Out and About 2015

Here are photos from different events and visits during 2015
sent in by our members.

Skegness, County Hotel hosted the Lincs Wings Christmas Bash for 2015. A total of 40 attendees arrived, some on Friday and the rest on Saturday, for a weekend break at the County Hotel. After a warm welcome from the staff, most of us opted to join the hotel restaurant for their evening meal, whilst a few took a wander into town to discover the remaining delights of Skegness (in wintertime). Dinner was followed by a most pleasant evening in the hotel bar, which for some lasted well into the next morning.

Saturday was market day so a few intrepid explorers went off into the rain to look for those last minute Christmas bargains. Later that evening, we all assembled in the Hotel bar for drinks and photos and to meet everyone who had chosen to join us. As well as Lincs Wingers we were pleased to see many other wingers from around the country as well as friends who had yet to discover the joys of motorcycling

The theme for the dinner was to be the 1920 and I doubt that Elliot Ness saw so many Gangsters in one room at the same time. Add to this the ladies dressing in traditional 'Flapper' style with beads and tassels and the evening was destined to go off with a bang.

Dinner was a traditional feast which was served quickly and efficiently by the hotel staff and aided by Jayne's little cards reminding each of us what we had ordered (I can never remember !!). After dinner and speeches, we repaired to the first floor ballroom for entertainment and dancing.

Our thanks go to Sandy and Jayne for organising the weekend, to the Hotel Staff who made it a memorable event, to our entertainers for keeping us busy, and to all our friends who joined us this year to celebrate Christmas in style.

After cruising the space-ways for yet another year, the time has come once again for the NCC-1701-F Enterprise to return for scheduled maintenance and deep clean to remove earth dust and bugs. Star Fleet HQ decided to start early with the clean at the Lincolnshire space dock due to 2 previous incidents reported this year. Whilst attending a gathering at Earth Station 'Skegness', the plasma coolant overheated, caused by a malfunctioning switch which failed to start the cooling fan's operation. Minimal damage was sustained and systems were restored to basic operating capability prior to full restoration in space dock. However, after leaving Station 'Skegness' and on-course for Station 'Brookenby', the Enterprise encountered a Klingon Bird Of Prey in full attack mode. Although Enterprise successfully fought off the Klingon attacker, the ensuing battle resulted in damage to the starboard braking nacelle which seized and caught fire. The fire was contained and controlled using the John Smith Extra Smooth Fire Suppressant system. After the battle, a brief spacewalk was needed to affect temporary repairs. Once completed the Enterprise continued to its planned destination and Space Dock with no further problems. The clean has now started and may take several months to complete. Routine maintenance will now be undertaken to prepare Enterprise for yet another adventure in the outer spaces.

Trevor Corrine and Bethany had their hair cropped to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Butterfly Hospice Trust. Bethany had a short ‘bob’ (her idea), and is donating her hair to the Little Princess Trust supply real hair wigs to children.

The event took place at 10.30 in the Salvation Army Citadel, Boston, and you can read the full story at Virgin Money Giving

Yes things had gotten a little hairy for Trevor before the event, but here he is braving the scissors and razor to raise money for charity.

The last advertised Bike Night at Woody's took place on Monday 19 Oct 2015 and Stephen - who had managed to miss every single bike night this year - decided it was time to make the visit. Arriving at 18.30 at Woody's car park, it was pitch black so that you could barely see the 6 bikes already parked up. Nevertheless, Stephen parked up his wing at the end of the line-up and went in for a coffee. Inside were two groups, one from the Grantham area and another from Lincoln. Well after a chat a coffee and a quick call to the loo, Stephen set off back home wishing everyone a safe ride back. The trip back to Billinghay was uneventful except every railway crossing and traffic light was against him! Lets look forward to Woody's next Spring.

On Sunday morning, at 8.00 o'clock, Stephen set out to ride down to The Holiday Inn at Walsall for the GWOC Open Meeting. Unlike the AGM, this meeting is a discussion forum allowing the National Committee and Regional Representatives (yes, Sandy and Jayne were there too) to get direct feedback from the members. Unfortunately, out of a membership of over 1000, only around 50 members attended the meeting, which means that the views being expressed come from just a small but active minority of the Club. The discussions ranged over a variety of subjects including the new website and the new format for the "Wingspan". We were also told that a small group is currently reviewing the Club Constitution (after it's suspension earlier this year). It was suggested that the new 'draft' constitution should be made available on the GWOC website for a period of up to 3 months inviting comments from the members prior to voting to accept it at the next AGM. There was also a long discussion about the prices to be charged for children attending Wing Dings and the Treffen but no conclusion was reached. Still, it was a nice venue and a good time to reconnect with old friends. Here are a few pictures of the event (and I think I caught all of the wings in the car-park).

