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Past East London & Essex Section Notes 2017 to 2021

(as appearing in Jampot magazine)

Dec 2021

Our first two club nights at The Artichoke went well and we welcomed back some members who we had not seen since the start of Covid, including Vic Sayers and his brother Roy who rode to the meeting on their bikes from Harwich and Thurrock respectively. We were also pleased to see Reg (Ongar) Green, Will Powell and Steve Webb again. Hopefully the meetings at the carvery will continue to be well supported, but please note that there will not be any meetings in December because the carvery needs the room. However we do have our section dinner on 11^th December at The Plough, Bulphan to look forward to that month.

Big news this for the notes this time is that Alan Jennings has finally fitted the new Amal Concentric carburetter to his AJS that he bought for it ten years ago but decided not to fit because it looked too modern. The man at Surrey Cycles was rather surprised to find that he had bought it from them so long ago but was only just fitting it when Alan phoned them for setting up information (he didn’t know Alan like we do of course), but once set up ok it started well and performed faultlessly at the recent “Alternative”. Just think Alan, all those starting agonies and trips on the breakdown truck at various Jampot rallies over the last ten years could have been avoided or at least reduced considerably. I know that there are probably many who will disagree with me but for my mind originality is necessary for museums but for practical use reliability is what is needed, even if that means fitting non original later type parts. I fitted a new carburetter to my own lightweight last year and it has made it a much better bike to ride. Even though the old one wasn’t giving me the starting problems that Alan had the slide had started to stick in the bore and also it was running very rich at that part of throttle controlled by the slide, so it was time for it to go, although for some reason (like being a hoarder) I can’t quite bring myself around to actually throwing the old one away just yet.

Nov 2021

On October 6^th we had another section run to the High Beach tea hut with five leaving from Crown Corner and meeting up with another five at the tea hut. Although the weather was very good on the day, in the general way of things we will probably not get too many more days like that this year, so we were lucky with that one.

The most important section news this month is that we now have a new meeting place at The Artichoke Toby Carvery in Brentwood, where we will have our own room apart from the main dining area. You can have a meal in the room if you wish, and some will no doubt want to, but it is not compulsory if you do not wish to eat anything. Our first meeting there will be on the 14^th October and will already have taken place by the time you read this. We have use of the room for October and November but not December because the Carvery need it for their own use. However we will have its use again from January onwards if all went well during the first two months. The car park at The Artichoke is controlled so you must remember to enter your registration number on the screen at the bar near the entrance before going through to our room. To get to our room you need to walk through the dining area to the far end and our room is overlooking the A128 with the council offices on the other side of the road. Meetings are still on 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays each month from 7pm (6.30 if eating).

Oct 2021

On August 18^th we had a section run from the usual meeting place at Crown Corner to the Village Tearooms at Hatfield Heath. And seven started out from Crown Corner while Pam and I went direct to the venue with out sidecar outfit and Alan Jennings also made his own way there riding his new Royal Enfield Meteor. He is not overly pleased with his Enfield yet but then again it is totally different from the 500 AJS single that he has been riding for so long and so will need adapting to. However, its electric start will at least give his leg a rest from kickstarting a reluctant Ajay. In the tea room we seated in a small ante-room which Alan informed us had been the village post office in days past. There was a distinct lack of AJS and Matchless machines on the run this time, with only Steve’s 650 AJS twin but there was certainly a variety with every one of the eight bikes taking part being of a different manufacturer.

We still do not have a permanent meeting place yet, so for the moment the meetings at the Woodman, Stanford Rivers are continuing on our normal scheduled meeting days and we had 14 for the 26^th August meet. Being colder this time we managed to all sit inside in the warm although effectively separated into two groups. Not ideal perhaps but better than no meetings at all until we have somewhere else.

Sep 2021

The evening meetings at our temporary venue of The Woodman at Stanford Rivers are continuing successfully so far and thirteen attended the 22^nd July meeting. We just hope that the weather continues to favour us for these outside meetings until a venue can be found where we can start meeting inside again.

We had another successful run and meet on 4^th August, where our destination was the café at the Debden Antiques venue near Saffron Walden. Thirteen of us took part and the weather stayed fine for us again. It was fortunate that we had pre-booked places and arrived at the café by 11.45am and took our seats for a meal as not long afterwards other visitors started to stream in and the staff were rushed off their feet trying to cope. Fortunately we had already been served by then.

With the number of members turning that are up for our temporary evening meetings and the fact that there are now sometimes more taking part in the runs than there were pre-Covid shows that there still is a desire among section members to keep the section going and make the most of what we can. So if you have yet to take part in one of these events then please give it a try.

Aug 2021

Dave Walling has now been able to book our Christmas Dinner at The Plough motel at Bulphan as we have reached the minimum number of 20 so far, but he needs to know as soon as possible of anyone else who has not yet booked but wishes to attend so that he can finalise numbers with The Plough. Please attend if you can and help get our section back together again.

The evening meetings at our temporary venue of The Woodman at Stanford Rivers, while not ideal, seem to be going well and we had 17 turn up for the one on 24^th June, which is not too far short of the numbers that we sometimes had at Stapleford. At the previous meeting members were pleased to see Peter Berry, on his first trip away from home or hospital since his accident last year, and who had been fetched to the meeting by Les Youngman.

The section run to the café at Andrewsfield, which has now been re-opened to all visitors, on 30^th June did not happen quite as intended and ended up with everyone making their own way there. However, although the weather was not too good on the day six of us still met up for a meal and a chat, and as the weather improved I think that most of us had a dry run home.

Jul 2021

We have so far had three successful mid week section runs and meets now, the June 2^nd one finishing up at the café in High Roding. There would have been four except we were let down by the weather on the day that one was scheduled. Even so, four of us still went to the intended restaurant by car and enjoyed a nice meal.

The first of our evening club nights at the temporary location of “The Woodman” pub at Stanford Rivers on 27^th May also went well with 11 turning up, so we are intending to continue with these nights until we can finalise a proper meeting place, as we now know that we will not be able to go back to Stapleford airfield for our club nights..

Dave Walling really needs to know now those who intend to join our Christmas Dinner this year on 11^th December at ”The Plough” in Bulphan. The price is £25 per head (the same as it has been for the previous two dinners) and he emphasises that, “What is probably the most important event in our calendar is even more important this year, with so few events taking place. I fear that if we lose this event from the calendar (through lack of support) it will be yet another erosion of the section, which currently is being kept going by a few diehards, so use it or lose it !”.

I suppose that what it comes down to in the end is “Do members really want the section to survive?”, and if the answer is yes then we must all make an effort to help it to do so. Check the “Our Programme” page on the section web site regularly for information and join in our activities when you can. It may not be what we would all like to be doing but it is the best that we can under the current circumstances, while still looking forward to much better days in the future.

Jun 2021

We have now had two successful section runs/meets since the easing of the Covid lockdown restrictions, with the first taking place on 14^th April which was to the Battlesbridge Antique Centre. Roy unfortunately had a bit of bother with his G15 not running very well on that day, but with a new carburetter and a cleaned magneto it was in fine fettle for our next run/meet on 5^th May. This time we met up at the Revetment Café on North Weald airfield, close to “The Squadron” where we used to hold our evening meetings until May 2016. Things had changed a lot at the airfield since we were last there but it was good to have another visit in quite nice weather and 16 of us spent a pleasant couple of hours chatting, looking over each others bikes and Les Youngman had a chance to show us his very nicely restored 1926 Matchless and give it a decent run out.

We are hoping to have regular runs/meets like this during the spring/summer period. However, the section notes are not the place to advertise them as the lead times required often mean that either a date is mentioned which then gets changed after it has gone to print (as happened last month) or arrangements have to be made at short notice. The “Our Programme” page on our section web site is regularly updated with any new news regarding section activities as soon as the information becomes available. So while we cannot have proper regular section meetings please check that page regularly to see what we are able to do now and in the future as a section.

