February 2013 - East Coast Truckers

M.A. & H.V. MEDLER (HAULAGE)LTD.AGRICULTURAL & GENERAL HAULAGE CONTRACTORSFebruary 2013If sold £1CHARITYNEWSDELIVERING LOADS OF FUN TO SPECIAL CHILDRENCelebrating Over 50 Years Of Agricultual & General HaulageProud To Be Associated With East Coast Truckers Charity.Oak Tree Farm,Telephone:Marsham,E-Mail:01263 732380Norwich,Fax:NR10 5PJ.traffic@medlerhaulage.co.uk01263 732303Happy Days, Convoy,Christmas Party,Circus&Much Morewww.eastcoasttruckers.orgEast Coast Truckers’ CharityFreepost, P.O. Box 56AttleboroughNorfolk NR17 2WTDriving your Charity HomeDRIVING YOUR CHARITY HOMEwww.eastcoasttruckers.org

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Phone:01603 703124NorwichCash & Carry United Kingdom.Apply today to open up a whole world of exceptional valuebusiness supplies backed with outstanding service.www.makro.co.ukPresentationsWe have a team that gives a presentationconsisting of a talk andfilm show lasting 45 to 60 minutes.If you wish to book a presentationfor your group please contactJackie Noy.E-mail:jackie.noy@btinternet.com01603 812498. Mob0790 1898849Fax:01603 703116Your business partner everydayMakro Self Service Wholesale Ltd,Broadlands Business Park,Cranley Road,Norwich NR7 0WE.A Worthwhile Gala Day AlternativeBy Sharon Thorndykepage17In previous years the club attended the Police Gala Day and showed members of the public photosfrom the previous weeks Convoy and thanked those who had supported the event.This year, with no Gala Day it was decided to try and find an alternative venue. Derek approachedthe Hall Road retail park outlets to see if they would agree to us using a part of their car park toput on an event.With the support of the retailers at the Hall Road Retail Park, the East Coast Truckers Trailer crewset about organising an event as a thank you to all who helped with the convoy.Early on the morning of September 1st saw Derek putting up bollards to block the area off, ensuringthat Ivan and Heather’s camper van was well within the area where the trailer crew arrivedand started setting up ready for the performers to arrive. Several truckers came along with theirtrucks so that members of the public could see some of the trucks that had taken part the previousweek on Convoy Day.David and Fran set up the hospitality tent ready for Betty to arrive with her cakes and to help withteas and coffees. Ivan and Heather arranged the display of photos ready for viewing.Mike Read helped Derek to set up the Tombola that was staffed by Janet and Gloria as Jackiewas recuperating from her operation. The bouncy castle was delivered and set up ready to keepthe children amused and Evette set up her face painting table.Hank B Marvin and Darren G entertained visitors in the morning followed by Car Park, which wasquite apt as they were performing in the car park! The club wishes to thank them all as they gavetheir services free to support the Club.There was a steady stream of people coming along and many of the shoppers and staff camealong to see what was happening.We want to convey our thanks to Aldiss for allowing use of their toilet facilities in their restaurantand to Pets at Home for supplying power for the trailer and water for the tea urns.It was also very nice that so many of the children came along to thank the East Coast Truckersfor a memorable day out the previous week.Lifesize Tiger donated to East Coast Truckers CharityLast year Liz and John Sturmans boys, Paul & Steven came on their first convoy. They wereabsolutely bowled over by what the Charity does for the children and pledged to offer whateversupport they could. They have come along and supported events since the Convoy and offereda lovely stuffed Tiger for Prinny to raffle at our Bingo Night in November or at the ChristmasParty Draw.True to their word Liz turned up at our home with the Tiger and he was absolutely gorgeous. Iwas told no I couldn't have him and anyway he scared our cats!We discussed the best way to raise fundsand that we would sell 100 raffle tickets forhim starting at the Bingo Night. When wearrived at the Maid Marian Public Housewhere the event was being held, EastCoast Truckers member Sally Rix promptlyfell in love with him and offered to buy himfor £100. Liz and John were very happywith that and the club benefitted by £100,so thanks to Liz and John and also to Sally.

