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) January Social (Darts Competition) Report
2) Post Christmas Auction - New Date
3) West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Motorcycle Fair
4) Wakefield Hospice 10K Race Marshalling
5) Win an AJS Modena
6) One Long Summer
7) One Long Week in Winter in Norway
8) MAG announces new team member
9) Motorcycle Discrimination in London
10) Rally Tickets For Sale
11) Wakefield MAG's 16th Birthday Bash
12) Inside Britain's Moped Crime Gangs
13) The Daft Way Up MAG Fundraiser
14) Bingo Night
15) Forthcoming Events (for March and beyond)
1) January Social (Darts Competition) Report
Check out the event report: Here
2) Post Christmas Auction - New Date
Due to snow we had to cancel our Post Christmas Auction originally scheduled for Wednesday 28th February. However, we have re-scheduled and our 14th Post Christmas Auction will now be held on Wednesday 7th March 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 !!!).
N.B. Unfortunately, the re-scheduled date now clashes with the Huddersfield MAG Pie night (also being held on the 7th March). Two of the auction items (and it's a very generous donation from Wakefield bike dealer 'Not your Average Bikes') are time dependent and have to be used on Sunday 11th March, so we had no real option on the re-schedule. A thousand apologies if you wanted to attend both events and already have your pie night tickets .... but do enjoy your pies !!!!
3) West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Motorcycle Fair
Yorkshire MAG will be hosting our stand at the forthcoming West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Motorcycle Fair, to be held on Saturday 28th April, at the West Yorkshire Fire Service HQ, at Birkenshaw. Come along and show your support, and if you would like to volunteer to help man the MAG stand on the day (promoting MAG, taking memberships, selling yorkshire MAG products etc), do let me know.
4) Wakefield Hospice 10K Race Marshalling
The Wakefield 10k Road Race is organised for and by Wakefield Hospice, with the aim to raise as much as possible for patients and their families living with an end of life diagnosis. Wakefield Hospice annually needs to raise £4 million. They would not be able to achieve this without the help of local people going out of their way to raise funds through taking part in events like the Wakefield 10k.
This years event will be the 23rd annual Wakefield 10k and during that time runners have raised more than £0.5 million for those who need specialist care at a very difficult time in their lives. Last year those running in the Wakefield 10k did an incredible job raising more than £50,000 for the hospice. This could fund a whole week's care in the hospice!
The 23rd Wakefield Hospice 10k race is being held on Sunday 25th March 2018, and takes a similar route to previous years: starting from Clarence Park, it's a linear route straight out and back along Horbury Road, with a new dog leg on the outbound route and a revised route to the finish line once back at Clarence Park (see route map below).
Wakefield MAG have helped to marshal this popular event for more years than we care to remember, and our role is as mobile race marshals, looking after those competitors at the tail end of the race. The roads will only be closed for an hour maximum, and although the bulk of runners will be finished whilst the road is still closed, a good number of runners (walkers !!!) will still be on the course, hence the requirement for mobile marshals (that's us !!) to ensure their safety, once the road is re-opened to traffic. We are generally the last 'officials' remaining on the course, and hence play a vital role. We generally need around 6 marshals, although the more the merrier. We will need one extra marshal this year anyway as Martin Burgess, who marshals every year, is taking part as a competitor this year so won't be available for duty !!!
If you would like to volunteer, please let me know. P.S. you'll be home for lunchtime !!!
On the day, meet at 08:30 on Lawfield Lane to be issued with your marshalls Hi-Viz vest and receive any last minute instructions.
N.B. Please ensure your own bike insurance does not have an exclusion relating to marshalling non-motorsport events i.e. runners on a partially closed road route - MAG's preferred insurer, Bikesure, does not in it's standard insurance cover exclusions.
More details of the event here: www.wakefield10k.org.uk
Pudsey AJS (http://ajspudsey.co.uk/) are looking to raise £2,500 for cancer charities, by raffling off a brand new AJS 125cc Modena Scooter. Each ticket costs £25 and once the cost of the scooter is covered, all additional monies raised will be donated to Cancer Research and Breast Cancer Research charities. Proprietor Steve Amos has set up a Crowdfunding page (www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/steveamosmodenaraffle), and once you have donated and left a note with your name you will be allocated a unique number, which will then be sealed in a box until the grand draw on an allocated date. The winner will be a proud owner of an AJS Modena. The raffle will continue to run until the target is hit. See the Crowdfunding page for all the details, the background to the fundraising and the T's and C's. Good Luck !!!
