MARCH 2013 - FREE TO MEMBERS; £0.10 WHEN SOLD SEPARATELY
MARCH 2013
Welcome to yet another issue of Despatches. The 1st one for 2013. A thorpughly enjoyable 2012 has been succeeded by what will hopefully be an even better 2013.
2013 promises to be a busy year for all things Deva. Rallies, Meetings, Rides, Events and trips all follow each other in quick succession.
The club is, this year, supporting Nabbed in Chelford, Cheshire (May), Wake The Lakes (July), Rainy Daze (July) and Sofer (August). Of course we have our own rally Circus Maximus which is held from 7th - 9th of June. All bands and musoic have been booked, retailers are attending, Mark Wells is planning a cracking ride. Due to various events in other parts of the country as well as the European event in Rome, clashing with our event it is even more important this year that as many members as possible support the rally so please book your tickets and take part in the fun.
Following Keith Woodwards decision to finish his role as webmaster I have suggested to combine my role as magazine editor with the role as webmaster. I have since the AGM replaced the old website and although it is not finished yet it is at least ‘live’. I hope you enjoy the webpage and look forward to your ongoing feedback. As a result of compiling both the magazine and the website the “Missive” has now become somewhar superfluous. I hope to keep the webpage more interactive and up-to-date and will use that format to keep people informed of all matters day-to-day whilst the magazine will remain as it has been for the last year. Please keep logging on to the website for the latest information.
A big thank you to all contributors to the magazine this month. Committee members for their reports, Geoff Hall for the great article about his holiday to New Zealand and Chris Kirk for the jokes.
Finally I would like to thank Keith, Richard, Mike and Jackie for all the efforts over the years. They have all decided not stand again in their repsective roles. After years of service and hard work to make the club more enjoyable for all they are now taking a less visible and pro-active approach to the club’s activities. ENJOY AND STAY SAFE VINCENT
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DIRECTORS ANNUAL REPORT 2012
My second year as Director has gone by and what a busy year it was. The year started with our Egg Run, our tenth Circus Maximus was a sell out and despite the weather well attended by other chapters. We had our best year for attendance at other rallies, Wake the Lakes, Rainy Daze, SOFER and, Thunder in the Glens. It has to be said that either the rides to or from some of these were among the wettest conditions I have ever ridden in, but that none of this stopped us having a great time and plans are well on the way for a return in 2013. Mark and the team of Road Captains, produced an excellent program of ride outs continuing to be well supported by members, and I am sure there will be some great rides planned for 2013. Once again, we helped out at RTTW with the parking, and for the second year in a row the weather was bright and sunny. The early start did not put off a good attendance, although riding straight into the sun or fog did make leading the ride down somewhat interesting. We will be there again this year so come along and support a very worthy cause. Once again Windy organised a chapter trip over to the Loft in Belgium and again there were good numbers for this trip with variation’s on routes, some by tunnel, some on ferries but we all ended up at the Loft, drank, sang and generally had a great time. There were the usual mishaps, a small “off” on the way down, flat tyres, hang overs! Luc and Bernie guided us round in their own, particularly Belgium way (whistles & lolly pops! never work in the UK) and those of us who came back on the Zebrugge to Hull ferry had a lovely sunny ride home! The annual Xmas party had a theme this year as it does every year and everyone made an effort. Cowboys and Saloon girls, some may be made to much effort has anyone seen Andria Ball recently! Hats, guns, fish nets, Basque’s, shooting gallery, yeehah! In 2012 we once again were able to give a good donation to our nominated charities with £1,100 going to Claire House and £500 to Save the Family. There will be an opportunity to have a tour of Claire House during 2013,
and for anyone who has not done this, if you can deal with the emotions its well worthwhile as you will understand why we continue to support this local charity.
