Return to East London & Essex Home Page with this Link

Past East London & Essex Section Notes

(as appearing in Jampot magazine for 2022 and 2023)

Dec 2023

It was with sadness that a group of us said goodbye to Rob Harknett at his funeral at Parndon Wood Crematorium CM19 4SF on Thursday 12th October, he will be missed by us all and especially those of us who attended the many Jampot rallies where he provided some of the entertainment with his disco over the years.

Although I was not able to attend the 26th October club night Roy says that it was well attended and as well as the usual group of members Roy, Geoff Gibbins, Dave Walling, Steve Carvosso, Lin Brown, Alan & Jackie Jennings and Dudley Woods who also sit down for a meal they were pleased to see Ian savage and his wife Sue, Will Powell and Reg (Ongar) Green and especially so Jan and Kerry Harknett.

Dave Walling wishes to remind those attending the end of season dinner that the booking is for 9th December at Ye Olde Plough at Bulphan, Essex. (the same place as last year) as some seem to be not certain of the date judging from some of the mails he has received. He needs to hear your menu choices as soon as possible.

Although I will be writing another set of section notes before Christmas these ones are the last that you will be able to read before then so I will take this opportunity to wish all our section members a very happy Christmas and hopes for a good year in 2024.

Nov 2023

It was with great sadness that we learned that Rob Harknett had died on 19th September. A long term member of our section and also the Hertfordshire section Rob had been seriously ill for a long time but had continued his work for the club as pre-war officer as well as digitally archiving as many of the old Jampot magazines as he could manage, something he had been doing for many years, for as long as he was able and with his knowledge he will be a hard act to follow for the club. We extend our condolences to his wife Jan and their son Kerry.

We were pleased to hear though that John Hodges is now back at home after a six week stay in hospital. His wife says that he is not quite right yet but hopefully will continue to improve now that he is back at home.

There were only three of us at the October 4th mid-week lunch meet (the last mid-week lunch meet of this year). However we learned from Reg (Harlow) Green, who had attended the Alternative rally in Bishop Auckland that our group of four riders and Dudley in his van had successfully made their 'tour' to the rally, taking in the Thornton-le-Dale home of Mathewson's classic vehicle auctions of Tv's 'Bangers and Cash' programme and Goathland, which was 'Aidensfield' in the TV series of Heartbeat on the way. The trip was not entirely incident free though and Dave Walling's full account of their travels and pictures can be sen on our section website. Dave also picked up the rally award for the furthest travelled distance on a bike of the marque with his AJS twin.

Oct 2023

About 15 section members and partners (17 when Dave Walling and his wife Lin arrived on Sunday) attended the Jampot Rally at Salisbury Rugby Club, with 5 of them riding to the event. Reg (Harlow) Green rode there on his own while Roy, Geoff Gibbins, Steve Carvosso and Lin Brown rode in a group. At least that was how it started out from Crown Corner but along the way they lost Geoff when at a roundabout his carrier and top box decided to take a different exit to Geoff and his bike and he had to stop to retrieve it. Then at another roundabout Lin, who was at the back, saw Roy take one exit while Steve took another. Not knowing which to follow she decided to follow Roy. In the end though they all arrived safely even though somehow what started out to be an approximately 127 mile journey managed to turn into around 175 miles by the time they arrived. At least this ensured that Lin Brown won the furthest travelled UK lady rider on a bike of the marque for the second year running. Well done Lin. It was a good rally, the weather was kind to us again and on the return journey our group of four made it back without any unintended diversions and only a couple of clutch adjustments for Steve along the way.

Only four of us took part in the section run of 23rd August, Keith Smith, Dave Watts, myself and a new member Pete who arrived at Crown Corner with Dave. We decided in the end not to go to the planned destination but go instead to the old railway station at Rayne with its cafe on the old platform and Keith led the run in both directions. It was a pleasant warm and sunny day for a run, even if rather too many wasps were taking an interest in Pete's Danish pastry at the station cafe. The old station is a focal point on the old railway line which has now become a footpath and cycleway between Braintree and Dunmow.

