Fishtail 453 – June 2018
It’s been a busy time at Thames Valley Centre since the last Fishtail report. Events started off with four Centre members having an enjoyable, but cool, day at Brooklands with Dennis Edginton, our Chairman, featured astride his MSS on the first picture in Fishtail 452. The poor weather continued which resulted in our run to Stoke Bruerne being cancelled on 2nd May. A complete change in the weather saw seven Centre members participating in the Fleet Lions Run on May 7th when shade and ice creams was the order of the day. This is a big charity run with well over a hundred bikes of all makes entered.
The Southern Classic Bike Show was on May 19th where our refreshed stand was awarded third prize and we had the pleasure of Jane and Roger Franklin’s company. There was a lot of interest in the sporting bikes on display and many thanks to all who helped make the stand a success.
May 23rd was our annual Cheddar Gorge run with nine members and one guest riding to Cheddar where we met up with riders from Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Bristol and I believe Wye Valley? My magneto was starting to play up so I was a bit late away from the coffee stop and missed the gathering at the foot of the Gorge. I understand about forty Velocettes were there and many then went back to Priddy where we had an enjoyable lunch at the Queen Victorian Inn. This run seems to be getting more popular every year.
Our first run to Crofton Beam Engines followed on May 27th where eight members enjoyed the usual excellent coffee and cakes and a tour of the engines in steam. Always fascinating – at least I think so!
June 13th saw 9 of us visiting Bletchley Park. A very interesting day out; we could have spent a lot more time looking at the exhibits but the entrance tickets last for a year so we may well return.
Our biggest event of the year is our Show Off Your Bike Day which was held on June 16th at the Cherry Tree. About forty five bikes of all makes were on display and the rain held off so we could all enjoy the barbeque laid on by the Cherry Tree. Steve Clark, one of our newer members, was so taken by the Bletchley Park visit that he appeared as Private Pike – stupid boy! Added some fun to the day. The following awards and trophies were presented:
Best Rigid – Velocette Tim Simkins – G3 Colonnial
Best Spring Frame Velocette – Tony Mortimer – Venom Thruxton
Best Pre-1945 Non-Velocette – B Sarney – Rudge Special
Best Post-1945 Non-Velocette – Ivor Reyland – BSA Gold Star
Best Post 1972 Classic/Modern – Chris Winsby – Norton Commando
Arthur Lavington Trophy- Geoff Bowen – Venom Thruxton
Ben Mallinson Cup – Dennis Frost – MKI KTT
Brian Harris Trophy – Steve Boakes – V2 MAC
Cherry Tree Shield – Dennis Frost – MKI KTT
Our regular club nights continue to be well supported with about twenty bikes at the last evening.
Finally, I have updated our email list in line with the requirements of GDPR. If you would like to be included in our list please contact me.