We had an excellent turnout for our February club night with some twenty members and guests. Colin gave a run through of the events of a busy month for the club, including our trip to say farewell to Russel. We intend to return the hospitality we recieved when Joan is in better health.
We did get our first club ride in January, and three of us left the Alma on bikes, and one coming on by car due to unforseen circumstances. We arrived at the Victoria to find Jim Lomax who had travelled on his own from Ipswich, so five of us sat down to lunch and put the world to rights. We discussed rides for the coming few months at the club night, and it was agreed to have a ride to Pin Mill on the 26th February, and that the pre meeting rides would start in April. It was also agreed to wait a bit before we visit Merlin.
Another good turnout for our January clubnight, and Colin brought us up to date with club events,and I presented a suggested list of places to visit on our bikes this coming year, which hopefully contains something for us all. The first ride is scheduled for next Friday, January 26th,10.30am at The Alma, to the Victoria, Earl Soham. Dont forget if you dont fancy getting cold you can meet us there!
The Annual Presentation Dinner was well supported on the 10th at the New Times. I think the evening went well. I apologise for those recieving awards which have yet to get your names on. I hope to get that sorted for the next club night. I hope you agree that the awards were well deserved, particularly Colins, as he puts a lot of effort into keeping the club going, as well as putting in the greatest number of appearances at club events. Three consecutive years as well. Who will match him this year?
Several of us attended the Hadleigh club dinner a few days later and had a nice evening. We had a good club presence at Russel's funeral, with nine members and two guests, and the family made us all very welcome, and i am sure Joan was pleased to see us. A suitable send off for such a character.
The next club night is February 7th at the Alma, and I hope to see you there. Gordon
Our December club night was well attended, with 18 members attending, a few apologies, and five on bikes. Kevin brought along calendars and they were well recieved, with Paul being responsible for sales. Kevin also brought along his Dad,who normally prefers to be playing crib on our club nights, and his dog, who had no choice. George was busy collecting payment for the Presentation Dinner on January 10th. It's still not too late to join us!
We had a good turnout for the 20th to thank Dereck and his staff for his hospitality throughout the year. Pleased to see him on the mend. The mincepies and the prospect of Colin buying everyone a drink obviously worked.
Weekday Rides - Only suggestions, and not necessarily in this order.
- Visit Victoria in January
- Merlin Engine run
- Longshop Museum/Honda Museum
- Stow Maries Airfield
- Granary Museum/Museum of East Anglian Life
- Landguard Point
- Great Yeldham cafe
- Pinn Mill/Shotley Marina
- Lowestoft/Bungay/Flixton
- Diss/Scrapyard/Bressingham
- Dengie Peninsula/Burnham on Crouch
Our ride to Languard Point was well attended and after a devious route, we were met there by Jim, just a short ride from Ipswich, and Rob and family. This is a popular venue and some of us more hardy souls had to sit outside!
Our lunch meeting this month had a low turnout for various reasons, but we were able to book the New Times, Tiptree for our annual Dinner and Presentation evening on Wednesday January 10th. 7pm for 7-30. The price has been held from last year, £20 per head for 3 courses, including tips. George has kindly agreed to collect the money before hand, preferably cash, and can be contacted on 01206243662, or moto.clarke@gmail.com. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are coming.
Last night we had a good turnout at the Alma, with 15 members, nine of which turned up on bikes, including a combination. We discussed the clubs upcoming events in the next couple of months and an enjoyable evening was had by all.
The October club night was a bit down on numbers, but here was some discussion about the museum trip and it was decided that those who wanted to go should make their own arrangements and meet there. In the event, seven of us made it to the National Motor Cycle Museum, with three intrepid riders, and a car full from Mersea. Claiming to have left Mersea at the same time we left the Alma, how did they get there before us? Anyway it was well worth the trip and could become a regular visit.
I am having to change the date of my run into Suffolk to Monday 30th October. Sorry about that. Meet at the Alma at 10am Gordon
September rides were a bit thin on the ground. John Walsh had to give up on revisiting the East London section on neutral ground as they didnt appear interested. We did have a ride into Suffolk finishing at the cafe at Great Yeldham which appeared to be thriving under new management. Over lunch there was some discussion about the trip to the National Motorcycle Museum. It was left that this would be discussed at the October club night. Not quite so many at the club night, several of us enjoying ourselves elsewhere. It looks like a few of us will be leaving the Alma at 7am on the 17th on bikes and some will be going by car. I will take a nostalgia run into suffolk on the 31st visiting my birthplace and a garage owner who was the second of the four owners of my Road Rocket.
The Pre65 section had a couple of meetings with our regular participants, Julian and Vic, supported by Colin and Steve. Colin attended the Air ambulance run on our behalf, and we continue to support this worthy cause all the year.He also attended the Copdock Show and got a new recruit.
Kevin is getting a Calendar together for next year and is looking for Photos. Last years is now a collectors item!
The lunch meeting is on the 28th at the Pikau Arms, and the clubnight is november 1st. I hope to see you there Gordon
Despite the absence of several regulars, the September club night was well attended with 20 members and one guest. Phil led seven bikes out on the pre-meeting run on his recently acquired Honda Deauville, and a further five bikes turned up for the meeting - another good turnout. We welcomed a new member, Ray Miles and his 650 AJS. Colin brought us all up to date with the august events.
Julian's ride into the Dengie Peninsula was well attended with nine members and two guests enjoying a ride into unknown territory. It did highlight the need to prime everyone for the ride home as Vic and his guest went back to Harwich via Mersea!
Steve Toy paid Russel a visit, and later in the week five members went along to see him as well. George got the bike running again, and Paul gave it a bit of a run as well. Joan looked after them all as usual and anyone wanting to visit in September would be welcome, but do consult Colin first.
Despite the weather forecast we had a good turnout for the August club night with 19 members attending. It was good to see Gabby again, and with one or two regulars missing it was good to see you all. Vic was the only one on a bike, and as it turned out the rest of the evening was dry. That did mean the usual short ride out was abandoned and I do apologise. Best to ignore the forecast in future.
We had a busy July, starting with a tour of the Tendring peninsula, thanks to John Swan and his extensive local knowledge. I travelled roads I had not seen before, and we even made it to Jaywick. Five of us enjoyed our lunch on Clacton sea front.
Six members attended the Maldon club BBQ, which was up to scratch as usual. Several of us belong to the Colne Valley Classic Vehicle club, and the BBQ clashes with our annual bike show so we are torn between the two events.
Once again we had a very good turnout for our July club night at the Alma and nine of us had a nice ride around the local Essex countryside for about an hour before the meeting. We were lucky enough with the weather to conduct our meeting in the garden outside, and Colin and I did our best to keep you all up to date with the club business.
We had a very active riding programme for June, starting with John Swans trip into the depths of Norfolk, and once again after a nice lunch by the green in Diss, we ventured into the wonderful scrapyard hidden away in an housing estate , just down the road. This has to be seen and there is so much stuff there is bound to be something there that you need!