WingSpan May 2015 1 · Tuesnoad House, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent ... Harmony House, 34 High street,...

WingSpan May 2015 1

Harry Ward at the inaugural meeting of the GWOCGB – see Peter Rakestrow’s feature in this month’s issue

Vol. 36 No. 5 Issue 411

MAY 2015

2 WingSpan May 2015

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WingSpan May 2015 3

M Pyke (Ipswich) (welcome back)

Adam & Janice Griffiths (South Wales) (welcome back)

Andrew & Diane Keenan (Norfolk)

Ewan Skinner (Scotland)

Paul Howells & Jeanette Sheehan (South Wales)

Philip & Elizabeth Munnery (Hertfordshire)

Paddy Welch (Lowestoft)

Michael Barrett (Harrogate)

WELCOME TO THE CLUB: If you are interested in visiting your nearest Region’s monthly meeting, phone up the Rep (see list of Regional Reps) or just turn up and make yourself known.

01–04 May Lincolnshire Wing Ding Wyberton S&S Club, Boston PE21 7BS07–10 May Belgian Treffen Libramont07–10 May Wessex Wing Ding Newlands Holiday Park, Charmouth DT6 6RB14–17 May French Treffen Moulins 15–17 May Devon & Cornwall Wing Ding Monkey Tree Holiday Park, Newquay TR8 5QR21–25 May Dutch Treffen Reuver 22–25 May Border Wing Ding Alnwick RFC, Northumberland NE66 1BE28–31 May Portuguese Treffen Mira/Ilhavo 04–07 Jun Spanish Treffen Benidorm 05–07 Jun Broadlands Wing Ding Trimley S&S Club, Trimley St. Martin, IP11 0RJ11–14 Jun Slovenia Treffen Terme Olimia/Podcetrtek 11–14 Jun Tudor Rose Wing Ding Yardley Gobion Social Club, Northants NN12 7UL18–21 Jun Swiss Treffen Aesch/BL 19–21 Jun Essex Wing Ding Waldegraves Holiday Park, Mersea, CO5 8SE25–28 Jun Italian Treffen Valeggio sul Mincio (Lake Garda) 26–28 Jun Sussex Wing Ding Langney Sports Centre Eastbourne BN23 7QH02–05 Jul Hungarian Treffen Tata, Fáklya Street + Tulipan str (Budapest 67km)03–05 Jul Capital Wing Ding Bancroft RFC, Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 6JD09–12 Jul Czech Republic Treffen Kácov10–12 Jul Lancs & Lakes Wing Ding Fleetwood Rugby Club, Lancashire FY7 8AY16–19 Jul Polish Treffen Kliczkow/Boleslawiec17–19 Jul Avon Wing Ding Hornets RFC, Weston-super-Mare BS22 8LY23–26 Jul Belarus Treffen Brest 30 Jul–02 Aug Norwegian Treffen Mosjoen31 Jul–02 Aug Staffordshire Wing Ding t.b.a.06–09 Aug Swedish Treffen Kosta06–09 Aug Yorkshire Wing Ding Grange Park, Wetherby LS22 5NB13–16 Aug Finnish Treffen Kuortane21–23 Aug 1 Norfolk Wing Ding Banham Zoo, NR16 2HE20–23 Aug Irish Treffen MacHale GAA Sportsground, Castlebar, Mayo24–31 Aug British Treffen Kelso Showground, TD5 8LS03–06 Sep Luxembourg Treffen Bascharage07–10 Sep Bulgarian Treffen Bansko09–13 Sep Greek Treffen Posidi Chalkidiki25–27 Sep Lincs Light Parade Skegness30 Oct–1 Nov Belgian Friendship Weekend Blankenburge

GWOCGB CALENDAR 2015

NOTE: The Alba event (originally planned for 29–31 May) and the West Wales Wing Ding (originally planned for 24–26 July) have both been cancelled

4 WingSpan May 2015

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WingSpan May 2015 5

ChairmanTIM BROOKSTuesnoad House, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent

TN26 3EHTel: 01233 820682email: [email protected]

General SecretaryJAnET CROSS14 Northview Road, Tadley, Hants RG26 3SWTel: (0118) 981 2311email: [email protected]

Acting TreasurerHELEn PERKInSemail: [email protected]

Membership SecretaryPAT HELM46 John’s Avenue, Lofthouse, Wakefield,

Yorkshire WF3 3LUTel: (01924) 824323 Mob: (07581) 040267email: [email protected]

International RepDunCAn MITCHELL9 Shavian Terrace, Kilwinning, Ayrshire

KA13 6BUTel: (01294) 553755email: [email protected]

Treffen Coordinator 1Position vacant

Treffen Coordinator 2nIGEL wHITEHOuSEemail: [email protected]

Events SecretaryMARK PHILIPSCisilion House, Guildford Road, Leatherhead

KT22 9UTTel: 07787 108578email: [email protected] or

[email protected]

Committee Member/Charity CoordinatorPETE FISHER14 Northway Crescent, London Park Est,

Mirfield, Yorkshire WF14 OLRTel: (01924) 521392email: [email protected]

GWOCGB ReGisteRed AddRess: edwards, Harmony House, 34 High street,

Aldridge, Walsall, West Midlands Ws9 8LZ

CO-OPTED POSITIONSWINGSPAN EDITOR: Keith Rigley 2 Elm Crescent, Charlbury, Oxon OX7 3PZ

Tel: (01608) 811243 E-mail: [email protected]/BMF REP: Andy Appleby Tel: 01204 411442 Email: [email protected] SECRETARY: Marion Rowden

HONORARY POSITIONSFOUNDER & FORMER PRESIDENT: Harry Ward (1929–2001)HONORARY LIFE MEMBER: Allan Foster Tel: (014577) 63038

12 Clayland Close, Hollingworth, Via Hyde, Cheshire SK14 8PF. Email: [email protected]

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All material, information and images used in the WingSpan are the property of the originator and may not be reproduced or published in any way, shape or form without the written permission of the WingSpan Liaison Officer.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the articles in WingSpan are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the GoldWing Owners Club of Great Britain, its Committee or its members. No liability can or will extend to the Club in relation to the contents of such

letters and it is only on this basis that we can publish such correspondence. In addition, the GoldWing Owners Club of Great Britain has no knowledge of the condition or merchantability of any of the items offered for sale in this newsletter. The Purchaser must rely on its own enquiries.

KEEP YOuR REGIOnAL COnTACT DETAILS uP TO DATE

It is very important for Regions to keep the Committee (GenSec, Events Secretary, Membership Secretary) as well as the WingSpan Editor up to date with any contact changes. This is one of the duties

of Region Rep.

Please bear this in mind as we are getting close to the time when Regions are organising their Annual General Meetings.

NOte: Changes to the Committee may well take place following the AGM.

6 WingSpan May 2015

Chairman’s ChatHi everyone, the season is now officially here! Let’s get out there and enjoy it.

Thank you to all who at-tended the AGM, I hope it went well and we can now start to implement the proposed changes. There is much to do!

I can’t believe that I have been Chairman for a year now, there have been a few testing moments but overall, I have enjoyed the year.

I will now welcome the new members to the National Committee, both elected and co-opted. Your Club couldn’t operate without the valued volunteers.

