Events

OUT & ABOUT

BMF staff and volunteers have been flying the flag at biking events recently

Words and Pics: Pete and Janet Laidlaw

Arun was organised by NW Biking club to our friends at altberg Boots, writes Peter Laidlaw. It was good to see and chat to Mike, Joe and Paul, with whom we have had a long relationship. Tours of the workshops have been suspended for now but may start again when it is safe to do so. These are fascinating and give a real insight into the history of boot making in general and Altberg in particular.

On the Wednesday night before the dambuster Rally we had the chance to have a promotions stand at Lincolnshire Bike Night where some 1500 bikes turned up and the Lancaster did its taxi runs. No wonder the night is so popular – looking forward to the next one.

Top: we all love a bacon butty... staffordshire Biker Breakfast Left: whatever the event, the BMF stand was there

Below Left:

Adventure Travel Film Festival (13th15th August in the Cotswolds) included a singsong round the camp fire Below: About to head out on the Leighton Hall Hill Climb

A small event at The Square and Compass pub venue near Matlock was the mentell turn your bike blue. Mentell is a charity promoting mental health and encouraging men to talk about their feelings. A good initiative guys.

Ever popular, the Staffordshire Biker Breakfasts are organised by Staffordshire Road Safety and run on the basis that those who attend get a free bacon or sausage roll if they visit a few trader stands. I was mobbed all day on the BMF stand which was tiring but good for our exposure, and we did sign up some new members.

On a similar theme there was a thorneycroft pop-up event at the Cat and Fiddle and Ladybower Reservoir, one of a series of safety awareness events at popular bike meeting places run by Thorneycroft in partnership with Biker Down Derbyshire. We turned up on bikes and some good contacts were made.

And finally, Belle vue Speedway is very interested in getting more of the biking community attending their speedway races. The races are exciting and enjoyable, the only downside being that they are all on weekday nights. Still, recommended – they're different yet bike based.

Above left: Peter Laidlaw recommends Belle Vue speedway nights Above: Lancaster at Lincs Bike Night was a big attraction Below left: Happy faces at the women in Motorcycling exhibition Below: Our stand attracted new and renewing members

Women in Motorcycling Exhibition

August saw Sheonagh and Helen off to Staffordshire to host the BMF stand at the inaugural Women in Motorcycling Exhibition, where trade and club stands rubbed shoulders with demonstrations, workshops and many great, inspirational speakers, all set in the backdrop of the fabulous Tutbury Castle.

The weather was not kind. In fact it poured down for the whole day but that didn’t seem to put off the 1200 ticket holders from turning up and having a great time. There were also options to camp on site the nights before and after, so again great evenings of music, food and drink meant that the event had a real friendly buzz. We felt Women in Motorcycling was a great way to spread a positive image of the biking community and we had a good take up of new BMF members, which we really appreciated. We'll be there next year.

Dambuster rally 2021

– WE’RE BACK!

BmF stalwart makes a return

Words: Peter Laidlaw Pics: Rob Waddingham – ShutterUp Photography www.facebook.com/shutterupphotographyuk

Dambuster from above

We all know what happened to 2020 and to some extent this year. It was with a little trepidation that we decided to run the Dambuster Rally – it needed to be within safety guidelines and we had a duty of care to everyone. Having said that, restrictions were being lifted slowly and if we all took care it would be possible to have a safe event.

A sighting visit to Thorpe Camp confirmed that we could arrange camping, bar, food and entertainment to create more space for everyone. Tickets were limited and apologies are due to those who could not attend – all being well we should have full capacity in 2022.

As usual we had a ‘Dambuster Ale,' as a tasty draft, brewed by Dan’s own microbrewery. I certainly enjoyed a sample or two. Catering was by a new vendor, found at the last minute, and he did well considering the short set up time. Marshals were amply fed from the catering van and thanks go to the team of volunteers who made everything run smoothly from gate checks to cleaning and security. Well done and thanks go to all those vital volunteers, including Sefton who arrived with his dog Finn on the back of his scooter, the top box converted as a rear gunner complete with canopy and set of plastic guns. That must have been the most photographed dog over the weekend.

Music was arranged by Gary Wilkes and included his band the Gypsies who had a farewell to their long-standing bass guitarist Rob Kennedy, who played with Prefab Sprout and Geordie before spending 11 years with the Gypsies. The band has a long connection with the BMF, appearing twice at the Peterborough Show. Rob has had to retire for health reasons and his last hurrah was with the band playing just one song before a rousing farewell applause from all of us. 'Rob was great, he never missed a beat,' Gary told me afterwards.

Dambuster is a relaxed affair with a theme around the aircraft museum, and the highlight for some was homemade cake in the NAAFI, lemon drizzle topping the bill. I missed out – by the time I got there the others had devoured the lot.

We don’t know exactly what next year will bring but we are determined to have Dambuster 6 on the calendar – we’re back this year and will be again. Look out for announcements on the BMF website – dates are 19th-21st August 2022. Other BMF event dates and the other shows/events that we attend next year will be listed on the website and mentioned in social media. Come and see us. Rear gunner at 12 o'clock

Above: Vikings mellow with age Below: It's fun being a banana Below: Tourers and sports tourers predominated Bottom: Two-up on a pink Daytona to Dambuster