Thanks to John Halfpenny for his clubnight talk on re-running the 1928 ISDT route - as closely as new reservoirs and road restrictions would allow. April clubnight sees Pete Rout giving a talk on ‘a lifetime of speedway’ – with some bikes on display. All welcome.

April will also see the start of the scheduled Wednesday rides, kicking off with the inter-section baton relay on the 1st. Look out for email updates. The annual John Abraham Memorial Veteran & Vintage Run is on Sunday 19th April. Approximately 70 miles of country lanes with a pub lunch halfway. Back up provided. Delightful.

A good turnout for Sandy Sutherland's excellent and highly informative illustrated talk on the history of the Triumph TSS.

We had our March Hare run on 1st March , followed by the Breakfast run on 15th, an 8:00 start from Brackley with 40 miles to the breakfast stop, also in Brackley. Good weather for both of them

On May 10th its the Mayfly Run, followed on 24th by the Whitsun Run, both starting at 9:30 from the Horsefair OX16 0AH

Our March speaker was David Morse - Deception and Camoflarge in wartime, very interesting.

May 13th our speaker will be Richard Woodcock - Heskeths

April, and the focus once again shifts back from mainly eating to riding and eating. Fill the tank, check the oil, pump up the tyres, lubricate the chain and away we go to kick off the season with Don’s Midweek Run from Shefford Memorial Hall on Thursday 16th. Don’t put the bike away as a few days later we have the Spring Run on Sunday 19th, starting with breakfast at Jordans Mill. The normal Breakfast Meet on Sunday 26th is at Danish Camp in Willington. Club night on Thursday 9th is the chance to learn all the inside secrets of buying and selling at auction from Martin Hecksner, our local Bonhams man. February club night hosted an enthralling talk by our own Norman Keightley, with highlights from his many trips to the battlegrounds and cemeteries of the Great War, accompanied by a wonderful display of genuine artifacts from the conflict.

February’s club night featured Guest Speaker, John Bottomley, who gave a presentation on the evolution of the motorcycle from circa 3400 BC, when the wheel was first used on chariots and carts to the nineteenth century when horseless carriages became the modern mode of transport. The evolution of which required the introduction of new technologies and conditions to viably take each next step. Some taking centuries to become practicable. Thank you John. An enjoyable mid-week lunch was held at the Fox and Hounds at Theale. Two wheeled machines have yet to appear from hibernation, but as I type this there is some sun to be seen, so hopefully not too long from now. Looking ahead, the April evening will be a Noggin and Natter and in May, Michael Bryant will be hosting the video evening and entertaining us with what he’s found in the archives.

As usual there were no formal runs in February. Rain and flooding didn’t stop our informal runs (on mainly modern bikes) but we did have to plan our routes carefully and accept the odd blocked road diversion. It was still very pleasant.

We are changing our meeting location from The Carpenters to The Lamb at Winkton, so for April our monthly Noggin & Natter is on 11th at the Lamb; Gary’s Good Friday Run is on the 3rd, followed by a Lunchtime meet at the London Tavern on the 6th April. On the 26th will be the mysterious Cafe Relay organised by Gary.

In February Bristol Section had a stand in the Bristol Classic Bike Show, in the Old Auction Room. Nine vintage motorcycles were displayed. Amongst them were: a BSA A10 650cc Gold Flash (1955), a Triumph Daytona 500cc Racer (1972), two Velocettes, a Greeves 250cc, and a ‘Grumph’. The ‘Grumph’ being a rare, custom-built British hybrid motorcycle combining a Greeves frame with a Triumph twin engine, in this case a 350cc unit. The Section’s stand generated much interest and had a good footfall.

One of the club nights held was a film night, where a selection of short films were shown. These included vintage films on Scrambling, the Isle of Mann TT and Mary McGee, who was a pioneering woman car and motorcycle racer.

This month finds the BHRC heading back to Wales, this times to Anglesey for their championship rounds 9 and 10 at the Trac Mon circuit on 16th - 17th August.  As always we are including parade sessions for folk attending on their road bikes (if they have an appropriate DVLA licence and clothing) and parade sessions for folk who have a race machine.  Our scooter friends from BSSO will also be joining us and they are always a joy to watch.  

BHRC are a very friendly paddock and welcoming.  Riders are happy to chat and share their knowledge with allcomers.  Spectators will see some classic racing and there are always opportunities for them to get involved and gain a different view of a race meeting. If you fancy getting involved, be it for a day or a full meeting please contact secretary@bhronline.uk or drop in the Race Office.

Sunday April 12th will see us Winter Wandering 11am start. Start and details to follow.  Tuesday April 21st will be our first Ride a Bike Night, leaving Newlands Corner at 7pm for a wander around some Surrey lanes and finishing at the Sadlers Arms, Send.

On the last Saturday in February Paul Chamberlain organised and led 26 bikes on a short rather wet ride around Staffordshire to remember 'Hairy Biker' Dave Myers who died just two years ago. At our March VMCC meeting, Dave Gould had organised a quiz for us which was very well attended with over thirty taking part - thanks Paul & Dave. Sunday May 10th is the Burton Parade: download entry forms at: https://shorturl.at/2mxGB or email: a.davy750@btinternet.com for more information. May 12th we have a Talk and Slide show by our Chairman Eddy Grew called "Racing a Vintage Sunbeam", May 19th the Intersection Classic Gathering this year at The Appleby Inn Hotel, 11 Atherstone Road, Swadlincote, DE127AP and on Saturday May 23rd is our annual joint run with Notts and Derby section called 'Meet the Neighbours" for more information on our section events and calendar go to: burtonsectionvmcc.co.uk - thanks John.

Our February meeting was  a guest speaker.Henry Gregson came along and gave us an interesting, well illustrated talk on his BSA A65  restoration. A great ,well attended evening.Thanks to Henry and Geoff.The riding season is on the horizon.Easter is early April, I'm sure there'll be some rideouts and meets. My bike restorations are all but finished.Let's hope for some decent weather then we can get out and enjoy riding the bikes.Another few guest speakers for the next few months then we'll be into bike nights.Roll on the light nights.Any news and updates ,check our Whatsapp group.

After a reasonably sedate start to our 2026 riding events calendar in April, where we had three outings plus also our Forfar Autojumble, May has heralded a somewhat busier month with three different Ride - Ins, plus our  'Skoot a Boot' and Ride an Old Bike Events.  June sees us with three Ride - Ins planned, these namely our second 'Billie - Up' at Blackwater Reservoir on Wednesday 3rd. from 10.30 am onwards,  Small Breakfast - Taybridge Car Park on Sun.14th from 9.30am. on, and our Fish & Chip Night meet at The Square, Alyth, from 5pm.  We can but hope that the 'weather gods' will be kind to us on these dates, and that both our ageing steeds, and 'spines' will avoid any unwelcome damage consequent to the multitudinous 'pot holes' as now sadly prevalent on many of our local country roads!

