2019 Happenings
Latest first.........
12th December - Nigel Quizzes us!
We arrived at The Lamb for Nigel’s Mystery Quiz to find it bursting at the seams. There was a goodly group of us including a new member; Graham, and not a seat to be had. Christmas has a lot to answer for…. Not a problem, we just leaned over a group on the Chesterfields until they remembered they hadn’t voted and left quickly to do so before the polls closed.
Magnificent quiz from Nigel; a lad who never disappoints. All went swimmingly until the answers were revealed: Question 16; what did Phil Daniels ride in Quadrophenia? “Lambretta LI” quoth Nigel, “I don’t think so, Vespa GS” countered Lawrence. Being an ex Lambretta lad Lawrence was resolute and it looked as if Nigel might have to exercise his rights as judge to a final decision. Or worse! However, L conceded, spending the rest of the evening muttering ‘Phil Daniels was a girl and wouldn’t have ridden a Lambretta’. Fortunately, he won the quiz so soon forgot all about it. Until he got home and googled it…..
A very enjoyable evening and many thanks go to Nigel for giving us fun and education
Magnificent quiz from Nigel; a lad who never disappoints. All went swimmingly until the answers were revealed: Question 16; what did Phil Daniels ride in Quadrophenia? “Lambretta LI” quoth Nigel, “I don’t think so, Vespa GS” countered Lawrence. Being an ex Lambretta lad Lawrence was resolute and it looked as if Nigel might have to exercise his rights as judge to a final decision. Or worse! However, L conceded, spending the rest of the evening muttering ‘Phil Daniels was a girl and wouldn’t have ridden a Lambretta’. Fortunately, he won the quiz so soon forgot all about it. Until he got home and googled it…..
A very enjoyable evening and many thanks go to Nigel for giving us fun and education
Page 3 pin-up?
27th September – Macmillan Breakfast!
Gary? Cash?? Surely some mistake…..
Our youngster Gary is renowned for his generosity; always first to the bar, always ready to help a good cause. Yet, Heart of England was astounded on our Thursday evening when he gave us a generous donation for the following day’s Macmillan Breakfast at Salford. Because….. it was notes of the realm; cash. Gary never has cash. He even has to wait for someone else to arrive at The Lamb so he can buy them a drink to meet the minimum card spend……
The other surprising fact about our jaunt to Salford at MK for the charity breakfast was that Lawrence led the run from Wellingborough; twelve bikes, and didn’t lose a soul. Blessed be the Cheesemakers. This may well have been due to Norman’s superb tail-end shepherding. Thanks Norman and Jenny.
Current and past members of Heart of England were waiting for us at the venue which gave us a goodly crowd. We were joined by TOMCC (Northants) and ENCMCC for the event; splendid lads and lasses, always chuckleworthy fun. All tucked in to a hearty breakfast cooked by the Macmillan volunteers. There were raffle tickets, a tombola, art for sale and cakes to support Macmillan. The splendid team raised almost £5000, a fantastic effort.
A rainy ride home but after such a fine time no-one cared. See you next year!
Our youngster Gary is renowned for his generosity; always first to the bar, always ready to help a good cause. Yet, Heart of England was astounded on our Thursday evening when he gave us a generous donation for the following day’s Macmillan Breakfast at Salford. Because….. it was notes of the realm; cash. Gary never has cash. He even has to wait for someone else to arrive at The Lamb so he can buy them a drink to meet the minimum card spend……
The other surprising fact about our jaunt to Salford at MK for the charity breakfast was that Lawrence led the run from Wellingborough; twelve bikes, and didn’t lose a soul. Blessed be the Cheesemakers. This may well have been due to Norman’s superb tail-end shepherding. Thanks Norman and Jenny.
Current and past members of Heart of England were waiting for us at the venue which gave us a goodly crowd. We were joined by TOMCC (Northants) and ENCMCC for the event; splendid lads and lasses, always chuckleworthy fun. All tucked in to a hearty breakfast cooked by the Macmillan volunteers. There were raffle tickets, a tombola, art for sale and cakes to support Macmillan. The splendid team raised almost £5000, a fantastic effort.
