We would like to have a volunteer to join us on the committee. We meet every 4 or 5 weeks from 8.00 to about 10.30. We now have a Treasurer, Pete Jenkins, so please don’t be put off the idea of joining by worries about having to take on a lot of work. Pete does all that, slaving away counting our money over and over. It’s a bit sad really but apparently Jo won’t let him near their own money. I wonder why not? Are we wise to let him handle ours, I wonder?

Anyway, what we would like is someone else’s ideas around the table. We need someone who can speak while scoffing huge piles of nibbles and drinking vast amounts of beer. Well it ain’t all hard work! Some of us actually enjoy it! If it didn’t work out for some reason you wouldn’t be pressured to stay on any longer than you wish. This is your chance to influence your club and have your voice heard. It would be nice to hear someone else’s voice, did I mention Rick’s on the committee?

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There are eleven of us off to sunny Bruges on our road bikes this August. Not as many as last year and I know some of you are disappointed at being unable to make it on the weekend of 11 – 14 August. I have confirmed the rooms at the Motorcycle Loft Hotel and will write to the magnificent dozen (-1) nearer the date with any additional info they might find useful. If any others of you find you can join us after all I can give you contact numbers, dates and times but you’ll have to make your own arrangements.

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You may have noticed that Sid is selling his 1998 Beta 250 Techno (Excellent condition and only £1900). Sid tells me that following a recent urgent operation he is not sure if he will come back to trials riding. Whatever he decides I know we all wish him the best of luck for the future and hope to see him as a spectator at a trial soon.

At this time I would like to publicly record my thanks to Sid, and to Ron Dumbrell, for the way they helped and encouraged me, (and I’m sure Dan Morgan would want me to include him in these thanks), when we started trials riding in 1995, (for me after a 30 year break).

When you first turn up at a trial it is nice to have the encouragement of a couple of experienced riders who are prepared to go round the sections with you. They were prepared to spend some time giving me hints and tips as well as waiting around for me in case I fell off. Its nice to be offered a hot cup of tea when you’ve forgotten your flask and given tips on preparing your bike. I can’t help but think that if we all, (me included), took more time to welcome and help as many new riders as Sid and Ron do then we would probably have a bigger club. Its what trials riding used to be about and perhaps its something some of us have forgotten. Thanks Sid. Thanks Ron. Steve.