. pageGloria Grimes – A Tragic Loss16 Gorleston Clifftop Gala'Why am I up so early on a Sunday morning?' I ask Ray. 'Because we're got to be there for 8',he answers. We pick Barbara Land up on the way. She squeezes into the only available seat leftin our over loaded car.On our journey to the Gorleston Clifftop Gala we enjoy the obligatory Polo mints supplied by Barbaraand recall our Broads holiday as we pass the old Stacey Arms and then Breydon Waters.John Dutton is already on site with the Exhibition trailer but nowhere to be seen, the curtains in theBartrum's cab are closed. The Trailer team Gordon Saye, Roger Weavers, Colin Goodrum arriveand join Ray. In their distinctive trailer team polo shirts and safety gear they open up the trailer andlower the stage. We have Dave and his family with his Medlers unit and Keith Ransome with hisMervyn Lambert's unit to complete the ECTC stand.With our wares out on show we all start to promote our Charity. Through the day Rita Ransome,Nigel & Jennie Folkard, Chrissie King, Marcus & Becky Hamling, Buster & Sally Rix, Keith & LindaPostle lend a hand.Little Toby Hamling entertains us with his dancing and try's to outdo Andy the Clown.Other members join us throughout the day, Ian and Jill Mackie, Rodney Timbers, Austin andMatthew Croucher, Evette and Andy Jackson. Then the birthday girl Kelsey Hardesty with Alan &Alison drop by.The day goes well, we bring smiles to childrens faces when we present them with free goody bagsand sweets, at this point parents are putting their hands in their pockets and giving the charity adonation. Also several children want a cuddle with the ECTC Squirrel. (Aka Marcus)When the skies begin to blacken over, we decide to call it a day. As we wait for the rain to stop weall huddle on the trailer and have a good humoured mardle. We finish off the sausage rolls kindlycooked by Buster and put in our orders for Cromer Carnival.In the end we negotiate with Buster that he and Sally will conjure up a three course meal Ha! Ha!Roll on August 15th.As the stage is put away and John makes his way back to Great Ellingham we can all give ourselvesa well-deserved pat on the back for another job well done!Also thanks to Rodders for giving Austin & Matthew a lift home.Sheila Sarsby. President.Henham Steam RallyOnce again Heather and I made a long week-end at Henham Park along with a few other members.Setting off from the camping area on our bikes and knowing what the format was we made ourway over to where the trailer was situated. The team had just finished setting it up. We then all goton with promoting the charity. Heather and I went on a walk about to see who and what was there,bumping into a few poeple we knew. So the first day just flew by. On the second day I decided thatI would film it and with cameras in hand I set off to dojust that. I started with filming in the main ring. Ademonstration of the evolution of harvesting cornwas in progress. I filmed all of this then moved on tofilm the old traction engines sawing wood and threshingetc. As I continued around the park filming oldbikes, motorbikes, cars, lorries and tractors it wasvery evident how much work had gone into putting onan event as good as this. You can go to our web-siteand on the video page are the films I have produced.Ivan.By Mike Read with the help of her daughter JaneI am writing this with a great deal of regret. My regret is not just for Gloria’s untimelydeath on 7th December 2012 at age 68 but also because I never told her what a wonderfulperson she was.Gloria epitomised all the features of the “Good Samaritan” in that she gave of her timeselflessly in the pursuit of helping others.As we know from her daughter’s eulogy which, in a brave address full of emotion, shedetailed the achievements and accomplishments of her remarkable Mum.The funeral at Mulbarton church on 4th January 2013 was a day that I and many otherswill remember for many years. The day was cold, wet and thoroughly miserable. But,as much as is possible, the gloom was lifted as we all congregated in this lovely oldchurch.I can remember from years ago when the vicars pronounced “We are gathered here tomourn the passing of ..”The fashion these days