NORTHERN NEWS

Number 147 Aug 06

HON SEC’S JOTTINGS by John Bedford

Expenses. The club’s financial year ends on 30^th September. Please let Beryl have any expenses sheets as soon as possible so she can prepare the accounts, bearing in mind that we are away (again!) from 8^th – 24^th September.

Hillclimb. This was held on Saturday 22^nd July, starting from the Canwell ford and climbing into Hints village. There were 20 of us on the ride, but some chickened-out, leaving fifteen of us to pull our guts out, so to speak! When this climb is approached under normal circumstances it doesn’t seem too bad; a standing start makes a big difference! Bridget Lowe came first out of the four ladies, and Mick Noble was first man. We all then retired to Packington Moor Farm for a well-earned cup of tea or coffee. Trophies will be awarded at the slideshow on Saturday, 18^th November.

100 Mile Standard Ride. Many thanks to Val & Chris for organizing yet another Standard Ride. This went without any problems despite the wet and windy weather. The cream tea at Catton was very much appreciated by the slower group. Thanks to Harry & Sheila for providing the refreshments at the end of the ride, and to Geoff Findon and Dave Frost for leading the two faster groups.

Wednesday Faster Ride has now reached a maximum turn-out of 8. More riders are very welcome to join us.

Meriden. Planning is now taking place for next year – comments and ideas would be very welcome by Harry Child and myself.

Birmingham Winter Clubroom. The first meeting this winter will be at Carrs Lane Church Centre on Tuesday, 10^th October at 7-30pm. I will be giving a slideshow about our two tours in the American Rockies. Come along and see photos of some fine scenery, including the Trail Ridge route featured on page 9 of this issue.

Emergency Details. Are your details up-to-date on the form that we suggest you carry on all Club rides. Have you changed your medication or developed a new problem? Perhaps you have even lost your form? Recently, some of the procedures outlined on the form have been changed. Now is a good time to become familiar with these changes. These simple bits of paper may one day help to save your life. New forms can be obtained from Beryl and myself.

Emergency Calls. We are all familiar with the 999 number to call in an emergency. More recently there has been added an alternative, 112.

I understand that 999 is preferable from land-lines, whilst 112 gives better ‘tracking’ from a mobile phone. If an ambulance is called they will want to know if the patient(s) is, a) conscious b) breathing, and c) the exact location.

First Aid. Whilst as a Club we have had very few accidents over the years, I feel that we should address the issue of ‘First Aid’. Which members are up-to-date with any form of First Aid training (or alternative expertise)? Do we have any members who have been trained at some time, but are no longer qualified? Finally, do we have any members who would like to be trained at the expense of the Club, subject to the approval of the committee? Please do not leave this issue to somebody else. Please let Beryl or myself know so we can inform others within the club. Perhaps we also need a strategy for dealing with any unfortunate accident that might occur. I would welcome ideas.

Shackerstone Railway. We have used the railway café for many years, usually buying food here at lunchtime. Our recent ride was refused entry to the café unless we paid £1 for a Platform Ticket. This makes a cup of tea rather expensive!! The local pub does serve some very nice rolls, and Ian raved about the ‘Landlord’ brew.

Golden Beeches Weekend. There’s still time to make a booking for this weekend. There are three rides of differing lengths each day, a quiz and a slideshow. The food laid on is excellent. Come and see what another Section can achieve. The date , 28-29 October.

Western Section Invitation Ride is to be held on Sunday 24^th September. It starts from the Norton Scout Centre, off Heath Farm Road, Stourbridge, at 9-15am. The ride will be about 50 miles in length, at a leisurely pace, through rolling Staffs and Shropshire countryside with morning and afternoon café stops, and lunch in Chorley Village Hall.

Photo Competition. Keep snapping away for our own photo comp.

Details in the last Northern News, page 6.

Big Band Concerts at David Lloyds, Shady Lane, 8pm

Sundays, 17^th September, 15^th October, 12^th November.

More forthcoming events.

Section AGM, Tuesday 31^st October.

Erdington Slideshow on Romania, Saturday 18^th November.

DA AGM, Sunday 19^th November

The Thursday Lunch, Thursday 7^th December

The Festive Tea, Sunday 10^th December

The Friday Lunch, Friday 15^th December

Meriden Carol Service, Sunday 17^th December

HAS THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION GOT A FUTURE?

