Patrons:	Hon.Treasurer	Hon. Secretary
THE EARL OF MARCH	JOHN KIDSON	FRANCES THORP
MICHAEL SUTTON	Thrupp Farmhouse	Mountain View
MURRAY WALKER O.B.E.	Thrupp Lane	Glen Maye
	Stroud GL5 2DF	Isle of Man IM5 3BJ
President;	Tel/Fax 01453 762255	Tel/Fax 01624 843695
TONY RUTTER		E.mail francesthorp@manx.net

Hello Members and Friends

This beautiful Isle of Man has suddenly come into the Spring at the time of my preparing Bulletin No 54, we have changed the clocks putting them 1 hour forward which of course sends everyone into confusion. Our winter weather has been very mixed and some gales caused an enormous amount of damage to trees some of which were hundreds of years old leaving great gaps everywhere which of course gives the nosey parkers a better view of what they could not see before. We have lots of sections on the TT Course being re-surfaced getting ready for the “Big 2 weeks” which of course in the number of weeks left is not such a long time for everyone to get sorted with all the necessary preparations.

The “ 38th Milestone “ is having a facelift as one might say. There is a new large sign going up to replace the original wooden one which was great in its day but sign-writing skills are nowhere to be found now. We already have a smaller sign which is over the door entrance and is still looking good so look out you members who come to the Island I don’t think you will miss this new one. The 38th motto is, if the door is open the kettle is always on.
Officially it opens Thursday afternoon of practice and then every Race Day. Look forward to seeing you there.

LAP OF HONOUR and CLASSIC PARADE.
“ CLASSIC NOSTALGIA WEEK-END”
Friday 10TH June 2005 (Historically known as the Senior Race Day.) It will commence at the end of the Senior Races which adds some flavour to the last day of the TT Race fortnight. This year will be an Italian theme with many of the Italian bikes and riders. L.O.H. Medal Presentation Party is being held at the newly refurbished Villa Marina. Riders tickets for the presentation will be issued when Signing On at the Scrutineering. (for riders only)
If extra tickets are required they will be available from Frances Thorp in the “38th Milestone”after the Scutineering has finished.

Saturday 11th June there will be a Lap of Honour and Classic Parade sessions around the Billown course then the final day which will be
Sunday 12th June finishing off with the Concourse D’Elegance of Motorcycles.

T.T.RIDERS ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

WE HEREBY INFORM YOU OF THE FORTHCOMING A.G.M. – SUNDAY 12TH JUNE.2005. TO BE HELD IN THE HOSPITALITY SUITE DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE “38th MILESTONE” BEHIND THE GRANDSTAND.7-45PM

This year we have invited the “ Friends of the TTRA” to join with us and hold their Annual General Meeting at 7pm followed by the TT Riders Association A.G.M.at approx 7-45pm. We will be having a Buffet Supper as usual and tickets will be available from Frances Thorp at the “38th Milestone”. Tickets must be ordered in advance and tickets paid for so that we can ensure that the catering numbers are near enough as they say. Please note the change of Day and also the change of Venue.

The Agenda

1 Minutes of the last AGM
2 Hon.Secretary’s Report
3 Hon Treasurer’s Report Approval of Accounts to 31.3.05 and appointment of Auditor.
4 Election of President and his Address.
5 Election of Committee
6 Election of Hon.Secretary
7 Election of Hon Treasurer
8 Honoraria-Secretary and Treasurer
9 Any other Business
(Copies of Accounts and Association Rules available on request from Hon Secretary).

FRIENDS OF THE TTRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

WE HEREBY INFORM YOU OF THE FORTHCOMING A.G.M. – SUNDAY 12Th JUNE 2005. COMMENCING AT 7PM. TO BE HELD IN THE HOSPITALITY SUITE DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE “38th MILESTONE" BEHIND THE GRANDSTAND.

The Agenda

1 Minutes of the last A.G.M.
2 Matters Arising
3 Chairmans Report
4 Secretarys Report
5 Treasurers Report and Approval of Balance Sheet and Accounts for year end 31.3.05
6 Appointment of auditor
7 Any Other Business

All Friends are invited to join the TTRA Annual Meeting and to enjoy the social evening with buffet following completion of the AGM. Tickets must be obtained and paid for in advance to ensure numbers for catering.