Our Webmaster, Derek Hen-dry, will have made a presenta-tion at the AGM detailing the new changes to our IT, these will make Website, WingSpan

and Forum access a lot simpler.In March we formed an IT

sub-committee to brainstorm ideas, look at and implement member’s proposals and share the workload.

We took the car to Apple-yard’s Open Day, it was good to see so many there, although the weather was awful a few hardy souls turned up on their Wings. It didn’t seem as busy as some years, but Barry told us that they had served 250 lunches.

Some of the planned Club regalia was on sale, polo shirts (male and female sizes) and baseball hats, these all sold very well and when we left there were just a few items remaining.

Our thanks go to Barry and the Staff at Appleyard’s for their efforts.

I would like to offer our

ByTIM BROOKS

Chairman

apologies to Dean and Carol of Stylish Embroiders. Whilst promoting the upcoming regalia from Colin Appleyard, Barry Walton sent an email to the Reps. In that email it was inferred that the GWOCGB didn’t receive any monies from past regalia providers. This is in-correct, Stylish Embroiders did forward a share of the profits made to the Club as contracted. I apologise again to Dean and Carol for any offence caused.

Health issues have dictated that the 2014 Wing has had to go, but we have now bought a 1500 candy red EML Trike.

Happy Winging

Hi All – I’ve just got back from Manchester Bike Show where I had a good chat with the Reps on the stalls at MAG, BMF & NABD. I gave them up to date contact details so I can receive even more info for us.

I also visited our GWOCGB Classic Section, great to see you Peter, you’re doing a great job promoting our Club.

MAG’S NEWSLETTERhttp://www.mag-uk.org/network/Network_2015-04.pdfNewsletters and other info is sent to all reps who in turn pass it on to all members in their regions, if you are not receiving info please contact me and I will place you on the my contact list.

Also if anyone wants MAG’s

local newsletter for their area/region please let me know so I can arrange it. MAG are very keen to pass on info to all affili-ated members in their area.

Autumn NABD’ness Rally 2015 (11–13 September) cancelledIt is with great regret that the Autumn Nabd’ness Rally 2015 has been cancelled. Due to an unacceptable breakdown in the servicing of the toilets at the 2014 event, we no longer have any faith in the toilet supplier and as the supplier also happens to be the site owner, we have had no alternative but to move the event to an alternative site.

As finding a new site, reach-ing an agreement with the own-

er, applying for a new licence for the event, and many other con-siderations, involve a lot of time and effort; we reluctantly agreed to postpone the next Autumn Nabd’ness rally until September 2016 to allow us put on an event of the highest quality.

On behalf of the Trustees of the NABD I offer our apologies to anybody who has been incon-venienced by this unavoidable decision.

BMF: Fighting your corner on wire rope barriersGovernment Relations Execu-tive Graeme Hay reports on the

MAG/BMF Report ByANDY APPLEBY

GWOCGB MAG/BMF

Officer

WingSpan May 2015 7WingSpan May 2015 7

issue of wire rope barriers on motorways:

“In the last edition of BMF’s membership magazine Motor-cycle Rider, I wrote an overview on the rather controversial subject of safety fences on our roads. In that discussion, I called for the wider use of cast concrete barriers as a means of not only giving motorcyclists a better chance of survival, but also as an example of a wise in-vestment of public money to re-duce ongoing maintenance and repair costs, as well as reducing the number of times journeys are delayed by lane closures to repair steel fences.

“I have continued to follow this subject through while attending the National Road Users Council, where the BMF represents the voice of motorcycling, and it seems that significant aspects of my views may be shared by others leading the development of the Smart Motorways network. This ini-tiative is underway on many of the country’s busiest motorways and involves the installation of much technology into the road to support and enable use of the hard shoulder as a traffic lane, variable lane and speed control as well as a host of future technologies around vehicle operation and flow management. When this work is done, the entire motorway is overhauled, as the Highways Agency say: “From fence to fence”. In seemingly all of these projects very recently completed or presently under construction, the steel safety fence in the central reserve is re-

moved and replaced with a cast concrete system. Sadly this is not so for those converted a few years ago, when the thinking was different. “The wire-rope safety fence issue is a long way from solved, but I continue to work to achieve all that I can, on your behalf, just as the BMF always has.”

Crash Barriers – Wired UpNorthern Ireland continues to get wired up with the fitting of Wirerope/Cable barriers (Vehicle Restraint Systems – VRS) in the central reservation of new road dualling schemes across the province.

We first noticed these barriers in Belfast a few years back, situ-ated at the junction of Tesco’s at Newtownbreda, although a small section of this type of system but it just seemed to be a beginning of the sprawl of these barriers.

Their infusion into the Northern Ireland roads infra-structure continued with the by-pass around Ballymena, with stretches of wirerope barriers fitted on A1 Beech Hill to Clog-hogue dual carriageway (Newry By-pass) in July 2010.

Read more: http://www. righttoride.co.uk/top-issues/roads-infrastructure/crash-barriers/

MAG: Coming to a City/Town near you? (I hope not)Is protecting cyclists endanger-ing other road users? I believe it may be, particularly those riding powered two wheelers.

Remember the Armadillos in Salford?

Then meet the ‘Tomb-stones’ or ‘Dragons Teeth’ (official name Toby Bollards) sited in Clarence Road, Bristol.

They’re about 13 inches high, 12 inches long and 4 inches thick. They appear to be solid concrete. Their bases are re-cessed into the ground and they

appear to have been mortared or sealed in place too.

Note that the red reflectors are already so caked in road grime that they’re not prop-erly visible. With both red and white (oncoming) cycle lights in the cycle path and oncoming headlights on the main car-riageway, these bollards will be very difficult to see in the dark, or with rain covered visors. In fog we have next to no chance.

Remember in March’s edition I reported on the Tombstones in Bristol which separate the cycle lane from other traffic? Well, here is what happens when something damages it – yep, definitely

The roads are ever more congested and dangerous, they tell us. So here’s a new delight – small almost invisible teeth in the road that will catch you and rip you from your motorcycle and eat you up! Even if you’re in a car you’ll be very sorry you drove along Clarence Road, in my old home city of Bristol. They have a mayor called George, you know. Here’s what I’ve just posted him. I’ll update you if I get a reply:

“Sir – I am an ex-resident of Bristol now living in South Gloucestershire. As traffic levels increase I applaud the intention of your office to make Bristol a safer place to move around in; indeed, creating Britain’s first Cycling City. As a motorcyclist I believe PTW is a viable alterna-tive to car use for those of us who need to make longer jour-neys, particularly where public

Officially known as “Toby” bollards. Bikers know then as Tomb-stones)

8 WingSpan May 20158 WingSpan May 2015

transport has yet to connect to the rural communities. PTW take up less space on the road, easing congestion, and tend to be more fuel efficient per per-son/journey overall (given that most car journeys are single occupancy).

Pedal cyclists face hazards when sharing the road with cars and lorries, and as such the pro-vision of cycle lanes is an obvi-ous solution. However, in one case the construction of a cycle lane has, through ill-considered design, presented a serious hazard to other road users. For Powered Two Wheelers this haz-ard could well be fatal. I refer to the installation of Toby Bollards in Clarence Road, Recliff.

injury or death, I hope you will agree.

