The New Year started with our usual AGM at West Leeds Sports & Social with a great turn out of members. The meeting went well and members voted Steve Groves as Clubman of the year 2007 (Congratulations Steve - 2 years on the trot well done) It sounded as though things would continue as in previous years and we were all looking forward to the coming season.

However, shortly after the meeting our long standing club secretary Richard decided to resigned from his position after many years service. As a result the club had to go about finding a new secretary. There being no volunteers for the job, the position of club secretary somehow became mine and so here for the very first time is my review of the year.

One of the first events of the season was the YSA Knaresborough to York event and the turnout of club members was excellent. This was closely followed by the YSA Scarborough rally hosted by the Scarborough Castle Coasters. Three of our ‘men for all seasons’ took to their scoots for the ride across to Scarborough with a number of other members taking the easier option and going over by car. A good time was had by all, although I believe the return journey was in snow. Hats off to Rich, Paul & Shiney.

The end of March saw the ‘end’ of Mark Gummerson’s single days with members attending his stag do in Leeds. Early April brought Mark & Jo’s wedding day, the weather was reasonably kind. Following a reception at Truffles ‘Mr & Mrs Gummerson’ celebrated their nuptials with family, friends and assorted club members. Many congratulations to both Mark & Jo from all LCSC.

May brought us the infamous Thursday night ride to Shafton! Around 30 club members left The Palace looking forward to meeting up with Wuzzy’s Wanderers and other clubs & riders in Shafton. The sum of members who got to Shafton was 3! Two of them don’t count because Rich & Paul met up with the Wakey lads and rode with them, so of all the Crusaders who left the Palace, only Maz arrived at the correct venue. Perhaps folk will listen to you next time Maz? So began our notoriety for getting lost!

We joined in an event called Festival of Pastimes in Leeds city centre in May. So on a very sunny Saturday afternoon (the start of a great summer – or so we thought!) Phil, Anth, Steve, Mark, Shiney & Karon showed off our scoots and chatted to lots of members of the public, many of whom ‘had a scoot just like that’ years ago. It was a great success; in fact I think I’d go so far as to say we stole the show.

June brought us the Whitby National and I’m afraid that it seems Friday 13th lived up to its reputation. Steve Clark, Phil, Paul and Danny experienced ‘temperamental’ scoots that weekend! But hats off to Alan, who set of on his lammy, it broke down had it recovered and went back on his trusty Vespa!

The YSA Invasion was held at Pickering showground in July. Unfortunately Friday brought lots of rain, Saturday also but it dried up around lunchtime. Again, a great turn out of Crusaders for the event who all had a great time. We were also introduced to ‘Lay-by Lil’ who I understand makes a great cup of tea, we were also introduced to a game called ‘Buckaroo’ Poor chap - you rotten lot! You know who you are!

August was a busy month. Firstly was our 12th Crusade, sadly the weather & police stopped play! We had to cancel the ride out. Although the afternoon was disappointing we had a great turn out for the night do. Everyone enjoyed Circa and our thanks as ever to Dukesy and the Wakey lads for the ‘sounds’ Thanks very much to Sandra, Paul, Lisa & Gareth for their help with the raffle but most of all my thanks to Ryan & Kieran for the tremendous job they did. Thanks also to Tommy B & Linda for the very generous donation for the competition, the proceeds of which went to Help for Heroes. Thanks to all members who helped out before & during the event, it takes a great deal of effort to put on these events so we need all the help we can get.

YSA Coast 2 coast; once again many club members took part. The weather brightened up a little on Friday & Saturday however Sunday brought widespread flooding – so much for summer! Some members believed that the YSA had changed its name and was now the Yorkshire Ska Alliance! We don’t mind a bit of ska but let’s have some variety please!!!!!

August also brought what was (for me anyway!) one of the hi-lights of the year, the Isle of Wight. Saturday brought about the usual Sandra’s Island tour taking us on a short ride around the island. The weather was fantastic Friday & Saturday, but it poured down Saturday night and we weren’t sure what the morning would bring? We awoke to a rainy Sunday morning but it cleared up nicely in time for the ride out. Thanks to the ‘stylish’ T-shirts we wore we couldn’t possibly lose anyone. We looked like we’d been Tango’d!!! It was here, I believe we were introduced to ‘Deckchair Dave’ and joined by Disco Dave, Jaz & Andy all of whom were made honorary members for the weekend.

September brought us the Lancashire Alliance Lake district weekender. Yet again the weather was a ‘shocker’ and after much deliberation we decided to go up by car. We booked in at the hotels and made our way to the local! Whilst there we noticed a small red scoot laden up to the hilt, go past in the pouring rain. You’ve guessed it!
It was Adam, he left Leeds at 10am and got to the camp site at around 6pm absolutely soaking wet through. He had ridden all the way on his own, other than when other riders spotted him in the petrol station and rode with him the rest of the way. No joking, he was like a local hero for the weekend! I’m sure you’ve all heard the tales by now, 4 of us in a room, Julia being woken up at 3am by mistake and someone called Chuck – throwing up back in Leeds!!!! It turned out to be yet another great weekend.

All too soon and the last rally of the year came around – Bridlington. Once again a fantastic turn out of Crusaders and the refurbished Spa is now a great venue. Once again Adam rode over solo but this time his scoot gave up the ghost on the outskirts of Brid. Steve Clark & Michael taking well deserved prizes in the custom show – well done guys.

Remembrance Sunday was to be the YSA cheque handover to Help 4 heroes. Weather yet again wasn’t great and the media let us down but the handover ceremony was extremely poignant. Well done to Danny for all his efforts – you’ve done a fantastic job mate.

Throughout the year we had a number of new members join us. We welcome Ade, Anthony, Mitch, Danny, Neil Hudson, Richard also Sandra & Debs joined in their own right. However, we also lost one of our members. Brian Horne sadly passed away at the end of May our condolences go out to his son Chris also a club member.

I know Crusaders have attended lots of other events over the last 12 months, apologies for not mentioning all of them. Well done to all club members for their support of YSA, National and ours & other clubs events. We’ve had several members scoots featured in Scootering and also many winning custom show trophies over the year. Well done to you all it shows what a great club, great members and great scoots we have. Thanks to our committee members for their sterling work throughout the year and your support & guidance for me this year.

Let’s hope its going to be another fantastic scootering season.
All the best and ride safe

KARON
LCSC Secretary