Thunderbird Times
Newsletter of the Mighty
April 2008 Newsletter
21 March 2008 – Good Friday - Copthorne VMCC Run (Roving Reporter Bob Simmons). After
listening to various weather forecasts I thought well why not and made my way
to the Red Tree layby soon to be met by Kelvin,
Peter, Dean, Gerry and Barbara. Right,
let’s go!! Problemo, nobody knew where we were
going or how to get there!! After pondering Gerry said “I know how to get to Copthorne” so he was elected ‘Runs Leader’. Big mistake. On
arrival in the town, Gerry explained “Well I told you I could get to Copthorne!! So that was that, no VMCC bikes to be
seen. Scratching our heads and staring
at each other we opted to ring Mog for
directions.
Back on track we
arrived to sample tea and delicious bacon sarnies
(now we were feeling much better). After
seeing the old bikes off we had a slow meander
home. Special mention
to Dean for turning up from Hemel Hemsptead and not
forgetting Barbara who braved the day and took the photo.
Thanks to Bob and
Barbara.
We arrived on site
as the sun came out and indeed stayed out for the rest of the day. We parked
up, signed in and Dave/Slouch/Lurch, Jim, Brian P went off to find refreshments
and found them in the Police recreation room.
Of course it started to fill up with dayglow
covered old bill, so of course Jim starts to berate them for not being out
arresting people and being lazy gits etc. etc.
Brian wrestled him out before we became their new statistic in the war
against crime.
Malcolm and Bob had
arrived by the time we got back to the bikes.
Lots of stands with stuff for sale, jumping bikes, muddy bikes and the
White Helmets, saw dogs chasing men with huge deformed right arms, and spaniels
sniffing drugs from stooges. They had
the Wall of Death there – what a fantastic old fashioned treat, as was the
treat of seeing the lovely Kelly racing round in the tightest trousers showing
off her fab bottom.
I did hang around afterwards to see if she might be interested in going
for a drink with a middle aged, boring, fat, toothless idiot from
A good
day. Cheers John.
Thanks Dave.
Thanks goes out to
Bob and Frances for their hard work on the evening and preparing this event for
us and to Tracey for helping them out on the evening. Much enjoyed by all. You really mustn’t miss the next one!!
Thirty-four riders
joined us, including 11 from the 2-Stroke Club, 4 members from the Surrey Club
and 1 member from the BSA Club (what happened!!).
We were greeted with
Burgers and Hot Dogs, beverages, cakes and goodies all provided and prepared by
the Last Chance team and very much enjoyed by all.
Malcolm did his pot
collection who said we were very generous and with
It was so good to
see Chris again and her supportive family all of whom were given a warm welcome
by Last Chance staff and photos were taken of Chris with Charlie’s Memorial
Plaque (see photos below). Malcolm has
taken a few more and will put them on the Notice Board for you all to look at.
I can understand why
Charlie gave so much support to this Charity and wanted to play his part in
it. The staff and Organisers at Last
Chance are wonderful people and showed their love and gratitude to him in
abundance on this warm and memorable occasion in our Charlie’s memory.
Thanks to John Le Fevre our Runs Leader for a fantastic ride through country
lanes with beautiful views to our Charlies favourite
venue.
It was truly a perfect day which the
Malcolm’s photographs of Charlie’s plaque
ceremony.
Chris will appreciate this next piece…………
Rumour has it that
because it is such a well run, warm and comfortable place with its
exceptional 24/7 health care, Doddie is seriously thinking of putting David’s name down as a
resident for his old age!!
Tuesday, 22 April 2008 – Club Run – Little London, Albury
– 39 riders including 4 pillion riders turned up (fantastic
support) on this beautiful sunny evening for our first Club run of the season. The Landlord made us feel welcome and a
selection of very tasty sandwiches were handed out. Dean took one and said “smelly cheese
sandwich, my favourite”!! I don’t know what was in mine but it was
delicious. Summing up, good turnout of
riders, oldy worldy pub,
great atmosphere, good selection of sarnies although
some thought a few more would not have gone amiss. Thanks to Brian our Runs Leader for yet another enjoyable ride.
