Kelso 2004

Unfortunately in the end I couldn't attend the rally because I had to assist my father in his latest hours; here follows the words and pictures of a keen friend of RacingLambrettas.com: Eric Jones.

 

Friday  June 4th     A cold wind with mainly light cloud saw our departure to the rally ground and a chat with Paul & Karen in their caravan on site. The rideout started on time at 3pm and managed to take some photo’s as the column left the main gate. I managed to obtain some bolts for the Lambretta rear wheel and eventually returned to our B&B to fix the wheel. We returned to the rally complete with trailer and decided to leave both the trailer and bike at the site.  We had a tour of the venue and met quite a few old acquaintances from previous EuroLambretta’s and caught up with the latest news and their steeds. All to quickly it was time to enjoy the evening’s entertainment. It was advertised in the programme as a buffet but were immediately confronted in the large main hall with a laid out ‘starting course’ of liver sausage pate and salad. This was followed by a choice of chicken in origander sauce or pork with apple sauce together with a choice three vegetables the last dish was four pravite rolls with cream insert and a chocolate sauce. What a buffet!    Carlsberg was on tap at 2 pounds a pint, as was coke or lemonade at the same price.   A bargain! Scottish prices indeed! Whilst dancing the Gay Gordons, Scott Gray saw us and came over for a chat. We hadn’t seen Scott for over three years.. Almost the same amount of time that we had bought the scooter trailer from him. The day’s weather was mainly bright with more sunshine in the afternoon and evening. On our way back to the B&B it was mentioned that at quarter to eleven it was still light with an orange glow in the distance which was a good omen for the weather for the weekend.     Saturday June 5th     This was the big day of EuroLambretta, we arrived a little later at the showground and just missed the morning rideout. We spent some time around the trader’s stalls and then viewed the riders and machines around the site. Machines were lined up for the 'concourse de elegance' and I entered the TV200; mainly as an example of the first TV200 that would have looked in 1963 together with a large sales brochure as depicted at the end page of this magazine.  Paul Hastings, our friend from Luton, also showed his GP200 as it was an original Arthur Francis that arrived from India. This was the first one imported and was shown at the Battersea Exhibition.  I had a chat with Kev Walsh, Secretary and Editor of LCGB – Jet Set; and took a photo of him and his recent GP, which he received as the main organiser of LCGB for the last 25 years.  We also was introduced to Christine Jackson who was showing her Lambrettta D model in green and past member of the Epping Forest Lambretta Club – The Rakes. Another old member from the past – This time Doug Miller of the East London Lambretta Club The ELKS who used to meet in Walthomstow in the sixties. Another old stawart we were to meet on this memorable day was Mike Smith of the old Greenford Lambretta club whose details were given in our last magazine together with details of their clubs old cine film now on video.  And blow me down, at the same time in the afternoon we were in the car park and a guy called out of the window and said…   ‘Don’t you recognize me?’  I used to belong to the Croydon 41..  Yes….. Phil Lowe and still with his beard. He hasn’t owned a Lambretta for many years but had heard of the event and had called in.   So more contacts through our magazine – I hope perhaps another Lambretta owner for the future.  Late afternoon we returned to the B&B for a wash and brush up ready for the evenings Dinner Dance. This year the nationalities were not separated and the tables were mixed up.   On each table was a free full bottle of Scotch Whisky and Highland Water.  The starter was homemade tomato soup and bread, followed by Chicken in sauce or Haggis or Vegetarian. We choose chicken on the safe side. This was followed by apple pie with saltanas and cream. Very nice and pipping hot serving the 550 or so hungry mouths.  Later was the announcements that as usual took some time and was hard to follow especially with the Scottish accent and other European accents involved.  Finally about ten thirty the disco started, which was rather loud and bassy, so we decided to depart for the road to our farmhouse at Crosshall and bed.     Sunday June 6th     Officially the last day of the rally, we arrived even later than yesterday as breakfast was not ready until 9.30 as Judy and husband had been to a family wedding the previous day and were not due in until 2.00am.  As we entered the arena, some scooters were already heading home with a long journey ahead of them. We joined the rest of the scooterists making their way to the presentation of the awards.   We joined Paul and Karen, Graham Bird, Mike Smith, Christine Jackson and three members of the Milton Keynes Scooter Club at one of the tables.  To Paul’s surprise his GP was chosen as best Indian GP at the concourses and received a very nice glass award with the appropriate wording etched in black on the glass.  Most of the awards were presented to the GB, Austrian and Swiss contingents with some outstanding Lambrettas on show the previous day.  This was the highlight of the day, followed by a last rideout to a nearby car auction.  Sandra and Karen decided to walk to the centre of Kelso, whilst I took some shots of the departing rideout. Then I took the scooter down to the Town Square and joined the girls for refreshments in a nice café for apple pie and cream with a coffee.  Taking a slow trot back to the campsite, Sandra and I then made tracks to the B&B for a fresh change of clothing.  Our final event of the Lambretta weekend was to join up with Chuck, Janet, Paul and Karen with Mike Smith a late entry at the ‘Black Swan’ pub in Kelso, just off the square for a drink and two-course dinner and sweet.  Good food and good company to round off an excellent organised weekend thanks to our friends of the Lambretta Club of Scotland. Mileage 534.