The day for me started at 6:00am when I got up. Chandra comes over on Saturday and stays over so that she can come down in the car with us. The car is full up, plus roof rack!

We set off, me, Sandra and Chandra. The run down is very good. On the way down even at 7:30am there are a lot of 'bikes about. We pulled up on Brighton front at 8:10am. Mark Wilsmore (The Ace Cafe boss) was on hand to point us to the area where we could set up the Club marquee.

It is approximately 8:30am and there are a lot of people and 'bikes about. Dick and Yvonne arrive on his new outfit, Chris and other Club members turn up and we can put up the marquee.

By 9:00am we are just about set up and YES, we HAVE put on the teapot. A BIG thank you to one and all that helped.

Yes, 9:30am, 1st cup of tea, the sun is out and it is starting to get very hot. The 'bikes are starting to roll in and the stand is full of people popping in to drop off helmets so that they can have a walk along the seafront looking at 'bikes, stalls and club stands that seem to go on forever. (The 59 Club always offers this service so that people do not have to wander around under a big load of riding gear all day. A blessing, especially on a hot day - Ed). I would not like to say how many 'bikes were there but it must have been at least 10,000 and probably a lot more.

Brighton is a lovely place at anytime but with all the 'bikes and the Rock 'n Roll bands that Mark had laid on it really is a great day out for anybody. (With its University buildings, the Royal Pavilion and the lovely, quaint shopping area where all the students go, the narrow backstreets near Kensington Gardens with their cafes, music shops, bric-a-brac shops and all manner of stuff, the Palace Pier and the stony beaches Brighton is a terrific place to go at ANY time. - Ed)

Sandra and Chandra were working hard doing the office all day. There was a lot of interest. Our French, Italian and German affiliated Club members and Sections were over for a visit and we had a good chat about what they are planning to do over the next year.

Dick, Yvonne and other Club people spent the day doing PR work for the Club ie. chatting to members old and new and keeping their tea cups filled.

By 1:00pm the place is full, the sun is shining even more, the bands are rocking, the atmosphere is superb! The time rushed by in a flash. Before you knew it the time had come to pack up. Yes, someone said it was 6:00pm. Time to pack up and somehow fit all the stuff back into the car. A big thank you to everyone that helped on the day and for turning up and putting their 'bikes on the stand.

At the end of the day we always go and have Fish & Chips before we leave. This year was even better as Chandra treated me and Sandra to dinner. By the time we finished it was 8:00pm and we were replenished and ready for the drive home.

A big thank you to Mark and Linda Wilsmore (the driving forces at the Ace Cafe and the Brighton Event) for putting on a great day and letting The 59 Club be a part of it.

If you haven't been yet there is always next year. It really is an event not to be missed.

Gary Hall