2001/2 Post

It was good to see you again, together with the others, and it would be nice to do it again sometime. My girls recognised founder members Jan and Musch from their roller skating days. Apparently, Musch used to put his head on the floor and listen to the sounds of the skaters!!

Me and Sal bumped into Peter Juby and Carole again the other night in the Willy Wig and he said that quite a lot of old members turned up at the Oadby Owl last time out so if there's another get together there I'd like to hear about it.

Whilst clearing out the bottom of the wardrobe the other day, I stumbled across my old Phoenix belt buckle, cast brass, complete with real leather belt. I can't believe where the hole on the belt was for the buckle, I must have had a 20" waist back then. I don't know if these are rare items but if you want a photo or scan of it then let me know.

I hope you had a good Christmas and wish everyone a Happy New Year. With a bit of luck I'll see you in a pub somewhere soon.

Please keep me in the members list. Although I don't have a bike now I have not abandoned the intention of riding again as soon as I reinvent my life.

I wish you and family a wonderful year.

Pud (Rod Hull) rang to say he has some photos of early runs and will loan them for the website in the new year. First they are going with Ron Tunks to Tenerife where he and Derek will hold their own reunion.

Pud will also search out several members who are - or have been - in the colonies. Roger Whiteman and Roger Greathead in Canada and Dave Morris in Australia.

More enthusiasm for a get together coming from this quarter!

Both of us would like to wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and we will make the effort to meet you and hopefully see Jan & Mush again in the new year.

I'm glad I've been of some assistance to you.

Hopefully I'll be able to get along to one of the reunions next year.

Anyway Ben keep up the good work and have a good Christmas and New Year.

Bob Burgess and I went to school together. He was head boy of Charnwood School and I was deputy. We were great pals but I have not seen or heard fom him for many years. I was told that he had moved to New Zealand.

John seemed to think that the badge I designed is still in use. That would be something after all these years. Can I purchase one?

Where and when do the club hold their meetings now. Never know, I might just be in the area some time and call in.

Keep in touch.

"Dick" Barton and I used to work in Blaskeys Wallpaper shop in Belvoir St. He had a BSA A7 I think. He talked about starting a club as a number of us used to go for rides out at the weekends. A group of us met at a pub on the A46 including Bob Burgess, Dick and myself and I think Mick Sharpe. Dick became the President or Chairman, Bob the secretary and I took on treasurer.

The club was named the LEICESTER PHOENIX TOURING MOTORCYCLE CLUB. We wanted to attract families as well hence the touring bit. I designed a badge which was circular with a white phoenix on a pale blue background with the name of the club in a border around the edge. Dick had this made up in plastic.

We used to meet in an upstairs room of a pub across the road from the Magazine. We used to have quiz nights, film shows of motorcycling events, noggin and natter and dutch autions. The pub always laid on a small buffet which we chipped in for.

We used to go on runs all over the place and regularly had wives kids and girlfriends along. One family always came on a Sunbeam outfit. It is a pity I can't remember the names of more people but it is rather a long time ago.

I left when I joined the Army and moved away from Leicester although my parents still live there. I found the article I did for the Leicester Mercury but there is no date on it and it says no more than the above. Hope this may be of some use.

I have just started biking again (for the nth time) this time with a BMW.

I've been trying to think of a few club memories for you - very difficult, anyway, here goes.

BMF Rally 1971. I travelled on the 'slow train' with Eric Tindall (he's in Melton now). Eric Velo MAC, me Norton M50, uneventful trip. Anyway when we were about to leave Woburn a few lads thought it would be amusing watching us trying to start our old bikes and stood around. Well Eric's bike started first kick and so did my Norton (it always did). We were into first and away before they knew what had happened. We felt good. Good maintenance and the correct technique I'd like to think. If you see Eric please ask him to get in touch.

Was Dave Stocker really employed by the Jap bike industry to test their products to destruction? I know he did his best but the bikes did better! I think todays bikers have a lot to thank Dave for. Martin Sentance admired Dave's orange chain.

And here is a seasonal tip on heat retention.

I remember back in the 70s Mike Parry having some very flash (at the time) one piece racing leathers. As they didn't seem that thick leather I asked Mick if they kept him warm. His reply was in the negative. However, by wearing his pyjamas underneath all was well. Mick may still have the pyjamas! At least he got out of bed.

