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
KEL PRINCE	Stroud GL5 2DF	Isle of Man IM5 3BJ
President;	Tel/Fax 01453 762255	Tel/Fax 01624 843695
COLIN SEELEY 2007-2008		E.mail francesthorp@manx.net

Hello Members and Friends

It does not seem real that the TT 100 year centenary has passed, but what an exciting fortnight it really was and every one made such an effort to make it an event to remember. The members and families who made their long journeys to be here to join in the celebrations can only be left with wonderful memories and satisfaction that they went to the trouble and mainly the expense to be here on this beautiful Isle of Man. The weather was nothing short of perfect. Thanks to you all for your support.

TTRA Headquarters “ 38th Milestone ” re-positioned at the rear of the Grandstand was enjoyed by everyone and was a great success. Tom and I would like to thank everyone who visited the new Headquarters in the Manx Race weeks also.
Their kind remarks and congratulations were appreciated. We persuaded the Department of Tourism and Leisure to contribute to our costs of refurbishing the 38th and we received £1094 from them in this respect, we also received a donation from Kevin Cubbon one of our “Friends of the TTRA” relating to carpet and blind supply. Many thanks. All the work carried out by Tom and Frances completely free. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible this next TT 2008 and Manx Grand Prix weeks.

THE ANNUAL LUNCHEON 2007

The Annual Luncheon was another great event and everyone enjoyed themselves. We had the outgoing President Nick Jefferies adorning the new President Colin Seeley TT/MGP Sidecar racer with his Chain of Office.
At this point the Committee would like to thank Nick for his input into the meetings he has attended throughout his Presidency taking his position responsibly. After the entrance of the new President on a Seeley G50 bike which was kindly loaned by Malcolm Wheeler he gave us all a very interesting and colourful acceptance speech which because of Colin’s reputation a large clock was produced on the Lectern so that Colin did not over-run. His 5 minute change of clothing after riding in on his motorbike was well out of the time schedule. Colin certainly would not make a quick change artiste.
His speech was humorous at times remembering many familiar names and stories surrounding them which was enjoyed by all.

The luncheon menu was enjoyed by everyone and we would like to thank the National Motorcycle Museum for their assistance and effort to make the event such a success.

FUND RAISING AT THE AUCTION

Thank you for the generosity of many members and friends who helped us to raise such a substantial amount of funds, 2007 was again another exceptionally heavy year for assisting members and families in need of help. You all know the purpose of the TTRA and we do honour our commitments.
Talking of the Luncheon may I draw your attention to the date of the next one November 26th 2008, at  the same venue.
The date change is due to the Motorcycle Show again altering their date. We continue to go with the tradition of the lunch being the day before press day so that members can still attend the opening day.

THE TREASURER’S COMMENTS.

From the point of view of the Treasurer we had a very good financial result ending up with a profit of £10,864 which is a record. This figure is made up of the Auction sale proceeds, the raffle and profit on the sale of tickets.
In addition we had some generous donations presented to us during the Lunch. George Lloyd donated £25.000 in respect of part of the profit made from his helmet marketing enterprise, The Friends of the TTRA donated £12.000 mainly raised through the fantastic efforts of Tony and Pat East at the TT and Manx Grand Prix, Peter Dale donated £1046 which he raised during the year entirely off his own bat and Phil Morris of Classic Legends donated £1000 representing part of the proceeds from his fund raising event in February 2007.
John McGuinness our new member and fantastic lap record holder, many times winner very    kindly signed 1000 sleeves for a Duke Marketing DVD and arranged for a donation to the TTRA of £1 for every DVD sold and so far we have received £822.Magnificent, thank you John. We also had a donation of tickets, paddock passes etc for Goodwood, Moto GP and   Brit Superbikes from Lord March, Mike Trimby and Neil Tuxworth, plus an anonymous donation of a holiday in a French Villa, all sold at our Auction very well. Last but not least two of our Patrons Michael Sutton continues to fund the Bulletin postage costs which is a wonderful donation to receive each year and Mr Kel Prince supplies a name badge for all members attending the lunch and 2007 was a special design for the 100 years centenary of TT. 

