Chairman’s Piece

December 2020

December 2020, the end to probably the most memorable year in my lifetime, a year ago who could have imagined what lay ahead. Sadly I look back at the year and know we have lost at least one member to this dreadful virus. My thoughts are with you if you have experienced loss of family or friends, or suffered hardship or ill health. We can only hope 2021 brings us more positive times and gives us back the freedom to live, work and play in the manner we remember…that all seems a distant memory.

My bike insurance renewal has just arrived and I look longingly at the mileage I insured myself for last year, I crave meeting up with members for a social ride and some banter! We’ve managed to run a few activities for the associate members but are painfully aware there has been very little for our full members this year. The committee have had some virtual meetings and the topic of fees has been discussed. We are a charity and the full member £25 is a donation rather than a fee. We are asking you to pay your 2021 fee as normal but we will make some sizeable donations to motorcycle related charities that have been unable to collect money this year and are

struggling. We have already donated £500 to Essex air ambulance. The 2020 motorcycle run was an individual effort this year, called ‘I did it my way’. This raised £16,000 but overall they are £60,000 down on fundraising for the year, and we hope to donate more. The National Motorcycle Museum is also down on funds and we will be discussing a donation at the next committee meeting.

If we’re allowed, and we sincerely hope we will be, we will also host a heavily subsidised BBQ in the summer for members and their families. We managed to hold AGT in October and at the moment are planning to in December, subject to guidelines. Writtle Community Association have completed their new building situated to the left and behind the old community centre. The building is named after Baroness Beryll Platt and will be perfect for our AGT’s going forward when regulations permit. That’s about it from me, other to wish you all the best Christmas possible and hope for more sociable times in 2021.

Editor: If you want to renew your membership by paying directly into the bank, or even better by setting up a direct debit, the relevant details are:

. Account name: Essex Advanced Motorcyclists Group Ltd Sort Code: 30-96-94 Account Number: 00791646 Reference: YOUR POSTCODE and YOUR SURNAME Payable on 1st January each year