Minutes of Western Region Committee Meeting
February 2005
The Mayors Arms, Bristol.

Attending: George (Political Troll), Bill (Reg Comm. Chairman), Andy (W&NS), Robbie (FoD), Brian (Clubs), Paul (mid-Wilts), Di (Officer w/o portfolio), Trace (Swindon), Derwen (NC Liaison), Anne (Admin).

Apologies: Donna (Glos), Paul (Events), Stuart (Web), Andy (IT), Sheila (Products), Eddie (NotAvon).

AWOL: Kath (Treas)

1. GROUP REPS REPORTS:
   • Mid-Wilts: Recent AGM elected Political Officer (at this news the Troll did a Troll type jig).
     Lapsed members in the area to be contacted by local officer
     Things doing well with the Group.
   • Weston & North Somerset: New weekly venue is good. From a previous regular 5 attending this has now escalated to 15/20. Landlady is to advertise outside the pub via a chalk board that the Group meets there every Wednesday.
     Bikefest is August 6th.
     Beach Race is October 1st & 2nd
     Worle Cubs have an event on May 14th and have asked for a presence by the Group and Freewheelers.
   • Forest of Dean: Group bumbling along. 2/3 new members.
     Sponsored head shave for the Tsunami raised £2400
     Easter Monday @ Coleford Transport Festival. Organisers have offered space for MAG stand.
   • Swindon: 12+ at meetings. Desperately need new venue for more space & more private meeting.
     Website is up and running.
     Good turn out for the Fred Hill Run which was excellently escorted by the Police.
   • Glos: PTW Forum hold their 2nd meeting on 23 February. Invitation extended to Paul on local and national basis. Der “not sure if I have that right.”
   • Bristol: Rolf having to undergo a 2nd operation to put his hip right as first did not work.
     Andy, Dep Rep & recently knocked off his bike, was back on board for the Fred Hill Run.
     Bike & Trike night on waterfront near Lloyds building details in BSH.
     Question: Der “is the beach race going ahead as the French equivalent has been cancelled under a European Environmental Directive”?
     Answer: “this would not apply to Weston as all dunes etc., are manmade specifically for the event.”
2. REGIONAL OFFICERS REPORTS
   • Chairman: Apologies for not providing a regional report for last NC.
   • Clubs: Still having problems with actually getting answers re: new Clubs pricing structure and Club packs.
   • Political: Quiet so far this year.
     Doing some research for Central on Diesel Spillage.
3. REGIONAL AFFAIRS (RAMs) REPORT
   • Local Transport Plans - completed by Uncle Sol and CD being sent to all local authorities.
   • Archi Hipkins - on NC as Network Liaison Officer. He requires input from Regions for the publication. Network is an ideal tool for communicating with affiliated clubs.
   • Stormin’ the Castle raised £35k in 2004. In order to prevent/control the problems experienced for the 2005 event cars, pedestrians will be pre-book only. Bikes only will be allowed through the gate. 2004 event mistakenly advertised as music festival!
   • South Wales now have a Rep.
   • West-Mids Region had serious problems with the Beauty Club at the Heart of England Rally in 2004.
   • MAG directional signs can be borrowed for events from Central at a cost of £1 deposit.
   • MAG PRODUCTS - is up and running under the control of Angie (Yorks MAG). Good deals have been sorted and local/regional products officers are encouraged to obtain quotes from Angie for their products. Products can be obtained from Angie on a ‘sale or return’ basis.
   • Angie is also responsible for telephone booking for specific MAG events.
   • Worcester Bike Forum being set up.
   • NATIONAL COMMITTEE REPORT
     • Chairman’s Report included that MAG is on the turn with membership increasing. Some concern has been expressed about how MAG’s image is perceived.
       Finances are good.
     • Clubs - Alan Woolley had confirmed that the price for clubs with 1-25 members is £30.00 and that Clubs packs can be requested from Ian Jones at Central Office.
     • Political Report - Trevor Baird is to be circulated electronically by Derwen but contained the following items:
       Continuous insurance; Crash barriers - more research; Private members bill before the House covering young pillion riders.
