Dear Wakefield MAG Member,
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Welcome to the Wakefield MAG e-newsletter. If you can't attend our Wednesday meetings regularly, it's the next best thing to keep you up to date with what we are up to.
CONTENTS
1) Quiz Nite Report
2) Remembrance Sunday Report
3) TfL Consultation
4) NEC Bike Show Report
5) Justice Campaign
6) Christmas Meetings
7) Wakefield MAG Christmas Do
8) Post Christmas Auction
9) Wakefield MAG Annual General Meeting
10) Motorists Warned about Scam E-mails
11) 2015 Rally Dates
12) Hi-Viz .. with a difference
13) Jagster's Biking Adventure (Part 1, of a few)
14) Forthcoming Events (for December and beyond)
Check out the event report Here
Check out the event report Here
Riders of motorcycles made before 2007 face a £12.50 daily charge to enter central London under proposals by the capital's transport authority. Bikes will be charged at the same rate as cars and vans under Transport for London's plans.
The daily charge for entering central London's proposed Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will apply year-round. The charge will affect bikes made before July 2007, when the European emission standard known as 'Euro 3' became a minimum requirement for new motorcycles. The proposed introduction date is September 2020, by which time affected machines will be 13 years old.
A public consultation on the plans says: 'The ULEZ would require all vehicles driving in central London to meet new exhaust emission standards (ULEZ standards). The ULEZ would take effect from 7 September 2020, and apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A vehicle that does not meet the ULEZ standards could still be driven in central London but a daily charge would have to have been paid to do so.'
The Motorcycle Action Group is urging riders to respond to the consultation. MAG's National Chairman John Mitchell said: "Although less than 1% of emissions are predicted to come from bikes, the planned charge is the same as that for cars, vans and minibuses."
Please have a look at the consultation website and respond: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/ultra-low-emission-zone/consultation/intro/view
Check out the event report Here
MAG has been asked by Bev Taylor to share this photo:
On Tuesday 25th November, MAG's Lembit Öpik, Director of Communications and Doug Smith, North Devon Rep, went to Exeter to support Bev in her meeting with the Crown Prosecution Service, regarding the death of her 19-year old son Greg who was killed by Niall Darvell while out on his bike with friends. The photo was taken at the BBC studios after the meeting where this report was recorded: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04pv3w0/spotlight-26112014
Darvell was driving a VW Golf which was not roadworthy. Darvell himself walked away without any custodial sentence despite having a history of drug and driving offences and not being insured; as well as driving away from the scene at speed - attempting to remove any evidence from his vehicle.
More details on the case here: http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/Driver-walks-free-causing-death-mortocyclist/story-23236188-detail/story.html
The CPS does not have a proper answer to what went wrong in this case, including Darvell's arrest by the police, and it's handling of the family. The investigating officer didn't even mention in his report that Darvell left the scene, which is an instant 6-month jail sentence.
MAG is looking to take this case higher. Bev Taylor's MP Mel Stride has offered to help. It will take time and a lot of work to sort this case out. If anyone could offer any help in the research that will be needed, please get in touch with MAG Central (01926 844064).
This, and the case of Matthew Thompson are robust examples of what MAG is trying to change with it's Justice campaign.
There will be no branch meetings for two consecutive weeks over the Christmas period i.e. Wednesday 24th December (Christmas Eve) & Wednesday 31st December (New Years Eve).
Meetings as normal this year up to and including Wednesday 17th December. Meetings in the new year will commence on Wednesday 7th January 2015, then every Wednesday thereafter.
Our Christmas Do is being held on Saturday 6th December and will follow our now tried and tested formula (hey, if it's not broke, don't fix it !!!). We will meet at the Chinese Buffet on Trinity Walk at 12:30-13:00 for a lunchtime 'all you can eat buffet', at the bargain price of £8.50. Eighteen places have been reserved for the 13:00 sitting, but they will be able to fit more of us in for anyone who wants to turn up on the day.
Following the lunchtime buffet, we will head into town to sample many of the Merrie Cities fine hostelries and quaff goblets of foaming ale !!. You can come for the meal, or meet us at one of the many pubs in town, or do both ... the choice is yours.
If last years Christmas do is any indication, we are in for a jolly good time. Hope to see you there. Christmas hats and reindeer antlers strictly optional.
Our 12th Post Christmas Auction will be held on Wednesday 28th January 2015, at 20:00, at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, and if previous years events are anything to go by, an event not to be missed. The idea is that you bring along all your unwanted Christmas presents, together with other stuff you no longer want, or have the room for, donate them to the branch, and we auction them off to the highest bidder.
The 2014 auction raised (with a little rounding up from branch funds) £450. This allowed us to split the proceeds nicely into 1/3's, with 2/3 (£300) being donated to the MAG Fighting Fund, with the remaining 1/3 (£150) charity donation being split between the following 3 worthy causes:
That was pretty staggering, especially as the bidding on a lot of items started at 50p. Of course, we want to try to beat that for 2015 !!. We know times are hard at the moment, but that's all the more reason to come down to the auction, grab a top bargain, and save yourselves considerable amounts of money. We are already accumulating auction items and we still have over 2 months to collect even more !!!!.
The auctions are always hugely entertaining and there are always some real quality items donated, and hence, some real bargains to be had.
Proceeds from the auction will again be split (2/3 to the MAG Fighting Fund, 1/3 to a charitable cause(s).
