The COTSWOLD SECTION

THE COTSWOLD SECTION of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Limited Newsletter Issue 66 - Summer 2009

Riders leaving the Mount Inn at Stanton on the Social Run to Sevenhampton on October 18th 2009 - photograph from new member Ian Aspey ------THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE V.M.C.C. COTSWOLD SECTION: EDITOR: ARTHUR LEWIS KOBI - 01452 713575 http://www.cotswold-section.org

2 SECTION ACTIVITIES The tedium of a dismal dreary 2008 winter was effectively relieved by the many and varied indoor events. The programme of talks began with an account of life in and around the River Severn given by Melville Watts of Lydney. He described many of the interesting activities around the river including salmon fishing with lave nets and putchers, fishing net making and the old Severn ferry. This was followed by a fascinating talk by Bob Light on local personalities in the world of motorcycling, and bringing up many well remembered names. In the New Year, Frank Dolman gave an interesting account of his experiences in vintage racing, both as a rider and a mechanic. With his usual lively commentary, Peter Berry showed outstanding photographs of his trip to the Khyber Pass on a railway in only occasional use. A whole train with two steam locomotives was hired to visit the awe-inspiring scenery along the Pass, but where, in the remotest villages, visitors can be easy prey for the local bandits and could only leave the train if accompanied by a soldier armed with a Kalashnikov. The final speaker of the winter, Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork, took us on a circular tour of the county pinpointing the sites of all the wartime airfields, some now hardly recognisable save, perhaps, for a single building now used for farming purposes. Three quiz evenings provided the opportunity for exercising those little grey cells, my general knowledge quiz, Les Ore’s picture quiz and the St. Patrick’s night inter-Section quiz. This latter was contested by six teams answering (sometimes) questions posed by quizmaster, Ken Tilley. Cotswold ‘A’ team came out on top followed by West Wilts and Gwent. A buffet supper brought the evening to a satisfying close. For a change, the weather was fine for the Night Trial. The 27 riders enjoyed a 37 mile ride and were able to partake of filled baked potatoes at the finish. The Winter Wanderings all attracted good attendances although the weather was often bitterly cold. Many of the riders at the meeting at the Mount, Stanton, went on to visit Robert Jackson’s Open Day at Manor

3 Farm, Sevenhampton, where many stationary engines, tractors and much other farm machinery was on show. In view of the limited space now available for the library, it was decided to offer the motoring books to Section members. At the sale, all the books were disposed of and the proceeds were distributed between the section and our charity, Headway. A very successful Annual Dinner was enjoyed at Brickhampton Court Golf Club by nearly 100 diners, an extremely good meal, good company and a thoroughly successful occasion. The Felix Burke Weekend opened with a well supported social run organised and led by Robert Rendell through many Cotswold lanes and nourished by a coffee stop at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway station at Toddington and lunch at the Halfway House at Kineton. The Cotswold Road Trial has, for several years now, been dedicated to the memory of our late founder member, Felix Burke. This year’s event was enjoyed, in dry but chilly weather, by over 80 riders. Five optional green lanes were included and also some practical tests such as spark plug removal and refitting and spring clip dismantling and reassembly. The day culminated with the traditional hot soup and buffet lunch back at Chosen Hill, an excellent spread provided by Caroline and Audrey. Our thanks go to them and the busy team in the kitchen. Peter Kent’s choice of green lanes and check points ensured that the ride was interesting and, in some cases, eventful, especially for those who negotiated the sticky mud at Salperton. Thanks, Peter, very much, and thanks to all those who marshalled at the check points. The 20th Signpost Rally took place on an oppressively hot day and most of the participants were glad to arrive back to the Village Hall at Elkstone to enjoy a cup of tea and fill up with sandwiches and cakes. All those 20 Signpost Rallies have been organised by Reg and Lois Eyre, they have all been greatly enjoyable and we owe them our gratitude for a good event well done. Thanks to you both. The Cotswold Weekend adopted a new innovative format, this year. The Navigational Run on the Saturday, which was the inspiration of Paul Button, combined map reading, observation, and accurate interpretation of the clues. By a great feat of organisation each rider had his own route, laid out on his control card, and all that was necessary