Hope to see you in the future.

Good Biking

I coudn't agree more about the glass and beer. On a more serious note an article in "Fishtail" from a gentleman Geoff Lumley I quote "I was a founder member of the Leicester Phoenix Motorcycle Club owing a 1937 Triumph T80 350cc single" and it seems he was envious of a newish Velocette so after about 40 years he's achieved his ambition. Furthermore it appears from the article he joined the Army so he's probably moved away from Leicester.

All the best

This is Dave Cockerton. Great to hear from old mates again. I was hoping to be at Woodhouse Eaves Tuesday 10 Dec. but due to heavy working hours I shall be up north. I can't wait to see you all again and look forward to your next meeting. Keep in touch and I will do the same.

Ron Tunks recalled many early experiences and adventures.

Early camping trip in St Ives, Cornwall when Brian Gamble snored for England.

After Ron's BSA Shooting Star's engine blew up it was fitted with a Triumph 110. This was the bike which took Ron and Tony Bradley to Geneva.

They flew from Lydd airport on a front loading car transporter named 'The City of Leicester'. While over there a mudguard stay broke and they continued with a spanner holding the bike off the tyre.

Ron supplied a few more names and leads for further contacts. He has interesting sounding photos including some taken, he believes, by Warwick facing backwards on Derek Foster's pillion - 'the only pair crazy enough'.

Ron has kindly offered the loan of photos so they will be added to the site.

I now have three motorbikes. Nice to hear about you old dudes. How many of you can remember me?

Yes, you got the right person with your recent letter.....

There are one or two things I have that might interest you.....

Pud's real name is Rod Hull.....

I saw the picture of the Cricketers 1973 to 1980 and was suprised to find my name is Carol when I put the pointer over my picture. I'm Steve Newitt and that's my brother John standing in front of me. It must be the hair styles in those days.

It's been great looking at the site.

We were, to say the least, surprised but pleased to receive your letter, talk about a 'blast from the past'.

We spent an excellent hour looking/giggling at the website. It did make me look out my badges: Dragon Rally 1966 and two Woburn '67 and '68.

It was a delight to see some of the old faces on the website, doesn't it make you feel old!

We do have some photos we feel you ought to have (as long as we can have them back). You are clearly doing an excellent job and I'm glad to see you still have your wicked sense of humour.

I look forward to hearing from you some time.

Thanks for your recent letter. I was very interested to hear about the website you are creating about the club's early years.

I do not have a PC at present but have friends who have kindly copied some pages for me. I hope to see more soon.

I enjoyed reading Dereks Megaphone article of the '68 Elephant Rally again. I well remember our eventful adventure. I have some slides of the trip and also some of my Austria holiday and I think some camps. Let me know if you think they are of use.

The reunion at Croft some years ago was very enjoyable to see old friends and reminisce (must be getting old). Another perhaps? I wonder how many of us still have bikes - a run out? Now that would be intersting.

Anyway I would be delighted to help if I can.

I will try to dig out some old photos and send them to you shortly.

A little help in your quest to find in all the ex members of the Phoenix. I noticed there was a certain S. Gurney on the list (in between Wesson and Teller) and I know a Steve Gurney. A little interrogation later I can confirm that they are indeed one and the same. Steve was a member in the 80's and rode a GT 550 Suzuki. I use the term "member" with some hesitation because it transpires that Steve did not official join the club, just kept turning up and no one asked for his money!

P.S. It was great to see the email from Mike Parry. Yes I do remember the trip to Thruxton. I seem to remember it was horrible weather, freezing cold and I had a bad cold at the time and was swigging on a bottle of cough medicine all day. Oh, and I was wearing a pair of Janes tights........but thats another story.

John Parbery phoned to pass on some contacts and tell me what bikes he has. John is currently active in the Morini Owners Club and recalls many Phoenix members.

Ian Goodson also passed on a few more contact details and looked back fondly at the return ferry trip from the 1968 Shamrock Rally.

I went on to the site this morning after receiving your letter, and it looks good.

Reading Mush's write up about the beginnings of the club, and seeing some of the photographs brought back some enjoyable memories. Jan & Mush live just down the road from us, and I have seen him walking his dogs on the odd occasion. We bumped into Jan at the local supermarket sometime last year and had a chat.