No doubt most of our readers will be aware that there is a ‘Birmingham and Midlands District Association’, which comprises the Sections of 1) Southern Wheelers 2) Southern 3) Northern 4) Western 5) West Bromwich* and 6) Over 50s*. A DA must have a Secretary and a Treasurer.

Over the years the activities of the DA have reduced – possibly the most significant loss being the Sports Day about 15 years ago. We were then left with the Birmingham Winter Clubroom, the Meriden weekend and some Standard Rides. Whilst holding the post of President I (re?)-introduced the twice-yearly Intersection Rides – but even I haven’t been able to support all of these due to overseas tours etc. Whilst I have tried to encourage Northern members to participate in DA events, generally the take-up has been very disappointing. And of course the Winter Clubroom again coincides with the Northern clubroom.

Sue Thorne has been an admirable Treasurer for some years, and Harry Child has been Secretary for 12 years. Harry has given notice that he wishes to relinquish the post. Currently we are not aware of anybody willing to take over this post, though a final decision need not be made until the AGM in November.

How do you see the DA? Is it of any relevance? If the DA were disbanded then each Section could possibly deal direct with Head Office. There is already a precedent for this in Reading.

An alternative would be for the Sections to join up with adjoining DA’s. Hence the Northern & West Brom might become part of the existing South Staffs DA.

All of this then leaves the problem of Meriden and the Birmingham Clubroom etc. Perhaps Meriden could be the responsibility of a trustee organization, with its own powers of co-option, bank account etc. Currently John Bennett is trying to get Meriden recognized as a National Event. Perhaps the Winter Clubroom could also have a trustee committee to run it.

There is time between now and the AGM for these issues to be discussed. If the status quo is to be retained then it would be helpful if a volunteer Secretary could make themselves known to Harry (0121-353 5814) as soon as possible.

[* On the CTC website the Over 50s is still listed as Over 60s, and the West Brom Section appears to have disappeared.]

SOCIAL EVENTS AT THE CLUBROOM by Mary Evans

As many of you know, John and I are now Social Secretaries for the Northern. We would welcome some input from members as to what they would like us to do on the third Tuesday of each month.

We do have some ideas, but would appreciate it if members could think of things they think would go down well. John and I will happily organize, or help to organize, these evenings.

This summer there have been two successful evenings. Tom Moore’s walk around Shenstone with a quiz at the end was very well supported and enjoyed. In July we ran a Pace Judging competition which was also enjoyable. So please come up with some ideas. I’m sure there are many of you who would have imaginative ideas. Looking forward to hearing from you!!!

KEEPING YOU ON THE ROAD by Beryl Bedford

One of our members had problems with his bike on a ride recently. I realized that although most people know I usually carry spare inner tubes, repair kit & patches, I thought I’d mention that I also carry spare cables. I’m not after extra sales, just want to keep everyone on the road.

PACE JUDGING – TUESDAY 18^TH JULY 2006

FROM COOPER HALL CLUB ROOM by Mary Evans

On a very warm and perfect evening, eight cyclists took part in the Pace Judging, setting off at one minute intervals, attempting to cover the course of five miles in half an hour.

Beryl and Mary were joint winners, completing the course in 24 and 25 seconds respectively, over the half hour period. The nearest male, John Davis, was 49 seconds over time.

The event was enjoyed by everyone and we hope that next year more people will come along and take part

German Journal – 2006 by Roger Smith

Martie and I are members of the Tamworth Twinning Association and have visited, by coach, our twin town, Bad Laasphe in Wittgensteiner Land in Central Germany. During three visits we have made several good friends in this beautiful little spa town which nestles in the Lahn valley surrounded by forested hills. We had speculated on the possibility of cycling to see our friends and this is a brief account of our escapades.

Martie comes from Holland, so we decided to combine a family visit with our cycle trip to Germany. Consequently, we drove to Tilburg using Norfolk Line to cross the Channel. This was our first experience of Norfolk Line which crosses from Dover to Dunkirk. Although the cheapest option and a fine ship, loading and unloading was exceptionally tedious.

