BlueLady has got me thinking...............

[Julian217]

Hi I agree with Steve L.   If Graham is up for it.  There hasn't been a magazine for a while I'd be happy to kick start it, if that's what people want.
Julian.

[Andy M]

Steady on chaps, one potential member who isn't happy with the laid back approach and we are looking for GC's resignation as chairman 

OK, I know it wasn't meant like that and this sort of soul searching is probably a good thing for the club, but I think we are at the "10 minutes late docking" rather than "Captain of the Titanic" stage 

I for one will continue to support the englightened dictatorship style of managment of club affairs and while weddings and jobs get in the way of me taking on a large club role, if you set me a deadline for getting the mag up and running again I'll make sure I get an article done. If that's for GC, Julian or whoever as editor, just let me know where to send it.

All this poltite discusion and fixing things before they are broke is very weird for you lot. Are you sure we haven't been hacked? The next stage is needing to "rest" some Nigerian currency in my bank right? 

Andy

[Bill Rutter]

But surely this is a "riders" club. I thought the internet forum was a welcome by-product for information, help and other bike related topics - but the club itself was always about riding. I wouldn't be able to make every TC event should there be a full calender but I'd like to be able to go to more than just one TC rally a year. The lack of events, I feel, is putting people off from becoming members. Indeed Terry Lee (who is not hooked up to the'net) hasn't rejoined, largely because he hasn't had a newsletter. Taken to it's ultimate conclusion if nobody pays their subs there will surely come a time when there won't be a forum either. Just my opinion.

kerabo, the Diesel Bike Rally? Look here:

                                  www.dieselbike.net

[mini-thumper]

OK....lets cut the crap.....Graham ... My personal feeling is, that the one thing you are good at (clubwise....I'm sure you are 'effin brilliant at loads of other things too ) is being Chairman.....so stick to that, and offload all the other stuff....I know this is a bit simplistic, but just bung up a list of the jobs that you do other than chairman, and then we can all pick up a job apiece....job done.

To start the ball rolling.....If there aren't any other takers put me down for membership secretary.

I think we have probably done just about enough talking round this thing now.....lets get on with it.

Steady on chaps, one potential member who isn't happy with the laid back approach and we are looking for GC's resignation as chairman 

OK, I know it wasn't meant like that and this sort of soul searching is probably a good thing for the club, but I think we are at the "10 minutes late docking" rather than "Captain of the Titanic" stage 

I for one will continue to support the englightened dictatorship style of managment of club affairs and while weddings and jobs get in the way of me taking on a large club role, if you set me a deadline for getting the mag up and running again I'll make sure I get an article done. If that's for GC, Julian or whoever as editor, just let me know where to send it.

All this polite discussion and fixing things before they are broke is very weird for you lot. Are you sure we haven't been hacked? The next stage is needing to "rest" some Nigerian currency in my bank right? 

Andy

I agree with you both and the Titanic analogy is very good. If the Captain had used his crew more effectively, and maybe sought other navigational expertise, the inevitable might not have happened. In our case there won't be a dramatic submission just a relentless slowing down of the engines, with large parts of the super-structure falling into disrepair. And all the while the once steadfast crew and the regular passengers will discovering more reliable, but ultimately less romantic, ways to reach their destinations. Finally, when only the Captain and a few junior crew remain, the vessel will slowly turn-turtle and sink in the shallows off Barry Island. No one will notice and it won't make any headlines!

On the other hand if the Good Captain and/or Dastardly Tyrant might consider advice, freely but passionately given, he could navigate the once proud vessel towards the warmer seas whilst avoiding an ignominious fate. It may never again be the once proud vehicle of it's heyday but it can still welcome aboard those who want to visit the ports less often seen and have a bl**dy good time doing so.

"Three cheers for SS Thumper and ALL whole sail in her - Hip,hip! Hoorah!"

Sorry for the slightly melodramatic overtones, but (in the voice of Hughie Greene) "I mean this most sincerely, Folks!"

Love and best wishes
Boyd xxx

PS My wife just read this and said "You need to get out more!"