You will note from the pic-tures I took this morning that at least one (in fact several) of these bollards have been dam-aged, presumably by vehicles

assessment that was under-taken before the design was approved. Emailed copies would be satisfactory, but mail can be addressed to [redacted]

Yours Sincerely, Mark Rosher cc Motorcycle Action Group

Also published on my personal blog

All in a personal capacity.

BMF: Helmets off at the forecourt?By MAG/BMF Sun March 22Helmets off on the forecourt? BMF fighting your corner“Can you imagine any other circumstances under which a customer would be singled out and identified to all over the public address system, asked to remove items of clothing so that they may be permitted to shop?

“I have been following-up on the frustrations of the forecourt that many of you have written to us about. One of many, was from Mr B who called at the Morrisons supermarket forecourt on Penistone road, Sheffield on December 11. Mr B usually buys fuel there, using the pay-at-the-pump service, wearing an open-face helmet with no trouble whatsoever. It was a cold day with ice about and so Mr B was riding his quad-bike, rather than his Suzuki Bandit and wearing his open-face helmet. Having done the debit card part in the pump for the payment, he began to fill his machine. The pump was switched off from the shop and he was asked to take off his helmet over the public address system.

“Now, having already been cleared for up to £99 worth of fuel by the payment system, this puzzled him. Being a true gentleman – as are all male BMF members – he began to remove the open-face helmet and the pump was switched back on. If you think that is a bit strange,

This cycle lane is built into the road, rather than the more customary extended and demarcated pavement. In fact it appears to be the width of a normal traffic lane, able to take large vehicles (is it a Metro Bus Lane in the making?). The bollards, which have more appropriately been renamed ‘Tombstones’, are grey on a grey tarmac road, and even the red reflector strips on them are coat-ed with grey road dust. They stand about a foot high, ready to catch any errant vehicle (or even pedestrian) who ventures onto them, barely visible in good conditions.

In poor conditions, such as rain or fog, these bollards will be entirely invisible, especially by PTW with wet visors. The penalty for crossing the white line ought not to be serious

striking them. In a car this will have caused costly damage, on a motorcycle it would be an inevitable ‘off”. In either case there will have been dam-aged concrete cast across the carriageway. Given that some of the tombstones are already missing (and the installation is not yet complete) there would have been occasions when a full bollard was in the road.

Even in good conditions the road lanes have been reduced, as shown by the original centre line in my photographs. East travelling HGV traffic will inevi-tably cause the oncoming traffic to move towards the bollards, increasing the likelihood of im-pact. This scheme is ill thought out and should be withdrawn immediately, before someone is killed. The cycle lane, in my lay opinion, should be remade onto an extended pavement divided by painted lines and the road width protected for two lane two direction traffic. Or it could be that York Road and Clarence Road be made one way, which would make perfect sense and cause minimal impact on local residents and businesses.

I would be grateful if Bristol City Council would provide me with information including the justification for the use of the bollards, the accident statistics for Clarence Road and the risk


just you wait for the next part…It was a very cold day and

so Mr B was wearing a full-face neck scarf under his open face helmet, so his face was never visible in any case.

Mr B emailed customer services, and received the fol-lowing, rather weak response, which incorrectly stated:

“We ensure there is signage in all our petrol stations clearly stating our policy, thereby al-lowing customers the opportu-nity to decide if they wish to purchase fuel from us.”

There were no such signs and they are seldom present, at least in a way that they can be seen easily. I am indebted to Mr B for remaining so calm in all of this humiliation and frustration. I have taken his experience forward to the Head of Policy at Morrisons supermarkets and we have had what I am delighted to report was an open and enlightening discussion around customer experience. I mean, can you imagine any other circumstances under which a customer would be singled out and identified to all over the public address system, asked to remove items of clothing so that they may be permitted to shop? I can’t and neither could the Head of Policy at Morrisons.

The Head of Policy and I will be speaking with the Petrol

Retailers Association to see if we can arrive at a sensible un-derstanding for all of us, which looks at wearing of helmets, the safe placing of removed helmet, pay-at-the-pump vs entering the shop and many other aspects of this strange subject, where strange, confusing and frankly ridiculous ‘local rules’ seem to be applied arbitrarily with complete inconsistency.

I will write more, when I know it.”

Graeme HayBMF Government Relations

Executive

30-01-2015 Date Change for the Yorkshire Pudding Rally 2015It has been brought to our attention by the land owners of the site where we hold our rally that the Yorkshire Pudding date of 7–9 of August has been double-booked with a wedding on the same date.

We have been informed as soon as the mistake has been noticed by Escrick Estate and they have apologised for the oversight. Both Escrick Estate and Yorkshire MAG have looked at every option open to us and unfortunately the best for everyone, but mainly the happy couple who are to be married is to bring the date a week forward to the 31st of July 1st and 2nd

of August weekend.Whilst the situation is not

ideal for us and you our custom-ers we believe this is the best option and with six months’ notice we hope that it gives time for customers, marshals, traders, caterers and service suppliers to be able to change the date without too much dis-ruption. Both Escrick Estate and Yorkshire MAG apologise if this inconveniences anyone.

With the date change to the week before it also stops the clash with the Rock and Bike at Squires Café Bar and also the Bulldog Bash at Avon Raceway who’s organisers will also be pleased because of the stretch on attendees and also the service suppliers who work at these rallies.

Yours sincerelyYorkshire Motorcycle

Action Group

The Federation of European Motorcyclists’ AssociationsFebruary 4, 2015European Motorcyclists Fo-rum: motorcycle road safety top priority

On the 3rd of February 2015 the European Motorcyclists’ Forum 2015, organized by the FEMA, ended in the European Parliament with a panel discus-sion of the outcomes of the RIDERSCAN project.

WingNut Birthdays for May■■ Joseph Heamen (Devon & Cornwall) will be 10 on the 5th

■■ Annabell Coode-Ambridge (Tudor Rose) will be 5 on the 7th

■■ Max Riley (Lancs & Lakes) will be 5 on the 12th

■■ Owain Howells (South Wales) will be 6 on the 18th

■■ Amelia Allan (Trent) will be 3 on the 24th

■■ Elise Barker (Norfolk) will be 10 on the 26th

■■ Blaire Smith will be 16 on the 30th

■■ Christopher Madden will be 18 on the 31st

■■ Max Bowes (Tudor Rose) will be 13 on the 31st

CHECK OuT THE GwOCGB wEBSITE at www.gwocgb.co.uk


35 Years Following The Golden Wing

“This is a wonderful Club (not perfect – but then, what is?) and we’ve come a long way in five years. Let’s hope the next five, ten, fifteen … are as good and that we’ll all still be the same kind of friendly, single minded, well-travelled bunch we are now.”

That is a quote from an article I wrote back in 1985 for the May WingSpan to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the GWOCGB. Now we’re 30 years on!!!!

