Suffolk BBQ Weekend 2025
Suffolk BBQ Weekend 2025 – 31st May and 1st June
Anthony Findlay and Kathy Balmain once again invited all members of LAM on a social, all members ride to the small village of Drinkstone in Suffolk, for an overnight stay and BBQ in their beautiful garden in the grounds of the old Drinkstone Park Mansion, near Woolpit in Suffolk.
The Park and its owner, Joshua Grigby are immortalised in paintings by Thomas Gainsborough the owner of the park in the 18th and early 19th Century. James Grigby III is recognised on a plinth in the garden. There were four generations of James Grigbys who lived at the house before it was owned by others and finally requisitioned in WW2, during which time it was damaged and then demolished soon after the end of the war. The few outbuildings remaining were later turned into private houses.
Saturday
A group of 24 Members, Observers and Associates met at Flower Farm, Godstone for the ride up to Suffolk. After a full briefing by Anthony, who was to lead the group, we left in one large group, soon after 9.30am on a circuitous, testing, country roads and narrow lanes route into Surrey and Kent, with Peter Gibbons riding shotgun.
The group rode much of the Pilgrims Way, through Ide Hill, Eynsford and small minor roads to the back side of Dartford. After a short stop to bunch the group before the Thames crossing, it was made clear that keeping the group together through the busy tunnel approach, the tunnel itself and then into Essex on the M25 would be a challenge, so everyone was made clear to exit at J29 onto the A127 for Southend. Entering the A282 (Dartford Crossing Road) very close to the entrance of the Dartford Crossing Tunnels, the group was able to keep fairly well together in the traffic, through the tunnel, into Essex and the few miles of M25 where everyone made the exit at J29.
Unfortunately, at the J29 roundabout several lorries leaving a cement works just at the wrong time resulted in a marker being dropped just short of the intended exit to the A127, and with no clear road sign visible a couple of riders found themselves on an impromptu visit of the factory. Anthony was unaware and continued along the A127 to his left turn and the wiggly route to South Weald. But all was not lost, every marker waited in position as asked, and each one of them called Anthony, who was on phone comms throughout, for an update. Also, in touch with TEC Peter Gibbons the confusion was identified, riders rounded up and collected and the group was complete again before too long. You see, the drop off system really can work if everyone acts as they’re supposed to.
The group then set off on country roads, passing Old Macdonald’s Children’s Farm (easily visible from the M25) and the old, no longer Secret, Nuclear Bunker, towards Kelvedon Hatch, Ongar and Haverhill on the A128. At Chipping Ongar we took the “Bendy B184”. The group made good progress to the coffee stop at Winners Café in Finchingfield, passing through Fyfield and Great Dunmow. Arriving at the green at Finchingfield, it was very busy with classic cars and many motorcycle groups meeting. Parking was a challenge and we were spread around the village green. After a short break and a coffee, tea or ice-cream the group re-formed to head off towards Suffolk.
Eddie Wright took over as TEC, Peter having had a challenging time at the back up to Finchingfield and also, to give him a chance to enjoy the remainder of the ride in the pack. Unfortunately, even though Eddie thought he must be the last to leave due to his parked location, but with no clear way to see that all riders had moved off. However, three more riders soon overtook him after the first turn out of Finchingfield, a lucky escape there.
From then on, the group moved smoothly across country into Suffolk on fantastic country roads, in great weather. One rider suffered from a wasp intruding into his jacket and near the end of the ride, one rider was starting to worry about his petrol range. In both instances there were no problems and we arrived at Anthony’s family home at 3pm. Some riders went on to their overnight accommodation, soon returning for the BBQ, whilst others staying at the house, changed.
Food and drink were soon being served in abundance by Anthony and Kathy and the group spent several hours having a good time chatting and putting the world to rights, and making new friendships. The group wandered around the garden and were pictured on a drone, is this a LAM first? The group enjoyed the flowers, trees, Ha-Ha (google that) with views across the open countryside and bucolic scenery.
After the BBQ a few riders decided to return home back to London. Some went to their overnight accommodation, two riders set up their tents in the garden and a few were fortunate enough to have a place to lay their sleeping bags in the house. Those staying continued to enjoy a social evening until well after sunset before wending their way to their beds.
Sunday
Kathy and Anthony served a breakfast for those not getting one with their accommodation. Some riders after breakfast had already decided to head straight home, some in ones and twos, others alone.
The Sunday ride led by Anthony then left Drinkstone just after 10.30, heading towards the coast. A couple of hours riding in glorious weather took in some of Suffolk’s finest and most picturesque roads and narrowest (at times!) lanes. Parking up at Southwold Pier the group wandered the promenade overlooking the sand and sea towards the centre of town. No time for a visit to the Adnams brewery I’m afraid, but fish and chips were enjoyed by all, sitting in the sun on benches overlooking the coastline. Then the ride home down the A12, with riders peeling off one by one after a somewhat breezy Dartford Crossing. Another long day in the saddle, but with some great vistas and memories.
Kathy and Anthony’s hospitality had been wonderful and the group had been blessed with good weather, good company and a weekend to remember. Let’s hope they’re up for it again next year.
A Nonny-Mouse
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