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) 3rd Bingo Night Report
2) 12th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite
3) Yorkshire MAG AGM
4) Alan Morrison RIP
5) Christmas Do
6) GET INVOLVED - Bike Parking in West Yorkshire
7) Remembrance Sunday
8) Daytime Running Lights
9) Forthcoming Events (for November and beyond)
Check out the event report Here
2) 12th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite
It's November, and the wait is over ... this month is the hugely popular Wakefield MAG Bikers Quiz Nite !!!
The quiz will be held at 8:00pm on Wednesday 18th November 2015 at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ.
We wont mess with a winning formula so it's the same tried and tested 60 questions, 30 of which will be motorcycle related and 30 will be general knowledge (but there will be a bike related link / theme somewhere, however tenuous). The quiz is hotly contested throughout Yorkshire and the prestigious roll of honour is:
Who will win in 2015 ? .... Leeds Again Probably !
Open to All. £1 entry fee p.p. Team (Max. 5) or individual entry. Great prizes for the winners (1st, 2nd & 3rd), plus booby prize for the least number of correct answers.
And just for a change ....... All proceeds to the MAG Fighting Fund ;-)
The Yorkshire Region AGM was held at the White Horse Pub in Hutton Cranswick Nr Driffield on Sunday the 18th of October.
The Wakefield MAG Report to the 2015 Yorkshire Region AGM went as follows:
Pretty active year:
With the donations from other branches at the AGM, together with our own, the Region funds were more than doubled, meaning a hefty donation to MAG Central can be made. The Region are keeping some funds back though as we are hosting the MAG AGC next year, which will be held at Barnsley Rugby Club on Saturday 9th April 2016.
The Tony Berry Memorial Trophy (awarded in recognition of a sustained positive contribution to the Yorkshire region) was awarded, very deservedly, to Huddersfield's Steve Bolton, for his invaluable work in engaging with officers and decision-makers in the halls of power across the region.
Your new regional committee is:
The Press & Media role was not filled, neither was the Events Officer role, so these were devolved to local reps.
Finally, the Yorkshire Region was able to present a cheque to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance for £600, which was accepted in person by a fundraising rep from the charity. This impressive amount was raised through a bucket collection at this years rallies. The Air Ambulance was in attendance at the Farmyard this year (Heart Attack) and at the Spat out of Hull rally (non-bike related accident), so we have seen first hand what great work they do.
All in all, a great and positive AGM, and a great year for Yorkshire MAG.
The only negative was having to ride there in the rain (which wasn't forecast) along muddy country lanes, so the bikes looked like we had been motocrossing on them by the time we got there !!
It is with sadness that we have learnt that Alan Morrison, a founder member of Wakefield MAG, died in July of Cancer, aged 72. Alan was one of the original members who attended the very first Wakefield MAG meeting, held on 9th January 2002, at the White Hart on Westgate. Alan was a dispatch rider at the time on an old BMW Boxer twin. He really looked the part with his long grey hair and beard, quitely spoken but with a very dry sense of humour. He had stopped attending meetings regularly about 5 years ago, but continued to attend the post Christmas auctions in January of each year. His widow has very kindly donated all his old bike gear to Wakefield MAG to be auctioned off to the highest bidder at our forthcoming Post Christmas Auction (to be held on Wednesday 27th January 2016).
RIP Alan.
Our Christmas do will be held on Saturday 5th December, starting at the Smokehouse Real BBQ, Wood Street, Wakefield. We have made a provisional booking for 20, but we can always add more numbers. The meal will be at 13:00, and suitably fed, we will venture on to many of the Merrie Cities fine hostelries for multiple goblets of foaming ale. You can come for the meal, or meet us at one of the many pubs in town, or do both ... the choice is yours. Wakefield MAG Christmas Do's are always highly memorable, and if last years Christmas do is any indication, we are in for a jolly good time .... Check out the event report(s) if you don't believe me !!!
A five pound deposit is due now, so if you are planning to attend, see Lorna at the Wednesday meetings or contact us via the branch e-mail account (wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org).
Christmas hats and reindeer antlers strictly optional. Hope to see you there.
Smokehouse Wakefield Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Smokehousewoodstreet/
6) GET INVOLVED - Bike Parking in West Yorkshire
Further to a number of great meetings between Yorkshire MAG and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), MAG have been asked to identify their favoured Council run car parks with a view to turning over a couple of car spaces to free motorcycle parking (with security features where possible). If you live, work or visit any of the following areas let MAG Central know your choice:
Simply advise of the street and the town and MAG will work with WYCA to deliver more secure free dedicated bike parking. Help us to help you.