A rainy ride home but after such a fine time no-one cared. See you next year!
15th September – MK Museum Transport Day
Heart of England members had a curvaceous ride to MK for their museum’s transport day. They all arrived in glorious sunshine from various directions and each seemed to have chosen a wiggly route! Nine members were in place by 11:00am and we provided the largest single club contingent.
The museum has been transformed over recent years and now gives a fantastic day out. First stop was refreshments, where Conway was so enthused by our presence that he treated everyone who wanted one to one of Diane’s delicious homemade cakes. He then gave us a guided tour of his department; telephones. It’s a fascinating exhibition, our favourite being the Elvis phone: Groovy Man!
Lunch was partaken, much gossip, much tea and coffee then we all wended off circa 1500 hrs, happy and glorious.
Photos by Gary
The museum has been transformed over recent years and now gives a fantastic day out. First stop was refreshments, where Conway was so enthused by our presence that he treated everyone who wanted one to one of Diane’s delicious homemade cakes. He then gave us a guided tour of his department; telephones. It’s a fascinating exhibition, our favourite being the Elvis phone: Groovy Man!
Lunch was partaken, much gossip, much tea and coffee then we all wended off circa 1500 hrs, happy and glorious.
Photos by Gary
12th September – Skittles
Glorious was the turnout for our annual ride to The Old Mill in Newton Blossomville. Heart of England members gathered at The Lamb. On the stroke of 7:30pm HoE time we set off, i.e. 8:00pm real time. What a thrilling ride awaited us! The two pubs are separated by just a couple of miles yet with skill and judgement we managed to make it nineteen miles of pitch-black rollercoasting. Every bend held some interest for us, usually terror…..
At The Old Mill a congenial time was had: Half played skittles whilst the other half chatted in peace. The chosen skittles game was ‘Killer’ and the large field was soon narrowed down to just Bob, Gary and Lawrence; Bob favourite as frequent winner. It wasn’t to be as he was clinically disposed of. But which of the remaining two was the final victor? Who had the biggest ruthless streak? You decide from the photo……
At The Old Mill a congenial time was had: Half played skittles whilst the other half chatted in peace. The chosen skittles game was ‘Killer’ and the large field was soon narrowed down to just Bob, Gary and Lawrence; Bob favourite as frequent winner. It wasn’t to be as he was clinically disposed of. But which of the remaining two was the final victor? Who had the biggest ruthless streak? You decide from the photo……
8th August – The Bell
Goodly crowd for our evening run to The Bell at Odell. Nine bikes, all of the marque, and twelve members. Heart of England were very pleased to welcome Brian, Chris and Kathy on their first evening jaunt with us. We first met them at The Jampot in Rushden and they’re still as good fun! Also, great to see Harry with his new Cadwell and sporting a very stylish vintage Heart of England sweat shirt. Mr Style!
Despite it being Chris’s first run with the section he bravely volunteered to lead us and made a splendid job. “Just keep an eye in your mirror to make sure we are all still behind you” said Lawrence. Chris does not have a mirror……. No problem though, he took us on a picturesque route through tiny lanes and brought us safely there. At one point, Brian gamely turned around and went back to track down a couple of stragglers and set them back on course but otherwise the ride was without incident; how we like them.
A splendid evening with much jollification. Thanks, Chris, for leading us into temptation.
Despite it being Chris’s first run with the section he bravely volunteered to lead us and made a splendid job. “Just keep an eye in your mirror to make sure we are all still behind you” said Lawrence. Chris does not have a mirror……. No problem though, he took us on a picturesque route through tiny lanes and brought us safely there. At one point, Brian gamely turned around and went back to track down a couple of stragglers and set them back on course but otherwise the ride was without incident; how we like them.
A splendid evening with much jollification. Thanks, Chris, for leading us into temptation.
4th August - Classic Joys…..
Arcadian, bucolic, pastoral, idyllic! Thus quoth Lawrence to describe our rural ride as we arrived at the Castle at Edgehill. Certainly, the villages we navigated rivalled anything the Cotswolds could offer but without the crowds, tea shops and tacky giftware. “I could weep with joy” sayeth Lawrence. “Hmm, well it was nice” replied Bob thus proving he was just slightly more English-natured.
