Wakefield MAG March 2015 Newsletter

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) Wakefield MAG Bingo Night Report
3) 13th Birthday Party
4) The Green Party Policy on Motorcycles
5) ePetition - Reduce the age limit for unrestricted motorcycles
6) Black Wednesday Mega Sale
7) Wakefield Political Campaign
8) Wakefield MAG 6th Annual Charity Pet Food Run
9) Mothers Day Presents
10) Forthcoming Events (for March and beyond)

1) Fred Hill Run Report

Check out the rideout report Here.

2) Wakefield MAG Bingo Night Report

Check out the event report Here

3) 13th Birthday Party

FREE PARTY !!!!!

13th Birthday Party

Our 13th Birthday Party is rapidly approaching and will be held on Friday 13th 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 thirteen 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) The Green Party Policy on Motorcycles

Thinking of voting for the Green Party in the May General Election ... If so, maybe you should look at their attitude towards motorcycles first !!

Their motorcycle stance is in the Personal motorised transport section (about half way down the page): policy.greenparty.org.uk/tr.html

5) ePetition - Reduce the age limit for unrestricted motorcycles

You may wish to sign this ePetition if you agree with it's aims (reducing the age limit to ride unrestricted motorcycles, especially now the age limit to drive HGV/LGV has been reduced from 21 to 18 years of age). ePetition Link: epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/74996

6) Black Wednesday Mega Sale

Our first Black Wednesday Mega Sale resulted in several old stock items being sold off (at cost price) to make way for new orders and new stock. Our stock list has reduced but we still have the following items in the sale, and all at cost price:

Come along to our Wednesday meetings, see Martin Burgess our Products Officer, and bag a bargain, as once these are gone, they are gone !!!

7) Wakefield Political Campaign

We covered potential political campaigns for 2015 which Wakefield MAG want to champion this year, in a recent meeting. Many Groups persue Bikes in Bus Lanes as an active campaign but given Wakefield has so few bus lanes, there is not an awful lot of point in such a campaign for us. Secure Parking for bikes is another popular MAG Group campaign, but we do have ample provision for motorcycle parking in the district (all Wakefield MDC car parks are free for motorcycles), and secure facilities for motorcycle parking do exist in the district, hence, not an ideal campaign for Wakefield MAG.

However, the one issue that the membership overwhelmingly wanted to support, was to campaign for the improvement of road surfaces and other road related dangers. Ian Whittaker our Politcal Officer is pulling together a Campaign Plan, but in the meantime, if you are aware of dangerous road conditions (the state of road surfaces, dangerous traffic calming, dangerous road furniture / signage / barriers / overhanging vegetation / obscured signs etc etc) .... we would love to hear from you as these are areas we actively want to focus on for this campaign. Email us at wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org or better still, come along to a Wednesday meeting.

8) Wakefield MAG 6th Annual Charity Pet Food Run

2015 Pet Food Run Poster

Our first branch rideout of 2015 will be our Annual Charity Pet Food Run, in aid of Wakefield District Dog Rescues. The run is scheduled for Sunday 22nd March. 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 2015 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 other Wakefield based rescues (RSPCA).

Please bring the following items for donation:

This will be our 6th 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.

9) Mothers Day Presents

Wondering what present(s) to buy for Mothers Day ? Wonder no more as there will be a range of Body Shop discounted and exclusive products for sale at our Wednesday meeting on 4th March, all perfect for Mothers Day. A raffle prize worth £30 and hand massages will also be available. Come on down to the meeting (starts at 8:30pm), where Carrie will have a range of products for sale.

10) Forthcoming Events (for March and beyond)

Wednesday 4th March - Huddersfield MAG's Pie Night (during BRITISH PIE WEEK!)

8:30pm at The Field Head, Quarmby Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4FB. www.huddersfield-mag.co.uk

Friday 13th March - Wakefield MAG's 13th Birthday Party

As Detailed Above. Come along and celebrate this most momentous occasion !!!

Saturday 21st March - Leeds MAG 'A Right Royal Spring Party'

Rock DJ, free entry, raffle, great selection of real ales. All profits go to MAG. 8pm at The Royal Hotel, Pudsey (LS28 8PR). leeds.mag-uk.org/

Sunday 22nd 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 29th March - Wakefield Hospice 10K Race (Wakefield MAG providing Mobile Race Marshals)

Starting from Thornes Park. Time: 08:30 (race starts at 09:00)

Saturday 11th April - MAG Annual Group Conference 2015

The meeting will start at 12:30pm at the Bridgewater & Albion Rugby Club, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4TZ. There will also be a post AGC party held at the same location from 8pm. Free, but bring your MAG membership card to gain entry & vote.

Friday 24th April - Wakefield MAG goes to the Dogs (Dog Racing Night)

Super Six Party Booking, for which you get Admission (including race programme), Pint of beer/lager, any bottle or wine or spirit, Choice of any basket meal available on the night, 2 x £1 Tokens for Tote super six jackpot (usually well into five figures ... well worth winning !!!) & a £1 token for normal tote bet. An absolute bargain and an absolute hoot (this will be the branches 5th visit !!!). Kinsley Greyhound Stadium. £12 (Deposit £5). www.kinsleydogs.co.uk

Sunday 26th April - Wakefield MAG Monthly Rideout (Destination: TBC)

Meet 8:30am (leaving at 9:00am) at RedBeck Cafe, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ

Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd May - Into the Valley

A motorcycle rally in the heart of East Yorkshire. With Bands, DJ, Comedy show, BSH Custom Show. By Bikers, For Bikers in aid of Biking. Location: Dalton Estate, South Dalton, Nr Beverley, East Yorkshire.

Monday 4th May (May Day Bank Holiday) - Wakefield MAG Bike Show at the Wakefield Gala

A bike show, hosted by Wakefield MAG at the popular May Day Wakefield Gala. There will be multiple Show Categories / Awards, catering for all types of Bike, Scooter, Combination & Trike. Lots of other attractions at the Gala whilst you are waiting to see if your pride and joy has won an award. Location: Clarence Park, Wakefield. Show to be judged at 14:30, Entry into show from 09:30 onwards (Gala officially opens at 10:00).

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.