Hi Hatters,

Volunteers Wanted!!

We've been asked to take part in an audition for 'Britain's Got Talent'

(Don't panic it's not me singing Delilah!!)

It's a Strong Man routine and the rehearsal is in 2 weeks, he requires 2 bikes, at the moment Dyna's, but this may change to either something smaller or bigger! He'll decide once he's seen the bikes, these are to be used in his routine. In addition he would like additional bikes for support and to add a bit of atmosphere to the routine. If he gets through to the telly bit, he would like anyone who turns up in a support role at the rehearsal, to be there for the TV bit as well.

This will be an outside routine, not on a stage! I'll have more information soon, but email me if you're interested in taking part.

Cheers

Ratty

With immediate effect we can confirm that Ride Experience, the current supplier of Rider’s Edge training, is no longer affiliated with Harley-Davidson Motor Company. As a result of this we currently do not have a Rider’s Edge training solution in the UK.
At this time our aim is to better understand our customer and dealer requirements for rider training. As you can appreciate a review of this nature will take time. We will therefore, not have a Rider’s Edge training solution for the UK in 2012.
During 2012, dealers are free to work with local training providers, but training, courses or anything related must not be affiliated with or branded Harley-Davidson or Rider’s Edge. These relationships will be operated at the risk of and managed by the dealership.

You will have received a Hatter Natter recently about the battlefield tour with a PDF giving all the details of the trip. This is turning out to be one of the best attended since we have been running them. There will be a lot of new faces on this tour which is really encouraging. Mind you the tour is run by probably the best battlefield tour operators in the business, namely Colonel Matt Limb OBE and Major Paul Pinchard.

If you were thinking of going on this trip and haven’t let Paul know then don’t delay as there is a limited amount of accommodation. Pauls email address is paul.pinchard@armymail.mod.uk

The AGM was held Thursday, 5th Jan. It was a good turnout for the Chapter and I am pleased to advise the following people were elected to the Committee.

Keith (Ratty) Ratcliffe – Director
Don Bowie - Assistant Director
Brian Mason - Secretary / Treasurer
Arthur Arrowsmith - Membership Officer
Trevor Bradley - Head Road Captain
Ross Fern - Photographer
Pete Wilson - Merchandise Officer
Mandy Bradley - Webmistress
Gill Cox - Safety Officer
John Paddison - Historian
Jackie Paddison - Ladies of Harley
Keith Ratcliffe/Don Bowie - Activities Officers

We would like to thank last year’s Committee for all their hard work, especially Welsh Pete, Sue Reah and Paul Pinchard for their dedication and support over the last 7 years, but who have now decided to step down and let the younger ones take over!!!! HaHa!!

I am attending the annual Directors Meeting Saturday, 14th Jan and I will update you with any news/information from this weekend at the next Chapter Meeting (2nd Feb) and also through Hatters Natter.

Thanks again and see you all soon

Ratty

The last photo competiton winner for the "season" was John
Paddison with his entry taken on a Route 66 holiday.

We decided that we would supply year bars this year, to those who said they wanted them, at cost, rather than give everyone one whether they wanted them or not.
At the moment it is proving to be prohibitively expensive, as the initial take up was about 30. The bars would normally be supplied as a minimum order of 100, with a cost of about £150, i.e. £1.50 each. If we were to buy just 30 they would still cost £150 to produce so it doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that at £5.00 there would probably be no takers.
So here’s the plea, do you know anyone, or have you had dealings obtaining badges etc with a company who we may be able deal with, or could you twist a supplier’s arm to help the Chapter on this occasion?
Hopefully this will be the only time this would be necessary (but there is no guarantee as we don’t know if sponsorship will be forthcoming in the future) so if you can help please let me know.

Cheers,

Don B

The winner of the October photo competition was Steve Spencer, he
wins a ticket for the Christmas Party and his photograph entered into
the winners competition with a £100 prize. Closing date for the final
competition of the year is 1st November and the winner will be
announced at the November meeting.

Ross.

Jan & Ratty thank all those who provided the motorcycle escort for Jan’s niece’s wedding recently and a special thanks to Arfa’s Wedding Cars for his involvement in the proceedings!!! (He only did it to show he’s got a proper suit!!)