Chairman’s Piece

CHAIRMAN’S PIECE June 2020

I hope you are all keeping well and staying safe.

Not a great deal has occurred since the last issue of TUG. Some restrictions have been lifted and there is some confusion on what the new slightly relaxed Government guidelines allow. There are many articles out there written by Journalists, Solicitors etc. It’s a bit like looking at weather forecasts till you find one you like and sticking with that one because it suits you.

The Committee met over various virtual platforms a few weeks ago after the restrictions were lifted slightly and decided to continue with the suspension of all EAMG activities. This was shared by me on the Forum and Facebook. As a Registered Charity we must be seen to be following the guidelines as best we can. I know RoSPA are not restarting testing till at least 1 st September, and both they and the IAM give no information on their website other than all training is on hold. We must take our lead from them.

If you who have spent much more time at home than normal I hope you have found a way to slow down. The weather has mainly been glorious and I have enjoyed many hours in the garden, found new ways to interact with friends and family over the internet and enjoyed

cooking meals from fresh ingredients. One of our major triumphs was laying 40 sq meters of artificial grass with a golf hole. It’s provided many hours of chipping practice and also become an outside fitness studio for my daughter.

Since lockdown there have been many facebook groups sprung up over the country offering to deliver PPE free of charge. Bikers have been offering their time and fuel for free, and yes that means they get to ride their bikes. Many, many members of the public have had the chance to meet with bikers in this setting and the public opinion of motorcyclists has been raised as a result. I’ve been involved in one group as a transport coordinator and the positive feedback from the ‘Love of Scrubs’ groups, individuals and healthcare workers who have benefitted has touched me. Many comments saying they have changed their view of bikers and how polite and courteous they have been. I am also painfully aware that some of our members are still Shielding, or a member of their family is, they are still very frightened and rightly so. Taking everything into consideration I ask if you are going out on your bikes, please do it respectfully and quietly and not in groups that attract negative attention.

All I can think to end with is… Stay Safe, we will be out their riding it the not too distant future. .

Editor: Please note that all normal EAMG activities, Group Nights, AGTs, Rides etc. , are suspended until the current restrictions are relaxed.