ter officers for their continued support and hard work. At this years AGM as at last year’s we are going through a number of changes with a number of officers standing down after a long length of service, huge thanks must go to Mike, Jackie and Richard. Mike has been there since day one back in 2001 and played a major part in ensuring the Chapter has gone from strength to strength and if anyone deserves a rest its Mike although he is now a Road Captain. Of course Jackie has always been there supporting Mike and since 2004 As Ladies of Harley officer organising our social activities and much more. Richard took over the Treasurers position in 2006 and has done a sterling! Job in keeping our finances in order. It is only right that we made a presentation to all three at the AGM to show the gratitude of the Chapter members for their long years of service. I hope that Richards actual gift turns up for the next meeting as it was a little embarrassing to have nothing to give him on the night, sorry Richard. So a new phase in the Chapter has started with Debbie Singleton taking on the role of Secretary, Ian Miller taking on the role of Treasurer and Andrew Ball the role of Safety Officer. Thanks to all of them for getting involved, it is always good to have fresh faces and ideas to help take us forward. 2013 is going to be a good year for Deva we have already lots of plans for Circus Maximus with a new ride out, extra bands for Saturday afternoon as well as the headline acts, so get you tickets booked asap. The team of Road Captains have a packed ride out season organised, three of them are going on the HOG Road Captain’s course in May, so we should see everything run like clockwork. We will be attending a number of other Chapters rallies this year, so see George for the list and get your name down, and keep an eye out for a special weekend ride out/party! Let’s not forget we ride bikes to have fun, and that’s it.
At the AGM we had a number of changes in officers with two roles being taken by new members, Vincent taking over the role of Editor and Diane taking the role of Ladies of Harley with Jackie continuing to organise our social events and Daphne taking on the merchandise. I would like to express my thanks to all the chap-
JON (TWIGGLET) TWIGG
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You can contact me through the club or on my home number 0151 339 8969 many thanks to you all and I look forward to seeing lots of you at our planned events , after all it is your club and it only works if we all play a part. YOUR LADIES OF HARLEY OFFICER DIANE HALHEAD
Hi to all you ladies of Harley riders and non riders. I would just like to thank all of you that turned up for our
afternoon tea at Inglewood manor last month, as you can see from the photos we had a fantastic time both the food and the company was exceptional.
It was a great chance to socialise and to brain storm for the coming year, we have many ideas now to put into fruition and with your help and support we look forward to a busy and eventful time.
I will be posting a list of dates and times for new events as soon as they are finalized. 4
HEAD ROAD CAPTAINS REPORT 2012
Well 2012 was my second year as Head road captain and thanks to all the other road captains all went well really, although the weather at times tried to destroy our fun we held in there and had some fantastic rides, in fact we had more dry rides than wet so we did well. We had 15 dry rides 1 dry’ish ride and 6 wet rides a total of 22 rides in all went ahead as planed, so out of 25 ride dates we had only 3 that didn’t go I think that’s pretty good. In 2012 we had 13 road captains including myself and for 2013 they have all stayed on for another year, we have also gained another road captain in the form of our just retired secretary Mike Buchan, as we all know Mike is a very experienced Harley rider with a lot of miles under his belt so I am sure you will all benefit from his vast knowledge of the roads. It was nice to see Graham Bell win the 2012 Road captains award ‘very well deserved’ if it was up to me they would all get a trophy as they all spend a lot of time and effort into planning their rides. The 2013 Road captains have a calendar of great rides planned for this season and this will be published soon. So that’s all from me hope to see you all out riding this year Ride Safe and have fun MARK WELLS HEAD ROAD CAPTAIN
TREASURER’S REPORT YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2012 Overall we have an Operating Surplus for the year of £564.
Our income from Chapter Members Subscriptions was £3735. Additional income of £1442 came from the Burns Night Supper, Summer BBQ and a very successful Circus Maximus X. Chapter funds contributed to the Firework Display, Christmas Party, Chapter Raffle prizes and the buffet at monthly Chapter meetings.
With support from Chester Harley Davidson we have purchased new Hi-Vis Vests for each of our Road Captains. We continued our Membership of NABD (National Association for Bikers with a Disability).
We have been able to retain our Rally Fund of £4000 which will be used to safeguard future rallies and to add some additional activities at Circus Maximus XI in June 2013.
