Minutes of AGM/Reunion 13 Jan 2013

(a tongue-in-cheek account for the benefit of those unable to come along. Due to the writers failing memory it is hoped that  any error, omission or embellishment will be accepted without offence by all parties).

Introduction: Once again the meeting was held at the Dom Marco restaurant, Deansgate, Manchester and commenced promptly at 1pm.

Attendance: Chris, Roger, Swinn, Dave, Ken, Martin and Steve W. However numbers seemed greater due to the location of our table immediately adjacent the full-height mirror wall (as last year ………). Noise generated during the course of the meeting reinforced the illusion.

It was noted that Steve, who resides in Vichy, France, had made a special effort to attend.

Swinn notionally chaired the meeting but, as had been found in previous years, was unable to exercise control due to the enormous excitement displayed by all attendees. Without reference to any previous documentation, and with the benefit of Ken’s amazingly retentive memory, an agenda of sorts was followed. 

Roger became very agitated when he discovered that the restaurant’s wi-fi was broken (so they said) and he couldn’t access facebook

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Most attendees ordered the ‘presso fisso’ meal-deal - see footnote.

AGENDA ITEMS:

1. Apologies: none were received and there was some disappointment that Rob and Pete K could not attend this year. However the very welcome visit by Steve W helped compensate. It was hoped that Peter L and Dave B, both of whom plan to retire in 2013, would attend in 2014.

2. Matters arising: due to the lack of access to last years minutes it was not possible to assess whether progress had been made on any of the items highlighted for action. It was also clear that no-one was particularly bothered.. ( see below addendum re: Club Badge)

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2. Ailments and medication, annual update: there was a short update on medical conditions but this was on an exception basis i.e. only to record changes in the last 12 months. Roger was still indubitably the fittest of the group and Martin, Chris and Dave reported no change. 

Ken indicated that he had stopped taking all of his pills (it is not known whether this was with or without medical advice) but doubted that anyone would notice. Steve, a PPL holder with access to planes in both France and UK had been passed fit-to-fly again. 

Swinn reported that Peter L had suffered a TIA but was now back to full strength. Swinn had developed a hernia, brought about by kick-starting his Commando, but he hoped to get it fixed in the near future.

There was a general concern over rising PSA levels and current digital diagnostic methods , whereupon Ken launched into a tale about a well-known magician culminating in the punch-line ‘look no hands’.

3. Employment status, annual update: A poll of this years attendees recorded 4 fully retired, 1 part-time retired, 1 part-time employed and 1 full-time employed. (It transpired that the 1 part-time retired was assisting the 1 part-time employed). This is a subtle distinction based upon hours worked.

Steve, who had retired from a Corporate IT position some 2-ish years previously, appeared to be the first non public sector member to have done so.

The question of OAP status was discussed. Dave expected to collect his State Pension in the coming year, Swinn expected his in 3 years time and Steve perhaps in 4. There was some uncertainty about when other, younger, members might receive theirs due to recent changes in DWP rules, also whether other age-related benefits might be delayed due to Government cut-backs. 

Chris declared that he was in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment. Swinn indicated that he was too (with which he had bought paraffin to heat his shed). He also had a bus pass. Roger, who had reached 60 in 2012 wanted to know why he had not.

4. Motorcycles currently in use/not in use: few changes since 2012 but Roger had sold his BMW and bought a KTM which he thought was the best bike he’d ever owned – except that the frame had broken and he was awaiting its repair. 

Ken had recently bought a Honda which he thought was incredibly fast but Steve suggested that this impression could be due to old age and that Ken’s brain might be unable to cope. Further evidence to support Steve’s hypothesis arose when Ken informed the meeting he had been learning to fly a helicopter but had been advised by his instructor that his reaction times were too slow to keep the thing in the air. On Chris’s recommendation Ken concluded that he should invest in some 1 to 1 advanced training to get himself up to speed.