MISCELLANEOUS
THEIR JOURNEY FROM
Both from
Arrived
Married October 1977 – no children
Lived in
Trained at Brewery Tap in Wandsworth
Arrived at Princess of
Took Lease to become Tenants June 2006
Bob is Boxer No.5, Bruno, Lucy, Sophie and BJ
Good Beer Guide 2007
and 2008
Finalist CAMRA SW Pub of the Year 2008
Pub leased by Youngs 1876 and
then bought 1919.
Mid 90’s pub threatened with closure – Youngs
to sell to Car Showroom but was
saved by Council who refused permission
for change of usage.
1997 – following Princess Diana’s death pub renamed Princess of Wales – first one changed
by Youngs!
Suggested by customers and agreed by John Young and had lots of TV and Radio coverage at the time.
Pub is twinned with Horse Brass Pub in
If you are ever in
The oil painting of Diana in our Saloon Bar was painted by local Oregan artist James Macko
who is a regular at the Horse Brass
and a good friend and was presented
to us in person the day we had our party to celebrate name change in 1997.
The pub itself has
changed very little in the time we have been here. Still a lovely
traditional English regulars pub but unfortunately the area, especially the
Trading Estate, has changed considerably over the last 10 years. Thank
God for the regulars.
We have had lots of fun times and hope to be here
for a while longer before we head back to
EDITOR’S COMMENTS
Thanks you two –- it
certainly is a regulars pub and much enjoyed by the
PIONEER
Sorry I am a bit
late.
I would like to
thank all you guys who gave me the usual send off at Epsom Downs at the start
of the Pioneer run. It was very much
appreciated. The ride this year was very
good, both from machine and the weather. The new brake blocks made the bike
slow down a little better. Only one red light this year. My start time was 8.50, the coffee stop
10.00-10.30,
Thanks Bernard.
Visit to Tadworth Children’s Hospital, Tadworth
Please note: we have been
informed that any photographs taken on the day need permission from the
children’s parents before we can put them in next month’s Newsletter or on the
Notice Board. Please would you e-mail any you may have taken and would like us
to see them to Malcolm on malcolm.orpin@talktalk.net,
or give them to him at the Tuesday meetings as you know I am very limited on my
skills re the puter. He will then email
over to me the photos we can use. Many tah’s.
TO LET Mike
& Dot Smith
Please note we now
have an online website for our Vendee Cottages in The South of France near Challans, south of
Now
for something completely different!!
IRISH
EDITOR’S PLEA
Mog touched on this subject at the
Volunteer Roving Reporters Required for your
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Fri/Sat, 9 & 12 May 2008 National Rally 2008, Woodhall
Spa,
Saturday, 24 May 2008
Please note change of venue
Make
sure you have a full tank of petrol.
Make
sure you have a full tank of petrol.
Make
sure you have a full tank of petrol.
Remember to look at the Notice Board for extra news and trips.
Save your old stamps for Mog.
Last but not least – keep your Editor busy
June F
ABOUT THE CLUB:
Mighty
We are the founder
branch of the TOMCC founded in 1949 by a group of Triumph motorcycle
enthusiasts in the
For more information
also see our website http://www.tomcc-msl.org.uk or just come along to one of our club meets.
WE MEET AT:
Princess of
98 Morden Road Runs leave the pub at
020 8542 0573 Please ensure you have a full tank of petrol
CLUB CONTACTS:
Chairman Mog Pharoah 020
8947 7727 (day)
Treasurer Malcolm Orpin 020 8640 2608
Secretary Doddie
Membership Secretary Dave
Kent Ditto
Show Secretary John Flower 020
942 9976
Social Secretary Bob Simmonds 020 8669 0921
Runs Leader Brian Peters 01737
551762
Regalia Robin Maynard 020
8224 7421
TT Editor June Flower jjflower@hotmail.co.uk
Website
Administrator Position Vacant Position Vacant