Hello its Trev, is anyone intrested in going to the WAKE THE LAKES rally on friday 30th July-1st August as it isnt far this can be done after work on the Friday evening just chuck your tent on your bike and off we go, it promises to be good and it is also supporting a local chapters rally, its £25 a ticket but if there's enough of us and you dont want the t/shirt I will see if there is discount tickets, not bad for live music both nights and free camping, if you fancy it txt me on 07748966730 starting with the word lakes and your name and no.

Cheers Trev.B hrc

There is a change to the Rideout on Sunday from Eden camp to Hawes Circular, leaving the dealership at 9.30 led by Malcolm.

Trev. B

Message from ‘Arfa’

Sherwood Rally
All those who have requested Sherwood Rally Tickets for Sept 2nd ~ Sept 5th and have not paid, please bring your monies, cash or cheques payable to the 'Hatters Chapter' to the NEXT MEETING IN AUGUST.

South of England Rally
THOSE MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING TO SOFER RALLY AT BISLEY, COULD YOU LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS I WILL BE ARRANGING POSSIBLE TRANSPORT WITH PETE GRIMSHAW FOR CAMPING EQUIPMENT - MUST BE AT DEALERSHIP NO LATER THAN 1600 ON THURSDAY 5TH AUGUST.

Arthur Arrowsmith
Activities Officer.

Hi Guys

Most will not know me at all cause I'm new to Hatters. Miss all the fun and entertainment you guys give, especially the Sunday runs, but I have been in a small accident (dislocated lower arm with three fractures to lower arm and a bone chip floating around inside my arm) all cause some dumb driver pulled out from side parking area onto me. Anyway, my baby (don't have explain what that is) is not beyond repair and await her arrival, I may not be able to ride her for the next few weeks or so but at least I can wash and polish her. Will try and make next meet. Hoping you all get the very best in British riding weather (do a ride for me). Hell I miss my bike.

Kind regards
Keith Lewis

Hello and yes its official its back Sat 14th august 2010 7.30 till late, BBQ for the Hatters at Trev and Mandy's. Kids welcome live music free food and drink lager and beer only, so if you drink any thing else fetch it with you as well as your swimwear and towels if you dare, camping for a max of 10 x 2 man tents and a couple of spots for campers or sleeping bags on living room floor and sofas ha, all bedrooms are booked up. This only happens every other year so come on and meet other Hatters, if you fancy it we need numbers so txt Mand on 07885 572225 starting with the word bbq and your name inc husband or wifes and kids, sorry this is for Hatters only.

Hope to see you there

Cheers Trev & Mandy.B

A brief review of the Normandy trip, a more detailed review will appear in the Hatters magazine.

Our TOP SECRET orders were issued well in advance and on Wednesday 16th June the 8 participants on 6 bikes assembled at Knutsford services for the first part of the exercise, the road move to Portsmouth ferry terminal. Blue sky and a warm morning ( a first for a Hatters tour of Normandy I was told) as we left with Don and Maggie leading and Paul acting as tail gunner, the route being M6, M6toll, M42, M40, A34, M3 and M27. No real issues on the way down apart from loosing Ron and Paul on the M42 and being unable to stop the rest of the group continued on to Warwick services for a scheduled stop. Ron and Paul arrived shortly after us, Ron’s bike having cut out on lane 2 of the M42 with a fuel problem, one which would raise its head sporadically during the trip. We arrived at the ferry terminal, fully fuelled for the next day, in plenty of time for a meal and a few drinks but as we were to find out over the next few days, luck can play a big part in the success or failure of any operation. Our luck was about to change. Paul thought it best we found out about check in procedures before heading off for food and just as well we did, the ferry we were to get had been cancelled due to industrial action in Caen. Options- go home, get hotel then go home, get an alternative ferry. After a call to Matt Limb and a brief discussion the third option was taken, a later ferry to St. Malo was arranged but there were no cabins only recliner seats and the arrival time was 0830 hrs, which was the time we were due to start our battlefield tour, and we still would have 120 miles to ride to get to Caen.

Day 2 and after a crossing with not much sleep we arrive in St. Malo. The bikes were spread all over the garage decks so disembarkment took longer than expected. The revised plan was to ride directly to the Café Gondrée, rendezvous with Matt and decide what to do from there. On arrival, about two and a half hours later, Matt had arranged coffee and croissants and the next stage of the days action was discussed. We would not be able to complete the full day’s programme so we concentrated on the area around Pegasus Bridge. First we rode to Breville Ridge and had the actions of the 6th Airborne Division explained, then on to Ranville and the British cemetery and back to Pegasus Bridge to hear about assaults on the morning of D-Day to capture and secure the Bénouville and Ranville bridges by a glider borne unit of the 6th Airborne commanded by Major John Howard. After this it was back to the café for drinks and a photograph with Arlette Gondrée, who now runs Café Gondrée, and was a small child living in the home when it was liberated, then to the hotel in Caen to freshen up and get something to eat.

Day 3, meet in the car park opposite the hotel for a 0900hrs departure. Slightly overcast this morning and today’s itinery was to cover the British landings on Gold beach, the Mont Fleury battery and to trace the footsteps of CSM Stan Hollis, who received the only VC awarded on D-Day, from the beach to the battery. The sun was now breaking through as we headed for Arromanches and the site of the Mulberry harbour, used to supply the troops from Britain, and many of the concrete pontoons are still present today. There was the opportunity to visit the Musee du Debarquement which had an amazing moving model showing how the unit worked. From here it was to the German gun casements at Longues Sur Mere where we had lunch before moving on to Omaha beach, the landing beach for the1st and 29th US Divisions and where the most casualties were suffered. A walk on the beach, looking at the cliffs and German defenses, you could not imagine how the young soldiers must have felt on that morning of 6th June. Climbing the path from the beach we arrived at the US cemetery at Colleville Sur Mere with time to reflect on the operations of that day. Time now to head back to the hotel before making for a local restaurant for a meal and England v Algeria, at least the food was good.

