Dates for events popular with Club members are now known  for 2010. Those organising events within the LDMCC are invited to take note to avoid clashing where possible. Any changes to details of any events especially cancellation should be notified via the website email address or direct to The Chairman LDMCC. Reports after the event would also be welcome so that the site "latest news" page can be updated

Attention!! (Amendments since the last update are now in italics to assist in spotting changes.) 

The Jeff Clew Memorial Run 22nd August 2010. The venue will be the Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, Somerset. Short and long routes available. Regulations and entry forms may be obtained from The Club Secretary, Roger Gibbard and Section Secretaries. Open to VMCC and Douglas Club members.

Oude Klepper Parade, De Haan, Belgium. 22nd August 2010. Social Run on Sat 21st and follow on Runs around Ypres or The Somme to follow. The Windmill Rally at Hengelo in Holland follows on Sat. and Sun. 28th and 29th August. A team including Douglas members has entered.

Chairman's Run Sun 5th September 2010. Starting and finishing at Tonge, Nr. Sittingbourne, Kent. A coffee stop will be at a Bonsai Nursery and an interest stop at an historic and unique Kent attraction. Sea views on the return to Tonge where a buffet will be awiting. See NCR for details.

Netley Marsh Eurojumble Fri. 10th / Sat. 11th Sept. 2010.

Beaulieu International Autojumble Sat. 11th / Sun. 12th Sept. 2010.

Constable Run (Sunbeam Club) Suffolk. Sun. 12th Sept. 2010.

Isle of Wight Scurry (VMCC) Sat.18th to Wed. 22nd Sept. 2010.

The Annual Dinner and Presentation of Awards will be held 13th November 2010. The hotel is now taking bookings at the same prices as last year and early take up is advised to avoid disappointment. Details in NCR.

These dates will be monitored, changed and added to as information is received.

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 2010

The Bristol Show at Shepton Mallet was held 20th/21st of February. A very impressive Club stand was organised and individual awards were made to David Coles for his Red Racer and Eddie Turner for his four cyclinder creation.

The riding events year kicked off with The Pioneer Run on Sunday 14th March 2010 in which 38 Pioneer Douglas models were entered. The vast majority made it successfully to Brighton and once again we were blessed with good weather.

The Annual General Meeting was held on 21st March 2010 at the usual venue in Oxfordshire. It reported on a 14 month Financial year following the decision at the last AGM that our FY should end on Dec. 31st in place of our old year finishing 31st Oct.

The existing committee members were all relected and two new members were elected to join. Gerrard Shannon as member without portfolio and Dawn Whiteoak as Sports and Events Secretary. New blood especially younger members are very welcome.

The International Classic Motor Cycle Show Stafford 24/25th April 2010. The Club Stand had a selection of ten machines on display dating from 1911 to 1956. A 1915 model was given an individual award for most original machine.

The Dave Parr Road Trial Due to be held on Sunday 2nd May 2010 was reluctantly cancelled due to lack of support.

The Lawrence Freeman Road Trial was held on  Sunday 23rd May 2010. The event was very well supported with results as follows:- 1st Alan Coombes with a loss of 20 points, 2nd Eddie Turner - 23 points, 3rd Denis Carter - 30 points, 4th Dave Rodgers - 33 points, 5th Dave Harris - 34 points and 6th Dave Richmond with 42 points lost. Seven VMCC members also joined the run and enjoyed themselves.

The Southern Classic Bike Show was held at Kempton Park on Sat. 15th May 2010. The Club stand with the theme of "Douglas in Sport" exhibited a wide range of sporting Douglas models from veteran racers through to 90 plus racers as well as Dirt Track and Comp models. The Surrey and Hants section and all who helped are to be congratulated for obtaining 2nd prize in the club stand competition. This is the fifth year running that LDMCC have been in the awards with three firsts a third and a second.

