As I sit here typing this I have my camera unit running watching the Sparrows embroiled in making a new nest totally oblivious to the Pandemic that has swept the world causing the human population to make drastic changes to how we go about our daily lives. I briefly mentioned in last month’s offering that the virus could have an effect on our sport, I think that was a bit of an understatement.
The club were very lucky in that it managed to run the Launceston Trial on the 15th of March, the weather was good on the day, the marshals turned out in force, to which we are extremely grateful, all in all it was a bit of a mud bath, but judging by the looks on the competitors faces they were loving it. Marshals were given a Club Beanie hat and a Coaster as a token of our thanks.
Well done to Nigel , Pete and the rest of the team for all the hard work they put in.
Results summary : The Cycle Bowl was won by Graham Airey.
Novice Award Josh Knight. The Newman Cup Alan Keat.
The Fulford Cup Craig Allen. The full results will be on the club website.
This photo doesn’t do it justice but this is what you end up with after an event, the plan was to meet up a few days later to clean it all up and neatly sort it, ah well, won’t be using it for a while, have to have a word with the “mud fairies”.
And now it’s over to our Club President Robin Moore.
Historical Notes Part 7
Although we are celebrating the Centenary of the LNCMC this year (2020) and everything is geared up for a big celebration in Launceston on the 1st of August, together with a major exhibition of archive material at the Lawrence House Museum, it is established that the club formally came into existence on the 20th of August 1919 (see part 2).
The youngest motor club in the Duchy is the Camel Vale Motor Club, and I mention this for two reasons. First, because CVMC is our nearest motor club neighbour, and second, because there are certain similarities in the developments and working practices. Camel Vale was originally a well established motor cycle club. It was on the demise of the old Wadebridge & District Light Car Club in the late 1950’s that a void and a need for the four wheel brigade to be catered for in mid Cornwall. Camel Vale echoed the North Cornwall club, expanding to cater for cars, but each section having its own competition secretary etc.
The late Evan Holman became Camel Vale’s competition secretary and became very active in promoting all kinds of events. I myself became very involved with Evan as he was lodging in Camelford at the time and became a frequent visitor to Trefrew. Our many escapades are stories in themselves. Evan, having studied navigation during his National Service in the R.A.F. was particularly keen on rallying and even set up small evening classes on map reading and the various equipment required.
I recall this because it led to co-operation and competition between us, co-promoting many events and ultimately expanding with the advent of Cornish Capers, a major interclub timed driving test event held for a number of years at the old W.W2 airfield, – R.A.F Davidstow Moor, 1942-1945.
My original navigator on events was ex navy Peter Stedman of Boscastle who became treasurer for Camel Vale M.C. There were a number of ties that brought our two club together. I was a member of Camel Vale at the time and attended their annual meetings. Likewise Camel Vale would be represented at Lanson’s A.G.M. As today, many were members of both clubs, I well remember
Evan Holman with his Singer Roadster taking me to the North Cornwall M.C. annual meeting on a January night, with snow showers adding to the excitement of the journey from Camelford in the Singer. The meeting that year was held in the Ambulance Hall, – another person present on that night was the late Graham Brazier who at that time had recently purchased the ex- Syd Broad Lotus MG . I have a vivid memory of Graham roaring away into the night to drive home in the deteriorating weather conditions.
To be continued RHTM
So now that we are all confined to barracks it’s a matter of keeping one’s self occupied, I’ve painted a couple of doors that were otherwise well down the list, chopped a load of wood ready for next Winter, brushed the flue, and if I’m not careful I will be catching up with things in the garage, now there’s worrying. For those of you who enjoy a good read there’s a couple of books I can recommend.
The first is “Rice & Dirt, Across Africa on a Vespa by Alexandra Fefopoupou & Stergios Gogos. Don’t worry there isn’t that much talk of the scooter its more of a travel book and the things that happen when you are trying to travel from top to bottom of a huge continent. The corruption at border controls is mind boggling, but balanced by the kindness of strangers on the journey, even the offer of a bride!!
The second book Frank & Stan’s Bucket List, the TT Races. Frank’s had better days….. The doctor gave him the news he didn’t want and Frank’s discovered the worst kept secret in Liverpool ; that his wife’s fitness instructor is providing her services that extend beyond the gym. Fans of the I.O.Man TT will love it, so will those who aren’t. You can get either book from that well known online bookstore so no need to even go outside.
All for this month J.T. email billjan299@gmail.com