At the Eastern Regional Luncheon an additional trophy will be presented, this is the Ron Fisher Memorial Trophy, presented in his memory by his family.
Ron was the Eastern Regional Secretary for about 20 years and the trophy was originally awarded to the fastest rider in the West Suffolk Wheelers Tricycle 25 mile Time Trial run from 1984 to 1997.
In 2010 the Bill Gridley offered the trophy to the Eastern Region and it was decided to present it, with effect from 2011, to the Eastern Region member recording the highest mileage in the National Tricycle Association Mileage charts, covering the same period; i.e. 1st October until 31st September.
The following Eastern Region members are recorded in John Lewis' Mileage Charts:
Martin Badham - 7,685;
David Cannon - 2,876;
Sian Charlton - 1,002;
Alan Nye - 3,242;
Andrew Pattle - 1,505;
Roy Prockter - 2,358;

The region tied with the Midland for highest number of members recording mileage.

Looking forward to 2012, I believe Martin will have his work cut out to keep the trophy with Jane Swain stacking trike-miles in on audaxes.

Five Eastern Region members congregated at the popular Farm Shop Café in the centre of South Norfolk known as 'Goodies'. Adrian Perkin, Martin Badham, Dave Cannon, Roy Prockter and Regional Captain Ferg Muir arrived and partook of refreshments before trundling further south to Billingford 'Horseshoes'. Being situated just north of the border, only those from Suffolk and beyond needed to pack their passports.
We were joined there by Guy Bolton on a moped conversion and Mike Keen and Freda who had motored down from the 'Straw Bear Festival' in Whittlesea where they had been wassailing with Dancers (Morris and others of the ilk). Mike and Freda are custodians of the Lea Valley RC club hut where Ferg has arranged the March weekend (3rd/ 4th) - accommodation is also available on the 2nd.
After a good meal which satisfied even the chairman until the following morning, a few bevvies and plenty of mardling we all went our separate ways home.

Thankyou Ferg for another good days trundle.

The February meet is the Annual Luncheon at the Manger in Bradfield Combust (IP30 0LW), bookings £12 to Martin Badham asap. The chairman will also be at 'Sweetmeats' café in Water Street, Lavenham at 10:30 to lead a run to the Manger.

“Bracing” was the best word to describe conditions for the TA East 25 at Wortwell on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. There was bright sunshine but a chilly WNW wind which blew across the A143 into rider’s faces throughout the two legs from Bungay to Redenhall. On the reverse legs, unfortunately, banks, hedges and woods “protected” riders from much of the help they might have expected.

Scratchman John Dupen rode his tri-spoked Roberts trike to a convincing win in 1:11:32. Peter Holland had an equally clear-cut top spot in the handicap. Miles done in preparation for next month’s Sussex 24 Hour helped him to 1:17:58 yielding a net time of 1:6:06. Second on handicap was Ferg Muir (net 1:10:59, actual 1:27:27) while Alan Nye was a non-starter.

Afterwards six members adjourned to Billingford “Horseshoes” to restore energy levels

See Results.

The Annual Lunch was held on the 6th February at the Manger at Bradfield Combust.
The chairman arrived in Lavenham for the coffee meet as has become traditional. Herman Ramsey, Roger Akers and his son Callum were there along with Callum's friend Emma on the back of Roger's tandem. While we exchanged pleasantries, Mick Madgett rolled (literally) up with a fractured drive axle that he had sustained 5 miles short of Lavenham. Deciding that these little problems are best solved over a cup of coffee we went into 'Sweetmeats' to discuss options, joining Bill Ives who was already ensconced. The chairman was tempted by 'cheesy crumpets' to accompany his coffee, but never imagined that this meant four crumpets! They were delicious - but....

Regional Secretary, Roy arrived a l'auto with room for a disabled tricycle so Mick's immediate problem was solved. His main complaint being that after 30 odd milesof head-wind he was to be cheated of the reward.

John & Margaret Davis

Ferg and I caught the train to Chelmsford and rode to meet most of the party at a café by the locks on the Chelmer. The cutting north westerly was instrumental in my choice of Beans on Toast to accompany my coffee.
Then the four of us, Ian Mackenzie and Tom Fogg joined us for elevenses, rode through several lanes showing evidence of The Flood, see attached, to Maldon, picking up Roy Procktor on the way.
Ferg took us out on the prom to view Lord Byrthtnot’s statue still defying the Viking invaders. The wind hadn’t got any warmer so a hasty retreat to the public bar of the Queen’s Head was called for. Over a couple of pints of Puck’s Folly and an excellent lunch we put the world to rights again and welcomed Dave Huffey, who arrived traditionally late having suffered navigation problems.
We adjourned to the ‘Blue Boar’ to sample some of their home brewed ale before leaving the 15th Century tap room to head for home. Iain headed south and the rest of us went north, Tom, the local, saw us to the town limits where Roy, having a longer ride ahead than the rest of us, trundled off. Ferg and I accompanied Dave to his turning before bashing on to Colchester, punctuated by Ferg’s front tyre, and the train home.

