You can read all about it here, thanks to our resident reporter, Graham C Pinder….

Me and Sue rode down on the Friday, we met up with Bob and Jackie Summers at Truck stop services on the M6 southbound at around 12:30 pm. and tried to get into McDonalds for some lunch but it was chocker, so we went into the Truck stop diner and had a real truckers’ feast instead. We then set off for our Hotel in Mold, The Beaufort Park. On the way there we got peppered with everything that the weather could chuck at us, intense rain, sleet, hail, you name it, we got it thrown in our faces.
We arrived safely, but very wet, around a half hour later and then got sorted with our rooms and stashed our wet bike gear to dry.

That afternoon was spent in the bar area where we had a few drinks and a good natter with some old friends from our club, G.W.N.W. and some friends from other Goldwing Clubs that had begun to arrive. Then it was time to get ready for dinner, which was held in a special room with all the other Gold wingers from various regions.
Saturday morning came and a hearty breakfast was had by all, then it was time to saddle up and ride into Chester City centre. When we got there, we were shown to one of the three locations for the static display of our bikes; we got the spot right in front of the City Hall.

We then all had a good wander round the streets, bumped into lots of other Gold wing Folk from our club and others along the way, checked out all the other bikes on display, some of the girls did a bit of retail therapy, and we had a nice coffee and a sumptuous cake. The weather was a mixture of rain and sunshine throughout the day but this didn’t really spoil it in any big way.

We then all rode back to the hotel for an early dinner and then back into Chester for the Light Parade mustering area.
As we all got ready to line up, it was estimated that there was over a hundred bikes and trikes there, which was quite good considering that it was the first event of this kind to be held in Chester. Jim and Chandra were up there near the front, just after the leading trikes,

Jim had a celebrity pillion passenger, ‘Owen’ the builder from Coronation Street. There was our Ted there as well, with his skeleton head on, Graham Coleman and Jean on their new 2012 model, Jimmy and Daphne, Dave and Tonia , Bill, Nigel and Joanne Mackintosh etc. etc. and many more besides.
The parade started at around 8:15 and we started to depart from the car park, the police motorcycle marshals did a brilliant job of stopping the traffic at all the traffic lights and roundabouts, the public seemed to like what they were seeing along the way and there were waves and cheers as we passed through the more populated areas of the City Centre. We did the circuit twice before the parade was split into those who were entering the best lit bike competition and those who were carrying on back to their accommodation.
We all got back to the hotel nice and dry, as the weather had kept off with the rain for the parade, which pleased everyone. After stowing the bikes under their covers on the hotel car park, it was a quick change and then back to the lounge area for drinkies and chatter with friends once again.
Everyone said that they had enjoyed it and that they would do it all again, so here’s to Southport now and another good parade.
After another hearty breakfast on Sunday morning, some of us rode home while some others linked up with some members from Goldwings North Wales and had a ride to the new J&S Accessories store near to Northwhich to bag a load of greatly reduced Goldwing goodies.

Their website gives all the details of the events and shows which they have planned for this year and is well worth a look.

As they have previously been let down by other bike clubs in the past, let’s get as many of us there as possible on Sunday, and show them just how it’s done!

Excited discussions and suggestions as to potential events and opportunities soon began to spring up as Members realised the wider scope of things now available to us with this relocation. All I can say is Watch this Space!

You should all have received an email from John on this topic by now, but just in case…..

Take J31 of M6 (North or Southbound) as your starting point, turn EAST towards Blackburn on A59 and continue uphill to the newly constructed, traffic-light controlled roundabout (adjacent to our former meeting venue “The Swallow Hotel”) with A59 Blackburn New Road (A677). Here, go completel6y around the roundabout, effecting a 360 degree turn to head back the way you just came (now heading West to pass the Esso Garage) .  Immediately after the garage take the  left turn into Cuerdale Lane ( not the road running behind the garage!) and find “The Memorial Hall”  in 200 metres on the right (note Way In and Way Out of extensive Car park).

Our next meeting there will be on the 25th March, starting at 11 am. Tea and coffee will be available (just remember to wash your cup up after!)

See you there!

Seeing as Decembers meeting date was to fall on Christmas day it seems wise to hold the meeting a week earlier on the 18th December. Same venue and time.  There will be no doubt full Christmas Lunch available at the Norman Jepson.

STOP PRESS! Hot on the heels of their return from the good ‘ole US of A, Stuart’s good lady, (and part-time swing arm smuggler!), Elizabeth is looking to tempt the weary traveller’s tastebuds on the Friday night with a newly concocted Southern delicacy……..Taco in a Bag!

Apparently, these have been tested and approved by no less than our resident gourmet, Mr Frank Goodman, and pronounced excellent. I’m also advised by Stuart that you’d struggle to eat three, so if you’re pitching up on Friday and can’t be bothered cooking dinner, they’ll be available at a nominal cost of £3 each or the bargain two for £5. Served, no doubt, in a convivial atmosphere with more than a hint of alcohol, these are sure to be popular, so don’t be late and miss out!

The car park soon filled up with Goldwings and Trikes, Jimmy Ryan appeared on his newly refurbished GL1500 and proudly showed off his new chrome and his newly recovered colour matched seat. I must say it did look spectacular. I spotted a unfamiliar Gold GL1800 parked up with no pilot in view so vouched to keep my eyes open for possible new members.

