November 2002

ARE WE IN CRISIS?

Who? The North End!

How could we be in a crisis, we have one of the largest memberships on Merseyside, club runs that are well supported and must be the envy of most local clubs, riders in the forefront of most local competitions, where is the crisis?

I do believe that we are in something of a crisis.

Club nights are poorly attended, but then these have always varied and we do have the ‘regulars’, but the clubrooms are where things can be discussed ideas bounced about, and the club meetings are where decisions are taken, all too often by a small number of those ‘regulars’.

We are coming up to that time of the year when rules can be amended; important club posts need to be filled. Traditionally members either keep away, because they think they might get asked to do something, or they turn up and think it’s someone else’s responsibility to do a job, after all "I just want to ride my bike and I’ve done jobs in the past, someone else can do it now." If you have never done something for the club why not? If we all had that attitude where would we be?

We need the injection of new ideas, enthusiasm and most of all members getting involved.

What can I do I hear you say?

Well it’s not that difficult, organise a club run, somewhere that may be your favourite but maybe not somewhere we normally go, how about a club weekend, at some other time of the year, when the weather is hot and sunny (I wish).

What would you like to see going on at the clubrooms, what events aren’t we running that we should be running?

We have had treasure hunts, rough stuff runs, map reading competitions, sorry you’d have to be able to read map, and of course own one.

Maybe I’ve got it all wrong, and everything is great, the club is developing as you want it to, but how would we know if club members don’t turn up for meetings to tell us.

The North End is your club get ofF your arses and do something for it.

Colin Gray

CLUB HILL CLIMB

The club’s annual hill climb took place on the 20th October in cold and wet conditions. The winner for the previous 2 years Andy Christie was absent and despite Michael Garner being there, he must have been on an off day!

Results

Mike Burke 9.18
Andy Walsh 9.28
Charlie Groves 9.44
Andy Ferguson 10.06
Mike Garner 10.30
Geoff Brandt 10.42
Ed Cleverly 12.06
Dave Newby 12.22

A good ride by big Mike, he is a big lad for a big hill. Hard luck story was Walshies who had to dismount to change gear. Should he have been disqualified? No, not in our version of hill climbing.

Jack McAllister

CLUB AGM

To remind members that the club’s AGM will be held after our normal monthly meeting on 12th December starting at 8pm sharp.

Any proposals for inclusion in the agenda must be with the Chairman at least 3 weeks before this date. Some of the proposals already received are listed below.

AGM Proposal 1 (Proposed R Gillies, seconded G Brandt)
In recognition of their achievements at international level competition, Steven Cummings and Rachel Heal to be made Life Members of the Birkenhead North End.

AGM Proposal 2 (Proposed G Brandt, seconded R Gillies)
Rule 9 be changed to read "That the Club colours shall be red, yellow & black in order of predominance, club members racing in events under the club name shall ride only in these colours".

AGM Proposal 3  (Proposed R Gillies, seconded L Kennedy)
Rule 15 be changed to read "That the President, Vice-President, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Life Members shall not be liable for annual subscription. If the Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer cannot complete the year's service they shall become liable for subscription for the remainder of that year."

BIKE FACTORY

The Bike Factory will be holding a late evening opening for Club members on Thursday 28th November, going on until about 9pm.

"Mince pies and wine will be available, together with plenty of pre-Christmas offers!", said Dave Parry

CLUB DINNER

The club’s dinner was held at the Grange last Saturday the 9th November. This is the same location as last year and again proved to be very successful and was attended by over 100 people.

Phil Griffiths made a very interesting speech. Clive Walmsley was very entertaining, both in his raffle sales and his introductory speech. Rachel Heal presented the prizes and a good time was had by all!!

Well done to Geoff Brandt for organising this occasion.

Previous Newsletters:
2002 January February March April May June July August September October
2001 January February March April May June July August September October November December
2000 January February March April May June July August September October November December
1999 January February March April May June July August September October November December
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