C.O.C. News

Norfolk ’n’ Good COC Weekend of September 4th-6th. Loddon Marina Campsite, Bridge Street, Loddon South Norfolk NR14 6EZ. We've now booked the whole field to simplify the paperwork. Whether you've previously reserved your place or not, all's well and you can turn up unannounced and please yourself. In spite of previous years here costing £20 per night, this year it's only £15 if you don't want electricity. You'll pay the irrepressible Chloe who lives on her phone, her number's on the campsite office door.

 

The new toilet block has two clean toilets and a shower on the camping field with no need now to risk infection in the boat yard's industrial facilities. Much work still progresses in the boatyard however and I noticed new rusting boat engines in the hedgerows. Loddon Marina Campsite has lost none of its peculiar, undefinable charm. The sweet spot is that Loddon has all you can eat in prolific opportunities just yards way from the campsite entrance, a supermarket and four pubs, none of which are more than two minutes walk away.

 

NB, the above Google Earth shot was taken before the Summer's drought and at the time of writing Loddon is as scorched straw coloured as everywhere else. Fortunately, tidal rather than rain fed, the swamp's rivers are still full.

For those interested, the Saturday ride out is to Raveningham Threshing Fair, an agricultural show/classic vehicle weekend. We're in free because we're on display as fascinating classics. The show's timetable means the ride out has to be mercifully short and more merciful still, the show ground, a stubble field, is only three miles away as the crow flies. Even if the ride out descends into chaos, Micheal Wadsworth, no one will get lost. With luck, we'll be away from Loddon by 9.30am and home late afternoon. 

 

Punters early enough might enjoy a Friday evening ride out to Geldeston Locks Inn, if continued dry weather means the track across the swamp is OK.

 

Non camping day visitors are more than welcome.

 

B&B is available in Loddon itself and in many of the surrounding villages. Of course you will need to book that in advance. Contact: Paul Codling at paulcodling@mail.com or 01508520890

 

COC Autumn Dent 2–4 October 2026 Conder Farm, Dent, Cumbria, LA10 5QT There is no official organiser for this, the weekend runs on the formula of the first weekend in October, so those who know go then. It's very much a COC institution. The scenery is as good as Yorkshire gets, although politically it's in Lancashire. 

 

NB. Mick, who ran the Conder Farm campsite is now in a nursing home. At the time of writing we're not sure if we'll return to Conder Farm in October. The site was being run by Mick's son when we were up there in May but as a rented property, anything could happen. At the time of writing I've tried ringing the phone number available on the internet, a landline, but so far there's been no response. The internet thinks Conder Farm is open and running normally and the latest info I have is Mick's Son's flippant advice to "Just turn up." when we were there in May. There are plenty of other camping options in Dent itself and in the surrounding Dales. Watch this space for more info as it becomes available.

 

Anyone interested in the Dent weekend should send questions to paulcodling@mail.com 

 

The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, 10–11 October 2026, Staffordshire Showground, ST18 0BD Contact: Comrade Carl by phone only on 01253720327 if you would like to display your bike on the COC stand. He has very limited internet access. The show is very much a club social event, a camping weekend if you want that but the show ground is only minutes away from Stafford itself and a hundred B&B opportunities. NB, displaying your bike offers free show entry!

Further to discussion at the AGM at Talybont, we should point out that the focus of the weekend, Camp Cossack featuring the collected gazebos, barbecue, hired van to transport the stand and notorious "Fumigator", has changed. The evenings' social gatherings these days are likely to be in the bar on site, where food is available early evening, or in Stafford itself which we might pay a taxi to take us to if necessary.

At the time of writing I've left a couple of messages on Carl's answerphone to find out if he plans on resuming the old ways at some point but there's been no response yet.

 

Red Oktober Day, Ace Cafe, date to be confirmed, likely Sunday 18 October 2026 Ace Cafe London, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge, London, NW10 7UD Eastern Bloc vehicle meet in collaboration with the IFA Club.

Contact: Andrew Mutter andrewmutter@yahoo.com 07775890815

 

 

Note. These following MZ Club weekends as published in MZ Rider Magazine, our source, might not have comprehensive contact details. In those cases, try Sandy Morgan, MZ Club events coordinator, sandymorganmz@gmail.com

 

September 4-6th, MZRC Eire Rally, Glencar, Co Kerry. If you are booking rooms please deal directly with Noreen on 00353 87 747 1074 or 00353 66 9760101. Please let them know you are with the MZ Group for the weekend. If you are going to stay in the 8 berth dormitory please message me directly. Please note, if camping, no need to book.

 

September 11-13th. Bristol Section Camp, Ashen Plains Campsite, Dursley Gloucestershire, GL11 6AD. No need to book. Camping is £15 per person per night. This is a quiet campsite with good facilities and a really nice communal room with a big log burner. Jawa/CZ and COC members are welcome, of course. Questions to Konrad at konradpieta2@gmail.com or 07548316430.

 

The pub is a long walk back up "cardiac hill" after a skinful.

 

October 9-11th, Northumbria Section Camp, Alanholme Caravan and Campsite, Long Martin. 3 miles North West of Appleby, Cumbria. I hope to arrive Thursday lunchtime. Payment method to be confirmed, Tony Searle.