We are pleased to see that you are in contact with Derek Foster, and would ask if you would pass on our regards to him.

If we can help you find more of the old crowd we will + we will find some photographs for you and that's a promise.

Last night Haydn and I got together for a good chat about the old days. This is the first time we have met for some years. You suddenly realise that we had some great times and made some very good friends.

One person who we remembered was Murdo McCloud who joined the club in about 1980, perhaps you could enter his name.

Hello members from the past who may remember me,

My name is Mike Parry. I was a club member in the 70s. I have read through the list of past members, a lot of wonderful names/people to remember with a lot of good and happy memories.

I have just read Dave Stockers letter - Scarborough! What a great weekend. I do remember the Sunday race day and how it rained and how everybody got wet except me because I was wearing my yellow sailor suit over my leathers! It was worth the mickey taking to stay dry & still have to ride home. I remember many rides when I was on my Norton Commando, Martin Sentance was on his Honda CB750, other lads were big bikes but Dave with Jane on the back of his 125 Yamaha then his 250 Yamaha would still keep up. Dave, remember the ride to Thruxton & seeing that dimly lit lorry cab coming towards us at the last second?

I remember the club run to York I had organised during the fuel crisis, only me & Tony Bradley turned up. Tony said we should carry on because it was "official" so we did, me complete with a spare gallon of fuel strapped to the back seat of my thirsty GT550 Suzuki.

Thanks for the memories everyone

You must spend all of your time either on your bike or at the pc ... and down the pub meeting old members and eating, and sleeping, and going to work etc etc pretty normal then really.

I've attached a pic of me on my trusty steed, sadly the only one I could find, and I couldn't find one of me and Sal together at the club. I'll try and dig something out from the dusty loft!

As for stories, my memory is not what it was lad and I ... ooops, slipped into dad mode, I only seemed to do a few runs but tried to turn up every Wednesday as, I think, some sort of events organiser. I remember putting together a few quizzes, pictures of bits of bikes and name the personality sort of thing.

I remember a cracking day out at Ironbridge where Terry R and John Beccles, and a few others, decided to go for a swim and stripped off. Perhaps not very funny but a fond memory. I can also recall a cracker eating contest at the club where all the contestants had to down a pint of beer and eat crackers, except for someone called Cedric who decided to drink a pint of lemonade. I swear to this day I've never heard a louder or longer burp than we heard that night and we all gave a loud cheer. Another fond memory.

I didn't do rallies but I know a man who did (a big Scottish chap called Niven Withers) and he always remembers, with great merriment, the night Jolly Jacks Snackbar burnt down and how he wasn't so jolly in the morning. I've no idea which rally it was but I might be able to find out. Perhaps someone else might know about it.

Here's another one. Sunday afternoons riding around the countryside playing cards.

Another one. Helping out with the road safety competitions and taking a picture of Mike Hailwood just as he disappeared behind the curtain at the awards ceremony. I think I've still got the picture of that curtain!

On the team photo outside the Cricketers, could I offer a few names? Behind me is Malc Goodwin. The person who you've got down as Martin S next to Bryn S I think is Kev Woods who worked behind the bar with Carol (they married about the same time as me and Sally). Sharron Stannard went out with and married Ant Needham (with the Heron Kettle). At the back is Haydn Wyatt.

You know that picture that's taken of the gathering on a Sunday morning ... well sorry to say I don't think I'm on it. They don't seem to be my leathers and it's not my bike.

I'll sort something else out for you soon as soon as the memory engages. Once again, thanks for your all your toils.

Pleasant surprise to hear from you. Brought back many happy memories.

Good website.

Thanks for the letter about the website. Having just looked at the photos and especially the list of names, a lot of happy memories are recalled.

I'm in the picture taken behind the Cricketers, just behind John Newitt. Also in the Heathcote picture - slightly shorter hair.

Re your letter..... Are you the real David Stocker? Answer Yep!

I've had a look at the site and it certainly brought back some memories.

My recollections........... Were to start??? Guess I'll just list them as they come to mind.

