LINCS WINGS Out and About

 (Aug - Dec) 2024

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Here are photos from different events and visits during the year, sent in by our members.

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Lincswings Christmas Party - 7 Dec 2024

It took a while for Sandy and Jayne to find us a suitable venue for this year's Christmas party as they had looked at a number of different hotels and locations to get the best deal.  However, at the end of it all they came up trumps, finding a lovely hotel in Skegness.  The Vine Hotel is a lovely old place with thick carpets and blazing fireplaces.  The rooms were comfortable, and once you had fathomed out how to switch on the storage heater they were quite cosy. 

Our meal started as usual in the bar with a few drinks and a lot of catching up.  This year our attendance was a bit low as Mick and Helen had another event conflicting with our weekend and Sue and Doug had to pull out at the last minute.  So in attendance we had Sandy and Jayne, Mark and Debbie, Trevor and Marion, Stephen and Lynne and David.  By 7.30pm, Stephen was starving so we all trouped around to the Party room where we found a round table set out with 9 places just for us.  A nice drink was already in place to start the night and we had a bar in the room so no-one went short of drinks. 

Crackers were pulled and party hats donned so that we could tuck into a fabulous fresh cooked Christmas meal of either Turkey, Fish or vegetarian.  My turkey dinner was enormous and the added Brussels sprouts and cauliflower cheese were scrummy.  Desert was Christmas pud, sticky toffee pudding, or cheese board and all of them were served in heroic portions.

The entertainment was provided by a young lady who banged out party songs one after the other and set the scene for lots of folks to get up and dance.  Even Stephen and Lynne took the floor to try a quick Jive.

Unfortunately, we must be getting old or something, but Sandy had twisted his knee so we didn't see much activity from the crowd except to bend the elbows.

Pictures by Stephen

After a busy night we went to bed around midnight and then up the next morning for 8.30 for a lovely full English breakfast included with the room.  Then we set off through the stormy weather to get back home and se how far the overnight storm had dispersed our belongings.

I recon this was the best Christmas Party venue we have found and without doubt the best Christmas Party and meal a long chalk.

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Lincswings AGM - 3 Nov 2024

Lincs Wings met at Rase Park on Sunday 3 Nov 2024 for our AGM.  The meeting started with a minute's silence for Andrew Downey who had passed away just recently after a long battle with Cancer.  Andrew had been a member of Lincswings for many years and had supported our events.  However his greater passion was with the British Legion Riders Branch, which consists of a national group of riders that support RBL events.  Indeed, Andrew even modified his 2018 Black Goldwing with straight exhaust pipes so that he would sound similar to the Harley Davidson machines that accompanied him.  Andy was a cheerful character who was always present at RBL events and could be relied upon for a smile and perhaps a witty remark.  His influence with the Riders branch will be sorely missed.

Back to the AGM where we received reports from Treasurer and Webmaster to show all is going well.  Then election of officers returned the same names to their posts:  Sandy as Rep, Peggy (Jayne) as Treasurer and Stephen as Webmaster and Wingspan reporter. 

We then continued with monthly meeting business.  The planned date for our Wing Ding next year would conflict with another event so a date was proposed as 11-13 July 2025.  Sandy was in the process of getting agreement from all concerned.  It was suggested that we open the site from the Thursday 10th to give people an extra day.   A ride out to visit the Bay Tree Owl and Wildlife Centre near Spalding was proposed and Trevor volunteered to plan the route for the day.  Another ride-out on the Friday will also be considered for those visitors who arrive earlier on the Thursday.

    Sandy gave an update on the Skegness Light Parade 2024.  So far, the donations collect for the Macmillan Nurses have totally £6000 but there is still some more to come in.  Overall, the Light Parade has proved to be the most successful since we began in 2014.  We also noted that the revised traffic management for the static day parade, bringing bikes in from the Lumley Roundabout, proved to be the best option, making the duties of stewards and marshals so much easier.  We also received great feedback from the shop owners in the area regarding the business they had received at the end of the season.  Next year's SKLP will take place between 3 - 5 October 2025.

