In 1954 we had racing at Dormansland and some "Owls" names began to hit the headlines. Hilt Woodrow was S.E. Centre Grass Track Sidecar Champion and Johnny Giles came to the fore in the Trials world. Membership at this time stood at 160 but with the exception of Film Shows the social side was very inactive. Porky Warren took over the social side in an effort to liven
Alan Brinn
Q By Audrey Sparkes It was another sad day for the South Midland centre and many others with the passing of Alan Brinn. Alan died on the 22nd of April at Baxendale nursing home aged 92. Alan was a vice president of the Barnet and district motorcycle club, he was a motor mechanic and a great electrician he only gave up his trade at the age of 75. Towards the end of his mechanical career he took to working on classic cars. He was a very enthusiastic trials rider and he would ride every weekend often watched by his family at trials all over the centre and beyond. Often
things up. In 1955 the Whitley Mill Trial had 176 entries and continued its long reputation as a truly tough and extremely popular trial. The Scrambles continued at Bombers Lane despite local opposition and numerous attempts to stop meetings. Hilt Woodrow was Sidecar Champion once again and Peter Woollett, Alan Trow and Johnny Giles were all very successful.
For 1956 Dr MacArthur became President and Reg Wingett took over the Owler. The social side during this year picked up tremendously and support for club nights and events showed a great change for the better. With grateful thanks to Jim Sharp for his 1961 history of the club.
his transport to events was an ex RAC van with trailer attached and he was seen riding with his good mate Ron Wright, another
Alan continued to ride bikes into his 80's having started his two wheeled career in the 1960s. When the Barnet club ran motorcycle "gymkhanas" at local events his daughter Angela said Alan was very pleased to have ridden over the roof of a VW Beetle! He also took part in the ACU's National rallies as part of a Barnet club team, one year he was the best 250cc rider at the rally, he often rode with his son in law Martin Gardner. The family only funeral is on the on the 7th of May and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time. Alan will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Barnet club stalwart. He and Ron were the route markers for the Barnet club and they put in many hours marking the clubs trials routes on the road.
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