We met at The Super Sausage. Nigel had to borrow a socket from Lawrence, whereupon Lawrence flowerily pronounced that the socket had been his father’s and not used since 1969. This may have been a vainglorious attempt to impress how reliable his AJS now is but it came back to haunt him: At Edgehill his chainguard fell off and said socket was pressed into use again!
Excitement was provided by Bob on the return; riding down Edgehill, his single gave out a series of most unimaginably fearful backfires and plumed black smoke as the oil was sucked past the rings. The Somme was possibly quieter and clearer! Normality returned once on level ground.
Lovely day, lovely run. Thanks Bob for organising it.
We met at The Super Sausage. Nigel had to borrow a socket from Lawrence, whereupon Lawrence flowerily pronounced that the socket had been his father’s and not used since 1969. This may have been a vainglorious attempt to impress how reliable his AJS now is but it came back to haunt him: At Edgehill his chainguard fell off and said socket was pressed into use again!
Excitement was provided by Bob on the return; riding down Edgehill, his single gave out a series of most unimaginably fearful backfires and plumed black smoke as the oil was sucked past the rings. The Somme was possibly quieter and clearer! Normality returned once on level ground.
Lovely day, lovely run. Thanks Bob for organising it.
18th July - The Cotswolds; The Distillery
Any run led by Lawrence is an adventure; destinations may be planned and routes chosen but a variation of one sort or another is on the cards! Four of us met at Costa Coffee in Brackley, time for a brew before setting off. All went well until Lawrence spied the ‘long barn’ before the expected crossroads. Unfortunately, ‘these weren’t the crossroads we were looking for’.
General consensus was that we had missed a right turn a few miles back. We headed North to get back on track, to be surprised within a mile by a village we knew to be North of our route. We turned around, retraced our steps. Our reward; a fantastic switchback which was even better coming back…. and continued on our previous road Surprisingly, we came upon a long barn just before another set of crossroads. We should have been told there is more than one long barn in the Cotswolds!
So, we arrived at the Cotswolds Distillery. What a fabulous venue! Coffee then a tour of the bijoux distillery: It’s a gem. Hattie our tour guide was amusing and informative. In return we were also able to identify a mystery plane which flew across; it’s a Heart of England speciality: Well, Barry’s speciality. After a tasting for the non-drivers; er, Pam we set off home. A grand day out and especially so as we were graced by the presence of Steve, who we don’t see so often since he moved away. Lovely day with great company and great tastings!
General consensus was that we had missed a right turn a few miles back. We headed North to get back on track, to be surprised within a mile by a village we knew to be North of our route. We turned around, retraced our steps. Our reward; a fantastic switchback which was even better coming back…. and continued on our previous road Surprisingly, we came upon a long barn just before another set of crossroads. We should have been told there is more than one long barn in the Cotswolds!
So, we arrived at the Cotswolds Distillery. What a fabulous venue! Coffee then a tour of the bijoux distillery: It’s a gem. Hattie our tour guide was amusing and informative. In return we were also able to identify a mystery plane which flew across; it’s a Heart of England speciality: Well, Barry’s speciality. After a tasting for the non-drivers; er, Pam we set off home. A grand day out and especially so as we were graced by the presence of Steve, who we don’t see so often since he moved away. Lovely day with great company and great tastings!
Pam's Treasure Hunt!
On almost the longest day of the year Pam set us a jolly treasure hunt. Now a firmly favourite annual event, this year was the best of the lot. A motley crew gathered in eager anticipation of an interesting run. They were not disappointed.
We set off at five-minute intervals with a list of clues to solve and items to collect. The route was twenty miles, though felt less. The clues were set out intertwined with the simple route directions so it was hard to go wrong, not something all motorcycle treasure hunts adhere to. One hour after setting off we were back at The Lamb thoroughly happy.