This months club night on Tuesday 21st will be the bring and buy. Always a lively evening. This raises section funds to pay for the monthly speakers and to run events.  So have a good look for anything you wish donate and dont forget to bring plenty of money to buy goods on the night. No baldy tyres.

The section is trying a new idea of having one off rides to venues of interest.  These will be mainly at the weekend to allow the workers amongst us the chance to partake. If there is somewhere you think we would all be interested in, then let us know. This will be run by Russell Spencer.

The ever popular Wednesday lunch meets will now be organised by Dave Cashen. If you know of a venue that would be suitable for us then please let Dave know and he will check it out.

Normal service has been resumed and hopefully this months notes should make sense! Over the past couple of club nights we have had two excellent talks by members from our neighbours in the C&NW Section – thanks chaps.  This month (Thursday 16th) we have our usual Intersection Quiz – you’re all invited to come along for a chance to take on the best that the CCats can muster. Who thinks The Whitley Run is in Whitley Bay? Who thinks The Goostrey Run is about weighing gooseberries? These won’t be questions in the Inter-Section Quiz but as usual Stephen will be pushing the boundaries with more motorcycle based questions (and some that aren’t) Bring a team along and see if you can depose the reigning champions. Coming up – Llanuwchllyn Sunday 19th and Parkgate Chippy Wednesday 22nd.

May features the return of the evening runs, in May we will visit the Red Lion.

March started with a talk on Brooklands, only 13 members came. Please make more effort when we have booked a speaker, if you need a lift put a message on what’s app and maybe someone can help.  The midweek run turned into a comedy after the tail of the run was lost, riders must remember to stay on post, this happened 3 times on the run, something of a record.  At least the section quizzers managed second and third at the Bedford quiz.

Phil

The section held our usual stand at Lanark for the Haggis Autojumble . There was plenty to see and a good time catching up with many friends. There was also lots of stuff to buy such as tools, spares and a couple of very interesting bikes. At the section meeting we had our Bring and Buy sale , so another chance to buy stuff or sell some unwanted clutter. A healthy donation to the Air Ambulance was made from donated items that were auctioned by Keith. Remember the Pip squeak is on April 12th and the Forfar Autojumble is on the 19th.

VMCC Cornwall Section

Peter Kempen – Section Secretary

Peter.kempen@btinternet.com

07929026928

Spring eventually arrived in Cornwall, and we had a beautiful day for the Mid Cornwall Run. 25 members enjoyed the sunshine and stunning scenery of Bodmin Moor, picking up members along the way and at the coffee stop in Minions. Huge vote of thanks to Steve Marples for planning and leading an excellent run.

The big event for May is the ever-popular Ferry Run on the 17th. From Ladock the run heads to Trelissick for the King Harry Ferry, then on to Sticker for coffee. Finally, onto Fowey and the Bodinnick Ferry to finish with lunch in Lanreath.

The main up coming event will the Felix Burke weekend 18th and 19th April 2026. See the web page and Facebook page for entry details. As usual we will also be looking for marshals for the Sunday trial your help will be most appreciated.

Wednesday 25th March will be our last meeting at the Churchdown Club. Starting on April Fools Day we are out in the fresh air again with a ride out to the Farmers Arms Guiting Power.

Dear small machine enthusiasts,

2026 is now upon us and a new season of rides for our small machines. Our first run of the year is on March 8th, the venue is The plough PH, Ploughley Road, Lower Arncott, Bicester. OX25 1NY 11.00am start.

April has a total of four runs listed so something for everyone is there !

The first is: The Welsh Run on April 5th, Easter Sunday at Castle street car park, Abergavenny. NP7 5EE 10.30am start. This is an NACC run but they're happy to have us join them.

Next it's: The Southern Saunter on April 15th at: Honeystreet Mill Cafe, Honeystreet Village, SN9 5PS. 10.30am start. Note this a Wednesday run.

Next up it's: The Postcombe Run on April 18th at Englands Rose PH, Postcombe. OX9 7DP.  Meet up with The Chiltern Section at the pub at 11.00am and join them on the run.

Finally it's: The Cotswold Run on April 26th at Carles Cafe, Cerney Wick Lane, Cirencester GL7 5LW 10.30am start.

We hope you can manage to join us on some of these runs and others later in the year. All small and feeble powered machines are welcome!

Best wishes to you all,

Mark, (Cyclemotor Section Secretary)

Dave Wills | www.vmccdartmoor.com

We have a full list of rides for April, our first ride of the month will Wednesday the 1st April, all fools meet at the Steamer Quay, Totnes 10.30am start. Thursday the 9th April will be the first Early Evening ride of the season, again meet at the Steamer Quay, Totnes 6.30pm start. Wednesday the 29th April ride meeting at the Steamer Quay, Totnes 10.30am start. Our usual end of month Breakfast Meet on the 26th April, get the old bike out and join us for coffee and chat at The South Devon Railway, Dartbridge Road, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0DZ.
See our website for any last-minute changes www.vmccdartmoor.com .

We’re looking forward to some fine spring weather for Gordon’s Exmoor Explorer run this month, meeting for a coffee at Quince Honey Farm, South Molton, on Sunday May 10th, departing at 11.00am.  As usual, there will be a leisurely lunch stop at a hostelry en-route.  For our monthly evening pub meet we will meet on Thursday May 21st at the bar and restaurant of the Riverside Caravan Park, South Molton, from 6.30pm.  We hope you can join us. 

Hello everyone, hope you all made it through the wet weather in February and are now drying out. March is here; longer days, shorter nights, and fingers crossed for much kinder weather. 

We begin with the March Hare Run on Saturday 7, beginning at the Hillbrush Cafe, Mere. This is followed by the club lunch on 12 March in Swallowcliffe, at The Royal Oak. 

On Sunday 15 March, we’re looking forward to Bernard leading the scenic Spring Run from Warden Hill Trading Post.  Then on Saturday 21 March, join us for breakfast at the Old Brewery Café, Gillingham. 

Alongside these events, don’t forget our informal Tuesday breakfasts at Spire Hill Café in Stalbridge. A friendly get together and open to all, with an excellent sausage and bacon bap!

Hope to see you out and about this month. Ride safe.

  Due to the good old English weather not much has happened with our 'bikes. We've picked up a couple of "new" members & friends at the Wednesday meets, some made it on two wheels. I did one trip with my D1c, OK on the way out but struggled to exceed 30mph on the way home! It was still running so I kept going. I've cleaned the rust out of the 'carb & the filter but as I write this it hasn't stopped raining long enough for me to see if that's fixed the problem.

 Suggestions are welcome for alternative meeting places for our fourth Saturday breakfast meets but pending this they will carry on at the Colyton tram stop in the season & maybe the Donkey sanctuary in the winter.