is to “Give thanks for the life of”Clearly a great many people were there to give thanks. The church was full to burstingwith family, friends and, of course, representatives of the Macmillan Cancer support andEast Coast Truckers.Gloria lost her beloved husband Stanley in 1993. To lose him when she was less than50 years of age could have dealt a lesser person a blow from which only a stalwartbrave person like Gloria could recover.Now her interests turned to bowls and, later, to the Macmillan’s and, of course, ECTC.On a personal level Gloria rejoiced in the births of Jane and Russell’s sons, first Zac andthen Sam. It will take a little time for them to get to know that their beloved Nana is nolonger with them But, Jane and Russell, please keep this little tribute from me to showthe boys when they are old enough to understand.My main contact with Gloria was through herunstinting help to Jackie Noy and me in organisingthe “housekeeping” aspects of the holiday homes.When I was struggling at times on walking sticks,Gloria hefted the odd TV into the back of my car. Iwill always think of her as a smiling “SuperWoman”.East Coast Truckers has been lessened in itsstrength by the loss of this quiet, unassuming yetbrave member. It is at times like these that I hopeshe had the time to look down from her wellearnedplace and saw, from the crowds inMulbarton church on that miserable January morning,the impact she had on so many people andtheir great sorrow at her untimely death.Gloria Grimes. Rest in Peace.page5

Page6Forthcoming EventsFEBRUARY21st February. Dick Whittington Pantomime at Wreningham Village Hall 7.30pm22nd February Maid Marian Quiz Night (ECTC are invited to take part).23rd February Ray Sarsby’s Retirement Party--At The Gas Club. (No Gifts, Donations To ECTC)MARCH3rd March. Monthly club meeting at the Gas Club16th March Disco at The Royal Oak, Poringland.23rd March. “Maggie & Gill’s Fund Raiser at Red Lodge.31st March Quiz Night at The Royal Oak, Poringland.APRIL7th April Annual General Meeting.27th April Children’s Outing to Banham Zoo (TBC)MAY6th May Fun Day at The Windmill Public House, Knox Road, Norwich.12th May Monthly club meeting at the Gas Club25th-27th May Three Day Event on Gt. Yarmouth Seafront.JUNE2nd June Monthly club meeting at the Gas Club followed by Betty’s Fete at Halvergate.(Volunteers Required for an ECTC Cricket Team--see Mark Bull)8th June Tuckswood Summer Fair.8th June Charity Ball to Raise Funds for ECTC & The Firefighters Charity. (TBC)30th June Fun Day at The Royal Oak, Poringland.JULY6th July The Norwich Lord Mayors Procession.7th July Monthly club meeting at the Gas Club.13th July ECTC Members Boat Trip.14th July Long Stratton carnival.27th July Ellough Airfield Fun Day, Support Kelly’s Skydive.AUGUST4th August Monthly club meeting at the Gas Club10th-11th August Classic Car Rally at The Norfolk Showground.18th August Convoy Final Meeting25th August ConvoySEPTEMBER1st September Monthly club meeting at the Gas ClubIvan’s Photographic.We operate on a commercial basis that offers this Charity its services free ofcharge.This magazine is fully compiled by Ivan’s Photographic completely free of charge.All the photos taken by me or any assistant on assignment for us at different eventsare taken on a freelance basis (meaning no charges to the Charity).Any photos sold are at a discounted price to the members and a percentage of thesale goes to the Charity. Any profit Ivan’s Photographic makes from the sale ofthese photographs is used to fund this service.Thanks to all the contributors that make this Magazine a success.Cruisers Cornerpage15ContinuedI just looked at them, shook my head sadly, engaged first and when the lights turned green, launched it...The only thing I saw was this Ford Falcon G6E Turbo getting smaller in my mirrors. The second time wasgoing to work one evening and someone in a Porsche Carrera 2 kept pulling up beside me then brakingthen speeding up. Ah! A challenge. The 3rd or 4th time he done this I dropped a gear and done launch number2.I put on Facebook apologising to the Porsche driver about a fat bloke on a 9 grand bike leaving a tosser in a100 grand Porsche in a cloud of dust...About 2 weeks