2022

Black & White Camping Weekend - 16th to 19th June 2022

The first Black & White camping Weekend was held in 2009 and has been held every year with the exception of 2020 (for obvious reasons). Initially it was held from Friday to Sunday but after Susan and I took it over we added an extra day making it a 3-day event from Thursday to Sunday. We usually get around 35 camping with some 12 or so arriving on the Thursday. This year we had 37 booked mainly in tents of which all but one arriving on the Thursday, this tells you something about general age of the Club Membership. Attendees were not just from the Western Section but also South East, Southern, East Anglia and Oxford.

The fish & chip run on the Thursday was well supported with 28 taking the opportunity to partake. These are obtained from a local chippy in Kington that we have used in the past. Rather than ring the order through Susan and I took it over so there could be no misunderstandings. Within half an hour they were ready and they even helped carry them to the car. On return to the campsite the order was spot on and everyone said how well prepared the food was.

Usually, we have the event BBQ on the Saturday but with heavy rain forecast it was decided to switch to the Friday. The burgers and bangers were ordered from the onsite farm shop as they are excellent quality. Along with my apprentice Denis (who I have to keep an eye on) we set about cooking and before long queues were forming. Needless to say it all disappeared in short order. You never go hungry at a Western Section Camping Weekend.

After a while it was time for Bingo. Two games each with winners and prizes for a line and full house. A box of chocolates for the line and a bottle of wine for the full house. In the first game against all the odds we had a tie for the line with a box of chocolates going to Tim Jones & Ian Sanderson this was followed by Dave Holland winning the bottle of wine. In the second game Ian Cambourne won the chocolates and Paul Rodriguez the wine.

As predicted Saturday was definitely wet, which meant that the boules match had to be cancelled. Eventually it did dry up later on with Sunday dawning warm & sunny as a result everyone was able to pack up in the dry.

Many thanks to all attendees with special thanks to all who assisted over the weekend.

THE PICTURES BELOW ARE ON A CAROOUSEL AND WILL SWITCH AUTOMATICALLY

Leaf & Ground Meet - 21st June

The weather was absolutely glorious for The Leaf and Ground meeting near Dursley organised by Ali and Chris. Being a bit too warm outside, a huge table was set up for us inside to accommodate the 14 members who turned out, including 2 newbies, Gareth and Trevor. The leaf and Ground is a Café attached to a deli serving delicious homemade food, there is even a garden centre to look around. Some ordered from the menu and others ordered their food from the deli counter which was then brought to our table. A lovely venue, and one which we should re-visit.

Silver Fox Meet - 14th July 2022

Another great turnout of 19 members attended the Silver Fox meeting on 14th July, great to see a couple of newbies as well as a first time visit from my Grandson Lenno all the way from Spain. We had a free draw as usual, a £10 voucher for The Silver Fox was won by a delighted Ian who is probably already planning how to spend it at the next meeting. Lenno was so interested at seeing all the bikes that as soon as we got home I took him out on mine, luckily my kit fit him even though the legs and arms were a bit long. A future motorcyclist in the making, he loved it and can't wait to go out again

THE PICTURES BELOW ARE ON A CAROOUSEL AND WILL SWITCH AUTOMATICALLY

Kings House Lunch Meet - 3rd August 2022

The majority of the section events are held in the south of the section which means those members in the North have some distance to travel with very little option but motorway. During the Black & White Camping Weekend we had a chat with the owner, Jayne, of the Kings House Café in Pembridge about holding a section meet and a date of 3rd August was agreed. 12 were booked in some travelling some distance, in the end 11 section members arrived. Jayne had set aside a room especially for us and we all enjoyed the available food along with the usual banter. As is current practice a draw was held for a £10 M&S voucher which was won by Karen. We hope to run a couple of meets during 2023 so watch the calendar of events when it is released.

11th August 2022 - Silver Fox Meet

Despite 30 plus temperatures, we had a fantastic turnout at The Silver Fox in August, thanks everyone for coming. Great to see another new member, Bob Phillips. I think he's as mad as the rest of us, he'll fit right in. Bob Davies won the free draw, winning a £10 voucher for use at the Silver Fox Cafe. We spent most of the meeting inside where it was a bit cooler, but most were keen to get back on the bikes to get moving again. The 2 Bobs went off for a jolly together and recorded 33 degrees on their ride, phew!!

THE PICTURES BELOW ARE ON A CAROOUSEL AND WILL SWITCH AUTOMATICALLY

14th August 2022 - Monthly Meeting at Devauden.

The Western Section have for some time supported the Wales Air Ambulance. Since 2019 we have held four events which included raffles and raised £1100 for the charity. Yesterday, (Sunday) we held our monthly meeting which was attended by around 50 members. During the meeting we had a visit by two volunteers from the Wales Air Ambulance, Catrin and Ann who thanked us for our support followed by a talk on the work of the charity. The Wales Air Ambulance run 4 helicopters with a total annual running cost of £8 million. Each one being equipped with the latest medical equipment and ferry a consultant direct to the scene of the emergency.

THE PICTURES BELOW ARE ON A CAROOUSEL AND WILL SWITCH AUTOMATICALLY

9th to 12th September 2022 - Sorebutts Rally.