Each attendee then recounted the numbers of machines still owned. Easily the maximum was Steve’s collection of 11 machines although this was challenged as 4 of these were Vincent Fireflies and that he had overstated his case. On rarity-value alone his claim was upheld. Martin reported 9 comprising 3 Velos, 2 MZs, 2 Hondas, a Morini and an AJS. He admitted that with the exception of his currently used CB500 all required rebuilds, furthermore storage arrangements weren’t ideal and that further deterioration was a possibility. 

Swinn, and Dave owned 5 each, Ken 4 (and requested that henceforth his ‘Stevens’ should be referred to as ’The Reg Orpin Velocette’), Roger owned 2 machines. 

Chris no-longer owned a motorcycle due to medical problems and had turned his hand to photography which was an equally risky (risqué) pursuit (see item 7).

 

It later transpired that on the morning of the meeting Roger had purchased a private yacht, ably assisted by two marine surveyors.. 

5. Club badge: Item now identified from previous year’s minutes but not discussed at the time due to the impromptu nature of the agenda. (see addendum)

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6. Events: Last year’s Anglesey meet-up had been poorly supported. However, with the aid of Peter L’s t-shirts a Virtual Rally had been organised which enabled both UK and overseas alumni to take part.

Dave announced that he and Ken would be biking to Morocco with the intention of riding through the Atlas Mountains - probably in late April. He extended an invitation to anyone who wanted to join them and anticipated being away for about three weeks (that's Roger out as he has to work for a living). 

7 AOB: Time to reminisce about Edale yet again. Ken told various stories but others complained that he had told them before. Ken ploughed on regardless and argued that he was repeating them purely for Steve’s benefit and that other attendees should listen too - out of politeness.

Steve produced various photographs taken in the ’70s which Roger will try and scan and publish on the web. Most were of Ken who was judged, by some, to be

almost photogenic at that time (sadly questionable since). 

Dave and Ken related encounters with The Law in their student days. Neither of them had been awarded penalty points. However, despite the efforts of an AA barrister (probably on-call for breakdowns too) to argue his case Dave had been fined for riding no-handed whilst checking the stability of his machine. In Ken’s case the officer had been unable to define an offence which fitted his apparent misdemeanour.

  

Chris mentioned that he had bought an ex-eastern bloc latex gas mask off ebay for less than £20. This was purely for use as a photographic prop as he had access to several studios and wanted to extend the range of his portfolio.Outcomes to reported under Matters Arising at the next meeting.

Martin advised that with Spring approaching he was looking forward to the folk-festival season and the fresh challenge that camp-fire cooking would bring. Weather permitting.

Roger had finally made contact with Phil Deacon via facebook and again invited him to attend but to no avail.

This was followed by a discussion about who was in touch with whom and what had happened to them.

Swinn took a, now obligatory, photograph of Steve wearing the last surviving Rally t-shirt. Steve declared this to be an honour and much appreciated. However, there were complaints that the t-shirt had shrunk in the wash.

Finally, thanks to Roger for organising another riotous event and maintaining BLOG

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8. Next meetings: AGM January 2014

The meeting closed at 3.30 due to parking restrictions and the zeal with which these are enforced by the Local Authorities these days (who also pay Chris’s and Swinn’s pensions with the money raised). Farewells followed and attendees went there separate ways.

Footnote: although virtually everybody thought they had ordered from the ‘presso fisso’ menu the bill appeared to be charged at ‘alla carta’ rates. In view of the possibility of being fined for exceeding parking times this went unchallenged and there was a frantic emptying of pockets to find sufficient small change to make up the required sum. As attendees were allowed to leave the building it can be concluded that the monies raised were sufficient. However there would have been little in the way of a tip to thank the four staff who had so professionally and politely attended to our wishes, for their forbearance too. Serves them right.

Addendum: The Club Badge. Ken will provide a progress report, or not.

Steve Winter