My best memory of you (that's a good way to start) was when we went to watch a time and obs trial (Mkt Harborough direction I think) Dave Smith - at least I think it was him - decided it would be a good idea to follow the route of the trial on our road bikes. This entailed going along a very muddy track and in no time we were bogged down. I seem to remember your bike coming to a halt in about a foot of mud and you getting off it. There it stood going thump thump with no visible means of support other than the mud.

Did Benny Caravelli ever get his test ride for MV Agusta and more to the point did he ever pay his membership fees!!!!!

Keith Williams (and his horrible smelling pipe) doing the Leicester Mercury walk.

The record attempt....the above mentioned Mr Williams riding off and coming back 1/2 hour later with his top box full of potatoes he had "scrumped" from some farmers field..... these were quickly put on the camp fire and consumed with relish (actually butter - no one had any relish) Rob Goddard getting fed up and going on a trip to Louth but still featuring on all the published pictures.

Scarborough - Trips to the mini Isle of Man, Olivers Mount. The young lad helping out in the hotel bar charging single prices for double Vodka's. Later, going into Mike Parry's room where his mate Snowy had his hand in a sink full of Mike's second-hand Vodka and lime (and carrots). Telling him to take the plug out to which he replied "I have done, I'm trying to get the big bits down". Same night, Roland Potter appearing at my window asking to come in. The ledge was 6" wide and we were three stories up!! Snowy trying to chat an old dear up and promptly falling through the hedge he was leaning on....... can't remember too much about the race meeting!

The Live and Let Live pub. Eating the landlord out of crisps and those little biscuits with cheese and pickled onion. Not remembering how I rode home.

Dave Smith consuming three (yes THREE) bowls of pie and peas at the pub opposite Worth Valley Railway station and nobody wanting to follow him home!

Tony Bradley's unique way of stopping his Norton, brakes on full, both feet on the ground and a look of shear panic on his face. I never did find out what was totally useless, his brakes or his reactions.

Martin Sentance puncturing on a club run in deepest Derbyshire. Everyone setting too to help until someone announced that the pub across the road was open.......

Most of my memories are of fun times but the loss of Alan and Bruno will always be the saddest.

There must be more.....a lot more. I think I have some old photos. I'll dig them out and send them to you.

All for now,

The website gets better every time I log on. You say there are no pics of the morning after. Well here is Haydn Wyatt still a little worse for wear and Dave Tibbles helping things along (or up!). There are other photos of the Dull Wet rally, Ron Rutherford, Haydn Wyatt and Steve P. I have gone through my rally badges and just need to scan them in. I have a lot as for 3 years in the winter we did a rally a weekend just about.

The trike I had was fun you should have a go. It turns you into a 19 year old again, round corners on two wheels and great wheelies.

Ride free

Just visited the site again ... looking good.

Just a quick note to tell you that I had a Suzuki GS550 and not a Honda 400-4 as comes up in the past members list ... although that's quite uncanny because I always liked them and very nearly had one. It was a blue one and I had a set of blue and yellow leathers with my name on the back.

Don't know if that helps putting a name to a face.

I am not a member of the Bedford Eagles MCC anymore as most of us have all gone our seperate ways.

We all seem to have moved away. My brothers who were both avid members have also moved away.

As you can see from the badges I know I went on more rallies than that but I had a terrible habit of not collecting or throwing away the badges.

I also became a great believer in one make clubs. So I did a lot more low tech camping weekends.

I am still great mates with a few of the ex-Eagles. There was a reunion a few years ago at the Fox and Hounds, Goldington Road, Bedford. It was great to see all the old faces. It seemed everybody made the effort to be there, we came from all over the country. As you can imagine it was strange to see how people were doing. I wonder if they will have another.

There used to be FAT RABBIT. As the name says he was fat and had buck teeth. Think he was a social worker type.

Nick Maister, tall bloke with pony tail and John Lennon glasses.

Andy Slater, good lad, tall and stout, now not with us anymore :-( He has been gone long ago; strange how you remember!

You must remember Dave Richmond, the rally reporter for the now defunct Motor Cycle Weekly.

You know every club has its 'faces' and others blend in. Well I'm one who blended in.

I wonder if you can help me in my quest to further ascertain the history of what has been confirmed as the FIRST Honda CB750 made for the UK?

Its a long story but there are links to the Leicester Phoenix MCC and Leicester/Loughborough.