After two nights at Martie’s sister’s, we drove 70 miles to Venlo near the German border where we left our car at the home of a cousin of Martie. Within five minutes, we crossed the border, past the defunct customs post, then off in the general direction of Dusseldorf. Cycling in Germany proved to be a pleasure, with facilities similar to Holland. Separate cycle paths alongside A and B roads is normal, with a bewildering host of cycle-only routes criss-crossing the countryside.

The initial hundred miles were flat but, by the end of our second day we had climbed a “real stinker” before descending to Overath. By now the temperature was around ninety and we hoped to find a hotel in this small, attractive town. English is NOT widely spoken in Germany but when we asked “Wo ist ein hotel?” We were directed, vaguely in the direction of the motorway some five miles away. After three attempts with other citizens, we set off to bike three miles in a different direction. Within half a mile we found a hotel, only ten minutes walk from the centre where we made our fruitless requests!

Our experiences in finding hotels varied from 5 minutes up to 40 minutes which could be very trying when very hot and tired. However, all hotels were pleasant with bed and breakfast for two in the range of £54 to £63. There are, according to the books, B & B’s (Zimmer Frei or room free), however we saw but two on our travels.

Because of the heat, we tried to get away each morning by 8.30 a.m. On the third day we climbed into the mountains, 40 minutes of bottom gear grind, in the blazing sun on a road that winds ever upwards. Tough but we did it with Martie deserving the Polka Dot jersey! The fourth day was to take us over three mountains to our destination, Bad Laasphe. An hour into the journey, at Kreutztal, I proved that moving at speed from the road onto the cycle path can be dangerous when I came a “right pearler”. Two cars stopped to help but luckily the bike was fine. The rider however incurred cuts and bruises on hand and knees. I stopped at a nearby petrol station where a woman kindly gave me some plasters. We then carried on, over the hills and arrived at our friends by 1.00p.m.

After showers and change of clothes we felt better but our hosts insisted on taking me to a local doctor. Dr. Wiedermann was a jolly guy who charged only £7 for his services. That evening was spent with the Burgermeister and the following day, in a nearby village with the Deputy Burgermeister and his family. They were truly excellent hosts and the visit continued to cement our friendship.

Bad Laasphe is only 6 miles from the source of the River Lahn which flows South East then Westwards to join the Rhine near Koblenz. There is a dedicated cycle route along the Lahn valley or “Lahntal” which runs for 245 kms; it was our plan to take this route. This was a wonderful decision; the route falls gradually from 350 to 80 metres altitude and is basically flat. The cycle path is 90 % separate from roads with generous width and excellent surface. The Lahn valley takes some beating for gentle beauty, much variety, pretty villages and gems of old towns. The route is well signed throughout and benches appear at regular intervals. The route is much appreciated by locals with walkers, roller-bladers and cyclists from five to eighty all enjoying what is in fact, a linear park some 150 miles long. Particular towns to visit are Marburg, Wetzlar, Weilburg, Limburg and Bad Ems. At the latter, there was a regatta and fete in the town with “dragon boats” powered by 16 paddles and a kettle drum, great fun!

Three good days took us to the Rhine where we proceeded northwards along the Rheinradweg, the Rhine cycle way that runs for 1200 kms. We travelled through Remagen of the bridge fame, Bonn and stopped just south of Cologne. The nature of the Rhine is different to the Lahn being much broader and carrying an incredible amount of huge barges. Also there are significant areas of industry and large towns. However, the cycle route is splendid, generally alongside the river and diverting inland around industrial complexes but always well signed and benches at one km intervals.

The following day, we voted to bike 66 miles back to Holland, returning a day earlier than planned. Mainly due to the heat we were well-spent, but after the obligatory shower, fresh clothes and a meal we were fine. We drove back to Tilburg that evening to spend the last three days of our holiday.

We pedalled 455 miles in Germany over nine days plus a “rest day” with our friends. Germany impressed us greatly with its beauty, cycle routes, lovely towns and friendly people. Except for the Rhine cruises, Germany is not much visited by Brits, indeed we met only one English person on our travels. From our experience, we highly recommend a visit; you will not be disappointed. Useful information on Cycling in Germany can be found on http://www.bicyclegermany.com/index.html

THE ULTIMATE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE by John Bedford

In 2005 Beryl and I had a terrific tour in the American Rockies, starting from Denver. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to fly back again and see more of this mountainous area. Planning was soon underway and a booking was made in the British Airways January Sale. Nevertheless, the price had gone up by £60 each compared with last year.