May 2021

At our Zoom meeting of 8^th April we had 14 take part, the highest number so far, when discussion took place as to how we could start getting the section active once more while keeping within the Government regulations. If all went well, by the time that you read this there should have been our first midweek run/meet which was due to take place at Battlesbridge on 14^th April. It is intended that there will be another midweek run/meet on 5^th May, although the venue has yet to be confirmed.

While evening club nights are still in doubt at the moment, the intention to have small outdoor club night meetings at the Woodman pub in Stanford Rivers were suggested and although it is yet to be confirmed it is hoped that the first of these will take place on 13^th May if all goes according to plan. Roy will have the details of each event closer to those dates and all updates on events will of course be given on the programme page of our section website as soon as I have any news.

While on the subject of our section website, I noticed in the East Berks section notes last month that Rex Morrey was asking his section members for their views on whether it was worth continuing their section site. As maintainer of our own section site for the last eleven years I have to admit that this last year has made me think along the same lines as Rex, and, apart from the financial aspect in their case, probably for the same reasons. So I also would like to hear from our own section members and any other club members who might occasionally look at our site as to their views on the value of keeping our section site running in the future.

Apr 2021

During our last two Zoom section meetings Roy mentioned the difficulties he was having with a gearbox rebuild which kept locking up despite repeated checking of parts. However it now seems that despite finally getting that sussed he now has problems with excessive wear in the clutch centre parts which, in the usual way of these things, he does not have amongst his large collection of spares. So this project is now costing quite a bit more, in both time and money, than he initially thought it would.

With the expected easing of Covid restrictions during the spring period it is hoped that we will be able to have a few more of the sort of the runs/lunchtime gatherings that we did during the last summer period. However, as yet, we do not have any idea of when, or where, we will be able to start any of our club nights again.

Kevin O’Brien, who initiated our section back in 1981 has been in touch with Roy to ask if we were intending to celebrate our anniversary this year – except he was 10 years out and it is 40 and not the 50 years he initially thought. Roy thought that we might look at doing something during next year as it would then be 40 years since our section notes first appeared in the Jampot . However, any plans we might have also depends on what the Covid situation will be by then and, of course, our finding somewhere to have our meetings once more if we cannot go back to Stapleford.

Mar 2021

The section is still having its regular Zoom meetings on what would have been our club nights. They are being hosted by Alan Jennings, although the 28^th Jan meeting did not quite go according to plan and ended up being hosted by Roy this time, but all went well in the end and we were once again pleased to have Peter Berry taking part during his long recovery period at home.

Lin Brown had mentioned in December about a safety recall concerning the rear brake for some of the recent AJS Cadwell and Tempest models and sure enough soon after then I received one for my Tempest. Dudley had discovered the problem on his Tempest early last year (rear master cylinder) and fixed it himself with a part supplied by AJS. But my one had been ok during the summer while I was using it and only lost pressure after being put away for winter. So when the weather improves and lockdown is eased I will try out our local dealer S&D to see what they can do for me.

Pat Gill says that he has lost a bit of interest in working on his bikes for a time while he can’t test them out on the road. So he is transferring his interest to four wheels and restoring a Mark 2 Jaguar which has been patiently waiting its turn in his restoration queue for about seven years now. We await progress reports with interest.

Feb 2021

With the whole of the surrounding area now within the highest Government tier of restrictions due to the high rate of Covid infection increase the only section activities now taking place are our internet Zoom meetings each evening on 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays each month, starting at 7.30pm. So please make an effort to take part in them if you can, to keep our section going during this difficult time until we can become properly active once more.

The only one who has been in touch as regards working on bikes this month has been Roy, who was endeavouring, eventually successfully, to get running a Francis Barnett Falcon 81 (well, the company was owned by AMC at the time this one was made) which he had aquired and which last ran in the late 1970s. It should make a good project for someone as everything looks to be all there and in place. In fact what is often referred to as an ideal “barn find”. I have owned an identical model for many years and it is still the bike I find the most comfortable to ride, and although it is no road burner it can easily hold 50mph on level going, although the 3 speed gearbox does hinder acceleration and progress on hills somewhat.

Progress on Alan Jennings’ Silver Dream Twin project seems to have stalled in the last few months, but maybe as the days start to get longer and spring approaches his initial enthusiasm for the project will start to take hold and blossom again.

Jan 2021

The section did get in one last run on the day before the second lockdown began, when they paid another visit to the Millhouse hotel at Langford for an outdoor riverside lunch. For some reason I must have forgotten about the run and it was duly noted that I rode straight past the Crown Corner assembly point while on my usual Wednesday ride out to the high Beach tea hut. Fortunately the weather on that day was good for all of us to enjoy a ride out.

We have had three section “Zoom” meetings on the internet as I write this and will have had a couple more by the time that you read it. We are averaging about a dozen members for each session and for many of us it is the first time that we have done anything like it and as we are all using different equipment it does at times run a bit less than smoothly. However, with the complete absence of any proper club meetings it is as good a substitute as possible and no doubt we will all get the hang of it in time. In the two November sessions Alan Jennings, who hosts the meetings, showed a selection of photographs of pre-65 motocross and also some of his now apparently stalled AJS twin project.

While it has yet to take place as I am writing this by the time that you read it Christmas will have been and gone, so I hope that you all enjoyed the best Christmas period that you could under the present circumstances and wish you all the very best for 2021. Let us hope that the current encouraging signs as regards a Covid 19 vaccine will mean that we can get back to some semblance of our old club life again sometime during the year.

Dec 2020

On one Wednesday in October four of us met up by coincidence at the High Beach tea hut when Pat Gill was running in his 1921 Matchless Model J. After the usual “cuppa” and chat Pat and Reg (Harlow) Green decided to ride to Chris Willis’ wheelbuilding premises at North Weald. The Matchless showed some reluctance to get going this time but eventually started and off they went, getting as far as the middle of Epping High Street before the Model J decided it was going no further until its contact breaker points were cleaned. Fortunately after that operation all went well.

On 22^nd October the section tried out its first virtual club night with a “Zoom” meeting based around the email listing held for section members. Thirteen of us took part and although it could never of course be a substitute for a proper club night it was certainly the best that could be done under the current situation and was successful enough to decide that one of these “Zoom” meetings would be held at 7.30pmon the date of each of what would have been our club nights. So make sure that you are on the email list if you want to take part and receive a Zoom invitation to each meeting.

There was one thing that was possible with this meeting that could not have happened on a real club night in that that Peter Berry was able to take part from his hospital bed at Addenbrooks Hospital. It was great to see him chatting and joining in the meeting. We all wish you well Peter and hope that you will also be able to take part in all the future meetings as well. In fact we all need to make an effort to keep the section alive.

Nov 2020

Section members please note that with the changing of the regulations regarding the Covid situation and numbers gathering together the decision was reluctantly taken by the section to cancel our intended Christmas dinner, due to be held at Bulphan again this year as it now looks unlikely that things will change before then.

With the regulations changing as they are with regard to numbers meeting together section meetings and runs in future are likely to have to be restricted to a limited number of suitable venues where members can just turn up as individuals rather than as a group. However, before the new restriction came in we had a very good section run to the Millhouse hotel at Langford near Maldon. Twelve of us sat down to eat at three socially distanced tables in a very pleasant riverside setting and ideal weather. Those at the venue made us very welcome and the chef even took a video of us all leaving, to put on their hotel Facebook page.

There have been a couple more runs since then and it was while returning home from one of these that Pete Berry was unfortunately hit by a van pulling out and running straight into him. This did considerable damage to Pete’s leg and shoulder and through no fault of his own he now faces a long spell in hospital followed by a much longer rehabilitation spell when back home. Section member’s thoughts and hopes for a good recovery are very much with Peter at this time.

