1 We welcomed twenty-two members to the meeting, it was particularly good to see Bob and Sonja.
2 Apologies had been received from Bill & Pinky, Ian & Jayne, Nigel & Sarah, Jeff & June, Phil & Joy, Stuart, Brian, John & Dave W.
3 Malcolm provided a detailed report on the GWOCGB Member’s Open Meeting which had taken place at Bromsgrove on 20 October, 2024. Both he and Les had attended. The full minutes of that meeting can be found on the GWOCGB Website under the Gen Sec section.
4 Barry displayed the new regional feather banner that had been purchased to accompany members attending static events. The banner and its base would be homed in the events trailer that was currently being sourced. The banner was well received.
5 Anybody not had a CRASH Card for their helmet, if so please contact me.
6 The GWOCGB Wing Ding calendar for 2025 is now published and can be found on the GWOCGB Website.
7 Also, details of the Overseas Treffens can be found on the GWOCGB Website.
8 Barry is tonight taking final room bookings for the Christmas Away Weekend on 6/7/8 December at Weston Super Mare. £114 per person for the long weekend Bed, breakfast and evening meal. Barry reported that the Sandringham Hotel now has new owners namely, The Daish’s Group. They have new terms and conditions of trading, one term of which is that we have to pay for our weekend accommodation charges up front. Barry will shortly send out details of how to pay South Wales Wings either by cheque or by BACS.
9 Barry reported that now the GWOCGB Events Calendar for 2025 has been published he had identified a number of dates that might be available for a South Wales Wings Drop In, possibly at Taffs Well RFC. Following a conversation, the meeting decided to choose 23 to 27 July, 2025 Thursday to Sunday for the event providing it was acceptable to Taffs Well RFC. Barry would discuss with the rugby club and report back to the meeting in due course.
10 November Vale Food Bank Newsletter had now been received and was shared with the meeting.
11 Following the discussion at the AGM held earlier in the evening, at least for the time being, we would not be purchasing a regional defibrillator at a cost of approximately £1,100. If in the future, sufficient funds became available we would reconsider the situation.
12 Again, following the decision at the AGM held earlier in the evening, we would not be supporting the appeal from Phil & Joy concerning financial support for their friends Mel and Andy from Swansea. Mel/Andy were looking for donations towards the cost of buying defibrillators for biker rural bike meeting locations in Wales. This situation would be revisited in the future if adequate funds became available.
13 Barry advised that the orders for requested Welsh Touring Shirts at a cost of £30.00 each had been made and delivery was to be expected in about three weeks.
14 Events coming up:
a. Christmas Away Weekend Weston Super Mare 6 – 8 December, 2024.
15 Finances as at 9 November, 2024 amounted to:
a. Current Account £30.62, Deposit Account £5,703.35.
16 AOB:
a. Barry advised the meeting that Paul Dwyer, a good friend and past member of the region, had recently purchased a used white GL1800 from Derek Hackett and had traded-in his non-running blue GL1800. It was hoped that Paul might rejoin the region at a later date.
b. Malcolm and Eddie reported that some new members might be joining the region. A Brian and Tracy Pearson had recently joined GWOCGB and Malcolm would be making the necessary contact.
c. Bob reported that GWOCGB were urgently looking for Treffen sites for the 2026 British Treffen and for a new Treffen Co-ordinator.
d. It was reported that Thunderoad, the Honda franchise holder, based in Bridgend, Cwmbran and Gloucester had gone into liquidation. New owners were being sought. It the meantime, Honda dealers for Wing servicing etc. could be found by contacting Honda. Unfortunately, GWOCGB was not in a position to exert any pressure over Honda to extend their franchise awarding to any other dealerships.
17 The raffle raised £23.00 for regional funds, thanks to everyone concerned.
18 The date of the next meeting was discussed as Sunday, 8 December, 2024 but it was the date many of the regional members would be returning from the Christmas Away Weekend in Weston-Super-Mare. Following the discussion, it was agreed that a December meeting would not be held. As a result of this decision, this year we would not be collecting biscuits and chocolates for the Care Homes. Something we will consider just before Easter, 2025.
Our next meeting would therefore be held on Sunday 12 January, 2025 at Taffs Well RFC starting at 1830. At that meeting, members were invited to bring something savoury and something sweet to share for a social gathering following the meeting.
I also attach the DRAFT Minutes of our AGM. These will need to be formally approved at next year’s AGM.
Ride safe and stay healthy.
South Wales Wings 