The intention was to use the Amtrak train from Denver, through the mountains to Glenwood Springs, so we could cycle a new area. Train bookings were easily made on the internet, as were our first two hotels.

Eventually we set off from home, driving to Heathrow. The holiday started at Cookham (in Berkshire) where we stopped off to look round one of my old cycling haunts. That evening we stayed at The Quality Hotel at Colnbrook, where we left the car for the three weeks. Next day we cycled the six miles into Terminal 4. Whilst there is some cycletrack, there is space for much better provision to be made for cyclists on these very busy roads.

The flight was fine, but on retrieving the bikes at Denver Airport it was obvious that Beryl’s had suffered some damage. The forks and front brake were bent! Taking the front brake off meant that the bike was rideable, but was pulling over to the left – not particularly good for a tour in the mountains. To cut a long story short, next morning we visited three bike shops in Denver before obtaining some secondhand forks, which I fitted myself, plus a new front brake obtained from the last shop. We still had the afternoon free to look round Denver centre. We stayed that night at the historic Oxford Hotel, expensive, but within a few yards of the railway station where we caught the 8am train. We’d taken the bikes to the station the previous afternoon as they had to be boxed and registered.

We had a glorious train ride through the mountains for about six hours before alighting at Glenwood Springs. At 2-30 we set off for Rifle, but with a very strong headwind and a temperature of 100 degrees, it was 6pm before we completed the 28 mile ride. Six miles of this was, of necessity and quite legal, along the hard-shoulder of Interstate 70, the equivalent of one of our motorways. At Rifle we called at The Red River Inn to find we’d got the last room; it had three double beds and a kitchenette for just $61 (£34)!

Next day we were away early to try and get some miles in before it got too hot. This became the norm for the next week or so, with afternoon temperatures reaching at least 103 degrees. A decision was soon made to alter the route and omit the planned visit to Gunnison. We usually finished cycling by about 1pm, spending the first few afternoons resting and trying to keep cool in our motel room.

After leaving Rifle I made an error, trying to avoid riding on the Interstate again. Rather than backtrack we clambered over a parapet and scrambled down the highway embankment – passing motorists must have thought we were crazy.

This area wasn’t particularly spectacular, though we did pass Grand Mesa, claimed to be the largest area of table mountain in the world. After a night at Clifton we went on to Delta. In the evening we joined a handful of patrons at the Egypt Cinema to see the Da Vinci Code. With its Egyptian murals it is one of only four such cinemas still existing in the States.

A couple of days later we stayed at Paonia. We were entering coal mining country, and climbing. We stopped at EL Portal Bar for midmorning coffee and toast. I got talking to some of the miners who had just come off the night shift about their mining methods – and when they heard about our plans they treated us to the coffee and toast.

The route became very steep and we ended up walking quite a long stretch of road – the heat was taking its toll. As we were coming down in to Marble we stopped at a waterfall, and two lots of Americans, having seen us on the pass, took our photos. We felt like celebs! As we approached Redstone, our planned destination, it poured. The Redstone Inn was again expensive at $99 (£56), but a real historic gem of a place.

We were now following the Crystal River through a pretty 11 mile gorge, down to Carbondale and back into Glenwood Springs. We hadn’t had chance to look around when we got off the train a few days before, so we welcomed the early arrival.

We took a cable car and had an interesting cave tour high in the mountains, and later saw the world’s largest, manmade outdoor mineral hot-springs swimming pool

We were now heading east, using an excellent purpose built cycletrack through the Colorado Canyon to Gypsum. A further 7 miles to Eagle put today’s total at 35 miles – but the quality was superb.

The next day we reached Vail, a well known ski resort, with ski resort prices. Well, we did stay at the Holiday Inn. Leaving the next morning we took a 20 minute bus ride to East Vail. Bikes went on a rack on front of the bus. This was a free service paid for out of the local sales tax. We joined the Vail Pass Trail, another cycletrack to avoid the Interstate Highway, but quite a climb. This gave us time to watch the marmots at play at the side of the track. There were numerous cyclists on the trail and we were able to get into conversation with quite a few.

