Dear Wakefield MAG member,
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) Fred Hill Run Report
2) Post Christmas Auction Report
3) 12th Birthday Party
4) Leeds MAG Curry, Cupcakes and Comedy Night Report
5) Brian Hampton e-Petition
6) Dave Taylor RIP
7) Motorcycle Tests down a Quarter
8) Wakefield MAG 5th Annual Charity Pet Food Run
9) Rally Tickets
10) Forthcoming Events (for Late Feb, March and beyond)
Check out the rideout report Here
2) Post Christmas Auction Report
Check out the event report Here
FREE PARTY !!!!!
Our 12th Birthday Party is rapidly approaching, and is on Friday 14th March, at our H.Q. the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield.
This years party will be Mandatory Fancy Dress, with the outfits being something related (however tenuous) to 'M', 'A' or 'G'. Don't worry if fancy dress isn't your thing ... simply come as you are, as a motorcyclist, and you will still be keeping with the theme 'M' ... Simples !!!
As per previous years, this will be a FREE PARTY, as it's a thank you to all our loyal members. Party highlights will include a Buffet (small charge may apply, or there again, that may be FREE too), Raffle, Disco, Party Games, having a great time (strictly mandatory) etc. There will be a prize for the best (and worst) Fancy Dress outfit !!!
The Wakefield MAG Branch was formed on the 9th of January 2002 and we have certainly come a long way since that inaugural meeting at the White Hart. We still have a good number of regular meeting attendees who were at those first fledgling meetings twelve years ago (so we must be doing something right !!!).
So, come along and help us celebrate, from 7:30pm onwards - All Wakefield MAG members, fellow Yorkshire MAG Groups and friends MOST WELCOME. Good Company and lashings of Ginger Beer guaranteed !!! It's a FREE PARTY, so no excuse for not attending ... Hope to see you there !!!!
Did I mention it was a FREE PARTY !!!!! ;-)
4) Leeds MAG Curry, Cupcakes and Comedy Night Report
Check out the event report Here
You may have heard about the death of Jade Clark, a 16-year-old who was killed when she was hit by Brian Hampton, on the A31 while on her moped travelling to work in February 2013. Banned for drink-driving at the time, Hampton not only didn't stop, but he then attempted to cover up his involvement by having his car repaired and lying to his family. He was sentenced to six years in prison - two for causing Jade's death by careless driving and four years for perverting the course of justice.
He has now decided to appeal his sentence because he thinks it too severe. MAG thinks he should be locked up and the key thrown away !!!
This petition was created by Robert Parker when he heard the news. So far it has just over a thousand signatures which is not enough. It needs 10,000 to get noticed; and 100,000 to get to the point where it can't be ignored. MAG would like to see it get that 100,000 signatures. Every signature counts.
You'll find the e-Petition here: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/56314
Please sign this petition so that the sentence wont be overturned on appeal and justice can be served. Thank You.
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Dave Taylor, 85, who passed away in early February at his home in Normanton, after a short illness. Dave was a regular at our meetings until late last year, and to my knowledge, is the first 'active' Wakefield MAG member, to have died 'in service' as it were. Check out Dave's obituary Here.
Dave's funeral is on Monday 24th February, 11:00 at Normanton Parish Church. For those who wish to attend, and go by bike, Wakefield MAG are meeting at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield, at 10:00, leaving at 10:30, for the short ride over to Normanton.
You could never wish to meet a nicer bloke and he will be sorely missed. The end of an era ... but the beginning of a legend.
7) Motorcycle Tests down a Quarter
News from Visordown.
The number of people taking the motorcycle test has fallen dramatically according to new figures from the Driving Standards Agency. Practical motorcycle tests were down 24% in July to September last year compared to the same period in 2012. The number of module one 'manoeuvres' tests fell to 15,349 and the number of on-road tests to 14,406, both representing a 24% decline. The DSA said it was the knock-on effect of a surge in test bookings before new EU rules were introduced at the beginning of last year.
The new rules mean 17 year olds face a minimum four year wait and up to three rounds of practical tests to get an unrestricted licence, instead of two years and two rounds of tests. They now face two years restricted to 125cc and 15hp, whether or not they take a test. At 19, they can take a test for up to 48hp. They then face another two year wait and a further round of tests to get an unrestricted licence. Alternatively, they can take the single 'Direct Access' test for an unrestricted licence at age 24, up from 21.
The DSA said "The number of motorcycle tests, both theory and practical, was around 25 per cent lower in July - September 2013 compared with the same period of the previous year. This reflects the continuing effects of the rush to pass the practical test before new restrictions on young motorcyclists were introduced in January 2013."
And on the same subject:
Demand for motorcycles falls behind in 2013
"The motorcycle market fell 1.9% in 2013 with 1,757 less units being sold than in 2012", said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK. Overall, we anticipated the 125cc market to revive the sales, but after a positive start to the year, sales declined by 3.5%. Other sectors including the 50cc and 651-1000cc machines also saw a fall in sales in 2013. The only sectors which saw an upturn in sales were 126-650cc bikes at 16.1% - up almost 2000 units. Models of over 1000cc saw a greater uplift in sales - 6% and 918 more units sold, indicating the established riders are upgrading their machines as the market seems less affected by recessionary pressures.
