The weather forecast was better, but still not good, so five Branch members set off on a short ride to Popham. It didn’t rain and the temperature was mild although the roads were still wet and there were a lot of puddles. After refreshments in the cafe we set off for home and even had some dry roads on the ride back. We all arrived home in the dry. Here are some photos.
The Branch Annual General Meeting was held on 12 February 2026 at the BCSA. There were 32 members in attendance. The existing committee members were re-elected, with Steve Yarwood continuing in his role as scribe, but standing down as Vice Chairman. Graham King was elected to the committee as Vice Chairman and Graham Steele was elected to the committee as Runs Coordinator. All other members of the previous committee continued in their existing roles. See here for more details of the committee.
Below is the report published in the March 2026 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in January 2026
With snowdrops and daffodils blooming on verges and in gardens, these sentinels of spring promise winter is in the rear view mirror and warmer roads ahead. Weekly ride-outs are still well attended even though the weather, at times, remind us that it’s still well and truly winter.
From a recent committee meeting I was actioned to relay the following advice: A branch member was in need of a special tool for his Meriden twin and spoke to a committee member regarding the purchase of the tool for the branch’s use. Well it was assumed by said committee member that the branch member had consulted the tooling register for an existing tool and/or contacted Mike Ryall, Tooling Registrar and subsequently gave the “go-ahead”. On presenting the tool and receipt for refund it was discovered, you’ve guessed it, the tool already existed on the register, so now we have 2 off. The lesson to learn here is, please check the register on the branch website, Go Menu, Resources, Tools, here, TOMCC Berkshire Club Tools (latest version shown); or, of course, check with Mike Ryall. Please, before you purchase a tool on behalf of the branch, check, because you may well be disappointed…. Action complete.
Now coming up on 5th March, at the BCSA, is a presentation by John Bottomley: “The evolution of the motorcycle”. John was well received with his presentation last year and we asked him back. This time he chronicles inventions and innovations necessary for the development of the motorcycle (including cars), starting in 3400BCE. My first thought was that must refer to the “Flintmobile” that Fred drove! However, I could be proved wrong…
Ride fast and safe
Bibendum
On a cold, but dry February morning, six members rode out to the Departure Lounge Cafe near Alton, the only cafe we know with an aircraft fuselage attached. Here are some photos of the ride.
John Bottomley will be giving a presentation to the TOMCC Berkshire Branch and invited guests on Thursday 5 March 2026, starting at 8pm at the BCSA.
John will chronicle the Inventions and Innovation necessary for the development of a motorcycle starting in 3400 BC and finishing in early 20th Century when the audience can then add their own knowledge and motoring experience . It is focused on motorcycles but does apply to cars. John will use a few examples of machines, but it is not a chronology of early bikes , or cars.
John is a former engineer and has ridden motorcycles off-road and on the track all his adult life. He also started the motorcycle team at Brooklands Museum.
John gave an excellent presentation to us last year on GP Racing Development which was well attended and everybody enjoyed it. So we’re looking forward to another great evening with John.
Below is the report published in the February 2026 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in December 2025
Well, I hope everyone is settled into 2026 and haven’t broken any resolutions made (rashly in some cases, like my own) on NYE!
December 7th saw a cool, damp, Reading Toy Run. This was well attended by branch members who were either marshalling or joining in the fun on the run itself. Well done to all who made the effort to make a difference to under-privileged children across the region.
On the final club night of 2025, at the BCSA, we held our annual festive Christmas buffet. An event gratis to branch members + 1. Quite simple cuisine was served by BCSA’s new caterers and feedback from those in attendance would be appreciated. Just make your comments (sensible please!) known to any committee member. These will be reviewed at the next committee meeting to seek improvements for this year’s event. Whatever your thoughts, there was the usual raffle with great prizes, were you lucky enough to win one?
Just because the weather can be rather inclement, Sunday ride-outs continue, so if you need to blow some cobwebs out of either you or your bike why not join in the fun…
Get your diaries ready to note the date of the Branch AGM on 12th February. Please consider joining the committee, we’re short of members and some are currently covering more than one role. It’s your branch so why not join the committee where you can influence its future.
Ride fast and safe.
Bibendum
A cold, foggy morning saw 6 members set off for the Army Flying Museum in Middle Wallop again.
We have often ridden there and just gone to the cafe. This time Graham went round the museum as well and found some bikes amongst the flying machines as you can see from the photos below.
Here is a video of the ride shot with multiple on board cameras. Take a look.
We need new people to join the Branch Committee to enable the Branch to continue when existing members step down, where existing committee members are covering more than one role or just because having new people join from time to time helps to keep things fresh.
We are a very active Branch and there are a lot of things to organise each year. See this video for a summary of what the Branch does in a typical year or check out the Events page on this website to see what we are doing this currently.
All this takes some organising, and a lot of Branch members contribute in various ways, but there are usually some key people who are critical to making something happen. Some things need continuity, like managing the Branch’s accounts or looking after the Branch’s collection of tools and they really need dedicated effort from one person. The point of having a committee is for the main people organising things to communicate with other, coordinate their activities and collectively agree on what to do. See this description of the current roles on the committee. However, those roles are only a guide. The way the work is divided up has changed in the past to reflect what different people are able to contribute, so we could do that again if needed.
We typically have about six committee meetings a year, which last about two hours each and are held at the BCSA, usually on a Tuesday evening. In addition, the committee has a dedicated Whatsapp group and we also communicate with each other by email.
So if there is something that you could do and you can come to committee meetings, why not stand to be on the committee? You need to be a Full Member of the Branch and must be nominated by two other Full Members at any of the Thursday club nights leading up to the AGM on the nomination sheet that is on the notice board by the bar. There is then a vote at the AGM when the committee is elected. If that all sounds a bit daunting, have a chat to one or more of the existing committee members on a Thursday night and they will be able help you.
We held a Bring & Buy sale at our Thursday Club night on the 15 January 2026 . There was a good turnout of people and a wide variety of motorcycle related paraphernalia on sale from: motorcycle parts, tools, books, magazines and clothing. Some old motorcycle magazines dating back to the 1930’s and 1940’s one sale raised a lot of interest. It was fascinating to read through the advertisements from so long ago. There was hot food and drinks as always, an opportunity to chat to other members. Plenty of people came end enjoyed browsing and seeing if they could grab a bargain.
Here are some photos of the event.
Very cold weather meant that we did not have a Branch ride on New Year’s Day this year. A ride was organised for the first Sunday, the 4th of January, but the day before, the forecast was showing as low as -8C in the night and -2C mid Sunday morning, so most members were reluctant to venture out on their bikes. In the end, two hardy members did meet up for a ride down to Lasham Gliding Club Cafe, and ended up enjoying themselves.
The following week it was cold, but at least it was above zero, and five members went for a ride to the Spitfire Cafe at Popham Airfield and a sixth went by car and met them there.
At least we’ve started the 2026 riding season and we hope for some milder weather in the coming weeks.
