7 minute read
Chairman’s Report
Hope you’re enjoying the great motoring weather. Unfortunately it’s not good for the farmers and people like us who are on tank water. Regarding the damage to our Clubrooms, the builders are expected to start on the 16 th March with the work taking between three and five weeks. We will keep you updated. Veteran section is still going well, so if you have a veteran or would like to know more about them do go along and join John and the others. The Motorcycle meeting was again very well attended with 60 plus members and visitors. The guest speaker was Steve Raffills, who came with his family. They brought along a replica of a 1917 V Twin 8 valve Harley Davidson Board Racer, which is the 4 th one Steve has built and they sell for $130000.00. Murray Firth's Vintage section was a little down on numbers due to members being away, but they still had a interesting meeting. If you have a vintage or want to know more about them, do go and join them. Commercial section, although small, still have interesting meetings. Again, if you have a commercial or would like to learn more about them, go along and join John and his buddies. Mid Week Tourers are still finding great places to go and visit. Club Night we put on a BBQ before guest speaker Paul Stewart, who worked in the Motorcycle Industry, take the stage. Paul told us about the motorcycle shops he had worked for from Piopio to Auckland from the 1960's up to 5 years ago. Sunday 1 st March was the Brit and Euro Classic Car Show held at Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga. I manned our Branch stand from 9:30 am till closing at 4:00pm. This was the 5th show and every year it gets bigger. This year saw 1100 entries. We had around 20 motorcycles on display, ranging from vintage BSA, Norton, and Velocette, 1963 Vespa, 50's and 60's Triumph's, ‘60 to 70's BSA, Nortons, Ducati's and a breathtaking 1000 cc Vincent Norton. The crowds were massive and it’s thought this event is one of the biggest in Australasia. Coming up in March, Sunday 15 - Bert Cuthbertson Motorcycle Rally Sunday 22 - Karaka Vintage Day Sunday 29 - Branch Gymkhana Event
Hope to see you out and about on runs and rallies and at the clubroom events.
Keep those 2, 3 and 4 wheels turning safely.
Martin Spicer
Oh my goodness, still no rain. Our poor farm looks like a desert, not a sign of green anywhere. But that aside, it has been perfect weather for driving and riding the hi-ways and bi-ways of New Zealand. February started with the Veteran Rally which John Stokes had plotted in and around the lovely Waiuku and Awhitu areas. It was pleasing to see a large number of lovely old girls parked up on display before heading off. A number of members of the public popped along for a look and I noticed a post and a few photos of some of the cars on facebook that evening. It ended with a convivial luncheon at the Waiuku Cossie Club. The Motorcycle section had another great turn out for their meeting, some 60 plus members, coming along to listen to Steve Raffills and to see his Harley Davidson Board Racer. The Mid Week Tourers continue to have good attendance at their monthly runs. A smaller number were in attendance for the Vintage Section meeting, but the Art Deco Rally may well have impacted on those numbers. If you are interested in this era, please do come along to their monthly Saturday meetings. A lot of interesting things are discussed. February’s Club Night saw a smaller turnout of numbers, despite us putting on a sausage sizzle, complete with onions and coleslaw, plus an ice-cream for dessert. Was this because the speaker was speaking on the Motorcycle Industry? It was an interesting talk, especially as the speaker, Paul Stewart, had started his career in Piopio and gradually worked his way up in the industry. Sunday 1 March was the club run, or should I say, club non run? Only 4 turned out, so I cancelled this. Those who attended will be awarded 3 points each for coming out and of course these points will go towards the Points Trophy which is awarded at the AGM. Martin went to the Brit and Euro day, representing the Branch, being held at Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga. Apparently, a great day out for lovers of all vehicles both British and European. As Club Captain, I am now going to get on my “soap box” and ask you, my fellow Branch members, a few questions and give you some food for thought. You pay your annual subs, presumably to take part and enjoy the events created by the Branch. So why, in a membership of 650 members, do we get 30 out for Club Night and only 4 turn out for a Club Run? What do you want? This is your Branch and it does take time to arrange things. Our Entertainment Officer tries and finds interesting people to entertain you at Club Night. Yes, the subject may not be of particular interest (I get totally lost with all the jargon used when people talk about rebuilding engines etc.), but I always get something from that speaker. An interesting point was made by Paul Stewart last month about him being asked by his family to put his life story down in writing, otherwise all the interesting people met along the way, the interesting things done, the funny stories, would be lost to future generations. And, I believe this can be said of all the speakers who visit our Branch. Everyone has a story to tell and share. So please, do think about how much effort it takes to get someone along, to give their time free of charge, to entertain you and thus support your Branch. If you don’t like the speakers we get then please feel free to give a member of the Committee a call, or send an email to myself and Martin, with
Ideas of people you would like to come along and listen to. Branch events take quite a bit of time to plan and the Club Run for February/ March was no exception. As well as plotting the route and checking it a couple of times, there was the planning of getting the Museum opening for us over a weekend, which they only do by appointment. So it was rather embarrassing to have to give them a call on the Sunday morning and call the whole thing off. This is your Branch, so please, TAKE PART in what is on offer. It is a once a month commitment for a Club Run and a once a month commitment for Club Night. Not a lot really is it? On another note, have any of you who have had years of enjoyment taking part in the Mid Week Tourers events, actually given some thought to taking over the organising of the “Southern Route” so Norm & Pat Dewhurst can retire? Yes, places of interest are usually found to visit and I am sure Norm & Pat would help with some useful suggestions initially to get you on the road so to speak. Please give this some serious consideration. Two or even three couples could share the task, therefore it is not so onerous. If no-one takes the baton up, then this wonderfully supported mid week monthly event will no longer go ahead. Lastly, has anyone given Val a call to see what is involved in becoming our new Bulletin Editor? It doesn’t take too much time and Val will be there to guide you through for a couple of months. Again, please give this position serious consideration. Val has been our Editor for 17 years and would like to hand the job over for someone else to do. Some dates to keep in mind for this month: Sunday 15 March –Bert Cuthbertson Motorcycle Rally Saturday 21 March –Motorcycle Section Meeting Sunday 22 March –Karaka Vintage Day (always a good day out and we are looking for members to put their vehicles on display. Martin will have a Branch stand there). Sunday 29 March –Branch Gymkhana –Lots of fun to be had by everyone, two, three and four wheelers.
See you out and about
Lynda Spicer
