POST VINTAGE, POST WAR, POST 60, POST 80

This was my first year on the VCC committee. It has been an interesting and rewarding experience and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I organised my first rally recently which went well with a great turnout. I am looking forward to running next year’s event and hopefully it will be as successful.

I would like to thank the many that have encouraged, offered advice and helped me over the year. So many of you have contributed to the club over the years so you know the commitment needed and the work involved with running an event. I would happily do it again and have found my involvement, and the friendships made to be a very rewarding experience. I am hoping to be back on the committee again for another year and am looking forward to it.

John Enright ‘P’ Convenor

Motorcycle

We have had another successful year with increased numbers for our three main rallies, Girder Rally, Annual Rally and the Jim Toohey where we meet up with the Blenheim boys on the Saturday to give us a total of 40 riders

The fish & chip and noggins continue to be popular with some interesting places and people to visit

This year we introduced the Old Codgers run which has been a good excuse for a mid week ride I would especially like to thank Royce for keeping the books balanced, Mike for the secretary duties & entry forms and Chris for keeping the members informed and the rest of the committee, which have all agreed to stay on Keep the shiny side up.

Paul Ainsworth Motorcycle Convenor

OLD CARS, BIKES AND COFFEE

Our monthly Old Cars Bikes and Coffee mornings have maintained their popularity during the year, and it’s great to now have them as a permanent monthly fixture on the branch events calendar. Typically we are getting between 50 and 70 vehicles, with numbers being somewhat dependent on the weather. The encouraging thing is that all types of vehicles are coming along, from old to modern, commercials, cars and motorcycles. We are also seeing more and more Japanese vehicles from the 1970’s and 1980’s, many with younger owners. For those who actively try and encourage new members to join the club, OCBC is proving the ideal forum to introduce prospective members – they can come on the day and be introduced to like-minded members and see our facilities first-hand.

From June onwards we are going to relocate the gathering to the western side of the main hall to take advantage of the seating area there and to provide more ready access into the clubrooms if the weather isn’t good. It will be interesting to see how well this works.

Before finishing - just a reminder too that it’s always held on the third Sunday of the month, regardless of the date.

Colin Hey

VEHICLE IDENTITY CARDS (VICs)

This year there have been 27 new Vic’s issued. 47 Authenticity Statements and 21 Renewals. There has been an increase in the number of non members getting authenticity statements. These need to be done through the VCC and non members pay a fee to the Club for this service. Several of these people have joined the Club.

Could applicants please make sure that their forms are filled in correctly and that the photos are the correct size, being 130mm x 90mm to avoid there being a delay in getting these processed. Also needed are photos of the engine and chassis/frame number. Any more information as in copies of previous ownership or manufacturers brochures etc. is a help.

There is still a problem with members sending completed forms for VICs, renewals and Authenticity statements to Head Office. These need to be sent to the Branch to be signed off. Sending them to the Head Office always delays the processing. Please make sure the completed forms are sent to either the Branch secretary or directly to me.

I would like to thank the members who have assisted me during the past year.

Don Bennetts.

Greetings.

Things seem to be settling into a new Normal this year. Much less disruptions and event cancellations from the past few years. While we can assume most events will be on as planned you can never fully expect to have a full attendance for others or even yourself until the day with isolations etc.

It has been great being back on the Committee after a break of many years. My last stint was in the late 1980's and at the time I was the youngest member to have been on the committee. The cars that were brand new on the road in those days are now club eligible - who would have thought that would happen? I'm still motoring the same car now as I was then (with a couple of additions) - which was at the time just over 30 years old itself!

Thanks to those members who have hosted the monthly Commercial Noggins in their garages and workshops. It's nice to see your hangout space, either when banished from the house or working on your special projects - or just fettling with toys.

I have tried to make the noggins as interesting as possible this year - visiting various businesses with an automotive or commercial theme. Thanks to those venues who have hosted us. It is certainly interesting to see what they do! I would like some suggestions and ideas please from the members for some future noggins.

With regard to the annual Commercial Rally in March - as per the previous year it is slightly disappointing to have a low turnout in numbers. There is a cost involved in running these rallies. Hiring a venue, setting up plaques and planning the rally route. Fortunately my employer sponsored a fair amount of this by providing the rally packs, pens, maps printing etc and the fuel for me to plan the route. However other costs rely on entry fees to cover them and when entries are low it can actually cost the club money. The commercial section is a tricky one to plan a rally for I found out, with such a huge range of vehicle capabilities for speed and distance. The more modern ones are comfortable and can travel further while the older ones are less comfortable and slower. Noting the name of our club I will always cater to those older vehicles so we can get them on the road and have their custodians enjoy the day rather than plan a long route that will, and does put people off!

However, of the 18 entries this year (3 being club vehicles) it was a pleasant and manageable day. We finished up at the Cust domain and had shelter to keep out of the rain. Thanks to those that entered and congratulations to those who were winners on the day. Also thanks to my team of helpers, who checked the rally, helped with the field tests and made scones!

Of note - the plaque this year featured the club fire engine which I hadn't realised at the time was it's first commercial rally since being resurrected after it caught fire on its previous commercial rally. Great to see it back on the road and with such an enthusiastic crew!

It is nice to see so many friendly and familiar faces at our club events and to meet new ones also. I am standing for committee again this year so look forward to seeing you out and about.

Best Regards

Michael Hedgman