before this Mandy and I went out to a friend’s 40th party. After a few hours and me only havinga couple, Mrs Cruiser decided it's a nice warm night, let's walk home. As it's only a 3 km walk no probssaid I. WRONG. After about 500 yards Mrs Cruiser decided the path was a bit hot and decided to put hershoes back on. Less than 10 yards later down she went breaking a bone in her right leg. So case of Taxi,take us home. Next day in hospital there she is getting plastered again. Which is how it broke in the firstplace, what with her being plastered with alcohol. Oh the Irony of it!So she's now in plaster hopping about on crutches and in a wheelchair when we go out. Tried for a disabledsticker, no luck.Had to go back to hospital last week as the cast was getting loose. 4 hours she was there, I waited for 2hours, got bored and went to McDonalds for a crappy (sorry happy) meal. When I came back she was gettingre-plastered again, so I sat in the waiting room watching TV and ogling the nurses out of the corner ofmy eye.Mandy came out with me on the bike once for a ride to Torquay for lunch. Bit windy for her and it started tospit with rain. That's her biking experience over then I thought. But oh no, Had to pick her up from her sisterin-law’splace after them 2 having a drinking session. Right I thought, won't take the car, will collect her onthe bike. Think Wallace and Grommet and you're there. She's pissed, I arrive on a bike, she now has myother spare helmet that don't fit properly, a jacket 3 times too big, pair of my work gloves and she didn't wantto let go of her handbag. A top box and 2 panniers that are lockable and waterproof are not handbag safeapparently. There we are, me up front in full gear that fits and her on the back swaying about while holdingnot on to me or the grab rails but her handbag. Some bends and getting away from the lights were takenmore quickly than required just to scare the crap out of her.Sobered up a bit on the way home she did. See, what a good caring husband I am, eh?o doubt been on the news there about all the fires here. Been lucky where we are as not a lot of bushabout. Some fires have been started on purpose so a few people have been caught have will be in deep s**twhen they get to court followed by jail.On the news yesterday the top temp reached 48.4C in Bourke in central New South Wales. Apparently that'sonly 3C away for the all- time top temp. People ask me how it affects the people in the UK. I respond bysaying that it never gets that high and anything over 25C and people get excited, the trains stop, the roadmelts, but the pubs do a roaring trade and no one goes to work the next day due to sunburn. Some peoplehere reckon 25C is coat wearing weather. My response is by calling them a bunch of pussies. Try working inthe minus temps.Well here we are on Sunday Jan 13 at 3.30pm and it's quite cool today, only 26C at the moment. Gonna gethotter during the week according to the weather channel. Next weekend will go for another ride down theGreat Ocean Road again, but only to Apollo Bay have a coffee and a pie and come back again. That’s a 210km (130.5 mile) ride so should be OK.The next ride I want to do is the one through the twisty mountain roads on the Great Alpine Highway. That'sgoing to involve an overnight stay. Will leave Geelong and ride to Wangaratta, that's a 3-4 hour ride, motel itovernight then travel down to Bairnsdale where depending how I feel will stay over there or ride home.Approx. a 11 hour ride all up. Will do that before autumn arrives or it start getting colder around May time.with people on the convoy. Need a seat on the bus please. For those who don't know me, I'll be the onewearing a hat with either corks or empty beer tins hanging off, wearing Aussie shorts and flip flops saying“G'day cobber” to all. And when I say “G'day Sheila”, I'll actually be right in saying that to Sheila Sarsby!!! AllI need now is a member called Bruce and I'm sorted.Well, can't think of anything else interesting, so I'll end this edition of Cruiser’s Corner. Till the next corner ora bollocking off David Land for not sending one in, I'll bid you all fair dinkum and catch you in August.Toodle pip.Cruiser.