This Club has been part of our lives for the last 34 years, Wendy and I joined in May 1981 and the Club then had been going just 12 months. Harry Ward had attended the Belgium Treffen in Aalter, held at the Ranch in April 1980, along with 24 other British Gold Wing owners, but on his return decided that we needed a British club (in the Midlands a small club had already been formed with around 17 members, the representative was a chap called Jon Alcock). Harry started work by posting adverts in the motorcycle press to have a meet-ing at the Tower House Hotel in Reading on Sunday 18th May 1980 at 11am (Harry had only had his GL1000KZ for six months, boy did this man work fast!). The event was a success with 37 owners turning-up, a committee was formed and Jon Alcock agreed to join and form the Gold Wing Club of Great Britain.

By this time Harry had already printed the first newsletter that was circulated to the 24 people who attended the Belgium

Treffen, this was just a typed A5 photocopy with 12 pages, it wasn’t until the October 1980 issue (no 6) that the Club had a proper magazine, although un-named. The Club itself had had a name change and a new logo on the front of the magazine, with the word “owner” inserted. It was now official that we were the Gold Wing Owners Club of Great Britain. It wasn’t until March 1981 that the magazine became the Wing Span.

In just a couple of months the Club grew at a rapid rate, Harry contacted Honda UK to see if it was possible to have a stand at the Honda Festival at Brands Hatch, they agreed and supplied the Club with everything they needed, the event was over the weekend 19th and 20th 1980, this was mainly to attract new members,

although Harry dubbed it as “The First British International Gold Wing Treffen” along with a program of events. The first standalone Treffen that we as a Club organised was in 1981 at Henley-on-Thames on 7th–9th August, seven other countries were represented with a total (including Britain) of 251 mo-torcycles. Every year since, the Club has held a British Treffen from Wadebride in Cornwall to Blair Atholl in Scotland.

Harry encouraged members in different areas to set up local meetings, as with a country like ours (although not huge) it was difficult to meet up centrally every week, so members got together and formed regions, with the first five listed in no2. Newsletter as The Midlands (which must count as the first

Peter Rakestrow writes on the early history of our Club

to mark 35 years of the GWOCGB

Above: Harry Ward, Mike Bridge (Chairman) and Paul & Sam Hildebrand, founders of

GWRRA Right: An Original Club SweatshirtBelow: 1981 Mis-spelt Henley Treffen sign


ever region as they were formed before the GWCGB), Ports-mouth, Dover, Reading and Bristol, today we have 30 active regions and two with no repre-sentative. The regions soon got the bug of having get-togethers which became known as Wing Dings, in the early days these were just one day events but soon became events that lasted all weekend with camping, in the peak of the Club some Wing Dings became even longer.

Over the last 35 years this

Club has done a lot of good things by raising lots of money for charities and even one of our own members, Claire’s elec-tric wheelchair in 1987. Regions also put on static displays and give rides for people who have probably never been on a mo-torcycle before. Another thing that this club was involved in was to change the legisla-tion to allow towing of trailers behind solo motorcycles, which was done by Chris Shoesmith back in 1983/4. We can also claim to be one of the very few Gold Wing clubs in the world that had our founder meet Mr Honda himself; and the 1983 Treffen (held in Halton, Lan-cashire) was visited by Paul & Sam Hildebrand who were the founders of GWRRA in America.

The Club has changed and unfortunately our founder Harry Ward is no longer with us, along with a lot of other people. Harry’s dream was that one day the GWOCGB would have its own club house, how this would have worked I don’t know, but we all have to have dreams in some shape or form. People join things for all different reasons,

some like to get involved and do as much as they can, riding their bikes to Wing Dings and Treffens, other just like to ride in their local area and of course you have the armchair members as well. Back in the mid-80s our Club Secretary Dave Horner worked out that the average age of a GWOCGB member was 47 (making me well below average), today the average age must be something like 60 which in turn would still make me below average. So as we are all growing older our needs become slightly different and with the cost of a new Gold Wing being more than our first house the type of people joining the club are very different, so we need to move along with the times. Wendy and I still enjoy everything we do with this Club mainly be-cause it’s not about how much money you have or what your background is or what you do for a living (most members are retired I suspect anyway). The point is to meet new people, be with old friends and enjoy riding your Honda Gold Wing, after all that is why you bought it. Wasn’t it?

Above: The first page of the first

newsletter

Right: Motorcycle

Weekly with Chris

Shoesmith

Far right: Claire’s

Chair 1987

12 WingSpan May 201512 The Regions of the GWOCGBwith Regional Representatives and Meetings

ALBA WINGSRep: JANET MAWER T: (0141) 5849867 M: (07960) 087470 E: [email protected] Meetings•1stSun,10amfromAprtoSept–

Shawlands Park Hotel, Ayr Road, Larkhall ML9 2TZ

AVON WINGSJoint Rep: CHRIS JOHNS T: (01275) 790069 E: [email protected] Meetings•FirstSunofmonth,noon–

Lord Nelson, 58 Main Road, Cleeve, Bristol BS49 4NR

BORDER WINGSRep: DAVE HENDERSON T: (0191) 3857890 E: [email protected] Meetings•2ndTues,7.30pm–Durham

Prison Officers Club, The Hallgarth, Durham DH1 3AX

BROADLAND EAST ANGLIAJoint Rep: TONY SPINKS T: (01284) 788297 M: (07775) 736046 E: [email protected] Meetings•TheParkHotel,Diss–Ringfor

details

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WINGSRep: Position vacant at present

CAPITAL WINGSJoint Rep: RAY ‘Yetti’ BROOKING T: (020) 8884 1418 E: [email protected] Rep: CHRIS ‘Rocky’

SIDAWAY M: (07867) 971054Regional Meetings•1st&3rdWeds,8pm–Railway

Tavern, 131 Angel Lane, Stratford E15 IDB,

CENTRE WINGSRep: RUTH BENNETT M: (07791) 930794 E: [email protected] Meetings•EveryotherWeds,8pm–Cradley

Heath Liberal Club, 60 Upper High Street, Cradley Heath, West Midlands B64 5HU

CHESHIRE & MERSEYSIDE WINGS

Rep: Position vacant at presentRegional Meetings•1stSun,noon–TheEgertonArms,

Hermitage Road, Saughall, Chester CH1 6AF

CUMBRIA WINGSRep: GAIL EWIN T: (01697) 475846 E: [email protected] Meetings•2ndSun,10.30am(Nov–Mar)

– Dobbie’s Garden Centre, nr Carlisle

•2ndSun,10amrideout(Apr–Oct)– The Red Rooster, Penrith

DEVON & CORNWALL WINGSJoint Rep: CHRIS EASTER T: (01822) 615262 E: [email protected] Rep: BILL BURKE T: (01752) 843704 E: [email protected] Meetings•3rdSun,11am–PoldarkInn,

Delabole

ESSEX WINGSRep: COLIN ELLIS T: (01277) 655616 M: (07785) 512758 E: [email protected] Rep: MICHAEL ELLIS T: (01268) 285349E: [email protected] Meetings•1st&3rdTues,8pm–RisingSun,

Sun Corner, Billericay

HAMPSHIRE WINGSJoint Rep: MIKE UPTON M: (07738) 091775 E: hampshiregoldwinger@

gmail.comJoint Rep: ALAN GARRETT T: (01264) 363608 M: (07796) 140083

E: [email protected] Meetings•3rdSun,11.30am;QueensHead,

Titchfield

HERTFORDSHIRE WINGSRep: Position vacant at presentRegional Meetings•1stFri,8pm–TheCrossKeys,

Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8LA

KELTIC WINGSRep: CARL SPOWART T: (01333) 450181 E: [email protected] Meetings•2ndSun,10.30–TheGreenHotel,

2 The Muirs, Kinross, Perthshire

KENT WINGSRep: PETE FISHER T: (01304) 330390 E: stormchaser.24515272@

hotmail.co.ukAssistant Rep: BRIAN GILES T: (01634) 254526Regional Meetings•1stSun,12.30–DancingDog

Saloon, Sheppey Way, Sittingbourne,KentME98QP

LANCS & LAKES WINGSRep: ALLEN WHITE T: (01422) 245130 E: [email protected] Meetings•2ndSun,10.30–HartwoodHall

Hotel, Preston Rd, Chorley PR6 7AX (just off M61 at jct 8)

WingSpan May 2015 13The Regions of the GWOCGBwith Regional Representatives and Meetings

13

LINCOLNSHIRE WINGSRep: MARK (SANDY) SANDS E: [email protected] Meetings•1stSun–PhoneRepsfordetails

NORFOLK WINGSRep: ROY PENN T: (01366) 324396 M: (07918) 820310 E: [email protected] Meetings•1stSun,Noon–TheChequers,

Church Rd, Wimbotsham, Downham Market

NORTH WALES WINGSRep: Position VacantRegional Meetings•ContactGenSecforcontact

details

PENNINE WINGS (GREATER MANCHESTER)

Rep: GARY JACKSON T: (01204) 796138 E: [email protected] Meetings•3rdSun,10am–UrmstonMasonic

Hall, 15 Westbourne Road, Urmston,ManchesterM410XQ

•1stWeds,ManchesterRugbyClub

SHROPSHIRE WINGSRep: KERRY RIGBY T: (01691) 656252 M: (07763) 935612 E: [email protected] Meetings•2ndMon,8pm–TheHorseshoe

Inn, Uckington, Shrewsbury SY4 4UL

SOUTH WALES WINGSRep: VLARD CARTER T: (01443) 477068 M: (07730) 073978 E: [email protected] Rep: DAVE WEBSTER M: (07724) 607349

Regional Meetings•2ndSun,6.30pm–TheBarn,

Llantrisant

STAFFORDSHIRE WINGSRep: MICHAEL RUSHTON T: (01782) 761552 M: (07732) 508725 E: [email protected] Meetings•1st&3rdFri,8.30pm–The

Holy Inadequate, Etruria Old Road, Etruria, Stoke on Trent PT1 5PE

SURREY WINGSContact Gen Sec for contact

details

SUSSEX WINGSRep: RICH WOODLAND T: (01825) 769978 E: [email protected] Meetings•2ndSun,noon–TheAlma,

Framfield Road, Uckfield

THAMES VALLEY WINGSRep: PHIL IRELAND T: (01635) 269141 M: (07736) 351226 E: [email protected] Meetings•LastSun,1pm–RoyalBritish

Legion Club, Eversly Rd, Arborfield RG2 9PR

TRENT WINGSRep: ALAN and CHERYL

ROULSTON T: (01773) 856221 M: (07976) 523624 E: [email protected] Meetings•4thSun:ContactRepsforvenue

TUDOR ROSE WINGSRep: CHRIS PARKINSON T: (01908) 642110 M: (07949) 617824 E: [email protected] Meetings•1stSun,12.30pm–Yardley

Gobion Sports & Social Club

WESSEX WINGSRep: KEITH THOROGOOD T: (01202) 573208 M: (07533) 156829 E: [email protected] Meetings•4thSun,11am–Bryanston

Social Club (a mile from Blandford)

WEST WALES WINGSJoint Rep: PHIL GRIFFITHS E: phillipjgriffiths671@btinternet.

comJoint Rep: VAUGHAN ROBERTS E: [email protected] Meetings•1stSun,noon–TheWhiteHart

Inn, Carmarthen Road, Llandeilo SA19 6RS. Contact Reps to confirm

WHITE HORSE WINGSJoint Rep: ROGER COOPER T: (01793) 480023 M: (07977) 598053 E: [email protected] Rep: CLAUDIA COOPER T: (01793) 480023 M: (07875) 389872 E: [email protected] Meetings•ContactRepsfordetails

YORKSHIRE WINGSJoint Rep: TONY WALTON T: (01226) 290754 E: [email protected] Rep: HAZEL DENTON T: (07930) 579743Regional Meetings•2ndSun,10am–SquiresCafeBar,

Newthorpe, South Milford, Leeds LS25 5LX

14 WingSpan May 2015

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WingSpan May 2015 15

Broadland (East Anglia) RegionGreetings one and all and trust everything is going well for you.

March was a fairly quiet month for us in the East, apart from bowling practises at Lowestoft and Ipswich to get us ready for the BIG one. Only time will tell if we over-trained but anyway it is lovely to get together and reminisce about past Wing events and wonder about what 2015 will bring. Keith and Ann did not turn up for this practice as they were en-joying themselves in Venice to celebrate a special birthday for Keith. No mention of the AGE but it ends in a “0” and wasn’t 50 and he is too young and spritely to be 70!!!! As it hap-pened I think we did over-train as at Chelmsford on 29 March our gallant teams were trounced by Capital who took both the men and ladies trophies. Well done to them but congratula-tions to our brilliant BEARs for

their efforts as they were urged on by an extraordinary enthusi-astic number of supporters.

Wonder whether losing an hour’s sleep had any effect as we lost an hour of shuteye time? It was lovely to meet up with old Wing friends we hadn’t seen since last year and look forward to seeing them around the circuit this year. Ten of us com-miserated with each other over lunch in the Chinese Buffet – we had a thoroughly enjoyable lunch and great was the delight of some members who discov-ered plenty of ice-cream in the desert trolley – mind you the chocolate fountain went down pretty well too. It was decided that the 2016 competition will be hosted by Broadlands and we are already looking forward to playing hosts to other Regions. (Memo – do not have it as the clocks change over to summer time!!!)

As a Region we are busy hatching plans for

our Wing Ding on 5–7 June at Trimley St Mary. We are really looking forward to welcoming you all and providing a superb, flat site with excellent facilities (ie, hot showers), good food and terrific music. We are also plan-ning interesting run outs and concluding with our traditional teatime treat. How can you resist visiting the BEARs?!

Only a short missive this month but the next one will be much wordier with thoughts from the AGM in Derbyshire and activities at Lincolnshire Wing Ding. Brian and I are “using” Lincs as a shake-down before going to the Belgian and French Treffens – just to check we have not forgotten what to pack and what to take (apart from the hot water bottle that is).

No more for now. Ride safely: it’s a busy world out there.

Diane XXX

Capital WingsCongratulations go to our Inter-Regional Bowling Competition team who took on the might of Broadlands, Essex and Kent and made it through with an almost clean sweep of the prizes.