The Rudge Club Annual Rally was held at Stow 15th /16th May 2010. Under the agreed mutual attendance at each other's rallies, several members of the LDMCC attended the rally celebrating the centenary of the Rudge marque and reported an enjoyable event. We expect attendance of some members of the Rudge Club at the LDMCC Rally in June.

The New Conyboro Run organised by The Sunbeam Club was held near Lewis in East Sussex on Sunday 30th May 2010. Three members of the LDMCC Kent Section and several other members of the LDMCC took part. Weather was exceptional and the scenery of this run is delightful. Yours truly won the award for best three wheeler for the third year running with the CW25 combination. Mrs W rode in the sidecar.

The Bristol Cavalcade was held at Warmley also on 30th May and continued on 31st May. Weather fortunately was good for the Sunday having been sandwiched with rainy days A good showing of machines was in evidence, the traditional run was followed by prize giving and a sumptuous buffet.

The funeral of George Easton was held on Wed. 9th June at Bramcote Crematorium, Beeston, Notts. George a life long Douglas enthusiast and Life Member of the Club was given a good send off with a motorcycle sidecar hearse led by a half dozen Douglas outriders. George will be long remembered for his racing exploits on Douglas machines and the brilliant engineering assistance provided to so many members of the Club.

The Banbury Run (VMCC) was held at Gaydon on Sun 20th June. Exceptionally good weather and an excellent selection of routes made for an enjoyable event. A good number of LDMCC members took part although not all on Douglas models. The autojumble attached to this event remains one of the best for the vintage and veteran enthusiast.

The LDMCC Annual Rally was held over the weekend Sat 26th and Sun. 27th June with many camping from Thu. 24th through to Mon. 28th. Once again we were blessed with brilliant weather. Dawn Whiteoak organised a scavenger hunt for the children on Saturday and games on Sunday morning. Eric Cooper held a run through the lovely surrounding countryside Saturday lunchtime with an enjoyable pub lunch stop. The bar was open in the club house Saturday evening for a show of DVDs including a compilation of all club activities during our Centenary year 2007 and an excellent demonstration by our late life member, George Easton, racing at Lyddon in 1996. We were also very pleased to welcome George Easton's family members to the Rally.

On Sunday morning the day dawned with the setting up of the auto-jumble that members had brought and the lining up of about 60 Douglas machines of all ages from 1911 to 1957. These were later judged under various categories. The first recipient of a new award for Static Machines was Doug Frost with his replica Fairy. The usual arena events, tipping the bucket, slow races, consistency runs and welly wanging were held with enthusiasm. Special thanks to Ian Young, fresh from the commentary box at Gaydon who gave his expert services on the microphone during the afternoon.The Rally closed with prize giving and raffle results and thanks to all those who had contributed their time and efforts in producing another very successful and enjoyable event.

The VMCC Festival of a 1000 Bikes took place over the weekend 9th to 12th July. The Club had a stand in the avenue of clubs and activity on the track included Simon Coombes riding the famous Graeme Brown Brooklands machine thanks to Malcolm Brown and The Brooklands Museum.

Roy's Run took place on Sunday 11th July. 15 riders took part covering various mileages depending on the extent of getting lost. It took place in the beautiful Berkshire countryside surrounding Roy's home. The Lunch stop at the Five Horsehoes was much appreciated by the general public as much as by the club mmbers judging by its popularity for a pub miles from anywhere. Once again the sun shone on the righteous and a delicious spread prepared by Phyllis was enjoyed in Roy's back garden. This event is one not to be missed next year.

The Sunbeam Club Garden of England Run was held on Sunday 18th July starting and finishing at Headcorn Airfield in the heart of Kent. Several members of the Kent section and other members of the LDMCC took part in this delightful Run. Unfortunately clashing this year with Founder's Day meant that some usual entrants were unable to take part.

VMCC Founder's Day Sun 18th July at Stanford Hall Nr Lutterworth was an enjoyable day although the weather was indifferent with mostly cloud and high winds. The autojumble lived up to its reputation as one of the best of the year for older machines. The Club stand had a nice range of machines on display from 1913 2.3/4hp through to Dragonfly. Thanks to Kevin and Martin who beat me to it in setting up the Gazebo.