I hope to see you there. Be there early, with viewing from 07:00 onwards, and the auction starting at 08:00 prompt (and don't forget to bring your unwanted Christmas pressies !!!).
9) Wakefield MAG Annual General Meeting
The Wakefield & District Motorcycle Action Group Branch AGM will be held in the Grey Horse, on Wednesday 14th January 2015, starting at 8:00pm (prompt). All members are invited to attend this special meeting, so please try to attend if you can. At this meeting there will be a review of the year, elections for the branch committee and the prize giving for our branch heroes. As this meeting is effectively a MAG political meeting, it carries with it a whopping 75 branch points for everyone who attends (a normal branch meeting only carries 5 points). As all the points are tallied at year end and go towards the branch heroes presentation, points really do mean prizes !!!! What better boost to your branch heroes tally for the new year !!!
In order to save costs (given the huge hike in postal charges), the Annual Wakefield MAG mailshot will be emailed to all eligible Members, i.e. current or recently expired MAG members with a WF postcode, to formally place notice for the meeting. Those members for whom we don't have valid email addresses, will be posted the letter. The meeting is also advertised in the events section on the main MAG website (http://www.mag-uk.org), on our own website, and in the latest edition of The Road magazine. If anyone has a preference for a mailed copy of the AGM mailshot, instead of an email, please let me know.
Last years AGM minutes are available Here.
N.B. Motions for the AGM should be submitted the week before the AGM (Wednesday 7th January 2015).
10) Motorists Warned about Scam E-mails
There is a warning from the DVLA on the .Gov website, about an email scam that asks drivers to verify their driving licence details via an online link. The email, which wrongly claims to have been sent from DVLA, appears to be an attempt to trick licence holders into providing personal details. The DVLA are keen to stress that they have not sent out an email asking customers to update or verify their personal details.
This is the link to the warning: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/motorists-warned-about-scam-emails
As some of you will need to book holiday, or whatever it is you need to do to make time for the best bike only rallies in the UK, here are the dates of the main Yorkshire MAG events for 2015:
As per previous years, we will be getting our branch ticket allocation for sale at our meetings around February / March time. Remember, sale or return tickets are now on offer to MAG branches nationally, not just those in Yorkshire. This means that the Yorkshire Pudding Rally will sell out even quicker than in other years. We say it every year, but, if you want tickets to this most excellent rally, get them sooner rather than later as they WILL sell out !!!
We'll let you know when we get our tickets, and in the meantime, make a note of the above dates in your diaries.
12) Hi-Viz .. with a difference
We are not advocating the compulsary use of Hi-Viz clothing, which is central to MAG's ethos of 'Let the Rider Decide'. However, coming into winter and the long dark nights (and dark mornings), commuting to work by bike will invariable be in the dark. If you want to wear Hi-Viz, but don't want to look like a member of the emergency services / AA patrol / highway engineer / school crossing patrol etc etc, there is an alternative ... a black vest with flourescent strips. These are available from the British Biker Relief Foundation charity: http://www.bbrf.co.uk/#/bbrf-hi-viz/4587404408
The BBRF (The British Biker Relief Foundation) exist to help support Bikers and their families after serious RTA's (Road Traffic Accidents), supporting them after injury and filling the gap, between an accident, Insurance payments, and support from the government, whether that is for a grieving family finding it difficult to cope, or a biker who has been injured. Their aim is to provide emergency assistance to help provide Care Costs, Home Conversions, Rehabilitation, Counselling, Crisis Grants & Funeral Costs. They also aim to offer an Advocate service to assist individuals and families dealing with the many issues that may arise, from local authorities, to Gov Bodies and local companies.
The black Hi-Viz vests cost £9.99 and help support this worthwhile charity. A great idea for a Christmas Present ;-)
13) Jagster's Biking Adventure (Part 1, of a few)
Ewan Macgregor .. Charlie Boorman .. Ted Simon .. Geoff Hill .. Emilio Scotto .. These guys have nothing on our man Jagster, Dodworth's answer to Judith Chalmers !!! His latest biking tour was to the Pyrenees.
Check out his touring report Here ... well, Part 1 anyway .... future installments to follow ;-)
14) Forthcoming Events (for December and beyond)
Saturday 6th December - Wakefield MAG Christmas Do
See Above
Wednesday 17th December - Leeds MAG Toy Run
Assemble at the Leisure Complex Car Park, behind McDonalds from 6pm. Leaving Cardigan Fields LS4 2GD at 6.30 prompt. Arrive at Lineham Farm Childrens Centre LS16 8AZ at 7pm. Please bring wrapped toys marked boy or girl to a value of approx £6. Bring as many as you like! All trikes and 2 wheelers welcome, (and cars if the weather is poor).
Wednesday 14th January 2015 - Wakefield MAG AGM
See Above
Review of 2014, Officers Reports, Election of Branch Officers for 2015, plans for the forthcoming year & Presentation to our Branch Heroes of 2014. Current MAG Membership Card required to vote. 7:30pm for a prompt 8:00pm start in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield.
Wednesday 28th January 2015 - Wakefield MAG 11th Post Christmas Auction
See Above
See the events page for further details and more !!!
That's all for this month, have a great Christmas, hope Santa brings you lots of biking goodies, and I hope to see you all soon.
Ride Safe .. Ride Free
Steve Travis
Chairman
Wakefield MAG
0772 078 4734
Wakefield MAG meet at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield at 8:30pm every Wednesday. New (and Old) faces are always welcome.