4 was to follow the route and identify and translate the clues. All those who took part found the process quite straightforward and many have expressed their enjoyment of the event. They all appreciated the monumental effort necessary for a successful result and expressed thanks to Paul for his initiative. It is possible that a first look at the Regulations may have deterred some riders but if, hopefully, they enter next year, they will find that the taking part is far easier than trying to understand the regs. beforehand. The event concluded with a social run on the Sunday. In October we have the Night Trial followed, next day, by the Belt & Braces Run. Robert Rendell is preparing a programme of guest speakers for the winter and the first of these will be a return visit by Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork to talk on “The men behind the medals.” I have enjoyed my seven years as editor of your Newsletter but the time has come to pass on the privilege. I cannot close without thanking all those who, during those years, contributed reports, articles and other printable items for publication. Best wishes to all readers of the Newsletter. Arthur

NEW EDITOR I have agreed to edit the Cotswold Newsletter from November 2009. I will be taking over from Arthur Lewis who has agreed to continue submitting reports of Midweek Rallies. Thank you, Arthur, for doing this job for over seven years. It is of importance to me, for this venture to be a success under my tenure, that all members have an input. This can take the form of short articles, such as “my Favourite Motorcycle” or “My Best Ride on a Motorcycle” or “My First Machine”; comments on the style, layout or timing of the Newsletter; your report of a Cotswold event or ride; jokes - because I’m not very good at these; photos of a recent restoration or acquisition; local Gloucestershirese accounts of a diary; or suggestions for improvement. If I have to fill a space, I may have to write about the Spagthorpe Whippet Saga!

5 Your committee has decided to try a two-monthly issue starting at the end of November with a deadline for submissions of the 15th November for the first issue, 15th January for the January issue, etc. The Newsletter will be presented at the last meeting of each month of issue. If you wish, you may give Arthur stamped self-addressed envelopes and he will post a copy to you until he runs out of envelopes. Please send contributions to me via post, e-mail or by hand at events. Reg Eyre KOBI, High Beech, Elkstone, Cheltenham, GL53 9JY 01242 870375 (before 9.00 pm), [email protected] MIDWEEK SOCIAL RUN - APRIL 2009 Fourteen riders met at the Haw Bridge Inn on a slightly cloudy but warm day and rode south through the Forest of Dean to Lydney to view a vehicle collection of American cars – mostly from Australia and with right-hand drive – Austin Sevens and a Rudge Rapide. Then they visited a factory devoted to the high volume manufacture of camshaft blanks for the motor industry, all highly automated. The tour was noisy and dirty but most absorbing especially watching the man with the red- hot crucible of molten metal – he looked like an alchemist! The only problem throughout the day was with Pete’s Triumph, which kept sooting up plugs, but all returned safely to Haw Bridge. The run leader was Tony Wright KOBI. MIDWEEK SOCIAL RUN - MAY 2009 Lost in Tetbury, but rescued by Tom Barker – that was the scene for this run to Bill Little’s bike barn on a windy, cool day. After tea and biscuits, a tour of the barn showed lots of fascinating items including a MK1 Douglas and a BMW R26 250cc with Earles forks. Proceeding then to Kemble Airfield, where a Formula 1 Williams was being tested, it sounded more like a jet aircraft than a car! The return to the George at Frocester, led now by Paul Button, included a brief stop to take in the mind-blowing view from Frocester Hill. The only breakdown occurred when Dennis Beale stopped with no fuel because his reserve tap had vibrated ON. This was soon remedied by a drop of unleaded from Jenny Hart. MIDWEEK SOCIAL RUN - JULY 2009 Leaving the Highwayman Inn on a very hot day, the participants set off on a meandering route along the Windrush Valley led by Justyn – only

