“SEVRA BIG WEEKEND” – TRIMLEY ST. MARTIN SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB, SUFFOLK

AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY 2009

Apart from the International, the SEVRA BIG WEEKEND was our most looked forward to VRA event of the year. The countdown started as soon as we returned home from Wales and it was then that we started praying for a dry rally, just as tents were being hung out to dry and mud removed.

Friday saw the majority of attendees arriving and the best surprise was looking up from the “Reception/Finance Department” tent (which was placed at the back of the field – just to be different) and seeing Beatle ride in. Beatle should have still been on holiday in France but decided to return home a few days early and it was great to see him. Other unexpected arrivals were Trevor GB & Smiler – Trevor having been ill since Wales and blaming the wet Welsh weather swore he would not do another rally any time soon – I knew he didn’t mean it! It was also really good to welcome our friends from Tivra (most of who had travelled direct from their holiday in Cornwall), The Midlands, Norfolk, Anglia, Southern, RC’s and of course Jester (in mind but not body)

The weather was probably the best experienced at any 2009 rally. Just some showers on Friday, oh and a bit windy, we were somewhat surprised that every tent survived the onslaught, but it was really good to be back in Trimley and, as always, we received a warm welcome from all the staff & members of the Social Club. They arranged and paid for a band on both Friday and Saturday night and the atmosphere in the bar on both nights was brilliant.

The ride out on Saturday to Southwold, on the Suffolk coast, went well and was surprisingly well attended seeing as it was the first day of the rally and it started at 11.00am. Crispie didn’t make it, suffering big time from the after effects of loads of cider on Friday night! I stayed behind to man,  the Reception, well it was in our tent, and continued to drink cans of cider while waiting for the “cavalcade” to return.

Next on the weekend agenda was the SEVRA AGM, chaired by Lord Sav, which was followed with everyone at the rally attending the Auction. All proceeds of the auction were raised for Demelza House, a children’s hospice, situated in Kent, in the heart of “SEVRA LAND”, our nominated charity.

The highlight of the auction was Chronic’s first book, of which to date only two copies have been published. Following some very fierce bidding, the winner was Crooner, who parted with £68.00 and claimed that it was worth every penny. Further items donated for auction included a new waterproof biking jacket, a beautiful pair of leather panniers, a leather waistcoat (complete with patches), a “SEVRA” T-shirt, a leather jacket and a bottle of whiskey. These items raised a magnificent total of £234.00.

Sunday afternoon soon arrived with anticipation and the “Spockolympics” kicked off with the appearance of Spock & Penelope dressed as Ancient Greeks (no not Geeks – Olympian Greeks) – they looked fabulous. Then the lighting of the torch took place and amazingly there was a guest appearance from the two 118118 guys, complete with red shorts and black hair, to take on this honour (looked a bit like T-Boy & Scrubber come to think of it!).

After filling the chrome shot glasses, which were previously purchased on arrival, with an array of Italian Liqueurs (another charity fundraiser which amounted to over £110.00) the games started.

Big Al was on hand to provide the commentary, and what a great job he did (never short of a few words is he?). Must mention SEVRA’s “Quiz Masters”, Gobi & Womble, who set the quiz and had everyone guessing all weekend, or accessing the internet on their ‘phones maybe!!!

Well done to everyone who took part, I didn’t stop laughing from the sidelines at the sight of Mork running & jumping in the egg & spoon obstacle race, Tiny’s team and the “Javelin” throwing, Zulu & Biker Betty completing the “Mr & Mrs” game, Tom – guest of Spock – in the sack race, Joyboy downing a yard of ale (which gained “Conquistadors” a vital 6 points and ultimately won us the competition) and Lord Sav playing Musical Chairs which ended with him being rugby tackled by Sam, from Trimley Sports & Social Club, and he is STILL complaining of a broken rib one week later!!

Our wonderful weekend was coming to an end and in the bar on Sunday we had hired the band “Toad”, and the drummer, Thumper, an ex-VRA member, donated his share of the Band’s fee to our charity – how lovely was that?

All in all a very successful and enjoyable weekend and more importantly a fantastic amount of £913.00 was raised for our charity. Add this to previous money raised in the last 12 months from Tiny & Zara’s wedding, SEVRA Christmas Party, Squeak’s May Day event and personal member’s contributions we have a Grand Total of £1,424.00 and I plan to claim a further £500.00 through a scheme run by my employers – what a result – how are we going to top that next year? – Answers on a postcard…….

Just to finish, on behalf of all those present last weekend, a big THANK YOU to Spock & Penelope for all their hard work in organising & planning for the SEVRA BIG WEEKEND. It’s going to happen all over again next August Bank Holiday 2010 – roll on next year, it’s booked and everyone is welcome just sign up on the What’s On Page.

