2022 Summer BBQ
The Surrey Section dining at the 2022 BBQ
Great fun was had by all and many thanks to Simon Smith for hosting the BBQ again in 2022
The line up of bikes on Simon’s lawn
Phil Hannam and his 1962 Manxman
Surrey Section BBQ Sunday 18th June 2022
The Surrey section had their annual BBQ at Simon Smith’s house or should I say country estate. Simon and his lovely wife, Martina, organised it all, and we had ten members of the Surrey section come along to the BBQ. Ken Rawlinson and I came on bikes, and when we left where I live, it was very over cast. When we got to Bletchingly the road up to Simon’s house was blocked due to road works being carried out. This meant that Ken and I had to use another road and ended up getting lost. We then saw the diversion sign, and Ken followed that with me trying to keep up. Ken finally saw Simon’s road and we made it into his back field.
Ken rode his 1965 Norton Atlas, which he has restored. Dave Copper rode his 1932 500cc International. This has such a loud exhaust and Dave has explained that children hold their hands over their ears when he rides past where he lives. Phil Hannam brought along his 1962 Manxman 650. I rode my factory experimental oil in frame, frame Matchless twin with the 646cc G12CSR engine. This frame was constructed, by the AMC experimental workshop at Plumstead ten full years before BSA, and Triumph brought out their own oil in frame bikes. If it had gone into production, and the unit twin engine had been used, to be placed in to that frame, then may be Norton’s history may have had a different ending. If only springs to mind. It is all conjecture of so many what if and may be, but the UK motorcycle industry did have some very advanced and talented designers, and forward thinking and very talented engineers.
The day progressed with some sunshine and then we had some not to heavy showers, but it was a very good day out for the Surrey section. We try to have a BBQ every year, for our members. Simon Smith is an integral part of the Surrey section team, as he stores and transports all our section equipment to our shows for us.
A huge thank you to both Simon, and Martina for arranging this BBQ for the Surrey section, on the day.