6 because his was the only pair of eyes capable of map reading without stopping. Despite losing themselves in Witney, thus having to use the busy A40, they reached their objective at the Bus Museum near Oxford. This is a stunning nostalgic collection of double-deckers and art-deco interiors set in a museum set up with loads of Lottery money and it shows! Two of the favourites were an old 40’s Bedford OB with Duple coachwork and a fantastic WW1 sleeve valve Daimler. After indulging in some very welcome tea and ice-cream the riders embarked on the long warm ride back to join an incredible Midweek Rally meet back at the Highwayman. ZIMMER RUN - AUGUST 2009 This was Bob Ashwin’s first venture at a Midweek social run for the Section and the starters gathered at the Gardeners Arms at Alderton. On his trusty AJS Colonial combination, Bob led the way to the Aeronautical Museum at Moreton-in-Marsh, a bijou emporium packed with an incredible amount of fascinating aeronautica fromWW1 to the jet age. There are even the remains of a Lancaster in the garden! The custodian, Jerry Tyack, was a former hill climb exponent in Cobras, single-seaters, etc. and has a mind-blowing collection of car mascots and badges. The way back led to Harvington and Bob’s home where the riders were invited to partake of tea and home-made cakes – very enjoyable, thanks, Bob – and then to take a look at his amazing collection of bikes and automobilia, which was so interesting that it was difficult to drag some people away for the final run back to Alderton. MIDWEEK SOCIAL RUN - SEPTEMBER 2009 Because of the heavy cloudy conditions and the dire weather forecast, the ten riders who gathered at the Farmers Arms at Apperley were offered a “dry” option of visiting Gloucester Folk Museum and Gloucester Cathedral and tower, but the majority vote went to a run to a preserved railway. The route was, accordingly, taken through Pendock, Eastnor, Colwall and Mathon to Bromyard. Out on the Edwyn Ralph road, a turning led to the village of Rowden Mill where John Wilkinson and his family have owned the disused railway station since the 1980s. They have

7 worked hard to restore and preserve this station and the next one up the line at Fencote. THE BIT BETWEEN THE FLAT TANK AND COTSWOLD WEEKENDS – JUNE 2009 Monday - We travelled to the Haw Bridge on Friday 5th June for the Flat Tank Weekend but the touring week started on Monday 8th and we woke to no pitter-patter on the roof. We met up at Wainlodes with run leader Tony Wright, several Cotswold members joined us making a total of 14 bikes with Jenny Hart as back marker in her BSA and dog Harry. Tony took us via Wainlodes Hill and Birdlip to Cotswold Classics where there were refreshments waiting for us and a large collection and assortment of bikes to browse around – but I didn’t see anyone pull out their cheque book! We went to the Daneway for lunch, after which Paul Button offered to walk those who wished to the entrance of the tunnel and told us that the plan is to reopen it and refill the canal. Tony then took us to Kemble Airfield to the Bristol Aero Collection at the Heritage Museum for a guided tour of 100 years of Bristol Aviation. Sir George White started the company in 1910 as the Bristol Tramways & Carriage Company, then decided to enter aviation and founded the British & Colonial Aeroplane Company, which was renamed The Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1920 and was based at Filton. The company went on from building box kite planes to military aircraft and are involved in space exploration with the Giotto satellite that intercepted Halley’s Comet and rockets used for research of which over 400 have been launched. We had tea at Tony’s before returning to camp, thanking him for a very interesting day. Tuesday – Jenny had organised the run and this was to be our longest trip of the week, through Herefordshire into Wales with a coffee stop at the Lion at Kington. We had a good run and stopped at Knighton for lunch with everyone doing their own thing , after eating and a walk round the town, we set off up to The Spaceguard Centre where we spent nearly two hours learning how asteroids and comets were being tracked, what they were made of, what happens to them and their threat to Earth. We were shown the telescope designed to track potentially hazardous asteroids and computer linked. We went into a Mini-dome where a representation of the night sky is projected on the ceiling. A really interesting and informative visit and recommended to anyone in the