Some members enjoyed a dry if a little chilly, early season run to West Bay, I think on the only dry Saturday this year.

It's 25th February as I write this, bright sunshine, nearly record temperature outside, daffodils crocusses and snowdrops everywhere and bikes ready to go (well maybe the last bit is optimistic). East Herts was well supported over the past month with a dozen or so at our Vanstone Park breakfast meet and lunch at Broadlakes; lunch at the Harvester St Albans less well attended but it attracts some of our veteren members as well as the younger ones. Your scribe visited the refurbished De Havilland Museum and found it good, a brighter area for coffee and snacks but still sadly without cooked food. While he was relaxing in good company it suddenly dawned on him (he can be a little slow sometimes) that Geoffrey de Havilland must have been related to film star Olivia and so they were, cousins. But his friend already knew that. Dates for April: 9th - breakfast meet Vanstone Park; 20th - club meet at Broadlakes ***NB*** this may be lunch or evening, stand by for info; 23rd Wrinkly Run, RM slated to lead, start from The Rookery finish Green Man Sandridge. 

Five East Lancs members attended the Red Rose Section's Fred Hill Memorial Run on a February Sunday,which had very mild weather. Meeting up just outside Clitheroe and setting off at noon,a short run around some Ribble Valley villages ended at Sawley Abbey. There, Bill Green said a few words about Fred Hill, a man who stuck to his principles about the compulsory helmet law.Fred was stopped and fined for not wearing a helmet and was eventually imprisoned for not paying his fines on various occasions. This culminated in Fred's death in Pentonville Prison after contracting a chest infection. Every year the Motorcycle Action Group mark his passing by holding commemorative runs all over the country. This month on the 12th its the Jubilee Run and on the 26th its Basil's Run, which was first compiled fifty years ago.

Having been away for the past 3 weeks I am just catching up with what's been going on in the section

The weather for our last day time meeting in February was kind to us and about six members turned up on their bikes.

Tim Eade brought along his 1938 500 cc Ariel Combination and he explained the various jobs he had done to the outfit

which when you think how old it is was in tremendous condition. We have no runs planned for April but we do start to 

have our meetings in the evening starting with the 8th April at 7.30 for 8 then the runs come thick and fast from May

The first run of the season approaches, The Spring ‘Shakedown run’ organised by Glen (07496 932866) is on Sunday 12th from the Mile Café, Pocklington 10 for 10.30 start. All eligible machines welcome. Hope we will see some pristinely prepared machines ready for the new season.

We then have our special 80th Anniversary Run on Tuesday 28th April, also 10.00 for 10.30 from the Mile Café, where we intend to meet up with NE Section. As above Glen is the organiser.

Club night is always the 2nd Tuesday, this month’s is the 14th at the Londesborough Arms, Market Weighton 8.00pm.

Breakfast meet is always the 4th Tuesday, this month is the 28th and coincides with the 80th Anniversary. So this month it will be at the Mile Café Pocklington as part of the 80th Anniversary Run, 10.00am onward. Reminders will be sent out nearer the time.

January club night hosted the AGM. Simon is now chairman, Richard Parker has very kindly taken on the secretarial post, John remains treasurer for one more year only. The committee consists of myself, Dave Smith, Dave Cotesworth and Julian Strauss. Julian being the administrator for the newly introduced ‘VMCC RIDES’ WhatsApp group. This gives instant contact for what’s happening, example a ride being cancelled that morning due to unforeseen circumstances. A good ‘ bunch of lads’ I feel and a good years motorcycling to come. Take note that our premier event ‘ The Bluebell Camping Week’ ( dc_bradley@talktalk.net) has revised dates being May 26th to 31st. This change is due to loss of access to the field at the Museum of Power for the days we originally required. Ride one, two, three, four days ? Coffee, lunch and afternoon tiffen and any age of bike allowed. There you go fill ya boots.
 

We held our Annual Lunch and Prizegiving meet, which was almost at full capacity, as well as the VMCC awards distributed at the AGM, the section had a good showing at both events. Congratulations to all recepients.

The Baton relay arrangments have been agrees with the section collecting the baton from the Cotswold Section on 29th April from the Village Inn, Twyford then handing it over to the Worcester Section at lunchtime on 14th May at the Farmers Arms, Birtmorton.

The 16th May welcomes the first running of 'When I'm 64', starting and finishing at Hunters Hall Inn, Tetbury. This is a 40 mile ride around the country lanes, with a lunch stop and is open to pre 1930 machines only. 

Section meeting is on 28th May with a new venue TBA.

As we approach spring we are getting ready for our annual pip squak run which is on Sunday 12th of April and will start from Route 760 Lochwinnoch PA12 4JB. Registration is from 09.30 and departure at 10.30. The run is approximatly 40 miles with a lunch stop at Dunlop. Open to all bikes upto 100 cc but if you want to come along on something bigger then your welcome but you may be required to push some of the others. Our April club night is on Tuesday the 21st of April with a local run meeting at Route 760 at 15.30 departing at 16.00 and we'll be back by 18.30. All members are welcome and hopefully the weather will be kind.

Febuary 9th Winter Wobble saw 3 intrepid riders(Fred,Alastair and Tony) set out from Whiteways CP,Bury Hill and rode around the back roads of Sussex and  Hamphire and ending up at the Woolpack , Fishbourne.  Our Febuary meeting saw 17 of us sitting down to a nice buffet lunch at the Spur ,Slindon. Unfotunatley Tony and Maureen couldn't make it due to Tony being hospitalised, apart from that a good time was had by all! Our March meeting was attended b 14 of us with 7/8 coming on bikes. The Norman Broardbridge Run on April 6th saw a good turnout at Tangmere Aviation Museum but not all went on the ride, John Taylor led the ride, he took the riders through the back roads of North Sussex using the "drop off system" after a comfort break with Photos we set off for the second part of the ride ending up at The Stonemasons Arms, Petworth, where we enjoyed excellent ,reasonably priced food,good company wih an added bonous of good weather. 

GWENT (WAL) May 2026

robandsuedmunds@btinternet.com

Another well attended club night and on the following Thursday some of us attended the Hereford section quiz night. Thanks to them for putting on a great event and food at the Three Horse shoes. The questions were hard though – what motorcycle was named after a flower? – Seems in the 1950’s Marusho made the Lilac v-twin and flat twin. And guess what, the Gwent section won the quiz, so we will be hosting it next year. Better start thinking up some really difficult questions.

Baffle house: Wednesday 06.05.2026 11am

Club night: Tuesday 19.05.2026 from 7pm The Rivers Edge - Chat night

Cross Boarders ride out 17.05.2026, start from the bus station Abergavenny

Rob

For some unknown reason our notes have been missing for the last 2 or 3 publications, so, Both our Brass Monkey and Bull rides were very well attended and thanks to the leaders of the routes, Tulips were available but there was a reluctance to follow them, perhaps brains were still a bit foggy after Xmas!. Breakfasts and brunches have slowly started and 'Moles' pop-up rides are appearing on the rare dry days.

