Meet at Derwenthaugh park, Damhead car park NE21 6JA from 10am fueled and ready for a 10:30 departure to the Nook Farm Cafe for our first stop. Route will be via Ebchester, Edmundbyers, Rookhope, Allenheads and Alston.
Then on through Haltwhistle, Once Brewed, Chollerford and Colwell to our second stop and ride end at Kirkharle Cafe.
About 90 miles – Fuel stop at Alston if required
Union Bridge / Kielder Triangle
This months is proposed as: –
9:30am arrival at Dobbies Garden Centre, Ponteland – Prompt departure 10:00am – So please be fuelled up and ready to go: –
This rides just shy of 200 miles – hence prompt departure.
For those wish to cover less distance, there is a convenient adaptation – from Bonchester Bridge head for Burness / Otterburn and back to Newcastle – we can discuss that on the day.
TomTom GPX Here:- https://plan.tomtom.com/route/view/a8e3d9ff-4637-4369-8252-33786a99bb21
Dear All
As Mark Lamb has now stepped down as chairman.
This is to announce that we will be having an extraordinary general meeting to elect his replacement on Saturday 31st May between 11am and 1pm at Benwell Cricket Club, NE15 7EU.
The position is open to all members, if you wish to be included in the vote for this role, wish to nominate a member or wish to obtain more information about the role, in the first instance please email victorstevenson@btinternet.com
About 80 miles: –
Meet at the Shell service station Heddon on the wall NE15 OBG from 10:00am fueled and ready for a 10:30 departure to the Otterburn Mill Cafe via Stamfordham, Wark, Hesleyside and Greenhaugh.
Then on through Rothbury to Forestburn Gate, Netherwitton, Wallington and ride end at Kirkharle Cafe.
Fuel available on route if required.
We normally start the last Sunday of the month rides in April, however seeing there are lots of new bikes and the Retired and Work shy club are showing us the way. As weather looks reasonable this Sunday (thus far!) lets get out there!
Route
Meet Dobbies at Ponteland at 10:00 for 10:15 sharp departure (Please fuel up before arriving) via: –
Distance 144 miles.
Tomtom GPX https://plan.tomtom.com/route/view/0673b602-64f2-4922-ad79-63c8e7d25ae1
A great opportunity to dust of the cobwebs and for new members to learn group riding protocol and the drop of system – Please take a few minutes to look at the video: –
TOMCC NE – Drop Off System (5mins 43 seconds)
TOMCC NEE BranchGM 2025 Minutes
Benwell Hill CC
25th January 2025 11:00
List of attendees; (28)
Mark Lamb; Graeme Haswell; Dave Tate; Iain Inglis, Clive Bell;
Ali Lamb; Colin Nicholson; Valerie Nicholson; Rob Ayre; Mark Loftus;
Ian Anderson; Sharon Anderson; John Teah; John Knott; Geoff Mayne;
Chris Pearson; Stu McCarthy; Vic Stevenson; Carol Stevenson;
Jim West; Mal Guest; Frank Bell; Fiona Johnson; Richard Johnson;
James Lynch; Tim Hulley; Steve Ibbitson; Keith Amiss;
Mark Lamb (ML) opens the meeting and explains the agenda.
There continues to be a shortage of members coming forward to arrange either rides or events. He explains why the Club Branch venue had been changed.
He then presented a review of the year month by month picking out the highlights.( presentation can be found on the web page. There are 79 people currently on the WhatsApp group and this continues to be the first line of communication.
Then followed reports from committee members.
Membership. 191 members in total, 46 new members in 2024, 20 of them being female. There had been an unfortunate incident between 2 member and after the committee followed the Club rules it resulted in one of the members being excluded from the Club. Feedback was sought from rides as some of our ride co-ordinaters were not available.
Treasurers Report (can be found on the web page)
The bank account that is currently being used will soon be subject to charges, so, it was agreed to seek an alternative provider and avoid charges.
Webmaster (report available on the web page)
One item discussed was the ability to communicate with members via group email.
The online membership survey had not received many replies (25) Ali Lamb went through the results however due to the low response the results were deemed to be inaccurate.
Sunday and Thursday rides were popular, social events less so. Summer camp was popular however summer tour less so.
2025 events calendar was presented;
Suggested was a social event early March
Attendance at the Scottish M/C show
13th April National Club AGM in Rotheram
Call for members to come forward to facilitate Cafe riders and Brass Monkey rides.
Race the waves in Bridlington 12-15 June
Last Sunday rides and mid month rides April to September.
There were a lot of entery’s in the calendar that has a not “to be confirmed” beside them and this is probably for the committee to firm up.
Mark described the Club rules also there are some 20 pages that are a Club handbook. Branches are encouraged to do some local and national activity which was discussed as not many members are in favour of doing any national activity.
The Branch structure was shared and an election of Branch officials followed.
All roles went through a process of being proposed and seconded in the room before confirming the position.
Returned were;
Branch Chair Mark Lamb
Vice Chair Vic Stevenson
Membership Vic Stevenson
Treasurer Graham Haswell
General Secretary Clive Bell
Web Master Iain Inglis
Rides Ian Anderson; Mark Loftus; Dave Tate; Clive Bell; John Teah;
Jeff Mayne; Neil Elders; (Not in attendance Graham Henderson; Dave Harding)
Social Events Ali Lamb Carol Stevenson
Mark Lamb makes closing comments and reminds everyone to come forward if they can contribute in any way. He thanks everyone fore attending and looks forward to the coming season.
Mark Lamb
Clive Bell
Here is this years rides and events calendar: –
Please click the link below to see the dates for each months events and rideouts. *You don’t need to book the rides or places on the rides (*applies to Last Sunday Ride and Short Rides Social) you just need to arrive at the departure point promptly with a full tank!
More detail about the rides will be published via email newsletter or via the Club WhatsApp Chat – If your not in the WhatsApp chat please email: victorstevenson@btinternet.com to be added.
HELLO MEMBERS – we need to get the numbers finalised in advance – REMEMBER THIS IS A CLUB SUBSIDISED EVENT!!! ONLY £12.50
First club social event of the year …. Great start to the riding season!
7pm till midnight – Saturday 5 April – upstairs function room, The Hancock Pub, 2a, Hancock St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PU
Buffet
Raffle* and other fun stuff
*Raffle in support of the Great North Air Ambulance.
Tickets £12.50 per person.
Organised by your club social co-ordinators Carol & Ali
Email: alilamb14@hotmail.co.uk for tickets and payment details.
It’s almost that time of year again – “Don Your Dapper” for the 2025 DGR.
Dapper Social are looking for volunteers to help out over the weekend.
If you can spare the time your help would be greatly appreciated – email Mark Loftus : mrkloftus@yahoo.co.uk
First club social event of the year …. Great start to the riding season!
7pm till midnight – Saturday 5 April – upstairs function room, The Hancock Pub, 2a, Hancock St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PU
Buffet
Raffle* and other fun stuff
Best decorated bike helmet competition (decorate your old lid in an Easter Theme!)
*Raffle in support of the Great North Air Ambulance.
Tickets £12.50 per person.
Organised by your club social co-ordinators Carol & Ali
Email: alilamb14@hotmail.co.uk for tickets and payment details.
