VSOC Centre 10 Newsletter September 2014 YOUR COMMITTEE Newsletter Dave Allen 07966 544203 centre10newsletter@outlook.com C10 Rep John Ireland (Rodders) 07899 936675 ireland877@btinternet.com Deputy Rep (West side) Mark Barrett 07724 863266 metusall@hotmail.com Deputy Rep (East side) Sally Swift - 01379 652622 sallyswift51@gmail.com Treasurer Sally Tackas 07711594745 stackas@hotmail.co.uk Webmaster Neil Moore - 01603 433736 neil@vsoc-eastanglia.org.uk Merchandise Steve Paris - 07780 990139 01493 751505 grumpy666@ymail.com Welcome to the September issue of the newsletter! I am happy to say that I have managed all the rallies, except Tonna and including the International and the Castles of East Anglia ride so It has been a busy summer but very enjoyable. I have included as many photos as space allows, but you can see more on C10 website. We still have the C10 party to look forward to as well as the AGM, so I hope as many people attend as can make it. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Rodders for all his hard work in the last five years as our centre rep. Dave Allen, Newsletter Editor Thanks to Rodders for all his hard work in the last five years as our centre rep. What s going on... C10: Meetings 1st Sunday of every month The Half Moon Inn Rushall Norfolk IP21 4QD The Seven Wives Pub St Ives Cambs PE27 5RF Future Events: Copdock Motorcycle Show Centre 10, with help from C19 host a VSOC stand every year in the "shed" with a display of shiny bikes and forms to hopefully recruit new members...and a free tea/coffee and somewhere to leave your jacket/lid. When: Sunday 5th October 10am to 5pm Where: Trinity Park Suffolk Showground, Ipswich Cost: 8 advance e-ticket via www.copdockmotorcycleshow.co.uk or 10 on the day (children under 14 free) Centre 10 Party & AGM 11 th &12 th October Runcton Holme Social Club School Road Runcton Holme King's Lynn Norfolk PE33 0AQ Tickets 5 per person with free camping.
Thames Valley Vultures and Northern Raiders Rally: A tale of two rallies Down South Arrived at South Mimms services in plenty of time to have a coffee before the others were due, only to find it was just going to be me and Rodders for the ride down to Thatcham, which was ok as it meant we could make good time. On arrival others from C10 were there already and it wasn t long before the rest joined us, I didn t take the trailer as I was going solo which meant that the small tent was packed, after one night I remembered why I got a trailer, I just like my comforts too much. I thought that the venue was very good and on the Friday night we had a rockabilly band (Hot Rod 57) to entertain us and of course some made the effort to dress to impress and so far the weather had been good. So on the Saturday it was up for breakfast, lovely bright morning, and get ready for the ride out to H s Biker Café and bike shop, Rodders was volunteered to help marshal so off he went for his briefing just as the heavens opened and it poured down and I mean poured down, the rest of us said sod this and took cover in Dave and Mary s new tent,( they did take their trailer), a little while later Rodders returned, let s say a bit damp to inform us that the ride out had been cancelled, no kidding. It was a shame as it did brighten up again in the afternoon which gave those who wanted a chance to have a go at the nail in the wood game, I think a record was broken in the afternoon for the longest game ever, there were only 5 players and I m not going to say who they were but none of them were men, say no more. In the evening the bike awards were handed out and again we had a C10 winner, well done Nick for his 535. A band well-known to the VSOC, Camouflage kept everyone entertained with their own brand of music and mayhem, he is just a little bit mental. We finished off the night with a few games of the nail in the wood, Alan and Jeff were managing to get the nail down in 3 hits, very impressed, as with a few drinks and no glasses on, I m lucky if I see the nail let alone hit it. So well done to the Vultures for putting on a great rally! Up North Well off I set this time with the trailer and big tent on the 260 mile ride to north shields for the C4 rally, picking up Dave, Hank, Tim and Rodders along the way, some from C10 were already there and others joined us later. Geoff and Mandy were due to join us on the Saturday but had a bike accident on their Scottish holiday so we all hope they are ok and get better soon. The venue was one of the best rugby clubs I have been too, lots of bar staff, good on site food at a reasonable price and served up in double quick time. The showers were nice and hot. Friday night there was a rock band with a female singer which were ok, sorry but I can t remember the names of the bands I saw. Saturday started with a very large breakfast roll, very nice and then off on the ride out, about 30 bikes made the 50 mile trip up the Northumberland coast to Bamburgh castle. A well marshalled ride at a good pace and then a lovely homemade pie for lunch with Hank, overlooking the castle. One thing you don t see at a VSOC rally is a fight but on this occasion I did, no not 2 angry bikers but some rugby players playing in a friendly match, it all seemed to end well with them shaking hands. In the evening a small presentation was made by Rodders to those who had completed 20 or 15 years in the club, and yes I was one of them (15). The band in the evening again was good, and for me the rally was coming to an end, for others another night of merriment lay ahead. So well done Northern Raiders for another great rally! Andy Smith Page 2