It has also been possible to maintain the range of Chapter merchandise, so there continues to be plenty of retail opportunities for everyone. Finally, the Chapter Charity fund had a successful year raising £1742.
We donated £1100 to Claire House Hospice and £600 along with Easter Eggs and Christmas selection boxes to Save the Family at Plas Belyn.
This will be my last Treasurer’s Report as I have decided to step down. I have very much enjoyed looking after the Chapter’s finances and would like to thank everyone for their support over the past six years. I wish every success to Windy as the Chapter’s new Treasurer. RICHARD NOTT
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RAFFLE;
NEW MEMBERS:
As you know Jake stepped down from doing the raffle so I have taken over.
I hope to have lots of good prizes this year and would like your help.If you have any unwanted gifts or Harley bits sitting at home and you want to pass on to me that would be great.
I would like stuff for men and women so dig out and recycle by passing it on to me.
Mike went to the Doctors about his hearing. Hmmm, loud Harley exhaust pipes and wind can damage your hearing said the Doctor. Can you describe the symptoms. No problem said Mike, Homer is fat and yellow, Marge has tall blue hair
Rodney Melbourne Stephen Dakin Karen Dakin Amanda Hudson Mark Smallwood Stephen Walker Julie Walker Donald McKinsley Sharon Steadman Fransesco D'Amelio Nicola D'Amelio Kevin Davies Nigel Purcell Matt Bradley
And don't forget to buy your tickets at each meeting!
Thanks a lot LILIAN
I was riding this morning when I saw an R.A.C van parked up. The driver was sobbing uncontrollably and looking very miserable I thought to myself "That guys heading for a breakdown"
A Harley rider friend of mine recently admitted to being addicted to brake fluid. When I quizzed him about this addiction, he reckoned he could stop at any time.
LILIAN DAY’S BIO
A warm welcome to the following ‘new’ member:
Vincent's daughter asked him for a pet spider for her birthday, so went to his local pet shop and they were asking £70 for them. Blow this he thought I can get one cheaper of the WEB
have a passion for studying especially history and always have my nose in a book about something and watch anything about history.
Name: Lilian Day (57 this year)
Married: George Day (36yrs this year)
Music; I have a broad spectrum of taste ranging from Nat King Cole through to the Stones but my favourite singers are Jose Carreras/Michael Buble/Lyndsey Buckingham and Rod Stewart.
Work: Special needs teacher
Club role: Historian and George's support
Films: I love films especially musicals and I love the Aliensv Predator films and Aliens 1+2.Most favourite movie is Casablanca
Love; Merc sports cars/colour blue/chocolate/my nieces and nephews and Harleys and reading and of course Georgie!
Hate; Meaness of spirit/racism/petty mindedness and people who try to stullify creativity in others.
Favourite books: Pride and Prejudice,Ovid's Metamorphoses and the Rendevous with Rama trilogy.
Currently studying for my second Honours degree through the OU. Will graduate 2014 (I hope) with a B.Ed (Hons) Humanities with Classical Studies.I 6
FORTHCOMING BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Graham Sutton -60th Gaynor Wells Jon Twigg Grahame Sutton Stan Geraldine Haven
APRIL
birthdays Margaret Johns Jason Roberts Julie Walker Pat Tindle Pauline Suchy Roger Plant Mally
anniversaries Roger and Jo Cox JUNE
birthdays Carol Mason Harold Bodanski Ricky Moulton-30th Jay Johnson Keith Woodward Karen Dakin Rhiannon Foxley Stephen Dakin
anniversaries Nick and Lyn Weale Ralph Edwards and Gilly Orme MAY
birthdays Giily Orme Gary Roberts Mave Thomas Dan Simcoe Lil Day I woke up last night to find the ghost of Gloria Gaynor standing at the foot of my bed. At first I was afraid, then I was petrified.
anniversaries Stephen and Julie Walker Pat and Bernard Tindle Dave and Amanda Williams
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S REPORT 2012 This year as Assistant Director I have been able to provide support and advice to all the club officers as we continue to ensure our club remains relevant to the riding experience and all things HARLEY.
