York Advanced Motorcyclists

ROAD FROM SHERBURN VILLAGE TO SQUIRES NOW RE-OPEN ... Saturday morning training rides operate throughout November - March from Squires Cafe ... Latest edition of Tidings available - see Club News page ... Tickets available for Annual Prizegiving and Dinner, 22nd November - see Prizegiving Page for more details ... Latest test passes - David Cranswick (Mallory), Keith Geldert (Cadwell) & Simon Gartside (Donington) well done to you all ...

Annual Dinner and Prizegiving 2008

Details about this years Event

This years event will be held on Saturday 22nd November 2008 at The Elmbank Hotel, York.  We will be eating in the Albermarle Restaurant at 7.15pm, so please be there by 7.00pm at the very latest.

A lavish menu is available for you to make your selection from, and we also have a private bar which will be open until midnight and for the young at heart, a disco will be provided once the formalities are finished, which will stop playing music at 12.30am.  For those of you who require a quieter and more relaxing time, there is a fine lounge close by called the Knavesmire Room.

Limited car parking is available, but it is only a 10-15 minute walk from York station.  Overnight accommodation is also available for those who require it, and bookings can be made at http://www.bookaroom.com

So with tastes to cater for everyone, fine food, a bar with pub prices, a raffle with fantastic prizes, a disco, and a quiet room there is the distinct possibility of yet another fine evening to be enjoyed.

Unfortunately, due to the current spiralling fuel and living costs, we have been forced to raise the ticket price of this event.  But we are exceedingly happy to say that yet again, due to the vigorous haggling of your committee members, tickets only cost £20 per person.

Seats are limited, so for tickets, and please be quick, as they are sure to go fast, give your payment to Paul Bowen (who can usually be found skiving by the Croft team board on a Saturday morning), or send your cheque, made payable to York Advanced Motorcyclists, to:

Paul Bowen, 5 Willis Street, Heslington Road, York, YO10 5BE

Please remember to state how many tickets you require, and enclose your selections from the menu.

This is your evening at your club, so come along and celebrate one and all.

Report from last years Event

I write this article whilst still recovering from another legendary YAM Annual Dinner. It’s Monday evening and with tired eyes and ringing ears, I desperately try to remember what happened, who said what and who received awards for their part during another biking season.

Once again, I was taken back by the number of greasy bikers that do actually brush up quite well, Steve Dufton, Nigel Oakley, Keith Kocinski, Steve Cave and even Paul Bowen was the business, dressed like Johnny Cash and having a well crafted, plaited ponytail. It of course goes without saying the ladies looked immaculately presented, as always (I do however use the word ‘ladies’ loosely!).

Paul was keen to get everyone seated at 7.30pm sharp, but as usual and through no fault of anyone in particular, by 8.00pm the event was already an hour and a half behind schedule. The presentations kicked off shortly after the meal and several beers had been consumed.

The Chairman announced the sad news of Christopher Bullock’s death on the 19th November. Chris, the Chief Executive of the IAM, took over from Bob Peters in January of 1995 and had been in charge of an ever expanding IAM since then. Chris had been in the forefront of change within the IAM and a ceaseless campaigner of road safety and will be very sorely missed.

Pete thanked everyone for the last years support and despite a difficult start to the year with the poor weather and lack of associates everything turned out well with the club having 20 test passes to date.

Our club president David Short, presented the seasons awards as follows:

Best Technical Paper - Hag Taylor

Best Slow Manoeuvres - Jon Browne

Best Ride - Jon Browne

Best Associate Runner Up - Steve Hookham

Best Associate - Jez Smith (not in attendance)

Rider of the Year Runner Up - Simon Edwards

Rider of the Year - Jon Browne

Jon was presented with a superb Tripplemaster Cool Leather Jacket kindly donated by Luke from Hein Gericke, which made me wished I’d had a go. Next year maybe. Jon gave a well presented thank you speech and requested more people take part in the event next year. You will be seeing more of Jon, as I have a picture of him for the Caption Competition!

The Peter Gledhill Trophy, the Alpha64 went to Cadwell, for a total of 7 successful test attempts this year. Well done to all involved, but come on Donington, we can do better next year.

A special award was presented this year to a member of the club who gave a 100% turnout for every Saturday’s Training session. Malcolm Bryan is a credit to the club and was recognised accordingly. He did however inform me that next year he will be taking a holiday, so his crown will be up for grabs.

Observer qualification certificates were handed out to those in attendance and went to myself, Steve Marriott, Michael Gough, Mick Elsworth and Peter Inns.  Also qualifying, but not there on the night were: Mike Willard, Lesley Young, Adam Hope, Viv Outhwaite, Duncan Purt, Chris Bywater, Lynn Stafford, Jim Alderson, Pete Horan and Keith Adlington.  A test pass certificate was also handed out to Hag Taylor.

Next up was the raffle which raised £107 for the extra beer tokens Paul gave out to everybody. I was convinced that being on the committee, I was guaranteed to win a prize (nudge nudge, wink wink ;-) ), but unfortunately for me everything was above board so came home empty handed again. The 35 prizes were donated by YAM, Infinity and Hein Gericke, which included bike cleaner, visor carriers, gloves, heated grips plus many other bike related items. Squires also donated 1 large & 1 small breakfast.

A free raffle was also drawn and the Elmbank Manager, Anne Radford drew Sandra Taylor’s name from the hat, who was the second person in the evening to receive another riding jacket, this time donated by Infinity. Keith Kocinski received the second prize of ticket to the bike show at the NEC.

A short time later it was time to get the party started. Jane Symonds convinced me that it was a committee member’s duty to grace the dance floor. Inhibitions loosened with even more beer, I decided to show her a few of my killa’ moves. A few moonwalks and hip gyrations later, I successfully demonstrated my dancing skills were as good as my ‘advanced’ riding skills! I decided I had fulfilled my last duty for the year and shuffled back to the bar. It was at this time the DJ played some Heavy Metal and henceforth spawned Paul Bowen on the floor, who showed us, after freeing his pony tail, how head banging was executed in the ‘80’s.

12.30am came round too quickly and the Hotel closed the bar. The party then proceeded into town, unfortunately the rest of the party except myself and Steve Marriott seemed to be aware of this. Toffs night club beckoned with the promise of skantily clad ladies and even with beer goggles on, disappointed. Saturday was the first time in my life I realised I was becoming an ‘old giffer’. The ‘kids’ seemed too young to be drinking and due to the lack of cigarette smoke, there was a distinctive aroma of zit cream in the air. It suddenly dawned on me that I would prefer to be at home watching Strictly Come Dancing, feet up against the coal fire with a modest glass of Blue Nun by my side.

Oh dear, I’m becoming my Dad. Pass me my pipe and slippers.

I’d like to thank a rather stressed Paul Bowen for organising another successful event. Hopefully the person taking over his role next year will do an equally professional job.

Article written by Dave Hopley, Tidings Editor
 

Top ^