VMCC International West Kent Run Sat. 7th and Sun. 8th August 2010. Excellent run on Saturday, weather overcast in the morning and a short shower but enjoyed by 350 riders. A good auto-jumble on Sunday. The Douglas stand in the Avenue of Clubs had an excellent display of machines including 1913, 1914 and 1920 2.3/4hp models, two Endeavours, a Comp, a MklV and MkV, a 90plus and a Bantam. Chris Wright's 1935 Endeavour was awarded best in class 1931 to 1939. The 1913 and 1914 2.3/4 hp machines, the Comp, the MkV and both Endeavours completed the run without problems on Saturday, Other Club members on a Dragonfly and a 1914 2.3/4hp also completed the Run. The arena obstacle course was, for the second year running, won by a Douglas Club member, Ivo Raus from Belgium, who in addition had ridden his 1925 2.3/4 hp TS model from Antwerp to the event, (220 Km) and then completed the 70 mile IWKR.

Museum of Power Bikemeet 2010 1st August at Langford, Malden, Essex. took place under clouds but thankfully no rain. Sixteen machines were on show on the The Club Stand including George Easton's 500cc racer, two 2.3/4hp machines, two EWs and examples of all post war models. Also on show were Len Boydell's sectioned Mk engine and Martin Mercer's 4p engine and frame. A large selection of photos by Eric Morley was displayed. 

Graham Walker Run (Sunbeam Club) Sun. 8th Aug. 2010. Report awaited.

The White Dove Collectors Transport Show Sun. 8th August at Kingsley Sports Club GU35 9PD This car and motor cycle charity show in aid of The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice included a Rideout for motorcycles and Surrey and Hants section LDMCC had a Club Stand. Fuller report awaited.

NOTE   We still have copies of the Souvenir Booklet celebrating the 2007 centenary year and you can obtain your copy by writing to Roy Shepherd at 4 St Marks Cottages, St Marks Road, Binfield, Berkshire RG42 4AU enclosing a cheque for £4.00 payable to the London Douglas MCC Ltd. It is very well produced with lovely pictures of most Douglas models. Good value and an essential buy for any Douglas enthusiast.         

The reports for 2007/2008 and 2008/9 are retained below for information

The Annual General Meeting of the Club was held 22nd February 2009 at the usual venue in Oxfordshire. A new Chairman, Chris Wright, was elected. The new post of Deputy Chairman was also filled by Alan Coombes who was thanked for standing in temporarily as Chairman following the sad loss of Malcolm. The post of Treasurer was temporarily transferred to Dave Lawrence until the end of the financial year which has been extended by two months to end December 31st 2009. A new Post-war Spares Secretary, Patrick Young, was elected and a plan will be developed for transfer of the stock and duties over the next couple of months. Sincere thanks are offered on behalf of all members to Margaret and Eddie for their excellent service and dedicated running of the Post-war Spares Scheme for the last 12½ years. The members filling the remainder of Committee positions were re-elected. Members are invited to volunteer for co-opting at any time. With Chris Wright having taken up the Chairman's post, Martin and Kevin Durman have accepted the role of Joint Spares Secretaries for Pre-war Spares and the spares stocks were re-located to Hampshire on 4th April. Full details of all the above changes have now been published in the May/June issue of the Club magazine, The New Conrod (NCR). All future Pre-war Spares enquiries should be directed to the Kevin's address. A new email account has been opened for this purpose. The new joint Spares Secretaries have also taken up their places on the Committee. 

The Sunbeam Club’s Pioneer Run took place on 22nd of March. 41 Douglas machines were entered. Although the weather is usually good at Brighton it was pleasant even in the early hours at the start at Epsom. Only one Douglas was known to suffer a mechanical failure severe enough to prevent Brighton being reached after a very pleasant run. 