Winner was Lawrence with only two penalties; he couldn’t find a littered lollipop stick and counted the wrong garage doors! Bob was close behind in second place, followed by the rest. Lawrence chose his prize to be chocolate; pleasing Mrs. Lawrence. Bob pleased himself with some beer….
A famously entertaining night. Steve and Lucy; our hosts, topped it off by demonstrating a new marvel just received at the pub: Alexa! It will never catch on….
We set off at five-minute intervals with a list of clues to solve and items to collect. The route was twenty miles, though felt less. The clues were set out intertwined with the simple route directions so it was hard to go wrong, not something all motorcycle treasure hunts adhere to. One hour after setting off we were back at The Lamb thoroughly happy.
Winner was Lawrence with only two penalties; he couldn’t find a littered lollipop stick and counted the wrong garage doors! Bob was close behind in second place, followed by the rest. Lawrence chose his prize to be chocolate; pleasing Mrs. Lawrence. Bob pleased himself with some beer….
A famously entertaining night. Steve and Lucy; our hosts, topped it off by demonstrating a new marvel just received at the pub: Alexa! It will never catch on….
MK Bike Show 2019
Veni, Vidi, Vici! Well, one of us did.
Splendid day at MK Bike Show. Lots for us to look at and lots of fellow motorcyclists looking at us. A very enjoyable time gossiping with the punters, crowned by our youngest member winning ‘Best Pre-1970 in Show’. There was some stiff competition too. Top stuff!
Splendid day at MK Bike Show. Lots for us to look at and lots of fellow motorcyclists looking at us. A very enjoyable time gossiping with the punters, crowned by our youngest member winning ‘Best Pre-1970 in Show’. There was some stiff competition too. Top stuff!
Chiltern Hills Run 2019
Dave G led us on a fine jaunt on Thursday 20th June. We grouped at McDonalds in Leighton Buzzard and left at 10:30am to enjoy a spectacular 57-mile run through winding scenic country lanes. The Chiltern Hills reputation for majestic splendour is well-deserved.
Halfway round we stopped to admire the Gate Guardians at RAF High Wycombe, taking care to ask permission for photographs from the automatic rifle toting sentry. Final destination was Holmbeck Farm; a grass strip airfield. Beautifully maintained and with delicious home-made cakes, it made me want to take up flying!
Thanks, Dave, for a wonderful day.
Halfway round we stopped to admire the Gate Guardians at RAF High Wycombe, taking care to ask permission for photographs from the automatic rifle toting sentry. Final destination was Holmbeck Farm; a grass strip airfield. Beautifully maintained and with delicious home-made cakes, it made me want to take up flying!
Thanks, Dave, for a wonderful day.
AMC does BMC - 31st May
An impromptu suggestion from Lawrence led to a small group of riders heading off from the Super Sausage via a continuously intriguing and tortuous succession of country lanes to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon where we spent a fascinating and informative day among four-wheeled memorabilia. Unsurprisingly, given that the museum is located next to the Jaguar/Landrover plant there is a heavy bias towards that company and to its British Motor Corporation/British Leyland associates. There were many deeply nostalgic exhibits for the former Morris Minor, Mini and A35 drivers among us and some highly desirable ones among the Jags, Jensens and Bentleys. We were also pleased to find a Matchless-engined Morgan three wheeler. As the photos show, there was much amusement to be had in the film and TV section where Lawrence was particularly attracted to Lady Penelope’s supercar and Barry spent a long time trying to work out how he could reverse engineer the time travelling capabilities of Doc Brown’s DeLorean. He did however manage to reverse engineer the outward route to round off an excellent day of riding and mooching.
MANY THANKS TO NIGEL FOR THE REPORT
MANY THANKS TO NIGEL FOR THE REPORT
What a Triumph! - 16th May
The Triumph Experience. Straight up the A5, turn right at the A47 and you’re there, couldn’t be easier! So we trusted Lawrence to get us there…..
Surprisingly, he did. None of his usual ‘adventures’ en-route. Six of us set off from The Super Sausage, half of us AMC mounted and the others on other makes. Luckily, the non-AMC avoided the temptation to race off and leave us and we all rolled into a near-deserted car park in tidily-spaced line.