Lincs Wings Region was kindly invited to fill a table at the RNLI Charity Ball this year by virtue of the fund raising efforts we had made with the Skegness Light Parade. With room for 5 couples, Sandy and Jayne, Doug and Sue, Graham and Elaine, Mark and Debbie and Stephen and Lynne all got dressed up in our formal evening wear for the event of the year. The Ball was held at the Sun Castle in Skegness, so we all booked in for the night at the County Hotel, which was only staggering distance back from the Ball. The event was extremely well planned with an official photographer at the door, snapping couples as they entered. The 4 course meal was outstanding quality and each table was loaded with delicious wines. Two different bands provided entertainment through the evening with the disco taking charge of an already filled to capacity dance floor to round off the night. The raffle (at £10 per strip) raised an impressive £2440 and the auction that followed surely added over another thousand to this total. Overall, the Ball was a great success and a great opportunity to shake out the evening wear once again. Congratulations to the RNLI and we wish you well in your endeavours and thank you for your excellent work throughout the year.

Only Dick and Pat turned up today for a ride in the October sunshine to find ice cream. Well we decided to have a good run around and call in for dinner at the Unicorn Hotel at Gunthorpe Bridge before heading to Newfield Ice Cream Parlour, and what a place that was. Plated meals, snacks, teas/coffees, cakes, and of course loads of flavoured ice cream plus specials. My mind set, I will lead the group on another occasion for them to enjoy this pleasant venue. In the picture is Dick and Pat making a mess of knickerbocker glories and Jayne with a Banana split, whilst I had salt caramel flavour! well I would eh! Cheers everyone - Sandy.

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SKLP 2016 Pre-inscriptions ! - 3 Oct 2015

Ron and Dee had a lovely ride to Skegness today 3 Oct. The RNLI "event" that was supposedly scheduled for today was no where in sight, so we will just claim to be the first arrivals for the SKLP 2016 LOL. Not sure what happened to the event but still the ride was great and it was nice to get out on our Wing.

Our biggest 'Out and About' trip for September was the Skegness Light Parade. The weekend stretching from Friday 25th through to Monday 28th was spent at the Golden Palm Holiday Resort at Chapel-St-Leonards with wingers (4) sharing comfortable 6 berth caravans. The Light Parade on Saturday was a great success with 114 bikes inscribed and raising an impressive £1700 for the RNLI charity. A ride-out on Sunday, led by Sandy and Jayne, took us through the Lincolnshire Wolds and stopping off at Willingham Woods before heading towards Cleethorpes and a carvery dinner. Quite a few wingers headed back home on the Sunday but a few die-hards stayed for one last evening's entertainment in the Tropicana Club and then off home on Monday.

On Saturday afternoon, Stephen and Trevor moved their wings up to Hildred's Shopping Mall to advertise the Light Parade. One little chap named 'Jack', who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, absolutely loved the bikes and his face lit with delight when we started the engine for him. Unfortunately, he is quadriplegic and his arms and legs are very stiff with little range of movement. However, with help from his Grandmother 'Cath', he sat on the bike for a photo and you can see the great smile and look of delight and happiness that he had. Although Jack couldn't speak to us, he made it very clear that we had 'made his day'.

On his way home, Martin, suffered a bit of a misfortune to his GL1500 Starship Enterprise when he received plasma cannon fire to his front right brake. Probably from a Klingon Bird of Prey. The brake calliper caught fire but he managed to quench the flames (and possibly his dry throat) with a can of John Smiths Extra Smooth. After conducting a space walk to effect temporary repairs, the ship managed to limp back to space dock. Martin is now looking for front brake and cover parts for a 1992 GL1500 in order to make her space worthy once more. If you can help him please contact Star Fleet Command on this hailing frequency.