The Southern Classic Bike Show at Kempton Park is now behind us. For the fourth year running we won an award albeit only third place in the Club Stand competition. The theme for our display was a Douglas "Trial" with a backdrop of a woodland scene and with turf and tree bark on the ground. The machines on display were five competition models (COMPS) one with a trial sidcar. Thanks to the owners who provided their machines for the display and all who helped with the organisation. 

The Lawrence Freeman Road Trial was held Sunday 17th May in the lanes of Essex. The day commenced wet but improved drying out and becoming sunny by lunch time. Enjoyed by 12 Douglas riders two being Marshals.  Two of the machines were pre-war EW models ridden by Denis Butler and Dave Rodgers. Dave Richmond came first with a loss of only 30 points followed closely by Andy Brewer, Alan Coombes and Walter Heatlie with losses of 41, 46 and 48 points respectively. A good day out and the hope that more members will join the event next year.

The Annual Douglas Cavalcade was held 24th-25th May at Warmley, Bristol. Approximately 65 machines were entered for display and about 46 embarked on the road run. After two years of torrential rain, it was third time lucky with glorious weather. Awards as follows: Best Veteran, Martin Wheway with 1910 and runner up Peter Davies with ex GDB 1914 2.3/4 hp. Best Vintage, Chris Wright with 1925 CW combination. Runner up Roger Bayliss with 1930 S6. Post Vintage, Alan Riches with 1931 A31 model. No Runner up in this category. Best Post war, Martin Foot with Dragonfly. Runner up Eddie Glover with 1951 Mk V. The Eric Brockway Shield was awarded to Neil Richardson with his 1951 Competition model. A new category this year was an award for sporting/sprinting specials and this went to Paul Fudge with his 1928 Dirt Track model. Thanks to all those responsible for the excellent organisation not forgetting the rescue squad.

The Banbury Run took place on 21st June. Results affecting Douglas riders wil be posted as soon as they become available. 

The LDMCC Annual Rally was held at Stow in the Cotswolds over the period 25th to 29th June. Apart from a thunderstorm on the Friday morning the event was blessed with brilliant weather. The Club Run on Saturday 27th June attracted 23 riders with a delightful lunch stop at The Harrow Inn at Enstone. The auto-jumble with a good range of Douglas goodies was held on Sunday morning and the usual field events attracted record entries in the afternoon. The concorde d'excellence had a line up of about 50 machines from veteran to 1957 and included some later specials. A full report of awards etc will be given in the next issue of NCR.

Roy's Run was held on 12th July commencing and finishing at Binfield in Berkshire.  Eleven Douglas models took part and a spread prepared by Phylis was much enjoyed after a good run in which no one got lost.

Also on the 12th of July the Sunbeam Club's Garden of England Run was held commencing and finishing at Headcorn Airfield in Kent. The entries included a good Douglas contingent. Chris Wright's 2.3/4hp combination was awarded "Best Three Wheeler" and "The Rose Bowl" was presented to Margaret Meinertzhagen, in period costume, who passengered Richard Mummery in his Model H Triumph outfit.

The Club stand in the Avenue of Clubs at the VMCC's Founder's Day Rally at Stanford Hall in Leicestershire on Sunday 26th July was a little disappointing with only six members displaying their Douglas machines. In spite of a poor forecast the weather remained mainly dry and sunny with only a few spots of rain in the afternoon. As usual the auto-jumble was excellent and congratulations to Eddie Turner, awarded a trophy for Best Post War Machine with his ISDT Douglas. 

The International West Kent Run took place on Saturday 1st August with the Run of about 70 miles for the short route and 100miles for the long. Many Douglas machines took part and completed their runs succesfully through some stunning Kent countryside. The LDMCC stand in the Avenue of Clubs on Sunday 2nd August was a great success with some outstanding machines on display. Dave Richmond, member and former President of the club picked up a major award in the Concours albeit with his rare 500cc DKW twin two stroke rather than one of his Douglas models. Nick Pearce riding an ex Malcolm Meinertzhagen 1914 veteran took the award for fastest completion of the obtacle course in the Gymkhana. Several of us found treasures to take home from the excellent auto-jumble 

BIKE MEET 09. This event held on August 9th at the Museum of Power, Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon, Essex. attracted a very large gathering of motorcycles. Thanks to the members who supplied a total of nine machines dating from 1913 to 1957 which together with a sectioned engine and gearbox on display enabled the LDMCC stand to be adjudged the winner of the trophy for Best Club Stand.