Sep 2023

Our section run which took place on Wednesday 27th july and had been held over from the previous week was intended to have a lunch break at Chigborough fisheries but did not go quite according to plan when we arrived to find that their cafe was closed. So we retraced our route a bit and instead had a pleasant lunch at the Mill House Hotel, sitting in the sunshine by the river with accompanying swans and their cygnets. Roy led Geoff, Steve, Ian, Lin and myself on a very pleasant route outward and five of us , Lin left for home from the hotel as she lived in that direction, on another interesting but different route on the way back giving us a round trip of about 65 miles. Again we were fortunate with warm and sunny weather for our run.

We were pleased to learn that after a stay in two hospitals that Vic Sayers is now back home after his unfortunate accident. With so many broken bones his recovery is going to take some time yet and we wish him well during what must be a difficult period.

Do not forget that Dave Walling needs to know as soon as possible if you are intending to attend our end of season dinner at Ye Olde Plough at Bulphan, Essex on 9th December.

Aug 2023

At our Club night at the Woodman on 22nd June we had a good turn out of about 17 and we were pleased to welcome new member Bob Hemsworth into our ranks. Bob has a couple of nice non AMC bikes but has also now got an AJS Model 8 which he is at present working on.

On 28th June we met up with the Kent section group at M25 junction 28 for a run to Burnham on Crouch and the “Burnham Bends”. The Kent section outnumbered us by two as the group of 14 left the start on a route led by Graham Eaton which picked up Dudley Woods as we passed through Billericay. Unfortunately Steve Carvosso had a problem with his bike just before then so after a discussion between Graham the leader and Roy the tail end rider the first eight of us carried on to Burnham, with the other six arriving a bit later at our destination of The memorial and the Cabin Dairy and seafood café’s where we also met up with Roy’s wife Karen for refreshments. Steve meanwhile had got his bike home and arrived shortly afterwards on a different bike, so all fifteen completed the run in the end even if not quite as intended and I hope that everyone enjoyed the day. Although it stayed rather dull it didn’t rain on us at all apart from a little very fine mist.

Dave Walling has now booked our end of season dinner for 9th December at the same location as last year, Ye Olde Plough House at Bulphan. The cost of the meal has increased a little from last year to £28.50 from £25. Dave will send the menu choices our nearer the time but would like to know who is likely to be joining us so please let him know as soon as you can.

Jul 2023

On Wednesday 17^th May Graham Eaton led our group of ten bikes, not only AJS and Matchless but with also Royal Enfield, KTM, Kawasaki, Honda and BMW represented, on a very enjoyable run through the lanes of the Essex countryside from Crown Corner to “The Hub” café in Howe Street near Great Waltham for lunch where the weather had improved enough for the ten of us to be able to sit outside for our lunch in the by now warmer weather, not so prevalent so far this year. We then headed back home via Writtle, except for Will Powell who was heading for home in the opposite direction, with Graham once more leading the way and riders turning off to head for their homes at the appropriate junctions along the way.

Our intrepid section party who rode to and from the International Jampot rally in Slovenia all returned without any major problems and were sharing their experiences with those who were at the 8^th July club night. Apart from the resulting aches they were all glad that they had done it and hopefully Dave Walling, who was one of them can add a few words about the experience to these notes.

Jun 2023

Following a discussion on the club night of 13th April at The Woodman as to whether to change back from Thursdays to Wednesdays for the mid-week daytime events it was decided to revert to Wednesdays as that seemed to suit the majority of the regulars to those events better. The section had it's first run of the year on Wednesday 19th of April when Roy reported that Geoff Gibbins led the run of nine bikes, all except Dave Watts being AJS or Matchless, to the Debden Barns Antique Centre. All went well with only one mishap of a wrong turn in Newport. Our table there was set for 10 as Graham Eaton was joining us as just back from his trip to Australia and elsewhere (not sure where).

On Wednesday 3rd May we had our second mid-week lunchtime meet and this time it was at the Stapleford Flight Centre cafe, where we used to have our club night meetings before Covid shut everything down. Nine of us met up there for lunch and this time there was space for us all to congregate together. There should actually have been eleven of us except that Pat and Mary made their way to Rosey Lea's at The Squadron instead. So Dudley had an extra trip to Pat's later to deliver the speedo for him that he had brought to the meeting. We are, of course, still wanting ideas of places for lunchtime meets or run destinations (especially if you can lead a run from Crown Corner to them) that could deal with a group of between, say, seven to a dozen of us wanting to sit more or less together around the midday period.