I have completed just over half of the route for this years premier event, HOTE, and as well as a lot of new waypoints there will be 6 ragged edge points for the more adventurous of you. Entries have trickled in with over a third of the places already (Feb) filled.

The new format Trail rides have began with entrants jostling to get their entry in, the trail rides are generally fully subscribed and continue to be extremely popular.

Please check out our calendar on our website and try and pop along to an event or two... herefordmidwalesvmcc.org 

Once again, the February breakfast meet day was wet and cold; I had promised to ride in, so I did, and to add insult to injury, the venue was unexpectedly closed. Moved to another local café and 8 enjoyed nice refreshments. One club night in February was very poor with only 3 of us and the other had 9, but they are behind us now as the riding season will have started. You may just spot this before the Good Friday run on the 3rd of April, and then we are into our regular rides, every Tuesday and the third Sunday of the month are the norm with a few exceptions. As always, see the website for details. It appears the Scarborough week has moved its dates to the same week as our touring week, we are still going ahead with ours, booking via the website or by contacting me.

Good news, the season is upon us, hurrah, our first run of the year is on 22nd March leaving from the Cricket pitch layby in Shifnal. Hopefully we will be blessed with fine weather, we can always hope. Also this month, Rob Sawyer is doing a talk on his time at Hesketh Motorcycles, that’s on the 16th March at the Sir John Bayley starting at 20:00. Now we have had all the winter to fettle our bikes which bring us such joy and pain in equal measures it will be wonderful to be back on the road. Let’s have a great riding year.

Section Notes January 2026

I guess we are all hunkering down in the workshop as gale force winds and heavy rain batter the Island. A poor response to our Annual Dinner with only 51 attendees was very disappointing . Our first major function of the New Year will be the annual Autojumble at Andreas village hall on the 1st March. Early signs are encouraging with over half the tables booked with over a month to go. On the trials front, entries are up! Looking forward to our first Jurby test day at Easter.

As May arrives so does the VMCC 80th Anniversary Baton. A group from South Hans are coming to the Island to join us for our 'Underpowered Wobble' on Sunday 3rd May. This event is run specifically for 'Tiddlers' (under 200cc) and Flat Tanks (pre 1931), with a signposted route. Newer and bigger machines can come along and follow the leader. This leisurely run ends at Chessell Pottery Cafe for tea and their splendid cakes, organised by Andrew Eason.

This year we decided to join the Distinguished Gentlemans' run as a club and so on Sunday 17 May we will be taking the Baton around the island escorted, not just by members of the IoW VMCC but also by other Island bikers. I will be well supplied with joining forms so we hope that we will also get some new recruits. After the run the members of the VMCC will continue with the Baton to a local hostelry for a well deserved lunch.

We have two club nights in May on the 5th with a run into the 8 Bells and another one on the 26th.

And to round off the month on the 28th May one for our members, Tim O'Flynn, is leading us on a run to visit Lawrence of Arabia's home, Cloud Hill near Wareham, all in all May will be a busy month for us.

Well, it has been quite quiet on the Eastern Front and I have to admit we've had a little bit of precipitation (see photo). However, Spring got off to an excellent start with the well attended talk, February club night, about  "Medical Detection Dogs." Remarkable, and a real nose opener! Thank you, Norma. Question - when is the next quiz night? Final answer, March club night. Not even a guess! Looking forward to April and the Members Passed Run (12th), Ride a Bike (15th) and Saint Georges Day Run (26th). St. George does our quiz...not many people know that! Keep your eyes on Facebook. Black Shuck already knows.

An interlude in the wet weather coincided with our Maryport café meet. The west coast blue skies (see photo) no doubt helped the numbers attending to pass the 25 mark. It was good to see bikes turning up from all points of the county, also welcome to new member Steven from Westnewton, who joined us at Maryport on his late 60’s Tiger 100. Tony Ayre and David Moffat are busy planning the routes for the Metal Bridge Rally in early May. Tony tells me that they have some interesting roads on the plan for this pre-1940 event.  

Greetings,

The Ashford Classic bike show was a success, watched over by Phil.

Thank you to Richard for taking us on a most interesting route before our fish and chips at Herne Bay.

Steve Slocombe’s open garage gave us all an insight into American Iron. Thank you, Steve.

Keep an eye out for the location of the next breakfast meet, it may well be a few miles down the road from you. We are trying to have one every month spread out in our geographical region.  

By now you should have received your latest Men of Kent newsletter. If not, you need to be on our mailing list. Mail me at menofkent@gmail.com to be included.

Green lanes run on the 6th May followed by the tiddlers run on the 17th May

Big one. Sittingbourne run 29th May to 1st June, see Alan Wibberley arwibberley@aol.com   for details. 

Bye for now, CJ 

By the time you read this the record breaking spell of wet weather will, hopefully, have ended so that we can look forward to another great season of riding.

April kicks off withour Social Morning at the Ten Acres Cafe (LN8 3TG) on the 8th at 10.00am, followed by our Club Night on the 15th, at The Shires (DN21 4JL) at 8.00pm. Let's hope our encouraging attendance level, at the February meeting, continues throughout the year. On Sunday the 19th April we host the ever popular Bluestone Heath Run, starting from The Wong (Cattle Market), Horncastle (LN9 6EB) at 10.00am. Wednesday the 22nd sees the first of our summer Breakfast Meets take place at the Caistor Lakes cafe at 10.00am.

Everyone is welcome at all of our events and we look forward to seeing you all there.

Ride safe.

Peter Symes - Manx Grand Prix Winner was our standout highlight this month. Peter gave us a fascinating talk at our Club Night with pictures and videos about how he started racing at the relatively late age of 39, through his various struggles, successes and failures leading up to his win in the 2012 MGP Classic on a 250 Suzuki. He also talked us though the horrific accident he had in 2015 at the 33rd milestone on the Mountain Section. Peter would be happy to do his talk at other local VMCC Sections - contact via the Midland Section website.

At Club night on Wednesday 6th May we will have a talk from Tony Perkin about his racing on Historic motorcycles, one or two of which he will bring to show us. On Saturday 9th May it's the Flight of Fantasy Run, meet 10am for 10.30 departure from the Blackstone Picnic Site car park at DY12 1PU accessed from the A456 Bewdley Bypass. Parking is free and suitable to leave vans or trailers. On Wednesday 20th May we have a lunch time meet at The Ship Inn at Highley, WV16 6NU from 12.00, no route, just come from wherever you are. PLEASE NOTE: They prefer cash and don't want card payments for under £10. Finally on Saturday 30th May it's Peter's Summer Run 10 for 10.30 from Poole Hall Cafe, Alveley, WV15 6JD. The run is just under 100 miles and we go south towards Malvern with multiple refreshment opportunities!.

