1 We welcomed twenty-one members to the meeting. It was particularly good to see Bruno following his serious illness.
2 Apologies had been received from Bill & Pinky, Ian & Jayne, Nigel & Sarah, Phil & Joy, Stuart, Dave McF, Myra & Harry.
3 Unfortunately, the presentation by Jason Hall of Blood Bikes Wales could not take place as he had been called away on urgent family business. He would attend the March, 2025 meeting.
4 Malcolm provided a report on the GWOCGB Member’s Open Meeting that had been held earlier in the day at Bromsgrove. The meeting had been attended by fifty-five people and the usual matters were discussed together with outline details of a disciplinary matter that had taken place. The minutes of the meeting would be available on the GWOCGB Website in due course.
5 The 2025 GWOCGB Renewal Subscriptions are now overdue, costs are Single Membership £28.00, Joint Membership £35.00. Renewal Forms (available on the GWOCGB Website) are NOT required if nothing has changed with the individual’s personal information and Wing details.
6 Plans for several South Walians to visit the Belgium Treffen (7 to 12 May) are progressing well and several have already booked the Stena Lines Harwich ferry to the Hook of Holland port. Barry emphasised the need to arrange travel insurance for the trip. Because of his medical history he was having trouble securing medical insurance cover at a reasonable cost. A discount of 20% on ferry prices is available on Stena Lines if booked before 17 February, 2025. If you need more details, please contact Barry.
7 The GWOCGB Wing Ding and the GWEF Treffen calendars for 2025 are now available on the GWOCGB Website.
8 Barry reported on the discussions he had with Daish Holidays as to what facilities and costs might be involved with a turkey/tinsel Christmas Weekend for December, 2025. The Sandringham Hotel in Weston would not be available this year as it was being closed for six months for major refurbishment from 1 November, 2025. Similarly, the Daish hotel in Bournemouth was not available as being fully booked. This left two Daish hotels in Weymouth (approximately 130 miles away) that were available. However, Daish no longer provide a two-night turkey/tinsel weekend, the minimum number of nights being three at a cost of £169 per person (5/8 December) or £149 per person (12/15 December).
Following a lengthy discussion, it was agreed to research other hotels in Weston noting that Chris the Avon Wings Rep had informed Malcolm of another possible venue. Watch this space!!
9 If anybody has not had a CRASH Card for their helmet, please contact Barry.
10 Barry reported that following further discussions with Lauren, the Taffs Well RFC Bar Manager, the possible South Wales Wings “Drop In” at Taffs Well RFC could not go ahead due to planned field maintenance taking place during the summer.
11 The January 2025 Vale Food Bank Newsletter has been received. It showed that a large number of adults and children still needed plenty of food support.
12 The Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show is taking place from Saturday 22 February to Sunday 23 February at Shepton Mallet, on-line tickets are £16.00 each, at gate £20 each. Some interest was expressed by the meeting however, it would depend on the weather whether a trip was intended.
13 We had received an invitation to provide a static display at the Bargoed May Fair on Saturday 3 May, 2025 from 0900 to 1700, the event being organised by Caerphilly County Borough Council and they are prepared to pay a token fee to our charity. It was noted that this date (3/4 May, 2025) clashed with the Cardiff Classic & Contemporary Motorcycle Show at Llanishen High School where several members had attended in previous years. Further information would be obtained about Llanishen before a decision would be made about Bargoed particularly, as Bargoed was being held outside in the town whereas Llanishen was under cover.
14 All Welsh Touring Shirts have now been supplied.
15 Events coming up:
a. GWOCGB Annual General Meeting – Bromsgrove Hotel and Spa on Sunday 27 April, 2025 at 1100.
b. Panteg House Classic Car Show – Saturday 17 May, 2025.
c. Dinas Powys Rotary Club Classic Vehicle Show at Sully – Bank Holiday Monday 26 May, 2025.
16 Finances as at 6 February, 2025 were as follows:
a. Current Account £29.81, Deposit Account £5,766.08.
17 There was no AOB..
18 The raffle raised £28.00 for regional funds, thanks to all involved.
19 The date of our next Meeting is Sunday, 9 March, 2025 at Taffs Well RFC starting at 1830. The cheque presentation to Blood Bikes Wales will take place at the start of this meeting.
See below for details of the Northumberland 250 Tour as provided by Border Wings Member Paul King:Apologies if you were at the open meeting on Sunday, this is aimed at those that were not there.
We have 4 rooms left on the tour, I am hoping to fill it
Details: 1 night at the Honest Lawyer Hotel near Durham and 3 nights at the Blue Bell Hotel, Belford.
Total cost 4 nights B/B for £420 based on a double room so £55 per night per person.
Please forward to your members so far we have 6 couples booked
Thanks Paul
Background:
The tour of Northumberland and Borders of ScotlandThe tour will starts near Bishop Auckland from Friday 2nd May – 4 nights hotel bed and breakfast for approx. £100 per night based on two sharing.Total mileage is approx. 130 miles per day a leisurely scenic ride visiting Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island and St Mary’s Loch.The tour is suitable for solo bikes and trikesThe tour is restricted to a maximum of 10 bikes or trikes so please those interested please contact me to book your place or if you require any further.
South Wales Wings 