Return to East London & Essex Home Page with this Link

East London & Essex Section Notes

(as appearing in Jampot magazine from 2024)

Any section member having information for our section notes or an article for inclusion on this web site can email me (Colin Atkinson) on btsc.moto@btinternet.com

April 2025

Our first mid-week lunchtime meet at Stapleford airfield clubhouse on Wednesday 5^th March was not a great success with Pam and I sitting there in splendid isolation as other members had other things to do. Perhaps March was too early to start these daytime events after all. By the time you read this we will have had our first section run on Wednesday 19^th March when hopefully we will have had a better turnout. Although no doubt the weather on the day will be a major factor at this time of the year.

Now that it has been confirmed that our section is going to be running this year’s Alternative Rally, which will be at Battlesbridge, organisation is going ahead with Roy and Dave Walling in negotiations with the site owners and the caterers. Also Roy is in the course of finalising the design of the rally badges and the advert which will be appearing in the Jampot magazine in due course.

March 2025

Not a great deal going on within the section at this time of the year except for our regular club nights at The Woodman. At our club night of 23^rd January we were pleased to see Jan and Kerry Harknett and Reg (Harlow) Green who arrived with them, giving us a fairly full house for the evening. During the evening there was quite a long discussion regarding section events for this year and Roy mentioned that as our section has been running for 43 years this year he was considering as to whether we might have a new section embroidered badge made along the lines of the one commissioned by John Puttock some years back to celebrate our 25^th anniversary.

In previous years we usually started having our mid-week lunch meetings and our section Wednesday ride-outs in April but we thought that we would try starting them from March this year to see if there is enough support when hopefully the weather will have improved somewhat. Our first mid-week lunch meet is scheduled for Wednesday 5^th March at Stapleford airfield club house cafe and the first run is scheduled for Wednesday 19^th March with a destination to yet be announced but probably starting from our usual location of Crown Corner.

February 2025

At our club night on 12^th December we were pleased to see visitors Richard Stanley and his partner who came all the way from Radlett, braving the horrors of a big holdup on the M25. Richard is resurrecting an AMC single that he has owned for 60 years and there was much discussion about the primary chaincase inner that he had brought to ask about, although I am not sure that he was any the wiser about it by the end of the evening except that it was definitely for a single rather than a twin. There was also a lot of discussion amongst those present about the differences between the various single cylinder oil pump plungers produced by AMC over the years.

Our last section run of 2024 was held on Monday 30^th December and we couldn’t have wished for better weather on the day as it was dry, sunny and not too cold. Roy, Ian Savage, Steve Carvosso and his brother Geoff, Reg (Harlow) Green and myself met at Crown Corner for our ride to Rosey Lea’s cafe at The Squadron on North Weald Airfield and Pat Gill rode from home to meet us there on his replica WW1 machine gun carriage sidecar outfit. We were also joined by his wife Mary who arrived in her car and Lin Brown who also drove there, collecting my wife Pam on the way. So 10 of us sat down to a pleasant lunch and chat. A most enjoyable end to the section’s 2024 activities.

Our first club night of 2025 at The Woodman was on 9^th January when12 of us got together. Roy produced the calendar for the known section events during 2025 and whereas in past years we have started the mid week runs and meets in April we would, weather permitting, this year start them in March as nearly four months was a long time between the last one of 2024 and the first of 2025 otherwise.

January 2025

The section run on Wednesday 20^th November was not very well supported with only Roy, Geoff Gibbins and myself on the ride to the tea hut at High Beach. As the weather was very cold and the back roads still frosty and bearing in mind the previous day’s heavy rain it was decided to stay on the main roads rather our usual back roads routes. There was still plenty of standing water on the main roads though but fortunately any ice had mostly melted due to gritting by the time we passed. Admittedly it was a cold ride but even so it was good to get out on a bike for a run

On Saturday 23^rd November Roy, Lin Brown and Dave Walling and his wife Lin went down to the Sammy Miller museum, staying nearby for the drawing of the club raffle on the following day which was being held at the museum rather than as originally intended at the NEC show. Sammy Miller and his people at the museum looked after them well and had also managed to sell a considerable amount of raffle tickets for the club since the time it was decided to have the drawing event there. Sammy and his wife drew the winning tickets and he also gave them a tour of his workshops as well as firing up the AJS Porcupine racer.