Oct 2020

It looks as if we will not be able to go back to having our evening section meetings at Stapleford airfield in the foreseeable future as the Covid regulations would mean that the room would have to be sanitized after our meeting in order for them to open up again in the morning and they cannot do this. So at the moment all I can say is to keep in touch with Roy as to what is going on in the future as regards meet-ups and runs.

On 20^th August eleven of us took part in the section run which ended up at Heybridge Basin. After a good run out initially we got caught up in heavy traffic at Hatfield Peverel and then again at Maldon that resulted in a sooted up plug in my G5, which finally coughed to a halt, fortunately just as we arrived at Heybridge Basin. While Dudley and Alan Jennings went off to the Jolly Sailor pub for a full meal, the rest of us used the tea hut on the tow path by the car park and a cup of coffee and a bacon roll later my bike had cooled down enough to fit a clean plug without burning my fingers.

Unfortunately Roy, who had chosen to ride his recently aquired Norton Commander with its rotary engine, had also been in trouble with the heat and traffic when the bike started running on only one of its two rotors and that problem was not able to be sorted so easily. In the end Geoff came back for Roy’s van and for the second run in a row Roy’s bike came home in a van. He is already starting to get nervous about the Piston Broke award.

Sep 2020

I hope that you all have remembered our intended Christmas dinner at Bulphan on 5^th December. If you haven’t already indicated that you will be attending then please let Roy know as soon as possible as we might not be able to make alterations later.

We still do not know when, or if, we will be returning to our evening section nights at Stapleford. As soon as we know I will announce it on our section web site “programme” page and in the immediately following edition of these notes.

We have had another couple of mid week meets during July. The first being to Newport, near Saffron Walden. I wasn’t on that one but it seems that both Steve Carvosso and Pete Berry had cable trouble. Steve’s trouble resulted in the intended party run getting split up on the way there and as a consequence of his problem Pete, who was meeting them there arrived rather later than intended.

The later meet was at the “Blue Egg” café at Great Bardfield, which went fine until we came to leave, when Roy found that he had a flat rear tyre. Emergency pumping didn’t do any good so Roy had a run home on the back of my sidecar outfit in order to get his van and then collect the bike. Investigation showed the valve had pulled out of the tube, maybe a faulty tube or the result of the tyre moving round on the rim.

I just wish to point out that it was not me who was responsible for the caption on last month’s photos, which described Keith Smith’s G15CSR as Dave Lewis’ G80CS at our Battlesbridge meeting. My eyes are not that bad.

Aug 2020

As the Covid 19 situation is now allowing a little more freedom the section has had a few outdoor meets, where once a location has been decided where there is room for us to park up and socially distance, each member makes their own way there by whatever route they wish for an hour or so meeting as from 11am. Of course, being outside, these meets are very much dependent on the weather and so they are often held at short notice. However, each one is normally held on a Wednesday, so if you are not yet on Roy’s round robin email list then make sure that he puts you on it. Or if you don’t have email then give him a ring on a Tuesday to find out if anything is going on the next day.

For myself, as one who does not like riding in groups, I prefer this way of meeting up rather than having a formal run, as I still get a ride out on my bike with a gathering at the end and it is good to meet up with some members again after such a break. As far as our evening meetings are concerned we do not yet know when we can return to Stapleford but once we have a date then it will be announced on our section web site and in these notes.

We are still hoping to have our Christmas dinner this year and have provisionally booked the same place as last year (The Plough at Bulphan) for the 5^th December. We need to know as soon as possible if you wish to attend so please let Roy know as soon as you can. After such a difficult year it will be nice if we can all enjoy at least one event together.

Jul 2020

With the lockdown eased somewhat now some have been getting out and about on their bikes, happily “self isolating” as they go. I am no different and have been running in my new little Tempest some more as well as giving the G5 a couple of gallops. The spring is my favourite time of the year to be out and about on a bike and it would certainly be a shame to miss it all.

Reg (Harlow) Green has been persevering with his gearbox rebuild and discovered that what had been causing him a lot of trouble assembling the clutch turned out to be a burr inside the clutch pushrod tunnel through the new mainshaft which was gripping and obstructing the rod. Hopefully when that is fixed all will be finally well again.

While Dave Walling is still waiting for another set of piston rings for his G9 top end overhaul Alan Jennings is getting on well with his AJS twin Silver Machine. Alan says that he knows that he will get comments about the colour but that it’s his bike and he likes it that way. He has now got the engine and gearbox back in the frame, and that takes a bit of doing when you can’t call on help from other members and want to avoid damaging that new finish that has only just been put on. We all look forward to seeing it out on the road Alan.

Jun 2020

With the current lockdown I fully expected that section members would be beavering away in their garages, workshops or sheds, restoring or fixing their trusty steeds ready for the time when we are able to get back to some sort of club activities. I would of course have many tales of mechanical “daring” and successes (and hopefully not too many failures) to report on. However, that has not been the case, at least so far, and instead there seems to have been a mania for decorating and pressure washing driveways and patios. In fact I was feeling quite guilty spending time actually in the garage with my bikes, so I did actually paint the garage doors as well.

However, the mechanics aspect has been upheld by some and by now, hopefully, Reg Green (Harlow) has successfully completed his gearbox rebuild. Dave Walling has started overhauling the top end of his Matchless G9CSR, which was starting to smoke quite heavily on one cylinder. With the head off it looks as if he might get away with new piston rings once he can get all the parts that he needs to finish the job.

If anyone else is working on their bikes, even if the job is not finished, then please let me know something about the work you are doing so that I can give members something interesting to read about in the coming months.

May 2020

With the current situation there is not a lot to report this month as all club and section plans for events and meetings are either cancelled or put on hold for the time being. As the restrictions due to Covid-19 seem set to continue for some time it is important for section members to keep in contact and any general announcement will be put on the section web site “programme” page.

Members have been keeping in touch via an email started off by Dave Walling and kept going for everyone by using the “reply to all” option so that all can see what is being written. If you are not already getting these emails then it is important that you give your email address to Roy and ask him to include you on his contacts list.

If members then mention in their mails what they are doing to their bikes I can probably glean enough information to make a more interesting section notes in the future, which is important for anyone who still doesn’t have an email address. We might also learn, with all this garage time now available, if Alan Jennings is likely to finally complete his twin build, whether Reg Green (Harlow) has successfully finished his gearbox and how Les Youngman is getting on with his L5 restoration. I doubt though that we will hear that Roy has actually cleaned a bike at last.

April 2020

On February 27^th the section said a sad farewell to Bob Russell, who had been battling against increasing ill health for a long time. Bob, born in 1940, spent his working life at the Basildon tractor plant (originally Ford and now CNH) and was a keen trials rider in his younger days. It was as a member of the Ilford Amateur club that he met up with a group of fellow motorcyclists who remained friends that he rode with throughout his life. Around the same time he developed a keen interest in the ACU National Rally long distance navigational road trial (now run by the BMF) taking part in 46 of the annual events, his first in 1961, and finishing in 44 of them. He retained an interest in trials after he stopped riding in them and travelled to Scotland for the Scottish Six Days Trial several times and Wales for the International Six Days Trial to watch the event on occasions when it was held in that country.

Bob suffered a serious bike accident some years ago when he was hit by a deer that dashed into the road. This left him unable to operate a normal clutch lever and confined him to “Twist and Go” automatic scooters. However his enthusiasm for the National Rally remained undiminished and he received a “Spirit of The Event” award from the organisers in 2018. So it was perhaps fitting that the last time that Bob was able to ride his bike was in the 2019 event. Subsequently his health deteriorated too much to allow him to continue to ride.

Bob never married but was survived by his two cousins and their families, to whom we extend our condolences.

March 2020

This is the first time since I took on the job as scribe where I have actually got nothing to report as the weather has not been conducive to much activity and our social evening has yet to take place when I am writing this.