May 2023

Section activities so far this year have mainly been restricted to our club nights at The Woodman. However on 6th April we had our first mid week lunchtime meet and on this occasion it was at The Squadron (Rosey Lea's), North Weald. The weather looked rather doubtful but Roy, Geoff and Steve C rode there from Crown Corner while Ian Savage and Reg (Harlow) Green rode there from their homes, where they were all then joined by Alan Jennings, Pat and Mary Gill and Steve 2, who had driven there.

It was rather unfortunate that despite the unpromising weather the cafe was seemingly very popular that day and there was difficulty finding places for all our group, although all eventually got seated and served. So maybe other places will need researching for somewhere that can accommodate a group such as ours, preferably seating together where numbers could vary from, say, six to twelve or so without prior notice. Any suggestions of suitable venues would be welcome.

It seems that the change from Wednesdays to Thursdays for our mid week meets and runs is not suitable for some of the regulars to these events so we will look again at which is the most suitable and the result, as well as future dates for these events, will be shown on the section web site and Roy will be sending out his usual email in connection with the runs. It was subsequently at a later club night decided to revert to Wednesdays for these mid week daytime events

Apr 2023

Not a lot of activity in the section during the past month other than our normal section meetings at The Woodman on 23rd February and 9th March which were quite well attended by the usual regulars. Those of us who have ventured out on their bikes during the past month probably, like me, have found that they needed to spend almost as much time cleaning off the copius amounts of road salt collected on the bike afterwards to prevent severe corrosion as they do riding. At the 9^th March meeting it was decided that as our club nights are held on Thursdays now that we are reintroducing the mid week meets and runs that it would be sensible to also hold them on Thursdays now instead of Wednesdays as previously. The reason for originally choosing Wednesdays for the daytime events anyway seems lost in the mists of time and changing them to Thursdays means that except where there is a five week month then each Thursday there is a section event of some type, thereby making things easier to remember. So don’t forget, our first mid week meet this year will be on Thursday April 6^th at the North Weald Squadron from 11.30am.

For myself, I was pleased to see that article in the Jampot from Ted Sykes with his customised Matchless G5 sporting a nice set of new rear shocks which he said came from NJB Shocks. I have been looking for a decent set of rear shocks for my own G5 for some time so immediately got in touch with Norman Blakemore to see if he could provide me with a set the same but with spring shrouds. Yes he could and as soon as they arrived I braved the cold of my unheated garage to fit them. No bother to fit they are now the smartest looking things on the bike.

Mar 2023

On 1^st February section members, together with members of the other Essex sections and other motorcycling friends said farewell to Dave Kewell on his final journey at Pitsea crematorium with two members of the South Essex section attending on their bikes and Vic Sayers riding down from Harwich on his Suzuki. Dave was already a member of our section when I joined in 1993 and with our shared interest in railways as well as motorcycles we got on well from the start, even more so after he obtained an AJS model 14 in many bits in poor condition which he built up into a working bike as he and I were the only ones in the section who were interested in the Lightweight models at that time. I will miss chatting to him a great deal, as indeed will all his friends and family, to whom we send our condolences and sympathy.

At our club night on 9^th February we had 14 attending. It was agreed that meeting in such a small area was not an ideal situation for all members but that as suitable premises for an evening meeting was not easy to come by it was decided to keep to the usual club night at The Woodman but go back to our pre Covid idea of between the months of April and October of having a mid week lunchtime meet on the 1^st Wednesday of each month with a section run on the 3^rd. We will start the mid week lunchtime meetings by having them initially at The Squadron, North Weald Airfield to see how it goes.

Feb 2023

It is with great sadness that I have to report that long time section member (and also more recent member of the South Essex Section) Dave Kewell died on 23^rd December. Recently he had been battling pneumonia but had seemed to be recovering his strength again after losing a lot of weight during his spell in hospital when I last saw him and he even felt well enough to make a trip to Wales with his son. However, the illness returned and sadly this time he was lost to us. Dave was already a member of the East London and Essex section when Kevin O’Brien introduced me to the section back in 1994 and I quickly found that we not only shared an interest in motorcycles but also in railways. Dave took part in a lot of the section activities up until his illness prevented him and we shall miss him a great deal. We extend our condolences to his family at this sad time.

