News for 2006
A digest of news items...
Summary December 2006
We had another very successful Toy Run on Sunday 17th, stopping off at the usual two homes to deliver presents. Dutchy was a very credible Santa in Tank's outfit and Chris B drove the goodies and some of Santa's helpers. Ian and Julie deserve a special mention for their matching snowmen outfits, carefully sized to fit over their leathers. Hopefully some pictures are in the pipeline!
Following the Christmas Buffet night, Jackie writes:
"Both Julie and I would like to thank everyone who helped us with the Christmas buffet: Dutchy, Tank and Bob for helping clean the hall up and everyone who turned up on Sunday to clean up the hall again, I unfortunately was not there on Sunday as I was still sorting out what I took home on Saturday night. I would like to say a special thanks to my mum and her friend Jackie without whose help it would not have happened.
Also Mags and Jeaneen for selling the raffle tickets and Gary and Ian for the doing the Disco. When we do a social event there is always a lot of pre planning and lots of shopping and pre arranging and it was nice to see such a good turn out the best weve ever seen for a Christmas doo so thanks to you all I hope you all enjoyed yourselves I know I did.
Have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year, Jackie and Julie"
Summary November 2006
Dave, Tom and Bob took a trip up to the NEC at Birmingham for the last day of the bike show on 5th November. It wasn't as rammed as some previous years and there was plenty to look at. Triumph's stand was large but got crowded out on one side by people gawping at the video screen on the Superbike magazine stand next door! The chaps came back with some pictures and some shopping. Dave's unintentional brand loyalty to Richa products (over the years covering leather jacket and trousers, summer gloves and winter jacket) was re-inforced by the purchase of some inexpensive winter gloves.
Summary October 2006
We had a run to the Ogri Café on Sunday 22 October. Andy, Tom and Chris B didn't get all the way there due to a flat tyre on Andy's Thunderbird Sport which was diagnosed as a dodgy valve. Everybody else had some top scoff and then a very wet ride home. Thanks to Barry for leading.
A few hardy souls (Dave J, Chris M, Bob and Barry) ventured down to Lydden Hill for probably the last track day of the year, at least for them. The weather remained overcast in defiance of a promising forecast, Chris's Yamaha refused to run properly so was trucked off home sharpish to be supplanted by his VTR, but otherwise the day was straightforward and enjoyable. Dave is now thinking that after four energetic (as opposed to fast) track days his tyres really do need replacing!
The run to the Museum of Kent Life on Sunday 8 October was an enjoyable one, taking in many obscure corners of the Kent countryside and finishing up at the museum. Some folks took in the Apple and Cider festival, others headed back to take advantage of the fine weather. Thanks again to Barry and Janneane for coming up with the route.
Summary August 2006
Who was that fresh-faced young man featured in Motorcycle News on 30 August, extolling the virtues of his (now deceased) 1995 Speed Triple? Why it was none other than Dave Jackson, Webmaster and Bexley regular, who was co-erced into giving a few opinions and providing a (obviously outdated) mugshot.
Sadly the article is not on-line at the Motorcycle News website and the self-same Webmaster is too lazy (er... respectful of copyright) to re-type it.
Summary June 2006
On Tuesday 20 June we had a great ride out to the White Horse at Sundridge, as the Pied Bull was hosting a full-on big screen viewing of the England v. Sweden match. Gary did us proud with a route that wound through the picturesque and tree-shrouded countryside for nearly an hour before emerging at the crossroads next to the pub.
The barbecue and concours evening on 13 June was a modest success, although some people were clearly put off by the thunderstorms and heavy rain earlier in the day, so the turnout was down on previous years. On the night we got away with very light drizzle, many sausages and burgers were consumed and we had four worthy prizewinners.
A hot and sunny weekend of June 10 - 11 made the BMF Garden of England Motorcycle Show a popular place to be and the Bexley TOMCC stand was packed with bikes both days, with at least one new member signed up.
Summary April 2006
A tribute to Tom Burnett, written by Bob Davis and read by Bob at Tom's Funeral on Friday 21 April, is now on-line.
Summary March 2006
Tom Burnett
Members of Bexley TOMCC were saddened to hear of the sudden death on Saturday 25 March of Tom Burnett, co-founder and Vice Chairman of the branch. Tom had celebrated his 80th birthday last year, was at our AGM last month and had until very recently still been collecting weekly subscriptions from members, each and every Tuesday night at the Pied Bull.
Funeral Details - Friday 21 April
Tom will be at the Pied Bull coachhouse from 12 p.m. Funeral cortege will leave at 2 p.m. for Eltham Crematorium. Ceremony at 3 p.m.
Tom's family would welcome donations to Cancer Research as an alternative to floral tributes.
Summary February 2006
Club officer changes: Following our AGM on Tuesday 28 February, there has been a bit of a reshuffle in the committee such that Julie hands over Regalia to Brenda Reed, allowing her to join Jackie as joint Social Secretaries, replacing Kevin who was persuaded to become Kickstart editor, allowing Dave to concentrate on the web site. Got that? Super.
Dateline Tuesday February 14: a smaller than usual turnout at the Pied Bull (wonder why?) welcomed the new management. Steve and his partner Katt have taken over the reigns and are settling in. They are local to the area and have previous pub-management experience, so we wish them every success.
We were sad to learn that our hosts at the Pied Bull for the last couple of years were moving on. The family team of dad Jim, mum Lynn and daughters Lindsey and Lisa have worked very hard since they took the pub over, re-establishing the popular restaurant and always keeping a good selection of real ales and a friendly welcome. The factor that prompted them to give it up? A huge rise in rent by the brewery, we heard. Their last day was Sunday 12 February and a few lunchtime regulars were on hand to wish them well. The full line-up: Jim, Tank, Lindsey, Tom, Lynn, Lisa, Ian, Julie, Chris and Tony.
Summary January 2006
With the Bexley AGM in sight (28 February), here is a message from Kevin:
"I will be standing down as Social Secretary at the next AGM. All my toys remain in the pram, it is simply my belief that after two years this position needs to be rotated to allow new ideas through. Anyone who would like to take on the position should register their interest with Andy Adie (Chair).
For my part I would like to thank all the members and others who have supported the Branch through the past two years, (i.e. Toy Runs, Parties, Rallies etc); for those who didn't - WHY are you a member???
It would be a distinct advantage to your new Officer if members let him/her know that which you would like to see the Branch doing and then support it.
Regards
Kev"
The Bexley Legend Rally 2006 is well into the planning stage and the date will definitely be Friday 21 to Sunday 23 July. See here!. Also the write-up on the 2005 rally has been found under a pile of other stuff and will be with you as soon as possible, with suitable apologies from your Webmaster.