Some of you may remember I was elected onto the Committee as Social secretary, however, as there was no Chairman elected at last year’s AGM the Committee members graciously agreed to me taking on the role. I would like to thank them all for turning up to meetings, being enthusiastic, being supportive of each other and working well together, and especially for standing again. I also like to think we actually had a good time during our meetings and I would like to thank the committee members for generously providing a wide variety of food and drink during the meetings.

One of the decisions made at last years AGM was for the committee to "sort out" the problem of not many people coming up here for club nights. In view of the many unsuccessful efforts made in the preceding years to improve attendance’s here at the Legion we decided to try a different venue and moved to the pub over the road. As most of you will know despite a good start the numbers soon dwindled. Consequently we decided on a different strategy and have now booked the hall for one Thursday a month, and first indications are that numbers have improved.

One of the most time consuming jobs on the committee is producing the monthly magazine and I’m sure we all really appreciate the Clarke partnership’s efforts. I know Bruce and Margaret get thanked for their many contributions quite often, but that doesn’t reduce the sincerity of our appreciation.

Another busy role is that of Competition Secretary and Rick deserves a thank you for managing to combine that with being Treasurer as well as running his business, moving house and riding his Honda about. Consequently he has not always managed to attend as many meetings as he would have like to and for example today he has had to fly to Brussels at quite short notice and cannot be here. He has been ably supported by Anthony Read and Pat Lloyd Jacob in their roles as Assistant Competition Secretary’s and amongst others by Derek Tickner-Wand.

Rob Dixon was lucky enough to get himself a contract in the sunny Middle-East and therefore had to leave the committee and this left us quite short of members. But relief was at hand when Pete Jenkins was co-opted onto the Committee and now he has learnt our ways he has agreed to stand as Treasurer. In the knowledge that his numerate wife Jo will be around to give him a guiding hand the Committee members are very grateful for his offer.

Bruce Deacon although no longer on the committee has continued to serve as our Web Meister and has taken the club forward at his own expense into the IT age as RRND.CO.UK. This is a good place to see the club trial results without having to wait until the next magazine.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you members who have supported the club over the last year and some of you for many, many, years before. Without you there is no point in our efforts to make this club.

Steve Whitmore

As well as being Chairman I have kept a watching brief on the social side of the clubs events. The main events of the year in chronological order were:-

Dinner Dance organised by Neville Lewis and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Neville for the effort he put into arranging the evening. The event was a success, and not just for Trevor Bolton when he got his new bike. Drinks flowed, music played, people danced and a good time was had by all. Because of that success we are again having a Dinner Dance and this year Pat Lloyd-Jacob is making the arrangements. I believe he still has a few tickets left. Please see him later!

The BMF rally was as entertaining as usual. Admittedly a few brave motorcyclists among us got lost on the way back, well in Peterborough to be exact. There were plenty of bargains, lots of fun and I am told some drinking went on.

We ran three evening trials. These are a combination of a quick and easy trial and social fun. We get a large turn out for these, not least because of the delicious Bar-B-Qs.

Using his extensive knowledge of the countryside Derek Tickner-Wand arranged three successful country walks. I gather various pubs were also visited and a good time was had by all who went, perhaps next time I’ll be able to go as well.

Next was the camping weekend in August. This the social highlight of the year, in as much as more club members come together for longer than at any other time. Lots of different people band together to make the weekend happen. The generator, lights and wiring, marquee, toilets and food don’t just arrive by magic. Many people lent a hand to make this event a success but I would like to take this opportunity to especially thank Bruce and Margaret for their efforts. I really think without their commitments of time and enthusiasm the weekend wouldn’t happen. In addition to the usual attractions of food, drink, lots of bike riding and trial, we were entertained by "Step Toe", Derek Tickner-Wand’s Line Dancing friends.

About a dozen of us road bikers went over to Belgium in September and stayed at the Motorcycle Loft Hotel. We spent a day sightseeing in Bruges, ate some good food, tripped around a brewery and generally had a good time. I have booked rooms for a longer repeat trip this year on August 11^th, 12^th and 13^th, anyone interested please see me later.

We also had a road runs to the Arlington Speedway, a Grass Track meeting and a couple of early morning breakfast trips. Any of you who would like to be included on the "ring round list" for any of these trips please see me afterwards or let me have your name and phone number.

Steve Whitmore