Ten section members met for breakfast at the Rosy Lea café (The Squadron) on North Weald airfield on 29^th December for the final section ride out/meet of 2022. Some met up at our usual starting place at Crown Corner, Kelevedon Hatch and rode there together, while others made their own way there with Alan Jennings joining them, arriving in his car. The weather was cold but dry and it was good to get out on the bikes again. The café is in the refurbished and rebuilt buildings where the section held its twice monthly meetings when I first joined ( I was not able to be there on this occasion so the run notes are by Dave Walling)

Jan 2023

On the rather foggy Remembrance Sunday Roy, Dudley and Ian Savage met with Chris Willis and his wife Emma and their friend Mark and his girlfriend at Stapleford airfield for breakfast before Ian led them on the short run to the ceremony at North Weald war memorial, where they met up with Lin, who had ridden there direct and Alan Jennings, who had started out on his bike but had to turn back and use his car as the fog was giving problems with his glasses. After the ceremony some went back to Chris Willis’ workshop where he and Emma supplied them with welcome tea and biscuits.

On Saturday 3^rd December we had our section Christmas dinner at The Plough, Bulphan. Unfortunately three were unable to attend at the last minute as Dudley had been taken ill and also Reg (Harlow) Green and his wife Janice were unable to be with us as Janice had unfortunately had a fall and damaged bones in both of her legs. Although still able to be with us, Will Powell’s wife Ginny had also been unfortunate in that she had also had a fall and damaged a shoulder and so with that arm firmly strapped up she had to manage her meal using just one arm and hand. After a pleasant meal the section “Clubman of the Year” award for 2022 was presented to Alan Jennings. This years recipient of the “Piston Broke” award went to Lin Brown for her repeat broken mirrors on her Cadwell. Perhaps a little bit unfair as the first one happened last year even if the replacement couldn’t be obtained until 2022, but unfortunately for Lin nobody had any real disasters this year and no-one had admitted to filling up with diesel by mistake!! Alan Jennings then presented an extra award of a very large adjustable spanner to Roy in recognition of their ‘discussion’ on the use of such implements during the section visit to Alan’s back in April.

Our last club night of 2022 at the Woodman was on 8th December when there were 10 of us braved the very cold and frosty weather for a pleasant evening. Our first club night of the new year will be on Thursday 12th January at the same venue.

Dec 2022

Not a lot has happened in the section since the last section notes, although by the time you are reading these ones we will have had our usual Remembrance Day run from Stapleford Airfield club house to the North Weald Airfield war memorial for the memorial service and also most likely our section Christmas Dinner at The Plough, Bulphan on December 3^rd will have taken place.

At our last section meeting in October at The Woodman it looked at first as if our numbers were going to be down quite a few as several regulars could not make it this time. However we then had Will Powell and both Reg Greens arrive and also a visit from Rick Younger and Dave Lewis. So in the end we had almost as many there as usual. As with last year December is a busy time for pubs with Christmas meal bookings and so our last club night for this year will be on the 8^th December.

It just remains for me now to wish all our section members the very best for Christmas and the New Year on behalf of the section committee and we look forward to seeing a few more of you on some of our runs in 2023.

Nov 2022

September 14th saw six of us start out from Crown Corner on a very scenic run led by Graham Eaton to Doug Nixon’s classic car workshop at Cressing, which had been organised by Alan Jennings. Riding with us this time was Steve Carvosso’s brother Geoff who more than proved his value later in the day when he learnt more about an MG TC’s front suspension than he no doubt ever wanted to as we (mostly he as it was in such a confined space) struggled to successfully get it back on its tracks after a slight mishap. Thanks to Doug Nixon for hosting us and Alan for organising it.

As I didn’t attend the Alternative Dave Walling reports on this run.

“Five intrepid souls from the section rode to Sussex for the 2022 Alternative Rally. Roy B, Graham E, and Lin B met up at Crown Corner and joined up with Steve C and myself at Warley Hill on Thursday morning.We had a great run down to Chiddingley, stopping for refreshments at a cafe in a country park near Tunbridge Wells. We were joined at the rally by Dudley Woods, who had driven down with his bike ‘Ruby’ in the back of his van, and on Friday by Reg (Harlow) Green and his wife Janice and our honary section member from Oxford Dave Ayres, while on the Saturday we met our newest section member Ian Savage, who had ridden down for the day on his lovely Matchless G80CS.

The Friday run was very wet but still enjoyable, while Saturday saw an excellent run, stopping at Beachy Head then on to Newhaven Fort. Our return journey home was blessed with good weather and we explored some lovely lanes in parts of Sussex and Kent. The bikes all performed well with only minor maintenance to both bikes and riders throughout. Many thanks to the men and ladies of the Sussex section for hosting the rally and for their hospitality.”

