A sense of belonging

David Robertson is the MD of software house, JADER Ltd, one of the key partners of Folk Features. Here, the mental health awareness advocate explains why he recently became Secretary of the Norfolk and North Suffolk Honda Owners Club

We last featured you in May 2022. How has life been for you over the past year?

Hey! Any landing you walk away from is a good one, right? So, it has been slow – in a good way. I am savouring the time, so it appears to go more slowly. I suppose living in a rural setting is a contributing factor. I have not got more ill, and, in some ways, I have got healthier. I have lost weight. I have eaten relatively healthily because I get veg and meat boxes from Clinks. I exercise by walking as many days in the week as there are – less one or two sometimes. I have been riding throughout, including some of the winter. I was on the CB750/4 a bit until my brother convinced me that it was not a good idea to ride without a chain guard. I have to head to David Silver Spares in Leiston to get a new one. Also, I want to put 4-into-4 pipes on to make it more original (currently with a 4-into-1). Riding is in my blood since I started on my Honda SS50 aged about 19. My other bike which I am allowed to ride is a CB1300 Super Four – Big Bro of the Big One (CB1000).

When did you become Secretary of the Norfolk and North Suffolk Branch of the Honda Owners Club – and why?

I became Secretary of the Honda Owners Club in January 2023 when I was voted in at a meeting I called, at a café called Posh Pigs, on Ellough Industrial Estate. I have been a member of the Honda Owners Club for about eight or more years. We have always had Ride-outs and café meets and meetings organised by a voluntary club secretary. When the previous branch secretary stepped down in November, the official activity of the Norfolk, and North Suffolk club stopped. No one else seemed to want to take up the reigns. So I did, being a helpful kind of man.

How long have you been a Member – and what is it that you like about being part of the Club?

I have been a member since I had my Green VFR750. This model was the last of the 750s before the VFR800 VTec took over. It has been about 8 to 10 years I suppose that I have been a member of the Norfolk and North Suffolk branch. I like belonging to a group of people who like motorcycling, like I do. I have also enjoyed going on Ride-outs since joining. We currently are working on making a new schedule for Ride-outs as they had stopped since November when the last secretary stepped down. The Ride-outs are nice because of the comradery between bikers of the same ilk. I enjoy riding with others, or on my own. It is the lure of the open road that gives cause to ride.

What does being a Secretary involve?

Being secretary is a voluntary position, so I spend some time after work doing things like: Working on the website; Sending emails to members; Planning meetings; Working out communication methods to coordinate Ride-outs; Reporting and receiving information from/to head office; Liaising with other branches regarding events. So being Secretary consumes some of my free time which I give willingly for a way of life that I believe in.

How does the Club operate on a national and county level?

The Club has a central structure with branches around the country. The branches keep Head Office informed of their movements and feedback member suggestions. There is a branch structure for month-on-month events within the branches, and national events are organised via Head Office – such as the National Rally. This year’s National Rally is to be held in Marley holiday park in Kent. This is where all the branches congregate to do Ride-outs and socialise together.

What’s happening next month?

We are having a meeting at Grumpy’s Café in Earsham on May 31, 2023, so we can resurrect the Rideout scheme in June. I am aiming to drum up interest in a Ride-out on the third Sunday, meeting at a café (Possibly Posh Pigs) beforehand. There shall likely be some other things happening, as I want to set up a method for ad hoc Ride-outs arranged by members at short notice.

Where can people find out more?

The Blog on the Norfolk and North Suffolk Branch website is where people can view what we have done and what we are going to do as a branch (norfolk.hoc.org.uk). Similarly, the national website can be viewed for information on what is available for members in other branches (hoc.org.uk). We are wanting to bring some younger people into the club to expand our horizons. We would run 125cc friendly ride outs. I have not raised this with Head Office yet, however, one of the members suggested a two-tier joining fee – possibly less for 20-year-olds or younger. It is a respectful place we run and we look after our members.

If you are interested in becoming a Member, email David Robertson at norfolk@hoc.org.uk, or Head Office at membership@hoc.org.uk, for an application form. Visit Norfolk Honda Owners Club (hoc.org.uk); The Honda Owners Club GB (hoc.org.uk) and Norfolk, and North Suffolk Honda Owners Club on Facebook. David is MD of South Norfolk-based software house, JADER Ltd.

Featured image of David Robertson – supplied