AGM minutes

Minutes of the AGM held on 17 January 2016

Usual cautions re misrepresentation/fabrication/misunderstandings/authors amnesia and any offence thereby caused.

Introduction: The Peking Court, Princess Street Manchester was the chosen venue again this year following its successful trial in 2015. In typical Groundhog-Day manner attendees sat at the same table, enjoyed the same buffet, and were equally well tolerated by the restaurant staff for a full three hours. However, it was noted that the doorway to the restaurant was narrow, and there were steps up to restaurant. At the point that any of the attendees reaches a level of decrepitude such that these obstacles cannot be overcome Roger will seek an alternative - but preferably not an upmarket restaurant franchise where we were likely be turfed-out after an hour and prices would be beyond the reach of most retiree’s budgets. A fortunate consequence of the Bank of England’s control of interest rates was that the price of the meal had been pegged at 2015 prices.

There had been a dusting of snow overnight.

Attendees: Roger, Phil D, Martin, Steve, Dave, Ken and Swinn. As a sign of the times, no one had ridden to the meeting and 4 had travelled by train with the benefit of discounts afforded by their Senior Rail Cards.

Phil D had driven all the way from Fishguard to Manchester (some 200 miles) in his father’s Honda Civic and would be returning the same day.

Apologies received from Peter L due to domestic issues, Chris because he was snowed-in in Derbyshire (but could have easily made use of his Senior Railcard too) and Pete K because he was snowed-in in Lancashire. Ken mentioned Pete K’s new partner and thought this might be a contributory factor.

There had been no news from Eldon, Mike M, or Terry. Mark had sent a Christmas message which can be read elsewhere.

Phil D had finally agreed to attend a meeting out of sheer frustration with Roger’s pestering. He was much the same as we remembered – except he had a beard and much less hair. His Viking Longboat earring was much admired. Declaring himself a serial monogamist he was now in a happy and stable relationship. He was also the principal carer for his elderly father which placed constraints on his activities. During his time at the meeting his partner had taken the opportunity to meet an old pal and was dining at a popular up-market restaurant at considerably greater expense. Ken asked why we weren’t all at this restaurant (see introduction).

Contrary to the previous belief that Phil had pursued a Police Force career and was now be comfortably retired it transpired that his working life had involved several occupations. Not least was his time as a motorcycle riding instructor and, currently, as a Driving Test Centre manager. He was qualified to test both motorcyclists and car drivers. His 5 year spell with the police came to an end some 30 years ago when training to deal with civil unrest (baton-on-shield-banging stuff), had convinced him that it was not for him.

The group met at about 1pm, as arranged, but there was an exceptionally long pre-amble - catching-up, boasting, interrogating Phil, reminiscing and listening to Ken. The meeting proper commenced at about 3pm.

Minutes of the last meeting: taken as read

Matters arising: Club badge: Ken again reported that there had been no progress and made an assertion that there was inadequate information to complete the task (strongly refuted). This was the fourth year he had reported similarly. Therefore, despite declaring that he was being unfairly treated, Ken is to relinquish the project forthwith (in line with recommendation minuted in 2015).

Swinn’s Velo flywheels: messages had been left for Mike M but the promised parts had yet to be received.

Ailments and medication, annual update: Dave reported no change; he was still being treated with rat poison and had to be careful what he drank. Phil looked amazingly well and took no pills at all. Ken’s trip to Japan to practise ceremonial archery had resulted in him taking more anti-depressants (Phil insisted these be referred to as SSRIs ) than before to combat pre-flight anxiety. Steve had been passed fit to fly yet again following a cursory assessment by his pet doctor. He was taking loads of pills as was his wife. His prostate problems were under control but being regularly monitored. Due to its weight, he had taken to collecting his family’s medication in a wheelie bag, which was good exercise. Martin was taking pills for high blood pressure and claimed they were making him wee a lot. Others thought they were similarly afflicted but had put it down to age- related incontinence. This year there was an inkling that Roger had previously misled the meeting as he proudly announced that he needed a knee replacement. The problem had been ongoing ‘for years’ and was deemed to be a consequence of owning a Ducati 900SS some 40 years previously.  A no win/no fee claim was unlikely to succeed due to the myriad of other machines he had owned since. Swinn was still taking loads of pills but his condition remained stable and he felt well.