“ GET WELL WISHES “

Throughout the winter months I have been keeping in touch with some of our less fortunate members who are not in good health. In some cases I would like to say a “big thank you” to some of our members who hear of these circumstances and have been good enough to ring me or e.mail me. It is what I try to strongly remind you all that this is what the TT Riders Association stands for and we do not shout it from the roof-tops or divulge anyones situation (I can assure you of that) but it is nice for the members to know that we are here and they are not forgotten as everyone goes about there own ways. Please,Please keep sending me any news on this subject so that we can investigate diplomatically.
For those of you who are not well we send you our good wishes and thoughts and hope that the sunshine will make life more cheerful for you.

DONATIONS AND GENEROUS GESTURES.

Thank you for the response to my mention regarding members who joined the Association in the years 1951 up to 2003 for £1 up to £15 for life. As we are all aware of postage costings it was very nice to receive some “top up cheques” and they will always be very acceptable however small.
It has been mentioned that E.Mails are a way of sending Bulletins but the majority of our members are not into modern technology and emphasise how much they look forward to receiving the envelope through the post.

SPECIAL MENTIONS.

NRG Sports and Social Club £109.63 in respect of a dressing down day. Richard Rosenthal for donating his fee for a special article he wrote. An obituary on Don Smith in Decembers Classic Motorcycle Page 10.
Michael Sutton our Senior Patron £730.80 for paying our postage costs for which we are as ever extremely grateful.
Friends of the TTRA .continuing there good work bolstering our funds. Our thanks particularly to Tony East and David Plant.
Reg Thomas £102.82. profit from 60’s Paddock get together. There next event will be Dec 2005 at Sutton(Surrey) Conservative Club. Info from Reg Tel/Fax 01737 360046
Gold Star Owners Club £298.54 from sale of their calenders.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW ? STILL LOOKING FOR YOU..

This section has raised a lot of interest and got old friends together again where with time and moving they have lost touch. Quite a number of side-car riders and passengers seem to loose touch and are delighted when I can match them up again.
There are many who forget to give us their change of address….. remember this is wasted postage and bulletins cost money…….
Barry Hodgkinson - Australia. Gosta Jensen - Denmark. Toni Rechberger –Austria.
John Weed -California USA. Eric Pickup - Nassau Bahamas. D.Sutherland-Natal SA.
Michael Stirner-Vienna.Austria. Stephen John – Washington USA. Jo Zegwaard-Amsterdam.Holland Wolf Gerstanmaier-Germany. George Anscherdt- Nr Valencia.Spain.
Ireland
Tom Finlay. Ronnie Perry.Londonderry.Port Steward. Martin Rodgers (passenger to Mike Barrie)
Johnny Rea.Larne.Co Antrim. Robert Dunlop.Ballamonney.NI.
Wales
David Saunders-Swansea
Scotland
Ian Duffus
UK
Sandra Barnet-Evesham.Worcs. Grant Goodings-Oxon. Doug Lunn – Wellingborough.
R.Hardy-Suffolk. Clifford Ellerby- South Humberside. Tom Fortune-Warrington..
Paul Willis-Newbury.Berks. Chris McGahan.
Isle of Man
John Campbell-Port Erin

REGALIA

Please don’t forget on this point that we do have Association Ties, Lapel Badges, Windscreen Stickers inner and outer together with a selection of Books that we sell that have been written either by our members or for our members and with the books we do get a small donation from each book for the TTRA.which is acceptable and very kind. See Bulletin 52 page 4.

GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE

This is an idea which has been under consideration for a couple of years but to find the most suitable site was the main delay. Various ideas were muted but the most favourable was to be in the Crematorium area opposite the Grandstand. It needed to be presented without the possibility of the “PRESS” using it as a publicity item. This is now coming to fruition and the TTRA with the FOTTRA and other like minded Associations have been asked if they would assist financially.

Your Committee discussed and agreed that this would be a nice idea. The building of the Memorial Wall is being created for all competitors who have lost their lives competing in the TT & MGP Races in the Isle of Man. It will be a wall with an inscribed centre piece and seating area. It will be possible for families to purchase a standard 6” x 4” bronze plaque in memory of their loved ones. Obviously I will keep you updated as the time goes along. Plans are for it to be ready hopefully 2005.