So much to see at the Experience, from the first ever Triumph motorcycle, through Steve McQueen’s ‘Great Escape’ bike, to the very latest models, fresh from the factory. There were detailed manufacturing displays which revealed the difference between now and the period in which our bikes were made. They now cast a complete crankcase in a few milliseconds; unbelievable. One comes out the mould every 120 seconds!
Suitably awed we partook of lunch in their splendid café. Fed and watered, we sped home. Every bike ran well and returned safely. What a great day!
https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/visitor-experience
Surprisingly, he did. None of his usual ‘adventures’ en-route. Six of us set off from The Super Sausage, half of us AMC mounted and the others on other makes. Luckily, the non-AMC avoided the temptation to race off and leave us and we all rolled into a near-deserted car park in tidily-spaced line.
So much to see at the Experience, from the first ever Triumph motorcycle, through Steve McQueen’s ‘Great Escape’ bike, to the very latest models, fresh from the factory. There were detailed manufacturing displays which revealed the difference between now and the period in which our bikes were made. They now cast a complete crankcase in a few milliseconds; unbelievable. One comes out the mould every 120 seconds!
Suitably awed we partook of lunch in their splendid café. Fed and watered, we sped home. Every bike ran well and returned safely. What a great day!
https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/visitor-experience
Flashers R Us? - 25th April
What a delightful twilight jaunt Barry led us on for our first evening run of 2019. It was pleasing to meet Rob as a new member and see Alan becoming a regular. Destination was The Navigation at Stoke Bruerne. It’s a four-mile run but Barry cleverly managed to make it twenty and include some exciting sudden bends (other descriptions were pronounced upon arrival…).
Mark, buoyed by the headiness of liberation lost his head mid-run: a real attention seeker that boy! Luckily the light unit was retrieved and refitted without panic. Alan and Rob impressed us by the lack of oil leaks from their machines: it will never catch on.
Lawrence caused consternation at the bar by returning a beer; new territory for him. Remarks that it was a cunning ruse for him to obtain a free half were unjust and stoutly rebuffed.
Once settled, Bob pressed the landlady into taking a pic of us. As the shutter was pressed, Young Mark shouted “Trousers down Lads!” causing much hilarity amongst us. I can assure you that there are no flashers amongst us. Although we were a little concerned about Bob; he does look very bright in the picture…..
Mark, buoyed by the headiness of liberation lost his head mid-run: a real attention seeker that boy! Luckily the light unit was retrieved and refitted without panic. Alan and Rob impressed us by the lack of oil leaks from their machines: it will never catch on.
Lawrence caused consternation at the bar by returning a beer; new territory for him. Remarks that it was a cunning ruse for him to obtain a free half were unjust and stoutly rebuffed.
Once settled, Bob pressed the landlady into taking a pic of us. As the shutter was pressed, Young Mark shouted “Trousers down Lads!” causing much hilarity amongst us. I can assure you that there are no flashers amongst us. Although we were a little concerned about Bob; he does look very bright in the picture…..
A Song in their Heart… - 11th April
With a song in their heart and chilly fingers, seven riders were on Heart of England’s first evening run.
At The Lamb we were privileged to witness Steve and Rachel; our landlords, being presented with ‘Pub of the Year’ by MK CAMRA. What an achievement!
Presentation over, we followed Barry as he led us into the twilight on a sixteen mile trip to cover the five miles to The White Hart at Sherington. Bob and Jon guarded the rear and Nigel entertained us mid-column with his strange light optics. Shades of Conway’s Indian lamps! Not at all like Gary with his lighthouse.
It was Mark’s first club run and he passed the audition with flying colours. The sound from his Lightweight was mellifluous. (I had to look it up too…)
Great start to the year’s riding calendar.
At The Lamb we were privileged to witness Steve and Rachel; our landlords, being presented with ‘Pub of the Year’ by MK CAMRA. What an achievement!
Presentation over, we followed Barry as he led us into the twilight on a sixteen mile trip to cover the five miles to The White Hart at Sherington. Bob and Jon guarded the rear and Nigel entertained us mid-column with his strange light optics. Shades of Conway’s Indian lamps! Not at all like Gary with his lighthouse.
