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) Wakefield MAG is Going to the Dogs Report
2) MAG AGC
3) Something to Check with your Prospective MP before you Vote
4) Chasing Dreams - Mark's Round the World Trip
5) Kirkless Petitions
6) Wakefield MAG Bike Show
7) May Rideout
8) Leeds MAG Demo Run
9) Rally Tickets
10) Forthcoming Events (for May and beyond)
1) Wakefield MAG is Going to the Dogs Report
Check out the event report Here
The Motorcycle Action Group Limited (MAG) held its 2015 Annual Group Conference (AGC) on Saturday 11th April 2015. The event was hosted in Bridgwater by the South West Region of the group. The 350 capacity hall was filled by members (including 3 from Wakefield MAG) who listened to the reports of the last 12 months. Lembit Öpik (Director of Communication and Public Affairs) and Dr Leon Mannings (Transport Policy Advisor) opened the proceedings with very positive news regarding the significant increase in political activity including the engagement of a great number of political representatives which is hugely important as the Country approaches the General Election.
There were two candidates for the chairman's role that is elected annually. The new chair is Selina Lavender, the previous Vice Chair.
Selina said of her appointment: "I thank John Mitchell, the former chairman, for the work he has done over the past two years that has put MAG in the strong position it is today at the forefront of riders rights. His is a hard act to follow and I will give this role my all to keep the momentum going. In order to do this all the members need to get involved. MAG is very much a member-led organisation. It is built on volunteers who are greatly valued. My job is to represent their views and work with them to grow the organisation. I am honoured that the members have put their faith in me."
The icing on the cake at the AGC had to be the collosal cheque for Seventy One Thousand Pounds presented by Yorkshire MAG to the MAG Central Fighting Fund.
This represents fund raising by all the Yorkshire MAG Groups, together with the Yorkshire MAG Rally profits, which are run exclusively by Yorkshire MAG members. Awesome .... no other word for it.
3) Something to Check with your Prospective MP before you Vote
MAG has worked in conjunction with the MCIA and BMF to produce the first 'good news' document about motorcycling ever to be sent by email to all 4,000 Prospective Parliamentary Candidates in the UK General Election. 650 of them will be elected as MPs on May 7th - and that's why MAG has contacted them now. We want to know what they'll do for riding, before we give them our votes.
As you will see from the pdf every new MP has had a chance to see key points about the positive role of motorcycling in the UK for individuals - and for the nation as a whole.
We're asking you to do one thing. Please download the pdf and ask your prospective candidates if they have read it, and if they agree with six key points in the mini survey.
Once your MP is elected, MAG hopes you will request a meeting with them to discuss their views on biking and on your rights to ride. And, don't worry if you've never met an MP before as we will give you all the help you might need to get the ball rolling. You can ask them what they are prepared to do to protect our liberties and promote our interests. Remember, all we're asking for is the same respect and positive attention as other road users who are more vulnerable than drivers.
MAG works tirelessly to raise the profile of biking and will help you to do so too. You don't have to be 'political' to help. You just need to care about your right to ride. We're making good progress !!!
4) Chasing Dreams - Mark's Round the World Trip
Good friend of Wakefield MAG, Mark Dalton, has just embarked on the trip of a lifetime. He has taken a years sabbatical from work, to chase his lifelong dream of riding around the world by motorcycle. He has set up a Blog to document his progress and will be updating this frequently (wifi permitting) throughout his journey.
You can follow his adventures from the Members Adventures page on this website.
Huddersfield MAG's e-Petitions with Kirklees Council, campaigning for Motorcycles in Bus Lanes and Secure Bike Parking in the Kirklees District dont close until Sunday 31st May 2015. If you haven't signed these petitions already please do so by using the link below. As Kirklees borders Wakefield, many of you will regularly ride in the Kirklees District, so this does impact you.
http://epetition.kirklees.public-i.tv/epetition_core/community/activepetitions
Thank You.
The Annual Wakefield MAG Bike Show will again be held at the Wakefield Gala at Clarence Park, Wakefield, on May Day Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May.