Employment status and benefits, annual update: due to the reduced number of attendees this year there was an unexpected shift in the previous reported employed/unemployed ratio - the totally retired being in a minority. However Roger claimed he had ‘had enough’ and was looking forward to running his Wedding Car business. Phil was winding down (currently 3 days), Dave was now involved with a Stroud firm – whose name had been imaginatively concocted by a group of first week Apprentice Show contestants. Ken was quiet at this point but probably working for this outfit. too. Dave had been claiming his old age pension for several years, Swinn was to begin claiming his in the coming week (Chris was thought to be an OAP too). Roger finally owned-up to receiving his winter fuel allowance last year.

Motorcycles owned and/or in use: Ken had bought a near new R1200GS –(cute abbeviations-Sildenafil Substitute Edition) for an enormous sum. Having no more tarpaulins or space in his garden to park another bike he had ridden his old GS1100 down to Dave’s place in Portugal to avoid building a garage. Having owned his Firestorm for 2 years and now fulfilled his ambition to sample a v-twin he woluld be selling it this year. (Swinn forget to mention that he had visited the BMW factory in Spandau before Christmas. Their emphasis had been on ‘hand-built’, ‘fit and feel’ and an expectation that substandard components would be spotted by technicians during assembly. Swinn had been amazed that engines were spun-up before filling with oil to test for gas tightness/valve gear faults (presumably with the benefit that running-in times could be shortened). Ken admitted that, as with the club badge, progress on his Velo had been virtually nil as he was busy renovating Lorch lathes and selling them on ebay.

Steve reported no change although there was a lengthy discussion about his 2 aeroplanes and Morgan-style BRA CX500 powered 3-wheeler. His most modern bike, a Honda St1100, would shortly qualify to run in Vintage Motorcycle Club events. Roger still owned several bikes including a Ducati 748 (another SSE) but had been unable to achieve the performance of his younger pals. The contorted position adopted to get going, along with his dodgy knee had not helped. He would therefore be selling it in the Spring. However, he had bought a Porsche Boxster (post-midlife crisis model) and his wife was running an Alfa Romeo – so there must be more money in selling footballs than we all thought.

No change for Martin. Swinn had sold his silver Commando on ebay (see newspaper cutting elsewhere) The winning bid was less than Roger estimated but a good deal more than Ken wanted to pay. His ex-army Velocette (pipe and slippers model) was now on the road and he was working on his other Commando. It is possible that the latter would be for sale in the Spring. Dave reported no change but planned to have a clearout of his Velo bits. There had been no-takers for his K75s and he admitted it was not quite as shiny as when he bought it from Swinn (in 2003!!!).

Phil owned a K1200LT which was currently in bits pending its resurrection as a sidecar outfit. He also ran a GS1150 and at times had the use of a Honda Deauville provided by his employers. The A7SS had long gone and he had owned a variety of machines since including a number of MZ250s. He had owned a number of 2CVs and he had one awaiting restoration in his garage.

Distance travelled by motorcycle during the year (henceforth this will be a standing item): Phil D was easily the most furthest travelled having ridden several thousand miles (at his most busy/furthest commute he had previously travelled over 28000 miles in one year). Dave couldn’t remember being out on his bike at all. Roger, Steve, and Swinn estimated between 1000 to 2000 miles. Roger claimed he had ridden just as far on his push bike and Martin claimed he had walked even further. Despite his trip to Portugal and a ride to Barmouth on his new bike Ken’s mileage was thought to be less than 1000.

AOB:

Ken was making a heavy duty handrail using his vast array of workshop machinery. This would replace the nail and timber version assembled by Dave which already performed quite adequately. His metalworking mentor had recently passed away and he had inherited another Lorch lathe.

Dave had completed work on his place in Portugal but presently retained his house in Plymouth.

As usual there was great enthusiasm for a mid-year meeting and locations in France, Holland and Portugal were discussed. However, due to other commitments, it was unlikely that a group of sufficient size could be free to travel. A better bet would to meet Phil at Fishguard where camping facilities, comfortable cabins (and hotel accommodation for those who like warm/en-suite facilities) are to hand. The roads are good and there is plenty to see. Phil will post details and suitable dates be canvassed. This would mark the 45^th anniversary of Edale – so fondly remembered

The meeting closed at 4pm and the bills/tips paid.  A tip was left on Chris’s behalf – in line with his usual contribution.