It was Mark’s first club run and he passed the audition with flying colours. The sound from his Lightweight was mellifluous. (I had to look it up too…)
Great start to the year’s riding calendar.
Annual Dinner – 23rd February
Heart of England enjoyed an entertaining Annual Dinner at The Navigation in Stoke Bruerne. Much fun and laughter had as twenty-two of our members attended for an excellent meal; the Navigation excelled themselves. It was grand to have new members Mark and Moira there for the first time.
After the food Barry gave a hilarious summary of Heart of England’s past twelve months, followed by Elizabeth giving a splendid ladies’ reply. Very entertaining! Secrecy surrounded the famous 'Piston Broke' award until Nigel announced it was going to Bob for his various misdeeds; too many to mention here. A well-deserved award to a very popular recipient.
Angie then organised our traditional ‘Secret Santa’ so everyone went away with a surprise. Well, everyone except Barry who took one of the two presents Pam brought along on their behalf: It was an Easter egg; he said “it’s the only way I’ll get one this year”!
Thanks go to Jon and Angie for organising such a marvellous event, to Barry for his amusing catalogue of our errors and to Elizabeth for her well-received speech. Can’t wait for next year….
After the food Barry gave a hilarious summary of Heart of England’s past twelve months, followed by Elizabeth giving a splendid ladies’ reply. Very entertaining! Secrecy surrounded the famous 'Piston Broke' award until Nigel announced it was going to Bob for his various misdeeds; too many to mention here. A well-deserved award to a very popular recipient.
Angie then organised our traditional ‘Secret Santa’ so everyone went away with a surprise. Well, everyone except Barry who took one of the two presents Pam brought along on their behalf: It was an Easter egg; he said “it’s the only way I’ll get one this year”!
Thanks go to Jon and Angie for organising such a marvellous event, to Barry for his amusing catalogue of our errors and to Elizabeth for her well-received speech. Can’t wait for next year….
Long Live the King!
The King is Dead. Long Live the King!
Bob’s Music Quiz got off to a grand start when Charles announced he had become a Great-Grandfather. Great Scott!
The pub cleared the bar for our event and Bob brought us all to order. He had prepared a masterful evening for us, this year including Classical music. John B started as clear favourite having won this quiz every year since he was in short trousers (1962 for those who note these things).
Teams were sorted and we kicked off. It quickly became apparent that the Mark and Lawrence team were a formidable force: Mark knew all the answers and Lawrence was very good at giving them away to the other teams…
Amazingly, John did not win this year; Mark did, despite the handicap of his pairing.
‘Son of My Father’ by Chicory Tip was an answer and Lawrence reminisced to John “Ah, remember when you and I got on stage to sing with Chicory Tip?” John professed that he believed Lawrence lived in a parallel universe as there was NO way he would ever have gone to see Chicory Tip. Whereupon, to much hilarity, Lawrence remembered that actually it was a different band altogether; Mr. Sherbet’s…..
Thanks Bob for another fine and hilarious evening!
Bob’s Music Quiz got off to a grand start when Charles announced he had become a Great-Grandfather. Great Scott!
The pub cleared the bar for our event and Bob brought us all to order. He had prepared a masterful evening for us, this year including Classical music. John B started as clear favourite having won this quiz every year since he was in short trousers (1962 for those who note these things).
Teams were sorted and we kicked off. It quickly became apparent that the Mark and Lawrence team were a formidable force: Mark knew all the answers and Lawrence was very good at giving them away to the other teams…
Amazingly, John did not win this year; Mark did, despite the handicap of his pairing.
‘Son of My Father’ by Chicory Tip was an answer and Lawrence reminisced to John “Ah, remember when you and I got on stage to sing with Chicory Tip?” John professed that he believed Lawrence lived in a parallel universe as there was NO way he would ever have gone to see Chicory Tip. Whereupon, to much hilarity, Lawrence remembered that actually it was a different band altogether; Mr. Sherbet’s…..
Thanks Bob for another fine and hilarious evening!