The bike was first sold to the late John (Jack) Hutchinson then of 34, Kings Avenue, Loughborough in January 1970 by the former Ken Ives Honda of Loughborough Road, Leicester. It was originally JH651, then later UUT 849H.

Apparently Jack was a highly regarded motorcyclist back then and was particularly lucky to bag the first CB750.

Sadly he was killed at the Rothley Crossroads in 1974 on a Kawasaki Z1A.

I bought the Honda in 1998 and have spent the last three years trying to painstakingly piece together the bike's early history. There is a gap between whenever Jack sold it to 1977 when it ended up in Bradford.

The old style log book has long since been lost and DVLA cannot assist prior to 1977.

I have penned several articles asking for info in various magazines in recent months, including the Leicester Mercury newspaper.

I have had responses from members of the BMF, The Fosse Riders MCA and I displayed the bike at Beaumanor Hall last month which brought a few more snippets of information, so the quest is quickening up a bit.

A former member of the LPMCC - Mike Ayriss - has been in touch and been very helpful, but I am still doing my utmost to find out more about Jack, the bike, or the shop. I have even managed to track down Ken Ives himself.

Mike suggested that I have a look at your site and get in touch. So, here we are, someone somewhere out there can tell me more about the whole picture I hope.

Absolutely anything would be gratefully received Ben. I know its a long shot and that Jack wasn't a member of the LPMCC. He was a member of the Fosse Riders though and apparently members used to ride to/from each others events. It may be possible that a member remembers something or even has a photo somewhere?

Ordinarily I wouldnt go to such lengths to trace the history of a bike, but the Honda is a part of the history of biking in the UK and is the 1st production 4 pot Japanese bike to be made for the UK.

I understand that the LPMCC doesn't have a club mag as such but any help would be great Ben.

I am grateful to you for taking the time to read this letter and sincerely hope that you can help in some way, maybe it's suitable for a club "notice board" on the net etc?

I see that you were doing the rallies when I was, 1980ish. The site brought back a titter or three.

I was a menber of the Bedford Eagles MCC. I'll send some photos of rally badges to see if you were there, not that we would remenber the days, rich on Friday broke on Monday.

You recently wrote to my brother (Ron Cundell) regarding the LPMCC. He has phoned you but has not been able to catch you home, he will keep trying. Unfortunately he doesn't have access to the internet. On showing me his letter we had a look at your website on my PC. How the memories came flooding back!

Ron is once again riding after a few years layoff. He owns a ZZR600 but he is looking to move up to a ZZR1100 or a Blackbird. I am currently riding a BMW K1200RS.

We were looking at the photos of the club nights and the one taken at the Cricketers has me on it! The lad standing to my left is actually our younger brother Richard who was 15 at the time, I used to take him pillion on my Z400 twin, I think it must have been 1978 looking at the photo, I would have been 20, I am 44 now! Where have all the years gone!

We will arrange to go to one of the club nights, who knows we might even join up again!

Bye for now

Excellent wee bikes running across the top of your site. And very elegantly coded. My compliments to that JavaScript author.

Can I pinch the idea to put on www.motorcycle.co.uk?

Of course, there's only so many ways one can code this and I know plenty DHTML so I could write it myself and not tell you. But I'm a nice guy, so I thought I'd ask :)

Well, Ambulance Mick left Telford Tennessee this morning Sept 23rd, and makes his way to Shiloh Military Park. I'm gonna miss him; god knows when the next UK rider will turn up here in them thar Hillbillie Mountains. He's going to a rally near Indianapolis next weekend & then makes his way back to Baltimore to catch a flight back to London. The bike goes on a ship to Southampton. Let's hope he makes it and glad to hear from all.

MY GOD,

Didn't think that pic of 1979ish still existed. I remember it well. Some of the cast were Nugget, Curley, Haydn, Ron, Terry, Alan and me to name a few.

Is the Leicester Phoenix MCC still meeting at Croft every Tuesday? Have got a lot of pics and motorcycle weekly press cuttings (two in all).

I see Wickey had to get his CX in the photos. We are sure he slept with it at the Golden Eagle rally.

