A message to all current S&DMC members:
“An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) is being called to discuss if and how we purchase of an area of woodland, including the famous Crooked Mustard section used on the Cotswold Clouds Trial.
This meeting will take place at 20:00, on Wednesday 14th June 2023, at:
Minchinhampton Cotswold Club, 11 High St, Minchinhampton, Stroud GL6 9BN
https://goo.gl/maps/kk9vAWPbbfCv1rZk6 / https://what3words.com/friends.pampered.jetliner
This EGM has arisen because Stroud & District Motor Club is at risk of losing access to Crooked Mustard, as the woodland is up for sale again. The Committee, and more recently a Sub-Committee, have been working to establish all of the relevant details and have come up with a plan to purchase the necessary land to gain ownership of this historic trials section. We think it right that the decision on if and how we go ahead with this plan should be put to the club membership, to vote on. We therefore ask that if you are able to, you attend and have your vote on our proposal.
The proposal involves purchasing 9 acres of woodland, potentially also opening up a new Mechanics Trial section. This is to be funded with a combination of the club’s money and crowdfunding; full details will be given at the EGM. We hope to see you there.”
Kieran Yarwood
Secretary
Stroud and District Motor Club 
Unable.to attend as we are away but support the proposal
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Hi Guys
I am not a member of your club but urge you to purchase this iconic section otherwise I am sure it will be lost for trials forever.
I have been a member of the Sidcup Motorcycle Club since 1967 (you can work out I am an old duffer).
When I first joined the Sidcup club there were still members who could remember when the club pre war had been offered the Brands Hatch Estate where the club was running very successful grass track meetings. The price was £3000! The committee of the day felt that “they could not commit future club members to ongoing expenditure”, the rest is history, bought by a motorcycle dealer and within a very short time sold on for huge profit, obviously still in use but not really for club types.
In the 70’s I was a committee member and one of the events we ran was the Knatts Valley Grass Hill Climb, reputed to be the first motor sport event recorded by the BBC, the lady that had owned the hill for many years asked the club if they would like to purchase for £3000, I was a lone voice urging the committee to buy. Sadly we did not, a guy bought it, let us run 1 year and an exorbitant fee and then built a bungalow on it.
The club had had the use of Canada Heights for many years, in 1982 we had the offer to purchase, I think for £40,000, thankfully purchase was agreed with the committee being unanimous in their support, we did not have the required capital but sought many methods to achieve funding and were successful. The club now owns Canada Heights outright, hopefully many of you will be aware of some of the events that have been run there in the last 40 years, these include three world championship sidecar moto cross rounds, an annual round of the British Moto Cross solo championship and numerous clubman events (trials, moto cross and enduro).
The land has in effect been save for moto sport use.
On of the funding methods was “The 100 Club”, donors paid a £100, they got a tie and a certificate, every year a draw was made and a minimum of 5 donors received their £100 back (in cash, work out the trade benefit).
If you go ahead with this purchase and consider a £100 club put me down for the first one!
Best wishes
Roger Ashby
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