Following the efforts of Eric Londesbrough and the diplomatic skills of Brian Smith and John Robinson at the Anglo Dutch Rally, it has now been agreed that the South Durham section will twin with ‘The Veteraan Motoren Club’ from Holland...

Following the efforts of Eric Londesbrough and the diplomatic skills of Brian Smith and John Robinson at the Anglo Dutch Rally, it has now been agreed that the South Durham section will twin with ‘The Veteraan Motoren Club’ from Holland.

As I understand it, the aims of the VMC are broadly similar to our club although they tend to have a preponderance of older machines. Once details are finalised, we will endeavour to encourage reciprocal visits or other contacts as appropriate. I am sure that we will enjoy riding in their lovely country as much as they will enjoy the somewhat more varied terrain that we are fortunate to have on our doorstep.

We’ll keep you posted.

Ruud van Bijnen sends this message:

'Eric Londesbrough has contacted the Dutch VMC with the idea of twinning with your South Durham section. Our management committee supports the idea and asked me to be contact person. A promotional article will appear in our September club magazine and a follow-up in the spring of 2008. I'm trying to get some space on our website www.vmcmotor.com for a "twinning corner". On our site are photos of the Anglo-Dutch in which some of your section members took part.  I enclose a photo of some South Durhammers with my person, behind Ken Blake's 1912 Humber twin. The photo was taken when we had a tea break on Friday afternoon's Anglo Dutch ride. The venue is a working early 1900s steam driven saw mill.'

'We were enchanted to have a real knight with us in the person of Sir John Robinson. His stamina in carrying his heavy ornamental chain was much admired. Brian is looking very relaxed, he obviously doesn't think about his short wheelbase Triumph. Word has it that his worst moment of the week was when the doctor in the hospital told him he wasn't allowed to order any alcohol for a few days...that's probably why  David, John and Gerry did most of the ordering so Brian could concentrate  on the actual consumption. Cheers lads, we had a nice week!'