Oct 2022

Five of our section rode to the Jampot Rally in Llandovery, a distance of over 230 miles. Roy, Dave Walling, Lin Brown, Geoff Gibbins and Steve Carvosso, and despite a few minor mechanical problems there was nothing which prevented all of the bikes (and riders) from making the return trip or from taking part in the organised runs. The weather for the rally, bearing in mind Wales’ reputation for rain while us in the south east were drying out, was mostly fine and the event went off well. Pat Gill won the award for the best pre-war Matchless, a regular Jampot feat for him and the award for the man riding the furthest to the event on a bike of the marque went to Dave Walling. The award for the lady riding the furthest to the event on a bike of the marque went to Lin Brown and actually made her the furthest travelled overall as although all five of our group started as usual from Crown Corner Lin had travelled further to get there from home than the others, so the Furthest Travelled Ladies mileage was indeed greater than the Furthest Travelled Man. This has certainly never happened at any Jampot rally that I have attended and I wonder if it has ever happened before at all. Well done Lin.

Pam and I did duty in the reception tent throughout the event, a task which was made much easier this time due to the fact that nearly everybody had already pre-booked and paid and also because of the huge amount of effort and pre rally preparation and organisation put in by Gary Jones. Gary was certainly kept very busy throughout the rally and I am sure that all attending the event appreciated his efforts (and the Welsh cakes of course).

Sep 2022

There has only been one section event of note for this month and as I was not part of it Dave Walling, who was, reports for the section this time.

“Three of us rode to the International West Kent Run (IWKR) Roy, Steve Carvosso and me. On the way Steve’s bike started running intermittently when we crossed into Kent and we tried to find a fault but couldn’t so pushed on. Unfortunately the issue stayed with him all weekend and spoiled his rally, so much so that we christened his bike ‘Hiccup’ Once there we met up with Dudley, Les Youngman and his brother Gavin who was over from South Africa and also Dave Ayers our honorary section member from the Cotswolds. As the village pub was closed due to a fire we went to a “posh” restaurant Friday evening. The actual run didn’t start too well as after only a few miles the rider of a vintage sunbeam was hit by a van and injured causing a road closure. The IWKR uses markers not marshals to show the route which then became redundant. We eventually made our way to the coffee stop and a carb’ strip for Steve then lunch and as he was still having issues went back to the Priory. We had a great meal of an Indian takeaway on Saturday night with Dudley treating us to cheese and biscuits wine and port. Sunday is show and jumble day and as always the Kent section allowed us to display our bikes and welcomed us to their pitch providing music as well as appreciated tea, coffee and rolls. Steve was still suffering with ‘Hiccup’ but despite very heavy traffic at the Dartford crossing we all got safely home. It transpires that Steve’s carb’ was wrongly accused and the real culprit is a very badly behaved alternator. By the time that this is read the Jampot Rally will have taken place and hopefully Steve’s pre-rally preparations had fixed the problem in time for his ride too and from that event”.  

Aug 2022

The weather, for the first time this year, was warm enough for us to sit outside in the garden at The Woodman for our 23rd July meeting and hopefully we will be able to have more meetings like that during the summer.

On 15th June we paid another visit to the Mill House Hotel on a section run. Pam and I made our own way there with our sidecar and saw the run arrive in three parts as it had somehow got split up, with Graham Eaton with Keith Smith arriving first, then lin Brown leading in a couple more with the rest arriving not long after. It was a very pleasant day and it was nice to sit at tables by the river for our lunch. Soon after we arrived we had a surprise visit from some of the South Essex section who were out on their own run and were checking the place out for a future visit of their own.

Nine of us went down to the Sammy Miller Museum for the club’s 70th anniversary gathering and all of us were staying at the Bell hotel in Brook. The six with bikes were leaving from the hotel on a run to the museum on the Sunday morning led by Rob Swift of the Hampshire section. Unfortunately Alan and his Model 18 lost their battle with a particularly viscious cattle grid at the hotel entrance and an injured ankle meant that he had to attend the event by car with Pam and I. The event itself was held in fine weather and I thought that there was a good number of club members taking part and quite a lot of interest from other museum visitors. A nice weekend break for those of us who went.