Mid September heralded the ‘Sorebutts Rally’ at Berrynarbor near Ilfracombe.

As always, a few of us arrived a day early to get the rally under way, setting up the marquee and directional signs, getting the tea/coffee area sorted, just generally getting ready for the main influx of people due the following day. It just happened to be my 70^th birthday on that day, so we all went to the Pack O’ Cards in Combe-Martin for a meal together. I thought it strange when no-one had a dessert after the meal, but all was revealed when we got back to site to sit chatting in the marquee. Sue and Colin appeared with a 70^th birthday cake and everyone sang happy birthday for the newest member of the 70’s Club. When it was time for bed, we all started going our separate ways but poor Sue Ross tripped over on her way back to the tent and seriously hurt her shoulder. The decision was made to get her straight to A and E in Barnstable which is where we remained until 5.30 the following morning. Sue had badly and very painfully, dislocated her shoulder which was eventually put back into place. Sue and Colin decided it was best to go straight home and reluctantly miss the rally. They were sadly missed throughout the weekend as their help is always invaluable. Colin usually chops all the onions for the BBQ. We’ve got to own up at this point Colin, we bought them ready chopped this year, we missed you mate.

People started to arrive on Thursday morning and we saw a steady trickle of campers turning up all day. The total number, including those who were in local B and B’s was about 65 over the whole weekend. On Thursday evening everyone did their own thing for meals, many going up to The Bent Peg bar on site for a meal. From what they said later, it can be highly recommended. Friday afternoon we held the usual boules competition, this year run by Dave Holland in Sue’s absence. And a marvelous job he did too, the eventual final coming down to a playoff between Richard Norris and Sharon Lewis. Sharon finally got the better of Richard and came out the overall winner. Friday evening saw the usual fish and chip run to The Black and White chippie in Combe-Martin, where we picked up close to 50 portions of food which all arrived back piping hot as always. After the meal, we had a couple of free games of prize bingo. We started with a line, then a full house, then on the second card, straight for a full house. Jenny and I had sorted out 4 prizes in case we had a double call at any time. We couldn’t believe it when 3 people won at the same time, not once but twice! We ended up owing people prizes which we had to buy the following day. We’ve never had that happen before, must buy some new tickets for next year! As the evening drew on, a lot of us retired to the marquee which was a shade warmer than being sat outside. Dave Holland produced an electric heater which helped, but by the end of the evening the blankets came out and people were sat huddled in blankets to keep warm. Jen decided on the warm dog approach and cuddled Helen Beer’s dog pebbles for warmth.

Saturday morning, a few organised themselves into groups and had ride-outs from site, while others got buses or walked into Ilfracombe or Combe-Martin. Jenny and I stayed on site and kept the marquee supplied with cakes to go with the tea and coffee and to meet the Saturday arrivals. That afternoon, Dafydd and Lucy Jones arrived back on site with a 70^th birthday cake for me, what a lovely thought, thank you guys. On Saturday evening people started gathering for the BBQ which is normally cooked by our resident chefs Denis and Colin. As Colin had had to go home early, Cameron and Ian stood in for him and cooked up a storm alongside Denis. All our helpers, you know who you all are, sliced tomatoes, prepared salads, sliced rolls and did all the stuff that makes things go smoothly, thanks to you all for your help.

While we were waiting for the BBQ we had a game of heads or tails for a prize, which involved everyone standing up, when I said heads or tails everyone had to put their hands on their head or their tail. Debbie tossed a coin and the losers all sat down, this went on until only one person remained standing, the eventual winner was Sue Hopkins.

The BBQ, consisting of burgers, buns, sausages, salads, pasta, rice and various other delights was followed by cheesecake for dessert.

After the feast I pulled out a bag containing everyone’s registration numbers to draw one out for a prize. You haven’t got mine shouts Chris Tite, oh yes I have I replied, after which I promptly pulled out Chris’s number, what’s the chances of that?

The grand raffle had loads of prizes, thanks to all those who donated. Thanks also to Sandy Young and Jan Hibbert who did a great job selling raffle tickets, and squeezing those extra pounds out of everyone. As well as donated prizes, we had a first prize of a 3 night stay in a bell tent for next year’s rally kindly donated by the site owners, second and third prizes were £50 cash and £25 cash.

Dafydd Jones enthusiastically won the first prize of the bell tent, now you’ve both got to come back next year.

Thanks were given to all those who helped keep the rally running smoothly, I can’t name everyone, but you know who you are. We worked out that, including the 2 birthday cakes, we consumed 14 cakes over the weekend, thanks again to those who made them.

We hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as Jenny and I did, we’re already in the planning stages for next year’s rally, which we are hoping will be even bigger and better. A few people asked if arriving on Wednesday was an option this year so we’ve decided to extend the rally to the Wednesday as well. Next year’s rally dates are now confirmed as Wednesday 13th to Sunday 17^th September 2023, we do hope you can all join us again. We can guarantee we’ll have a smile and cake for you as always.

Paul & Jenny Rodriguez

10th November 2022 - Silver Fox Meet.

Thanks to everyone who came to the Silver Fox today, 19 turned up. Lovely to meet Bella, the latest member of The Silver Fox team, I've already put her name down as a future BMW Club member. Note for Jean: the big breakfast was no for Denis!!!