The day got off to a dodgy start when Joe and Margaret never turned up – they travelled to Chelmsford instead of salty Maldon. Not to worry, we had plenty of reserves and support-ers too. Capital’s boys were Nigel, Big John, Chris, Aaron, Rocky and Alan and the girls Hilary, Elaine, Ingrid/Dani, Liz, Jo and Jenny. I reported last month that they had all been out practising but I hear it was

practising in front of the TV watching ‘The Edge’. This

is a quiz show that combines general knowledge and bowling and contestants get the chance to bowl down an electronic alley to win cash. The teams didn’t win money this time, only glory, so well done to Aaron (men’s highest score), Elaine (ladies and overall high-est individual score), Capital (men’s and ladies team winners) and Capital (overall highest scoring team).

Joe organised Capital’s Easter Egg Run in March and by the afternoon the sun had come out to warm the hearts of 30 Wingers on 20 bikes, plus one car. Margaret and Joe served hot

drinks and delicious home-made cakes first to everyone at J&S Accessories in Braintree. Children were waiting in the grounds at Meldreth for the convoy of eggs to arrive and got very eggcited when our arrival was led in by a Mole dressed in a full bunny outfit. They say seeing is believing and he really was a sight. In total, donations raised £185 which we gave to Meldreth Manor. Monies were received from those who could not make the run and the kindness of those who did. A whopping 368 Easter Eggs were handed over to some very happy children and staff.

Joe sends a special thank you to all who came out to join


him for what is truly a fantastic cause. Extra thanks also to Kevin and his lovely wife who rode 154 miles from White Horse Wings to join us.

With no Belgian Treffen at Easter this year, a weekend away on the Isle of Wight was or-ganised and on Good Friday 18 bikes and 40 Wingers descended on the island. The first problem was that Trish had left the poles to the bedroom section of her tent at home in the loft! Buzz

Lightyear came to the rescue with some spare poles so at least Trish didn’t have to bunk up with someone else. Then when Buzz and Maria returned to the campsite after a meal out, they pulled up, big camber, short legs, oh no! going over on a very slow roll … Maria got caught under the bike and although very sore and limping, nothing thankfully was broken.

Friday night was Onesie

Night and there was a variety of onesies on display includ-ing pink and white, unicorn, banana men, dragons, camou-flage, Union Jack man, three bears and a minion. Capital and Co got quite a lot of strange looks from all the children and adults in the clubhouse.

On Saturday Jeff and Sue led a tour around the island. It was a good run with quite a lot of holiday traffic but on a sad note

Trish wonders about some pole dancing

Minion Rocky and Bunny Hills scare the locals

Bunny Man startled by headlights

WingSpan May 2015 17WingSpan May 2015 17WingSpan May 2015 17

Sandy and Jayne from Lincoln-shire Wings were involved in an accident, which happily they

walked away from with bruising but they were very, very sore.

On Sunday, after the Easter

Bunny had visited all the tents and drove around the site with Mr Egg on his trike, there was a walk into town for some of the bikers followed by crazy golf, a couple of pints and a pint of prawns … yum, yum. Later all 32 of the group met up at The Steamer Inn and as you can imagine the night was quite noisy, with Kevin ending up on the wrong side of the bar.

The sun was shining on Monday morning and the tents slowly dried in the heat. Thank-fully it was an uneventful trip to the ferry and the journey back home was easier than ex-pected. Joe and Margaret came up with the idea for the break so who knows the event could be even bigger next year.

Miss (Helen) Whiplash

Diary date3–5 July: Capital Wing Ding

Kevin pleads to be let out

Kent WingsKent kicks off with the Hunstanton Light ParadeMembers from Kent travelled to the Hunstanton Light Parade for the weekend and came away with three awards, Ken got the furthest travelled, and Dave P best lights, and the furthest travelled Region went to Kent, so well done all who attended. Thou it has came to my atten-tion, and being the Area Rep I must inform all members, that a bit of the old boy network came into force in the shape of some backhander’s being handed out to possibly the voting popula-tion of Hunstanton LOL, Well, Dave P won the best light Wing only because he switched off Ian’s Wing as they are on the same light system, naughty naughty, and Ken received furthest male rider, well hard to have one as there could have been two as Michael and Jac-queline were at the same event and thou they come from the

same area, Ken travelled from his door to Hunstanton, the distance being 165.3 miles, and for Michael from his door was 165.5 miles, well hard to pick the winner so well done to both for turning out for the event.

Also Kent received most Re-gional members at the event.

We have booked our Wing Ding for 2016 for the last Bank Holiday in May. The planning

will start soon for our event so all and one come forward to help and support our Wing Ding plans and make this one even better than the last.

Now that the season has started and all the Wings are coming out don’t forget your checks, especially the tyres, as I was working on Ann’s Trike and as I lay on the ground I looked over to my 1800 and saw a rip

Kent’s Ladies team

18 WingSpan May 201518 WingSpan May 201518 WingSpan May 2015

out of the tyre, around a two inch circle, so had to purchase a new tyre and thanks to Mark for coming over to give me a hand on the tyre change, that’s the meaning of Winger friends.

The next day as I went to the garage to check the Wing I found that the tyre had gone flat, I had put the tyre on a spare wheel I had, thou the seal

was not right so Ann gave me a hand holding the Wing steady as I jacked up the bike LOL and put the old wheel back on the tyre. I will have to purchase a bike jack, as using a trolley Jack and some bits of wood are a bit daredevil – still it works with a wobble!

Kent have booked our trip to Spain in June with 14 Wings

travelling, also our visit to the Bikers Loft where we have eight Wings for the weekend, and the Belgian Friendship Weekend, 12 Wings for this one.

Ann has put together a trip to the Xmas Market in Amiens north of Paris, which is the big-gest around. We will be having a weekend at the Xmas market the date being 12/13 December, so if anyone is interested then contact Ann or email myself.

We as a Region have a lot planned and some Wing Dings to attend and are looking for-ward to Capital Wing Ding, so come on Kent let’s see you all at this as it’s free with a donation to the charity.

Kent Bowling Team took to the road for the yearly Bowling Challenge, this time it was held in Essex at Maldon, we all had a great time. Thanks to the Region for the welcome, the winners of the compertion were as follows: Highest ladies – Capital; Highest men’s – Aaron, Capital; Highest overall ladies winner – Capital; Highest men’s winner – Capital; Most improved – Ryan, Essex.

All in all Capital took most awards, thou we did have some good scores from Kent, so next year the competition will be at Broadlands so will be looking at a night near the venue for a drink or two, if interested let myself know. Well done to all for turning out to play and sup-port the Region.

Peter Fisher

Area Rep and Kent Roy

TV with a bottle of vodka!

Lancs & Lakes WingsHi folksWell March certainly roared in like a lion. Let’s hope that it goes out like a lamb and we have good weather for all the nice treats in store during ‘the season’.

After the March meeting the lads and lassies of Lancs and Lakes GoldWings went to Fleetwood Rugby Club,

Melbourne Avenue,

Fleetwood FY7 8AY to make last minute checks with the site owners for Lancs and Lakes Wing Ding 2015. Date Friday 10 July – Sunday 12 July. We are looking forward to welcoming you all. Not sure if you need to book in for motor homes but best to check with Allen White on [email protected]. There are lots of hotels

nearby if you can’t camp. The July monthly meeting will be at Fleetwood after we have cleared up and put away and not in Chorley.