Loads of Love

LadyBird

Lord Sav and Beatle’s Summer Eurobumble

On Friday the 10^th July the Southend contingent (Lord Sav & ‘Walshy’, Griz & Mrs. Fender Bender, Trev GB & Smiler) met up at 8:30am for the trip down to the Eurotunnel. Traffic was light for a Friday morning and we made good time. Arrival at the entrance was for 10 am to meet Beatle & Cooch. The Southend contingent arrived early with Beatle& Cooch already at the entrance. It was decided to go straight through which was done in a fairly quick manor and soon we were on the train hurtling towards France. Thirty five minutes later we rode off the train and poor Cooch was denied a smoke break and we headed for Adinkerke to get a few chocolates and a smoke break for Cooch. It was then decided that we would trundle down to Ieper for lunch. Lord Sav our illustrious leader guided us into the square where we made a grand and noisy entrance. After a lovely lunch Lord Sav guided us via some nice country roads to our destination in Groenedijk. On arrival and the obligatory welcome drink we all settled in and unpacked. Soon Lord Malvern & Tango, Geoff & Sleepy Jean arrived and it was not long before we were all outside enjoying the fresh air. The drinks were now coming in fast and furious and the piss taking was in full flow. At this stage Cooch (aka ‘Cleggy’) was in full form and he and Walshy were in all sorts of debates and piss taking between the Northerners and Southerners. Smiler was taught how to swear with a ‘northern’ accent!! Later on the temperature dropped down and we moved inside and we got nice and cosy in the lounge drinking away.

A few of the VOC from Belgium joined us for a drink. A game of ‘Pool’ was suggested and that was the beginning of the end for some. Cooch and Walshy were still going strong taking the piss out of each other and soon there was a bit of competition going on the table. As the alcohol flowed so did the laughs and we had a great time. Some of us decided around twelve’ish to call it a night but some stayed on.

On Saturday morning we all in dribs and drabs went for a much needed breakfast. It appeared though that during the night one of our party had decided ‘enough was enough’ and left in the dead of night. Walshy had for some reason decided after all the booze to go home!!

And quote “the way home without transport is to leave the Motorloft...WALK to Ostend.....Train to Lille....Train to Calais........Boat to Dover.......Train to London.......Bus to Fenchurch Street.......Train to Southend........Right Royal Boll.......king from wife.......home with head between legs.....”

Well this was fuel for piss-taking the rest of the weekend. Cooch was blamed and he will never live this down!! If you want to get rid of anyone….call Cooch (Cleggy)!!!

After breakfast we were joined by Chronic’s Belgian twin brother who kindly agreed to be our guide for the day. We went in the rain to the Tyne Cot cemetery. It was very humbling to see the British and Commonwealth graves from the Great War. 

After that still in the rain we went to Zeebrugge to a nice fish restaurant for a great meal and a belly of laughs. A nice trip back to the Bikerloft in Groenedijk via the coast road. Well you couldn’t see the coast but it was there I believe!!

Back at the Bikerloft the drinks flowed again and we were joined by the Belgium’s again for a few drinks. More piss taking was done and a good night was had.

Sunday morning roll call was taken to see if anyone else had decided to go home during the night!

 Lord Malvern & Tango, Geoff & Sleepy Jean left first as they wanted to go to De Haan, a lovely looking place that we had driven through on Saturday. The ‘Sevrans’ decided to leave early as well as it was raining and with wet suits donned we headed back with a coffee and smoke break and shopping in Adinkerke again. Off to the tunnel and we met up with Lord Malvern & Tango, Geoff & Sleepy Jean and onto the train. After saying our goodbyes at a petrol stop on the English side we all headed home.

Ace Café – Kawasaki Day – 19 April 09

A good turn out on a chilly start to the day.

Meeting at the M25/A127 turn-off as usual. Attendees:- Lord Sav, Nips, Tiny, BBT, T Boy, Scrubber, Trev GB, Jenny, Spock, 44, Beatle.

 
Of course our bikes were the neatest lined-up, and soon had envious looks from many of the plastic sportsters. We were also approached by two (separate) VN riders who knew nothing of the VRA, but left us promising to watch the web site – possibly new members?

Whilst we hung around, Twanny (from Royal Cotswolds) turned up, as did various members from Anglia.

Much talking of bolleaux, taking of photos, and general bonhomie (down Chronic) ensued before we gathered to watch the departure of a German Helmetted (“I’ve had this over 50 years”!) amazon on her bike & sidecar – a little weird!

Then off to Womble & Gobbi’s for tea & cakes. Lord Sav & 44 both reckoned they knew where to go – Lord Sav won the toss-up, and off we went. A ‘head count’ was arranged by Lord Sav by taking us the wrong way round a roundabout whilst taking a wrong turn. Of course everyone followed – even Nips who founded the concept in Belgium.

