AFSC at Mersea island

“Tattoos, tits n transits”

Over the last three months two people have phoned me asking if they could put a stall up at Mersea Island’s Scooter Rally. Lord knows why they thought the AFSC had any thing to do with this; it could have been because we said “we where doing this run”? …… strange.

I have not been to Mersea before but the run has an excellent reputation for being a “hard corps run”, rather like those in Germany but on a bigger level. I was eagerly anticipating an excellent run. Back in 1993 saw the first Mersea Island Run and The Colchester District Vespa & Lambretta Club was holding its 14th over the weekend of 1 – 3 September.
 

Pulling up to the reception tent and handing over my £15 I was stewarded into the enclosure, their was three enclosures, one for scooter riders, one for families and the other was for the car drivers. It was at this point that my heart sank, the car drivers, caravans, monkey bikes, children, gazebo BBQ’ers, Weekend Mods and van's scooters considerably out numbered the scooter riders! I thought this was pitiful to say the least and the reputation of this run as one of the UK’s top scootering dates is not deserved! If anything it was as fake as the Isle of Wight but instead of a load of middle aged blokes dressed as Mods, these where a load of middle aged blokes dressed as Scooterists. I actually saw a chap dressed in a patched flight jacket and Doc’s leaning on his Ford Mondeo! “Come on Colchester District Vespa & Lambretta Club, you can do better than this?”

Well that’s the bad bit over with, sorry if this offended any one, now onto the good bits……….

The run was superbly organised with ample toilets and shower facilities “I can’t remember ever having a hot shower on a run so I wasn’t too disappointed”. The three areas where a great idea and the families where enjoying a safe zone away from the great unwashed. Thee separate halls where filled to the brim with the best of live music, soul, scooterists sounds and reggae n ska. You certainly could not complain about the entertainment it was all there giving superb value for money! A dinning room was available for the main meals serving a variety of food at realistic prices. On top of this there was an Indian, Pizza, Crepes, Coffee, and burger van on hand for the munchies! Brilliant!!
 

Mersea reminded me a little of Holiday in Holland except with out teeth! It was a superb run only marred by the amount of cars and vans swamping the area. A great turn out for the club, I think there were about 40 AFSC members present and we recruited “press ganged” the ex servicemen and women into the ranks so we are now over the three hundred mark!
 

	picture of the rally - dave the mong

I have to, yet again; take my hat off o the Southern divvies who stole the show with their party philosophy and genuine friendliness. Our Smudge had invited his tattooist over complete with transit van come mobile tattoo studio! Mrs Two Coats led the way in body art and there where a number of club members getting inked “SD” colours, GAZ OGSG getting possibly the smallest tattoo in the world, thankfully I was in a rare sober moment and declined the kind offer of a freebie “SD” tattoo.

Saturday I missed the fun games choosing to adopt the prone position whilst nursing a bad head, I think we won the egg toss or summit? Bagzy had to throw smoke early so “Dressed to kill” wasn’t entered, I’m sure it would of won something. By the time the night had fallen a few of the tents had decided to make a bid for freedom due to a storm but thankfully the rain held off enough to let the party continue.

We had a great time as a club just stood in the quadrangle chillin and havin a Bud, a new AFSC Division was formed “The Mini Division” can uncle Gary design us a patch please? The AFSC Dustbin lids present voted on a name and there was great rejoicing!

Another superb outing for The Armed Forces Scooter Club, The AGM 2007 at Mersea Island is going to be mega!




 

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