During the winter, after years (really) of consideration I actually got around to buying a new carb’ for my G5 when the old one’s body had finally distorted enough to cause the throttle slide to stick open when fully opened. I agonised whether to get a concentric replacement, as many have had good results from doing so, but eventually decided to replace it with a new monobloc after all.

After changing it over I thought all was going to be OK when it started straight away and I managed to set a tickover (something I could never really do with the old worn one). However, on a later day when I went to take it out for a test run, it just would not start, when it previously started first or second kick with the old carb’. This happened twice more when it ran in the garage but would not start when I wanted to use it. However I think I have cracked the right settings for starting with the new carb’ now, after three first kick starts on separate occasions and a good test run where the bike felt more livelier and responsive than before. It amazed me just how much that old worn out carb’ affected the performance without me realising it.

February 2020

The perils of required lead times and the early publication date of the last issue meant that the section run which I said should have already taken place on 29^th Dec had not actually then done so and when it was subsequently cancelled I could only put the announcement on the section web site and hope for the best. Sorry to anyone who turned up at Crown Corner on 29^th.

We did have the run on 5^th Jan instead and six of us met up at Crown Corner for a short ride, in good weather for the time of year, to the High Beach tea hut, with only a slight pause for Pat to clear the remnants of an old petrol tank liner from his blocked fuel filters. While at the hut we met up with John Leijs who had ridden there on the offchance, having failed to meet anybody on the 29^th Dec.

Although we were a bit down on numbers for our first club night of 2020 on 9^th Jan it was a reasonable turnout and Steve Carvosso was presented with the section Clubman of the Year award. Well done Steve and I wish a good year for all our section members.

January 2020

By the time you read this our last two section events of 2019, the Christmas dinner and the post Christmas run on December 29^th will have taken place and we are looking to the new year’s programme. At the Christmas dinner the “Piston Broke” award was presented to Chris Willis for the problems he had on the run to the Remembrance Day event at North Weald and it was announced that the “Section Clubman of The Year” award this year would be going to Steve Carvosso, but as he was not at the dinner it would be presented to him at the first club night after the dinner.

The section AGM was held on the November 28^th club night, there were no contentious issues and as all section officers were willing to carry on they were re-elected en-bloc. During the evening it was mentioned that there is no longer a section “Quest” magazine issued at the start of the year to show the dates of all the meetings. It was pointed out that the club nights have always been the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays of the month and the mid week meets and runs from April to October are always the 1^st Wednesday (lunch meets) and 3^rd Wednesday (runs) each month and this will not change. It was also mentioned that the whole programme of events is given on the section web site. It would appear that some section members were unaware that we even had a section site (it is shown at the heading of these notes each month), but as it has only been running for about 10 years or so I guess it might be early days yet.

Dec 2019

The section meeting on 10^th October was not so well attended as usual as several members were away to attend the Alternative rally. However we were pleased to have a visit from club member Mike Shaw, in England on a visit from Monthault in Brittany. We hope you enjoyed your evening Mike and would be pleased to see you again on any future visits to the area that coincide with our meetings.

Roy, Dave Walling, Steve Carvosso and Graham Eaton rode up to the Alternative rally, led by Graham on a scenic route to where they were staying off site at a farmhouse from which they shuttled back and forth to the rally site. They had a dry ride on the outward journey but it seems that was not the way it was for most of the weekend and the ride back home took place in continuous torrential rain. However, despite the wet weather all of their bikes (and presumably riders) performed well with no reliability issues.

On our 24^th October meeting we were also pleased to welcome a returning member to the AMOC John Leijs from Harlow, owner of a Matchless G9 Clubman Sports. We hope that you will become a regular section member in the future John and that you get much future enjoyment from your Matchless twin.

Nov 2019

On 16^th September at Hainault Forest Crematorium 14 section members said farewell to long time secretary and section stalwart Dennis Fox, who died on 29^th August. He will be much missed and our sympathies go to his wife June and their family at this sad time.

On the 18^th September we had possibly the best turn out for one of our mid week runs so far when 10 (it should have been 11 but Norman had trouble with a control lever at the start and decided not to risk it) set out from Crown corner bound for a café near Terling. The run went well with no problems for anyone and while at the café a nearby neighbour heard the bikes arrive and wandered over to take a look. This resulted in an invite back to his place to have a look at his very interesting collection of bikes and cars.

By the time this is read the last scheduled mid week lunch meets and runs of the year will have taken place and apart from the regular club nights we have just the Christmas Dinner scheduled but keep in touch by contacting Roy or the section web site in case any extra events are decided.

Oct 2019

Thanks to the Hampshire section who put on an excellent Jampot Rally at Horndean our group of around a dozen or so section members and guests had an enjoyable weekend with fine weather, even if a little too hot at times; and all of us who were not staying on site were at the nearby Premier Inn. Pat Gill once again won the best pre-war Matchless award, this time for his model D80 500cc single. It is only fair to report that Dudley, after receiving a slandering in the official rally notes in connection with the breakdown facilities, took part in all three runs with no problems at all.

On 31^st August Dave Kewell, Keith Smith and Dave Watts paid a visit to the South Essex section meeting at Ballards Gore, Stambridge, one of these days I will actually manage to get to one of the meetings myself, a good run out for a Saturday lunchtime.

The following day Roy, Geoff Gibbins, Dave Kewell, Pat Gill and Les Youngman left our usual meeting point at Crown Corner for a run to the rescheduled British Owners Club open day at Mole Green, meeting up with Pete Berry, Dudley and Alan Jennings at the site. Pat Gill once again took an award, this time for best pre-war bike, with his Matchless Silver Arrow. Fortunately for the British Owners Club the weather was kind to them this time after the torrential rain which caused the cancellation of the original date.

Sep 2019

On Sunday 7^th july the section hosted a stand at the Battlesbridge event. This was the second year running that we had done this and as our first appearance last year was considered successful it was decided to repeat it this year but with hopes for a larger site than we had at the previous event. Unfortunately since last year a large portion of the site that existed then has since been sold and the event area was therefore more compact than previously so we couldn’t expand as we would have liked to. Nevertheless, Thanks to Dudley Woods organizing the stand for us we

had sixteen bikes on show, nine of which were ridden to the event by :- Roy Bellett, Geoff Gibbins, Dave Walling, Dave Lewis, Dave Kewell, Peter Berry, Graham Bister, Alan Jennings and (Harlow) Reg Green.

Two awards were presented to Pat Gill, “Runner-up for Best In Show” award for his World War 1 Matchless Machine Gun outfit and a “Highly Commended” award for his 400cc Matchless Silver Arrow solo. Chris Willis, who had his “Willis Wheels” trade stand at the show also had His RAF liveried AJS on display.

The July mid week run saw Roy, Geoff Gibbins, Steve Carvosso, Keith Smith, Dave Watts and Pat Gill had a good run up to the Debden Antiques Centre near Newport, led by Geoff and with no bike troubles. Pete Berry intended meeting them there but unfortunately got the timing a bit out and arrived to meet the others just as they were about to leave.

Aug 2019

Only seven of us got together for the mid-week meet on 3^rd July, which was less than earlier in the year. Although the weather was nice and sunny perhaps it is just too hot at the moment for some to enjoy riding, or maybe holidays are reducing numbers at the moment.

On June 23^rd a group of us had a pleasant day at Chris Willis’ (Willis Wheels) wheel building concern open day at his premises in North Weald where we were hosted by Chris and his wife. All seemed to know where it was, except for me that is, who being so sure that I knew where it was that I never asked and was rather lost when it wasn’t where I thought. However, thanks to a BSA Gold Star Club member at the airfield cafe, who looked up the Willis Wheels web site for me on his phone to get the address I got there in the end if somewhat later than intended. One thing that needs to be recorded though is that those of us who were there at the time were amazed to see Alan Jennings bike start first kick, a rare occurrence indeed.