You can email Selina Lavender, MAG's National Chair at: chair@mag-uk.org
Wakefield MAG will be attending en-masse the City of Wakefield Remembrance Sunday Memorial Service on Sunday 8th November. We have attended this service for more years now than we care to remember, to honour the fallen from our own area, in our own area. We will again be laying a Wakefield MAG wreath at the war memorial, that is already on order from the Royal British Legion. Following the Wakefield Service, we will be attending (at the invitation of the RBLR), the parade and service in nearby Mirfield - The role of the motorcyclists, is to lead the procession through Mirfield, with the marching bands, service personnel, cadets, veterans, and everyone else following on behind. The remembrance parade culminates in an afternoon service at Mirfield War Memorial. The Mirfield parade is billed as the largest outside London and usually gets covered in the BBC Look North News that evening.
Meet 10:50 (or earlier) at the Wood Street War Memorial in Wakefield for the City of Wakefield Remembrance Sunday Memorial Service. We will then be riding over to the Old Colonial pub in Mirfield, to meet up at 13:00ish with the Royal British Legion Riders (RBLR). We will be leaving the pub at 13:30 for a ride to the Mirfield parade which starts at 14:00, followed by the service at Mirfield War Memorial. As a thank you for attending, food is laid on afterwards at the Old Colonial by landlord Tim. Hope you can attend both and let's have a big turnout of bikes to honour the fallen from all armed conflicts, and to show our respect.
MAG is resuming its opposition to the European regulation requiring cars to use headlights in daytime in the light of mounting evidence that this practise disadvantages vulnerable road users. Dedicated lobby group 'Lightmare' is blaming a rise in casualties suffered by pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists on the increasing use of intensely bright car lights that render other road users comparatively inconspicuous.
Lightmare argues that the rise in road casualties in the UK since 2010 can be directly linked to an EU mandate from February 2011 stating that all cars should have daytime driving lights. It says that after the 2011 mandate, many vehicle manufacturers started introducing BiXenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights which it claims can cause temporary blindness and as a result accidents have increased. Lightmare claims that the EU's road safety advisors only did laboratory tests and did not consult ophthalmologists about the detrimental effect of BiXenon HID headlights on the eye.
MAG's positive road safety philosophy emphasises the common sense priority of promoting good motoring practise with an emphasis on observation, caution and mutual respect by all road users. MAG's approach does not favour the adoption of what the group considers to be gimmicks like the use of bright day running lamps in conditions when any competent road user should be able to see perfectly well.
MAG President Ian Mutch said: "It is time that the promotion of common sense displaced the eccentric, extravagant and counterproductive schemes that those in the road safety culture are often too eager to embrace." He added; "Drivers who can't see each other in the light of day without ludicrous levels of illumination should ask themselves whether they are fit to be in charge of motor vehicles."
9) Forthcoming Events (for November and beyond)
SOLD OUT Wednesday 4th November - Huddersfield MAG 1st Sausage Night SOLD OUT
To celebrate British Sausage Week, Huddersfield MAG will be holding their very first Sausage Night! On the menu will be a range of locally made speciality sausages, Home made toad in the hole, yummy mash, chips, peas, beans & lashings of gravy. (Veggie options too). £6.00 per head, tickets in advance only. If you have experienced our pie nights you will know this is a feast you can't afford to miss! 20:00 at The Field Head Pub, Quarmby Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4FB.
Sunday 8th November - Wakefield MAG at the City of Wakefield Memorial Sunday Parade & Service
See Above.
Saturday 14th November - BADMAG 3rd Annual Race Night
Get them bets flowing to win cash prizes at Barnsley and Doncaster MAG's 3rd annual race night event. This year along with the usual horse races we have pig racing, greyhound racing and many more varied races for you to jeer, cheer or sneer at! £1 bets. Buffet, raffle, football cards and cake sale. No fancy dress, posh frocks or suits required. Foresters Arms, Village Street, Adwick, DN6 7AA, from 19:00.
Sunday 15th November - Leeds MAG Bargain Hunt Challenge.
Meet from 11:00 at the Bowling Green pub in Otley to get to Otley car boot sale for 12 noon. Spend no more than £5 on one item then we sell it on eBay; all money raised goes to MAG.
Wednesday 18th November - Wakefield MAG 12th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite
See Above.
Saturday 5th December - Wakefield MAG Christmas Do
See Above.
Wednesday 13th January 2016 - Wakefield MAG AGM
Review of 2015, Officers Reports, Election of Branch Officers for 2016, plans for the forthcoming year & Presentation to our Branch Heroes of 2015. Current MAG Membership Card required to vote. 19:30 for a prompt 20:00 start in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ.
Wednesday 27th January 2016 - Wakefield MAG 13th Post Christmas Auction
Our 13th Post Christmas Auction will be held on Wednesday 27th January 2016, 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 !!!).
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.