 Wonderful hospitality from Womble & Gobbi – even after Spock asked Gobbi how on earth she got her name!

After that we all descended upon a petrol station en masse – as is our wont – with members of the public taking photos - then off along the M25, some southwards, some northwards, for home.

(Don’t mention Beatle’s new hard case coming apart!!)

SEVRA 70's Xmas Party Jan. 2009

Click on image below for SEVRA sing along....











 

Beatle

Tiny and Zara’s Wedding.

On Thursday morning Ladybird, Lord Sav, Lisa, Woody, Nips, Jenny and I left the M25 / A127 junction in a convoy of cars and bikes. It was a nice trip through the tunnel, got separated as some of them in the cars were a bit slow, however we all managed to get to Clacketts where we met up with Freeway. Once we all regrouped we had a pleasant ride down to Lewes guided by our highly esteemed leader Lord Sav. We were met in the field by the Groom-to-be and Big Al putting up a large tent (or was it a small Marquee???)

We all put up camp and the jollies started as Woody was in fine form from the word go. I had a slight difficulty getting a gas canister into the cooker as it sprayed Lisa, Jenny and Twig all with some healthy gas, anyway eventually read the instructions and I was able to make the boss some tea, even though it took half an hour to boil the water, but who was in a rush!!

Once camp was setup the things that SEVRA do best and that is to sit around talk bollocks and drink started. In the afternoon when Tiny and Zara got the keys to the hall we all mucked in and got the hall decorated, unloaded vans and did what we were told.
During this time more and more members arrived including Spock, Paul L, Cowboy, Tigga and Stix to name a few.

Later in the evening, some of the ladies went to Zara’s for a night frolicking and drinking.For the rest of us it was off to the adjoining pub where the evening festivities for Tiny’s VRA bachelor party started, well for some it had started a lot sooner…

Jesus and Mary arrived later. Jesus was unable to hold his bike up and fell over into the mud, he says he was sober but…..

SEVRA’s stand up comedian was on the ball entertaining us and the locals with his quick wit and jokes. A classic moment was when two lovely lasses got out their car in the pub car park and as they were approaching, Woody shouted “Hey, the strippers have arrived” to a roar of laughter, and only Woody could have gotten away with that!! Drinking went well into the night and a great time was had by all.

Friday morning started off rather soggy but we were all in high spirits. And a lovely breakfast was cooked by Lord Sav and Squeek. Later on some cleaning of bikes was done and the usually milling about and piss taking was done. Chronic and Bridie arrived for the day with others as well. Nips and Lord Sav left before the rest of us as they went to escort the Bride into Eastbourne. As soon as Tiny arrived back after going home for a well deserved shower we all grouped and the much anticipated ride into Eastbourne got underway. It was a nice ride in and as we do a lot of noise was made. We parked up, Tiny did a strip and got into his kilt and we moved off to the local pub!!

After a quick drink and meeting up with all Tiny and Zara’s family and friends we waited for the Bride to arrive. And boy did she arrive in style on the back of a Vulcan trike, looking absolutely gorgeous.

What a lovely ceremony it was and you could feel the love around.

Nips had a tear in his eye, Spocky and Woody were hugging….

 
After the ceremony and photo shoots it was back to the hall for the celebrations to begin.

The bikes parked up next to the hall and the VRA with Tiny and Zara’s family and friends mingled and had a bloody nice time.

Friday from then on was a day of joviality, with drinking, eating and dancing way into the night.

Saturday started off again with a cooked breakfast to try and cure the hangover for the day ahead. Some of us went for a short ride in the morning to see the local scene. More VRA members arrived for the day and during the day to spend the night including Crooner, Mrs. Crooner, Snow2Mercs, Mandy and Tee Pee to name a few.

In the afternoon Tiny and Zara put on a bouncy castle with a mechanical bull ride. It was great fun watching everyone who got on the bull for a ride. Twig held the record for the VRA at 52 seconds if I recall. Woody threatened to strip and do it naked for charity, but there was a pledge if you donated more money he would keep his boxers on. Fortunately everyone paid in more so we did not have to bear witness again to a naked Woody. Woody was good to his word and stripped down to his boxers for charity. A big well done to you Woody.

In the evening a roast on a spit was had and a big thank you to Big Al for setting it up and cooking it to perfection, plus to all the ladies and gents who cooked, cleaned and got all the food together. Nips being the official bottle washer, and the new SEVRA members Scrubber and "T" Boy having a special mention. It was another great day and evening with DJ Dancing late again into the early hours. With a special guest DJ Woody on the decks for an hour or so.