Over the next few days we wandered through the towns of Frisco, Dillon, Kremmling and Granby before arriving at Grand Lake. The highlight of the tour, Trail Ridge, was to start here!

Next morning we were up at 5-30am. The motel did not serve coffee until 8am so we snacked and managed to get away by 6-15. At that time of the morning it was quite cool, and we had a stiff climb out of the town. The road then leveled off and there was little traffic. We entered the Rocky Mountain National Park, cycling straight in as the toll booth was not yet open. The next ten miles gave us sightings of elk grazing, along with a moose and baby. After 12 miles the serious climb started, zigzagging up the mountain side. We rode all the way to Milner’s Pass at 10,758 ft by 10am, having done 19 miles. We were soon above the tree line with some good views of the surrounding snowy mountains. A headwind developed and we ended up walking a few miles. By 12 o’clock we had covered about half the distance and arrived at the café near the summit, the only facility on this route. Here we had soup and cake for lunch; we also had our photo taken and coffees bought for us by somebody we got talking to. He said we were an inspiration! We then did a further two miles of walking to reach the unmarked summit at 12,183 ft. It was very desolate but there were some excellent views. We put some warm clothes on for the descent – a good job because we had some snow and rain on the way down to Estes Park, where we arrived at the pre-booked Travelodge at 5-30 after cycling and walking 52 miles.

Next day was earmarked as a recovery day so we looked around the town, drank coffee, and went to the local cinema in the evening to see ‘The Break Up’ – much more enjoyable and understandable than the ‘Da Vinci Code’.

We had three more days to get back to Denver Airport for our flight home, with low mileages each day. It was with a great sense of achievement that we returned home, knowing that we had cycled ‘the highest continuous paved road in the world.’

Just for the record, we had covered 606 miles in the 3 weeks at an inclusive cost of £2,250 – but what an experience – really priceless!!

68^e Semaine Fédérale Internationale de Cyclotourisme At Châteauroux, 30 July to 6 August.

by Ian & Jani Simmonite

As we approached Châteauroux from the A20, we could tell what the countryside was like, not a hill in sight, cornfields stretching to the horizon, with occasional fields of golden sunflowers and roads as straight as only the Romans could build! Châteauroux lies on the river Indre, in the south of the Loire region, about halfway between Orléans and Limoges. Just off the A20 exit for Châteauroux, there is a gigantic ex American Air Force Aerodrome, part of which is now used as a civilian airport. Registration to collect our documents was here in an enormous hangar, about a fifth of which was used, still no problems with parking or queuing as in previous years. We were staying in the residential agricultural Lycée, which was beyond the southern ring road. The village fédéral (la permanence), where all the facilities are for the Semaine and the start of the rides, was in the north of the town 5 K away.

Sunday – Argenton-sur-Creuse, 47 miles, 13.2 av.

Normally on each day of the Semaine there are 5 rides to choose, ranging from P1-35 K up to P5-200K. On Sundays however there are only two official Audax rides of 133K and 177K, this time with a car assist to Les Monts de la Marche, quite hilly we were told. Jani and I decided to do our own thing. Some 5 or 6 years previously we had had a Headwater’s cycling holiday based round the river Creuse, which is the river to the south of the Indre. We planned a circular route to have lunch at Argenton–sur-Creuse, a pretty town we had visited before. From the ancient 15C Bridge there is a good view of the old houses with their wooden galleries overhanging the river. Looking upstream towards the weir, we could see one of the few working watermills left on the Creuse, it still grinds wheat to make flour. We sat outside at a restaurant in the main square and had a light salad, myself with a bière pression and Jani with a citron pressé. We felt very French.

Monday – Towards Valençay, 68miles, 12.5av.

Today the rides were north towards Valençay, which has a superb Château and is well known for its wines, however to go there you would have to do the P4 ride of 137K. We did the P3 ride of 91K. We had done about 15K when I suddenly heard Jani exchanging life stories with a rather overweight elderly cyclist. Each day the regional newspaper devoted a page to the Semaine and that day had done an article on this cyclist complete with pictures. It was Wally Happy, now 73, a champion cyclist who had two national titles for pursuit in 1953 and 1956. To hear his life story see Jani!