On 6^th July dedicated ACU/BMF National Rally enthusiast Bob Russell took part in his 46^th event when, despite taking a tumble during his ride, he managed to finish and sign off at the Harlow control. Bob, who had previously been presented with a “Spirit of The Event” award by the organisers says that this year’s event really will be his last, and we will remind you of that next year Bob if you happen to forget.

Jul 2019

Only six of us met up this time for our 5^th June mid-week meet at Stapleford but those who did were lucky to see a flight of around seven Dakotas pass over on their way to Duxford to join with the rest of the D Day commemoration flight to Normandy. 

The following day Roy, Geoff Gibbins, Steve Carvosso and Dave Walling left to ride up to the International Jampot, meeting up with Graham Eaton at Hatfield Peverel. Graham was having trouble with sticking throttles but they all got going, only for Roy’s bike to die near to Maningtree. A broken points spring was diagnosed and a new set of points got him under way again. Just after the Orwell Bridge it was realised that Dave had gone missing, Roy went back to find him with a dead magneto. After failing to get it going Roy left Dave to call his breakdown service to take him to the site and carried on to meet up with the others at the Woodbridge café that they had used before, only to find it had shut down, so no breakfast there. After they had set off again it was Steve’s turn to break down, also with a failed magneto, but this time a “Bright Spark” conversion got it running and no further problems were experienced by the group, getting to site around 4.30 and meeting up with Alan Jennings, Dudley Woods, who had collected Sergio Gavoni, across from Italy, Pete Berry, Pat Gill and Reg Green. Dave Lewis and Richard Smith were also in attendance.. 

Dave got his magneto firing again but his tale of woe was not finished though as on the Friday return run from Walcott it stopped again and the breakdown truck took back to site, where a points adjustment again got it running. However, coming out of the museum at North Walsham on the |Saturday run he found he had a flat tyre, so it was once more on the breakdown truck. Looks like you might be a candidate for the Piston Broke Award this year Dave.

Steve’s woes however also continued as he only got a hundred yards or so from site on the Sunday run when the magneto packed up again, this time terminally. Steve rode the breakdown van to Sheringham and back again! Did I mention it was Roy who oversaw the fitting and repairs of the various magnetos on the three bikes? Swapping bikes for the journey home and borrowing Roy’s Rhubarb and Cream G12, which Sergio had been using, he suffered a minor issue with fuel starvation, easily fixed by running the rest of the (very wet) way home with both taps open. 

So, the Piston Broke Award might not be so cut and dried, although Dave’s G9 CSR was leaving a trail of smoke behind him all the way home, looking like an engine strip and rebuild will be needed. The committee will have some head scratching come award nomination time methinks!  

Jun 2019

Our second mid-week lunch meet took place on Wednesday 1^st May at Stapleford airfield, with a good turn out of around 10 on a fine day, if a little too windy to sit outside.

Three days later four of us, Roy, Geoff, Steve and myself, set off from Crown Corner bound for the Open Day at Kettering. We met up with Graham Eaton at Bishops Stortford, who led us through some very picturesque Hertfordshire lanes between there and Royston on our way to a breakfast stop off at Kimbolton. Unfortunately we had to pass by a rather “skittish” horse on the way, which took some time for us all to get by and resulted in our party getting separated and Steve missing out on his breakfast at Kimbolton. However we all met up again at Kettering where we also met with Alan Jennings, who having gone in his car was able to take home the various purchases of tyres and oil etc. Despite several heavy showers and hail while we were there we left for home in the dry with Graham leading again. Although there were always black clouds and heavy rain that we could see in the distance we were lucky enough to miss most of the rain, if not the wet roads, and all arrived back undrenched and all together this time, making for a good days ride out.

May 2019

The section run to the High Beach tea hut on Sunday 17^th March saw Roy, Steve Cardozo, Pete Berry, Geoff Gibbins and Dave Kewell set out from Crown Corner and meeting up with Pat Gill at the tea hut, while the first section mid week lunch meet of the year on Wednesday 3^rd April saw 10 of us gathering at Stapleford Airfield. Arriving on my sidecar outfit in sunshine the weather unfortunately changed to quite heavy rain on the way home, although Pam kept dry in the sidecar.

The planned run to the Ardingly show saw only three of the intending five leaving from the meeting point and with Geoff Gibbins leading Roy and Pete Berry they had a fairly uneventful run down. However, Roy arrived with a flat battery so purchased another battery on site, although it might have only gone flat due to a broken connection. The journey back, again led by Geoff, I am reliably informed took a rather more “creative” route, apparently taking in parts of Croydon and then almost Gatwick as well before resorting to the M25 for most of the remaining journey home. Arriving home Roy found that once again his battery (the new one) was flat. This time the broken connection being due to the fuse holder coming unscrewed and falling apart. With that apparent amount of vibration perhaps that was the reason for the loose oil connection liberally lubricating the rear of his bike as well. I’d better not mention too much about vibration though, having had an exhaust bracket fracture from vibration on my bike last year.

Apr 2019

At the 28^th February club night it was decided that the mid week lunchtime meets at Stapleford Airfield and the mid week runs for 2019 should start again in April. As for the previous year the dates would be kept to the first Wednesday of each month for the lunchtime meets and the third Wednesday of each month for the mid week runs. This of course gives an extra meeting opportunity for the two weeks in each month when there isn’t a club night. Roy needs ideas for possible run destinations from those willing to lead a run to their suggested destination.

Although we have yet to start spring it is a sign of just how early things need to be booked ahead that we had to make a choice as to whether we wanted to book our 2019 Christmas dinner at The Plough, Bulphan, again. It was agreed amongst those present that we enjoyed the 2018 dinner there, so it was decided that we would book it again for this year. The date will be announced later.

It is intended to have a section run to the Kettering HQ Open Day on Saturday 4^th May. It will start from Crown Corner and further details can be had from Roy.

It was mentioned that the British Owners Club were holding their annual classic motorcycle event on Blackmore village green on Sunday 12^th May, but as it was such a nearby event there would be no section run to it and members would make their own way there as we did last year.

Mar 2019

With the weather not being very predictable at the moment we have not had any runs planned but our section nights have carried on well attended. The 24^th January meeting was interesting in that new member Barry Thompson and his friend George fetched along a large assortment of small parts from a heavyweight single which they needed identifying and it was made into a competition between teams trying to identify the various bits and pieces. From the other end of the room, where Dave Kewell and I were trying to assist another new member, Mick Roberts, to sort out the arrangement of some parts on his 250 lightweight it seemed, from the volume of voices at the competition end of the room, that part identification was being disputed quite often. At the end of the evening however Barry and Geoff were pleased that many parts had been identified and it had been a great help, and hopefully Mick’s lightweight parts arrangement for the brake pedal and associated fixings had been successfully sorted as well. It’s the sort of thing that sections do well, helping out with information from the knowledge and experience of other members when someone is stuck and it is a very good reason for joining a section if you possibly can.

Feb 2019

Not a lot happening within the section over the Christmas period but prior to that, on the December 13^th club night the section held its well attended “Social Night” at Stapleford, where Geoff Gibbins was presented with his Section Clubman of The Year award, much to his surprise.

On December 30^th we had an “End of The Year Run” to the High Beach tea hut and as it was quite a foggy day at first we decided to stick to the main roads. Eight of us set out from Crown Corner, it was nearly nine but Dudley did not quite make the start before needing a lift to get the van from Roy’s home to collect his bike. However, he met us later at the tea hut, along with Pat Gill on his WW1 outfit, a great hit with other visitors (the bike not Pat), and Terry Summerfield on his G3, which had been reluctant to start in the damp weather that morning. Roy was still grumbling about being “stitched up” with the Piston Broke award while Dudley, in jest after his breakdown, spoke of “giving up bikes”, while, under the circumstances some thought he already had. I couldn’t be smug though as my G5 is still not starting reliably and once more I had to use an alternative. Must get it sorted come spring.