On Saturday 7^th December twenty five of us sat down to our end of season dinner at The Plough, Bulphan where despite the very wet and windy weather caused by storm Darragh everyone managed to get there this year and we enjoyed a very pleasant meal and the opportunity to catch up with those who we may not have seen for some time. After the meal and raffle the presentation of the Clubman of the Year award was made and this year it was presented to Mary Gill for all the work that she puts in on our behalf looking after us at Jampot rallies. The Piston Broke award was awarded in his absence to Steve Carvosso for his various problems with his bikes during the year and would be presented to him at the following club night.

December 2024

Not a great deal to report this month. Graham Eaton had checked out The Hare public house at Roxwell to see if it might be suitable as an alternative venue for our club nights and the section run on 16^th October was intended to be a sighting run to see the location for those who do not know the area. Unfortunately the sighting section run had only Lin Brown and myself taking part on the day as others all seemed to have other commitments. So in the end Lin and I did not bother with The Hare but carried on the Hive café at Moulsham Museum in Chelmsford. However we still went ahead with the mid-week lunch meet at The Hare on Wednesday 6^th November and seven of us turned up for the meeting there. Although the meals were fine it was thought that the layout of the place would not really make it very suitable for our club nights. At the club night on the 24^th October we were pleased to see this time both of the Reg Greens, Will Powell and Ian Savage as well as the usual club night regulars. However with more than usual attending and with various topics being discussed around the room at the same time the sound level was quite high which although acceptable within our own area would be unlikely to be appreciated by either the landlord or their other diners in an open area such as at The Hare.

Our end of season dinner at The Plough, Bulphan is on Saturday 7^th December and those attending should arrive at 6pm for 6.30pm meal.

As these notes will be my last ones before the end of the year I would like to take the opportunity to wish all our section members a very happy Christmas and best wishes for the coming year with plenty of ideal weather for riding our bikes.

November 2024

The section run on Wednesday 18^th September saw 10 of us leaving Crown Corner for an amble, led by Dave Walling, around the borders of Essex and what is now part of Greater London around Orsett and West Horndon, then on to East Tilbury and Linford to end at the Bombers café at East Horndon. Six of us stopped at the café for refreshments while Keith and Dave decided to carry on elsewhere for their lunch. Unfortunately Steve’s brother Geoff had problems with his ex WD Velocette MAF and Steve went back to find him. But while Geoff managed to get going again and set off for home, Steve, when getting back to where Geoff broke down and finding him gone then had a rear tyre puncture and had to make his way back home on the flat tyre, so neither of them made it to the café. Roy, Geoff Gibbins and myself later dropped in at Steve’s place on the way back to see how he was getting on with his tyre. Fortunately the weather kept fine for our run this time.

By the time these notes are being read we hopefully will have had a run on the 16^th October to have a look at a possible alternative meeting place for our club night meetings. Graham Eaton had previously visited the place and pronounced it as suitable if the majority are happy with it.

There will be the usual run to the North Weald Remembrance Day Service at the memorial on 10^th November and as before we will meet at Stapleford Airfield cafe for breakfast at 10.30am and going on to North Weald for the service from there.

Dave Walling would like to remind those who are going to the end of season dinner to get their menu choices to him as soon as possible and that he will start collecting the money as from the next club night.

October 2024

Quite a few section members attended the British Owners Club open day which was held at our usual meeting venue of The Woodman on Sunday 18^th August and there was fortunately good weather for the event. We had hoped that we would at last have decent enough evening weather for our club night on the following Thursday so that we could sit outside again for only the second time this summer but it was not to be and with a strong cold wind blowing we had to settle for a full house inside once more. This time we were pleased to see Will Powell and Reg (Ongar) Green as well as all the usual regulars for the evening. During the evening there was a suggestion that we try and see if there were other possible options for our club night venue and this would be discussed further at the subsequent club night when members have had time to think about it.