The day started with our monthly meeting in Langworth, where Sandy, supported by the Lincs Wingers put the world to rights (at least in our region). Minutes of the meeting will follow shortly, but it was nice to see a steady line-up of wings out in the Car Park. We all rushed out to see Ian and Sue's brand new Goldwing looking very smart in pearlescent white. Following the meeting, Mark and Debbie, Doug and Sue, Ian and Sue, and Sandy and Jayne (3 bikes and 1 trike) set off on a ride out to visit the Winterton Steam Rally. At the rally, we were asked to parade bikes around arena which went down very well and Sandy spent lots of his time promoting the upcoming Skegness Light Parade. Sandy also treated Louise Cooke to a back-seat ride on his Trike. Louise is suffering from MS, and she was attending the rally, with her husband Tim to raise awareness and funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society (Scunthorpe Branch). Thank you Sandy you made her day and she beamed from ear to ear throughout the ride. If you have an interest in supporting the needs of the MS Society, please follow the link below to view their website.

Scarborough is only just in the next county to us so its no surprise that a few of our fold decided to make a trip to participate in the 2015 Light Parade. Here are the photos sent in by Sue and Doug showing the line up for the parade and of course a few people, including Mark and Debbs, enjoying a quiet drink!.

After missing the 2014 festival, Lincs Wings returned in good order to the 2015 Boston Steam Festival to show off our lovely machines. Sandy/Jayne, Doug/Sue, Mark/Debbie, Stephen/Lynne, Stephen/Maria, Dick/Pat, were joined by Ray and Dave (from Boston area) to provide a nice line-up of wings. The Festival as always was a large undertaking with lots and lots of displayers and vendors. As well as the smaller steam and petrol engines on display, we were privileged to see some monster steam traction engines and road rollers. Vintage cars and motorcycles were thick on the ground with reminders of all the vehicles we used to see as kids. There were also lots of model enthusiasts as well as radio controlled and control line model aircraft both on display and flying alongside the crowds. The central display arena was surrounded by scrummy food vendors as well as lots of stores selling bits, pieces and parts for machines both long forgotten and brand new. Above all, the Sunday display was blessed with a wonderful clear and sunny day that made the whole event that much more enjoyable. Of the Goldwings, we had many visitors all looking on dreamily to what might have been and wishing they had stuck to motorcycling from their youth. Finally, in the clear afternoon skies, we were treated to a marvellous spectacle as the BBMF Dakota took a turn around the field with some impressive low passes and turns. Altogether a great day out and a successful weekend.

Lincs Wings managed a good turn-out for this year’s UK Treffen with 11 bikes and 21 members attending:

The trip up North was a bit rough for some but we all got there safely in the end. Wednesday was the bus trip out to Edinburgh, so Doug and Sue, Martin and Christine, Stephen and Lynne all opted for the trip and enjoyed a great day out in the ancient walled city. We had a chance to visit attractions such as the Mary King Close (an underground street left ‘frozen in time’ since a redevelopment of the city back in the 17^th Century). We also enjoyed the numerous street entertainments laid on for the Fringe Exhibition. All told a great day out.

Back at Kelso, the Border Showground Hall offered a great venue for all-day catering and we enjoyed evenings of live entertainment as well as a well-stocked bar run by Sandy and Jayne. It was also a great opportunity to get some serious pampering for our wings with vendors including Colin Appleyards, Awing Away, Ultimate Airbrush, Prosign and many others.

For some of us, this was our first Treffen, but Stephen and Maria had managed this year to rack up an impressive 10 Treffens – well done you two.

Thursday was wet and windy so we all huddled around the camp site to keep warm and dry. However, the weather improved on Friday and a small group of Lincs Wingers decided to take a trip out to Berwick upon Tweed and then on to Eyemouth.

Being that Sandy and Jayne were managing the bar this year, plenty of Lincs Wingers had volunteered to work behind the bar on Saturday night. Although it was busy throughout the night, we had a great time and were pleased to contribute to the Treffen.

The 1960’s fancy dress on Friday night was hilarious and on Saturday, accompanied by the presentation of International Awards, our own girls laid on ‘Tarts in Tartan’ just to spice up the bar.

On the Friday night, starting at 21.00, a long line of Goldwings assembled to run a Light Parade around Kelso. The parade cruised

around the local town going through the main square and even up the hill to Sainsbury's. The whole program was aided by hard working marshals and police who held back the traffic at every intersection in favour of our bikes. In the meantime, we rode around with lights strobing and 'Rock and Roll' blaring. Speaking later with locals, they all remarked on the spectacle and showed real interest in our Goldwings.