8 area. After looking at the panoramic views from the hilltop we went to Presteign for coffee before making the trip back, the weather stayed dry and Jenny had certainly found a worthwhile and interesting place to visit. Wednesday was Len’s tour of the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley. 13 bikes set off with Jenny and Harry as backmarker. We went via Blaisdon, Cinderford, The Forest of Dean avoiding the sheep wandering on the roads, through Coleford and Monmouth to Raglan Castle for coffee. On to Usk for lunch, at Len’s favourite fish and chip shop, then, after sitting in the town square for a while enjoying the sun, we rode through the town to the Usk Rural Life Museum. Housed in a traditional malt barn with well laid out displays of old farm life, including a Bentall beet/swede animal feed cutter made just seven miles from our home in Essex. We left to go along the Wye Valley and started going up, up, up and the rain came down, down, down until there were rivers of rain running down the road. Len decided on an early coffee stop and dived into the Clearwell Caves, ancient iron mines and then, fortunately the rain stopped……. but not for long! Once we were back on the road it fell back down again, “Stair rods” was Len’s term. We went through Parkend, Drybrook (not a very appropriate name) Huntley, Newent, Corse and back at 5.30. Poor Len then had to make the return journey to Cinderford in the rain that was still persistent. Being Wednesday it was a big bike meet at Wainlodes but we decided to give it a miss, as did most people and we heard that there were no moderns there either and only about a dozen old bikes. Thursday - some decided to give the run a miss and dry out. Chris Harvey led 11 bikes with Jenny as back marker with Gerry as companion, much to Harry’s disgust. Chris’ run was listed as “usually a spectacular tour,” certainly not wrong here. We set off through Tirley, Upleadon, Newent, Gorsley, then into Herefordshire with lovely views to How Caple, Ewyas Harold and Longtown before stopping for coffee at the Bulls Head in Craswell, which many of you will know as a back in time pub with flagstone floor, a Bulter sink in the corner and laths showing through the plaster. Chris said there’s only one left turn and we’ll be at the lunch stop, we took the left turn and then saw a sign ”Bends for 11 Miles”. Those who know the area will know what it was like, up Hay Bluff, through Capel-y-Ffyn with views of the Black Mountains and sheep, ponies and walkers wandering over the hills and 9 such magnificent views as the sky was really blue and the sun shining, just the right day for the run. Then down and on to Blanton Priory for lunch, a perfect spot. After a leisurely lunch we set off towards Abergavenny, through Cross Ash, Walson, Skenfrith towards Ross, stopping at Symonds Yat for beer or, in our case, an ice-cream. Chris then took us to the top of the Yat to see the spectacular views of the Wye before returning through English Bicknor, Walford, Howle Hill, Pontshill, Aston Crews, Kilcot and Staunton to Tirley. Friday was a shorter day to allow for us to decamp and move over to The Cotswold Farm Park for the weekend event. Dennis led the run and took us to the Plough next to Elgar’s birthplace, for coffee. More scenic riding to the Talbot at Martley for lunch, or pies for those who walked over the bridge to the butchers. On the way back we stopped at The Kettle Sings and it must have been, as they soon came out with the coffee, which we enjoyed on the back patio with more views, then came back through the Malverns. It was an excellent week and I would especially like to thank our run leaders, Tony, Jenny, Len, Chris and Dennis for their hard work in organising routes and lunch stops, also those Cotswold members who came along to join us and make it an enjoyable week. Pauline Hodkinson Touring & Essex Sections TRIUMPH AT THE WHITE HORSE TRIAL The West Wiltshire Weekend and White Horse Road Trial took place on 8/9th August at Bill Little’s place at Braydon, and was a great weekend with fantastic weather. Saturday consisted of a social run, with an autojumble in the morning, and live music and food in the evening with a great atmosphere The White Horse Trial on Sunday was a navigational trial with tests at the end, and the Cotswold section members really did triumph. Out of six of us five won awards – Reg Eyre Veteran Paul Button Late Vintage Robert Rendell Post War Kate Rendell Classic Jenny Hart 3-Wheeler