Jul 2022

Six of us went on the run to the Club open day at Kettering on 14^th May, with Roy, Steve, Geoff and myself leaving from Crown Corner and travelling up the M11 to meet up with Graham and Dudley just outside Bishops Stortford. Graham then led us through the Hertfordshire lanes and villages to Royston and on to the essential breakfast stop at Kimbolton before continuing on to Kettering. There was a good turn out for the event and we also met Alan Jennings who had decided to drive straight there in his car. We had excellent weather throughout the day and a good run in both directions.

Dave Walling writes about the run on 26th May, “Six of us met at crown corner, Steve Carvoso and Keith Smith on a Suzuki (bandit 1200?) were there when I arrived then Roy, Norman on his triumph and Jeff. We set off and made our way to Writtle to meet up with Graham Dudley and Lin, Norman having left the run and heading home when we got to the A414. Graham then led us on a really good run through the lanes and villages to The Hub farm shop and lite bites cafe at Howe Street. Following a good brunch we continued to our destination of the Richard De Clare Community Academy at Halstead. Roy’s daughter Lucinda is the headmistress and had asked for some bikes to be taken along to show the children, who had prepared questions. There were around 35-40 very excited junior school kids who were allowed to rev up some of the bikes and even sit on one or two of them (a couple of the teachers showed their biker chick leanings as well by getting involved)” .

The run on 1st June was from the usual Crown Corner meeting point and got under way after a major oil leak problem from the supply union on Dave Walling’s newly aquired G15CS was discovered and an underinflated front tyre with Roy’s version of the same bike, which he had subsequently loaned to Dave for the run was sorted and eight of us had a pleasant run (except for the final stretch of road which had just been suface dressed) to a cafe at Takely near Stanstead airport. Despite the doubtful weather forecast it stayed fine for us and we had a good run with no other mechanical bothers.

Jun 2022

On 29^th April six of us, Dudley, Steve, Dave Walling, Geoff, Roy and myself met at Alan Jennings house to try and help with the rebuild of his Silver Dream project. Five and Alan to do the work and myself to take pictures, generally get in the way and help where needed. Things did not go quite according to plan as although we did get it running and it started four times, with a different person managing to bring it to life each time, the starting could never be repeated following a stopping of the engine until more investigation, plug swapping and much strenuous kicking. This delayed quite a lot of other things so instead of a finale it became a phase 2 and watch this space scenario. In the afternoon Lin and Norman arrived to see how things were progressing but further progress was limited until that problem could be solved. It seems likely to be a carburetion issue which needs to be corrected as the engine sounds fine when it is running. We all thank Alan’s wife Jackie for sustaining us with much welcome bacon rolls, cake and tea throughout the day.

Seven of us took part in the section run from Crown Corner on 4^th May, with Dave, probably with his drinks bill penalty for a late arrival on the last run still in his mind arriving in plenty of time. Led by Keith we ambled through the country lanes heading for “The Snug” café at High Easter. However when we arrived we found it closed for the day, even though their web site said that it would be open. So as it was not too far away we headed back to High Roding and the café there. The rain started, very gently at first, while we were sat outside eating our lunch but then increased in strength while on our way back. So we started out in sunshine and came home in quite persistent rain, but a good run out anyway with no problems for anyone other than Dave finding out that his kickstart splines were now past their best.

May 2022

As from the start of April our evening meetings have switched back from The Artichoke to The Woodman, where we met last year, and despite a small “glitch” for the first one it should all be running smoothly by the time you read this.

On 7^th April we had our first proper section run and meet of this year and six of us left from Crown Corner and met up with four more at the destination. Not a bad number for our first one. The destination was the Battlesbridge Antique Centre where the intention was a surprise visit to meet up with the South Essex section at their regular meeting place. Well a surprise it certainly was, not least for us, as we managed to arrive nearly an hour before the South Essex’s usual meeting time and before the café/pub had even opened. Still, it did mean that we had all eaten by the time the South Essex members had turned up for their lunch. Dave Walling graciously paid for the drinks as recompense for his late arrival at Crown Corner and subsequent wait by the others along the way while he caught up.

The only mishap was that Keith unfortunately lost the side panel and tools from his Immaculate G15CSR while on route to meet up with us. There apparently was some concern as to whether Pat’s G3L would make it home as it was noticed that he had left most of his bike’s oil behind when he left Battlesbridge, but all was well and despite it being a very windy and chilly day it stayed mostly bright and we had a good run.

