SOC ANNUAL GATHERING at ABBOTSHOLME

[David J Waring]

On behalf of John Bones & myself, may I say how enjoyable today’s Gathering was, in the relaxed countryside setting of Abbotsholme school, meeting friends old & new. In the latter category for many were our most welcome overseas members Eric van Dongen (Netherlands), Carl Stormer & his wife (Norway), a most enthusiastic John Welch (New Hampshire USA) and the Firkin brothers who came all the way from Australia to make sure my late father’s old friend, that Scotting stalwart Ken Lack, put in an appearance from Sheffield.
Just in case the N Irish contingent regard themselves as overseas, I’d better pay heed to Trevor Scott, Graham Moag, John Kidd & co, who are always good fun to meet.
Although I don’t think Scotland has yet been divorced from the “mainland”, I’ll mention the ever cheery Paul & Lenor Rickards [Apologies to anyone I didn’t bump in to]
Then, most importantly, there was a good range of Scotts to mull over on the grass outside the school on a pleasant Summer afternoon.
Those I spoke to who had taken part in the Saturday John Underhill Memorial Run were all singing the praises of the picturesque scenery on the route contrived by Geoff Green.
The Saturday evening Abbotsholme catering & staff service were equally complimented.
An old friend of mine used to say “As one door closes, another door opens”
With the passing of Stanford Hall due to their recent unaffordable finanancial demands, Alfred Scott’s old school of Abbottsholme seems an ideal venue, especially as it permits the expansion of the old one day Gathering into a full weekend event, with good on site accommodation.
This is an excellent development for the SOC – many thanks to Eddie & Margaret Shermer et al for making it possible.

[richard tann]

A posting by John Welch:
As a visiting Club member from the States, I was so delighted and warmed by the gracious reception and kindness shown by everyone in the Scott Club when I attended the Annual Gathering at Abbotsholme. What a lovely setting! The scenery, the rural lanes, the school itself were marvelous. It was a real joy to meet the people whose letters I had read, and who make the Club so interesting. Richard Tann has been my host since I have been here, and he has made the trip memorable. I met so many Club members that it is hard to keep them straight, but especially David Waring, Ian Parsons, Geoff Green, Paul Rickards, Trevor Scott, Mollie and Les Scott stand out in my feeble brain. Eddie and Margaret, Dr (Spike) Pike, Andrew, and Laurie Erwood also were so kind to me. Oh, I have first dibs on Marge’s Figaro!! I had a long and lovely talk with Lewis Onions and can see what an able leader he has been for the Club.
The ride itself, through the spectacular hills and fields, along the country roads, and amidst the sheep and cows was the best ever for me. I had never had such an experience before. Richard generously let me use his TT Rep, and it never failed. My Scott in the US has deep suspicions of getting out of sight of my garage, and usually refuses to travel any farther. The settings for the lunch break and tea were wonderful as well. I need to come back and take a ride on the Kingsley and Froghall railway!
The accomodations and meals were so good, and the staff so helpful that I feel they deserve extra rounds of applause and thanks.
So, to the Club, the hard working officers, and the organisers, and the members, my deepest thanks for a wonderful, enjoyable weekend, such as I have never experienced before. I hope to be back next year, and am hoping that threat will not make you cancel!
Cheers,
John

[Deleted User]

May I add my congratulations on the annual gathering This is the first time that I have come to a SOC meeting (as I have just joined) and as a member of 4 other one make clubs I must say my wife and I were very impressed with the warm way we were welcomed as ‘new faces’. we felt the venue has all the hallmarks of a good traddition (and I speak from a home under an hour from Stamford hall).
All I have to do now is build the beast….

