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 Hospice 10K Race Report
2) Yorkshire MAG Events and Rallies Promo Video
3) MAG AGC Report
4) April Rideout Report
5) Wakefield MAG 14th Birthday Bash Report
6) Wakefield MAG Bike Show - May Day Bank Holiday Monday
7) May Rideout
8) How far do motorcyclists have to go to be seen?
9) Rally Tickets For Sale
10) Forthcoming Events (for May and beyond)
1) Wakefield Hospice 10K Race Report
Check out the event report: Here
2) Yorkshire MAG Events and Rallies Promo Video
A full length promo video has been produced by MAP (the Yorkshire MAG Events arm), filmed at all of our events last year. As well as having a great party and celebrating with bands, beer, custom bike shows and other fantastic entertainment, we hope the promo video highlights the reasons WHY we and many other local MAG groups across the UK run these rallies in the first place, which is to support MAG UK's work in protecting and promoting the interests and rights of all riders whilst celebrating biking and the freedoms it provides.
It's a great video, and really gets you in the mood for the rally season. Enjoy and share the promo video, and if you look carefully, you may just spot a few familiar faces ;-)
Link: www.facebook.com/YorkshireMAGRalliesAndEvents/videos
The MAG AGC, held at Shaw Lane Rugby Club in nearby Barnsley on Saturday 9th April was a bit of a runaway success. A large attendance, with members from the length and breadth of the UK, enjoyed what had to be one of the best venues in many years.
The lunchtime buffet was superb, as were the facilities. But it was the overall positive vibe and everyone singing from the same hymn sheet that really made it.
Being held in Yorkshire, all the groups pitched in to help out - Wakefield MAG provided 4 vote tellers (Steve Travis, Martin Burgess, Ian Whittaker & Lorna Jaques) but we weren't actually needed in the end as all the votes were pretty much unanimous (although we were all poised like coiled springs ready for action throughout). Steve and Justine also directed campers to the campsite as they were turning up on bikes, alongside Manny and Kate from Leeds MAG. Huddersfield MAG manned the check-in desk and Barnsley & Doncaster MAG manned the camping.
There were no contested National roles so Selina Lavenda was returned unopposed as the National Chair, Oliver Rose as National Clubs Officer and Jane Carrott as National Reps Officer. We had two Directors postions open for the Company which operates the business side of MAG - The Motorcycle Action Group Limited (TMAGL), one of which was filled by Ian Churchlow who has served as a director in years past (well done to Ian for stepping forward).
A motion was passed to move the AGC to the last weekend in September (when it used to be held, prior to being moved to April), so the next AGC will now be late September 2017.
We had some fantastic donations to the MAG fighting fund at the AGC this year, including 20K from Yorkshire MAG (this is just from the branches, not the MAP contribution) and a collosal 75K from the Stormin' the Castle team in NE MAG !!! Well Done Guys !!!
A new award was created this year for the region who have achieved the highest percentage in membership increase since the last AGC - this went to Cumbria MAG, top effort. The Steve Tannock Teamwork Award didn't go to the West Yorkshire MAG team of Ian (Wakefield MAG), Manny (Leeds MAG) and Steve Bolton (Huddersfield MAG) for their outstanding work with the local authorities (see the Road Magazine for details) - this was a bit of a disappointment but Steve Bolton did receive a personal award. Your Rep, Steve, was awarded with an Honorary Life Membership, in recognition to significant work over a sustained period on behalf of the Group.
Getting an honorary Life Membership award for services to MAG at the AGC was a shock ... totally unexpected. Lorna asked why I didn't give a bit of an acceptance speech ... truth was, I was totally lost for words ... humbled if you like. A massive thank you for the nomination and support. 14 years as a branch rep at Wakefield, one as branch rep of Barnsley (that I re-launched back in 2007), three years as Vice Rep of Yorkshire, including 6 months as Regional Rep, and a short stint as National Network Communications Officer ..... it's been hard work over the years but a genuine honour to serve MAG. Of course, I would have thrown the towel in years ago had it not been for the fantastic support of the Wakefield & Yorkshire members, together with other national members and the staff at Central. I'll say it again, it's an honour to serve MAG, and I'm proud to be involved with such an amazing organisation.
You will be able to read all about the AGC in the next issue of the Road, but the key bits are above. A huge thanks to the 9 Wakefield MAG members who attended, 75 branch points duly earned.
Seven Wakefield MAG members attended the Post AGC party at the same venue, which was rather good - especially as Old Golden Hen and Barnsley Bitter was on hand pulled !!!