Apr 2022

After mentioning in last months notes that we had the highest number attending our 10^th February meeting at the Artichoke I now have to say that for the following meeting we actually had the lowest number turning up, as for various reasons usual attendees were unable to be there. Please note that as from the first meeting in April we will be going back to The Woodman public house in Stanford Rivers, as we hope that by then the weather will have improved enough for us to be able to use their garden at times. This is the same place that we used for our evening meetings during the summer and autumn last year and is on the A113 between Passingford Bridge roundabout at Stapleford and the Marden Ash roundabout (junction of A113 and A128) just before Chipping Ongar. Times for the meetings will be as they were for The Artichoke.

On the 25^th February Roy and Dudley took three bikes to Shepton Mallett to put on the club stand at the Bristol Show over the weekend, where they helped to man the club stand, with Dudley winning 2^nd place in the pre-war class for his 1937 G8.

Times have not yet been finalised for the section run to the Kettering Open Day on 14^th May, so if you intend taking part then make sure that Roy knows in the period leading up to the day. Finally, don’t forget, if you have any ideas for a possible destination of a section run that you could lead during the summer months then please

Mar 2022

Our evening section meeting at the Artichoke on 10^th February was well attended and had 17 of us attending, which I think is the highest number that we have had for an evening meeting since our last meeting at Stapleford airfield before the start of the first Covid lockdown in 2020.

Now that the open day at Kettering has been reinstated it was decided that we would again have a section run to the event, but probably leaving a bit earlier than in previous years to allow more time for the breakfast stop at Kimbolton. It was also decided that our usual section runs would probably start again in March and any suggestions for venues from anyone willing to work out a route and lead that particular run to their suggested venue would be welcome.

Another suggestion. made by Roy, was to have a section “workday” at Alan Jennings’ house to get his “Silver Dream” project, which he started with great enthusiasm at the start of the first Covid lockdown but which stalled soon afterwards, back on track. This looks like it might go ahead around April time, assuming that Alan can get all the parts together first of course.

Feb 2022

Our last event of 2021 was due to take place on 29^th December, however as the weather forecast for that day was bad then it was held over to the following day. This proved to be a good decision as on that day we had good weather and five of us left Crown Corner for the short fifteen mile run to the High Beach tea hut, where we met up with six others who had made their own way there. Due to the mild and dry weather that day there were quite a lot of other bikes at the hut as well and they were doing a brisk trade. The only casualty on the day was Steve, who suffered the not uncommon AMC problem of the rear wheel speedo drive seizing and moving round with the wheel. Unable to be fixed by the roadside Steve’s bike was recovered by Roy who rode home and returned with his van.

Peter Berry would like me to let members know that he continues to make progress with his recovery after his serious accident in 2019, but that he still has a fair way to go before the new bone growth in his leg will be strong enough to support his weight without the framework. He is however, looking forward to the time when he can once again start to take part in some of the sections activities. I am sure that all club members will join me in wishing Peter well and hope that this will be the year when his recovery will finally be complete.

Jan 2022

Our last meeting of the year at the Artichoke on 25^th November was well supported with 13 of us around the long table. Our first club night meeting of 2022 there will be on 13^th January.

On 11^th December 22 of us sat down to an enjoyable meal at The Plough in Bulphan for our section’s Christmas Dinner, an event which got cancelled last year of course and with the build up of Covid infections we were a bit concerned about this one taking place. However all went well and we had a very enjoyable evening.

The section’s annual Clubman of The Year award went to Lin Brown for attending nearly all the section functions throughout the year, including completing one run even after getting knocked off her bike while on the way to the start. Lin also attended some daytime meetings and runs of the South Essex section and took part in a long distance run with another club on her AJS Cadwell, the smallest bike taking part.

There was a slight change in the idea behind the “Piston Broke” award this year as it was decided to award it to the most long suffering wife/partner of a section member as there hadn’t been too many major problems this year during the restricted activities. It was awarded to Jackie Jennings for having to put up with Alan’s moaning about his bike’s poor starting for the ten years that his new carburetter had remained on his garage shelf rather than being fitted on the bike.

By the time you read this our very last event of the year, a short run on 29^th December (weather permitting), will have taken place. So all it remains for me to say is that I hope that you all had a good Christmas and hope to see you at an event some time during the coming year.

Colin Atkinson