Also on August 9th The White Dove Collectors Transport Show was held at Kingsley Sports Club 1 mile from A325 Farnham - Bordon on B3004. in aid of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. The weather was good, the club stand was well supported and a total of over £7,000 was raised by the event for the hospice.

Another event on 9th of August was the Graham Walker Run, Beaulieu, Hants. A total of 7 Douglas machines took part of which 6 were veterans. Richard Duffin, LDMCC member won an award for best 2 stroke with his immaculate Scott.

Our usual contingent of LDMCC members took part in a social run on Saturday 22nd August afternoon followed by the Oude Klepper Parade on Sunday 23rd. at De Haan in Belgium. The weather for this event was the best in remembered history. A permanent trophy to be awarded annually to the youngest rider was presented to the organisers by Margaret Meinertzhagen in memory of Malcolm who was always keen on encouraging younger people to become users of older machines. 

The following day we drove down to Ypres for our anual pilgrimage where we again took part in the Last Post Ceremony at The Menin Gate. The ceremony was very special on this Monday evening when a celebration was carried out on the 95th anniversary of an occurrence when an exhausted and demoralised battalian of infantry about to surrender to the Germans was saved and led to safety by a Major playing a tin whistle with a colleague bugler with a drum. This was re-enacted and accompanied by three pipe bands. Wreaths were also laid by The RAF. An extensive Run was held around the local countryside taking in memorials, battle sites and War Grave Cemeteries on Tuesday.

The Chairman's Run took place on Sunday 6th September commencing and finishing at The Mill House, Tonge, Nr. Sittingbourne, Kent. Once again the weather was kind and an enjoyable Run through the countryside and villages of Kent took place with a total of 17 bikes (three carrying pillion passengers) of which 12 were Douglas models including two 1914 veterans, a 1921 2.3/4 hp, two 4hp machines and a selection of post war Mks, Dragonflys, a Comp and a Douglas Special. The refreshment stop was a visit to a private 2 foot gauge steam railway centre with an interesting museum. The breakdown trailer returned empty but the person who ran out of petrol after only 11 miles from the start shall remain anonymous. A superb meal was enjoyed at the finish catered by Margaret Meinertzhagen and Jennifer Wright.

As expected I did meet many members at the Netley Marsh Eurojumble held 11th and 12th and at The Beaulieu Autojumble on 12th & 13th Sept. I had a successful visit finding some very useful Douglas parts for current restorations.

The Isle of Wight Scurry organised by The Isle of Wight section of the VMCC from 19th to 22nd of September was once again blessed with excellent weather. Seven Douglas machines took part in the total of 83 entries. Tony Windyatt rode his very nice 1924 2.3/4 SW model, Brian Sanders again entered on his E28 sidecar outfit. Chris Wright with Mrs W in the sidecar paraded his CW 2.3/4hp outfit. The organiser's son Andy Glading used a very nice DT5 modified for road use, Dave Barkshire finally introduced his EW350 with only 10 miles previous use but had to take the ride of shame when his petrol tank sprung a bad leak. Nick Canfor appeared unexpectedly at the start having ridden from Winchester on his veteran 2.3/4 TT Model. Last but not least was John Mockett on his 1915 2.3/4hp. The navigational Scurry was run on Sunday with visits to The Needles Battery and a pottery on Monday. Visits to The Botanical Gardens and a glass works provided the venues for Tuesday. Evening entertainment included carpet golf won by John Mockett who also won the Quiz which is always a feature of the Scurry. Congratulations and thanks to the organisers for a most enjoyable event

The Annual Dinner is now behind us and was enjoyed by 60 members at the Calcot Hotel, Nr. Reading Berkshire. The annual awards were presented to winners present and taken away for presentation at local sections for those not present. Thanks to Denis Carter for bringing his lovely Douglas 90 Plus for display in the restaurant during the dinner.