Jan 2019

On our 22^nd November club night we had our section AGM. It didn’t take long though as there was nothing contentious and all the committee were re-elected to serve another year.

On the evening of the 8^th December we had our annual section dinner, this year for the first time at The Plough, Bulphan, and around 30 of us sat down to a nice meal in pleasant surroundings. As the winner of the “Clubman of The Year” award, Geoff Gibbins, was not present at the dinner it was decided not to announce the winner of it on the night but to award it to him on the section “social night” at Stapleford a few days later on the 13^th. However, the winner of the “Piston Broke” award was present and after a re-appraisal of the original decision by a “sub committee of the sub committee” it was awarded to Roy, much to his surprise, for his machine problems at various events during the year. Serves him right for stitching me up with it last year.

Vic Sayers has been very active again, green laning on a bike he has resurrected, and on one of the wettest weekends so far he was part of a group that arrived dripping and quite muddy at Andrewsfield airfield, where despite their condition they were still welcomed. Places like that deserve patronising.

Dec 2018

Not a lot happening at this time of the year but on Sunday 4^th Nov Roy, Geoff and myself took a ride out to the High Beach tea hut. Of course it had to happen that the first time since my article appeared in Jampot praising the reliability of my Matchless G5 when I wanted to use that bike it refused to start and rushing around to get out on something else built up a fair old sauna inside my cold weather clothing. I got it running easily enough once I got back home, so I guess it was just having a sulk. We met up with Pat gill at the tea hut, where his WW1 machine gun sidecar was once more a point of interest. He intended stopping off at Homebase on the way home, for some decorating supplies and as he was dressed in his WW1 uniform as well I can only guess at the attention he got in the store, car park and Loughton High Street.

On Armistice Sunday 11 members plus a friend, made the section’s annual trip from our meeting place at Stapleford airfield to the North Weald War Memorial for the annual service of remembrance, with Roy, Geoff, Steve, Dudley, Alan, Pat, Lin and Mark (friend of Chris) on bikes and Chris in his classic Land Rover on the run from the airfield with Dave K, Graham B and Bob in their cars and Pete on his Bike joining at the service..

Nov 2018

On 3^rd October the section said a sad farewell to former speedway rider and section member since 1995 Dave Slater. An expert welder Dave had made many finely crafted parts, notably carriers, for club members over the years. His funeral procession on October 3^rd was followed by section members on five bikes, two of which had been built by Dave in past years and which he had ridden at many Jampot rallies and club runs. Our sincere condolences go to his wife Pam and their family

There was a good turn out for the mid week run of September 19^th when the run finished up at Chris Willis’ wheel building premises at North Weald Airfield, probably the first time that some had been back to that airfield since we lost our meeting place there a couple of years ago.

Pat Gill’s WW1 Motor Machine Gun Corps outfit is continuing to get recognition, a photo taken at the VMCC Founders Day event appearing in the pages of Real Classic magazine and it was also on display at this year’s Goodwood Revival event.

Oct 2018

The topic of this month has to be the excellent Jampot Rally hosted by the Heart of England Section. While most of us section attendees made our way there by means of “wheels with a top” Alan Jennings and Dave Walling rode there on their bikes through very heavy rain and in doing so confirmed what I have always found, that modern waterproof riding kit does not actually stay waterproof for very long after purchase. Fortunately we had warm weather, suitable for drying out, after they had arrived on site.

I think that it ought to be mentioned, after remarks in previous years, that this time neither Alan or Dudley needed the services of the breakdown truck, with Dudley completing all three runs and Alan both of those that he took part in as well, of course, his return rides to the venue.

Pat, once again, took the best pre-war Matchless award with his WW1 machine gun corps outfit, so Mary can look forward to cleaning it again before the next “Jampot”. It was a shame that Pat had electrical troubles and was unable to get far with it on the Friday run though as it would have made quite a talking point for bystanders. After all they have could hardly been a common sight on the roads since about 1918.

Sep 2018

On the 7^th July Bob Russell took part in his 45^th ACU/BMF National Rally (of which he has finished in 44 of them). Although these days and not in the best of health he restricts himself to the day class rather than going for maximum marks he still covered 298 miles and is surely one of the event’s most dedicated competitors.

Vic Sayers recently covered considerably more miles when, in company with two friends on their RD Yamahas, he rode his AJS Model 20 on a 1857 mile week long tour from his home in Harwich via the lake district passes to Fort William in Scotland then on to the pass to Applecross before dropping back down to Ripon before taking a days break at Pateley Bridge then heading down to Derby, where they attended the Aircooled RD Yamaha Owners Club Rally. Vic gained the Spirit of the Event award at the rally and also took in the rally run on the Saturday before heading home on Sunday with another 190 miles back to Harwich. Vic, who’s pre 65 scrambles exploits featured in last month’s Jampot and who has also taken part in track day events in previous years is surely the section’s keenest rider and the reliability of his Model 20 is also a credit to his maintenance and preparation skills.

Aug 2018

On 1^st July the section run a successful stand at the Battlesbridge Classic Motorcycle event where although no new members were actually signed up on the day a lot of interest was shown by show visitors. One of the highlights on the stand was surely Pat Gill’s 1914 first world war replica machine gun corps outfit, complete with Vickers machine gun. It certainly caused great interest at the High Beach tea hut when he rode it there for its first outing, especially when he unwrapped the Vickers gun.

Recent section member Norman now has his 350 lightweight running OK and following the DVLA formalities another lightweight will now be joining our ranks and hopefully he will enjoy many happy miles on it.

There was a fairly good turn out for the July mid week lunch meet on the first Wednesday of the month, although the extremely hot weather did discourage some from donning their riding kit this time.

Jun 2018

The section’s first mid-week run took place on 18^th April and eight members set out for a run around the countryside in fine sunny weather to end up at the High Beach tea hut for refreshments. A good turn out which we hope will continue for future runs.

The weather was a lot different on April 29^th for the Spring Intersection Meet when it was a dull and very cold day. Only two of us from the section went this time. At least I think that was the case as when we got to the venue at the Bell, Castle Hedingham at about half past 11, it was to find that it wouldn’t be opening its doors until 12. So all those who arrived before then went down the road to the Wheatsheaf for warmth and hot food. Assuming that those who arrived after 12 still went to the Bell I expect that it ended up as two meetings and as I never went back to the Bell I do not know if any of our section members turned up there. All in all a rather strange day but a good ride out nevertheless – and the meal at the Wheatsheaf was good as well.

The weather didn’t improve for our second mid-week lunch meet at Stapleford on 2^nd May, with heavy showers all day. Even so we had a good turn out of eleven, but none of us on bikes this time though.

May 2018

The perils of having a month’s lead time for these notes and late date changes for section events were revealed last month with the wrong date appearing for the fish and chip supper. For this I can only apologise and I will have to be careful about announcing specific dates of section events and risking confusion in future.

On 25^th March seven of our section set off for the Ardingly Classic Motorcycle Show in Sussex. Unfortunately only six made it there as Dave Walling became victim of AMC’s, “guess the rotor/stator clearance and hope it stays the same when tightened up”, method of mounting the alternator stator in the outer primary chaincase and sadly destroyed his twin’s newly fitted alternator on the journey.

The section’s first mid-week lunch meet at Stapleford Airfield on 4^th April was a success with ten members turning up on a windy day where we were expecting heavy rain showers, which fortunately never really materialised. Hopefully we will have a good turn out for the rest of these “first Wednesday each month” meets and also the mid-week runs on the third Wednesday each month.

Over the Easter weekend Vic Sayers, probably our most active rider, took part in a classic moto cross event. Unfortunately his bike (not an AMC) let him down with a loss of sparks, so he didn’t manage to finish his race. Better luck next time Vic.