Eight of us met up for the September mid-week lunchtime meet at North Weald on 4^th September and we were pleased to see Roy back on a bike again, his first ride out since his knee operation. He said that although his knee was still giving him some problems, as far as riding the bike was concerned it was like he had never been off it which was good news. Those intending to ride to the “alternative”rally were discussing their options as the date approaches. Also there was some conversation about next year’s “Jampot” rally at Corbridge in Northumberland and there would be a general discussion about it at the next club night.

Dave Walling has been taking confirmations for the end of year dinner at The Plough, Bulphan on 7^th December. The cost will be £30 per head and he would like to hear as soon as possible from anyone wishing to attend who hasn’t already contacted him. He will be sending out the menus in due course to those who have confirmed for their choice of meal.

September 2024

Those section members who attended the Jampot Rally at Aylesford had fine sunny and dry weather for the event, even if it was a little too hot at times. Steve Carvosso, Lin Brown, Graham Eaton and Dave Walling were riding down together while Roy, Alan Jennings with Dudley Woods, Reg and Janice Green, Pat and Mary Gill and Les Youngman made their own way there as did Pam and myself. We were also joined at the site by our associate members Dave Ayres from Oxford and Tony Henderson from Maidstone. Unfortunately Dave Walling had trouble on the way and had to return home to fix his bike but fortunately was still able to get to the site in time for Mary to heat up some food for him after the rest of those who were eating in the Gill’s gazebo had just finished and were partaking of the wine and port. We were also joined on Saturday by Jan and Kerry Harknett who were going to be judging for the pre-war award on Sunday.

On Saturday’s run Steve was unlucky enough to break down and needed to be recovered by Roy. It was a really strange fault where the tufnol heel of the magneto contact breaker points seemed to have swollen or shrunk, possibly due to the heat, and seized solid onto its spindle. It was really difficult to remove but there was no obvious reason for it seizing. A bit of judicious reaming with a small screwdriver by Roy and some lubrication sorted the problem fortunately as Steve had to leave early on the Sunday to get home for work. Les also had to leave on Sunday but was able to stay for the run first but missed being able to collect the award for his 1926 Matchless L5 on which he had successfully completed the Saturday run.

Pam and I were working in the reception tent as usual (my memory for names doesn’t improve with the years though) and it was a nice surprise to receive an award for our efforts at the Awards presentation. A lot of thanks this year (and last actually) must also go to Christine Morris of the Sussex Section who did most of the preparation work which made things a lot easier.

Dave Walling has now confirmed the date for our end of year dinner at The Plough, Bulphan as Saturday 7^th December. The cost will be £30 per head and he would like to hear from anyone wishing to attend.

August 2024

Not a great deal to report this time as unfortunately the intended mid-week section run to be held on 19^th June had to be cancelled, hopefully the one scheduled for Wednesday 17^th July was able to take place as planned by the time you read this. On our last club night of June on 27^th, for the first time this year it was warm enough to sit outside at The Woodman and hopefully there will be more of our evening meetings this year when it will be like this. We were pleased to see Roy, who has only just had his knee operation, still managed to attend on crutches. He will unfortunately miss the West Kent event while his knee is still recovering but is determined to make it to the Jampot, although in a non riding capacity this time. We were also pleased to hear from Dave Walling that he is now ok following his emergency hospital visit in early June. The July 3^rd mid-week lunch meet at North Weald saw six of us get together for a chat about Burman CP gearboxes and starting magneto equipped 500cc singles amongst other things. Some of this conversation was related to my efforts to finding the sectrets of managing to start reliably the 1948 AJS Model 19S which I have now taken over from Alan Jennings. I do not seem to have yet acquired the necessary “knack” to reliably starting a big magneto fired single with my not so strong right knee, but I am persevering and hopefully not been too optimistic by overestimating my own capabilities in this area as once I can get it started I enjoy riding it.