This month we move into top gear, starting with Charlie Nieto’s Thursday Run on 9th, Phil Coopers Sunday Run has moved to 12th, Club night is 13th, Peter Boonham’s lunch meet on 16th, Brenda’s Thursday Run on 23rd and my Blossom Run on 26th. Our AGM saw just one change to the committee. Stuart Keightley stood down due to work commitments and was replaced by Julian Franck in charge of the awards system. We have nearly 70 events this year, plus club nights, a fantastic effort by the members, with over 25 organizing or leading events.

As I write this its only 5 weeks to the start of the riding season. Our sections last meeting of the winter season is on the second tuesday of April. However if its a pleasent evening we may well go for a ride so please turn up if you get the whatts app message prepared to ride, all be it for a short run. If you're not in the whatts app group please text Crawford Logan and he will add you in. Also just as an update would you all individually email me thats mortishire@btinternet.com so I can add you onto my email list which I'm conscious may not be upto date. Safe riding and see you all soon.

NORTH EAST SECTION NOTES April 2026

We are rapidly approaching a new riding season with our first run to be the Spring Run on April 19th again starting at Nigel Hutchinson’s house 63 Whitcliff Lane Ripon HG4 2LB. Signing on from 10.30 – 11.00 I am sure Nigel will have an excellent route planned. Usually about 60 miles with a lunch stop. A great chance to blow the cobwebs away with a trip around Bedale and Leyburn. We look forward to a good turnout

Our usual early season Meet and Eat at the Sun Inn at Norwood is booked for Wednesday the 15th April. To eat at 6.00pm. Ride in if the weather is good or drive if you are bringing your better halves with you.

Remember our regular lunch meetings at the Lord Darcy Alwoodley LS17 8EH next one on the 8th at 12.00.

Looking forward to another good season.

At an uneventful section AGM on 12th March, the officers were re-elected and Kate confirmed that our finances are in good shape. The committee is unchanged except that Neil Hodgson has decided to stand down. Happily he’ll still be riding with us.

Our first evening run of the year is on Thursday 14th May, led by myself. After that we have runs on Sunday 17th (Oliver), Thursday 21st (Darren) and Sunday 31st (Neil). In addition we are trying some “ride in” meets with the first one being on Wednesday 20th – destination TBA.

We also have the North Midlands Area anniversary baton and will deliver it to Burton section at their Parade on Sunday 10th May.

If anyone in or near to our patch who wants to be kept in touch is not already on either Whatsapp or email list, let me know. Hope to see you on the road!

Our annual Bring and Buy was another successful evening, with a full house on the night. Members managed to bag themselves a bargain or two while raising money for club funds.

The trip organised by John Makinson to the Bristol Bike Show and Sammy Millers museum was a great weekend. Plenty to see and drool over, lovely to meet people from other sections. Well worth a visit.

April 03/04 is the Liverpool Cup Event. This event is an old event from many years ago which John Makinson has brought back to life. Currently 50 riders are confirmed.

April 12 sees Keith Moorcroft’s Easter Bunny Run. Always popular and a good turnout each year. 40 Miles through Lancashire. 25-year rule.

03 May is our Holmesford Run.

17 May is our Leyland Transport Museum and Section Joint Event. Bigger this year as we celebrate 80 years of the VMCC.

The section has a mixed selection of events throughout 2026. Details are on the section new website vmcc-nw.co.uk and our facebook page.

Spring is now here and the clocks have gone forward so it’s time to get those bikes out of sheds and garages if you haven’t already done so. Early starters will have attended last month’s rides organised by Ian and his Mr T run and Peter’s Mad March Hare Run. This month there are two long runs – Hugh Gallagher will be organising his eponymous run while Glyn Poole will be taking you on the long and enjoyable Jim’s Jaunt in memory of his father. April club night will see John Pomfret coming to give the talk about the Gas Industry that bad weather saw off back in January. Make sure you’re there so you don’t miss an evening out.

My Favourite or Least Favourite Mototcycle Part -  And Why! 

That was the theme for our November meeting and it all came from an idea from Joel Larkham, our youngest member. Anyone who wanted to take part had ten minutes or so to step up and show us what they had brought, tell us what it is, how it works or not and why it is excellent at what it does or a total pain. We had eight participants, including young Joel and a few more mature gents.  The subjects chosen all had their merits. Joel with his first engine restoration and re-build, Graham's Velo cylinder head, Ian and his ongoing efforts to fettle his early Triumph clutch, George and the disintegrating beaded edge tyre to name a few. Some great yarns and great entertainment. Well done Joel and good luck with the carb and electrics!

Also, Well done David and Joan Crawford. £3,000 and counting raised for the Hospice from sales of David's book.

Great to welcome John Young back at the end of February – he kept us all entertained with tales of his extended travels on his Hinckley Triumphs with his talk “My Hinckley Half Million”. Can’t believe he has clocked up 523,000 miles so far!  He also updated us on progress with his “proper” Quasar (luckily the supply of Reliant parts is both cheap and plentiful).  A raffle and subs donations made £123 for John’s chosen charity.  Don’t forget, 27 April is the Nenthead Mines talk.  May is very busy with the C to C 2-3 May, followed by the Rookhope Ryde 10 May and the Hadrian Rally 29-31 May. The date of the Breakfast Meet in June will be changed to avoid an event clash, date to be confirmed.  Coming up in July we have the Northumbrian Gathering, 3-5 July. Please see Section webpage for more details of all indoor/outdoor events.  

February’s club meet was well attended and the talk by David Eyles about his time working with the Antarctic Expedition was well received.

Hopefully the weather will improve this month in time for our first run of the season, this will be on the 12th to Blakeney.

Steve Priston has arranged some social meets at different locations in the area. They will be from midday and always on the last Thursday of the month.  The first is on the 30th of April and is at Reepham Market Place, the King’s Arms has reserved the area just to the right of the bar.  The second is on the 28th of May at Swaffham Market Place. More venues will be announced in due course, please see our website for details.

There are still some gaps in the run calendar for this year so please look at the website and see if you can offer a run/event. New event organisers are always welcome, and help is available to arrange an event. In the first instance please email steven@vmccnorwich.co.uk.

Remember this month’s natter night is on 7th May at the Crown Inn, Awsworth and there will be a free chip cob for each member.  You don’t have to pre-order but it helps the pub prepare.

Please come along and help us to revive the club nights.  With these lighter nights we should be able to get there on two wheels.

The club runs got off to a fine start with Graham’s coffee run and his second one met up with the Tiddlers’ Meet at Tissington.  Let’s hope the weather holds for the whole summer.

The wrong email address has been displaying in the Section Notes.  Please use vmccnottsandderby@gmail.com to get in touch.