April 2018.

The past month saw the completion (the DVLA inspection, that is) of Roy’s latest project, the resurrection of a burnt-out twin which has previously featured in the Club’s calendar. His dedication to “patina” reached new heights with laquering over the carefully prepared rust. That was never going to end well so it’s now back to the oily rag I guess. However, yet another old wreck, previously scrapped at some point, has now returned to the road and that has got to be good for the marque.

The section fish and chip supper has had its date changed and will now be held on the 12 April club night and not the date originally shown in section calendar. The first mid week lunch meet at Stapleford will be on Wednesday 4^th April and the first mid week run is on Wednesday the 18^th of that month, with the run to the Spring Intersection Meet at Castle Hedingham taking place on Sunday 29^th. Both runs are intending to start from Crown Corner but finalised details can be checked with Roy nearer the run dates.

At the 8^th March club night there was a discussion about a venue for the section end of year dinner. It is essential that a venue be booked within the next few weeks if there is to be any hope of getting somewhere that could take us at that time of the year. Currently there only two options found to be “possibles” with no other researched alternatives being offered by anyone. So if members wish to try somewhere different from the Fox then it looks like it will have to be one of those.

March 2018.

Not a lot happening within the section at this time of the year other than our usual twice monthly club nights. At the second January meeting it was decided that the section would definitely go ahead with having a club stand at the Battlesbridge event on 1st July, with the setting up being on the previous day. Thos attending on the day would, of course, need to be on bikes of the marque and be prepared to stay for the whole of the event.

The first of our mid week lunchtime meetings at Stapleford airfield will be on the first Wednesday in April and it is intended that these meetings will continue to be on the first Wednesday of each month, with the mid week section runs taking place on the third Wednesday of each month, these being easier to remember than random dates.

It is also intended to have a section run to the Spring Intersection Meet at Castle Hedingham on April 29^th.

February 2018

Although the section Social Club Night with “nibbles” on 14^th December went well the same could not be said for the proposed Post Christmas section run on 27^th, which was called off due to it snowing on the day. However, the following evening’s club night saw a fairly good turn out of section members as the previous day’s snow never really settled in the end.

The section’s Annual General Meeting, which originally was scheduled for 14^th December but postponed to make room for the Social Night, took place during the 11^th January club night. As all the existing committee were willing to stand again and there were no nominations for any of the posts all the previous post holders were re-elected on a block vote. The section calendar for this years activities is in the process of being amended and finalised and will be distributed to section members in the near future.

January 2018

Ten from the section (members and family) attended the North Weald Remembrance Day memorial event, with those going by bike meeting up at Crown Corner and being led to North Weald by Chris Willis in his classic Land Rover.

On the 9^th December 28 of us gathered at “The Fox”, Matching Tye for our annual section Christmas Dinner, where we had a nice meal in pleasant (of course) company. This was our third year at this venue and it is good to record that the serving of the food was a lot better than it had been the previous year. At the meeting our Section Clubman of the Year award was presented to Reg Green (Harlow) for being a good ambassador for the club on his very well travelled AJS Model 16. The other award was the “Piston Broke”, for the most problems and I feel that I was probably “stitched up” by someone (wonder who???) when I got it for my diesel fill-up misdemeanour on the way back from the Kettering open day. To give ourselves an easier run home in daylight the following day (and allow a few drinks on the night) some of us opted to book a room for the night. This didn’t seem such a good idea in the morning when we awoke to heavy snow building up on the roads and the normal half hour or so journey for Pam and I taking three hours this time.

The last section events of the year are our club nights on 14^th and 28^th December, with 14^th being our section social night with “nibbles” and, if the weather permits, a section mid week run from Crown Corner out to the tea hut at High Beach on 27^th.

December 2017

On 29^th October seven of the section set forth over the Dartford crossing heading for Ardingly. It didn’t start too well for Chris Willis who found that his battery wasn’t charging and wondered if it would last the distance there. We now know that it can. Having bought a charger it had a few hours topup charge before the journey home. However, it wasn’t a flat battery that caused a very terminal sounding noise and sudden stoppage of his twin, just before the Brentwood turnoff of the M25.

With a short piece of tow rope and some heroic efforts, which I won’t elaborate here, from Roy and Chris, they eventually got to the garage area just off the roundabout, where they had met up that morning and from there Chris’ bike was recovered home by van. All the time this drama was played out Roy’s phone had been ringing more or less continuously. Eventually he was able to answer, to find out that Colin Seeley had drawn Roy’s raffle ticket and that he had won the first prize raffle bike….lucky so and so.

At our first November meeting Reg Green (Harlow) spoke about the enjoyable Colombres rally that he had attended in Spain, during which he covered a high mileage on some testing roads on his very well travelled AJS model 16.

On December 9^th we have the section dinner at The Fox, Matching Tye and on our14^th December club night it will be a family social night. Roy has mentioned the possibility of a mid-week run on Wednesday 27^th but nothing definite yet.

November 2017

Not much planned for our section this November, our usual Thursday club nights for November are on 9^th and 23^rd. The section Christmas dinner at The Fox, Matching Tye is on the 9^th December and those who are now booked in should be sure to get their menu choices back to Pete Berry as soon as the menu becomes available.

On 6^th to 8^th October some of the section attended the “Alternative” at Woodbridge and one of them, Dave Wallings, wrote:-

“Five section members attended, myself, Roy, Geoff, Graham Eaton, Steve and Vic

After a false start when my G9 had the speedo drive lock up and I had to change bikes to my M18S, we had a good and uneventful ride to Woodbridge, picking up Graham and Vic on route. We had an excellent breakfast at our favourite café at Woodbridge Harbour, although we had to leave sharpish when we were told the high tide was fast approaching and would flood where the bikes were parked.

The rally was excellent and the food provided by Otley College caterers good quality and substantial plus excellent value at £5 a go. The runs went well, Friday to the very interesting Parham Airfield Museum and Saturday to Sizewell Beach and Leiston to the Garrett Long Shop factory museum of a traction engine manufacturer. Roy, Geoff, Steve and I chose to visit the David Silver Collection, just down the road, instead, although Roy got caught at some lights and lost his way briefly, then almost had a fit at the £10 entrance charge!

The weather was kind, some rain on Saturday as we returned from the rally site to our digs, the only time we got wet, and the journey home uneventful apart from my tank vacuuming due to a blocked fuel cap breather hole causing a brief stop on the A12 at Galleywood.”  

October 2017

Over the weekend of 5^th/6^th August a group of section members took part in the West Kent Run and meeting at Aylesford in Kent and had an enjoyable time at this popular event and venue.

On Wednesday 20^th August eight members started out on the mid week run around the lanes which finished up at our Stapleford airfield section meeting place where another eight members joined them for our August mid week lunch meet. This was the highest turnout of members for both the run and lunch meet for some months.

August 24^th to 28^th saw 23 section members, partners and guests travel to Stow-on-the-Wold for this year’s Jampot Rally. With excellent weather the whole event was a great success with higher attendance numbers than previous years which, despite a few resulting shortage problems, must be a step in the right direction. Roy’s infamous “Clockwork Orange” bike got plenty of use on the runs with a different rider each time – none of them Roy, and on Sunday Pat Gill once again took the award for best pre-war Matchless while Dudley got a commended rosette for his pre-war AJS.

On 6^th to 8^th October some of the section will be attending the “Alternative” at Woodbridge. While on 29^th October there will be a section run to Ardingly, which will start from the usual meeting place near J28 on the M25 at 10.00am. Further details on both these events can be had from Roy.

September 2017

The19^th July run saw seven leave from Crown Corner. Keith Smith initially led the run to Blackmore where they met with Alan Jennings, who was running late. Roy took over as run leader, following part of our 2011 Alternative Jampot route as far as Great Baddow where Keith took over once more, leading the run to Heybridge basin where they enjoyed lunch before returning home. The run got a bit spread out at times but it was the best attendance for a mid week run for sometime.