First published in the May 2015 newsletter (See Chasing Dreams - Mark's Round the World Trip), good friend of Wakefield MAG, Mark Dalton, had just embarked on the trip of a lifetime. He had taken a years sabbatical from work, to chase his lifelong dream of riding around the world by motorcycle. His travel Blog to document his progress throughout his journey was (and still is) on the (Members Adventures page) on this website.
He's been back a while and has used that time constructively to write a book chronicling his adventure.
It's now published and can be purchased from Amazon or directly from the publishers website: http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=4931
It's a cracking read and a bargain at £11.99 (paperback).
7) One Long week in Winter in Norway
Wakefield MAG Member Mark Rhodes recently had an epic trip to fulfill an ambition to attend the Krystall Rally in Norway (1200 miles and 6 countries (in February) to get through just to get there).
Read all about his adventure Here. And ... it is officially the hardiest and longest travelled Wakefield MAG sticker to date (unless someone cares to correct me) !!!!
8) MAG announces new team member
MAG is pleased to announce that it has recruited a Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement. MAG's Board of Directors was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the post and, following a rigorous interview process, the position has been offered to and accepted by Colin Brown.
Colin will already be known to some of the membership and also to a number of external agencies as he is currently MAG's Regional Representative for the West Midlands.
Colin stated "I have enjoyed working within MAG on a voluntary basis for over 5 years; the passion, integrity and dedication of its National Committee, Board of Directors, and the many volunteers is inspiring. I am delighted to have been appointed to this new role and am very much looking forward to the challenges this will bring and for the opportunity to serve the organisation, working to protect and promote riders' rights across the UK."
Lembit Öpik, MAG's Director of Communications & Public Affairs, said "When I heard the news of Colin's appointment it made immediate sense to me: I've been supporting Colin in his role as a Regional Representative of MAG for some time. He's always treated it very professionally and with such a depth of knowledge that, more recently, on some key projects, we've effectively been supporting each other. I regard his appointment to this full time role as a natural progression both for him and for MAG. I'm looking forward to 2018 even more now. It's going to be a great year. Welcome aboard, Colin!"
The new role of Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement came about following the retirement of Dr. Leon Mannings at last September's Annual Group Conference. MAG's Board of Directors took the opportunity to reassess the role required to enhance the team in recognition of the threats motorcycling currently faces.
Colin joins just three other employed team members: Lembit Öpik (Director of Communication & Public Affairs), Julie Sperling (Executive Officer) and Carol Ferrari (Membership Administration). The organisation remains streamlined and continues to rely on volunteers for much of its work.
9) Motorcycle Discrimination in London
MAG is challenging the Mayor of London with three clear questions regarding 'extraordinary and discriminatory claims about motorcycling in London.'
MAG has challenged London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, to justify 'some of the biggest transport contradictions in London's history' - following what they feel is a 'discriminatory' plan to charge motorcyclists for using the eco-friendly option of powered two wheelers (PTWs).
London's Regional Rep, Tim Fawthrop, called Khan's comments about motorcycles in a letter to Conservative MP (now Minister) Kelly Tolhurst 'extraordinary and discriminatory.' Tim says "in his reply to Ms Tolhurst, Mayor Khan states that charging users of older bikes £12.50 a day will - and I'm quoting his words directly here - deter the use of older vehicles, including those with highly polluting two-stroke engines. Doesn't he realise that these bikes often do more than 120 miles per gallon, and produce far fewer emissions than many exempt vehicles? He doesn't offer a single data source for his claims yet the poorest workers in London who depend on older motorcycles to get to, say, City Hall to clean his office, and whose commute currently costs about £1.20 a day, will pay an extra £12.50 every day to him and his authority - for the privilege of emptying his bin. That's not just wrong, it's disgusting. So, I've got three questions for him:
If he can't answer these questions satisfactorily, he'll be proving that this tax on older bikes is discriminatory and a social injustice that could seal his political fate at the next Mayoral election. MAG is asking all riders to contact the Mayor and ask these three questions. Please also contact your MP to challenge Mr Khan. The lack of understanding about basic transport theory in which motorcycles, regardless of age or size, reduce net congestion and pollution, is something which should concern all London citizens, not just bikers."