OBITUARIES

Again I get a lot of positive remarks about this item in the Bulletin. Although sad, members like to know. Remember we do have a great number of past riders and entrants and friends who live all around the world and only get to know of famous names. All our members are famous, remember the only way that one can be a member of this prestigious Association is to have had the ability and nerve to get on a motorbike and start in a race. There are a lot who would like to have done it,but never did.

B.P.Cascellani passed away 2003. He will be remembered.
John Banks 74 yrs passed away suddenly 2004. A very keen rider in the MGP and TT.always around when help needed.
Alan Lawton. Sept 2004 a keen rider in the MGP and TT
John Cripps- Always around in a quiet way passed away Sept 2004 and an excellent rider.
Jack Harding 91 years. He will be remembered for his many years as a Marshal and always came to the Isle of Man with his wife Rosetta and Albert Moule.
Guya Marsovsky a true privateer originally from Hungary but then settled in Switzerland rode successfully 500cc Linto and 250 Bultaco.machines.
Ron Briscoe 2004. Died at the age of 88 yrs.A long standing member who never lost his passion for the Isle of Man and always liked any news of the event.
Tarquinio Provini died Jan 2005 at the age of 72 yrs. An extremely popular Italian rider with the Mondial bikes,he became redundant when Mondial withdrew from the racing scene and then joined MV Agusta which he bagged the double in 1960 on the 125/250cc machines. PAST PRESIDENT Ken Bills Jan.2005 at 92 yrs. Ken was a very active and generous TTRA President. He trained as an optician before taking up racing motorcycles. He shot to prominence with his1934 debut. 1938 he won the double. He flew Hurrican and Spitfires during WW11 and post-war he set up a factory making complete spectacles for the NHS. He also took responsibility for the family’s estate agency.
Geoff Eccles died Jan 2005 – 78yrs. Raced in the Junior 1962.
Ken Mudford passed away May 2004.A very good rider and great friend of the Coleman family New Zealand who kindly informed me.
Jimmy Morton 73 yrs sadly passed away. Jimmy was a stalwart of the Scottish ACU and keen competitor in scrambles,trials and road racing. He was famous for his “Husqtacos” Bultaco Pursangs.

I have also noted that veteran designer for Moto Guzzi - Umberto Todero who was 82 yrs and still working at the factory has sadly passed away in March 2005.

FRIENDS AND GREAT ENTHUSIASTS FOR THE SPORT

Janet Cook. Late wife of ex TT Rider/Member.who was a sidecar racer and lives in the Isle of Man. She will always be remembered for being a lovely jolly lady always full of fun and will be sadly missed.
Ken Teare. Secretary of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club.after illness. 2005

Cyril J.H.Smith. 1952 World Sidecar Champion Motorcyclist

Charlie Oates – Lived at the old Church next to the Hawthorn Pub. Charlie was a successful speedway rider but known locally and by many members.

“ANNUAL LUNCHEON” WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 26TH 2005. NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM. B’HAM

I am delighted to announce to you all that we are returning to the National Motorcycle Museum.At this point on behalf of the TTRA members congratulations to Mr Roy Richards and all his staff for accomplishing such an achievement in such a short time.
As you will see this year the date has changed to Wednesday October 26th.2005. This is due to fact that we always hold the luncheon the day before “Press Day” at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and they have changed their date this year. I sincerely hope that it will not affect your plans and if any of you wish to make a ‘couple of days away’ for the event I have secured a room rate at a Hotel not far from the Museum. Please do not hesitate to contact me early for more details.

I would like to thank everyone for being so generous at the last Luncheon and it was a great day which was made very enjoyable by our Guest of Honour Mr Geoff Duke O.B.E. who kept everyone glued to his stories.
We were also honoured to have one of our Patrons with us Mr Michael Sutton who is always generous quietly to the TTRA. Thank you Mr Sutton.
Thank you to Geoff Cannell for being M.C assisted by our Town Cryer Barrie McQueen.
There also is a thank you to everyone who donated such interesting items from lovely framed pictures, an unusual Ring, 2 separate days at Goodwood, Revival and Festival of Speed, which was donated by our Patron Earl of March. To the receipients Don’t forget to contact me in good time for the relevant details to help you enjoy the day at Goodwood. As always there were the fun items and we had, wait for it, a Chastity Belt,that caused a few laughs…. I won’t split on who gave that. I actually bid and got a highly coloured felt soldier type hat, now I am wondering what is the story about it. Can anyone help on that one I am curious. As you can see all in all we had some fun and also raised a considerable amount of money. Thank you everyone.

