HISTORY

A Brief History.......The section was inaugurated on the 20th August 1965 when a group of like minded enthusiasts of old motorcycles held a meeting in a room above a fish and chip shop named Limberts, in the town of King's Lynn. Those present at this meeting were: A.Cooper, R.Baker, J. Forster, B.Woods, and P.Lawson. From this, a provisional committee was formed and a headquarters established at The Gate PH, in Middleton Green. The decision was made that meetings should be held on the first Monday of each month, but subsequently, later changed to the last Tuesday of the month so that section notes could be submitted for inclusion in the Club Journal, which was published monthly, and happily, continues to this day.

In the early years the section meeting place changed a number of times, moving in 1972, from The Gate PH, to The Bell PH in Grimston. The following year, members agreed to move to The Bull PH in Stoke Ferry, and stayed there quite settled for several years, until June 1982, when The Bull closed without prior warning: the section was now without a meeting place. One meeting followed at The Swan PH in Brookville, before moving to The Heron in Stow Bridge. After two years, a similar fate fell upon the section, who once more found they had no meeting place. This forced a move in 1984, to The Bell PH in Denver, near Downham Market. Although having a bona-fide club room, this was never a happy place and a decision being made to seek a new venue. The section (with the actions of the club officers) were fortunate to secure a move to The Sports and Social Club in Methwold, during February 1986, an association having lasted until the closure in 2016. Until that time, a large number of our activities had been held there, an excellent relationship had developed with our hosts, who were very accommodating in allowing us to hold our Premier Event - The Breckland Weekend, to be based there with camping in the grounds and use of clubhouse facilities. The closure, certainly was a blow, causing much disappointment, as we had made this our `Home', for over thirty years. Another new home was desperately sought; eventually an agreement was reached with officials to accommodate us at The Sports and Social Club, in nearby Northwold. The move being made in the month following the departure from our last home. This remains our current meeting place where we enjoy an excellent association, combining service and fellowship in a happy and relaxed atmosphere.

During 2013, the section moved into the 21st Century with the formation of our own website. This ran until 2021, when it was closed, owing mainly to alternative social media websites being more attractive to a number of members. The section has been offered a dedicated website on the main VMCC server, and it's hoped that we can work towards the creation of this new site.

The section celebrated it's 50th Anniversary in 2015, with a special celebration run from the original site of the very first meeting, in the town of King's Lynn, continuing on around all the meeting places the club had used over the years, culminating in a celebration Buffet and Social gathering at The Green Man PH, Methwold Hythe. It was pleasing that three of the founder members were able to attend; one of whom being Brian Robinson, our Chairman at the time. With the passing of time, Brian has since stood down from that role owing to illness, but remains a full member, taking a keen interest in club events.

With the increasing use of the internet and social media, a Facebook page was set up on the 15th January 2015, for the VMCC King's Lynn Section. A closed Group for club members, and members of the wider VMCC, having connections with the section. The number of members in the group now exceed 160, who are encouraged to post photo's of events, items of interest and, of course, notifications of club activities.

The section, certainly, has come a long way since it's formation, and we look forward to a secure future.

We are indebted to Paul Fletcher for his contribution, together with his continuing loyalties and support of the vintage motorcycle movement.

MR February 2022 (updated December 2023)