Saturday evening, starting at 17.45, and even bigger parade of Goldwings assembled with flags flying, to participate in the Parade of Nations. This parade went even further than the Light Parade including a trip through the grounds of Floors Castle.

To finish up we had the International Awards presented on Saturday Night and then the UK Awards presented on Sunday Night. Overall we had a great time meeting old friends and making new ones and our thanks go to everyone that made it all possible.

Christine and Martin started to pack up for their trip to the Kelso Treffen. This from Christine, " He indoors said get what you want to take on Monday", so I did. He took one look and said we needed a little trailer, so I got him this. His response was "What part of NO don't you understand." Men!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I have to say 'Hats off to Hornsea'. Their very first bike show was a great success with loads of bikers showing up to enjoy the entertainments, food, drinks and vendors in a big big showground. Martin and Stephen met up at Barney's Cafe and after a nice cooked breakfast, they set off over the Humber Bridge heading north to Beverley. The bridge crossing was a little hairy with very strong gusts of wind blowing up the estuary and across the bridge. However, once again on the main road the going got easier, despite the long queues of traffic making their way to the seaside. Hornsea is quite a small seaside town and the access road was pretty full as we made our way in. However, a few short hops around the traffic and we arrived at the showground. Not many Goldwings in evidence but as soon as we arrived we were greeted by 2 wingers who had only just taken the plunge to get a wing. Walking up to the showground, we scattered adverts for the Skegness Light Parade and then took a turn around the field to check out the vendors. At the Classic and custom bike display, we found Mark with his Yamaha and so we stayed for a short time to lend moral support. We had a chat with the Hornsea Ukulele band as they entertained the crowds. Then we took in the far side of the showground to get a coffee and to sit and listen to their rock band. After a fish supper, we decided to hit the road and hopefully avoid the coming rain storm predicted for today. Again, a nice ride back using the new Beverley bypass, but this time the Humber Bridge was particularly difficult with 30 mph winds blowing across the roadway and making progress very dicey for a Goldwing. Still, a great day out and a great experience. Well done Hornsea.

Saturday morning at 10.15 found a group of wingers all fit and ready to follow Ron in a ride to the Auckley Show. But first, Stephen decided to demonstrate the correct way for picking up a fallen Goldwing, after having - sort of - dropped it whilst turning around on uneven ground. With Stephen's Goldwing firmly back on its feet, we set off with Ron and Dee in the lead, followed by Jim and Christine, Stephen, and with Graham and Elaine bringing up the rear. We rode towards Gainsborough and then on to Beckingham, where we turned North up to Haxey and then West to Auckley. We arrived just after 11.00am and we were directed, by a troop of willing Air Cadets, to a nice display area next to the vintage cars, where we found Martin and Christine already set up to receive us. The fairground was well stocked with vendors, local associations and interest groups as well as plenty of food outlets. The event centred around a big display area where all manner of competitions and entertainments were provided throughout the day. Our group of Goldwings was well visited during the day with lots of folk asking about them and us. We also had plenty of opportunity to tell everyone about the Skegness Light Parade coming up in September.

The sun was shining and the wind was low - an ideal day for a trip to the seaside, so Lynne and Stephen mounted up on their GL1800 and set out for Mablethorpe. We arrived at lunch time, so after a nice walk along the prom, we stopped for an excellent carvery (with free parking for the wing). Then we set off for Saltfleetby Dunes Nature Reserve for a most pleasant stroll through the dunes and salt flats. Unfortunately, the heat of the day meant that not much wild-life was about (except the butterflies). After Saltfleetby, we made our way further north to find the Nature Reserve at RAF Donna Nook. This is a real out-of-the-way place on the edge of the salt flats and the RAF Air Gunnery range plays host to a Seal colony. We enjoyed yet another pleasant stroll along the edge of the range but once again, the heat of the day made sure that the seals were elsewhere. Never mind, we had a great day out and a nice enjoyable ride (around 75 miles round trip).

Sunday started out as a bright shiny day so Jim and Christine fancied a ride out on their Silver GL1500 called 'Tom Tom. Off they went to Matlock Bath for a nice day out, setting off through Newark and then returning via Chesterfield. Saw some lovely blue jays at a cafe in the woods, some rather large American cars and the famous twisted church spire at Chesterfield. The other bikes around Matlock looked great too 'he he', although there weren't many wings, just 2 trikes and a 1200 solo. Sorry didn't get a photo of them. But here's the view in Matlock Bath with Christine just getting geared up ready to go home.