We still have copies of the Souvenir Booklet celebrating the 2007 centenary year and you can obtain your copy by writing to Roy Shepherd at 4 St Marks Cottages, St Marks Road, Binfield, Berkshire RG42 4AU enclosing a cheque for £4.00 payable to the London Douglas MCC Ltd. It is very well produced with lovely pictures of most Douglas models. Good value and an essential buy for any Douglas enthusiast.                              

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Below I have left an edited review of the previous entry in the News and Events section for the interest of new members and persons surfing the website.

Review of the Club's activities in its 80th Anniversary Year 2008

The details below are not comprehensive and apologies to those members not getting a full report of activities in other parts of the country such as those flying the Douglas flag at the Bristol and Stafford shows and some long distance runs etc.

The Sunbeam Club's Pioneer run took place on Sunday 9th March. About 45 Douglas machines and riders took part including our President Frank Dolman who successfully completed his 50th consecutive run - Frank got the bug in his teens and has taken part on his very original and rare ladies model for many years. A record that will not easily be broken and one that was recognised at the finish by the organisers and by the award of the Alan Phillipps trophy by the Club at the Annual Dinner and presentation of awards ceremony in November. 

Brooklands.  20th April - We had a static display of typical 30's and earlier machines on a Club Stand as well as a selection of Douglas racing bikes on display in “the paddock”.
The Graeme Brown Brooklands racer was on show after servicing and demonstrated the sight and sound of 20's Douglas high performance machines as they were in the period.

The Southern Classic Bike Show was held on Saturday 24th May with a theme of ‘The most popular model'  The 2¾ hp  machine was produced in very large numbers for the WW1 dispatch riders and it was this idea that the club selected for it's winning stand. That's the third time in a row that the club has won Best Club Stand Award at this show and thanks are due to all who helped.

The Bristol Cavalcade was held on the 25th May. Approximately 60 riders took part. Unfortunately it was attended by torrential rain just like the previous event in 2007.

The Banbury Run was held on 22nd June and as usual was attended by many members of the Club. This was followed by the LDMCC Annual Rally or Gymkhana as it is traditionally called. Fortunately we were spared the dreadful weather of the previous year and the event was enjoyed by a great many members. The Rally is held in a very pleasant location in the Cotswolds with a variety of local attractions and more than a few took advantage of the extended period agreed for our anniversary year and were present for a whole week. Thanks to all those that helped make the event a success.

The Sprinting Scene was celebrated in style this year being the 50th anniversary of the NSA (National Sprint Association). By invitation, Henry Body and Bernard White with their Douglas machines attended the meeting at Santa Pod where Henry won the unlimited pre 1946 class and Bernard won the 500cc Class. Henry also won every other event that he entered during the year.

The VMCC Isle of Wight Scurry took place on the same weekend in mid September as The Chairman’s Run. Four members rode their Douglas machines on the Island in an enjoyable four day event. Meanwhile, a stalwart group found their way through the highways and byways of the Garden of England culminating in a delightful spread provided by Margaret Meinertzhagen back at the Mill House.

Australian Rally. Following the success of the Australian Douglas Centenary Rally held in 2007 another event was held this year in late September. Numbers attending were not large contributed to no doubt, by the immense distances between members spread over this huge country. Nevertheless it was deemed a great success and enjoyed by all participants.

The Annual Dinner and presentation of Awards was held on Saturday 15th November at the usual venue. It was attended by 62 members  The event was universally enjoyed and presentations of the trophies and awards were made to all those successful during the year in a variety of activities and events. The Graeme Brown Brooklands Racer was on display in the restaurant thanks to Malcolm Brown.

Updated 14th August. 2010                           CJW  
 
 



 
 
                                                           
 
 
 
 
 
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