Outgoing L&L reps Frank Goodman & Pete Rogers, shown here preparing to eject a troublemaker at last year's Blackpool Light Parade awards ceremony
The Regional AGM that could have been another Bun Fight at the Marriott Hotel was held on January 11th and turned out to be a much quieter affair than might have been anticipated – it was over in not much more than half an hour. And the Christmas Party the night before went well too.
There was one sulky table when it was announced who had won Winger of the Year and the same table remained seated when everyone else stood to applaud the outgoing Regional Committee for their hard work, but everyone else seemed to have a great time.
The retiring Reps, Frank Goodman and Pete Rogers were visibly unburdened as they finished their bit at the AGM. They had been determined to finish their job with integrity and to provide a civilised opportunity for a handover, which they achieved.
There was a distinctly pregnant pause in proceedings because there had been no nominations for Rep and it had to be made clear the Region would fold (and its £4,000 plus of reserves would therefore go to GWOCGB central funds) unless someone would be the Rep. Two of the three women who have been conspicuously critical within Lancs & Lakes during the second half of 2008 eventually stepped up to do the Rep’s job jointly. And the third one has taken another post. They’ve done the criticising; now they get the chance to do something positive to salvage the Region’s future.
And then, after the AGM closed, Bob Summers announced that he was leaving GWOCGB and, as its Chairman Designate, he also announced the inaugural meeting of GoldWings North West, to be held at the same venue on Sunday February 1st. Wingers in the North West will be able to join a local Club and/or a GWOCGB Region if they want to for 2009.
There can’t be many in the UK GoldWing Community who want to perpetuate the battles of 2008 although, believe it or not, there has been a Thread on GWOCGB’s Forum in the last few days in which a handful of diehards have nailed their flag to the mast for 2009; “I’m not playing if he’s in the team”, that sort of thing. Even the date chosen for the 2009 Blackpool Light Parade is a conspiracy in their eyes. But who misses people who bite their noses off to spite their faces in the vain hope that they will spoil a good party? Other contributors have encouraged them to can it and move on and the Thread has now been locked by the Webmaster to prevent further discussion. Maybe, just maybe, that will be the end of the belligerence.
And so, as an ex Lancs & Lakes Member, and indeed as the person they voted Winger of the Year for 2008, for which I am extremely grateful, I wish the remaining Members of Lancs & Lakes Region every enjoyment for 2009. I hope we can greet each other in a friendly way, as Wingers should, when our paths cross during 2009.
I also wish GWOCGB well for its future. I hope it can concentrate on doing what its Members want it to do for their enjoyment, without getting bogged down trying to prevent others from doing something different.
Hopefully GWOCGB Members will wish the same to GoldWings North West and the Federation too. These are both positive developments which will create variety and choice. It shouldn’t be a contest, especially a destructive one.
although personally saddened by the events which have beleagued the lancs and lakes region in 2008. I like many,now hope that 2009 will bring new purpose, to all involved with lancs and lakes, and goldwings north west. and that the past soon becomes a very distant memory, for all parties affected, i wish you all a very successful, and happy 2009 and the best of luck with all your ventures
lets remember we all have a common goal, enjoying our wings.
the hand of friendship should always be extended, in the hope that it will be received so bridges can be crossed.
“appy” winging
barry
Well done on your winger of the year award Stuart and best wishes to all concerned in 2009…….Cheers…..Papajoe
An Outsiders view of a club and a party!
We have just completed our first six months as “wingers” and what fun we have had, we have met other wingers at Rivington Barn, gone on the Manchester toy run, done the light parade (wow), Gisburn and tried the Preston Fish Market, we missed 2 other wingers by 5 minutes, did a cold and lone vigil and then came home.
We attended 2 lancs and lakes meetings but were advised to wait until January to join to give us a full 12 months membership of the national club.
Unfortunately we joined in at a turbulent time for the club and hadn’t realised to belong to lakes and Lakes we also had to belong to the National club. Now I am a easy going girl and the amount not being a fortune hadn’t much of a problem with that, hubby however is a different matter and doesn’t like nationals, giving monies to faceless and unknown people, who then make decisions on your part, whether you like them or not. But again we were advised that membership anyway should wait until January.
Having met various members at the different days we had attended we came along to the Christmas Party.
It was a bit strange not knowing many people there but my sister and her friend who were on the way to Manchester from Penrith and were staying the night at ours came to so that was nice. Thank goodness they did. The room looked lovely, the tables dressed so nicely, all set up for 6, however the other 2 people that should have been sat at our table moved, it left us sat on our own whilst another table now had eight around it. I always thought the idea of a “social do” was to be socialable with other people and to make newer members welcome.
The food was served and again very enjoyable, then came the presentations. I know from reading different blogs that some folk had fallen out with Stuart, but, from what I understood the members vote for winger of the year and yet some people where very audible about not agreeing with it, but hey fair enough, we cant like all the people all of the time!
Then came the time to stand and toast the out going committee. Now I am sorry if I get this wrong, but surely a committee is voted in by members at a AGM, so therefore you are putting the running of your club in the elected committees hands for the next 12 months, to make any decisions on your behalf, and even when you don’t agree with all the things decided you have to run along with them unless you can place a vote of no confidence in them with a majority of members backing it. What that table did when it came to the toast was incomprehensible, if they had stood and toasted the fact that the 2008 elected committee was at last going it would have been better than staying sitting down. Sorry folks but that is almost school boy tactics and at now I am aged 40+ left those tricks behind a long time ago.
So I guess through those few people it really made our minds up, we wouldn’t be joining either Lancs and Lakes or GWOCGB now. We will give the new club a try, as then our monies and time will stay with the club in our region, doing things for our region. Who knows it may still have the playground tactics that L & L showed at the party, it may not, if it does I guess Barry and I will be riding on our own because the reason we bought the goldwing was to have fun, and hopefully have fun with other like minded people who want to leave their worries and cares behind for the freedom of the open road
Regards
Lesley
Lesley
Sorry you had to experience the politics that sometimes happens within clubs such as you did. It was great however to hear that you enjoyed the Christmas Dinner Dance at the Swallow, a lot of planning and hard work goes into that evening, glad you enjoyed it. The silly awards probably didn’t make any sense being a relatively new member, but they were all justly deserved due to the mistakes and funny antics of the recipients during the year at various events. They represent a lot of fun that has taken place throughout the season. If you’re not careful you may be on the receiving end of one next year.
Don’t be too disheartened about the behaviour of the people you mentioned in your post. They have the same passionate feelings and beliefs about their club and the direction they want to take it as we do about our new Goldwing’s North West.
I look forward to seeing you both at our first meeting.
As an ex member of Lancs and Lakes and one of the resigning committe I really welcome your comments.
We look forward to 2009 and our new club formation next month. It will be like a breath of fresh air to have friendship and camaraderie once again at the heart of our meetings. There will be lots of events,ride outs etc. planned and we will welcome you and Barry unreservedly and hope that you will enjoy the forthcoming events whenever you can join us. Hope you managed to pick up one of our flyers about our first meeting that were being handed out after the AGM. If not, our first meeting is at The Swallow Hotel 10am on Sunday 1st February.
If you require any additional information you can email Stuart…the man in the know !!
Again look forward to seeing you both.
Regards,
Lynette