Sherwood Shindig 2006

Almost 200 members came to sunny Derbyshire to be warmly welcomed by Malcolm of the Hood, his merry men, their wenches and a host of friar tucks and more importantly to a weekend of sun, sun and even more sun.

This was our prelude to our rally next year and was planned accordingly. Also this was the first time a bike club had used these facilities at Alfreton and I’m sure it’ll not be the last.

The campsite was on a mature landscaped park with plenty of shade under the huge oak trees if that’s wot you needed – I certainly did. It was very picturesque and a very chilled out place to be – in atmosphere not temperature, the enclosure was just the right size to give it the intimacy that we tried to encourage.

Almost everyone discovered the town centre – mind you it wasn’t that hard – 5 minutes if you went the long way. Tesco’s and Witherspoons did a roarin’ trade.Custom cruisers was also a very popular place to visit.

Our entertainment for both Friday and Saturday was in the bowls hall; well to be ‘onest half the bowls hall, the hall seats 900 people that’s why we decided to only use half of it. Anyway the two bands we had were quite different and played different types of music, both went down very well. Centre 9 member Paul provided the disco (also available for weddings, birthday parties, christenings and circumcisions).

Our ride-out took 78 bikes into the Peak District for just a small taste of what this area can offer. The marshalling was brilliant – the official line was that there wasn’t going to be aggressive marking ggggrrrrr. I didn’t tell you what was actually going to happen did I.

We also held a bike show, judged by Mick from Custom Cruisers. One of the main qualities he was looking for apart from the obvious was that the bike has got to have seen some action, some miles, but still look good. His choices surprised the winners perhaps more than anyone else in the hall –

1^st prize of a £100 voucher to Terry – Yorkies Centre rep

2^nd prize of a £50 voucher to Mr Kevin Hoyte

3^rd prize of a £25 voucher to Mrs Lee Brown (Centre 9)

We do of course have to mention the football tournament won by Centre 9, the Yorkies had been practicing hard and the Thames Valley members put up a good show. Male and female members played there heart out, it would be nice to say it was all sporting and taken in a light-hearted manner – but no, Roz-the-boss was taking no crap. I did say the Yorkies had been practicing I just didn’t say at wot, certainly not football. Mind you Centre 9 ended up with a fist full of yellow cards and I think the only red card of the tournament. This next sentence is so that non-footballer Carl can show off to his son. The Man of the Match and Top Goal Scorer was awarded to . . . . . . . . Centre 9 all-rounder Carl Tromans, hip hip hooorraaayyyyyy

It was a brilliant weekend, most things went almost according to plan, there was no-one stomping their feet, no tantrums, just a chilled out weekend with lots of friends. Thanx must go to the very many who helped, it really wouldn’t have been such a success without them.

And finally, donations of £100 each have been given to the Air Ambulance and to the North Notts, Deaf Children’s Group, both very good causes.

Ps tickets will be on sale soon for the rally next year,

See you all soon

Malc

Centre 9 rep ‘the lost riders’