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Branch Report for September 2012

Diary Dates:

21st October   Autumn Steam Party, Draycott-in-the-Clays

12th November   Guest speaker John Young talk on his works race tripple

TRIUMPH LIVE - was Fantastic!!!

9th September - Borders Classic Bike show and Severn Valley Railway Run

A warm sunny late summer’s day greeted us as we set off from the Dog Pub for this run.

12 bikes and 6 passengers (5 females and young Elliott) ably led by Gordon, who took us around some beautiful Worcestershire & Shropshire B Roads and lanes on this run, one of the more popular on our events calendar.

The show itself always has some beautifully restored bikes on display at the School, with this year’s guest Peter Collins (Cradley Heath & England in the 80’s if my memory is correct) with some of his speedway bikes on display.

After a visit to the school canteen for tea/coffee/breakfast and a look round the auto jumble outside, it was off to Severn Valley Railway at Highley, again led by Gordon. A lovely spot on the banks of the Severn, we had about 2 hours there, looking around the station, watching the steam trains and more tea/coffee at the visitors centre. Myself & Elliott had coffee and soft drinks at the pub on the riverbank (very peaceful)

A great day out, helped by Gordon’s knowledge of the local bottlenecks, road works and countryside lanes. Nice one Gordon!

By Keith Snell

16th September - Classic Vehicle Show at Toddington.

On 16th September six riders and two passengers, Carol and Lynne, met bright and early (I only just made it!) to go to the Classic Vehicle Day being held by the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway at Toddington. There we met up with three other Meriden members and put our bikes on display with the other classic vehicles.

After a look round at the display and a visit to the café we were given complimentary tickets for a ride on a diesel train. Later in the day we rode down to Winchcombe Station, on the same line, and enjoyed a ride on a steam train to Cheltenham Racecourse Station and back, all part of the complimentary package. Lynne provided the refreshments on this trip, cheers Lynne. Another dry and sunny Sunday, two on the trot for our runs, so lucky.

By Keith Snell

28th-30th September - Bristol Concorde Rally, Chippenham

Our trip to the Concorde Rally went really well. We were just pipped to the post for best branch turnout by B & W due to a couple of our regular attendees being unable to make it. Well done them, again! Good to see Keith, Brian, Baden and the crew from Nuneaton which unexpectedly made our numbers up. They are certainly a jolly bunch and got a few laughs with their antics on Saturday evening. They also recruited a new Meriden member. Most of our lot went on the ride to Stonehenge and to watch the White Helmets and the Black Knights Parachute Display Team at a free Forces Day at Larkhill Barracks, while Shirley and I did a 150 mile round trip to a couple of the Landmark Challenge locations and took in some of the Mendips scenery.

Julie Taylor won the Furthest Travelled Female Rider award while one of our friends, Tony from Glasgow, won Furthest Travelled Male.

Altogether it was a good weekend with good weather. Well done Bristol.

By Ian Ellis

Finally, a warm welcome to our new members:

Dave Payne, Andy Baines, Ronan Holland, Brent Hepplewhite, Ashlea Sale & Ian Marsay

TTFN, Ride Safe

Kazzie

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