The first drinks/food stop was in the grounds of a château at Bouges-le Château. Here we met Bob Maitland, wearing a Solihull top and with the Solihull crowd. Later, the Solihull peloton passed us lead by Bob, who shouted at Jani, “Come on Rourke! Come on Rourke!” Jani was wearing her Rourke top. Cycling across quite flat country we stopped next at Argy, again there were food/drink stalls in the grounds of a château. Here we met Phil Gambles, in a Walsall top and Trish and shared a beer. Just as we were leaving Enid and Geoff arrived saying that they had spent most of the day successfully sorting out their accommodation.

Tuesday.

Had a rest day visiting Carrefour, its cafeteria and the shops of Châteauroux.

Wednesday – La Brenne, 68 miles, 12.4 av.

Today’s ride was more or less the ride that we did on our own on the Sunday to Argenton-sur-Creuse. So we did yesterday’s P3 ride to La Brenne, the country of a thousand lakes to the East of Châteauroux. Apparently they are not natural lakes but were dug by the monks for fresh fish. By the number of lakes, there must have been a lot of hungry monks! The direction arrows were still on the road from yesterday’s ride, so navigation was easy. We stopped for a snack at St-Gaultier, again on the river Creuse. In the middle of the café was a Cannondale racing bike and the owner delighted in showing us trophies that his son had won and photographs. He told us to go and buy cakes next door from the patisserie and we ate them with our coffee in the café– delicious.

From the town we followed the valley of the Creuse for 14 Km; this was the only section of the ride which was lumpy. We then cut north across the region of the lakes to Migné. The road was very smooth and flat. I put the bike into the large chain wheel (Albert have you taken note) and was able to average 19/20 mph for 5/6 miles, very satisfying. From Migné, went via Méobec and Neuillay-Les-Bois back to Châteauroux. Had our first real taste of rain on the way back.

Thursday–Picnic at the village of love–St Valentin, 44 miles, 11.4av

Thursday is traditionally the day of the picnic. On arriving we were greeted at the site by a New Orleans Jazz Band. Met cousin, grabbed our picnics and then it started to rain. A few hundred cyclists flocked into a nearby church. A man said that we should not eat our picnics there. Jani said that she didn’t think the hierarchy would mind. Rode back against a strong SWly with cousin, who invited us for sundowners to his campsite. He introduced us to all his French neighbours, some he said were up at the crack of dawn and had done every P5 (200Km) ride to date!

Friday/Saturday

Friday another day off, took the car to the ancient village of Issoudun, with its 12C white tower and other monuments. That evening sat down with cousin and his group of French campers at the dinner at the Village Fédéral. A very lively lot they were. I think I spoke more French that night than I did during the whole of my French class last year. That evening I had the shivers and a temperature by morning. No riding on the Saturday and home on the Sunday, missing the grand parade through the town

The Semaine this year seemed a bit like the countryside, uninspiring. Perhaps the French knew this since numbers were down to 9,500 instead of the usual 12,000. However, next year the scenery should be better, since it is at Périgueux, in the Dordogne region, from 5-12 Aug.

THE HIGHWAY CODE by John Bedford

Following some harassment from a motorist whilst doing the 100 Standard Ride, it may be worth being able to quote the following:

For Cyclists, Section 51

You should

- - not ride more than 2 abreast

- - ride in single file on narrow or busy roads

For Motorists, Section 108:

Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid.

-----You may cross the line if necessary to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are traveling at 10mph or less.

Section 132 Country Lanes

Take extra care on country roads and reduce your speed at approaches to bends, which can be sharper than they appear, and at minor junctions and turnings, which may be partially hidden. Be prepared for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists walking or riding in the road. You should also reduce your speed where country roads enter villages.

If challenged by any motorist please be polite, particularly if in club colours. It is suggested that one rider makes a note of the car registration, make, and the location and time, along with some identifying feature of the motorist. This could be useful if there is a case of road rage, or if a report needs to be made to the Police

ROUND SUTTON PARK by Beryl Bedford

Whilst John was riding the ‘100’ on Sunday 13^th August two young lads came to buy an inner tube. They asked if John was in, but I told them he was out cycling as usual on a Sunday, and was doing 100 miles today. “Oh ,” said the lad –“is that in Sutton Park?”

I can’t think how many laps you’d have to do, to cycle 100 miles in the Park.

NEXT COPY DATE – TUESDAY 26^th SEPTEMBER.