[squirrelciv]

Guys my earlier post wasn't a lead to oust GC. it was a way of helping HIM! GC is the one who is telling us he can't cope with this club and his other commitments. Now we can all just carry on with things as they are and stay a happy dozen posting on this forum or others can step in, take over some of the responsibilities and drive the club forward. Up to you lot, I don't care to be honest. Maybe I too have reached the point of blank exceptance. When the forum crashed the other week it didn't matter to me at all, which is a little sad when I think of the heydays of the thumperclub but there it is.

Do whatever, I'm just saying that when someone (anyone) says on a forum how much strife their in, how the demise of the club is down to them and blaming themselves so much, you can only say "Never mind, we understand" so many times. At some point you have to help them, because (I believe at least) that is what they really want you to do.

GC What do you think???

Seems to me there is 1 of 3 options.

1) I'm right
2) I'm totally wrong and you just like us fussing over you
3) Your not even reading this lot cos your still to busy to come on line, read this stuff and act in a 'chairmanly' way (see No 1)

[Steve Lake]

I for one liked this club (and still do) precicely because there is no 'mission statement'. We don't have to 'think outside the box' and arn't constantly asked to 'push the envelope'....as bill says...it's a riders club innit?....bung a few bob in the kitty each year so's we can have a news letter now and again which provides a bit of space where we can tell each other about our brilliant rides/weekends away/rallies etc....then maybe get together and talk about it all over again....with beer and jokes..
nothing too formal.....minimum organisation (if any)....thats where I thought we were at......or have i missed something?

just as an aside, and apro po bu55erall....the morini riders club seems very similar, i'm not a member, but #1 son is....and from what i hear it sounds familiar (the accent is on 'Riders')

[Bill Rutter]

"PS My wife just read this and said "You need to get out more!".....

......that could be my Dawn's mantra. I apologise for this turning into a bit of a soapbox, but this club is very close to my heart and I don't want to lose it. As Pat says, if it goes that way - so be it, there are other clubs, but I really don't think that's what the majority would want. There is something unique about a TC rally (and I don't even do the rideouts!) and the members who show up are great. I am going to try to do more in future and, if it only ends up being Colin, Terry and SteveD and myself  at some Godforesaken campsite- well that's fine. But from what has been posted I can now see that there is indeed a good deal of willingness to promote this club. It isn't down to one bloke. From my point of view there are at least half a dozen chaps who have kept things ticking over (actually much more than ticking over) and I thank them for that. As SteveL rightly said, I think this thread has gone far enough now.

[themoudie]

Aye SteveL,

then maybe get together and talk about it all over again....with beer and jokes..
nothing too formal.....minimum organisation (if any)....thats where I thought we were at......or have i missed something?

just as an aside, and apro po bu55erall....the morini riders club seems very similar, i'm not a member, but #1 son is....and from what i hear it sounds familiar (the accent is on 'Riders')

Agreed. Bit of flow and go and the Morini things the same, but not a member myself. Yet! The Minx is progressing.

Self flagelation etc. never did equate to anything positive, so give it a rest. I'll pay me subs for the Forum, watch the tide ebb and flow, throw bread for the fish or pop a line in to haul one out.

Make sure you all keep boppin' and keep in good health, it's the only thing worth worrying about, Bill.

[guest288]

I haven't been to any Thumperclub meets yet (some member I am) but I've found it hard to stay upright on a box of bits on the garage floor... 

But when I do get it done and I can get out, I'd like to feel that there would be a few meets I could go to- it all seems very informal on here so if someone fancies doing something, pop it on the meets and events bit and other like minded members can pop along if they wish.

I think GC's doing fine, juggling everyday life with us lot- I find I'm too busy to devote any real time to helping with this sort of thing, so well done to GC for at least attempting to please us. I know he doesn't do it all on his own, and thanks should go to everyone who manages to devote the significant amount of time it takes to organise these things.

I'm going to stop blubbering now... 

( )

[guest7]

Thanks for your comments guys.

After today (I've just paid off my half year tax bill and my ongoing arrears payments are not too bad) I will be able to devote a little more time to things. I will have a look at the structure and subdivision of tasks over the next few days. Then we can talk about how to parcel 'em up and ship 'em out 

GC

[themoudie]

Aye GC,

Keep the focus me old china!!!!! Pleased you cleared the half yearly. No jankers for that!