This month members have taken every opportunity to ride out at various smaller events during the month. George & Carol, Andy & Helen, and Malc & Sandra went to Manchester Bike Show on the 28th where Malc – having come up on the


lottery? – bought new jackets and helmets. By all accounts, Appleyard’s Open Day on the 29th was a huge success. Eighteen from Lancs and Lakes made it to Keighley and ended up at Allen and Elaine’s abode for pie and peas, hot potatoes and chilli where Andy and Helen joined them making 20 in all. A good time was had by all and was said to be the besteventsincetheBBQlastyear. George and Carol have posted that they will be going over to Scarborough on Easter Sunday for fish and chips with details for any who want to join them. Will hear about it for next month. John and Lynne sneaked off for a two night B&B break.

Lancs and Lakes now have a Facebook page. It is a closed group so if you want to be included in the daily chat you have to be a GWOCGB member. It is sparking a lot of interest and interaction between mem-bers from different Regions. And that’s what it is all about.

CharityLancs and Lakes GoldWings Region are supporting and raising money for the Dream-flight Children’s Charity via the Liverpool Fundraising Group. Ian Clowes and I have signed up to take the ‘Will Lewis Zip World Challenge 2015 – Dream-flight’ on Saturday 9 May. We

will fly off the mountain on the mile long Zip Wire Velocity (longest in Europe) at 100 mph, 500 feet high, over Penrhyn Quarry,Bethesda,Bangor,NorthWales LL57 4YG. http://www.zipworld.co.uk/what-to-expect-at-zip-world-velocity/

We need sponsorship to raise money to send very sick and disabled children to Orlando, Florida – without their parents – on the holiday of a lifeltime. (Will Lewis is a young boy who did the challenge but has since passed away. His mother is do-ing the challenge I understand and this is in his memory.)

Christine’s Just Giving page is https://www.justgiving.com/Rosalie-Marsh-Author. Or text free, code LLGW80 to 70070 (Facebook sign-in picked up my FB details!)

Ian’s Just Giving page is https://www.justgiving.com/Iangoldwingzipwirechallenge/

Every £1 is appreciated to swell the fund to take sick and disabled children to Orlando. You don’t have to give your real name on the Just Giving page – which is secure. The photo below shows what Ian and I are in for. There is a Little Zipper for a taster before we are taken up the mountain high above the quarry for the mile long zip wire.

Lift off is midday and we are advised to be there at 11:30am.

Saturday 9 May would be a

good day to ride through beau-tiful Snowdonia to Penrhyn Quarrytowatchalargegroup– including two mad fools – fly off the mountain. Remember how awed you were when you rode to Anglesey for the Treffen? There is a cafe, which I understand is basic and expen-sive so you might want to bring supplies. Don’t forget to enjoy ice cream at Bedgellert on the way back. You are all welcome to ride into North Wales and cheer us on.

Directions – from Zip World website:

“From Manchester / Liver-pool direction, leave the A55 at junction 11 and follow signs for Bethesda and Betws-y-Coed. Pass through Bethesda. On leav-ing the village follow the brown signposts for Zip World and then directions for Welsh slate / Zip World.

Please note: Switch off sat navigation systems after leaving the A55 and follow these direc-tions.

From the south, travel through Betws-y-Coed on the A5. After approximately 7 miles you will pass Lake Ogwen on your right. The road then drops into the Nant Ffrancon valley. On entering the 30mph speed limit follow the brown signposts for Zip World (taking the first turning on your left and then follow signs for Welsh slate / Zip World.

Grid Ref: OL17 622 656”.

L&L Biker’s CornerDon’t forget to keep up to date with the news from NABD, BMF, and MAG from our Andy in his Biker’s Corner in the gen-eral section of the Forum. No password needed. You can join in the discussions.

Join the FunWelcome to Jeff Chambers from Preston. We look forward to seeing you around. Do come


along and make yourself known before the meeting so that we can give you a proper welcome. The open meetings for Reps and all members and the AGM are well worth attending where you find out first-hand what is going on, hear member’s views that help to shape the Club, and meet with other Regions across the UK.

Last but not least, also visit GWOCGB website at http://www.gwocgb.co.uk. Member’s area is accessed with a user-name and password. The Forum general area is open to all; the

member’s area is by registration via the webmaster and a differ-ent username and password – usually of your choice I think.

Ride safe!Christine x

Diary datesSaturday 9 May: Dream-

flight – Will Lewis Zip World Challenge.PenrhynQuarry,Bethesda, Bangor LL57 4YG

Sunday 10 May: Monthly meeting, 10.30am Hartwood Hall Hotel

Sunday 7 June: Skipton Classic Car Show, details t.b.a.

Sunday 14 June: Monthly

meeting, 10.30am Hartwood Hall Hotel, followed by a ride to the Steam Gathering. Hark-to-Bounty Pub, Sladeburn, Forest of Bowland, bring a packed lunch

Sunday 5 July: Bike display at Stanley Park, Blackpoool (MAG)

Friday 10 July – Sunday 12 July: Lancs and Lakes Wing Ding, Fleetwood. See above for details

Sunday 12 July: Monthly meeting at Fleetwood after the Wing Ding clear up; NOT Chorley

Lincolnshire WingsWell the March winds doth blow, and since most of Lin-colnshire is as flat as a billiard table, they doth blow exceed-ing well across our fine county. So March for Lincs Wingers was a bitter cold and windy month and most Wingers preferred the sensible option to keep their bikes safely tucked away in the garage. However, Martin and Christine did lead the first

foray into the cold with a

visit to Appleby’s Ice Cream Parlour.

Unfortunately, the shop was shut! It seems that the cold had kept more than bikers at bay. So for most of the month we waited for a break in the weather.

As the Hunstanton Light Parade approached, we were hopeful of a great weekend and indeed the Friday (20 March) turned out to be a glorious day

that allowed those who planned to stay in Hunstanton to have a nice trip down.

Unfortunately, Saturday, the day of the parade turned out to be horrid with strong gusty cold winds that made riding the A17 across Lincolnshire quite a dicey prospect. Stephen and Lynne arrived at the rendezvous in Sleaford ready for the ride down to Hunstanton, but no one else showed. The others had either travelled the day before or decided that discretion was the better part of valour. As a result, Stephen and Lynne decided to call off a 200 mile trip in high winds for a nice local visit to the Blue Bell Inn at Tattershall, Thorpe for a coffee, chat and a comfy seat by a blazing fire.

For the other Lincs Wingers who made it to Hunstanton – Sandy/Jayne, Martin/Christine, Mark/Debbie and Doug/Sue, they did enjoy a great weekend including a nice ride out to King’s Lynn and Sandringham. The day of the parade was cold and windy, which unfortu-nately meant that turnout was limited, but those who were present made a herculean effort to ensure that the spectators in Hunstanton actually got to see a GoldWing Parade. Lincs Wings were even blessed with an award, when Martin Outside the ice-cream parlour


received a prize as the ‘Oldest Winger’ attending. Our thanks go to Norfolk Wings for their hospitality.