I was a member of the club from 1978 until about 1983, I remember not only the club runs, 1st rally and that badge (boy didn't people moan about it after) but also Terry's parties at Lutterworth. He always said the roses bloomed better after a party. Might be something to do with Haydn. One such party ended about 1 in the morning as we ran out of beer, only to start again at 7 when someone found out if you let air into the barrel, more beer came out !!!!!!!!!

We also used to hang out at the TT supporters club where I met Mike Hailwood, I still have his autograph on my old club card some where. The other place was the Shoulder of Mutton at Dunton Bassett. We would stay until the landlord started telling dirty jokes. That was the cue to go.

Will find some pics and forward and even pop up one night when not putting my old GT 750 back together again. Only blown it up 4 times now, my mate told me if you put oil in it helps stop this - and keep it off the red line. Woops.

Terrys not got that many badges, Nigel's is in about 7 boxes.

PS In reply to Wicky's tent being trashed; they did not try to jump over it but were pushed and fell over it. Boy did we have a laf.

I haven't spent all my life in bed y'know.

Does anybody know where the film is of the Blackpool run?

The email address [I've sent] is my son's and he will pass on any messages from members.

Cheers to you all. Keep your goggles on!

Well, what a suprise I had this week. Ambulance Mick from Chesterfield turned up outside my house on his BMW. He had it shipped over to Baltimore from Southampton and now he's doing a 3 weeks tour of the states and turned up here in Tennessee. We had a good old natter about byegone rally days. I took him here to Kingsport near us & there a friend of mine has the largest collection of Brit bikes & spares in existance. Joking? Not on your Nelly. Three floors packed with Nortons, Triumphs, BSAs, AJS, a sprinkle of BMWs, Enfields, Zundapps, Bantams & millions of spare parts. It's unbelievable. One 1975 Bonnie has done 8000 miles in perfect condition for 4500 Dollar.

Anyone needs some spares, just Email or come & see for yourself.

Good Riding

Big John telephoned to say hello and ask after past friends Ron Cundell, Chris Simpson and Ron Rutherford.

John still rides motorcycles and currently has a Moto Guzzi Spada and a breeding pair of Royal Enfields. (I think he said "breeding".)

John whimped out of last century's reunion due to a heart attack so he is looking forward to next century's reunion with you "snot-gobblers".

I hope you are reading this on your brother in law's computer John.

I've been going to the Dragon Rally now since 1992, and I love going but I just heard they are booking the same band for the 5th year running. I know it's only once a year but I like to remember each year individually not the same. Please help save this Rally for what it stand's for & not turn it into a Same Shirt Different Year Rally!

Thanx

It must be fate, I have been doing some gardening at my mother in laws today and the only thing I found was a badge [from the] 619 MCC Sabre Rally so when I got home I put a search through Google and came up with your website.

It's strange how, just like you, we remember the old times and often talk of the people we knew when we regularly attended rallies. Well we still do. We have recently attended in February the Dragon Rally and for me it was the 35th time - still a novice. Bomber and his wife along with some of the other old timers still organise it.

For the last 20 odd years we've been attending Gold Wing Treffens and Wing Dings around Europe and in that time we've reared two sons. They both spent their early years in a sidecar, but not like Scruffy George's.

When Ben contacted us I visited his website and copied your email to Phil and Audrey. Audrey tells me she will make contact with you.

The names you mention all bring back memories, Big Keith, who I first met at my first ever international at St Quentin in 1967. I was also at St Neots and Stanford Hall Fellowship of Riders Rally 1966.

I have all my rally badges on the dining room wall, so its easy to check years.

DO YOU REMEMBER VERDUN IN 1970?

We both hope your enjoying your retirement over there, and look forword to sharing some more memories soon.

I will clamber back into the attic and retrieve the box of old git stuff that I packed away earlier this year. I have to admit that my memory of things that happened that long ago is very rusty. Doing too much nowadays and must be overwriting my memory disk. Anyway, I'll see what I can do and be in touch.

We should meet up again, and I'll let you have more pictures etc.,

Nice site, keep up the good work.

I have now just finished going through the LPMCC site and I have to compliment you on its content.

It brought back a lot of happy memories from yesteryear a lot of which I do remember well. They were good days and it was good to reflect on.

The photos were nice to look at, some of them with Martyn and myself on I had not previously seen.