Robinson continued, "Whilst the car market saw a 10.2% increase in 2013, it is disappointing to see motorcycle sales fall behind 2012. The reason behind increased demand for the car industry is partly down to the innovative way of buying a car or van through different finance packages promoted and offered by a number of the manufacturers."
The car market offers standard low-rate or 0% HP offerings, and also personal leasing deals where the customer only pays the depreciation and interest over 2 or 3 years and then hands the vehicle back after the agreed term. "This brings the customer payments down substantially and therefore generates demand for vehicles that would otherwise appear to be too expensive for customers - possibly something for motorcycle dealers to look at this year in order to see the market strengthen in 2014"
8) Wakefield MAG 5th Annual Charity Pet Food Run
Our first branch rideout of 2014 will be our Annual Charity Pet Food Run, in aid of Wakefield District Dog Rescues. The run is scheduled for Sunday 23rd March and we will meet at our usual rideout start point: Redbeck Cafe, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, at 09:30, leaving at 10:00. This is later than the other rideouts in 2014 will leave, but then again, it is a lot earlier in the year.
Upon leaving at 10:00, our first port of call, will be Whitehall Dog Rescue in East Ardsley. From there, we will visit the Leeds & Wakefield RSPCA Rescue Kennels, at nearby Tingley.
Bring the following items for donation:
This will be our 5th Annual Pet Food Run, and if anything like last year's, a great little rideout with a most worthwhile purpose. Really hope you can make it and don't forget those doggy treats !!
N.B. This run is a little early in the year so there is still a risk of frost / ice / snow. In the event of poor / unsafe riding conditions, please feel free to come along in the car instead.
The Wakefield MAG allocation of Yorkshire MAG rally tickets are being delivered, and will be for sale at the weekly branch meetings, in the next week or so.
The dates (and prices) of the main Yorkshire MAG events for 2014 are:
Be sure to buy your tickets early, especially for the YPR, which sells out every year well ahead of the event. If you want some rally tickets reserving, do let me know.
10) Forthcoming Events (for Late Feb, March and beyond)
Saturday 22nd February - Huddersfield MAG's Early Spring Camp, Dent
Great countryside, real ale, farmhouse breakfast and an opportunity to ride your bike in the Dales. Email rep@huddersfield-mag.co.uk for details. Bring your thermals.
Sunday 9th March - Yorkshire Region Meeting (10:00 Start)
Venue TBC (check the Yorkshire MAG Facebook Page). Every Yorkshire MAG member is more than welcome to attend the meeting and see how the region is run, its more the merrier and Yorkshire MAG welcome you taking more of an interest or active role.
Sunday 9th March - MAP Meeting (13:00 Start)
Venue TBC. Magic Action Promotions (MAP), is the events arm of Yorkshire MAG, which hosts the ITV, FYP & YPR bike rallies, which contribute so enormously to the MAG fighting fund. Every MAG member is more than welcome to attend the meeting and see how the MAP events are run, its more the merrier and MAP welcome you taking more of an interest or active role.
Friday 14th March - Wakefield MAG's 12th Birthday Party
As Detailed Above. Come along and celebrate this most momentous occasion !!!
Sunday 23rd March - Our popular Annual Charity Pet Food Run to Whitehall Dog Rescue in East Ardsley and other local pet rescues.
See Above. Meet 09:30 (leaving at 10:00) at RedBeck Cafe, Doncaster Road, Wakefield.
Sunday 6th April - Wakefield Hospice 10K Race (Wakefield MAG providing Mobile Race Marshals)
Starting from Thornes Park. Time: 09:00 (race starts at 09:30) TBC
Saturday 12th April - MAG Annual Group Conference 2014
Blackpool. Free, but bring your MAG membership card to gain entry & vote.
Sunday 20th April - Yorkshire Region Meeting (10:00 Start)
Venue TBC. Every Yorkshire MAG member is more than welcome to attend the meeting and see how the region is run, its more the merrier and Yorkshire MAG welcome you taking more of an interest or active role.
Sunday 20th April - MAP Meeting (13:00 Start)
Venue TBC. Magic Action Promotions (MAP), is the events arm of Yorkshire MAG, which hosts the ITV, FYP & YPR bike rallies, which contribute so enormously to the MAG fighting fund. Every MAG member is more than welcome to attend the meeting and see how the MAP events are run, its more the merrier and MAP welcome you taking more of an interest or active role.
Saturday 26th April - Wakefield MAG Monthly Rideout to Altberg M/C Boot Factory, Richmond, North Yorkshire
Meet 8:30am (leaving at 9:00am) at RedBeck Cafe, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ
See the events page for further details and more !!!
That's all for this month, 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.