I'm ahead of you. Today (Thursday) I visited both the Mawson Arms and the George & Devonshire, both at the Hogarth roundabout, and took a good look round each. Afraid the news is not very good. Both pubs have turned most of their space into gastropub restaurants with people booking tables for dinner. There is not much room left for sitting about in the ordinary bar. The Mawson clubroom has disappeared, presumably turned into a kitchen. The road outside where we used to park bikes now has double yellow lines. The Devonshire has a car park at the back, but it's quite small and full of cars. Overall, I think for our purposes these pubs in their present form are no better than the Ship, and for the same reason. I also went to the Ace Café. Much better news. I think the Ace would be a pretty good venue. Bikes are always welcome, plenty of parking, good cheap food, plenty of room to sit around indoors and out. My suggestion is to move meetings to the Ace. Those interested please respond agreeing/disagreeing or whatever. Peter.
Would I be burned at the stake for suggesting a move to second Thursday? One way of growing the membership is to hold it when the Ace have their monthly Italian Bike and Car night.
Re the venue and dates for future meetings, there have now been contributions from about a dozen people in the Yahoo group or on the Ducati Forum. Nearly everyone wants to stick with the Ship as venue for normal meetings, not to move them elsewhere, so that can be regarded as settled; we stay at the Ship. Nearly everyone likes the Ace café for extra meetings or as a rendezvous for summer runs, but not as the regular venue. Again, that seems settled. The question of dates is less clear cut and several different views have been expressed. Our dates on 2nd Wednesdays and the Ace Italian nights on 2nd Thursdays are inconveniently close, and the Ace is not likely to change, but meeting up there for a run is more likely to be on a weekend than a Thursday night. On balance the most realistic approach seems to be: * the Ship meetings continue at the traditional 2nd Wednesday * disregard the Ace Italian nights * fix some meets/runs starting at the Ace for late in each month, say the 4th Sunday * fix some extra meetings at the County Arms, Trinity Road SW18 or the Piazetta E1.
Hi all Haven't attended for ages as always working late on wednesdays. Will be up for weekend meets or if ppl hangaround, could potentially get there for 9, 930.
We are going to carry on at the Ship 2nd Wednesdays from 7pm. The Ace café 4th Sundays would theoretically start tomorrow, but given the appalling weather I think not this month. Let's try for 28 April.
Please do. Dates as follows: Weds 10 April 7 pm - The Ship Sun 28 April 12 noon - The Ace Weds 8 May 7 pm - The Ship Sun 26 May 12 noon - The Ace
Pete, I am not doing very well here, I missed the last two due to working rediculous hours and now I am away that week. Seems I will have to now try for May! Will have Desmo or Panigale back at least by then - both of which have been at Hacketts for months now. Hopefully catch up soon. Best, Ian
Sadly I am in Cham this week so will miss it again! Definately there in April though. Where is Bob when you need him?!
It was dry as we arrived but soon came on to pour. Next meeting at the Ace Café on Sunday 28 April arrive 11am - 12noon. If fine may take a run to the Chilterns (not far via the A40/M40), if wet may settle for lunch at the Ace.