The show is completely Free to enter (although a donation to MAG will be most appreciated). There are multiple show awards up for grabs so come along with your bike / trike / scooter / combination / moped. There are lots of attractions at the gala so you'll have something to do whilst waiting to see if your pride and joy has won. We will also be hosting the Yorkshire MAG stand at the show, with MAG literature, products and a tombola. The show / gala is being held in the Clarence Park Arena, Clarence Park, Wakefield. Entry to the show from 9:30am, the show officially starts at 10:00am and the prize giving will be at 2:30pm.
We look forward to welcoming you and your pride and joy on May Day !!!
Our rideout for the month of May is being held on Sunday 10th of May, venturing into Derbyshire and will be led by Martin (one of our 3 intrepid rideout coordinators for 2015). Usual arrangements - Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT. Martin tested his route recently and was rather pleased with it, so it promises to be a good one.
N.B. We unfortunately had to cancel our April rideout due to unforeseen circumstances, and placed notice on this website, our Facebook page and to our email contact list, to ensure no one was inconvenienced i.e. turning up at Redbeck to find there was no one else there. As a general reminder, be sure to check this website and/or our Facebook page prior to setting off for any of our events, in the very unlikely event they may be cancelled.
The annual Leeds MAG Demo Run takes place on Saturday 23rd May, meeting at Squires Cafe Bar, Newthorpe, LS25 5LX from 11am for a prompt departure at 12 noon. Wakefield MAG will meet at our usual location (Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT) at 10:30am, leaving at 11:00 for the ride over to the demo start point.
The demo ride will proceed through Leeds City Centre on a learner friendly route to finish at the New Inn, Eccup, LS16 8AU. And the theme of this years Demo - Raising awareness that the proposed 20 year West Yorkshire wide transport plan did not include a single mention of powered two wheelers! See the URGENT ACTION NEEDED (Before End April 2015) TO KEEP WEST YORKSHIRE BIKING! News Article for more info on this.
All bikes, trikes and scooters welcome. 75 Wakefield MAG Branch Points awarded to all Wakefield MAG members who attend the demo.
There will be a party & camp over at the New Inn, Eccup on the Saturday evening. Camping £5pp incl. full English Breakfast. Selection of real ales, good bar food, Live Music from 'Like it or lump it'. Please let Leeds MAG know via their Facebook Page if you will be camping over so they can arrange the catering.
The Wakefield MAG allocation of Yorkshire MAG rally tickets are selling fast at the weekly branch meetings. However, we still have tickets available for:
Be sure to buy your tickets early, especially for the YPR, which sells out every year well ahead of the event - Don't leave it to the last minute and risk disappointment !!! If you want some rally tickets reserving, do let me know. If you buy direct from your local MAG branch, you'll save yourself the online £2 booking / administration fee.
10) Forthcoming Events (for May and beyond)
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. www.intothevalley.co.uk
Monday 4th May (May Day Bank Holiday) - Wakefield MAG Bike Show at the Wakefield Gala
As Detailed Above. 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).
Sunday 10th May - Wakefield MAG Monthly Rideout (Destination: Derbyshire Way)
As Detailed Above. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 9:00am) at RedBeck Cafe, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ
Saturday 23rd May - Leeds MAG Demo Run
As Detailed Above. The demo run starts at Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, LS25 5LX. Assemble at Squires from 11:00 to leave at 12:00 noon prompt for the police escorted ride through Leeds City Centre, on a learner friendly route and finish at the New Inn Eccup LS16 8AU where there will be a campover and live music etc. All bikes,trikes and scooters welcome. Wakefield MAG will meet at our usual location (Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT) at 10:30am, leaving at 11:00 for the ride over to the demo start point.
Sunday 7th June - Wakefield MAG Memorial Rideout (Destination: Bridlington)
A Special Rideout in memory of dear friends and ex-Members of the Branch who are sadly no longer with us. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 9:00am) at RedBeck Cafe, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ
Friday 19th - Sunday 21st June - Farmyard Party Rally 2015
Europe's Biggest and Best Motorcycle Only Rally. Location: Duncombe Park, Helmsley, North Yorkshire. Tickets available at our branch meetings. www.farmyardparty.com
Sunday 5th July - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBA)
Meet 08:30 (leaving at 09:00) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT
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.