Cruisers CornerPage14 ContinuedRang up the dealer and found out it was a BMW car and bike dealership and the Yamaha was a trade in.Was there the next day at 10am, quick test ride and paid a deposit.What a bike, 0-100 kph (62mph) quicker than me shouting yee haa, electric screen, shaft drive, brand newtyres, sat-nav, serviced and polished too. Another good thing I found out is the toll roads around Melbourneare free for bikes, so I went through the toll tunnel twice just because I could. The first ride out was on theGreat Ocean Road. This is a road built by ex-military people after WW1.This road is a motorcycle dream road,(look it up on the Internet) Twist and turns with solid rock on 1 side of the road and a 200 metre drop into thesea on the other. That's taking into account you miss the rocks and make the sea!Have done this section of road from Torquay (15k from Geelong) to Apollo Bay numerous times now, but upto 2 weeks ago never done the complete road from Torquay to Allansford (nr Warrnambool) This I did onSaturday Jan 5 a day I'll never forget and never want to repeat either.On this particular day I left home at 7am as nice and cool and also wanted to try out my new bike clothing.So, on went the trousers, boots and jacket. Now I realise it was a good idea to take out the thermal lining introusers and jacket. Took 4 hours to do the trip there including couple of coffee stops. Took 7 hours to getback. The temp started out about 20C and ended up maxing out at 46C!Well, I have never felt so dehydrated, feeling sick and nearly fainted in all my life. There was no breeze orshade anywhere, if I lifted the visor it felt like I was in a furnace, if I closed it I could hardly breathe. Had tostop a couple of times, and the first stop I had to lay down on the road to rest, after half hour I realised I waslying beside the bike which was slowly sinking into the tarmac. That would have made a good news story.NEWSFLASH!! "A 220 kg motorcycle fell over and pushed a fat Pom who was resting beside it into the tarmac,our on-site reporter is saying they can't free him so they're going to re-surface over him and use him asa speed hump"... Ha! Ha!Took ages to get the tarmac off my trousers as my knees were pushing into the tarmac when lying down.Found a cafe at a place called Lavers Hill where the staff saved me by putting me in front of the air-con andplying me with iced water. After 1.5 hrs and 3 litres of water later I decided to have another go as was still 2hours from home.Made it for another hour somehow to a place called Lorne where again another 2 litres of iced water wasdrunk. Surprised I didn't drown with all that water... I did take 2 litres of water with me but that went warm aftera couple of hours. I then did the thing I thought I'd never do, and rode the rest of the way home with no jacketon. Doing that involved getting red arms though.At 4.30pm the temp was still 42C. Plenty of red people about the next day, me included. Once home a longcold shower was had and still the next day wasn’t feeling too good either. Well, have now ridden in snow, hail,rain and now extreme heat. What's next?The worse thing about the bike is people want to race me in their cars. I do oblige sometimes. First timesomeone pulled up beside me at some lights with his trophy girlfriend in the passenger seat. She saidsomething to the driver and he looked at me while selecting first gear and revving the engineALSO AVAILABLEDGSA CONSULTANCYADR DRIVER TRAININGDRIVER CPC TRAINING.You Must Complete 5x75hr.Training Blocks By September2014Boyton Services Ltd, Boyton Lodge,Combs Lane,Stowmarket, Suffolk. IP14 3BLTel: Simon07818 417894PHOENIX LINEDANCERSOnce again we owe our thanks to thesewonderful ladies who spend theirWednesday nights line dancing under thewatchful eye of Sue Gould.It was at the children’s party on Dec 15ththat Father Christmas called in with presentsfor all the children. Sue asked FatherChristmas if she could present a cheque tothe charity and what a surprise it was£1,150. So on behalf of everyone here Iwould like to thank Sue and all the ladieswho spend their time dancing for our children,I think this is the seventh year you have supported us and we are very, very grateful. Ilook forward to seeing you all soon when I come to polish up on my dancing. May I wish youall a very happy New Year (David Land).Diss Christmas LightsOn1st December 2012 East Coast Truckers were there with the exhibition trailer and, ofcourse, its stage area. We arrived at about 7.30 am. and set up the trailer. At about 8.30 amPark Radio turned up to set up stage lights etc. Around about 3.00 pm everything was allready for lights to be switched on.There was a short