I remember a lot of runs well which always ended at a pub and a couple of 'small beers' to help you on your way. I wonder if we were still members today, with the stricter drink/drive laws, would we do the same?

I remember the lorry shedding its load on the German trip and also the National Rally as your co-rider.

They were certainly good days. I somewhere do have a number of photos from various events/runs/trips. I will sort them out and email them to you.

We must arrange that beer one evening I will speak to Kevin soon and try to sort something out.

I was a member of the 41 Club in the 60s & 70s and a good friend of Ivett Wright. I have been to your club and have met many of your older members on rallies. I did 7 Goose Fairs, 2 Capt Cook, Dragon 3 times, Elephant 8 times, Ides of March 1966 & 67, White Rose & lots of others. I wonder if any of the old guys are still about. To mention a few, Steve Holbrook, Ivett Wright, Phil & Audrey Line, Motormouse Ian Bishop.

Well, I'll be glad for a reply as I live in the US but like to keep in touch.

I didn't make Founders Day unfortunately but I did manage to get to the Velo owners about 2 weeks previously. I've seen Mick who said he saw you there anyway.

Find attached some photos of way back when. One from a B.M.F. rally at Woburn 1968? and the other 3 from a camping trip at Hawkshead in the Lakes should bring back some memories.

It's Chris Jordon! A friend asked me if I wanted to go for a drink at the Heathcote in Croft. Whilst having a drink, I met a friend from work who happens to ride a bike. She said that the Phoenix MCC meet there on Tuesdays. Along I went and asked if the club had a website, as I used to be a member, and here it is.

What a wonderful idea, it certainly brings back a few memories for me. I have a number of pictures from that time that we were members I can send along with memories of rideouts and club nights.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Found your website on the internet, interested to know if your club is still operational. If so could you forward some information.

My name is Steff. I'm a member of PHOENIX MC, Sydney Chapter, Australia.

Waiting for your reply.

Great website. Nice to see some old photos.

I still see Derek Jordan (Dougal) and Brian Porter. Derek has refurbished the Triumph (T160) as you know. I still ride my Velos and tend to go to the Velo owners at Kegworth or Huncote so I see Mick quite a bit. There is still life in us old dogs.

I've still got the balaclava but winter riding is not something I do very much of now; jolly old stiffness in the bones that comes with being a B.O.F (boring old fart).

When Kev Brewin popped to our home we looked at the LPMCC website. That jogged a few memories. Kev has not quite joined the 21st Century yet so still relies on the old snail mail and library books.

Kev says he will write to you and suggests that we get together for a glass of beer one evening.

I don't tend to see much of Dick Taylor now days since he got himself an inside job.

I will sort out some photos, that will take a while I'm sure, and any suitable ones I will mail to you. I do recall a photo of you in a pair of moon boots and a smile....that would be good for the web page.

Hope to speak again soon.

We've just been poking around the net and look where we ended up. Chris and I have just gone through the picture at the Cricketers [it was taken from the gallery].

It's surprising how many names we could put to the faces, and what good memories came flooding back.

I'll dig out some pictures and scan them in when I get a chance.

We also remember Liz and Andy McC and how have you managed to forget Wal and Michelle B?

PS we think the pub on Marten Street was called the Marten Inn [wonder how they thought that one up?]

Having just attended this years Big End Rally, my first for twenty years, I spent time talking to Peter Juby I was informed about this website.

I joined the Phoenix in 1978 with my Triumph Trophy 250 but quickly moved on to a Honda 550 and CX500 to start my rallying days with the likes of Alan Reid, Chris Simpson, Ron Cundell, Carl Wykes and many more of the lads.

My furthest rally being the Mollentreffin in Holland and spent Saturday night reminding Alan Knott what we got up to with a run to the beach with two local girls.

I also did the Piper Rally on the Black Isle including a run around Loch Ness all in a week end, 1350 miles from Friday morning to the early hours of Monday getting back just in time to go to work.

You might be interested to know that in 1980 along with my sister I designed the first Big End Rally badge and will always remember the rally as someone tried to jump over my tent but didn't quite make it, giving me and my girl friend a great shock at the time. I still have the morning after photo to remind me lol.

Any way, hope you can include me on the ex members list having been a member until 1981 when I left. I now hope to rejoin and become an active member again.