We still need a Deputy Secretary as the previous incumbent’s circumstances mean he can’t perform the role.  As we stand, if my present health issues worsen, we will be without anyone who knows how to do the job.  Please consider stepping in to help.

On Saturday 17th March Dave Webster led 14 riders and 2 pillion riders from Millets Farm to Wheatley garden centre for coffee and then on to The Lamb in Wantage for lunch. Thursday 12th March saw Jim Stone lead 17 riders on an eventful ride to Hartwell garden centre for coffee. Unfortunately for Jim we encountered an unexpected road closure and then shortly afterwards his Royal Enfield Continental seized and had to be recovered. Neil Kerr took over the lead to coffee then on to The Dashwood Roadhouse for lunch. On Thursday 26th Roger Laban led.       This month we have two Thursday runs and three Sunday runs with club night on the 19th.

At February’s club-night we had a wide-ranging quiz, not just on motor cycling, hosted by Dave Green. To nobody’s surprise, the celebrated author John Moulton’s team came out as winners. An early warning of the section’s AGM in May. Items for the agenda and nominations for the committee can be sent to me at any time. This month, at club-night, we will hear a talk by our Area Representitive, Andy Royle, about his time working at Bentley Motors.

73 attended the excellent talk by Charlie Williams, the multiple TT winner. £728 was raised and donated to the TT riders association. Thanks also go to Nigel Dearden who brought his stunning yamaha TZ 350 G and whose conversation with Charlie before the audience was entertaining and informative in the second half of the presentation. An achievement award from the VMCC was presented by Charlie to Reiver Treasurer, Mike Laidler for his tireless and long standing contributions to VMCC motorcycle events from Tiddler runs to annual camps: innumerable biker folk have benefited from his knowledge and skills as his involvement is the lifeblood of our community. The Millie's diner meet is moving to the first saturday in May (2nd) to avoid a clash with Scorton autojumble.The last Ashington Rugby Club evening meeting (before Autumn programme) will he held on Tuesday the 12th of May at 7pm. Brian Agnew is giving a talk on the Velocette models; 'The three twins'. This is followed by a presentation on the 2027 Reiver 'Swedish Raid', a ride from Bomersund Northumberland to Bomersund Fortress, located on an island in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Finland. A ten day 'Raid', this is a rallying call to any VMCC members who wish to join Mark Bell and Tom Johnston, to sail from North Shields to Ijmuiden and start the 2000 mile adventure: Ride on Reivers.

All things being equal we should have a talk by Paul about his exploits with grasstracking and a potted history of greaves machines on the 12th November and machines to look at..

A few members from this section rode out with derby and notts section on the ridges run very nice it was too brilliant weather and company...

Spring Time Coffee, Cake & Chatter.

WHEN.         Sunday Morning 22nd March - 10 o'clock.

WHERE.      Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre,

School Road, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9RS

This meeting is to be very informal and simple. The general gist is:

- Find your own way there.

- Park.

- Admire other peoples bikes whilst proudly showing off yours. (If not on your bike then please arrive in your car. Just turn up.)

- Go into the Centre. 
- Find the Cafe. VERY IMPORTANT.       DON'T STAY WITH THE BIKES.

- Get Coffee & Cake 
- Introduce yourself to others. 
- Sit Down, chatter about bikes & Enjoy yourselves.  VERY IMPORTANT

- Ride home happily

David DEW. (Church Stretton)

shropshire.vmcc@gmail.com

As I write this at the end of March ther is a definite sence of relief to see Spring has finaly arrived. One or two ride outs have alreasdy taken place along with a well attended lunch time social gathering at Pant Du. The Llyn Bikers charity ride will have already taken place on the 26th April by the time this goes to print but we have now fixed a date with the Welsh Heritage Railway for 15th of August to help with their display. Permission has also been granted for us to have our annual show on the Quayside at Porthmadog on the 6th September. The best way to keep in touch with what is going on is to join our WhartsApp group, please contact me on the above number or email. Something tells me this is going to be a good Summer of activity despite whatever else is going on in the world, so come and join in!

February's AGM saw the clubs officers re elected, Richard Gray stepping down, the section thanks Rich for his service. Stewart Wigmore was voted onto the committee, welcome back Stewart. Thanks to Chips for organising Neil's run, unfortunately our second run of the year was also a wet one, Five hardy souls braved the elements for a 37 mile run around the East Mendips, returning for an excellent lunch at The Prestleigh Inn. The Bristol bike show saw the sections new gazebo unveiled, pictures of the members on their machines are printed on its sides with the sections name on the front canopy, Thanks to Phil Baker for arranging the gazebo, and booking in the bikes on display a wide range of machines from the 1920's thru to the 1990's.This month brings the 60th year of the Cheddar Trial 11/12th and the 42nd year of the Twin Dragon run 18-21st.

Our AGM on 4 March, was after the Editor’s deadline, so I will report the outcome in May. As part of the VMCC’s 80th birthday celebrations, a Baton’s being passed around each Area.  We collect the South Midland Area’s Baton’s from West Wilts on Sun April 12th at the AV8 café, at 11am.  On Sun 26 April, we pass it on to Cotswold Section at the Jolly Nice Café, also at 11am. Please support these events. Club Night is Tues 7 April, followed on the 14th by a visit to the Ship Inn at Brimscombe. On Fri 17th, we are at the AV8 Café, from 10am. On Tues 21st it's the  Old Crown at Paganhill and on the 28th, the Bear Inn at Bisley. Our full programme is available on the VMCC web site, on our own website (see above), by email from me and  in paper format at Club Nights and meets. If you would like info & updates by email, contact me to be added to the distribution. Happy riding.

April delivered some enjoyable events including a Country Lanes Run, led by Steve Edgington and the last of our “Winter” evening talks. Club Night on 28th May will instead feature an Evening Run, departing the Three compasses at 19.00. If you’re planning to join our Breakfast Meet on Saturday 9th please do check the venue – this may be changed. The Club Run on 10th May will initiate Weymouth Week, starting from the Jubilee Clock on the Esplanade at 10.00. The follow-on week will be busy with local Runs for those who have pre-booked with organiser Rod Hann. As ever we also enjoy Wednesday coffee mornings at Dewflock Farm, DT2 8NP – do come along for a good natter.

Thanks to Dave Headon for organising the annual Domino knockout at our February club night. It provided great entertainment for 17 people,  won by Dave Stevens with Ken Winter runner up.

April 23rd Club night Dave Headon demonstration- "stripping a chronometric speedometer"

May 14 to 17th - Quaker weekend with social runs being organised by Brian Smith on Thursday Friday and Saturday. Sunday May 17th - 50th Anniversary Quaker Run -90 miles return from Baydale Beck PH, Low Coniscliffe, visiting Reeth for lunch. Please return entry forms to David Porteous.

June:-Sat 13th Social Run and Concours,; Thurs 25th -Evening Excursion.

