We have mentioned making one of the Marks Tey Pre 65 Scramble meetings into a section event. The dates for this year are May 27th,June 17th,October 14th, and November 4th. If you do fancy having a go, and any of the dates suit you, please let us know at the next club night, or by e mailing Colin.
There were a few absentees for the April Club Night, myself included. Phil led a ride that saw six bikes have a swift tour of the depths of Essex, another bike arrived and there twenty present at the meeting. Colin reported his petrol tank saga succesfully sorted by George.
The March events, a ride to Pin Mill, and the lunch meet were well supported and enjoyed by those taking part. It was decided to schedule Jim's ride for Monday 16th, leaving from Hadleigh Market Square, and that the Colchester contingent would meet up at the BP garage on Ipswich road at 10.45am and make their way to Hadleigh for 11.30am start.
The first evening ride revisiting Mersea Myths will be on Wednesday 25th, leaving the Alma at 7.00pm finishing with fish & chips. The lunch meeting is at the Wooden Fender, Ardleigh on the 28th and the Intersection Meeting on the next day, Sunday 29th at The Bell Inn Castle Hedingham, from 11am. As we are helping with the organisation, I hope to leave Colchester about 10.15am to be there in time to help.
Just a quick update in the midst of some unpleasant weather and I hope you are all keeping safe and warm. Unfortunately we had to call off the ride to Pin Mill as it was snowing in Colchester and minus 1 at 9 am on the 26th. Not worth risking and it clearly got worse as the day went on. I hope we can have that ride in March.
Sorry I missed the lunch meeting on the 24th,which had mixed revues, but it was lovely in Spain. Once again the country is at a standstill, as the local authorities fail to keep on top of the problem. Same old excuses. Hopefully the weather will have improved by the next club night, Wednesday March 7th. We will be looking for ideas and volunteers for rides this year. Gordon
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