MEMBERS NEWS.

Through the winter months we have been receiving messages from and about some of our members and I thought it would be nice for you to know about them.
Alan Shepherd made it to the Annual Luncheon in November thanks to nursing staff, family and friends. Although it was a very a long day he thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and we received thank you cards from his family and friends to say so.
Ray Pickrell was another gentleman who although in poor health made it, thanks to good friends who arranged to bring him in a helicopter which certainly was a swell way of arriving on the Golf course next to the Centennial Centre.
Helmut Lunneman has sent cards to let us know that he is improving and is looking forward to making the Island again sometime and also the luncheon when he can.
Dave Saville We do keep in touch with Dave and family and like him to know that we are always thinking about him. He is always keen to have visitors, so if you are in his area please pop in to see him for a short visit. He likes to know what is going on in the Bike World.
Ray Fay has now moved to be cared for. He is very happy and would be pleased to have callers. Thank you to one of our members for updating me on Ray.
Jon Worthington A newsy letter was received from him in France reminding me of some of his happy memories especially Scarborough Circuit.
John Hurlestone keeps in touch by modern technology e.mails and seems to be keeping very well.He has been keeping me informed lately of one or two members who have not been well.
John Holder been under the weather but seems to be picking up again.
Jerry Turner a little under the weather and been in hospital but picking up again.
Jim Scaysbrook contacted me from Australia all well down there.
Gerhard B Heukerott sent a letter from Germany enquiring about some members and sends his regards to everyone who knows him and Andrea.
Rod Coleman sent good wishes and said that he has had some reconditioning. 4 new oil pipes,2 new suspension bushes, 2 new eyes so is feeling pretty good.
Pat Hennan is well and living in California letter received from him. Looks forward to the Bulletin.

We have some news of Peter Williams our President in 2000 who helped us a great deal with the formation of the “Friends”. He has recently been working for the airship company ATG at the old R101 hangar at Cardington but sadly all their money has floated away!
Peter previously worked for Lotus and Cosworth and possesses a rich vein of engineering expertise. He says he would like to stay in harness doing any kind of work. so give him a call on 01637 881330 if you would like to talk to him or know people who would.

THE “38TH MILESTONE”

Following on from Bulletin 53. How did I become involved ?

Tom & I became residents of the Isle of Man in the early 80’s and were good friends of Phoebe and Cromie McCandless and they invited us to what I now know as the AGM for the MGPRA with a cuppa and sandwich but this morning there was going to be an official opening of a Portacabin. I remember us going along and there were about a dozen or more and Robin Sherry had the key as he had arranged to get this set up. Bob Dowty,Eddie Crooks,Ivan Rhodes,John Hammond, Cromie and other familiar faces were there.I have a couple of old photos of the occasion. This portacabin had been purchased by the MGPRA and TTRA from a firm in Manchester. The following year when it was the TT races we called in and it was just a shell with some hired plastic garden chairs and Allan Robinson was holding fort with some cans of drinks and the guest book and some regalia to sell for the TTRA. I offered to look after the “shop” while Allan nipped off …….
The following winter was pretty rough up at the Grandstand and the winds actually moved the portacabin which caused some concern and members of the MGPRA who live locally arranged to chain it down. Somewhere in that period Allan asked Tom if he would keep an eye on it through the winter for the TTRA. as we lived here that was no problem. Time moved on and Tom and I questioned why nothing was being done with it to make it more comfortable and pleasant realising why this had been purchased. Suggestions were made and both the TTRA and MGPRA were happy to finance the changes to come. More next bulletin 55…………

As I draw to the end of this bulletin and hope that there are bits of news in to interest you I would again like to thank those of you who have taken the time to keep me informed about members one way or another, thank you for being generous in whatever way you have chosen, be it donations,
Subs being renewed, Auction items for the Annual Luncheon and also for participating in the bidding at the Auction which is our only “Official Fund Raising” for all the good that this Association does.

Best wishes to you all

Frances Thorp. (Secretary)