This year’s ACU/BMF National Rally saw the section’s arch enthusiast for this long distance navigation trial, Bob Russell, take part in his 43^rd event, his first being way back in 1961. Now restricted to “twist & go” scooters since an accident some years ago left him unable to operate conventional clutches, his enthusiasm for this particular event remains undiminished. There can’t be many riders who have completed as many Nationals as Bob.

Our Sept 20^th mid week run is on the same Wednesday as our mid week meet at Stapleford. The run will again start from Crown Corner and end up at Stapleford for the lunch. Then on Sunday Sept 24^th there will be a run to Battlesbridge from Crown Corner at 10am. More details can be got from Roy nearer the date.

August 2017

On our 22^nd June club night Vic Sayers, who belongs to both our section and the North Essex, led a group of the North Essex members to Stapleford on a visit, so there were a lot more bikes than usual to look at. It was a fine evening so we could stay outside as well as inside the club room and our Stapleford hosts once again supplied a good buffet for all to devour.

On 30^th June some of the section said farewell to a friend at the funeral of Dave Speck. Although Dave lived in Norfolk he, along with fellow Norfolk resident John, had been good friends to our section for many years and we considered them as honorary members. Dave’s cheerful, friendly personality and banter will be sorely missed at future rallies.

As the Jampot Rally approaches Roy wishes to remind section members who intend going but have yet to book then please do so to ensure that you will be able to get food at the event, the caterers need to know before hand.

For our August section events we have the section run to visit the Kent section, meeting at our M25 J28 meeting place at 6pm. Our mid week lunch meet at Stapleford on 16^th August, which according to our calendar will also have the month’s mid week run, starting at Crown Corner and ending at Stapleford, with further details available from Roy.

July 2017

On 23^rd May the section said a sad farewell to Alan Earl. Alan and Margaret lived in Kent but had been coming across the Thames to our section meetings for many years and were very well known throughout the Club both from their attendance at countless Jampot and International Jampot rallies and membership of the Kent section. Alan will be sadly missed but we are pleased to know that Margaret is still going to be part of our future activities.

Those section members who attended the International Jampot in Poland all seemed to have had a successful event which the sometimes inclement weather did not spoil and Graham Eaton took an award for “Best Post War single” with his 350 rigid AJS. For all those who doubted whether it would make it, Roy wishes to report that his “Clockwork Orange” bike not only made it all the way there and back with the only trouble being a rear light failure due to the brake light sticking on at one time, but that his was the only bike amongst the group that he was riding with that did not require more serious attention.

For the July section events there is a run to the Battlesbridge Classic Motorcycle event on 2^nd, from the usual Crown Corner meeting place at 10.00am and on Wednesday 12^th July there is our next Mid-week meet at Stapleford, which might have a mid-week run on the same day and ending at Stapleford for the lunch time meet, as happened for the June event. More details can be had from Roy nearer the date.

June 2017

Our April 27 meeting was the section’s “fish & chip supper” night and our hosts at Stapleford Airfield did us proud, with tablecloths, real plates, metal cutlery and condiments, certainly a step up from what we had been used to in previous years. We sat down to an enjoyable evening, rounded off by a music quiz organised by Rob, Jan and Kerry Harknet.

Six riders set off for the Inter Section meet at Blackmore End on 30^th April and met up with Dudley at a breakfast stop at High Easter. Only six continued though as one felt not too good and headed for home. It was quite a challenging ride as no-one knew exactly where the pub (The Bull) was and another rider also decided to head homewards at the first ford encountered. There was a good gathering when they got there and Dudley was talking about taking bets as to whether Roy’s bike would make it to Poland. So it was rather ironic that it was also Dudley who broke down on his way home.

I got my own come-uppance a week later, when four of us rode up to the open day at Kettering. All went well on the trip up and Geoff Gibbins got an award for his fine AJS twin. On our way home though, I suffered a major brain fade when I mistakenly filled up with diesel instead of petrol. The bike didn’t like its new 60/40 diesel/petrol ratio fuel one bit but with help from Roy, Geoff and Steve, and some petrol siphoned from Roy’s bike I was back on the road again with no harm done except to my pride. It will take a long time to live that one down.

For June there is our next mid week meet at Stapleford on 14^th. Possibly also be a mid week run organised for one Wednesday but nothing has been arranged yet.

May 2017

The section has now held its first mid week lunchtime meet of 2017 at Stapleford airfield. Around eleven of us attended and were pleased to see Margaret Earl who had made the trip over from Kent. The run to the Ardingly Show on 2^nd April saw seven riders leave from our meeting place near M25 junction 28 with Roy leading the run on his intended International Jampot bike, which showed him that he still had a bit of work to do on the electrical side if he wanted the battery to keep charging .

It only came to my attention after the evening that we had a new visitor to our section meeting on 23^rd March who got missed until almost the end. If that member was you then please give us another try. Ask the first person you see to point you in my direction and I will be happy to chat about bikes and introduce you to our section properly.

The four events in May for our section involvement are the next mid week lunch meet at Stapleford on 3^rd. Then the run to the Kettering HQ Open Day on 6^th, the run to the local Jericho Cottage Classic Bike Day on 14^th, and the first Wednesday Run on 19^th. All three of the runs start from our usual meeting place at Crown Corner.

Apr 2017

March this year was a sad month for the section as we say farewell to our good friend Dave Nichols, who will be greatly missed not only by us in the section but also by the many members of the club as a whole.

Our section meeting of 23^rd February didn’t quite go according to plan, when a shortage of staff resulted in our usual meeting place at Stapleford airfield not being available to us which resulted in a lot of hasty phoning around by secretary Alan to advise members that there was to be an alternative gathering for that meeting in the Woodman public house at Stanford Rivers a couple of miles away. It would have to be in the bar area but fortunately it was not too busy that night and 16 members managed to pass a pleasant evening with a group of them hogging the open fire on what was a cold evening.

Our 9^th March meeting was back to normal and we are keeping our fingers crossed that the staffing problems for our meetings at Stapleford can be overcome in future. At least this will not be a problem for the first of our mid-week lunchtime meetings at the airfield on Wednesday 5^th April from around 11am

Mar 2017

For our second and third section meetings of the year our numbers were back to around the usual attendance for section meetings after the previous meeting where only the hardy few braved the first snow of the year in these parts, not forgetting of course Zoe, who so capably caters for us behind the bar at each event and who also had to brave the weather to get home after all others had left.

Not much is going on at this time of the year as regards events that we might attend although several future events were mentioned as possibilities, including one at Stowe Maries airfield on 21^st May and a “Wings and Wheels” event at Damens airfield later on 16^th July which we may visit. There is also the regular Blackmore village classic bike event taking place on 14^th May, which many of our section members go along to. There is also the Club’s Spring Intersection Meet at Blackmore End on 30^th April and the Club HQ open day on 6^th May, so plenty to think about for the future

The dates of our mid week runs and mid week meets at Stapleford airfield for this year are in the process of being decided and intended to be given out at the last meeting, but due to a few errors they will now hopefully be available next meeting and subsequently be put on our section web site.

Feb 2017

At our last section AGM, in my absence, apparently I was voted in as the new section scribe against strong competition from…..absolutely no-one else. As I start my new job at a time of the year when there is not a great deal happening I do have a little time to work myself into the role.

For our last club night before Christmas the section decided to have a “buffet evening”, to include family members who do not normally attend meetings and the opportunity was taken for our new section secretary Alan Jennings to present an award to our retiring secretary Dennis Fox for his hard work for the section over many years. Indeed Dennis was one of the first to welcome me when I joined in 1994.

Our last run of 2016 was a short one to High Beach tea hut and four bikes took part in bright but cold weather, meeting up with two other members at the venue.

Colin Atkinson