Ferg's expedition for June was to visit Tendring District with the object of visiting Frinton on Sea for tea and to inspect the architectural gems therein, with especial notice to be taken of the public loos on the esplanade.
Seven tricyclists congregated at the 'Rose & Crown' in Thorpe-le-Soken for an al-fresco lunch before embarking on the ride. Heading for the minor road through Kirby-le-Soken we took a diversion down a trtack that had been recently treated with tar and chippings. This ran out half way to the waterfront, where Brian,on his light tyres, decided that it was a good time to go about some family business and would meet us later. The track finally met the River Crouch at Landermere, where we were treated to a splendid vista across the estuary. We returned to the metalled road and through Kirby-le-Soken to arrive at Frinton Gates. We crossed the level crossing to enter the town and proceeded towards the esplanade. Nobody felt the need to visit the loo when we got there, nor the thatched one a bit further down the coast so we set off to 'The Chocolate Parlour' where Martin discovered that the bolts on his left shoe had loosened sufficiently for the cleat to be unaffected by twisting his foot. The pedals fitted had the tensioning screw at an angle that rendered them inaccessible while the shoe was in place, so he had to visit the parlour wearing only one shoe. After a second bout of putting the world to rights, over various pots of tea or cups of hot chocolate, with 'All the trimmings', we began to disperse. Most of us heading back to Thorpe-le-Soken where the main split occurred. Ferg, Martin and Brian sped through the lanes back to Manningtree where Ferg and Martin boarded the Norwich train, Martin still in one shoe when off the barrow.
By the time he got home the bolts had loosened enough that Martin was able to separate cleat from shoe, access the tensioning screw, remove the cleat and reassemble with added pressure applied to the Allen key.

In a break from tradition, Ferg summoned the troops to forgather at the 'White Horse' in the little Suffolk village of Edwardstone. Seven bodies turned up, Dave Cannon, Ferg, Geoff Morse, Alan Nye, Ian Charity and Martin Badham. The latter taking his new Trykit machine on her maiden voyage.
Some time was spent sampling the beer, brewed on the premises, while discussing the new acquisition, before we repaired within to explore the menu. Home-made burgers, veggie and wild bunny, were popular and the chairman's fish, chips and mushy peas were excellent.
Emerging into the spring sunshine, we then headed for the local ford, where the captain set sail alone, while we all watched.

Final port of call was Groton Woods, a piece of ancient woodland dating back to the Bronze Age, long before Carbon Fibre. Beneath a canopy of blossoming cherry, on a carpet of wood anemone, we strolled through the managed woodland. Piles of coppiced hazel lay around, the birds sang, bees bumbled, god was in his heaven and everything was right in the world.
Then it was time to head for home.

A pleasant sojourn into southern Suffolk.

More picture in East Gallery

A trip south into Essex for Ferg Muir to sample the delights of their fords.
We met at the 'Paper Mill Lock' café, the Eastern chairman arriving as the rest were leaving, having had to walk up a few frozen hills in the Stour Valley.
Accompanying Ferg and Martin on this expedition were Gordon Biggs and his partner Gloria, Mick Smith and Tom Fogg.
The first on the agenda was in Hurrells Lane near Little Baddow. At 3 feet deep we bowed to discretion and took to the footpath and bridge.
Next was near Thorn Farm, Danbury which was more amenable at only a foot deep. After Ferg punted across using a branch, Martin led the rest through.
Then it was time for lunch at the Cricketer's Arms overlooking a pleasant valley. The sun shone warmly on the patio tables, so we lunched alfresco.
After taking 3 hours to get there, the chairman headed northwards while the others inspected Nounsley ford. Discretion was again employed due to the 2' 6" depth on the guage.

The Eastern Reginal Lunch was held at Bradfield Combust 'Manger' on 7th February.
The 'Smoker's Hole' was taken over by tricycles, accompanied by an Ordinary, a Moulton and a tandem bike, it was kind of the pub to provide shelter for our machines.
Thirty diners sat down to the excellent fare provided, spiced with some lively cross-toasting. The new National Captain, Dave Hardy, was introduced and then handed the Trophies and Certificates to those recipients present. Major prize winner was Adrian Perkin, returning to tricycling after many years climbing. He was presented with the Regional 12 hour cup and the Jack Covington Memorial Plaque, inherited from the now defunct London East Region, for the Summer 25. He also collected a large bag of medals, which he then took home on his trike, into a headwind bound for Loddon in Norfolk.

