Friday 18th July 2025 - 10:00am. It's rally time! The sun is shining brightly, time to get started on setting up for the weekend. We have a well oiled team, Marcus brings the marquee in "Herman", Mary-Anne organising where everthing is to go, and the rest of us mucking in where needed. The campsite behind the "Gate Hangs High" pub is filling up fast. We've seemed to have clashed with the local Hook Norton Brewery Beer Festival. No worries, as it all adds to the atmosphere. Members are arriving throughout the afternoon in tents, caravans and campervans. The vans set themselves up in the corner creating what looks like a traveller’s encampment!!! Then the local Fire Engine turned up and sprayed their hoses all over the play area where the local school had their end of term party – great to cool us all down too! However, we didn’t need cooling on Saturday morning, which started off on a damp note – it had been raining since the early hours. Where did yesterday's sun go? We decided to delay the Poker Run for an hour to assess the weather. After that hour had passed we had to delay for a further hour as the rain was not abating! Just passed midday, it was down to a drizzle, with sun shining way of yonder. Let's go! Because of the delay we had to cut the run short. First stop was at Toddington Steam Railway Centre. After lunch, with the sun shining brightly (remember Friday?), I decided to take off my waterproof overtrousers. That was a big mistake - after riding through the Cotswold’s in the sunshine the heavens opened, depositing a month’s worth of rain just as we were approaching Abingdon on the way to Infinity. We were all completely wet through, so decided enough was enough and it was back to the campsite for us! After handing out five playing cards to each who had braved the ride, and to those who contributed but didn't brave the weather, we had three winning poker hands. First prize of a £50 voucher from Infinity went to Nigel Herman from the Reading branch, second prize of a meal voucher from The Jolly Boatman won by Erica Gassor, and the third prize of an SW-Tech Tank Bag, donated by Ted German, went to Mary-Anne Gilmer. Many thanks to those that took part, even those that choose not to ride (right decision!) as we raising £280 for Helen & Douglas House Children’s Hospice. Many thanks to our prize donators, it is very much appreciated. Saturday night, after a make shift BBQ, was boogie night - Ska actually. A local band entertained us with music ranging from Madness to UB40, The Specials to Bob Marley. We were all bopping until the early hours. Bacon butties for Sunday morning, then it was time to decamp and say farewell. The rainy weather didn't dampen our spirits too much, with a jolly good time had by all. Roll on next year where we've had a word and booked sunshine for the whole weekend!!! Mark Clargo – Oxford Chair