       Bikers are Voters campaign is being run again this year.
       European Driving Licence.
       FEMA = Executive are united = see relevant report.
       Right Hand sidecars - research on the UK Government’s ban of same being unconstitutional.
     • StreetBiker - NC meeting had expressed concerns that SB is proof-read by the girlfriend of Craig Carey-Clinch, an employee of MCIA and that MAG’s Press Releases go to Craig for proof reading before they are released which meant that MCIA personnel were aware of the content of MAG’s Press Releases before they were released to the media. It appeared Ian Mutch had set himself up as final arbiter for all MAG’s Press Releases and MAG per se, together with the Reports written by the Director of Public Affairs and the National Research Officer.
       Derwen was asked what was going to be done about the proof reading scenario and he replied he had this in hand.
       AGC Speaker: was to be Steve Green, National Bikesafe Co-ordinator.
       Premier Events: Scrapped.
       FEMAX: (reciprocal with MAG events in Europe where MAG members have free access) Every Regions main event should be part of this scheme.
     • Streetbiker Surveys: can be found at link on website. A page in SB is to be devoted to other Clubs and an approach was to be made to WIMA.
     • Helmet manufacturers: have been approached regarding all helmets being produced with the “do not remove this helmet in case of accident” logo. However, declined due to possible litigation. MAG is to produce these stickers if members should wish to display same.
     • MAG Web Day: which our Andy (M) is responsible largely for, will be held in the Birmingham area in the near future.
     • MAG Foundation: Elaine Hardy is now a Trustee.
   • MAG BOARD MEETING
     • MAGSTALL: Angie now in charge and accounts are to be reviewed every 6 months.
     • MARQUEE: MAG is purchasing a new marquee for £3k.
     • MBNA: is being reviewed.
     • MAG Insurance: is being reviewed.
     • NEW MEMBERSHIP PACK: will include Groups within new members region.
     • SPEED FERRIES: new deal is being set up. The comment was made that Motorsport do a deal @ £37 for the Dover crossing.
   • DUK DIK RALLY Site is OK; The Bands have been chosen; Munchies (now under new management) is providing the Food; Marshals (Bill provided template and asked Groups to collect names for marshalling & forward to Bill who will contact volunteers to arrange rota for the weekend; Request for Raffle Prizes.
     Important request: As this is a Regional Event could someone assume responsibility for obtaining the PL insurance from MAG Central. ACTION = BILL PUGSLEY
   • New MARQUEE A 90 x 20 can be obtained for the price of £2,745 + £79 carriage. Fire proofing quotation had been obtained at £15.50 psf. However, it was felt this could be done at a cheaper rate via contacts possibly through the OGRI club. The proposed Marquee purchase was ex. Army with a completely new roof and compatible with the old existing one. The Regional Committee were asked to approve or not the purchase of this item. It was unanimously agreed to purchase.
     Andy (W&NS) was given the remit to contact Paul after the meeting and between them to arrange purchase and delivery well in time for the Duk Dik. ACTION = ANDY (W&NS) Andy was also tasked to contact Kath (Treasurer) to arrange payment for the purchase. ACTION = ANDY (W&NS)
   • ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
     • George & Broadband. What’s the hold up.
       ACTION = ANNE TO EMAIL ANDY & KATH
     • A discussion ensued on the geographic problem of signatories for the Regional Account.
       ACTION = ANNE TO PHONE KATH TO ASCERTAIN PRESENT SIGNATORIES WITH A VIEW TO ADDING ANOTHER LOCAL SIGNATURE FOR CONVENIENCE
     • Brian mentioned that the World Wide Travel insurance has increased significantly in price. Dave Elrick has been asked to look into the costs of this.
     • George has been transferred onto “Trollings” list.
     • Trollkin is to circulate electronically his Contact List for the Region.

Meeting closed @ 16.12

Next Meeting to be held as a pre-AGC Meeting on Saturday afternoon of the D

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