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) MAG Membership makes an ideal Christmas Present
4) Wakefield MAG Christmas Do
5) Post Christmas Auction
6) Wakefield MAG Annual General Meeting
7) MAG opposes 'disproportionate' pillion ban
8) Christmas Meetings
9) The Daft Way Up MAG Fundraiser
10) Forthcoming Events (for December and beyond)
11) Branch Poster
Check out the event report Here
Check out the event report Here
3) MAG Membership makes an ideal Christmas Present
Stuck for a Christmas present idea for the biker in your life this year? Be stuck no more, as a MAG Membership makes an ideal Christmas present ... and as it will last for at least a whole year, it's the present that just keeps on giving !!!!
You can join MAG at any of our weekly meetings, by phone (0800 988 3193 during office hours), on the Internet (www.mag-uk.org/en/membership/), or by post (MAG UK, Unit C13, Holly Farm Business Park, Honiley, CV8 1NP).
Membership fees are £27 (Individual) or £40.50 (Joint). Family Membership is £5.00 per child on either a single or joint adult membership. New members between the ages of 16 and 25 years old receive a £5 discount on first year of MAG membership. If you are feeling particularly generous with your Christmas gift this year, Life Memberships of MAG are available for £425 for an individual or £594 for a Joint.
Our Christmas do will be held on Saturday 2nd December, starting at the Estabulo Rodizio Bar and Grill (1 Burgage Square, Merchants Gate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 2TS) [not the Smokehouse Real BBQ as previously advertised]. www.estabulo.co.uk
Cost is £22.95 but this covers unlimited food (8 different cuts of meat plus grilled turkey), a glass of prosecco and a pudding (if you can fit it in after that lot).
We have made a provisional booking for 12, but we can always add more numbers. If you want to come for the meal let us know now so we can extend the reservation (£5 deposit required).
The meal will be at 13:00 (be at the restaurant for 12:50 please), and suitably fed, we will venture on to many of the Merrie Cities fine hostelries for multiple 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. Wakefield MAG Christmas Do's are always highly memorable, and if previous years events are any indication, we are in for a jolly good time
Christmas hats and reindeer antlers strictly optional. Hope to see you there.
Our 14th Post Christmas Auction will be held on Wednesday 28th February 2018, 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 2017 auction raised (with a little help from the raffle and a bit of rounding up) £510. This allowed us to split the proceeds nicely into 1/3's, with 2/3 (£340) being donated to the MAG Fighting Fund, with the remaining 1/3 (£170) charity donation being split between the following 4 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 2018 !!. 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 3 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 !!!).
6) Wakefield MAG Annual General Meeting
The Wakefield & District Motorcycle Action Group Branch AGM will be held in the Grey Horse, on Wednesday 10th January 2018, 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 3rd January 2018).
7) MAG opposes 'disproportionate' pillion ban
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has expressed concerns about the prospect of a ban on pillion passengers in London - a proposal which has been raised to combat the scooter crime epidemic currently gripping the city.
The idea has been put forward by Green Greater London Authority member, Sian Berry who said "A very small number of people are causing large amounts of fear on our streets. A local safer-neighbourhood panel Chair pointed out a tactic used in some other countries: to temporarily ban the carrying of pillion passengers across whole cities."
MAG's London Regional representative, Tim Fawthrop, has expressed his opposition to any blanket ban: "As Ms Berry herself states, she isn't sure this is right for London, and we agree. While all of us recognise the need to find solutions to the scooter mugger problem, the honest law-abiding, hard-working Londoner who takes his partner to work to cut costs and commuting time will be badly affected by this. It's not as if the criminals will obey this law amongst all the others they are breaking. The Police will be hard-pushed with current staffing levels to enforce it and that will undermine the effectiveness of all laws."
Tim adds "In 2011, Honduras banned motorcycle passengers after a series of drive-by killings. In addition, a ban was imposed in Medellin, Colombia, at the height of drugs cartel violence. Are we really saying London is comparable to Honduras and Columbia? I don't think so. While it may be legitimate to impose a passenger ban on convicted criminals, doing so on a blanket basis is a disproportionate response to the challenge we're trying to address."
MAG will make these points in December 2017 at the Home Office forum which has been set up to address the moped mugger problem.
Please note there will be no branch meeting over the Christmas period i.e. Wednesday 27th December. Meetings as normal this year up to and including Wednesday 20th December (which is the date of our December Social Night, so expect something suitably festive being organised). Meetings in the new year will commence on Wednesday 3rd January 2018, then every Wednesday thereafter, as normal.
9) The Daft Way Up MAG Fundraiser
You may have seen mention of the proposed Daft Way Up MAG Fundraiser already, through the Road magazine and/or Facebook event. Planning for the event is well underway and is now starting to take shape. The original idea stemmed from a talk organised by Leeds MAG at Squires where Nathan Millward regailed tales of his journey from Sydney to the UK on a Honda postie bike (110cc of raw power!). Leeds MAG's Richard 'Manny' Manton and Dave Nash basically decided that we needed to do a 'daft' adventure too. A brief outline of Lands End to John O Groats, setting off on April 1st (when else?) on inappropriate motorcycles was hatched and if we were doing it, let's raise some money for MAG while we're at it. A letter into the Road from Manny floated the idea a couple of months ago and it seems that there's quite a few lunatics in the MAG family quite up for the challenge.