procession with Father Christmas arriving on a fire engine. After the switchon there was all sorts of entertainment live on stage e.g. Diss choir. school children’s choir.There were a few other bands and singers the last band finishing at about 7.30.We thenparked up the trailer so some of the members could go to the dinner and dance at theNorwich Airport Holiday Inn.Paul Tunmore.A message from Austin Croucher.Hello, Happy New Year to you all, my friends at East Coast Truckers, friends and helpers.Thank you all for helping me get through my strugglein an awkward year. It was very hard for me onConvoy Day as I was in a wheelchair. I was able to domy bit of collecting as I wouldn’t have let the childrendown. When the Convoy came through, that was theicing on the cake.Some members of the public said I must be veryproud to wear the shirt and I reply that yes I am. Iwent home a very happy person, seeing all the children,friends and drivers waving at me and blowingkisses.Hopefully this year will be better for me as I am duefor my operation soon.Thank you and God Bless, Austin.Thank you Austin for the donation of £20.00 from thesale of your oinonsPage7

Cruisers CornerPage13G'day one and all.Sorry for delay in sending the corner in, no excuse just slack on my part. So, what's been happening? Quite abit actually.First up, have stopped doing the long haul Interstate driving, just got fed up with the late collections and earlydeliveries and all the crap in between. Think after 34 years staying away, driving to different countries etc, justhad enough! (getting too old).In February last year I started on a job doing tanker work delivering powdered cement within country Victoria.Did 4 jobs to Mount Gambier in South Australia, but that's just 1 hour over the border and 1 job to Griffith inNew South Wales, that's 2 hours over the border. Both jobs were within my daily driving hours (just, althougha bit of 'cruiser' log book fiddling was required once).The best part of this job was the yard only 3km (1.8 mile) from home, although lots of early starts was requiredas most people wanted cement at 0700 or some other stupid o’clock time. All in all not a bad job but, the bossthere being an ex-driver forgot his time on the road and went all management and finance director etc. Thetruck was a Kenworth which being a basic model went from A-B and back again and that was about it. Theother good thing about the job was being loaded from a chute into the tank, and at the other end it was a caseof connecting a hose to the silo, engage the PTO, open 3 valves and let it tip itself whilst I was elsewhere.(Mainly in a canteen/cafe).This job lasted till I left in November, due to work drying up as it was either too hot, too cold, too wet or toowindy for the poor builders. The building economy didn't help either as work slowing up there too. So startedwith an agency in Melbourne. During December I was doing change over work with the Sydney based driverworking for a parcel company called Startrack. This is a rather large company with depots in every town inAustralia and now part owned by Qantas. Work was easy as it was a case of pick up 1 or 2 trailers take themto the halfway mark between Melbourne and Sydney, swap trailers and come back. The truck I had was a 1992Kenworth Aerodyne cab over. Although it was an oldie, it certainly was no slow coach. Maxed out at 107 kph(66 mph) and the engine & gearbox were like new. This truck was well kept with alloy wheels and tanks, spotlessinside too. All I had to do was re-fuel when I got back as 2 people were employed to wash and clean thetrucks. Happy with that!Christmas and New Year came and went, and I started doing local deliveries for a company in Laverton a suburbin West Melbourne. Have just done my first week there. Pretty easy as it's a case of tipping a loaded trailerin Melbourne somewhere, coming back and swapping trailers and go tip that. Doing 3 a day max and that'sit. Trailers are pre-loaded for me so clunk-click and away again.The truck they had in mind for me was a 1995 MAN F2000 series. (They make their trucks last here). When Iarrived on Monday it was away having a major service, new air-con compressor being fitted and new tyres allround. So they gave me a 2007Hino 700. First Jap truck ever driven and with a Eaton-Fuller 18 speed box and480 bhp, I must admit it's a rather nice truck. Bunk in back is as wide as an old DAF 85, but unused by me,yet. Air-con in the cab is top class as is the amount of storage. Not bad for a local truck. I will also admit it’s ona par with a Volvo for comfort. Volvo now own Hino.Well, that's up to date work wise, now for the fun part of this corner. (cuppa & fag first