Jayne presented a number of options and prices for a Lincs Wings Christmas party and it looks like we will go for the Royal Hotel in Skegness.  Jayne will speak with the Hotel to confirm dates and numbers attending.

Awards were presented for Winger of the Year, which went to Peggy (Jayne) for her outstanding work on the SKLP. Whilst the WHOOPS of the year was awarded to Martin G (not present) for nearly setting fire to his GL1500 Star Trek bike when the brakes seized.

Sandy also presented an award for the "Best Solo Bike" from SKLP 2024 to Stephen (who had gone to bed and missed the presentations at the Golden Palms Club).

Pictures by Stephen

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Skegness Light Parade 2024

This year was our 10th Anniversary of the Parade (we missed one year due to COVID) so we wanted to make it a big one.  Indeed as the days in the run up to the parade, the weather continued to be awful and it looked like the weekend was going to be a wash-out.  Friday, when most folks travelled to Skegness, the weather dried up (generally) but the wind from the North was very cold and very gusty.  Then Saturday dawned and we enjoyed a wonderful day of calm winds and bright sunshine.

Our inscription tent registered 125 bikes/trikes during the daytime parade and we counted 89 on the light parade.  Indeed, as we set off from the front we rode all the way up the Grand Parade to the end car park and then back which is a total of 1.5 miles, only to meet up with the back end of the parade.  So our parade rolled around the route in an endless stream of Goldwings showing off their light displays.  What a sight and what a crowd.

A full report will be posted on the Skegness Light Parade website once we have received and collated the pictures and stories. Here are just a few to tickle your fancy.

Pictures by Stephen

Click here to visit our Skegness Light Parade website and read the full report

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Scarborough Light Parade 2024

Mark and Debbie arrived Friday and there was  definitely a chill in the air. 

Saturday started cool but warmed up nicely. Debbie and Mark, Allan, Martin Cornthwaite, Sue and Ian were on bikes/trikes. Sue and Ian came just for the day.  Also Sue and Doug arrived but they came by car. 

There weren't as many bikes/trikes this year but as usual a lot of people were watching the parade. The fireworks at the end were great.

Martin was asked to take a celebrity (The Mayor) on the back of his trike.  So he showed up as requested to find his celeb, but no-one knew what it was about.  So Martin wandered around to try to find what he was supposed to do but couldn't find anyone in the know.  However when he returned to his trike, he found a big surprise sitting on his back seat.

Pictures by Debbie

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Llandudno Light Parade - Aug 2024

A report by Debbie

Mark and Debbie on their Yellow Peril, Allan on his iridescent Trike and Martin G with his GL1500 StarTrek Enterprise and Shuttle Craft Trailer, set out to cross our wonderful country for the Llandudno Light Parade.  Here's how it went.

Well it took 5 hours to get to Llandudno as we were diverted onto the Woodhead pass due to an accident on the M62. 

Saturday morning we took the bike on to the seafront for the static display with Allan and Martin Good. Altogether they had 130 bikes and they raised more than £6,500 for their two chosen charities: the blood bikes and the air ambulance. 

The light parade was brilliant. Only our second time at Llandudno and more people out than last year. Brilliant and  we thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.

   Here is a little picture album of their visit

Pictures by Debbie

On his return journey, Martin ran into a bit of a problem.  About 20 miles out of Llandudno, he had to pull over as his front brake calliper was quite literally on fire.  The brake pistons were actually welded to the brake pad and the whole thing was seizing up.  Fortunately, Martin does carry a tool kit and with a little help from Allan he managed to remedy the offending article and resumed his homeward journey with no further problems.

Picture from Martin

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East Kirkby Bike Night - 16 Aug 2024

An annual event at East Kirby invites hundreds of bikes to the Lancaster Museum.  David Powell went along to see what all the excitement was about.  Entry to the Bike Night also allows bikers to visit the museum which is packed full of WWII memorabilia including the coveted Lancaster bomber.  Till now the Lancaster has only been allowed to operate on the ground and taxi rides in the bomber are a favourite feature of the museum.  However the staff at East Kirkby have been working hard for the past few years to refurbish the bomber and bring it back to flying status.  Won't that be something to see as the only other operational Lancaster in the Country resides at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby.