10 The fact that a couple of us were the only ones in our class is neither here nor there. For me the area was unfamiliar, very attractive and the lanes thankfully seemed to skirt the hills rather than go up or down them. A thoroughly enjoyable event, hopefully more of the Cotswolders will be there next year – we have a reputation to maintain. Jenny Hart ISLE OF MAN TTxGP 2009 The first TTxGP race for electric motorcycles was run on the IoM in June. The two classes were: 1. OPEN: Electrically propelled solely by stored electricity (battery/accumulator) 2. PROFESSIONAL: Designs powered by battery, fuel cell or internal combustion using non-carbon fuel like hydrogen. The winner of the Professional Class was an Anglo-Indian machine, Agni XO1, ridden by Rob Barber who won by a margin of 3 minutes at a speed of 87.43 mph. He was followed by the German XXL machine at 77.84 mph and the Brammo from USA at 75.35 mph. Ten bikes started and six finished. The top speed recorded at Sulby was 106.5 mph by the XXL. In the Open event, Chris Heath came through to win on the US Electric Sport machine when the Barefoot Motors bike with Chris Petty slowed on the final stretch. Heath’s speed was 66.02 and that of Petty was 61.22. Third place went to a TORK ridden by John Crellin who, unfortunately and tragically, was killed later in the Senior TT. Quite a few additional machines are being developed, in a number of countries, and it is firmly intended to run a second TTxGP for electric motorcycles next year. THE A.C.C. BIRDLIP HILL CLIMB - 1906 BIRDLIP HILL, on September 8th 1906, was the scene of one of the most important events of that season, the open hill climb run by the Auto Cycle Club. The course was just over a mile long with an average gradient of 1 in 9 and the steepest stretch at 1 in 5.5. Before the event both rider and machine were weighed using a framework of poles lashed together, above which a long pole was pivoted at one end of which was 11 a spring balance. Luncheon was served at the George Hotel before the climbs began. Just before lunch, Captain L’Estrange’s twin cylinder Rex was knocked over by another competitor and sustained a bent magneto spindle! It was reported that considerable annoyance was caused by a few non-competing motorcyclists, who, contrary to requests, persisted on riding down the hill during the competition. Several new types of motor bicycles made their debut, among these being the Quadrant Cub of 3¾hp, the Anglian with its new two-speed gear, the 5½hp Brown twin cylinder, the Vindec two-cylinder and the Green water-cooled. Pedalling was allowed in any class but riders who pedalled were not eligible for a prize. In Class I (80 x 80 or equivalent swept volume), the 3½hp Phelon & Moore needed low gear on the 1 in 5.5 gradient, the other Phelon & Moore failed here, restarted but failed again within a few yards. G. Aldington on a 2¾ Kerry pedalled hard on the steepest portion but the Anglian, with the smallest engine in the class, made an excellent climb. Class II was for 85 x 85 cylinders or equivalent swept volume with variable gears. Quadrants filled the first three places, all climbing well, as did the 3½hp Brown, the 12hp Rex, 3½hp Leader-JAP and 4hp Werner. The 3½hp Green seemed to be miss-firing and near the finish the pin holding the inlet valve spring came out. Class III was for twin-cylinder machines with engines up to 80 x 80 per cylinder or equivalent and without variable gears. W. H. Wells’ Vindec Special was going so fast that he looked a certain winner but towards the end the belt began to slip and he lost out by 10 seconds to R. Ayton’s 6hp Riley bicycle. Other good climbs were made by Rex, NSU, JAP and Leader machines. The Werner of O. C. Godfrey failed to complete the climb when his belt broke. Class IV catered for multi-cylinder machines without variable gears. Wells on the Vindec Special was again the fastest but Brice’s Brown was only 4.5 seconds slower. Chilcott’s 7hp Peugeot, Ayton’s 6hp Riley, White’s 5hp Roc and Ridler’s Leader all made successful ascents. Class V was a slow test open to any type of motor bicycle and awards were given to slowest up the hill without stopping, pedalling and with

12 the engine running all the way. J. van Hooydonk on a 3½hp Phoenix took 10min 54secs to complete the distance of just over 1 1/8 mile, with the engine protesting and knocking loudly all the way, H. Catling on the Anglian was only slightly faster while F. G. Tricks on a Kerry, his own make, was the only other qualifier. R. Moore on his Phelon & Moore went too slowly, stalled and stopped but H. Rosr, disgusted with his failure in Class III, did not even attempt to go slowly and drove at full bat up the hill. Class VI was for quadcars, forecars and side-carriages carrying two passengers. Fastest up the hill was a 9hp Riley driven by J. Browning and only 18 seconds slower was Miss Muriel Hind’s 9hp Singer. The 9hp Singer of B. Holland had to change down to first gear on the 1 in 5.5 section but got into second again on the top stretch. Harris’s Singer was going well until his carburettor ran dry and his engine stopped. The three speed 10hp Lagonda, driven by J. F. Buckingham made a steady climb in top, changed to second for the steep bit and then lost time trying to get back into top too early, Lieut. Davis RN came up the hill too slowly and had to use bottom gear to keep going. The slowest of the nine runners was a Riley driven by Stanley Riley. Forthcoming Cotswold Section Events - November 2009 4th Bring and Buy Sale Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC 11th Annual General Meeting Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC Driver Training & 18th Advanced Motorcycling, Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC Pete Craddock The Royal Oak Inn, 22nd Winter Wandering (SP 024 195) Andoversford, Cheltenham 24th Committee Meeting Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC 25th Club Night Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC SOME DATES FOR 2010 30 Jan Annual Dinner / Prize Giving Brickhampton Court Golf Club 10/11 April Felix Burke Weekend Chosen Hill FPRFC 23 May Cotswold Signpost Rally venue tba 2/3/4 July Cotswold Weekend Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power