The last quarter of 2003 was certainly a good one, despite (or maybe because of) being so hectic.
The Autumn NABD'ness (Cornbury Park) rally really did well on all counts. But seeing as the counting that I do is of the money, I was really pleased to see the event make a profit of £4,014.66. Most of the increase in profits (nearly half of it) was the profit made by running the bar ourselves this year. My thanks go to all who have grafted so hard on this event since it's inception three years ago.

The Rossendale Valley Bike Show is an event I've done since it's second year and was the first event I ever did with a trade stand, so I always feel somewhat nostalgic about the event that has grown from taking over one street to practically overflowing into the next town. I had a tour of Paul Mulderrig's new offices and bumped into a lot of old friends. It was a very enjoyable day all round.

We had a small gathering at our house on 29th October to watch the Granada Men & Motors documentary.! was very impressed with the programme, particularly as the emphasis was put mainly on the bikes and riders. Gaz was pleased that the interview with him was left on the editing room floor and I was very glad my emergence from my tent at the AGM wasn't filmed (note to self: don't stay up drinking red wine til the sun comes up if TV cameras are going to be there at 10am to witness the hangover).
The programme certainly had a very positive effect, as we seem to have been busier since than ever before. November saw some very large donations coming in. Aston Students Guild and The Bridgwater Chapter HOG donated £1,000.00 each; Scorpions MCC donated £520.00 and Nick Steed's Knee-down challenge raised £403.00. A certain 'Mr Billy Connolly CBE' also made a large donation, which, due to a certain amount of confusion over paperwork was actually given to us twice, the second time by Granada Men & Motors. We sent the second cheque back. Granada Men & Motors thanked us for our honesty by presenting us with the same cheque as a donation from themselves. All of these donations are directly allocated to the grants given to help disabled bikers back on the road, and those making them should take a bow.

I was slightly worried after the programme was shown. I knew it would raise awareness of the work we do (which is a good thing), and in doing so increase the amount of grant applications (again, a good thing). My main worry was regarding the income to the Association and whether we could sustain the growth, financially speaking. The donations I have mentioned are at the larger end of the scale, but every penny is appreciated.
Any fundraising, from swear-boxes at house parties (which usually raise a fortune if Rick is there), through Jamie Leach's nomination of us as her chosen charity (see elsewhere in this issue), to doing insane stuff like Nick Steed's knee-down challenge.

I'm also very grateful that Shirley (our lovely office administrator) was in place to deal with the office side. We had long been aware of the need to have the office properly staffed, but the difference she has made has been amazing. As I have said, November was a busy month (just on my side'). To have somebody there who can deal with the chaos of committee (like a pride of lions, but with more fangs), organise the office and deal with the increase of work generated in her first month and still smile, is an immense boost to us all.

In the last issue of the magazine, I mentioned the death of my mate, Ed 'The Duck' Aspin. What I never mentioned was that he had organised all the bands for the Christmas party we were having at the Guzzlin' Goose. And hadn't told us who they were! So I would particularly like to thank Brian Wilkinson for dealing with this for us. By the time you read this even the hangovers will have faded, but the party would not have happened if Brian had not stepped into the breech.
I hope 2004 will be the best year ever for NABD and, judging by the support you are all giving us now, I really think it will be.