As you maybe aware the Lunch is our main fund raising event of the year and the President Officers and Committee thank you all for your continued generous support which enables your Association to assist financially those riders, ex riders and families who for various reasons are less fortunate than most of us.
Also, a big thank you to various donations that we have received from individuals. These came from Birthday collections instead of presents, a special TT100 cake (pieces sold), a talk given to a Vintage M/C Club when a thank you cheque was presented to the speaker who then passed it on to the TTRA, a P.A. system which was donated and gratefully received by the “Friends of the TTRA” and will be used at their fund raising events. A special calendar for 2008 was produced and sold in memory of Alan Shepherd with proceeds to the TTRA. Thank you so much Mr Cross and Alan’s family and friends.  There have been various other financial donations and we are always more than grateful, THANKS TO YOU ALL.

LAP OF HONOUR

I would like to inform you that correspondence has been sent to the Department of Tourism and Leisure and the Members of the House of Keys with regards to the announcement that there would be no Lap of Honour. This was in response to members who are affected by this decision.

GET WELL WISHES

Derek Rumble, In good form but has been having surgery to make (his consultants words) a 73 yr old going on 27 yr old. Wishes to be remembered to you all.
Ron Jones, Queensland. Australia Hope you are now starting to feel better.
Joe Wood. Dublin. Pleased to hear that you are feeling a lot better.
Peter Williams is continuing to make a good recovery after surgery.
Hilary Musson is doing fine and wishes to send her thanks to everyone who has kept in touch and supporting her and she is coming on. Taking time but she is positive.
John Harrowell, living in Gloucester and is 90 years young.
Syd Barnett doing fine and sends his best wishes.
John Parker is doing very well and tells me he is still driving a car and is 88 years young, he was a tester for Rudge Whitworth bikes pre-war.
Ernie Lyons keeps in touch and sends his regards from Bessie and himself.

A VERY SPECIAL 100TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR TTRA HON. MEMBER.

100 years young John McCreddie on St Patricks Day enjoyed his very special birthday A celebration card was sent to him from the Association and he had a fabulous day. He received his card from HRH The Queen, met the Lord Provost ( Mayor), his local MSP (MP) at his party for family and friends and enjoyed it thoroughly including some dancing.
Absolutely remarkable John a big Congratulations.

RETIREMENT

Malcolm Wheeler retired from your Committee at our Lunch and we all thank him for the work carried out for us and particularly for the publicity and support given us by Morton Media and the donations made over the years in respect of the Press trial profits. Thank you Malcolm and Julie for all your help. Following Malcolm’s retirement your Committee co-opted John Hammond to serve in place of Malcolm and he will stand for election at the AGM.
John rode in the various TT’s between 1977 and 1995 and has been press ganged over the years to give help at several of our Lunches for which we were grateful. Welcome John.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

Dan Clark. Halifax Trevor Luck. Australia. Brian Goldthorp. Ireland. Adrian Cooper. Beds. Norman Panton. Liverpool. John J Mines. Darlington Cliff Holland. Shropshire. Derek Plummer. Middlesex. Roger Winterburn. Leics. Colin Thompson. Kent. Jimmy Mann. Essex. Ricky Burrows. Lincs. Mike Cookson. Wales

WHERE ARE YOU NOW

John Ekerold. Germany. Wilhelm Nokk.Germany. Chris Haldane. New Zealand Nicolas Tarvin. Surrey. David Saunders. Swansea Andrew Kinsella. Dublin. Frank Kearn. Dublin Stewart Baldwin. Avon Ian Duffus. Scotland Sandra Barnett, John McNeil, Dave Ashton and Toomb Brothers – Birmingham. Tony Elmer/ Darren Marshall
CAN YOU HELP. STILL TRYING TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE FAMILY OF EDDIE KICKHAM.

FOUND MEMBERS (Please remember to let us have your change of addresses) Martin Rogers, lives in Dublin and is happy to be reunited with the TTRA.