July 2024

At the 23^rd May club night we heard from those who rode to Luxembourg for the International rally and what a wet time they had. They did have some rain on the outward trip but that was nothing compared with what came later. When they reached the rally site it was to find out it was feared that some flooding was expected and subsequently the organizers and rallygoers could only look on with dismay as the site filled up with water until it was more like the river itself and fish were seen swimming around the area. There was nothing that could be done except to cancel the event. The journey was not entirely wasted for our party though as after discussing whether they might return home earlier, because their accommodation was already booked they would keep to their original schedule and spent the time enjoying the gastronomic delights of the various places that they had arranged to stay at during the journey and arrived back home as planned. Unfortunately during the final stages of the run home they suffered very heavy rain and by the time they arrived back they were extremely wet, cold and tired. Fortunately none of the bikes gave any real problems during the trip and we are glad that they all got back safely.

The rescheduled run on 29^th May saw only three of us, Roy, Keith, and myself take a leisurely run from Crown Corner to the High Beach tea hut via North Weald, Fiddlers Hamlet and Theydon Bois but despite doubtful weather forecasts it remained fine for the time that we were out. Six of us attended the 5^th June mid-week meet at Stapleford airfield where Lin Brown arrived to say that Dave W had been taken to hospital the previous day after collapsing at home. However after initial examination kidney stones were suspected to be the cause and this was later confirmed to be the case so hopefully that problem will soon be sorted out for him.

June 2024

The first section run of the year on 17^th April saw seven of us, Geoff G, Roy B, Steve C, Steve’s brother Geoff, Lin B, Bob D and myself leave Crown Corner on a run to the café at Debden Barns Antiques centre near Newport led by Geoff Gibbins, who took us out via Bishop’s Stortford and returning via Thaxted and Dunmow. The outward trip unfortunately met with two long road works queues that had to be threaded through but the return run had no such problems and although some rain had been forecast we were lucky enough to miss any along the way. This was the furthest run so far for Bob’s AJS Model 8 since he put it back on the road but it went well and gave no trouble at all. In fact there were no problems for anyone and Roy’s bike started ok each time so hopefully is now alright for the “International”.

Nine of us attended the second mid-week lunch meet at Rosey Lea’s on North Weald airfield on 1^st May and fortunately the weather was warm and dry enough for us to sit outside this time. The route of the run on 4^th May to the Kettering Open Day was discussed by those intending to go, with the most important subject of where to stop for breakfast taking precedence. Also discussed were the final arrangements by those intending to ride to the “International” with Roy reporting that his bike is now an excellent starter following the fitting of a new carburetter.

May 2024

At the first of our 2024 mid-week lunch meets, which was at Stapleford airfield club house cafe on 3rd April, we had a look at the very nice AJS model 8 of new section member Bob Davis. Bob is returning to the AJS & Matchless club fold after a period away and has owned the model 8 for a long time but only fairly recently put it back into service.

Roy turned up on the twin that he is intending to ride to the “International” and it was it's first run out since he rebuilt its crankshaft. He reported that although it runs ok it is sometimes proving dificult to start and hasn't yet worked out why. We heard him leave from the cafe but didn't see how many kicks it took to start that time though.

On the way back from that meeting I noticed that 40mph repeater signs were being installed between Passingford Bridge and Stanford Rivers so it looks like a new speed restriction is going in. There is no obvious reason for doing this as the last real infrastructure change in that area was when the M25 was built so for those who have used that road for many years (60 in my case) it will mean a concentrated effort to notice and remember the point where the limit changes when going to and from club events once it goes live.