Day 4, our last day on the battlefields and it’s raining. Meet in the car park, packed for home, at 0830 hrs for the 75 mile ride to Utah beach, landing beach for the 4th US Division, and inland around St. Mère-Église for the parts played by the 82nd US Airborne Div. (All American) and the 101st US Airborne Div. (Screaming Eagles). The weather had now changed for the better, brilliant sunshine. It was a bit of a stop/start day, from the beaches it was a short ride to the first key point of the day, the point where paratropers first met with soldiers from the beach landings, hence securing the first road inland. Next a monument dedicated to “E” Company of 101st Airborne at a field near Brecourt Manor where, although completely outnumbered, they captured a German battery (Band of Brothers). The church at Angoville au Plain and memorial to two 2nd Battalion 101st Airborne medics who worked, saving many lives, in the church. Two key bridges at Chef Du Pont and La Frière were visited, the second having a memorial park dedicated to the American Airborne troops. Finally it was to St. Mère-Église with time to visit the church and museum. We followed Matt back to the car park opposite our hotel and said our goodbyes, Matt had a 230 mile drive to Calais, we had a 10 minute ride to Ouistreham so enough time for a coffee before leaving for the ferry terminal. Fish and chips at a café near the terminal then check in for the crossing, we now had to sit and wait. Boarded the Mont st. Michel at 2200 hrs. and stuffed the bags in the cabins before heading for the bar. A much better crossing that the outbound, we would soon be back in the UK.

Day 5, back in Portsmouth and we all got off the ship together. The weather is still good for the journey home so, again with Don leading the way and Paul bringing up the rear we headed home the reverse of the outbound journey. Breakfast at Sutton Scotney services followed by a steady ride home, with a couple of short stops, until we reached Sandbach services where we were held up by an horendous accident.

For me, an amazing experience, a great group of people, 856 miles covered and far too much to take in in one visit, so it must be revisited.

Thanks to Don and Paul for their organisation of the trip and to Matt Limb OBE TD for the insight he gave into one of the biggest days in our recent history.

Photos to follow.

Ross

As part of the revamp of the Hatters area at the shop - I need a few old dealership T shirts - preferably foreign - it doesn’t matter what condition they are in - it’s the artwork I need.

The brighter the better.

If any one wants to donate a T shirt - can they either bring it to the next Chapter meeting or leave it at the shop for me if they let me know it is there and I will nip and collect it.

Davina

The June photo competition winner was Gillian Cox, she's captured Trev practicing for the 4th July bash. She gets a free ticket to the Hatters Christmas Party and also entry into the end of year competition with a prize of £100. Closing date for the July competition is 24th June and the winner will be announced at the July chapter meeting. "If you ain't in it, you can't win it"...... get your entries in.

Ross

A bright but blustery morning for today’s ride out to Llangollen. 14 bikes and 18 Hatters were making the trip, including new members Keith, Mitch and Jack, Darren brought Jane with him as a “guest” (could she be another new Hatter soon?).

With Trev leading the way it was onto the M60, M56 and onto the A556. From there we joined the A49, which features in the bmf “The Best Rides” motorcycle atlas as one of the 300 best roads in Britain, sweeping bends and undulations – fantastic. A stop at Raven café for the usual ciggy, brew and stretch (not necessarily in the order) and a close examination of 2 Pints Pete’s bouncing muffler, then off again, passing signs for Wem, (is something happening there later this year?) along more country roads before joining the A5, tree lined and with the smell of wild garlic in the air, entering Llangollen at about 1 o’clock. Parking up in the town centre, Trev gave us 2 hours to explore. Shops, canal boat rides, steam trains, river walks or cafes – plenty to go at. Back in the car park we admired 2 Pints’ custom fix for that bouncing muffler, not exactly what I would call factory H-D parts (see photos), before heading for home with a stop for fuel just outside Llangollen and another stop at Chester services for the usual.

Thanks Trev and all the marshals (Ratty, Malc, 2 Pints, Arthur and Paul) for getting us all out and back safely and also to everyone else on the ride, see you all again next time.

Ross

Top Ten rules for new and old riders

1 If a committee member asks you a question, always say YES even if you want to say NO.

2 After filling up with fuel, move your bike away from the pump, even though they might call the police for stealing fuel.

3 Remember the customer is always right, unless you are a Laney's customer.

4 Please don't ask Laney for credit unless you like hospital food (which apparently is better).

5 Never turn up on a dirty bike unless Ratty's bike is dirty, in that case never turn up on a clean bike.

6 Don't worry if Ratty doesn't wave to you as he's probably changing his CD.

7 Don't worry if you forget a tee shirt for a rally weekend as you get one with your rally pack, but you are not allowed to wear it that weekend.

8 It is very dangerous to smoke when filling up, so please move one or two feet away.

9 If Trevor takes "the scenic route" it means he's lost.

10 Please move over to allow marshalls to pass unless you are an off duty marshall, in which case just ignore your mirrors and the loud revving.

These rules are subject to change at a moments notice.

Two Pints