though) Back again, theywill be the death of me you know. Not the fags but the tea! They can't make decent tea here but lucky you canget Tetley's here. The tea bags they have here come with string on them. As I told someone in a cafe oncewhen they gave me a cuppa with a stringed tea bag, that where I come from Tampons have string, not teabags'.... She was not very amused.Carol & Terry WardAbout 3 months ago I decided to become a born-again biker. Started looking at the bike sales web site as tosee what took my fancy. Hundreds of Harleys are on this site but decided there's way too much chrome to polish.My idea of washing a bike is throwing soapy water over it and rinsing with a hose pipe. Not on my handsand knees with chrome cleaner and a toothbrush etc.After a few weeks it came down to either a Honda Pan European, BMW R or K 1200 or a Honda Goldwing.Found a 1999 Honda Goldwing with a trailer for $9,500 (6,250 GBP). Unfortunately it was up in Port Macquariein central coastal New South Wales. That would have been a good ride back but just couldn't get up there asit's a good 15 hours away. Flights would have taken a day to get there, Trains stop at Sydney then on a coachso that's another day and a half gone. Tried to get a 2 up truck ride up also to no avail, so had to let that go.Then found a 2001 BMW K1200 going for $10,000 (6,578 GBP). Was about to ring the chap when I noticedanother bike. A 2006 Yamaha FJR 1300 with full Yamaha luggage, full RWC (MOT) a full years rego. (tax discand insurance combined) with 38,000 kms (23,720 miles) on the clock at a dealer in Melbourne for $9,500(6,250 GBP)

Page12Circus DayBy Sally Rix (your Roving Reporter)Today is circus day; members are moreexcited than the children, I think.Well, here we go, children all booked inand adults have been told to behave.There’s no chance of that. Kids smilingand chatting, new friends being made.The acrobats amazed us, the clown hadus giggling and our very own Bob Fitchbecame East Coast Truckers’ “gangnamstyle” star. Well done Bob, you made usproud.Yet another day to add to our little box ofmemories.Does it Pay To Swear?By Evette JacksonDuring the month of December in the run up to Christmas 3 men, Andy Jackson, Dean Francis andRobert Jenness put 10p into a pot every time they swore whilethey were in their trucks. In total, along with a donation from Sallyand Buster Rix, they raised a total of £130. As a group they havedecided to give the money to Rev. Jeff and TLC.Big BirthdayWishesMaggieHow old didyou say?Wow 70CHRISTMAS LIGHTS MULBARTONPage9Mr & Mrs Holmes who live in Cuckoofield Lane in Mulbarton, who were neighbours of GloriaGrimes, have been putting lights up for a while for different charities.They were deciding whetherto do it for December 2012 mentionedit to Gloria who suggestedthat they do it this time for EastCoast Truckers. So, at the beginningof December they put theirChristmas Lights up and secured acollection pot for donations whichwas emptied every day. On the 7thof January 2013 I went to see themand collected the donation of£85.00 and asked them if theywould do the same again this year,Mr Holmes said if his health is OK he will do it again for ECTC .I would like to say a big thank you for all their support. JackieBingo at Maid Marion.September 6th saw a good turn out for the Prize Bingo at the Maid Marian organised by DerekThorndyke and Eddie & Carol Manning. Many club members met early to have a meal prior tothe Bingo starting.The night was supported by many clubmembers and families involved with thecharity as well as local residents.Carol was able to present a cheque toJulian of over £300 raised from the Bingoand the raffle.26-57 Seaters AvailableLocal/Long DistanceExcursions/ WeddingsPrivate & Business HireUK & ContinentalSchool Sports/OutingsetcPrivate HireSmiths CoachesYour Local CoachHire CompanyWith 50 YearsExperienceCompetitive RatesWolford House, The Heath, Blofield, Norfolk, NR13 4DQTel:01603 720628 Fax:01603 722134E-mail:smithscoaches@email.comwww.smithscoaches.comContact us fora free quote.More Bingo at Maid Marion.Carol and Eddie Manning once again travelled from Wisbechto assist Derek Thorndyke to put on a Christmas Prize Bingo.There was a good mix of East Coast Truckers members andlocals who enjoyed playing for selection boxes, Christmasdecorations, Christmas Crackers and Christmas cards. Thefinal game was a cash prize of £25.There were over 20 raffle prizes in the draw, many thanks toall those who donated a prize.The night saw £201 raised for the East Coast Truckers