The next big effort for Lincs Wings is our preparation and

then running of the Lincs Wings ‘Wing Ding’. This will be the first of the Wing Dinging season so we certainly hope to get it all off to a great start. Check out details for our Wing

Ding and also the Skegness Light Parade on our Regional website at www.lincswings.co.uk

Hope to see you there.Stephen

Lincs members at the Hunstanton Light Parade


South Wales WingsHello lovely boys and girlsI hope you are all well and ready for the Wing Ding season ahead. At the March meeting we had a very good turnout with the troops numbering 40+ and it was a time to catch up with all the events. It was an excellent meeting, lots to discuss and debate. The Region will soon be out and about, with the winter finally releasing its grip (I hope!), good weather and great places to visit.

One of the topics discussed was how to support the Treffen this year. We decided that we, as a Region, could help and pay for an item of expense for the Kelso Treffen. After a call to the committee we will have a list to choose from – more info at May’s meeting.

Also on the agenda was the future of the Club GWOCGB logo and after a long discussion it was decided that in the inter-est of ease, cost and availability the vote was overwhelming to issue the programmes to embroider all GWOCGB lo-cally for all Regions, it was felt

that the fear of bad quality was

misplaced as you cannot alter the programme to use less colours or cotton, it would need a rewrite, so fears of quality will be put at rest.

There are new happenings and changes to take place in the very near future, there are changes that need to be put in place for the continuation of our great Club. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to use this period to think about what the members can do for the Club and be more pro-active at Regional and main Club level.

The cry is always volun-teers to help with the Treffen, Wing Dings and all manner of displays. They do not put up by themselves, they need help with both set-up and disman-tling. The WingSpan is to alter what form it will take, it will be different and new but again we need to get behind this as it is up to everyone to contribute or it soon becomes boring and un-interesting and fall into disuse and soon will be abandoned. So if you have a little adventure please put pen, or keyboard,

to use and get in on the new website, take a few photos and show what and where, and even why, you went. It is up to all of us to make the changes to the WingSpan work.

May your God grant you all of your needs and some of your wants.

Bob Vlard Carter

Events Coming Up17 May: South Wales Classic

Car Club Show at the Cardiff City Football Ground in Slooper Road, 9.30am till 4pm

25 May: Vale of Glamorgan Classic Car Show at Sully, 9am till 4pm

Details to follow: Kenfig Hill Classic Event at Bridgend

5 July: Caerphilly Motoring Festival at Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Nr Nelson, 9am till 4pm

19 July: Glamorgan Classic Static Show at St Fagens, 9am till 4pmAll details are available at the

May meeting, lots going on, get the information first hand, join in, get involved and contribute in any small way you feel you can – you will enjoy, I promise.

Sussex WingsWell, there’s not that much to say this month as really this report can only cover events up to the end of March due to the submission deadlines for the magazine. Hopefully we are now all getting our Wings out of hibernation – yes I know some of you use them all the year round, but I know there are a good number of us that have them tucked away in warm garages until the dangers of the ice, snow and dreaded salt have passed!

Even though this report is mostly waffle (think I’m learning from Mark) I was determined to try and get

something into each copy of WingSpan to remind everyone

what an active Region Sussex Wings is. So here is some use-less information and statistics for you. Sussex Wings includes members from both East and West Sussex, which is an area of around 1400 square miles stretching from Camber Sands in the East to Selsey Bill in the West and up to Gatwick in the North. The population accord-ing to a popular encyclopaedia on the Internet was recorded as 1.6million in 2011. So, a lot of miles and a lot of possible Wing riders! Currently we have 35 bikes and around 65–70 members in Sussex – including a few foreigners from over the

borders (Mike and I included). So there may be a few more out there that haven’t yet heard how active we are and how they could be missing out on so much by not being members! So, if you’re out and about and get talking to other riders, don’t forget to give them some infor-mation about our Region. Rich has information fliers so let him know if you need some. We are a successful Region for which a lot of credit must go to our Rep, Rich Woodland and Nettie who have worked tirelessly for the last 10 years to support and pro-mote the Region. As you know Rich will be stepping down as Rep later this year so we will need someone to come forward


to take the helm. Think about it and speak to Rich if you want more information about what the position involves.

A number of our members took part in the Chestnut Tree Easter Egg Run which started at Shoreham Airport (or was it the Railway Café, Lancing?) and ended at Chestnut Tree House

Children’s Hospice and was organised by West Sussex bikers. Although the weather wasn’t great it was well attended and was a good opportunity to join in with many other bikers to support the hospice with dona-tions of toys, and Easter Eggs.

We are looking forward to a number of events in the next

few weeks, with skittles at the Bull, Henfield, the AGM and hopefully, if the weather is kind, we might get a ride out after our April meeting. Kath is busy filling our diaries with ideas for the season and if you have any suggestions or ideas just let her know.

Jill

Sussex Wingers on the Chestnut Tree Easter Egg Run

Yorkshire WingsEy Up from God’s Own County.

Well, looks like you’ve got me again as my other half is at

work. March started out with a bowling

match at Barnsley Bowl with 24 Wingers in attendance. A great afternoon followed with bowl-

ing, eating and having a good laugh. Everybody said that they had enjoyed it and shall we do it again later on in the year so watch this space.

Yorkshire Wingers raising money in Barnsley


Sadly I couldn’t attend Appleyard’s Open Day due to ill health but even though the weather was awful plenty of Wingers were in attendance and according to what I have been told it was a good day, as it always is. Thanks to Barry and all his team for putting the event on.

Some of you may not know that Appleyards are now the official distributor of GWOCGB merchandise selling t-shirts, polo shirts, caps and all sorts of

other stuff. Check out Apple-yards website or just give them a ring or call in.

Easter Sunday saw us at-tend the Chestnut Tree pub in Barnsley where we were raising money for our charity, and our own Hazel and Jean kindly vol-unteered to be shot into space on the reverse bungee! Twelve bikes were in attendance and the weather gods were kind to us with loads of sunshine in the afternoon.

In total, with Hazel and Jean’s

sponsorship money and £245 raised through our tombola stall, we raised £740 for our charity, Martin House Chil-dren’s Hospice, so well done to you all. Attached are some shots of the day.

Well that’s it from me for now, so all sithee.

AnthonyDiary Dates10 May: Meeting 10am, Squire’s

Cafe14 June: Meeting 10am, Squire’s

Cafe

Yorkshire Wingers raising money for Martin House Children’s Hospice at the Chestnut Tree pub

WingSpan May 2015 25

26 WingSpan March 2015

See the

GwOCGB EVEnTS & HELP GuIDE 2015

for full details of all 2015 season Wing Dings and Treffens along with list of members and the GWOCGB Constitution and Rules

KEEP YOuR REGIOnAL COnTACT

DETAILS uP TO DATE

Please keep the Committee (GenSec,

Events Secretary, Membership Secretary)

as well as the WingSpan Editor up to date with any contact changes.

The best place for members to sell their bikes, trailers, clothing, bike bits and camping gear—and also to place your wanted ads

WingSpan Supermart

■■ Honda GoldWing 1500, professional EML conver-sion with matching Pullman trailer, Magenta, Year 1997 of first registration, 6 months tax and a full year’s MoT, 37,500 miles on the clock, excellent condition, £14,200. Included is an Autocom and headsets. – Tel: 01436 831009 or 07824 644554, email: [email protected]

WingSpan May 2015 1 · Tuesnoad House, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent ... Harmony House, 34 High street,...

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