News

It is with great sadness that I am reporting the passing on 4th November, of our dear friend and former treasurer, Roy Longman.  Roy was one of our longstanding members, a stalwart able to tell many a story of the Hants BSA club gone by. 

For many years, Roy was our club treasurer, keeping meticulous attendance records of club nights and custodian of our subs. He confessed to not being mechanical, but you would be hard pressed to find a better collection of polished bikes.   He loved nothing more than being in his shed polishing his bikes, to the stirring music of the Royal Marines Band playing in the background.  

He started his working life in the Post Office as a telegram boy.  Roy owned many bikes over the years including a Rocket Gold  Star, a Super Rocket and a Green A7.  The green A7 was the envy of many in the club.   Our current treasurer, Pat became the proud custodian of the bike a couple of years ago, when Roy decided it was time to revert to smaller bikes due to health issues.

Roy enjoyed his holidays in America, visiting every year with an almost mandatory visit to the bike auction, when it was running.  Roy also enjoyed a few visits to the bike rally in Luc-sur-Mer, France where, as a group we enjoyed a long weekend with good friends.  Roy and Christine also attended several of the long distance international rallies to New Zealand, and California.  

Roy lived for many years in Stubbington and he was proud each year to welcome members of the club to show their machines at the annual village fete.  This was always well received by visitors to the event. 

Whilst we now have pop-up gazebos that make our summer camp set up so much more efficient, we have fond memories of previous years’ set up.  This included a few members meeting at Roy’s lock up to move all the necessary equipment to camp.  What followed was precision, almost military action with Roy instructing the efficient erection of the marquees….no one could quite master it the same way.  

Some of you may recall Bob Edney, our previous Chairman? Roy welcomed Bob to the club, and there started a beautiful friendship with Roy referring to Bob as “son” and Bob would reply “yes Dad”.   Unfortunately we lost Bob a few years back which impacted Roy deeply.  Bob’s son in law, Pete and our current Chairman, however took over where Bob left off and regularly visited Roy and his wife Christine, and occasionally brought him to club nights when Roy was unable to make it under his own steam.  

Unfortunately, after working well past his official retirement age, now in house clearances, Roy was taken poorly which resulted in major surgery and rendered him reliant on his dear wife Christine.   What followed over the following year or so saw multiple hospital visits for Roy which frustrated him.  His last visit lasted several weeks and as you would imagine, he was keen to get home.  I was so pleased to receive a call from Roy on the day of his discharge from hospital; he was in good spirits and was looking forward to receiving visitors again.   This made the news that he had passed away later that day even more difficult to comprehend.    

Roy was a tall man in stature and spirit and will be sadly missed.  Our love and best wishes go to his wife Christine and their family. 

RIP Roy.

Debs 07.11.2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jim, the landlord of the Bold Forester, the home for many years of Hants BSAOC. Jim's passion was classic motor cars, but he always spared time to come and have a chat with us and admire our machines on 2 wheels.  It's fair to say that Jim was very generous to us as a club and looked after us well.  Jim had retired only a few years ago to the west country.  Our best wishes go to his family.

Jim's funeral takes place at Hollybrook Cemetery, Tremona Road, Shirely, SO16 6HW Friday 17th June at 12 noon.  Jim's family have requested people wear bright colours, if possible but not essential.  Family flowers only and donations if wished will go to either diabetes or cancer charity.

A celebration of Jim's life is expected to be organised at a later date.   

RIP Jim  

Andy 12.06.2022