July:- Mon. 6th Sunset Run; 11th Vehicle Show Darlington Town Centre,  Chairman Run 12th.

Reduced entry fee to events in 2026, recognising Section’s 50th anniversary but please enter in advance, as usual !.

Further details and entry forms on section website or at Club nights.

Jim Denham 01489809085

esterell44@hotmail.com

Club Night – first Monday of the month

what 3 words   ///diets.space.another.        post code.  PO15 6JD

Hi all, Our first scheduled run is on the 9th of this month and hopefully no April showers.The next 2 runs after that are normal section rides,then on Friday 1st May the ride ends at the Flowerpots,Cheriton where take delivery of the 80th Year  Relay Baton from the Brooklands Section, then on Sunday 3rd May we visit the IOW Section to do a run with them and Hand over the Baton.I hope youve booked your ferry tickets    

Peter Henshaw reminded us to submit Section notes this month with the words "a blackbird is getting frisky so Spring must be on its way". Well here in the wild Fens, all we've seen is horizontal rain and a bitter Easterly wind, there being nothing between the Urals and Peterborough high enough to stop it. Nevertheless, we ventured out: two breakfast meetings in February and a highly entertaing Quiz Night in which Gary and Kaye bamboozled us all at some point and Witty at most points. It is slowly warming up though so let's get the bikes out for a midweek run on 8th April and April Showers on 26th. We also have a Bring and Buy on the 15th. Lots coming up - track the website for details.

Just a brief note on South Wales Section events.

List of events and runs will be updated to our website.

Spring run well attended 8 riders in all, - fast run around the heads of the valleys.

Forthcoming Events.

11th May Bring and Buy in Llanharry Working man’s club car park. – 7pm onwards.

25th May Noggin and Natter Llanharry workingman’s club house

27th May Wednesday night run out Victoria Inn Sigingstone 7pm

That’s All for now keep safe and be happy it will soon be Summer.

At the Sprint Section AGM this year after 40 enjoyable years the decision was made to close the section.

There were many reasons why for this decision, primarily it came down to the lack of suitable and affordable venues, the closure of the Brighton Speed Trials (the UK’s longest running motor racing event), the fact that a new committee, which had been sought since 2015, was not forthcoming. 

The remaining funds in the sections account were dispersed equally between The VMCC, Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation, unanimously voted for at the AGM.

The committee, as was, would like to thank the VMCC and its membership for all the help and support given to the Sprint Section over the last 40 years to run many memorable days sprinting at varied venues across the UK, most notably the 1000 Bikes at Brands Hatch and not forgetting the Brighton Speed Trials.

For our February club meeting we had a talk From Duncan on whats hapening in our Section and other Scottish Sections in the next few months to enable us to plan ahead for the events we want to attend and put them on our to do list.

The Haggis at Lanark was very well attended on a cold day as always.

It ts a good day out to meet friends we havent seen fora while and go round the stallsto seewhat can bepicked up for our ongoing projects.

A reminder that we have our AGM on the 15th at 12 noon at Woodfalls.

Our riding season of organised runs gets underway this month beginning with

the popular Spring Run from The Swan Pub, Morrison's Car Park, Verwood  on the 19th organised by Paul Winch.

Our monthly coffee meets begin this month on the 28th, from 10-12 am at Sammy Millers Museum, New Milton.

March saw our first Wrinkly run of 2026 that was actually in pleasant sunshine. Such a treat after months of cold, wet & depressing grey weather! Super route, great pub and super well attended. Victims of our own success really! Work is well in hand to organize our section 80th Anniversary event on 18-19 July. We will be hosting a two day weekend celebration including an all day Wrinkly run, Pizza van, self guided Ravilious Ramble Treasure Hunt on day two with BBQ and musical entertainment after. See separate adverts in this magazine for regs and entry details. Camping also available. Invitation extended to all other sections. A good variety of upcoming events for the Summer are being planned by the new committee. New members on any bike are always welcome.Please follow us on Facebook Surrey & Sussex Section VMCC (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1268499396643859 and if you want to be added to an email distribution list for the very latest information please let me know.   

19 th April will see us meeting with our friends from the WSW Section to hand over for the baton relay most likely at Llandovery.  Then onto South Wales Section at a later date. We rarely meet with the South Wales Section so it will be good to make new friends.  Back to riding in better weather.  We meet at Morriston Rugby Club, Heol Gwernon, (off Chemical Road) Morriston, Swansea.  SA6 6HS., good drinks prices, old guys talking about old bikes.

We meet on the first Tuesday each month and our meetings are at The Southbrook Inn, Southbrook St, Swindon SN2 1HF, from 7:00pm. (https://thesouthbrook.co.uk/) (vehicle access from Ferndale Road only) - So this will be 7th April.

As winter will be behind us for the April meeting, and the clocks will have changed, darkness shouldn’t arrive much before 8:30pm which means that we would expect to see a number of bikes (and riders) at the Southbrook, so we would start the evening in the carpark admiring and discussing the machines.

After this we move into the bar to the right- either having a talk or a general natter about all things bikes, often including updates on members projects or quest to reach the N=N+1 goal of vintage bike ownership.

We will have a run the Sunday following the meeting (11 April) and this normally includes a coffee/ breakfast stop and finishes somewhere that lunch can be had.  If possible we will visit a place of interest to members as part of the ride

We are a friendly bunch, come and say hello.

Find out more on Facebook – ‘Swindon Moonrakers VMCC’.

Noggin and Natter evening turnouts have noticeably improved this year, thanks to those who brave the elements. Pete Monk (aka Arthur Bassett mk2) gave us a nice mix of Talkies on film night, and then an extremely interesting visit organised by Kev A to the Abbey Sewage Pumping Station where we had special access to the bowels! of the building. So, the end of the Trials season this month at Lount(12th), hopefully we all improved our skills (maybe next season then) and finished in one piece. First Tulip run from Pete Halls on the 19th, arrive early for tea and bacon rolls. 

Apologies for Notes over the past two months but with very little happening Section wise it is hard to report on anything. So now we are well into the riding season this month but unfortunately the start of our Touring season is not as the Essex Sections Bluebell Camping Week has been moved to the end of May and will partly clash with the Men of Kent Sittingbourne Weekend which will affect some of you who have always supported both events. The Scarborough Week is now from 4th to 11th July the same week as the Ipswich and Suffolk Camping Week which has been brought forward. Our own Breckland Touring Week is once again based at Fendicks Fishery with a full week of riding from 13th to19th July with camping from Sunday12th. Further details e mail paulfes@hotmail.co.uk or call  01245321573. Hope to see you around somewhere.          

.   

.

The late great David Crosby of The Byrds cut a dash in 1966 riding his Triumph Bonneville regularly up Laurel Canyon sporting his famous green leather riding cape.

Over here Jon Pertwee as Doctor Who rode his Triumph 650 on the BBC wearing a velvet cape in 1972. Since then, a paucity of motorcycling capery has been evident!