April 2024

At the 22^nd February club night our section mid-week meets and runs which start in April were discussed and it was decided that the mid-week lunch meets would alternate between Stapleford and North Weald airfields with those at North Weald ones starting half an hour earlier so that we might get there before the café’s usual lunch time busy period. As for the runs, it was suggested that those regulars taking part should take it in turn to decide a destination and route in order to share the organising load. The first lunch meet (Stapleford) on 3^rd April will have probably taken place by the time this is read so the next one will be at North Weald from 11.00am on Wednesday 1^st May. However, these notes should be in time for our first run which, weather permitting, will be on 17^th April starting from Crown Corner at 10.30am. The destination has yet to be decided.

March 2024

At the club night on 25^th January there was much discussion amongst those riding to the ‘International’ as to the booking of accommodation for the out and back journeys and also about the accommodation at this year’s Jampot rally and Roy was able to confirm the Jampot bookings for those who had already booked their rooms at the priory. During the evening Roy took a phone call from Peter Berry and we were pleased to hear that he now has had the metal cage removed from his damaged leg and so far the ulceration which it caused for so long seems to be healing quicker than he expected. On the 8^th February club night we heard that Roy had visited him and said that although he cannot use his leg properly yet he can stand on it for short periods. We all wish him well and hope that this time he really is on the road to recovery after such a long time. On the same club night Lin Brown gave the good news that John Hodges is now feeling a lot better and is looking forward to getting back on his bike again. At this time of the year with so much rain and winds about we look forward to April when we will be starting our midweek lunch meets and section runs again.

February 2024

On 20th December section members said farewell at Corbetts Tey crematorium to Graham Bister, who passed away on December 4th and we extend our condolences to Graham's family at this trying time.

On Wednesday 27th December we held our final section run of 2023 when myself, Roy, Dave Walling and Steve Carvosso rode from Crown Corner to the Rosey Lea's tea rooms at The Squadron, North Weald airfield where we met up with Geoff Gibbins who had driven there for the occasion. After last year's problem with getting a table there we arranged to arrive earlier this time and it worked as for a while we were their only customers. However it soon started filling up and proved we had made the right decision to get there earlier this time and have a table where we could all sit together to chat about bikes for an hour or so.

The following evening we had our last club night of 2023 at The Woodman. As we expected, numbers were down this time but nine of us sat down to have a nice meal in pleasant company. Since then it seems like it has rarely stopped raining for long and the second of my only rides out so far this year was made through flooded roads in places. Even so we have been very lucky in this area so far when I see what some throughout the British Isles have had to endure. Closed and just passable flooded roads might be a nuisance on a journey but a flooded home is something else entirely and my heart goes out to those affected. What a terrible way to start the new year it must be for them.

January 2024

It’s unfortunate to have to start the first notes of the new year with sad news but we have heard from his son Richard that Graham Bister sadly passed away on 4^th December after several weeks in hospital. Graham had been a long time section member and before his health deteriorated he took part in most of the local section runs and events either on his 650 AJS twin or his Velocette Venom, which he actually preferred. We will remember Graham especially for the fact that he never liked to reveal his age, although as he liked talking about his National Service days with the RAF it sort of gave it away. His late wife Joan once said jokingly that, “He thinks he is Peter Pan”. In his healthy days he was usually laughing and also had a repertoire of the most appalling jokes which he loved to repeat at the slightest opportunity especially once he realised he had a reputation to uphold. We extend our condolences to Graham’s family at this sad time.

Section members helped man the club stand on both weekends at the NEC motorcycle show recently, with Dave and Lin Walling holding the fort on the first weekend and Dudley Woods, Alan Jennings, Lin Brown and Roy doing so on the final weekend.

On Saturday December 9^th we had our section End of Season Dinner at the Plough Motel at Bulphan where around 22 of us enjoyed a pleasant meal and company. Dudley Woods was awarded the Clubman of The Year award for providing back-up services for most of the club events during the year and Dave Walling was presented with the Piston Broke award for his problems on the run to the International in Slovenia. There was some feeling that Dave was rather unlucky to get this award mainly because he was at the dinner to receive it as his bike troubles (mainly clutch) might actually have not been as many as those of someone who wasn’t ….Eh Steve!

Colin Atkinson