A few noticeboard messages

Manx2.com. Just a mention that they have introduced more flight destinations to the IOM. Check out www.manx2.com or telephone 01624 822111
Hospital & Medical Care Association (HMCA) is introducing benefit plans which includes Private Medical plans with savings of up to 50% and TTRA members interested e.mail hmca@hmca.co.uk or 01423 866985
Photofinders are hoping to stage a photographic exhibition at Laxey Woollen Mills TT week confirmation nearer the time.
Stan Dibben world champion sidecar passenger has launched a new book “Hold On”. Brooklands Centenary Motorcycle Meeting 20th April. www brooklandsmuseum.com

UNDER THE CHEQUERED FLAG

Allan Robinson  MBE 
You will be aware, no doubt, of Allan Robinson’s untimely death and you will know of all the work and effort put in by Allan and Win over many years for the Association during his time as Secretary which everyone appreciated tremendously. Bill Smith kindly spoke at the Lunch praising Allan’s life and work for us and prior to the Lunch your Officers decided it would be very appropriate to institute a Trophy in memory of Win and Allan to be awarded to a person who in your Committee’s opinion had made great efforts for the TTRA’s benefit in the previous year. Arrangements were made and a quality silver rose bowl suitably engraved was commissioned to be awarded perpetually on an Annual basis at the Lunch.

Geoff Cannell -  Sports Radio Commentator the voice of the TT and Reporter just to name a few of the parts he played in and for the Isle of Man always with great enthusiasm, died very suddenly.
Rod Organ - who was the famous Artist for the Motorcycle sport. Died very suddenly.
Eric Parkinson - Eric was first to use a 2 stroke marine engine in a sidecar known as the “Crescent engine“ his wife was his passenger in 1969.
Barry Hodgkinson -   rode in 1956 in the Senior and Junior races
Peter Ryan - awaiting information
George Begg - Australia. Rode in 1956 on a 7R in the Senior and Junior and married a girl from Ballaugh. IOM
Gosta Jensen - Denmark. Rode in the TT1966/1967
Frank Rutter - Liverpool raced in the 1976 Production TT 10 laps race his partner was Mick Poxon.
Roberto Patrignani - Italy was an Author of books and magazines on racing and rode in the 1960 TT and returned in the 1980’s for the parades.
Iris Boddice - widow of the late Bill Boddice (Sidecar) and mother of late President Mick Boddice.

It is so nice to know that many of our past rider members have such a terrific send off and thank you to all who attend on behalf of the TTRA. It is always appreciated by the families concerned. There have been many donations sent to the TTRA in 2007 in lieu of flowers and again I would like to sincerely thank the families for thinking of the Association at such a sad time for them.

Our Condolences were sent to all the families.

Win and Allan Robinson Memorial Trophy
It was decided by your Officers to make the first presentation of the Trophy to Joe Wood our long serving Committee member and Irish representative who has worked hard for many years on our behalf and recruited more members for the TTRA and the Friends of the TTRA than anyone else. Well done Joe.
Unfortunately Joe was unable to attend the lunch as he has not been well but it was received for him by Luke Lawlor for delivery in Dublin on his return.

ISLE OF MAN TT 2008

After attending the Dept of T & L launch. I would say that although there are many changes in the plan for the TT2008 they are definitely trying to make it an exciting event and after the fine tuning I am sure all who participate will thoroughly enjoy themselves and lets just hope we have the fantastic weather that we had last year.
In the meantime, take care of yourselves and the 38th will be open each Practice night and every Race Day, Tom and I will see you there.

Frances Thorp
Secretary

T.T.RIDERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

We hereby inform you of the forthcoming AGM to be held on Tuesday June 3rd 2008 commencing at 8pm. Venue – Masonic Hall. Woodbourne Road. Douglas.

Apologies to be sent in advance to the Secretary

AGENDA

1. The Minutes of the last AGM 2007
2. Hon Secretary’s Report
3. Hon Treasurer’s Report
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

NOTE:

We will be having a Buffet Supper as usual and tickets will be available from   Frances Thorp at the 38th Milestone.

Tickets £10. These must be ordered and paid for in advance so that we can be sure of the numbers to cater for.

• Click here for a printable agenda.