1 We welcomed twenty members to the meeting and one prospective member Tom who was attending his second exploratory meeting.
2 Apologies had been received from Bill & Pinky, Bob & Sonja, Ian & Jayne, Nigel & Sarah, Jeff & June, Phil & Joy, Myra, Stuart, Shane & Dave W.
3 Malcolm reported on the Irish Treffen that had taken place in Kilkenny which several South Walians had attended. A good trip to Fishguard with plenty of traffic going to the Haverfordwest Show causing chaos with a one and a half run to the Treffen site from Rosslaire. Unfortunately, the troops could not get on to the restricted camping area at the racecourse until 2100 which meant that the tents were being put up in the dark and there were no Irish Treffen staff available to assist – it was a little disorganised. Myra had some of her tent bits missing but the Irish did come to her aid loaning her a tent for the night. The following day Izzy purchased a small but expensive tent and loaned it to Myra for the rest of the Treffen. Run Outs were good albeit disorganised and Irish entertainment was excellent. Leaving the ferry at Fishguard on the return journey for the solos was a little hairy, wet metal decks!! Arriving in the UK at 2300 meant that it was a dark night-time journey home until 0100 on the Monday. A good Guiness time was had by all with the UK winning the top country award with 30 Wings attending.
4 Malcolm also reported on the British Treffen held at Rutland Racecourse near Oakham, South Walians drove to the site in different convoys on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday including a past member Tony Sullivan from Newport. The runs to the site were spoilt by road closures and lost Wingers who eventually arrived on site. Excellent camaraderie at the event with 307 inscriptions including fifteen from South Wales. The weather was mixed with horrendous winds on the Thursday night/Friday morning. Across the site eight tents and two gazebos were lost. Les’ poles snapped but all rallied around and mended his tent almost like new. Run Outs were excellent with fantastic organisation arranged by the usual marshals. High winds again on Saturday night/Sunday morning which meant a crowd from South Wales left the site on Sunday afternoon. The balance travelled home on Monday at different times with excellent weather and no road problems. A big thank you to all the volunteers who put the event on although an expensive one to manage due to the difficulties created by the Racecourse management and likely that it will have made a loss despite a good turnout. Next year it will be up north at Bishop Auckland.
5 Malcolm, supported by Les, further reported on the Llandudno Light Parade held on the last weekend of August. A really good turnout for the static shows and the Light Parade well supported by those from South Wales. One snag this year was the restrictions placed on attendees staying at the Evans Hotel. Limited accommodation and no evening meals. This meant people being in different hotels and thereby losing some of the community feel of the event. Some of the troops went to Ruthin Castle which was good. Les provided a pillion seat for the 10-year-old grandson of the owner of the Evans Hotel on the Parade which was greatly appreciated. The journey home encountered some heavy rain which spoilt things a little but even then, a good time was had by all.
6 Finally, Malcolm reported on the Classic Vehicle Show that had been held at Fonmon Castle the day before. Seven Wings from South Wales had attended a very quiet show both in terms of exhibiting vehicles and members of the public. The site was a little damp from the previous days rain which meant it was difficult for the solos to manoeuvre themselves into position. Having arrived at 1000 they left site at 1400 it being so quiet. The day was heavily overcast with cloud rain being in the air although it did stay dry. One to think about next year if the weather is better perhaps.
7 Anybody not had a CRASH Card for their helmet, please contact Barry.
8 We have received a fund-raising Invitation to exhibit our Wings at St Peters Church, Dinas Powys on Saturday 21 September, 2024 from 1300 to 1600 with a free crèam tea. It was agreed that we attend and will meet at Barry’s house (8 St Teilo Close, Dinas Powys, CF64 4TY) at 1245.
9 Barry provided an update on the possible Christmas Away Weekend on 6/7/8 December at Weston Super Mare. The Sandringham Hotel will be charging £104 per person for the Turkey & Tinsel long weekend – bed, breakfast and evening meal. If you are interested in attending, please contact Barry soonest.
10 Barry also reported on the possible holding of a South Wales Wings “Drop In” at Taffs Well RFC. As yet, the GWOCGB Events Calendar has not been published and it was therefore agreed to leave the possible date of our event open. Once the calendar is available we could hopefully then slot in an additional event to help smooth the Wing Ding weekends.
11 The Vale Food Bank Monthly Update was shared with the meeting. The need to help families and individuals is ever increasing and it is disappointing that we cannot help in our small way with Pot Noodles.
12 We had received an appeal from Phil & Joy concerning possible financial support for their friends Mel and Andy from Swansea. Mel/Andy are looking for donations towards the cost of buying defibrillators for rural biker meeting locations in Wales. They have just purchased one for the Owls Nest café. Following a very lengthy discussion it was agreed to defer the decision to support or not the appeal until such time as investigations had taken place about the costs of having a defibrillator for South Wales Wing. Eddie kindly agreed to carry out the necessary research and bring his findings to the October meeting.
13 Please remember that our November meeting is our AGM. Please let Barry have any Nominations for Officer positions within the region by next month’s meeting.
14 Barry is taking orders for Welsh Touring Shirts which will cost about £30. An image of shirt design was sent out with this meeting’s email invitation.
15 Events coming up: St Peter’s Church static Wing fund raiser (see above).
16 Finances as at 7 September, 2024:
a. Current Account £31.94, Deposit Account £5,949.07.
17 AOB:
a. Malcolm reminded the meeting that we needed to clear out our storage container as there was a lot of equipment we no longer needed or it needed replacing. It was agreed that a Work Party be held on Saturday 12 October, 2024 from 0930 at Motomec Aberdare Limited (Golden Acres Garage, Park View Terrace, Abercwmboi, Aberdare, CF44 6AA).
b. Eddie suggested that for our static displays we should have some regional signage in the form of either a printed Gazebo or banners, especially if Barry was not going to be there. It was agreed that Barry cost some items and bring suggestions/samples to the next meeting.
c. It was also suggested that the Region should make use of a small trailer that Eddie said was available for carrying such equipment to static shows. Responsibility and storage for the trailer would have to be worked out, although, the container might in the future be home for such a trailer. Further discussions would take place at Motomec on 12 October, 2024.
18 The raffle raised £22.00 for Regional funds – thanks to all concerned.
19 The date of our next meeting is Sunday, 13 October, 2024, at Taffs Well RFC starting at 1830.
South Wales Wings 