The BRING IT HOME RALLY 2012 was the first rally Meriden Branch has held in 30 years. It wasn’t a massive affair but it was quality!!  

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED.

The idea for the rally name was that people brought their Triumphs back to where they originated. (I thought it could be called ‘Bring It On Home’ after the Led Zeppelin track, but apparently not!!)

The weather has been diabolical this year and the forecast for the rally weekend wasn’t much better (Friday 29th June till Sunday 1st July).

The rally committee were up bright and early on the Friday morning setting everything up for the first arrivals - taking no notice of the big black clouds looming overhead. There was the odd “shower” but the sun did actually show its rare glow for a while and the rally goers slowly but surely started to arrive.

‘Eight Ball Joe’ played for us on Friday night and got everyone rocking.

Saturday morning was ‘ride out’ time – Well done Ian for a great Ride Out through some beautiful countryside, passing the Meriden Factory memorial and then stopping off at the Triumph factories in Hinckley, finally having a lovely lunch by the canal (and great cappuccino!) then heading back to the rally. When we returned more tents had appeared (better late than never).

On arrival people had a welcome pack which among other things contained a voting slip which was filled in and returned to the control tent for the prize giving during Saturday night’s entertainment. The evening was bustling to the band ‘Mistreated’ who played us some rock and blues. Thank you Tony for the marvellous job you did as our resident DJ all weekend. Between performances the prize giving took place and the raffle. Thank you Greg for fantastic engraving of the padlocks and key-fobs that were given as prizes.

THE WINNERS:

Best Meriden: Alan Jelley’s Bonneville 750

Best Hinckley: Gary Richardson’s Thunderbird Sport

Best Custom: Brian King’s Boom Trike

Oldest Combined Age –Bike & Rider: Gerry Michael = 130 years!!!

Longest Distance Travelled: Peter Nicholson on his Speed Triple from Lanarkshire 284 miles.

Unfortunately, due to over excitement and under organisation we forgot to take photos of the winners (sorry).

Meriden Branch TOMCC would like to thank Triumph Birmingham, Stratford Triumph, Busters of Coventry and everyone else - members and friends who kindly donated raffle prizes.

Also thank you to one of our members who donated a lovely Triumph Jacket for the secret bid, Jackie (Kazzie’s Mum) for the lovely cupcakes which soon SOLD OUT and Coventry M.A.G. (Baz and friends for their support).

I would personally like to thank the rally committee and members who helped for all your control tent duties, hard work, planning and organisation.

All proceeds of the raffle and funds raised by the rally will be sent to Clic Sargent and Acorns Children’s Hospice.  The total so far is over £700 and counting!!

Last but not least, we say a big thank you to Phil and the staff at Barker’s Butts Rugby Football Club for being great hosts.

Maybe see you next year??...........

TTFN, Ride Safe

Kazzie

Page edited 31 July 2012