The live band covered a number of classic rock tracks and a raffle was held which raised £280 towards the MAG Fighting Fund on the evening - Bravo.
Check out the rideout report Here
5) Wakefield MAG 14th Birthday Bash Report
Check out the event report Here
6) Wakefield MAG Bike Show - May Day Bank Holiday Monday
We are only days (hours or minutes depending on when you read this) away from our popular bike show, hosted at the Wakefield Gala at Clarence Park Arena, on May Day Bank Holiday Monday. Be sure to fettle up your pride and joy to enter into the show. 6 winning categories plus an overall Best in show up for grabs. We will also be hosting the Yorkshire MAG stand and running a tombola with some great prizes to win). Lots of other attractions at the show and it's a great family day out. Hope to see you there.
Our May Rideout will be held on Sunday 15th May. A slight change from the destination advertised in the April newsletter (which was Devil's Bridge) - instead, we are heading to Alfreton in Derbyshire, and stopping at Custom Cruisers Motorcycles (www.customcruisers.co.uk). As per usual, a cracking scenic learner friendly route and 10,000 acres of clear blue sky (well, we can't guarantee the last bit ... but we can live in hope !!!). Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT.
8) How far do motorcyclists have to go to be seen?
The Dutch Motorcycle Platform has released an online video to ask for better co-operation and understanding between motorcyclists and car drivers.
The Dutch Motorcycle Platform is formed by representatives of the national government, interest groups and road safety organizations. The objective of the Motorcycle Platform is to improve road safety for motorcyclists so that the number of motorcycle accidents will decrease significantly. MAG Netherlands, the Dutch riders rights organization and FEMA member, is part of the Dutch Motorcycle Platform.
To view the full article and video, please follow the Link: http://www.fema-online.eu/website/index.php/2016/04/04/how-far-do-motorcyclists-have-to-go-to-be-seen/
FEMA is a federation of democratic Riders Rights organizations throughout Europe, of which MAG in the UK is a founding member. Other European Riders Rights organisations who are FEMA members include:
A little late to get ITV rally tickets now, but still plenty of time to get your FYP and YPR tickets at the weekly branch meetings and save yourself the booking fee and postage.
The dates (and prices) of the FYP and YPR events for 2016 are:
Due to popular demand, you can also purchase Saturday tickets (with Saturday evening camping) if you can't make the Friday, but are put off by the full weekend ticket price for only one night. These are pre-book only and cost:
N.B. Child tickets (under 16) are FREE when bought with a paying adult ticket.
Ticket prices have remained static now for the last five years !!!
2016 also marks the 30th anniversary of the Farmyard Party. That's 30 rallies with No Cars, No Vans, and No pedestrians! Yes - the Farmyard Party is not going 'Old School' or 'Back to a Biker Rally' because it never left! From Day One of the Farmyard you have been able to indulge yourselves in having your own personal campfire around your tent for you and your mates (a very rare occurance at a big well organised rally these days). Back Street Heroes are not only sponsoring the FYP ride-in bike show for the umpteenth year running, but they are also bringing a round of their own special 2016 British Custom Bike Building Championship to the Farmyard, so you can expect a very special custom show this year.
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 May and beyond)
Friday 29th April - Sunday 1st May 2016 - Into the Valley (ITV) Rally
May Day Bank Holiday Monday (2nd May) - Wakefield MAG Bike Show at the Wakefield Gala
See Above.
Sunday 15th May - Wakefield MAG Rideout
See Above.
A scenic route to Alfreton and Custom Cruisers Motorcycles (www.customcruisers.co.uk). Usual Rideout rules apply. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT.
Friday 17th June - Sunday 19th June 2016 - Farmyard Party (FYP) Rally
Tickets available at the Branch meetings - See Above.
Sunday 26th June - Wakefield MAG Rideout
For our June rideout, we are heading to a vintage and classic show being held at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum at Leyland, Lancashire (so don't forget your passport !!!). Usual Rideout rules apply. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT.
Sunday 17th July - Wakefield MAG Memorial Rideout (Destination: Whitby)
A Special Rideout in memory of dear friends and ex-Members of the Branch who are sadly no longer with us. Usual Rideout rules apply. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT.
Friday 5th August - Sunday 7th August 2016 - Yorkshire Pudding Rally (YPR)
Tickets available at the Branch meetings - See Above.
www.yorkshirepuddingrally.co.uk
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 (since the early Carboniferous Period)
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.