There were in excess of 24 bikes on our latest Sunday Jaunt (+ 1 straggler on a recently purchased Tiger 900). Great day out and great numbers. And thanks to Dave (Spanners) Harding for getting us through the winter!
As we have high hopes for good attendance for the summer rides also and there are many new members this year, its probably a good time to acquaint and re acquaint riders with the staggered / formation and ” importantly” DROP OFF system we operate whilst riding in groups.
So for everyone’s benefit and safety please read this page, or read it again and watch the short video in preparation so that we can all co-ordinate as a group, making the experience even more rewarding.
Planning for success and the rain to stop! (please check here for updates) A nice gentle start to the year and a chance to bring out some of the old faithful bikes from winter hibernation!
70miles round trip and 2h 24m riding.
We will be meeting 9.30am for a 10.00am start at the Dobbies Garden Centre Car Park, Street House Farm, Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 9BT
We will be taking a leisurely route via Kirkley, Mitford, and Scots Gap to Rothbury where we will stop for a cuppa and a bacon roll. Also take a chance to hand out some Dapper Weekender Flyers! Arrive 11am depart 11.45am
Leaving Rothbury we will go via Otterburn to The Holly Bush Inn at Greenhaugh for a swift half! The Inn is owned by John Thompson who is a TOMCC member and great supporter of the Dapper Weekender, he has offered a two night stay at the Inn which we plan to auction to raise money for the charities. Huge thanks to John!!! :o)) Arr 12.30pm depart 1.15pm
From The Holly bush we will take the fabulous roads south finishing at Chollerford for the final coffee and cake of the day!
Arr 2pm depart at your leisure.
NOTE: If you have ordered Dapper Tees or Hoodies and planning to come along on Sunday then drop me a note and I will bring along for you. I will have card payment app with me.
WEATHER. Will be keeping an eye on this so please check the web site for any updates prior to Sunday
We had a great turnout last month and thanks again to Dave for organising. This is just a quick reminder for this months ride. Planned to start at Heddon Service at 11.00 – Route to take in Cholerton, Rothbury, Rochester, Headwater, Bellingham & Chollerford with a ride time of about 3 hours 15 minutes.
A ride up round the borders, leaving Heddon at 11.00, coffee and fuel at Jedburgh , 120 miles, 2h 49m, not set in stone may change depending on weather conditions
Benwell Hill Cricket Club, West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne
In attendance:
Chairman: Mark Lamb
Memberships Secretary: Dave Tate
Events / Ride Coordinator: Ged Tellwright
Acting Treasurer: Graeme Haswell
Brass Monkey lead: Clive Bell
Retired and Workshy founder Mark Loftus
Ride leaders/ tailers Dave Harding, Bernie McLaughlin, Graeme Henderson
Tracy Tordai, George Carnegie, Rob Ayre, Stu McCarthy +1, Steve Ibbetson, Cat Tellwright, David Webb, Linda Webb, Andrew Richards, Colin Banks (94 mile round trip!), Billy Hunter, Brian Thompson, Mal Guest, Vic Stevenson, Jim West
26 in total
Intro and Welcome: Mark Lamb thanked everyone for attending on a grim January evening. All seemed quite impressed with the new venue.
Review of 2023 – Mark presented a month by month summary of some of the highlights of the previous year taken mainly from the Whatsapp group posts. Hopefully this can be transferred to the website www.tomcc-ne.uk for reference.
Despite the dubious weather for most of the year a very large amount of activity had taken place helped enormously by involvement from an increasing number of members. Special thanks to Ged for organising several activities including the Café Amblers, Dapper Social, Curry night and Old Peculier weekend. Mark Loftus for founding the Thursday riders aka Retired and Workshy who have enjoyed many visits to fine scenery and Castles
Then followed committee member statements from:
Memberships Secretary Dave Tate summarised the coming and goings in the last year with a net rise of 20 members to current 181 including associates. Those not renewing tending to have sold their Triumphs or moved away. – full account is contained within the presentation.
Treasurers report delivered by Graeme Haswell who although not the current official Treasurer has been carrying out the role for around 6 years. £3008.26 in the account. Major expenditure of a branded gazebo and contributions to Dapper Social and summer camp for Lou Ross band at both events. Stock of some items of branch merchandise is running low. Dave Tate reported that there have not been many requests for embroidered clothing from Elite Embroidery. The quality of this clothing is very good and reasonably priced.
Elections to positions:
Position
Proposed
Second
Status
Chairman
Mark Lamb
G Haswell, D Tate
Position filled
Membership Sec
Dave Tate
D Harding, G Henderson, G Haswell
Position filled
Treasurer
Graeme Haswell
M Lamb, Jim West, D Tate
Position filled
General Secretary
None
None
Position vacant – email to be sent to all members
Lead Ride / Events Coordinator
Ged Tellwright
G Henderson, Vic Stevenson
Position filled
Webmaster
Iain Inglis
M Lamb, G Tellwright, G Haswell
Position filled
Brass Monkey Lead and branch advisor
Clive Bell
M Lamb, M Loftus, D Harding
Position filled
Retired and Workshy lead
Mark Loftus
D Harding, G Henderson, M Lamb
Position filled
Ride / Event support
Graeme Henderson, Bernie McLoughlin, Dave Harding, Neil Elders (TBC), Geoff Mayne also volunteered at the meeting
C Bell, D tate, M Lamb
Positions filled (always room for more)
Merchandise
Discussion supported this as a position if anyone interested
Suggested that Iain Inglis maybe interested
Position vacant – email to be sent to all members if Iain not interested. D Tate still ok to oversee clothing from Elite Embroidery
Occasional organisers
Eg Christmas – Babs?
TBC – email Babs
Ladies – lead contact
Raised as a discussion point –
Email
The most pressing issues are to have a General Secretary in post who can scan various posts and articles and do monthly write ups of activity and take and publish notes from meetings. Will need to work closely with webmaster and others listed above. Also finalising authorisations for the bank account as there still remain issues.
2024
Ged Tellwright took us through the items on the calendar for 2024 ( posted on website) advise members to print off and stick it up somewhere prominent at home.
Of note – Beer and Curry night Feb 23rd anyone wanting to go must contact Ged asap in order to get table bookings sorted. Similarly for the Old Peculier weekend at Masham in July.
Heads up for volunteers and support from the branch for the Dapper Social / DGR in May for selling raffle tickets, admission, staffing our stall and car parking Master Debonair confirmed support. Ged meeting Triumph next few days to start firming up details. Mark Lamb mentioned that branch gazebo would be going to Owners Club 75th at Shelsley Walsh the same weekend.
The proposed trip to Ireland in June needs details sorting asap. 7th June proposed set off date. Dave and Neil to gather further information and distribute it. Stu McCarthy / partner mentioned that Killarney is particularly expensive
AOB – None
Closing comments:
Thanks to all members who have helped out in 2023. We couldn’t deliver a programme of activities to suit wide ranging taste without your support. It is a team effort. Here’s looking to 2024 for more adventure and good times
Start Heddon Services 11.00am. Coffee Lanercost Priory – Ride expected to last 3 and 1/2 hours with fuel stop at Newcastleton. Finish at Chollerford. Let’s hope weather is kind to us.