Any MAG member can join us as long as they are riding a small bike that is totally inappropriate and unsuitable to ride the length of the British isles on, and are also willing to get sponsored in aid of MAG to do it. We're all self funding the trip (I'm looking at it as a masochistic holiday - April in the Highlands on a 7 BHP scooter .... if that's not masochistic, I don't know what is !!!). We will be traveling on A and B roads (so learner friendly), and the idea is to keep costs to a minimum throughout (think camping and Youth Hostel type accommodation) and the trip should take one week.
The following journey legs have been earmarked:
This means approximately 150 mile days (making a total of just over 1,000 miles), all on A and B roads, so totally learner friendly. We are planning to get the bikes couriered down to Lands End and back from John O Groats, which, filling a large van / truck with small bikes will mean it's a cheap way to get to, and back from, the start and end points (of course, you can also ride there and back from God's own County, if you really want to do the trip twice ;-)
There is a Facebook event page to register your interest: https://www.facebook.com/events/711034009087042/
There is also a Crowdfunding page you can use to get / pledge sponsorship: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mag-daft-way-up. The funds raised will be split with 50% for the MAG Fighting Fund and 50% to the Macmillan Nurses Charity. The reasoning behind this is that not everyone is into bikes (ridiculous I know) and it'll hopefully encourage non-bikers to support the madness. Also, unfortunately, most people have been affected by cancer in some way, whether personally or via family or friends and the Macmillan Nurses are simply awesome. All participants will pool the money raised and we'll make the donation at next years AGC.
So far, we have two definite participants from Wakefield MAG - Rep Steve Travis & Clare Ellam (of Social and Rideout Committee fame). Steve's unsuitable choice of transport is an AJS Modena Twist and Go 125cc Scooter (7.1 BHP, top speed of 55 MPH and a 4.6 litre fuel tank, so pretty unsuitable). Clare's steed of choice is a 125cc Suzuki VanVan (12 BHP and 60MPH top speed). Other unsuitable steeds that have been chosen for the trip are Honda Innova's, Honda C90's, a Velocette LE and a BSA Bantam (the latter two currently being renovated / restored ready for the trip).
It would be great to have a sizeable Wakefield MAG team on the trip, so book the week out, grab yourself a totally unsuitable steed, get yourself sponsored and come and join in the inappropriate adventure. If you can't join us, follow our progress on the Daft Way Up Facebook page and sponsor us on the Crowdfunding page. We'll also be taking sponsorship at the Wednesday meetings.
Below is a picture of Keithy Bear (Leeds MAG Stalwart), Steve Travis (Wakefield Rep) and Manny (Leeds and Yorkshire Rep) on their inappropriate steeds:
See you at Lands End Visitor Centre at 9am on Sunday 1st April 2018, either to wave us off or with your inappropriate motorcycle, tent, sleeping bag and wallet.
10) Forthcoming Events (for December and beyond)
Saturday 2nd December - Wakefield MAG Christmas Do
See Above.
Wednesday 12th December - Leeds MAG Christmas Toy Run to Lineham Farm, Eccup, Leeds
Assemble at the Cardigan Fields Leisure Complex Car Park from 6pm, Leaving Cardigan Fields, LS4 2GD at 6.30 prompt, arriving at Lineham Farm Childrens Centre LS16 8AZ at 7pm. The Children will be ages 8-11 and bring presents wrapped and marked for girl or boy. To make it fair, please spend approx £6 on each gift - bring as many as you like! If you attend, you'll still be back in time for the Wakefield MAG meeting !!!
Wednesday 20th December - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: TBA (but it will be something suitably festive)
See Above. 20:30 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield
Wednesday 10th January 2018 - Wakefield MAG AGM
See Above.
Review of 2017, Officers Reports, Election of Branch Officers for 2018, plans for the forthcoming year & Presentation to our Branch Heroes of 2017. Current MAG Membership Card required to vote. 19:30 for a prompt 20:00 start in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ.
Sunday 11th February 2018 - Leeds MAG Fred Hill Run
Meeting from 10am at Squires Cafe LS25 5LX to leave at 11am. For those wishing to travel in from Wakefield, you can meet at Redbeck Cafe on Doncaster Road, where we will be leaving at 10:00am, for the ride over to Squires to join up with the rest of the run participants. The run will take us through the fabulous North Yorkshire countryside ending at The Sun Inn, Brame Lane, Norwood HG3 1SZ. www.thesun-inn.com.
Please note these runs are very subject to the weather, and may be cancelled at short notice (for very sensible safety reasons). It is advised to check the Leeds MAG Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/groups/306110975566 and/or web site: leeds.mag-uk.org/ before setting off.
If you don't know who Fred Hill was, or why MAG holds him in such high esteem, check out his obituary Here. Although Fred's protest was against the mandatory helmet law, introduced in 1973, it must be remembered that the helmet law in itself is NOT the issue. The issue was, and still is, the individuals right to freedom of choice. MAG's central ethos of Let the Rider Decide is as relevant now as it ever was.
Wednesday 28th February 2018 - Wakefield MAG 14th Post Christmas Auction
See Above.
Our 14th Post Christmas Auction will be held on Wednesday 28th February 2018, 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 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). Be there early, with viewing from 19:00 onwards, and the auction starting at 20:00 prompt (and don't forget to bring your unwanted Christmas pressies !!!).
Sunday 1st April 2018 - Saturday 7th April 2018 - The Daft Way Up MAG Fundraiser
See Above.
See the events page for further details and more !!!
Continuing with our recruitment drive, we have a new Wakefield MAG Branch Poster (see below). Feel free to use this poster to advertise your local MAG branch, representing riders in the Wakefield and Five Towns District, anywhere where potential members may see it. Good luck with promoting the branch and recruiting full MAG members in the district !!!
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.