The 2017 ITV was held on the last weekend in April, at a brand new undercover site, in Sledmere, East Riding. ITV is no stranger to the village of Sledmere, but this time, we were in a covered and heated venue (no damp and cold marquees), with the camping in several walled fields (so no freezing wind whistling through the camp site in the early hours of the morning). The event was pre-book only, with a limit of 1500 .... and it sold out several weeks before the event .... and there were very few 'no shows'. The new site layout worked well, a few teething problems but only what is to be expected with a brand new site. Well done to MAG for taking a huge gamble and changing the site so the rally could actually take place this year, as last year, it barely paid for itself (and remember, these rallies are put on to raise vital funds to keep MAG doing what it does best .... Protecting Riders Rights .... having a fantastic weekend is a mere 'by-product').
It costs a huge amount to put on the rally ...
The 'profit' comes from bar and merchandise sales ... and that's it. But, far from ramping the bar prices up, instead, sell quality real ales for two quid a pint (you didn't read a typo there ... it really was TWO QUID a pint) ..... even the 7.4% 'rocket fuel' IPA was only 2.50 !!
And talking of quality, the rally cafe was run by the Sledmere Estate, with gastronomic delights on offer such as Venison Casserole ... and at 6.50, it wasn't too Deer ..... Deer, oh, it's the way I tell 'em (OK .. OK ... I won't give up the day job to follow a glittering career in comedy ;-)
And the verdict from the 12 Wakefield MAG members who went to the event ....... Cracking new venue .... incredibly cheap beer ..... top quality tucker .... top entertainment ....... absolutely cracking weekend !!!!
Here are some pictures to remind those who went of a smashing time had, and to whet the apetite of those that didn't go, to make sure they book their tickets early for next years ITV !!!!
Hope to see you at ITV 2018 !!!