I have continued to make my self available at Chester Harley Davidson most Saturdays to provide a public face for our Club, to all visitors, potential members and current members. Keeping close ties with the shop and helping to foster mutual support
Harley programmes in the UK, are not always appropriate but I have endeavoured to improve our access to these if requested. The maintenance of our own mileage award is a vehicle to create an interest in ‘getting out there’ and this year I hope to persuade more members to sign up
The work instigated last year in creating the ‘Deva Supported Rally Programme’ has helped to bolstered our clubs attendance at a good number of other Chapter Rally’s and 2012 proved to be a good year (despite the rubbish weather). This work will continue this year, so look out for this years programme of events. You can be sure that you will be welcome with other club members. In 2013 we have plans to provide some new events that will encourage us to meet socially as a chapter.
The interface with our charities was improved in 2012 and these efforts will continue in 2013 with a programme of visits and presentations so that all members can see that money we provide is spent to good effect. Thanks for your support in 2012 and I look forward to all the fun 2013 will bring. Remember I am always available for a chat about the club and how it can benefit you. GEORGE DAY
The wife has been missing a week now. Police said to prepare for the worst. So I've been to the charity shop to get all her clothes back. 7
SECRETARY’S AGM REPORT FEB 2012 Membership
Club membership this year reached 257 – 25 behind last year (our highest ever) Full and associate HOG members reached 176 including 14 lapsed who have been chased up therefore we have a further 81 WAGS. This falling membership both of the club and HOG probably reflects the tough economic times we live in. Seventy four of our 2011 members did not renew and we still retain 17 of our (fifty) Charter members, and an additional 8 of our founder year (2001) members. We recruited 41 new members in 2012 Meetings & Ride-outs
We had a meeting every month and numbers attending ranged from a ‘low’ of 63 in July to a high of 93 in February for the AGM, the average meeting attendance was 80
A total of 174 members attended at least one meeting accompanied by 26 guests. This means 83 members never made it to any our monthly meetings (same as last year). Committed Members
Only four of our members made every meeting in 2012 – Mark Argent, Carl & Linda Cooper and George Day
Mark Argent has now attended 50 meetings in a row and again I have to report he has now had perfect attendance since November 2008 – he must go out and get a life.
I must again report Jim Hackett‘s casual lack of interest this year attending only 9 meetings – his all-time record is now well and truly blown and he lies in a poor third place. Jackie has now attended 132 of our 139 meetings with Bob Hart only one behind at 131 And Finally
I have thoroughly enjoyed my 11-odd years as secretary (being only the second incumbent since the formation of the chapter - taking up the role in November 2001) helping to run the club, watching it grow, seeing many great people come, go and stay. However I feel it is time to let “someone else have a go” but I will always be willing to help out. Over these years Jackie and I have forged many new friendships, attended lots of rallies and events, gone on some great holidays with the Harley Davidson family and Deva Legion in particular. I personally have enjoyed a great relationship with both our sponsoring dealers (originally Centurion and now Chester Harley Davidson) and would thank them for the support to both me and especially the club, both up front and behind the scenes, over these many years. Jackie and I fully intend remaining involved with the club – I’ll maybe join the crowd in the ‘bad-boys corner’ and talk all through the meetings (only joking Jon) Hail Deva!
MIKE BUCHAN PAST SECRETARY 04 FEBRUARY 2013
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BLUE LAKES AND WHITE PEAKS
I had the good fortune to be able to visit my eldest daughter and family for a month in October 2012 at the Queensbury Inn on the Luggate – Wanaka road, Cromwell, Otago, South Island, New Zealand. After reading the New Zealand article in the December issue I thought I would share with you my long weekend on a Heritage Softail. We started outside the bike hire shop on the northern outskirts of Queenstown very early Friday morning, with our kit on, ready to roll. Younger daughter, Amie, is not a bike fan but decided to come along. We headed south to Invercargill in the Southlands District to track down the “Fastest Indian” . If you have not seen the biographical film starring Anthony Hopkins as Burt Munro, a New Zealand speed bike racer who took his highly modified Indian Scout to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, it is worth watching.