For some reason we had been moved from our usual meeting room to a quiet area in the bar, no issue. It transpired that the room had been set for a private function later on in the morning. Attendance was up considering it was the Easter break and the weather was exceptionally good and everyone enjoyed meeting up with friends not seen for a number of weeks. Turns out the Gold GL1800 was familiar because it featured in one of the For Sale adds on the website and the owner, current member Paul McCann had been out riding the bike for several days and covering 800 miles around the lakes and North West and decided he must be mad selling his bike. So he sold it back to himself and turned up at the club meeting. Had a chat with him and we agreed that unless he needed the money he was nuts selling it. Hope to see more of you Paul over the coming season. Let Judy Goodman know if your coming to the Bar b Cue up at Kirkby Lonsdale.

Meeting went well with no long interruptions from Stuart, as he is still in the US on holiday with the fabulous but long suffering Elizabeth. With a little bit of negotiation he may have a GL1500 swing arm esconsed in his luggage. Hopefully he can get it through passport control for the unlucky Mr Duxbury and his 94 Canadian Wing, which at the moment is in dry dock awaiting a replacement swing arm after his was noticed to be nackered by the nice MOT inspector. Fingers crossed.

Several future events notices were announced including Thundersprint, Judy Goodman also asked all those going to the Bar b Cue to let her know for catering purposes, she also wanted a few male volunteers to excercise their hunter gatherer instincts and cook dead meat on the day. Please form an orderley queue and let her know.

Due to changes at Knutsford Honda they wont be sponsoring the Thundersprint this year and accordingly there wont be a large parking spot in the middle of the town for us. The good news is we don’t have to be there at crack of dawn so Jeffrey can have his usual late morning. Watch the website for details on meeting point and times. The Chairman will announce something shortly.

A ride out to Southport was proposed with little uptake until someone mentioned Fish & Chips at which point several riders agreed, someone else mentioned Ice Cream and again a further influx of happy wingers joined the ride out. Oh how easily some people are bribed. I must remember this for future purposes.

The sun shinned all day and we had an easy run into Southport, by the time we arrived at the Pier Head the usual bike parking area was jammed packed full so we decided to work our way to the front of the parking area and line up abreast on the public path. We took center stage and had a lot of passing general public looking at the bikes. No sooner had helmets been removed and bike locked a column fomed to head for Fish & Chips, and I must say there isn’t anything better Southport does than great Fish & Chips. We bumped into Pete & Jean Rogers, who both looked very well, Pete seems to have grown his hair and looked really laid back like an ageing Rock Star. We also met up with several members of Goldwings North Wales and Cheshire and Merseyside region of GWOCGB who had ventured out for the day. We proudly showed the new Federation Pin Badges that had just been issued free to members of Goldwing North West, and told them they would have to wait for theirs to be given to Dave Turvey, that didn’t go down well as they wanted one there and then. We spent several very happy hours at Southport and had a good look at the bikes on display and the passing public. Ice Creams were the final act of the afternoon before heading home. It turned into a very long but enjoyable day. A gallery of images from the meeting and the ride out can be found in the 2011 photo gallery.

So, could all those of you interested please let us know at the next meeting, or if you can’t make it, via the comments section on this post. The sooner they know if enough people will come, then the better chance they have to make it happen.

The meeting’s attendance was a little low on numbers as could be expected but it was good to see the 25 or so who had turned up and braved the elements, all be it in four wheel transport. Our club christmas lunch went well with everyone sitting around three or four large tables in a seperate seating area set up just for us. The fayre was good, and reasonably priced to, everyone had a very enjoyable relaxing afternoons lunch.

Pictures from the Christmas lunch can be viewed here

24th Jan..Checking with the Feathers Hotel this morning, we now have a total of 98 members and guests booked for the Dinner Dance. Fantastic news, considering there is nothing but doom and gloom in the news and press and that Christmas and New Year has only just taken place.  If last years event was anything to go by then we are going to have a brilliant night.

Details are now confirmed for our all inclusive dinner dance on the 29th January  2011.  As last year, the venue is the Premier Leyland Hotel at Leyland, just off Junction 28 of the M6. Click for map and directions, Voted Lancashire’s Best Large Hotel, the evening will include drinks on arrival, free red, white, or rose wine with our meal, a free bar up to midnight, grand buffet, mini fish and chips super, disco and reduced accomodation plus

 a free meeting room for our AGM the following morning. The all inclusive price is  £39.95 per person, and an Executive room (double or single occupancy) costs £70.00 per night. (I did try to negotiate for a non-executive room, but they don’t exist! (however they have reduced the cost by £5 because we were there last year). The hotel have also confirmed that rooms may be either double or twin-bedded, allowing those members who wish to share a room to do so, but they would need to know which (double or twin)  at the time of booking.

Bookings (inc deposits) can now be made directly with the hotel by calling them on 01772 422922 and quoting reference GO 290111. Early booking is advisable (and also confirms our reservation).

Details of the package can be viewed here and downloading the Christmas brochure.

The Norman Jepson Hotel once again can provide all our breakfast and lunch requirements during the winter season.