Looking for the Trade Winds MCC

It’s all too easy to lose touch with people with whom you shared some of the best days of your lives. Chris Doyle remembers his time with the Trade Winds MCC with great affection and is looking for anyone who recalls those days too.

Iwould like to make contact with any past members of the Trade Winds MCC (1966-1974) whose members were based around the Tottenham, Wood Green and Edmonton area in north London. It was a club which my wife Sandra and I were fortunate to be members of and which I joined in 1967/68. I’d already been a member of the 59 Club in the Paddington St Marys era, as well as of the Saints MCC Westminster (who met at the Blue Coat Boy), the AJS/Matchless club that met in Morden as well as one or two other forgotten clubs. The Trade Winds met at the Britannia in Sebastopol Road in Tottenham on Thursday nights and I was immediately taken by their friendly and down to earth characters. So began a fairly long friendship and they instantly warmed (well, who wouldn’t!) to my girl Sandra who accompanied me to many, many rallies. There was the Poacher Rally, the Woodpecker, the Stag, Robin Hood, Ides, Woburn and loads of others. On one occasion I took my accordion along to the Poacher rally but was made to stand in a corner of the field. I never knew why…

Sack race, egg ’n’ spoon, tug o’ war…

The rallies were fantastic and the highlights were the sack race, egg ’n’ spoon race, tug o’ war, darts, hopping the running bike and racing (even in the rain or slush, it didn’t matter, it was fun and no-one got hurt). I had so much fun on practically no money. Bikes were around £20 or less and I paid £7 for a brilliant old Matchless. Petrol was four shillings a gallon, nobody drank or used drugs or walked out with their mate's girl (although village dance halls were far game!).

There were also lots of last minute meetings, runs and repairs where I learned about mechanics and life. We had regular visits to other clubs as well as to Wilf ’s bike shop in Bounces Road, Edmonton, the Saltbox, the Buzzy Bee, Johnsons, Ally Pally, Chelsea and so many more. The Trade Winds MCC had been founded by Colin Armitage and his girlfriend, Sue French, who lived at Sweet Briar Walk in Edmonton. There was also Roger Halfyard, a stalwart, knowledgeable and helpful leading hand and so many others. I regret that I didn’t get to know or remember lots of names as most people were identified by their bikes or jackets or where they came from – or from their escapades!

We move on

Marriage in 1971 saw us take a rather different avenue as cars and home took over. It was while on our honeymoon that we happened upon some club members who told us that sadly Colin Armitage, the leader of the Trade Winds MCC and a truly good friend, had been killed in a motorcycle accident. I would also like to find what happened to my AJS (GLM 514C) that I bought from Rowland Smith Motors in Hampstead through a wonderful Mr Durrell, or my trusty £15 Matchless (OEW540). But, most importantly of all, if anyone out there remembers myself or Sandra from those days, or was in the Trade Winds MCC, please let OBM know so we can be put in touch. The Trade Winds folk were the best, most friendly group of people we have ever met and we would love to find some past members.

Sue French – I really hope she is still out there. Does anyone know? Left to right: Tottenham Les who lived on Brantwood Road; Roger Halfyard; Velo John; Colin Armitage; Sue French; Posh Ken who owned a Scott. BELOW: The Trade Winds MCC club badge.

Colin Armitage and his BMW R60 at the Stag Rally in 1969.

My newly acquired and notoriously difficult to start Venom Clubman (everybody agreed it was a rogue and most gave up trying to start it) with Sue French and Colin Armitage in the tent.

Horsing around at Woburn in 1968. On the bike is Horse, known throughout rallying circles for his exploits with his home-made BSA. On the left is Colin Armitage; second left is Roger Halfyard. In the white jumper is Suzuki Alan and next to him is Cambridge Michael, brother of Cambridge Dave (7th on left); Arthur (?); Phil (?); and then on the far right, Tottenham Les.

My Velocette almost fully loaded – including my battery record player.

Colin and Sue winning the sack race (as usual). Colin was a very formidable and determined competitor who liked winning and frequently did!

Here I am on my 74th birthday last year – I still have the same Lewis jacket from 1966, my original 59 badge and, most importantly, the same girl.

Tottenham Les and Woodgreen Mick.

Matchless Roger takes a (much needed) shower following a ‘request’ from his girl!

‘Horse’ collects his ‘Grot de Guerre’ award at Woburn in 1968. There were many entrants but a French lady judge thought he had more character. Everybody agreed!

Sandra, my then girlfriend and now wife of 49 years, helping to start the rogue Velo!

Martin Grant, a Lambretta rider from Holloway who wanted to see what all this rallying stuff was about.

Sandra and myself in 1972.

Velo men – I think this was Mark and James.

Some Scottish lads with, I think, an NSU, although I never learned their names.

My Matchless (OEW 540) after a slippy ride on the way to the Woodpecker.