At the last committee meeting it was decided to contact the AMCA to see if we could run a trial at Don s without the full restrictions currently in place. Rick sent a very well composed letter with details and location of the land and stating how all footpaths in Surrey had been declared open. He also offered to restrict the trial to members only and within a 50 mile radius.

On the Monday (llth June) morning Rick emailed me to say we had permission to run a trial without the disinfectant requirement etc. On the fixtures list we had an Evening trial down for the Wednesday that week but the Newsletter had gone out telling everyone we could not run a trial but there would be a practice and BBQ evening. Unfortunately Rick was busy that week and neither of us could offer to lay out a trial but I felt we owed it to members to try and put on a trial. I knew Stuart was available to help lay out but I needed someone else to help. I phoned Derek in the evening and he said yes. Eric also offered to get there early to help. 1 contacted Bruce and asked him to apply for the permit, although we had permission to run there was no way I was going to inform members until the permit had been issued just in case there was another hitch. Next job was to get the laying out gear to my house but Rick didn't have it and thought I did. After a few phone calls 1 tracked it down to Pat who said he would give it to Michael for me to pickup from him on the Tuesday evening as he lives not too far from me.

Bruce phoned for the permit early Tuesday morning but they said we needed permission from MAFF, Bruce cautiously phoned MAFF hoping there would be no issues and after explaining where the trial would be and that the footpaths are open they said yes. Back to the AMCA and the permit was issued. YES WE CAN FINALEY RUN A TRIAL. But its now Tuesday morning and the members do not know there is an evening trial the next day. I instantly sent an email out to all the members on my mailing list, this is where you find out who checks their mail regularly as some replied very quickly. I then did a phone around early in the evening to all regular riding members. Spoke to some and others I left messages with wives, girlfriends and on answer machines. Unfortunately as I was going out that evening I was unable to try phoning back those who were not in so apologies if you did not know about the trial. I then went to collect the laying out gear from Michael who unfortunately had forgotten to bring it home, we arranged that he would take it up to Don's in his lunch break and leave it there ready for Derek and Stuart.

On the Wednesday afternoon Derek picked up Stuart mid afternoon, the laying out bag was there when they arrived and they laid out 6 excellent sections. Despite most members having less than 24hrs notice 33 members turned out and an enjoyable trial was followed by an equally enjoyable BBQ. We should now be able to go ahead and run all trials on the fixtures list. Antony