My son in law had been involved in the making of the film in 2005 and told me about the bike, now in E. Hayes and Sons Tool Shop Museum in Invercargill.
Highway 6 took us down the side of Lake Wakatipu, in the shadow of the Remarkables mountain range, through valleys, green pastures, lots of sheep (what else did you expect). It is much like Wales, a home from home really, except there are many more and much higher snow capped peaks, and the worst wind and sleet the foulest weather I have ever ridden in !!! Fortunately, Hayes Tool Shop also sold thermal Possum inner gloves which were badly needed.
Once inside the museum, there in all its glory was Burt Munro’s Fastest Indian on which he broke several speed records. His 1967 speed of 187.5 mph still stands today as the world speed record for a motorbike under 1000cc with steamliner. Check him out on Wikipedia and the E. Hayes website www.ehayes.co.nz/burt-munro for more facts and pictures.
We wound our way to the “batch” (overnight cottage) we had booked at Colac Bay and had a lovely meal overlooking the Tasman Sea to Stewart Island, virtually the southernmost landmass. ( Antarctica over the horizon)
The following morning’s ride was slightly less windy on Highway 99 via Gemstone Bay, where semi-precious stones get washed up with the tides. Some locals (wine-os!) who were generous enough to show us their collection 9
and gave Amie three stones.
It was here we saw a holiday cottage like no other !!!
We started the ride back via Te Anau in Fiordland, a close comparison would be the holiday resorts of the Lake District like Windemere, surrounded by ‘slightly’ higher, white-topped mountain peaks. After a coffee and a loo stop we continued north via Mossburn and then Kingston, where we caught up with the vintage Kingston Flyer steam train, used in the passed to haul supplies to the goldfields. Eventually we arrive back at the Queensbury Inn via the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell and passing Lake Dunstan and the many vineyards along this valley. They fly squadrons of helicopters up and down this valley to disturb the air if there is severe frost forecast. All the scenery is stunning. Slept like a log.
On Sunday morning I took Highway 6 solo out of Wanaka. A beautiful resort on the shore of Lake Wanaka, where the likes of Shania Twain have a range in the foothills of Mount Iron. With Mount Aspiring on my left, Lake Wanaka in the foreground and Lake Hawea to my right I motored on towards the Haast Pass, one of only three passes to the west coast. I stopped for fuel in Makaroa and a coffee in the café surrounded by hundreds of license plates from all over the world. Stunning riding with views of the Southern Alps all around.
On Monday morning I was on the Heritage up and over the Crown Range road from Wanaka to Arrowtown. It is the highest main road in New Zealand at 1200 meters above sea level. In the winter it’s full of skiing types. 10
I stopped by the historic Cardrona Hotel built in 1870, to take in the views. Then onward, zigzagging the many hairpin bends on the way down the Crown Terrace to Arrowtown, a town built up around the goldfields in 1860. I happened upon a beard judging competition at one of the ale houses.
No time to stop - taking advantage of my last day with the Heritage - onward through Queenstown and onto Highway 9, the road to Glenorchy, claimed to be the most scenic drive in New Zealand. Magnificent, high snowcapped mountains are the backdrop to many advertisements filmed on this side of Lake Wakatipu. The twisty 50km is the ultimate biker’s dream ride, even without the scenery. Check out some pictures yourself from the web, www.roamingdownunder.com/glenorchy-road.php, to get the real feel. !!!!
After another delicious butty and a coffee at the Glenorchy café, I must dwell a little while on the café culture, as they were landmarks around the country. All the coffee I had was of a very high standard, my choice was a large flat white and nearly all the same price, no matter where I went. The butties I ate, the flavours that hit the palate, put British butties to shame. Start with a Turkish flatbread with a layer of tapenade, then salad but not too much, then chicken not processed rubbish, topped off with cheese and garlic mayo, now that is a sandwich to die for. Every café had something equally delicious.
