AGM 210319

Once again there were only 3 non committee members at this years AGM, last years minutes were read and agreed, Dermot gave his address and Richard outlined our current financial position. There being no offers before the AGM to take over as Chairman, Dermot was re-elected to the post. Chris was also re-elected when no one else came forward so was duly re-elected to the post of secretary. Richard advised that he would not be free to continue in the post of treasurer as he was mostly living elsewhere in the country at the moment, no one came forward to fulfill this role so Keith very kindly agreed to step in but for one year only. Mike, our stalwart sign on man, announced vis Chris that he would have to stand down due to his wife's health, it was agreed that signing on would be carried out by the run organiser and the list of people would be kept to work out trophies at the year end, the remainder of the committee were reelected into post.
Some discussions took place regarding the signing on fee but it was decided that the system would remain as is for audit reasons.

Spring run 100319

Unfortunately, due to the weather, this run for me was a washout, I had driven the route with Ray as it was his run and had produced the run sheets etc the Monday before the 10th. I was advised that due to sickness and other commitments, a number of regular riders would not be available and the weather forecast for the day was not at all encouraging as it would be raining and very windy.
I set off from Tivvy at 0950 and elected to ride to South Molton via Rackenford, however, after only a few miles I was abruptly brought to a halt by a large fallen tree which was right across the road so nothing could pass, at this point I noticed a motorcycle in the hedge ahead and a rucksack in the road. I had a quick look around but saw no one around so after a while I turned around and headed back through Tiverton and out on the Bampton road to try to get through that way. The road was so littered with branches and debris that I pulled over and tried to ring Ray, ( who had gone by car ), to see if anyone had made it to South Molton but there was no reply so I set off again. a few miles further on, a huge branch appeared from nowhere in front of me and almost had me off so I tried ringing again, but once again no reply. I assumed that there was a good chance that no one would be at the start so again headed back to Tiverton wondering if the link road might be worth trying, however it was 1045 when I came back through Bolham so realising |I would be very late I went on home with a very dirty bike.
As it was, Ray ( with Margaret driving ), was able to lead 5 riders to Uplowman for lunch at the Redwoods Inn where, after lunch, the run ended. I hope we shall have better weather for the April fools run on April 14th.

Important section news

We are only 2 weeks away from our 2019 AGM and have received some very significant news which if we cannot surmount may make it very difficult for the section to survive, CAN YOU HELP US OUT PLEASE?.
Richard, our treasurer for the past two years, has informed us that due to his supporting family members in another part of the country, he cannot continue in this role from the AGM. In addition, Mike, our signing on stalwart, has reluctantly to withdraw from this role as his wife is very poorly. The role of treasurer is  of course vital  to the continuance of our section so if there is anyone reading this appeal who feels he may be able to fill this role, please let Dermot or Chris know as soon as possible.
In any event, could I ask as many Devon section members as possible to attend the Town Arms South Molton on March 21st for our AGM to show support for the continuance of the section and bring any offers or ideas to help with this big problem, Thank you.

Fish n chips 060119

what did you have for Christmas then?.

What?, not another motorbike!.

orders please, sorry no turkey.

everyone listens to Dermot in full swing.

27 Devon section members and families attended our first meet of 2019 which was the ever popular fish and chips at the Welcome fryer in South Molton. The venue had opened especially for us and did us proud, there was a full menu with some having salad and at least one vegetarian curry, but most having fish and chips to dispel the taste of turkey.
Good to see Richard there and our newest members, the fryer does not normally open on a Sunday but they did so just for us.
A range of talking points were discussed with even the standard slipping at the top of the table when stories about enemas were relayed, ( fortunately after the food had been eaten! ).
It was clear that families had a lot of contact over the Christmas period which is as it should be of course.
Some concerns were raised about the Christmas dinner venue, this will be explored at the next committee meeting, if you have any strong views on the subject, please talk it over with a committee member and it will be raised.
Now our first run this year is on March 10th from the Corn Dolly, it will not be a long run due to the time of year, Ray is in charge but he will rope me in to help and probably lead so see you there folks.

Club night Dec 2018

Dermot presents flowers to the Town Arms landlady

and thanks her for providing the room for us

Chris has to guard his mince pie

Club night really was our last get together for 2018, it was good to see a reasonable turnout and to see Stan and Rosemary whom have not been able to come recently. Chris had purchased flowers for the landlady which Dermot duly presented. Mince pies and cream were brought up which we all enjoyed. There were 5 draw prizes, including 3 cakes, one of them being a Christmas cake which I won!. So another enjoyable evening for us and we now eat and drink too much until our next meeting which will be fish and chips at the Welcome Fryer on the 6th January, see you there folks, Merry Christmas.

Calendar for 2019

Annual dinner and prize giving 081218

 The Devon section knows the riding season is over for the year when the annual dinner takes place, and this happened on Saturday the 8th December. For the first time, the Jubilee Inn was the venue which is situated on the the old A361 between Bampton and South Molton. The venue was tastefully decorated and everyone seemed to be in good spirits, in fact we found it to be a very enjoyable dinner with the usual good banter around the table. The toy enclosed in my cracker gave much amusement when it was placed into someones hand, dependent on how it reacted and which way it curled, determined whether that person was anything from  passionate to dead!.  Sandy had produced an excellent quiz even though this year Marilyn and I didn't win it, in fact the honours this year went to Chris and Val, ( hope you two haven't finished all those sweets yet ).
Dermot covered this years runs in his speech in detail with just a few of the more 'interesting' points including some of his own!. Dermot also covered the fact that our monthly evening meetings have seen very low attendance, in fact, embarrassingly, only a small number of people attended the talk by Ivan and Sue Godfrey on their trip down the Rhine on 2 wheels despite publicity in this blog and the VMCC mag.
Prizes were given to Mike for most attendance on a pre war machine, to John T for most points on a post war machine and Chris for post war foreign.
All in all a very enjoyable dinner, thanks were given to Chris for his arranging and to Sandy for the quiz, don't forget January 6th for fish and chips at The Welcome fryer, and so from Dermot and the committee , have a great Christmas and fettle the machinery for next years riding.