Happy Christmas to All our Readers

Merry Christmas and a Happy motorcycling New Year in 2007

Well that’s almost the end of 2006, it’s been quite a year for a variety of reasons. What’s kept me smiling has been the excellent performance of the Commando this year and the extended Summer we enjoyed. Can’t wait for it to begin again. As always it’s the members that make the branch what it is and I thank you for turning up to the meetings to keep the club alive. Events this year included, The Capper & Thistle Rallies in January and February, the Guzzi Rally in May, International Norton rally Lisbon in June, National Rally Nottingham in July, Begonia Rally in August and to add into that several other rallies and camping weekends throughout the year and the end of season bash at Lochearnhead. An old sales slogan for the big H said “you meet the nicest people on a Honda” , obviously it should have said on a Norton because that’s been my experience. I wish you all and your families a great Christmas and have an even better 2007. Get out there and enjoy your motorcycling, make every year count and keep accruing these wonderful memories. Remember the future is tomorrow’s memories and history, if you don’t do anything, you’ll have nothing to bore people about when you’re in the old folks home!

2006 Awards

Grumpiest person on the Planet award – George Peddie for his grumpiness when his GPS (work of the Devil) led him on a 3 hour tour of Lisbon in June.

Best Newcomer Award – Sandy Bloy for his trip to Lisbon on his newly acquired Commando (long time since any of us were newcomers I suppose)

Oh no not again award – Peter Herron for his commando crash returning from the Classic Run.

Unlucky Commando owner Award – Dave Templeman for his many tribulations with the Commando formerly known as Smokey Joe but now known as broken Joe don’t go no mo.

The world travel with no understanding of any other language other than English and even louder English – John Duncan for his trip to Morocco (still don’t know how he made it!!!)

The refusal to be drawn out of the 70’s award – Phil Rattray who refuses to accept that the 750 Ducati Desmo & 850 Commando were and still are the pinnacle of motorcycling excellence…..and rightly so! If Phil could I’m sure he would still have long hair!

The back up driver award – Jointly to Trudie and Tom for their work carrying most of the Branch’s goods & chattels to Lisbon in the new posh people carrier.

And finally, The source of most gossip award – given to me, hopefully I can hand this particular award to someone else next year.

The Drunkest person of the year award by the way is shared equally by most of us for various different occasions!!!

Jock Taylor

Saturday the 16^th of December 2006 saw the unveiling of a long overdue memorial to Scottish sidecar legend Jock Taylor who was killed in a crash at the Finnish Grand Prix on August 15th 1982. Jock who began his career as a passenger with Kenny Andrews in 1974 before becoming a rider with Lewis Ward in the chair of a Windrick BSA outfit in the 75 season. Jock with his Swedish passenger Benga Johannson won the world Sidecar Championship in 1980, winning 4 races and finishing on the podium in all seven events. Jock was also credited with 4 TT wins and in 1982 with Benga in the Chair raised the lap record to108.29 MPH, a record which stood for seven years. Saturday’s event was attended by a small crowd of just under 100, the unveiling ceremony was carried out jointly by Jock’s mother Peggie, his sister Sheila and niece Evonne. The assembled crowd had good representation from the sidecar world including Johannson who had come over from Sweden for the low key event. Many former solo riders were also in attendance including Brian Morrison former Scottish, British and World champion and Alan Duffus five times Scottish champion. Almost 25 years on Pentcaitlands most famous son has had the recognition which has been long overdue.

The Small Print

The views and opinions contained within this publication are not necessarily those of the NOC or of the branch but are probably mine as I wrote it.

No one accepts any responsibility for anything, if you have a good time don't say I didn't warn you.

Gino Rondelli