Not an official run, merely an exploratory expedition into fellow eccentrics of the country.
Mike Moody and the Chairman arrived at the Bricklayers to join Dave Cleverley for a glass or so before repairing to the HQ in the rain.
Despite weather and officialdom the procession departs, an hour late but what the heck. Many of the dancers are clad in colour coded cycling capes and shrug off the wet in their dances. After the promenade to Market Street the dancing started in earnest.
Mike and I investigated a Kentrax trike in the local bike shop before warming up with a bowl of delicious goulash, then back to the fray, and the beer. Many pubs were holding a Beer Festival and at the 'Falcon' (nice CTC Sign) we were entertained by the Mummer's play about St. George and Beelzebub, following the death and recovery of the noble saint we went on to the Hero of Aliwal, meeting Richard Hall of Stowmarket pursuing the King's Men, of whom he was a domestique or something. I hope he found them in the end.
After the Hero we popped our heads in the 'Boat', standing room only, then chatted some more with Mr Cleverley on the bridge over the 'Cut'.
Finally back to the main square for the final presentation of the the dances, with opportunity for participation. The final Trike connection was made when I heard the dulcet tones of Mike Keen, front end of the Tandem trike in the Breckland 12 last summer, who was behind us with fellow Lea Valley tricyclist Ian Taylor. All in all, a glorious way of spending a damp day, though from lunchtime on it stopped raining. By Sunday morning the sun was shining. Maybe we'll make it an official do next year.

In response to requests for meetings accessible to the more southerly members of the region, expanded since the demise of London East region, Ferg organised a meet at the 'Viper' public house in Mill Green, just to the west of Ingatestone on the first weekend of December.
Starting from my mother's house in Sudbury, I embarked on a 35 mile ride into the headwind, bating at the café in Writtle opposite the Agricultural College with Gordon Biggs, John and Margaret Davis, Mike Smith and Jane. Ferg was unable to be present at this juncture as the train he intended catching was cancelled.
Suitably refreshed, we set off on two tandem and two solo trikes through the golden countryside, for just a glimpse of the rushing motorists on the A12 before the long gradual climb to the pub. Set amongst the trees, it has a superb location and apparently is exceedingly popular during the summer. We arrived a little before opening time, but discussion of possible loops to extend the mileage managed to use up the intervening minutes so, to my great relief, we entered the portals on the heels of the unbolter.
Judging by the custom on this December day, summer business must be very great as there was no shortage of custom, the beer was good and the food excellent of sufficient quantity for cyclist's appetites. The half-dozen were joined by Charles Todd, John Yates and John Taylor. Ferg arrived having had to ride from Shenfield rather than the planned Chelmsford and Roy Prockter claimed the longest distance of the day with 77 kms.
About 3 o'clock I managed to drag myself away for a wind assisted ride home, testing my new wet-weather gear over the last 9 miles.

Ferg's October offering to us was a glorious autumnal trundle along the southern slopes of the Waveney valley.
Starting with an elevenses meet at the tea-rooms at Thornham Walks with Adrian Perkin on the winter trike, John Dupen on his newly refettled Robert's barrow, Andrew Pattle mounted on a James, Richard Hall on a Raleigh Lenton conversion, Dave Cannon, Bill Ives. Mike Moody, Roger Akers and Emma on tandem trike and Ferg on the Kingfisher conversion.
Callum Akers (Moulton) and Martin Badham ('36 Raleigh) comprising the two wheeled minority.
Having taken over the tea-rooms for long enough, we then meandered to Thornham Parva for a visit to Basil Spence's grave. The top being twice A0 (end to end) with engraving demonstrating modern paper sizing. Thence across the busy A140 to Eye, Hoxne where Adrian and John headed Bungay bound, and the rest of us crossed the Waveney to Norfolk and Billingford 'Horseshoes'.
The numbers were made up again by discovering Sian Charlton and new Regional Secretary Roy Prockter already established.
We enjoyed our selection from the menu available, washed down with well kept ale, being later joined by Alan Nye and Linda Moody, come to take Mike home.
So the party began to head homewards, some south, some west and the Norwich boys, Ferg, Dave and Martin north.
Thankyou Ferg for a splendid days excursion. Next months meeting is at the 'King's Head' at Bildeston. Good food, good beer brewed on the premises and 'Life-Cycles' shop, open on Sunday, just down the road.

More images on East Gallery

Ferg held another morning's bash through the Suffolk fords.
As I was stocking up with provisions at Rickinghall Farmers' Market, and encouraging the lady baker to try a trike, I missed the earlier parts of the day. Meeting was at the Museum of East Anglian Life at Stowmarket, followed by a ford.
The publicised ford is at Great Ashfield. I got there shortly before 12, took some photos, crossed and re-crossed the ford and repaired to The White Horse in Badwell Ash.
A fine inn with solid walls and tortuous passages, when I arrived the bar was empty except for the bar-maid, peeling spuds. She served me with a pint and I sat awaiting the others.
They came in, in dribs & drabs. First was Dave Huffey, followed a short while later by Alan Austin who explained that the others were in the car-park mending punctures.
Eventually Ferg, Andrew and Jane and Graham arrived and we could settle down to some lunch.
A convivial time was had and we exited the pub in brilliant sunshine and drizzling rain. We were rewarded by a rainbow a little later as Ferg and I sped with a howling tail-wing back to Diss. Due to an imminent change in parking fees and the machines being calibrated in readiness, parking on Saturday was free. No complaints from me there.
Dropped Ferg off on the outskirts of Norwich then home to clean a pair of shoes, iron a shirt and grab a bath and shave in 45 minutes. Then drive over to the Club Dinner near East Dereham.
More photos in the East Gallery.