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) strongly urges Transport for London (TfL) to drop its victimisation of the poorest in society to no public or environmental benefit, and has called on TfL to demonstrate 'a degree of moderation and common sense.'
MAG submitted a further response to TfL on the long-running threatened user charges for riders of older motorbikes. Machines built before around 2007 (not actually that old) face a massive £12.50 per day charge in the capital. MAG's Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Lembit Öpik, has appealed to TfL to show a degree of common sense here. The category of riders using older machines is small, and they largely do so because they can't afford newer bikes. It's hugely socially unjust to hike up the cost of their commute by over 1,000% while drivers in cars like a new Rolls Royce pay nothing - even though these obviously generate more emissions than a 20-year-old 50cc four-stroke moped. We've made our points repeatedly - and with painstaking reference to science and social realities and the problem of getting to work at unsociable hours to do low-paid jobs. TfL can still do the right thing and recognise that they're simply punishing those least able to pay more for public transport or for a newer motorbike.
Remember, there's no benefit to the environment. These bikes produce almost no pollution and reduce congestion, thereby reducing 'secondary' pollution. Forcing them off the road increases pressure on over-loaded public transport, or drives these citizens out of work altogether. MAG has presented TfL with a moderate and well reasoned case but we have received no indication that they are listening.
The MAG response (to the TfL air quality consultation) is available here: wiki.mag-uk.org/images/8/8f/CAZ_2017_02_26.pdf
The TfL air quality consultation ended on 28th February 2018, but please continue to make your concerns known directly to the Mayor at: www.london.gov.uk/contact-us-form
Wakefield MAG now have our branch allocation of 'Sale or Return' Yorkshire MAG Rally Tickets, which will be on sale at the Wednesday meetings from 7th March onwards. Remember, if you buy them direct from us, you will save on the booking / postage fee !!! Let me know if you want some reserving. A reminder of the dates for these cracking rallies:
More details of the rallies at: www.mapevents.co.uk/
11) Wakefield MAG's 16th Birthday Bash
We are celebrating our 16th Birthday (belatedly) on Saturday 14th April with a Super Six Party Booking at the Dogs, 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 our 6th visit) - a great way to celebrate our 16th Birthday !!!
£12 p.p. which has to be paid in full with the booking. Unfortunately, the Super Six Party deal (which is the best value) no longer guarantees a reserved table(s), so we'll have to be there earlier than normal to make sure we can all sit together - more details to follow in next months newsletter, but in the meantime, if you plan on attending, can you let us know asap and pay the full amount to Sharon Scott (Social Committee Officer).
Kinsley Greyhound Stadium, 96 Wakefield Road, Kinsley, Pontefract. www.kinsleydogs.co.uk
Hope to see you there.
12) Inside Britain's Moped Crime Gangs
CAUTION - This article will give you high blood pressure !!!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05x9kfp
13) The Daft Way Up MAG Fundraiser
Registration for the Daft Way Up MAG Fundraiser event closed on 31st January 2018 and Wakefield MAG is being represented on this foolish yet noble adventure by Rep Steve, Clare Ellam and Pete Taplin. However, just because registration has closed doesn't mean you can no longer attend, it simply means that you won't get your accommodation automatically booked for you, and provided with pre-printed route plans, get the event T Shirt etc. You can still tag along (with sponsorship please) and simply book your own accommodation en-route.
Once we have all our accommodation booked and firmed up, we'll be publishing the exact route we are taking and where we are staying, and lots of people are already planning to join us for part of the ride (as it passes through their local area), or join us on an evening (I dare say we'll be finding a local pub ;-).
Huddersfield MAG are already planning to meet us at our Glossop stopover.