Is it time for a cape revival? In Summer 26 should one occasionally don a brighter coloured cape, this could provide a flamboyant alternative to the Hi-Viz tabard?

In March, we enjoyed an exciting evening chat with Louise Hillier on the VMCC Journal & motorcycle adventures, our own Roger Fogg skilfully emulating Parky!  

If the stars aligned, we also enjoyed a run to Portscatho on March 8th!

April Club night Friday 3rd, 8pm, Holiday Inn Express, Roche, Rodney Hann, on wheel building!

Easter Egg Run, April 12th – Roche Services 10am.

Ride Ansum!

Our April section meeting is on Thursday the 16th starting at 7-30pm at the Netherton Sports and Social Club, we will be entertained with a talk by Neil Smith on vintage racing machines which promises to be an interesting and informative evening. Hopefully by now the weather is getting better and Neil Lewis can find one or two suitable April days for Mustang Café mornings at Scissett before the first organised 2026 mid-week natter on Wednesday 6th May. Keep a watch on his weekly newsflash emails he will announce any Mustang days. Lastly, if you still need one of our pocket sized event cards for 2026 please ask Neil or Alistair.

On February clubnight we were entertained by Barry and Toni Lee . He was a very successful car and lorry racer in the 1970's . He appeared on TV and was known as Leapy Lee due to the set up of his car . After being written off by his headmaster he returned with school mate Bobby George,the darts player,to show off their Rolls Royces. Looking forward to April which hopefully will be a tad drier than at present. We have Craig Szczpek visiting us on clubnight 8/4/26:He's a modern day racer ,with TT experience. On 12/4/26 we have another Girder Fork run . In conjunction with the Banbury Section. Meet at Chesterton Windmill at 10.00 or ride straight to Gilks cafe at Kineton. This year we're hoping that the members will take a lead in organising the pop-ups. Our chairman agreed to continue,but with less involvement. If someone other than committee could be responsible for the signing on , it would lighten his load . Pop-ups are well attended and would be a pity not to have as many . David Barnes will send the email out . If someone could contact him and say they will sing members on , then the committee needn't attend , if they have other commitments. Stay dry , Simon.

At our March meeting we were entertained by a fascinating talk given by Frank Cropp on the history of gold mining in Wales, something most of the members knew little or nothing about. It also gave the opportunity to use our recently purchased modern digital equivilant to an epidiascope for the first time, projecting photographs through the digital projector. Thanks to Peter Benger for sourcing the device and to Peter Fielding for actually getting it to work! Our breakfast meet on March 14th saw the regular attendees plus Tony Winlow who had come up from Devon. On May 9th we have a breakfast meet at Ansty PYO and on May 11th our ever popular annual ploughmans lunch at Silton Village Hall with an earlier than usual start time of 12.30. Once again our regular caterers Rachel Gray and Christine Hunt will be in charge of proceedings. Cost? £5 a head.

The Westies held our final summer venue club night at the scenic Creagan Inn at Appin, beside Loch Creran. Seven riders came, from Spean Bridge in the north, to Ardrishaig in the south, just on 90 miles between. We’re a widespread lot, but I’d wager we have the best ride in the country to see our pals. From October we decamp to our winter habitat of the Lorn Bar in Oban on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. All welcome.

On another matter, we’re going to pick up a bit on our one-and-only road run next May 23rd, gloriously entitled ‘The Peep At The Paps’, a run from Lochgilphead to Tarbert via the Kilberry road, where views of the Isle of Jura give us our title. We’ve kept the past couple of years fairly quiet as we’ve built a small team or organisers, but now we feel we can push the boat out a bit. More to follow as plans come together

As you’re aware we have a full calendar of events but we are still short of leaders for our runs. Remember no leader equals no run. The June Social & Evening run and July Sunday social runs are first up with no current leaders, others follow towards the end of the year. It shouldn’t be up to your committee to keep filling the gaps. Please can we have some volunteers. As always I’ll give help and advice if required to any volunteer. At the end of the month we have Neil Spalding, ex MotoGP commentator, as our guest speaker at the Bell, Kemsing. His talk will be on the links between the Norton Commander and the Yamaha M1 MotoGP bike of Valentino Rossi. On the 3rd May we have the Oast House Run hopefully starting from Spadeworks, Offham. Watch out for emails confirming the start venue.

March 1st
St David's day run 
Started St Clears 
Through the lanes to Stepaside more twisty lanes to the lunch stop at Station house pub  Whitland 
Well organised by Derrick Mason 
20 riders took part including Lindsay Macfarlane on her 1962 
 triumph cub 
Ist outing since 2005 

If possible please 
Thanks  val Newton

April 19th
The VMCC 80th aniversary
Start 10am, Pendine Carmarthenshire 
 baton hand over run 
The Wales element of the baton relay starts with the first leg with West South Wales section in Pendine 
The home of world speed records then calling in at  Carmarthen Museum and then a hand over to The Swansea vmcc section on the Black mountain 
Open invite to all to join us 
Ideally on 25 or more years old vintage motorcycles 
Info start and time check 
Angelo Conti  01267281394 
April 26th
Black Mountain Run 
Info Morgan Thomas 07790451182 
Club night April 27th  8pm
The Cresselly arms pub  Cothi bridge

Spring arrived, with the first mid-week run North to the Cotswold hills, then a Wandering looping mazily around quiet Wiltshire lanes with a bacon slicer to Urchfont; and more recently  a run East across the Wessex downs.  Green lane runs too have re-started with an 80 mile outing onto the Plain and into the Mendips. May's mid-week run will head South over Cranborne Chase.  Entries are open for the West Wilts Scamper (route-mapped run for girder/rigid and small capacity machines - 23rd August). See West Wilts VMCC website or email jonhall850@gmail.com for more information or for our 2026 Calendar. 

Worcester Section VMCC   Section Notes May 2026

On Thursday 7th May we have a Welsh Borders Run starting from Oakchurch Garden Centre [HR4 7NH] from 10.00am. Last year we were plagued with road closures but hopefully we will not have the same problems this year.

On Monday 11th our first of the Club’s ‘Bring a Bike’ night at the Bell [WR2 6QG] from 7.00pm. Always a good night with many fine bikes we have not seen before.

On Thursday 14th May we are meeting with the Flat Tank Section to collect the National 80th Celebratory Baton from them. We meet at the Farmers’ Arms, Birtsmorton  [WR13 6AP]at 12 noon.  Meet at The Cob House at 10.00am for  a scenic ride to Birtsmorton.

On Thursday 21st we have a Breakfast meeting at Bonnie’s Tearooom at the wild Goose [WR2 6LS] from 9.30am

  For further details of the above contact Richard Caddick 01299 403334 or r.j.k.caddick@talktalk.net or website www.worcestervmcc.org