1 We welcomed seventeen members to the meeting including Tom who had recently joined us as a Social member (now looking for a trike). Tom had been a South Wales member many, many years ago and it was good to welcome him back.
2 Apologies had been received from Bill & Pinky, Bob & Sonja, Ian & Jayne, Nigel & Sarah, Jeff & June, Phil & Joy, Shane, Chris, Les, Lester & Dave W.
3 Barry reported on the static display held at St Peter’s Church, Dinas Powys as a fund raiser for them on 21 September. Vaughan and Barry had exhibited on a very poor weather day. Very few of the public had turned up also due to the poor weather although it had not rained during the afternoon display. The good thing was that we both had a free cream tea!
4 Malcolm reported on the Transport & Motor Day held at Bedwas on Sunday 29 September. Four solos and three trikes/quads had displayed at this first-time event for us. The weather was dry most of the time we were there, but it was overcast which we believe had put off the public from attending which was disappointing. Spent a few hours there with free tea/coffee and cakes which was nice. Perhaps one for next year.
5 Malcolm also reported on two very successful run-outs, firstly to the Cotswold Airport and then a week later to Burnham on Sea/Weston Super Mare which had been organised by the Road Captain. Ten members of South Wales Wings consisting of five solos, four trikes and one quad attended both events and we were joined by Harry Beese at Weston on his new 1800 DCT. Harry will be rejoining the Club in January, 2025. The Airport was a good place to visit with plenty to see although some of the meals in a particularly good restaurant were a little expensive. At Burnham, we spent some time in Wetherspoons for lunch and had a brief look around. Going to Weston from Burnham on Sea on the coast road was an interesting experience, a really winding road. Coffee and tea were the order of the day at Weston and then a very uneventful journey back home. Glad we were travelling north on the M5 as a major traffic jam on the southbound M5.
6 Barry reported on a very successful work party, clearing and sorting the container that had taken place at Abercwmboi the day before. Nine South Walians had attended and made a very good job of disposing of Wing Ding kit and other items that we no longer use or want. The surplus metal items found a home in Eddie’s existing pile and the rest will go to a local tip In Barry’s trailer. We now have a very tidy and spacious container and Malcolm kindly agreed to produce an inventory of all the remaining Wing Ding kit and Goldwing spares. Eddie would also arrange for the remaining fire extinguishers to be checked over before our next event.
7 If anybody has not had a CRASH Card for their helmet, please see Barry.
8 Barry was taking room bookings for the Christmas Away Weekend being held on 6/7/8 December at Weston Super Mare. £114 per person for the long weekend Bed, breakfast and evening meal. He has provisionally reserved some rooms at the Sandringham Hotel and so far, we have seven couples and three singles interested in attending. If you wish to attend, please contact Barry soonest. Bookings will close at the November monthly meeting.
9 Still waiting on Taffs Well RFC concerning availability for the possible South Wales Wings “Drop In” at Taffs Well RFC. Dates to be advised. Such dates will be subject to GWOCGB Events Secretary approval.
10 The Vale Foodbank August & September, 2024 Monthly Updates were shared. The need for Food Bank support is ongoing with many families needing their services. Still nothing from Unilever about the Pot Noodles so at present we are unable to supply them to our charities.
11 Eddie advised that the cost of a suitable Defibrillator for our Region would be £1,070.00. In order that we could make best use of such equipment, probably a member would need to “babysit” it and make it available for run outs and static displays. Our Wing Dings would generally be covered by the rugby clubs that we use. Following a discussion, the meeting
agreed that we defer a decision on whether or not to purchase one until our AGM in November when we allocate funds to charities.
12 The decision on whether we support the financial support request from Phil & Joy was also deferred until the November meeting for the same reason. A reminder that Phil & Joy’s friends Mel and Andy from Swansea are looking for donations towards the cost of buying defibrillators for biker rural bike meeting locations in Wales. They have purchased one for the Owls Nest café.
13 As mentioned at last month’s meeting, Barry informed the meeting that two new banners had been purchased for the region at a cost of £50.00. Malcolm and he displayed a banner to the members who were suitably impressed. The banners would be attached to a new gazebo that had been donated by a member’s relative and used at displays to advertise the Club. Barry also reported that a small feather banner had been ordered at a cost of £200 again to advertise the Club at static displays etc.
14 As agreed at last month’s meeting, investigations had begun into the possible purchase of a regional trailer that could be used for static shows to carry the display equipment that was required at such events. Eddie had kindly offered a skeleton of one that he had but following examination, Malcolm and Barry had decided that it was not suitable as a lot of work and cost would be required to make it roadworthy. Malcolm agreed to continue looking for something more appropriate.
15 Please remember, that the November meeting is our AGM. Any Nominations for Officer positions need to be sent to Barry before the meeting. It is hoped that existing Officers would be happy to continue.
16 Barry is taking final orders for Welsh Touring Shirts, cost £30. Image of shirt was sent out with September’s meeting email invitation. Please contact Barry urgently if you want one, closing date is 20 October, 2024.
17 Events coming up:
a. GWOCGB Reps Meeting and Member’s Open Meeting at Bromsgrove on Sunday 20 October, 2024 at 1000. If any member has something they wish to raise with GWOCGB please let Malcolm know.
18 The finances as at 11 October, 2024 were:
a. Current Account £71.94, Deposit Account £5,956.44.
19 AOB:
a. Malcolm reported that he had several CD’s that had been previously recorded showing a series of programmes televised on S4C featuring radio presenter Roy Noble travelling around Wales riding Bob Carter’s trike. If you would like to see the series, please contact him
20 The raffle raised £19.00 for regional funds. Thanks to all for prizes donated and tickets purchased.
21 The date of our next meeting which is our AGM is Sunday, 10 November, 2024, at Taffs Well RFC starting at 1830.
South Wales Wings 