ESX History
As we approach our 34th Year
A Brief History of the ESSEX CHAPTER
General:
The Chapter was formed by Vic and Glenys Anthony, and the first AGM was held in December 1991.
The Chapter was nearly called The Three Rivers Chapter due to two of the initial meeting places were near the rivers Crouch and Blackwater respectively – the dealership was Heritage HD, Leigh On Sea – as near as dammit to the river Thames.
The first monthly meets were at The Anchor at Fambridge and The Roundbush, Mundon
The monthly meet at The Lodge started July 1995 – and is still going.
The first Annual subscriptions were £5.
First Christmas party was December 14th 1991 at The Anchor, Burnham – 50 attended.
Monthly Magazine has been called:
Essex Newsletter
Hawg Torque
Essex Chapter News
Essex News
Essex Chapter Chronicle
The Essex Standard
CHAPTER DIRECTORS
Director – Vic Anthony – Nov 1991 to March 1995
Assistant Director – John Jeseph
Director – Charlie Davies – April 1995 to Nov 1997
Assistant Directors – Paul Hutchins then Steve Simpson
Steve Simpson – Jan 1998 to Feb 1999
Assistant Director – Tim Purvis
Director – Steve Simpson – Dec 1997 – March 1999
Assistant Director – Tim Purvis
Director – Bernie Applebee – March 1999 to Feb 2001
Assistant Director – Paul Ryan
Director – Tony Crathern – March 2001 to Feb 2003
Assistant Directors 3 – Paul Ryan – Roy Morgan – Paul Barron then Richard Auton
Director – Richard Auton – March 2003 to March 2006
Assistant Directors 2 – Paul Ryan – Doug Naylor
Director – Vincent Penkul – April 2006 to October 2009
Assistant Directors 3 – Paul Ryan – Marlon Greaves – Malcolm Brown
Director – Phil Riley – November 2009 to Nov 2013 [HOG then Essex Chapter UK]
Assistant Directors – pre 2011 – Colin Gray – Chris Hall – Graham Barrell 2011 on, Gary Driver – Mark Ball – Colin Grey
Director – Gary Driver – Nov 2013 – October 2017
Assistant Directors – Martin Hunt
Director – Phil Head – October 2017 – October 2023
Assistant Directors – Karl Austin – Lee Turner
Director – Glyn Bacon – October 2023 – January 2025
Assistant Directors – Gary Morgan
Director – Gary Morgan January 2025 – present day
CHAPTER RALLIES
How they have changed over the years !!!!!
1992
Roundbush PH – Mundon – 30/31st May Sat and Sun
Tickets £5 each for members – includes a fish and chip supper!
Bands – The Works and Morrison
Sponsored by Heritage HD Leigh on sea
10 tents !!
1993
Roundbush Pub – Mundon – 29-30th May – Sat and Sun
Tickets – £9.50
Bands – The Works plus Novak and Goode
1994
The Huntsman and Hounds PH – Althorne – 11/12 June – Sat and Sun
Tickets – £7.50
Bands – Novak and Goods plus two others (unknown)
Rideout with 100 bikes
1995
The Huntsman and Hounds PH – Althorne – 3/4th June – Sat and Sun
Tickets £8.00
Over 100 tents
Bands – Novak and Goode and MGM
1996
The Huntsman and Hounds PH – Althorne – First three day rally 14th to 16th June – Thur, Fri, Sat
Over 100 tents
Bands Novak and Goode – Splinter – Less than Blessed – MGM
1997
The Huntsman and Hounds PH – Althorne – 13 to 15th June
Disco and three bands – no other details
1998
St Osyths Bay Caravan Park – 5 to 7th June
No other details – not a popular rally as we were mixed in with other holiday makers – kids were stealing bits from the bikes etc.
1999
St.Osyths Bay Caravan Park – 4 to 6th June 3rd £28.50 rally tickets
As 1998 – not a good rally
2000
The Huntsman and Hounds PH [return] – Althorne – 23rd to 25th June £15.00 rally tickets
Bands – Legend and Hedgehog plus two others
250+ attended – Rally held in complete disregard to HAS – broken leg’s on husky dog race
2001
The Huntsman and Hounds PH – Althorne – 22nd to 24th June
Bands – Vudolittle (Marlon Greaves played drums) – Legend – Hedgehog
Winner of “Best in Class” riding through a hedge due to failed bakes
2002
The Huntsman and Hounds Pub – Althorne – 21st to 23rd June, £20.00 rally tickets
Bands – Break for Cover – Scam 69 – Squabbler – Legend – Hedgehog
2003
The Huntsman and Hounds Pub – Althorne – 20th to 22nd June
Police car arriving with full “blues and two’s” at 1.00 AM [Essex Chapter Met police officers]
No details
2004
The Huntsman and Hounds Pub – Althorne – 2nd to 4th July
Advance sales 200+ tickets – 320 attended
Bands – Vudolittle – Break for Cover – Hedgehog plus DJ Ken
Rideout over 100 bikes
DJ Ken falling asleep in the middle of the field after taking some strange substances
2005
The Huntsman and Hounds PH – Althorne – 1st to 3rd July
9 trade stands
Bands – The Proof – Scam 69 – Houndogs – Hedgehog
2006
Cherry Wood – Purfleet – 21st to 23rd July
Bands – Cruisin Mooses – Houndogs – Rolling Clones – Hedgehog
DJ Ken
Air brushing out the electrity pylons on flyers ? Peripheral Entertainment with Fire Eaters etc. Electricity black-out resulting in Rolling Clones playing an acoustic set, French chef being knocked unconscious by 2 visiting H.A’s not waking up until noon next day
DJ Ken [Rockula]
2007
Rochford 100 Rugby Club – 17th to 19th August
Bands – Storm – The Hamsters – Cruisin Mooses – Scary Mary
DJ Ken
Entertainment from the female Fire Eaters etc +10 trader stalls including Zeus Custom who sold a 25k bike Scarry Mary playing like “Primal Scream” [volume 11] requiring us to use a sound engineer for rallies in the future.
2008 – 2010
Rochford 100 Rugby Club – 14th to 16th August
Bands – Jurassica – B17’s – Fabulous Feedback Band – The Bohemians
Thursday set up day alongside junior rugby team’s practise match
- 2017
Sudbury FC – 12-14th August, £30.00 rally tickets
Bands – Steve Harley Cockney Rebel [twice] Hedgehog, B17’s [Phil Head drummer] E11evens, Pawnshop Rxxx, The Stents, Johnny Gunner, DJ Chunky Monkey
Chunky Monkey DJ. Essex winning all the games against Surrey and the rest of the Chapters, Essex losing all the games the next year especially against Surrey.
Start of the 3.00am club
Gas explosion closing main road, body in the river and one of the exhibitors birds of prey flying off, never to be seen again – start of the 3.00 am club.
Bands -, torrential rain flooded the campsite with everyone sheltering in the main hall of the FC
2021
White Pheasant, Lenwade – not widely appreciated by attendees
2022
The Bell Wenden
2023
Southend Rocks Rally Cupids Country Club, Southend
Note: all photographs of attendees/offenders on the Chapter Website Gallery