Page10Children's Christmas PartyThis year’s Christmas Party was held at Hellesdon High School on the 15th December. I hadattended the event before to assist Susan Alabaster to book in the children but I had no idea ofjust how much work goes into organising everything beforehand!The invites need to be sent out in good time to have a list of children who are coming and toenable a suitable gift to be selected. This was made a little easier this year as Hawkins Bazaarhad donated a load of toys to the charity, so one Sunday in early November, Julie Botwright,Evette Jackson and myself went through all the boxes to select the better toys that would makesuitable presents. The following week, armed with a list of children that a suitable gift had notbeen found for, Heather and Ivan Hardy, Maureen Madden and myself went to Kerrison’s to purchasethe rest.The staff atKerrison's wereabsolutely wonderful,theyhelped selectsuitable gifts,gave us wrappingpaper, batteriesand a generousdiscount.One car full laterwe departed theshop, now allthat remainedwas to wrap thepresents.Barbara Landhad alreadyassisted me withwrapping all thepresents we had already selected and they were safely bagged up and stored in my garage. AsBarbara was having her new kitchen installed she couldn't help so Maureen Madden came andhelped to wrap the gifts purchased from Kerrison’s. We then went through and sorted all thepresents into children’s ages to make it easier to give out at the party.Over the following weeks I found myself visiting the garage several times as late replies camein for children to come to the party and others cancelled. At least having the toys from HawkinsBazaar meant if a late request came in for a child to attend I was able to accommodate therequest without having to go out and buy a further gift. I also estimate that the very kind donationsaved the club a great deal of money. Comment has been made that some of the packaginglooked a bit tatty but as most of that ended up in a heap on the floor at the party I don't thinkthe children really noticed and there was nothing the matter with the contents.The weeks prior to the party Derek Thorndyke (Prinny) had done several car boots selling offsome of the toys that were not suitable to give to the children and the trailer crew had also soldsome at various events which meant that this also raised money to go towards the children'sparty.Children's Christmas PartyPage11On the 15th Julie Botwright came with me to help set up at the school and to help transport allthe presents as Derek was busy doing a collection at Asda's with Ray Sarsby. We arrived at theschool to find other members of East Coast Truckers Charity hard at work setting up tables,erecting gazebos and blowing up balloons. Maureen and Barbara sorted out all the bags ofpresents and arranged them in the gazebo ready to be handed out by Father Christmas whenhe arrived. Other members were sorting out the children's party food prepared by Betty Torticeand her helpers. I am told that it was a bit of a “mensa” test working out how the hats wenttogether.Ivan and Heather were sorting out the room for the photos and others were getting the hallready. The entertainer arrived and before we knew it it was 12 midday. Helpers went off to getchanged into their outfits and we started setting up to book the children in, within minutes wehad a queue of eager youngsters waiting to book in. It was pretty hectic until just after 1.15pmwhen it slowed down to a trickle of late comers, I left Julie, John and Jackie to book in the stragglersand there was just enough time for me to change into my “glamorous assistant” outfit tohelp give out the presents when Father Christmas arrived.As I went through to the hall there was an excited shout from the children as Jim Bennetts bigwhite Americantruck carryingFather Christmascame into the carpark. FatherChristmas cameinto the hall andsettled himself intohis Grotto ready tostart giving out thepresents. Barbaraand Maureen sortedout the presentsas the childrenwere called up,Evette and I organisedthe childreninto a line forFather Christmasand Ivan wasready to take photos. The whole thing went well and was a great team effort. Once the presentshad been given out the children went into the hall for fun and games. It was noted thatonce the presents had been given out some of the parents took their children home which is ashame when entertainment has also been provided. JARK recruitment had donated some toysfor a free raffle and we were also given some knitted toys by Norwich Hobart WI which were raffledoff for free to the children.Judging by the happy smiling faces the children who stayed had a very good time and severalthank you messages have been posted on the Facebook page. A big thank you to everyone whohelped before and during the event.Sharon Thorndyke - Child Liaison Officer