All good rides have to come to an end, so I headed back the twisty 50km to find the private residence in order to drop the bike off, as it was a bank holiday. As I chatted with the fully moustached biker guy, telling him where I had been, I found out he (Pete) is Burt Munro’s grandson, who runs Harley tours in NZ and also to America, www.jdsmotorsickletours.com , if you want to look him up. My leaving present from the weekend, apart from the fantastic rides, was a signed book called “WORK CAN WAIT” which is a set of humorous recollections of an 18500km coast to coast American road trip he had done with his biker mates and their wives. It’s a great read for anyone who has ever wanted to ride the AMERICAN DREAM. As I left the house and waved goodbye to a great guy, the hailstones covered the road in seconds. Whew!! He got his bike back unscathed. Had to show you these last couple of pictures. At the Warbirds museum at Wanaka airport, which was put together as a tribute to the NZ WWll pilots, hidden amongst the planes and American Packards which were immaculate, was this 1947 Servi-car. What a gem! Wanted to take it home straight away. Then, round the corner, another beauty 1942 WLA 750cc. It looks just like my Springer, well nearly. Lastly, I had to get the tea shirt from Dunedin HD, the most southern dealership in the world - hey!!! Hope you enjoyed the journey as much as I did. CHEERS, GEOFF HALL
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(ALWAYS CHECK THE HOTLINE BEFORE THE RIDE TO ENSURE YOU ARE KEPT INFORMED OF CHANGES AND/OR CNACELATIONS: CHAPTER HOTLINE - 07855 207067) MARCH 2013 SATURDAY 23/03: NEW RIDERS RIDE SUNDAY 24/03: EGG RUN
APRIL 2013 SUNDAY 07/04: BUTCHERS ARMS (MARK WELLS - 120 MILES) SUNDAY 14/04: RAF COSFORD (IAN MILLER - 150 MILES) SUNDAY 21/04: TBA SUNDAY 28/04: DEVILS BRIDGE & KIRBY LONSDALE (LEWIS CARTER - 200 MILES) MAY 2013 SUNDAY 12/05: MERIONEDD (MIKE PARY - 160 MILES) SUNDAY 19/05: THE LONG MYNDD (KITT WALSH - 120 MILES)
JUNE 2013 SATURDAY 01/06 AND SUNDAY 02/06: LLANGRANNOG (KEITH DAVIES - 200+ MILES) SUNDAY 02/06: MYSTERY RIDE (IAN MILLER - 150 MILES) SATURDAY 08/06: CIRCUS MAXIMUS SUNDAY 16/06: BLACK COUNTRY (BOB STOKES - 180 MILES) SUNDAY 23/06: LAKE VYRNWY (ANDREW BALL - 160 MILES) SUNDAY 29/06: ABERDOVEY (DAVE SWIFT - 180 MILES)
JULY 2013 SUNDAY 07/07: “IT’S A SECRET” (DAVID WILLIAMS - 100 MILES) SATURDAY 13/07 AND SUNDAY 14/07: NEFYN MID-SEASON EVENT (GRAHAM BELL - 200 MILES) SUNDAY 14/07: TBA SUNDAY 21/07: TBA SUNDAY 28/07: TBA AUGUST 2013 SUNDAY 04/08: MYSTERY RIDE (MIKE BUCHAN - 180 MILES) SUNDAY 11/08: LAKE VYRNWY (KITT WALSH - 120 MILES) SUNDAY 18/08: BARMOUTH (MIKE PARRY - 180 MILES)
SEPTEMBER 2013 SUNDAY 01/09: WALES AROUND (GRAHAM HEWITT - 180 MILES) SUNDAY 08/09: IRON BRIDGE GORGE (ANDREW BALL - 160 MILES) SUNDAY 15/09: PONDEROSA CHARITY RIDE (MARK WELLS - 50 MILES) SUNDAY 22/09: WOLVERHAMPTON HARLEY (SHERRY GREY - 200 MILES) SUNDAY 29/09: “THE CHEDLETON CHOO CHOO” (DAVID WILLIAMS - 150 MILES)