We are currently collecting sponsorship, so, if you would like to sponsor us on our daft adventure, there is a Crowdfunding page where you can donate: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mag-daft-way-up. All funds raised are to be split 50/50 between MAG and Macmillan Nurses.
Background to the event (if you didn't already know):
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 ;-)
See the event Facebook page for details: https://www.facebook.com/events/711034009087042/) and the Crowdfunding page to 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.
Unsuitable steeds for the trip so far include 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), 125cc Suzuki VanVan (12 BHP and 60MPH top speed), several Honda Innova's, Honda C90's, the legendary Honda 110cc 'Postie Bike' (the inspiration for the trip), East European two strokes, 125 cruisers, and a fair collection of old, small, yet perfectly formed Brtish Bikes - a Velocette LE, BSA Bantam and a Triumph Tiger Cub (several of which are currently being renovated / restored in preparation for the trip).
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.
Eyes Down for another Fun Filled Night of Bingo !!! Cash and Prize Bingo, and lot's of hilarity guaranteed. All profits to the MAG Fighting Fund. This will be our 7th Bingo Night, and if the previous three are anything to go by, a cracking night is in store. The excitement starts at 20:00 at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield, on Wednesday 28th March.
Hope to see you there.
15) Forthcoming Events (for March and beyond)
Sunday 4th March - Yorkshire MAG Region Meeting
Every Yorkshire MAG member is invited to attend the Yorkshire Region Meeting and have your say in how the region is run. 10:00-12:00 in the upstairs room at The Royal Hotel, Pudsey (LS28 8PR). (Leeds MAG Meeting Venue). Tea and coffee provided.
Sunday 4th March - MAP Meeting
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. 12:30 in the upstairs room at The Royal Hotel, Pudsey (LS28 8PR). (Leeds MAG Meeting Venue). Tea and coffee provided. Food available to purchase at the Royal hotel inbetween the two meetings.
Wednesday 7th March 2018 - Wakefield MAG 14th Post Christmas Auction
See Above.
Our 14th Post Christmas Auction will now be held on Wednesday 7th March 2018 (re-scheduled from Wednesday 28th February), 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 18th March - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBA)
Our first rideout (of many) in 2018. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT.
Saturday 24th March - An Evening in Leeds with Elspeth Beard (the first British woman to motorcycle around the world)
20:00 at Squires Cafe Bar, Newthorpe. **** SOLD OUT ****
Sunday 25th March 2018 - Wakefield Hospice 10K Race
See Above. www.wakefield10k.org.uk
Wednesday 28th March - Wakefield MAG Bingo Night
See Above. Eyes Down for a Fun Filled Night of Bingo !!! Cash and Prize Bingo, and lot's of hilarity guaranteed. All profits to the MAG Fighting Fund. 20:00 at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield. 60p per book of 3 tickets
Sunday 1st April 2018 - Saturday 7th April 2018 - The Daft Way Up MAG Fundraiser
See Above.
Saturday 14th April - Wakefield MAG 16th Birthday Bash at the Dogs (Dog Racing Night)
See Above.
We are celebrating our 16th Birthday with a Super Six Party Booking at the Dogs, 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. £12 (full amount required on booking). Kinsley Greyhound Stadium: www.kinsleydogs.co.uk
Sunday 22nd April - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBA)
Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT.
Friday 4th May - Sunday 6th May 2018 - Into the Valley (ITV) Rally
Bank Holiday Monday (May Day) 7th May - Wakefield MAG Bike Show at the Wakefield Gala
Free Bike Show entry (but a donation to MAG would be appreciated). Multiple Show Categories / Awards, catering for all types of Bike, Scooter, Moped, Combination & Trike. Yorkshire MAG Stand and Tombola. Multiple attractions at the Gala. All Welcome to come along and show off your Pride & Joy. Location: Clarence Park, Wakefield. Show to be judged at 14:30, Entry into show from 09:30 onwards (Gala officially opens at 10:00)
Friday 15th June - Sunday 17th June 2018 - Farmyard Party (FYP) Rally
Friday 3rd August - Sunday 5th August 2018 - Yorkshire Pudding Rally (YPR)
www.yorkshirepuddingrally.co.uk
See the events page for further details and more !!!
That's all for this month, 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.