Easter Egg Run 2005-05-23

Times, 0930 – 1500

Distance, Not as far as it would have been if I have gotten lost again

Weather, Cool to start with but got better

RIDERS

Budge & Di

Dave Bainbridge

Dave Graham

Kevin Parcel

Dave Priest

John Jacobs

Steve & Zoe Mason

Mike & Wendy Newman

Alan Lewis

Tim Rodway

Mike & Joanne Taylor

Andy Downs

Tim & Sandy Cutmore

Pat Lush

Steve Allen

Simon Forryan

Lloyd Fenech

Martin Finnigan

James Coombes

Well what can I say, yet another great turnout and there felt as if one was missing but I can’t put my finger on exactly who at the moment, it might come to me later.

Di & I turned up at BEW on a chilly but dry (although JJ had ridden through some very heavy rain to be there – what dedication) morning at 0830 to find half a dozen already there waiting for us, this was already beginning to look good. At 0845 we set off for the Acorns Charity shop in Cheltenham to again find that we were by no means the first to arrive and by 0915 our number had grown to 24 people mounted on 19 machines (I still think someone was missing) all carrying as many Easter Eggs as was possible, I think the prize of the day for most eggs must go to Lloyd who turned up with full luggage strapped to the R1, anyone would have thought he was going on holiday.

We were met at the shop by a reporter and photographer from the Gloucester Echo who took down all the relevant details (but I wont expand on that one Graham- ah just remembered who was wasn’t there – we missed yuh!) took lots of photo’s (ask Wendy, she was in nearly all of them) and did us, and the club proud by putting together an excellent write-up which took up a full page spread in the paper.

We left Cheltenham more or less on time and made our way to Selly Oak by a tried and tested route which got us there at 1100 to be greeted by the Staff and children who had been waiting for us to arrive. Photo’s were taken (some attached, and thanks must go to Steve Mason who is now fast becoming the clubs resident ‘snapper’ could you have fitted any more photo’s on that disc you sent me Steve?) and then it was inside for a nice hot cup of tea/coffee washed down by a plateful of biscuits and to offload half the eggs and to hand over £111 which was to be used to buy vouchers and arrange trips for the children, this money was raised by raffling off an Easter Egg which had kindly been donated by Waitrose in Worcester. Once some of our newer members had finished a guided tour farewells were said with the promise that we would be back again next year if they would have us. Some members left us at this point to make a ‘rapid’ journey home as lunch arrangements with the family had been arranged.

Our lunch was taken at the Little thief (sorry chef) on the outskirts of Droitwich, I think Mike Newman must have phoned ahead considering the speed in which his nosh arrived.

Now it was off to the new Hospice at Worcester, a 1400 deadline had to be met and with precision timing and a huge chunk of luck (well Di and I were leading after all) we arrived right on time to again met by a photographer (from one of the Worcester papers this time I think, but we have not see any write-up from it).

Once inside the rest of the eggs were offloaded and the remainder of the money, another £111, was handed over to the staff. Again we were treated to tea/coffee this time washed down by generous helpings of home made cake, (perhaps it was just as well you weren’t there Graham just think what it would have done to your waistline?). Another guided tour commenced for anyone who wanted it and I think that all those who took up the offer were more than impressed with what they saw.

Time was again upon us to leave, and as is customary, everyone made their own way home.

Di and I would like to thank once again each and every one of you for giving up yet another Easter Sunday to help put a smile on the faces of the children we met.

One last thing, a very big thank you must yet again go to Martin Finnigan and the Wesleyan Charitable Trust for their very kind and generous donation of £250, it will be put to very good use.