These have a long story

Back in '70 some hippy bikers were hanging out a lot and wanting to add some formality to the group by having a name. Whenever an catchy/stupid/off-beat/whatever name came up in conversation, someone would usually say, "Hey, that would be a good name for a motorcycle gang". But, it usually wasn't. One Sunday in the spring of '72 (I believe), three of us, Coatesy, Stoney II and myself, had our bikes well off the road in the woods killing a few six-packs before a Softball game being held a some apple orchard a ways on. Coatesy was a little tired and mostly asleep and Stoney and I were finishing our beers and discussing the passages from JRR Toklien's Lord of the Ring series that dealt with the origins and impact of the Balrog that was released when the Dwarfs, under Durin, dug to deep in the Mines and released the Balrog that wiped out Durin and his people and how that same Balrog gave Gandalf some trouble later on. The Balrog was referred to in Dwarf posterity, for obvious reasons, as Durin's Bane. At the mention of that reference, Coatesy came out of his repose long enough to mutter, "That would make a good name for a motorcycle gang." Stoney II and I promptly agreed and "Durin's Bane, Ipswich" was born.

The "Club Patch" was introduced in the late '70s and originally applied free hand by the inkman for the Iron Horsemen out of Portland Maine.

The script was added by a third generation member, Drew Wittig, in the mid '00s. The font selection is usually consistent within family, thus my son and I in the picture I sent have the same font. The top "phrase" is my translation, such as it is, of the family name. The bottom is "Durins Bane" (no possessive case available) as worked out by Drew. To encourage the involvement and camaraderie of the younger generations, I embraced the notion and updated my patch to include the "text". For the purest, "Bane of Durin" could be used but most stick with Drew's verbiage. The shifting of the vowel sound's position in the Noldor script can be applied or the Sindarian form may be used. Who knew? Often, numerous options are available for spelling the family name. Members may pick the one that appeals to them (Form before Function). Although, my son and I sport the traditional club patch body location, backs, chests, legs - it doesn't matter. This is a family crest within a larger tribe. Its outward display is a sign of pride and unity. The love is etched on the heart.

Dino

*The lettering was applied by Jen Brent, an inklady from New Hampshire.

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