As for the

ongoing arrears payments

  You need these out the way, not

not too bad

! Some other B' is getting benefit from your dosh, all the time that's on the go.

I wish you well in steadying your craft and tackling the new day. From reading all the posts here, the bilges are being pumped and this craft is still making headway under it's own steam. Whether its the 'Waverley' under full steam or a punt gun boat on the Broads, with a delicate paddle in hand, I'll leave to the punters and hacks of the single persuasion!

Keep boppin', Bill.

[Steve Lake]

Oh my God.......here I am, just about to go on hols and GC reminds me i owe the revenue for 2006/2007.....and....today i just got a reminder with interest added on....bluddy barstewards

have a good weekend all

pip pip

[The Kaiser]

Hi All,

I’ve been watching this thread for a while and I have been taking in all that has been said by its members. I am now very careful about passing comment because in the past my comments have caused problems with the committee and some members. Now I think I would like the opportunity to comment and make my feelings known.

1) I joined the club in September 1999 when GC started it. (It was an advertisement in Classic Bike that prompted me to contact GC.) Over the next 2 years I helped to arranged shows and promote the club as much as possible. It was quite evident that the membership was increasing and we had a big contingent of members in the southwest. I later became the Membership Secretary, I think I held this post for about 2 years and was involved with the TC Committee so I have seen thinks from both sides of the fence. I was made an honorary life member in 2003.

2) GC gave all the members an opportunity about 3 years ago to have their say if they were happy with the club and asked if we wanted to change the format. Below was my reply.

"As many of you know I have been a member of this club for six years and at present I own a BMW 1150 GS (I’m still working on my SR single) and I have attended many club events. What this club means to me is quite simple “The Members” this club is quite unique it doesn’t matter if you own a single or not if you are passionate about them than that’s all that matters. I think this club is more than a riders club it’s a brother hood of like-minded individuals that share a common interest “riding motorcycles” I have been a member of other club’s and this is not always the case. I think some club’s could take a leaf out of our book and become more sociable to its members and non-members. As for the direction of the club GC I think the current format is great! The first event I pencil in on my calendar every year is our annual rally come what may."


I still stand by this because this club has always been a brotherhood. I think it is down to all of us to do something constructive and help to move this club forward. Bill is right in my opinion, we do need more events and meets but you all need to support them better. I am willing to support & organise an event down here in the West Country next year if that is what you want? I know it will not suit all of you that is a given but at least I will try and do something.

3) I my opinion the future of this club will depend on us the members not single individuals. GC is a great helmsman but in his own words shite at administration. I don’t think he is quite right because he has produced some great newsletters which have given me hours of amusement. Also this is not a new thing this has been going on for sometime and we were all aware of GC situation in the past. I will look forward to seeing what GC puts together as tasks for us to consider doing in the future to help him out.

4) As for Health & Safety I took it upon myself to organise this at now cost to the TC. I cannot understand what all the fuss is about. I have done all the work and all you have to do is fill out a form job done. I must admit I have been quite annoyed about all the negative comments that have been bounded about at times. If all clubs and organisations adopted this attitude that we will not consider H&S then no one would put on a show or a rally would they?  

5) This club has meet a lot to me over the years and I have made many friends, like Bill Said “ it’s close to my Heart “ and I agree with Bee Man the club is evolving and nothing stays the same. So let’s work together and try and sort the problems out for GC. After all if it was not for GC in the beginning we would not be having this conversation now would we?

Here’s looking to the future

Colin Hilliard

PS How about a special event next Year to celebrate are 10th anniversary any Idea’s? anyone  

[Bill Rutter]

10th Anniversary get-together? Sounds great. For my tuppenceworth I could think of no better idea than combining our two great passions i.e. beer and bikes, and perhaps take in a Real Ale festival that has a campsite nearby or perhaps a cider farm like Rick Sharp and Steve Dalby's meet in Glastonbury.

P.S. Colin, I have managed to get the time off from work for Princetown so I shall be down there early to mid-afternoon on the Friday. What are your plans for Eype with Terry? I shall give you a ring nearer the end of the month.