  

Pictures by David

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Alford Bike Night -14 Aug 2024

David Powell attended the Alford Bike Night on 14 August on his red GL1500.  He reports he had a great time there but didn't encounter any other wingers.

Pictures by David

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Eye Kettleby - Aug 2024

From Debbie and Mark.

We have just spent four days away with Sue & Doug, Mick & Jayne Delaney from  Sussex Wings and also Christine & David Dunn from Borders. Mark and Mick did some fishing. There were good walks as well. We had a couple of days in Melton Mowbray due to the first day being bad weather. Rain, rain and more rain

Please find below some photos

Pictures by Debbie

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Lincs Wings Meeting - 11 Aug 2024

Our first regional meeting for some time this year took place at Market Rasen Cricket Club on Sunday 11 August.  It was a bright sunny day and it was good to see plenty of bikes arriving for the meeting.  Trev & Marion, Stephen & Lynne, Mick & Helen, Ian, Martin C, and Alan all came on their wings.  Stephen & Lorraine came by car because Lorraine had her foot in a cast.  Sandy, David, Mark & Debbie and Doug &Sue all came by car (perhaps they enjoyed the air conditioning !!.  Yes it was a hot day and black biker clothing doesn't really help in the hot sun. Perhaps the meeting was popular as Sandy had organised sausage and bacon butties for everyone and they were yummy.  Thanks Sandy - you know how to get to a man's heart - through his cholesterol ????

Pictures by Stephen

The meeting, led by Sandy, discussed a number of upcoming issues.  Firstly this year's Treffen taking place at the end of August.  Many members were disappointed and critical of the NC decision that there would be no 'Day Visitors' allowed.  Indeed, many of us had planned just to go for the day but the NC decision put an end to such ideas.   Sandy had asked for feedback on the Treffen planning and he certainly managed to amass a great deal of opinion.

Next we discussed our 2025 Wing Ding which is planned to be held at Wyberton Social Club near Boston.  We decided to opt for an extended weekend by opening the camping ground for Thursday through to Monday.  The Club house offered excellent facilities for restaurant and bars and the ground would be provided free of charge.  So lets look forward to a great weekend with lots of visitors.

We then discussed the Skegness Light Parade and Sandy related to us the number of problems that surround the organisation of the event.  Unfortunately the Skegness authorities had still not confirmed exactly which road closure area we would be allowed so it was making life difficult for Sandy and Peggy.  A meeting would be held next Tuesday, hopefully to finalise arrangements. 

The next Lincs Wings meeting will be held on 8 Sept 2024 so that we can complete the organisational planning to the Light Parade.

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Newark Car/Bike Show - 4 August 2024

Lincs Wingers were invited to take part in the Newark Car and Bike Show on 4 Aug 2024.  We met at the Esso garage on the A46 for 9.00 am with 8 bikes, 4 trikes, and 4 trailers.  Mark & Debbie, Trevor W, Stephen & Lynne, Doug & Sue, Mick & Helen, Alan, Wayne, Michael, Trevor and Ian all showed up for the event.  We also welcomed 2 visitors, Stephen and Karen who had just bought their new Goldwing and decided to join us. 

The show was predominantly for souped up cars with loud paintwork, loud exhaust systems and ear splitting audio systems.  However, its clear that their owners lavish as much care and attention on their cars as we do on our bikes. 

The day started off dull and with scattered showers. It brightened up a little at midday but then started going downhill for the afternoon.  Despite the inclement weather, there were lots of spectators visiting the show and many of them came round to see our Goldwings.  Fortunately, we had  nice level piece of tarmac for parking up so everyone could get around and enjoy the sight of 12 shiny wings from 3 different generations.

During the day, we put out collection buckets for the Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes (LEBBS for short) and managed to raise over £32 for this worthy cause.  We received this very fine certificate of appreciation for our efforts

'An Afternote' I received an email from Martin G who rides his Startrek Enterprise bike and Shuttle Craft Trailer, reminding me that he was also at the event.  So sorry for leaving you out - Senior Moment !!!

Here is an album of pictures from the show.

 

Pictures by Stephen and Lynne

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