

Created: 09 July 2023

Last Updated: 09 July 2023

After the downpours that occurred during the Day, the roads dried up and the club managed a successful evening Ride Out. Travelling away from The Cricketers Pub at Fordham towards Marks Tey and onto Copford, passing a few old haunts of Club’s previous venues. Amazing how many Roads seem to get closed due to “Road Works” these days and so early in the evening, but we took alternate arrangements, which only looked to extend the pleasant ride back to the Cricketers. Thanks to Paul and his shining White AJS steed for leading the ride. I have never seen a white AJS, but apparently, they did make them in that colour – Paul advised it was his father’s favourite colour. After settling down for the meeting with the staple diet of Cheesy Chips, Colin went through the evening’s communication to a packed audience of 34 of which we had 4 guests. A couple of apologies were received. Peter, who finally has his operation and we wish him well and a safe return to the fold.  George outlined the changes that are occurring in the Club management, which is starting to assist Colin after many appreciated years of running the Club. Our Ride out Insurance was discussed and a group of us are reviewing the cost and conditions – more to come on this. Several future rides were mention, one on the 5^th Aug to Walton and a Framlingham Bike show on 12^th Aug. The Coach trip to the National Motorcycle Museum has generated a lot interested for the month of September. We will present cost and actual date in August meeting.

Created: 10 June 2023

Last Updated: 10 June 2023

On a rare sunny Wednesday evening at the Cricketers Pub , a good number of members turned up for our June Club night. There were 34 attendees of which 18 of us set off for a pre-meeting ride out around the Essex and Suffolk countryside being led by Nick and Caroline -amazingly some of the pot holes had been filled in since our last jaunt, which was nice. Some of our usual members were missing on the night as they were at the Isle Of Man TT -  Watching, not Racing we believe. Colin gave his usual whimsical address and announced that we have a new Treasurer. Kim has kindly offered to take on this responsibility and we all congratulated her for volunteering and contributing to the clubs continued success. Our Green lane section has nothing planned as yet, but a call to Sean can remedy that as he happy to arrange an off-road event. There is the potential for a coach trip to the National Motorcycle Museum, dates to be suggested but September seems popular and we will send details via Colin's usual email updates when we have them.. At the end of the evening, we all raised a glass to our friend and member Gordon Levett who sadly passed away recently. He will be greatly missed.

Created: 23 May 2023

Last Updated: 23 May 2023

It is with deep regret that we have to report the passing of Gordon Levett – a staunch supporter of the North Essex Section AMOC. Gordon has given unbroken Service since he joined in 1995, holding various roles within the Club. His knowledge of the East Anglian roads was second to none and he loved to lead our ride outs at a brisk but safe manner.

A BSA man at heart and a classic Porshe 911 car owner – Gordon  always had good quality equipment and was well maintained. Current Section Members are indebted to Gordon and the late John Lay for the healthy state the Section it is currently in. Both are greatly missed.

Created: 15 May 2023

Last Updated: 03 July 2023

The May Club Meeting Survey Results are now available: Survey Results

The results on the question of a Coach Trip to Sammy Millers or National Motorcycle Museum was a resounding YES. However, most preferred the National MotorCycle Museum, so we start to investigate costs of Coach Hire or Self Drive depending on numbers - More to Come.