[Deleted User]

may I take this opportunity to thank Eddie & his family for the fantastic organisation at Abbotsholme, the principal of the school for allowing the event to happen, the Staff at abbotsholme for their excellent meals & the SOC (all the usual faces who makes these events happen) for the welcome they showed my two guest the Firkins brothers from Australia, they have been buzzing since they arrived in Ireland about the Gathering & the hospitality they received. I think the gathering & whole weekend has added a whole new dimension to the scott club both in terms of Friendships & prestige of the annual gathering. to all who failed to attend you missed a wonderful bike run on saturday, a fantastic meal on saturday night, an annual gathering with a wide & varied range of machinery, the usual slagging of anyone available & an autojumble which turned up a good selection of new & usable spares…………………..a motorbike club enjoying their bikes & most importantly friendships………..that is what motorbike clubs should be about !
Well done the Shermer family, Abbotsholme school & the SOC…….roll on 2010 !

[Deleted User]

I felt proud to be a member of a club that had enough self esteem to stage an event like Abbotsholme. It was an event of a style that I would have associated with prominent marques such as Brough Superior or Vincent.
Our Scotts are in the top flight of iconic vehicles of unique pedigree.
We have every right to be proud of our Scotts and walk tall.
A great weekend. Well done Eddie, Margaret, Alex and all concerned.
Roger

[Deleted User]

Well, what to add to what has been said above… I had a splendid weekend once more. The School and its personell was fantacstic again as was the very nice cabin I stayed in. The ride out was one on the nicest I had in quite some time. Thanks again Ian for being my front rider, I really enjoyed riding with you!

This was my first Gathering. To be honest, I would not come over for just a Gathering as I am more of a rider than a shower. But that is why this weekend is so good! It caters for everybody, both people that like to ride as well as people that just want to have a look at the bikes on Sunday. Splendid!

Thanks to everyone that made it possible! And of course a very special thanks to Eddie, Margaret and Alex who were so kind to let me stay over at their house on Sundaynight.

Hope to be there next year, maybe with the whole family.

Cheers,
Erik

[Deleted User]

Just to let you all know. I have updated my blog and have placed 225 pictures and one video (of Roger Moss starting his racer) online.

Just visit my blog and enjoy!

Cheers,
Erik

[Deleted User]

I would like to express my sheer delight about the terrific weekend event at Abbotsholme. I am very grateful to Trevor Scott and Richard Duffin who rescued me late on Friday about 15 miles from the school after a breakdown on the A50. You couldn’t ask for a friendlier more prompt breakdown/recovery service! Some food was also put aside down with beer for the latecomer. I was given the keys to the workshop for an early start by the cheerful Eddie Shermer where a mouth-watering selection of bikes was kept overnight. By 7.30 am I had a useful crowd of friendly experts to discuss my 2-speeders kick-start problem. However, it became clear that bump starts were the order of the day. I have never set off in a group of Scotts before, briefly blinded by the temporary white-out, off we all went for a wonderful run through stunning countryside with fantastic views in perfect weather.

Congratulations to David Green et. al. for the run, superbly designed to keep us to great views and avoid modern traffic.

Very well received by the public at Buxton Pavilion Gardens, no trouble parking! Fun afternoon ride to Churnet Valley Railway. Great facilities at the school, so freshened up with a shower for excellent dinner in the evening. Everyone nice and mellow after some wine/beer. Meet many new good folk, lots of interesting stories and tips for newbie’s like me.

Thanks again to all those who had put in such hard work to make the weekend the success it was. I encourage all those who have thought about going but not got around to it – go, you will love it.

To any at the meet who are wondering about my return journey, relatively smooth 100 miles in 2hrs 40 mins.

James

[Deleted User]

I joined the Club only last Xmas and my bike is very unglamorous but I have to say that the Annual Gathering was brilliant, idyllic venue, warm friendly welcome, good food and everyone so friendly and helpful, lots of good advice. What a grand route for our ride to Buxton and back, really well thought out and the route directions easy to follow even for a complete stranger. Lots of work msut have gone into every aspect of the weekend, I can’t wait for next year, especially blasting over the moors with the other Scotts.

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