Statements from the clubs:
In order to give everyone involved or affected by this matter a chance to state their position, Scootering contacted both Gavin at BLOC and the committee at the LCGB to give them that opportunity. These statements are as quoted by the organisations and unedited. Here is what they have to say on the matter...
dialogue’ between supporters of both Gavin Frankland’s BLOA and the LCGB on various social media platforms. In today’s society, it’s too easy to type on a keyboard how you feel, and to react to any response immediately. Thus there were wild rumours bandied around that were totally unnecessary and largely hearsay.
Post AGM, the BLOA name was changed by Gavin Frankland to British Lambretta Owners Club (BLOC). This was his idea, in order to try and appease those upset with the use of the BLOA name. The logo remained the same apart from the change of the last word. Gavin told us he genuinely wanted a resolution to this, but that nobody from the LCGB had even spoken to him directly. Gavin is pleased to have resurrected something he saw as lost in the winds of time, and as the LCGB are the ones disputing its use that the onus is on them to contact him. LCGB stalwart Kev Walsh even offered to act as intermediary, but was given short-shrift when he spoke on the matter at the AGM, the committee elected to remain closed, in favour of pursuing legal redress. Another issue a lot of people have questioned is, why it is taking so long to sort out? This is because the LCGB had to gather evidence to submit to the IPO, which then will look at it and may ask for even more information to substantiate it. There are solicitors involved and anything like this takes time. Unfortunately, the longer it takes for a decision, the more people throw around wild theories and rumours, thus fanning the flames.
My view
It would be hypocritical of me to write this article and not give my own view, therefore I will express how I feel about the situation. Before doing so I’ll explain my position. I’ve been a member of the LCGB since 1987 and have been an active member and supporter in many ways over the years. I knew Mike Karslake for the last five years of his life and would like to think I could call him a friend during that time. Having researched the history of Lambretta in the UK for many years, I have interviewed many people connected with both BLOA and the LCGB. Though I don’t claim to know everything that’s happened to the club over the past 65 years, I do have a firm understanding of it.
The club has a well-documented history and after all these years one that its members should be proud of. It has had good times and bad, but has continued to stand the test of time. Any form of threat to its heritage and existence should be defended against, but in a proper and responsible manner. There have been times when I haven’t always agreed with decisions made by the committee on how
things are run. That aside, anyone who has been a committee member past or present should be applauded for the hard work they’ve put in. Without them, there would be no club at all.
When I first heard of Gavin Frankland’s idea I welcomed it and looked forward to seeing what he could achieve. However, by using a name and logo that was part of LCGB heritage, I was left feeling disappointed. To my mind, Gavin was using a technicality by saying the original club didn’t exist any more but even if he was to win legally, morally I don’t think it would be a victory. I agree with his concept of bringing an old rally format back into today’s scooter scene – many vintage scooter owners welcome this kind of nostalgia with open arms. The problem is that the mess created has stopped a lot of people joining or participating in what he is trying to achieve.
The LCGB me mbership is strong and the club is financially sound, but that doesn’t mean the club should rest on its laurels or has no problems. Going down the legal route at the moment is looking increasingly like an out-of-control freight train heading for a crash, and there are no winners in this… except the solicitors of course. If Gavin Frankland gets to keep BLOA (or BLOC as it’s now called), in my opinion his club will never fulfil its potential because of the stigma surrounding the name. If the LCGB win then they will keep their heritage intact but at what cost to many disgruntled members? Let alone the huge expense. The whole thing is like trying to catch a falling knife – no side will come away unscathed.
I have thought long and hard about the situation and whether there’s a way of resolving the dispute between the two parties. I can’t imagine for one moment that either side will back down and walk away, but could it be possible instead that a vintage section of the LCGB is formed? One where Gavin Frankland’s ideas are used with all that he has already laid out. I’m sure current LCGB members would welcome this and it would encourage new membership. We all know the current committee have a lot of work but wouldn’t it be possible to have a sub-committee running the vintage section?
Many scooterists have expressed the desire to see something different, well this could be it if done right but still remain under the LCGB umbrella. Not only would it make the club stronger but also more appealing to new members. I’m sure all members would like to see something constructive done with the members’ funds, something they could all benefit from if they chose to do so. Part of Gavin Frankland’s argument was nothing had been done with BLOA for years, so why not bring back a BLOA vintage section of the club?
No one can fail to see there is a lot of bad blood between both sides, animosity towards both Gavin Frankland on one side and the LCGB committee on the other. I hope most though would be prepared to wipe the slate clean if a compromise was agreed like the one suggested.
I’m in no doubt that this proposal would need a lot of discussions, but the alternative is a lengthy legal battle, huge monetary expense and a rivalry between two clubs. I know which outcome I’d prefer.