VSOC Centre 10 The sun came out and the rally spirit returned! Solent Rally After riding (or sitting in the M25 car park to be more accurate) and getting soaked in torrential rain and lightning storms we finally reached the rally site in Hampshire. Then the sun came out and the rally spirit returned as we set up tents in the lovely grounds of what was an old manor house. There was no ride out on the Saturday so some went off to enjoy the various places of interest whilst others sat in the shade of a tree or, like Hank, enjoyed a doze in the sunshine. The younger (?) and more energetic members, like Roger, took part in the horizontal bungee jumping competition. Satnav decided to entertain us all by getting inside his trailer to show us how he had to sleep in it one night when Louise had locked him out of the house. She swears it was by accident but she got her painful comeuppance when she and Mark decided to give Satnav a ride around the tents still locked inside the trailer and she tripped over and broke 2 bones in her wrist! Once again a member from C10 won best bike category and this time it was Andre Marsh for best Royal Star. It was an excellent rally and it was a nice change not to be camping on a rugby pitch although it was a bit of a trek through the woods to the ladies showers, on the opposite side of the lake. Mary Allen Congratulations to our 15-year members! Rosie and Andre Marsh Andy Smith Mick Lawrence Page 3
The Castles of East Anglia Rides 2014 VSOC Centre 10 On Friday 9th August 2014 myself and Craig met on the Bedford by pass to ride the 90 odd miles to Saxmundham, in Suffolk, to meet up with some more members of Centre 10 for Mark s Castle ride. We arrived about 4pm, put up tents, Craig brewed up a coffee and we were ready for a pub crawl around the town. This proved easier than expected as there were only three pubs, of these one was a hotel and one a Chinese restaurant/pub. Oh well the Chinese meal at the end of the evening was very nice. After this we all staggered back to the campsite, meeting a very confused and lost Geoffrey on the way back. He had left some time earlier but couldn t find the campsite. At some time during the night there was some very heavy rain but the next morning was bright and sunny and we all got prepared for the Castle run. We left Saxmundham about 11 for the short ride to Framlingham Castle, meeting up with more Centre 10 members, then it was off to Thetford for some lunch and a wander round town before a ride to Castle Acre where some indulged in tea and cakes and some settled for an ice cream and a seat in the sunshine. Then it was onward to the last castle of the trip, Castle Rising. Time for a few more photos then it was time for goodbyes, except for a privileged few who were invited back to Ireland Towers for tea and biscuits at Rodder s house. (it turned out to be just tea but it was very welcome anyway). Many thanks to Mark and Tracey for organising it all and I look forward to next year s trip. Dave Allen Street Forge Workshop BBQ Myself and Geoffrey represented Centre 10 today, arriving on our bikes and wearing club t-shirts/badges at the Street Forge Workshop BBQ and had a chat with a number of trainees, staff & trustees. We also wished Jenny (SFW manager) an enjoyable retirement. We were also thanked for attending and they hope more members will find the opportunity to visit SFW and see their new horticultural shed that our charity funds helped to purchase. See photo of everyone saying hello to us. Martin Yates Page 4
And the last word... Rodders bids a fond farewell as Centre 10 rep! Hi All, Well you'll be glad to know this is the last time you'll have to read my rubbish, another couple of weeks and I'll be a faint memory. Well we've had a good year, five good rallies, some good parties, a good bonding weekend and just about every meeting well attended. This is all down to you the centre members, without you the centre would be nothing so I thank all of you for your support during the last five years. I'll get it washed and returned as soon as possible ha ha! Please give the same support to our new centre rep, I know I will give it to him, for those who do not know Chris Dear (Big Chris) has forwarded his name for rep and if no one else does he will take over at our AGM on 11th October at the Charity Party, talking of which this year is at: Runcton Holme Social and Sports Club, School Road, Runcton Holme. Kings Lynn, PE33 0AQ Bar from mid day, AGM 1300 and disco/karaoke from 7pm. Free camping Friday and Saturday nights (please note no entertainment Friday night, bar is open). All this for 5. Please support our party and bring a raffle prize along, even if you can't make it you could still buy a ticket and/or donate a prize. Good to hear Roger Moore has finally got his bike back from repair, since before Easter, so keep it right way up mate, get Jenna to give you some lessons lol! Mary is off the red wine, we're all sad about that! Except Dave that is, as he got someone to drive him home from the pub now. Well that's enough of my rantings, hopefully see you at the charity party if not then keep safe. Rodders C10 Rep To subscribe to the VSOC Centre 10 Newsletter or to submit a story please email centre10newsletter@outlook.com and we will most likely include it! Designed and created by CommUnique Page 5