Dear Wakefield MAG Member,
Welcome to the Wakefield MAG Newsletter. If you can't attend our Tuesday meetings regularly, it's the next best thing to keep you up to date with what we are up to.
CONTENTS
1) MAG Annual Group Conference
2) The 2035 ICE Ban – MAG's Fighting Response
3) Bingo Night
4) Wakefield MAG Christmas Raffle
5) Chas' Surprise 80th Birthday Party
6) Wakefield Hospice Event Marshaling
7) Biker Quiz Nite
8) Zero Test Ride
9) 2023 Rally dates
10) Forthcoming Events (for October and beyond)
1) MAG Annual Group Conference
MAG's Annual General Conference for 2022 was held on Saturday 24th September at the Edward VII Working Men's Club, Allerton Bywater, Castleford, West Yorkshire. Wakefield MAG was represented by Steve (Rep) and Chas (Deputy Rep).
This years AGC was quite poorly attended, with only just enough to form a quorum - No idea why, although possibly the lack of an evening post AGC party and nearby accommodation / camping may have put people off coming (the majority of attendee's were from Yorkshire, whereas there is usually a very good representation from all regions of the UK. The attendees were 'treated' to presentations from Lembit Opik (Director of Communications and Public Affairs), Colin Brown (MAG's Director of Campaigns and Political Engagement), Ian Churchlow (FEMA / Climate Fundamentalism), Neil Liversedge (Operation Earthquake) and MAG El Presidente, Ian Mutch. Election wise, all the National Officers and Directors up for election / re-election were unopposed so were elected / returned unopposed.
Finance wise, MAG has had more income from membership fees as membership has increased by 16% but donations are down from pre-covid levels as is insurance commission. However, costs have gone up without increased usage, which in the current climate is no surprise. Paper and postage costs have skyrocketed making producing the members magazine Open Road that much more expensive. The Central office lease has increased by 32%. Net result is MAG has made a loss this last year. Work is ongoing to contain costs but the difficult decision has had to be made to increase the annual membership fees, which was ratified by the conference delegates. Individual membership will now be £30 and joint membership £45. The last time membership costs were increased was 2014, so one could argue it was somewhat overdue.
Finally, the Awards, in which Yorkshire MAG was well represented.
Anne Gale was elected as Joint Vice-President for Life to sit with Vice President Colin Ives.
2) The 2035 ICE Ban – MAG's Fighting Response
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has recently submitted its response to UK motorcycling's most important consultation. The response runs to 29 pages of widely referenced arguments against the proposed end to sales of new petrol-powered motorcycles. It authentically represents the view of the majority of UK bikers and fulfils MAG's pledge to fight the proposed ban to the last ditch.
The consultation, entitled 'L-category vehicles: ending sales of new non-zero emission models', launched in July closed on Wednesday 21st September. MAG has been resolute in defending the views of UK motorcyclists, the vast majority of whom oppose the policy proposals.
MAG Chair, Neil Liversidge, said: "The government is making a huge mistake in trying to pick winners. Free markets pick winners, not bureaucrats. I can see that and so can MAG members. Governments do not have the ability to predict the future and should not seek to limit innovation and creativity in solving the problems that we all face. We have openly stated a willingness to work with the Government on reducing the environmental impacts of transport. The proposed enforced end of fossil-fuelled internal combustion engine vehicles on this, or any other, timescale is not the way to get to the best outcomes. The justification for the focus on zero tailpipe emissions is highly questionable, and the ridiculously short schedule is unnecessary. The outcomes will be economically and socially catastrophic. The benefits will be too small to measure. We shall not stand by and allow this policy to go unchallenged.
We are faithfully representing the views of the vast majority of riders, and I trust that other organisations will put a similar level of passion and clarity into their responses. Simply trying to delay this policy is the wrong approach. It must be rejected in its entirety. Our exhaustive research has gone far beyond the world of motorcycling, and nothing we have found dissuades us from the belief that this policy is wrong."
MAG's full consultation response is available Here.
MAG continues to seek a meeting with DfT ministers. MAG formally requested a meeting with Trudy Harrison in July. That was delayed due to the Tory leadership contest and, more recently, the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II. There is now a new Secretary of State for Transport, Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP. MAG is continuing to press for a meeting with Trevelyan as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the motorcycle industry has united against the ICE ban: www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2022/october/motorcycle-industry-unites-against-combustion-engine-ban-plans
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. The excitement starts at 20:00 at the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield, on Tuesday 25th October.
Hope to see you there.
4) Wakefield MAG Christmas Raffle
Following the undoubted success of our Christmas raffles in 2019 and 2021, we are hosting another Christmas Hamper Raffle for 2022 with the chance to win a luxury hamper plus other prizes. The tickets will be printed shortly and should be available to buy from mid-October. Tickets will be £1 each (although Chas prefers to sell a book at a time for £5 ;-) and will be drawn at the Wakefield MAG meeting on Tuesday 13th December at 20:00. All proceeds to the MAG Fighting Fund for the on-going protection of your freedom to ride your motorcycle. Please buy some and let's boost the MAG coffers.
5) Chas' Surprise 80th Birthday Party
Check out the event report Here
6) Wakefield Hospice Event Marshaling
Check out the event report Here
The legendary and hugely popular annual Wakefield MAG Bikers Quiz Nite is next month !!!
The quiz will be held at 20:00 on Tuesday 29th November 2022 at the Thatched House, 434 Aberford Road, Stanley, Wakefield, WF3 4AA. We are planning a few changes to the format this year but there will still be 60 questions, 30 of which will be motorcycle related and 30 will be general knowledge. The quiz is hotly contested throughout Yorkshire and the prestigious roll of honour is:
Who will win in 2022 ? .... 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 ;-)
Check out the event report Here
The confirmed dates for the Yorkshire MAG 2023 rallies are:
The branch will recieve it's allocation of tickets for sale at our weekly meetings early in the new year (Remember, if you buy from us you save on the booking and postage fees).
10) Forthcoming Events (for October and beyond)
Sunday 9th October - Tolson Motorcycle Show (Huddersfield MAG stand in attendance)
Tuesday 25th October - Bingo Night
See Above. 20:00 in the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield.
Sunday 13th November - Wakefield MAG at the City of Wakefield Memorial Sunday Parade & Service
Rideout to Royal British Legion Riders Branch event at Mirfield, following our attendance at the Wakefield Remembrance Service. Meet 10:50, Wood Street War Memorial, Wakefield
Tuesday 29th November - Wakefield MAG 18th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite
See Above. 20:00 in the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield. £1 p.p (to cover cost of prizes)
Saturday 3rd December - Christmas Do
A Christmas Meal, proceeded and followed by several goblets of foaming ale, at the Thatched House
Tuesday 13th December - Christmas Hamper Draw
See Above
Tuesday 17th January 2023 - Wakefield Branch 21st AGM - The branch will be 21 years old !!!!
Tuesday 31st January 2023 - Post Christmas Auction
Got lots of unwanted Christmas presents ? Got items that are of use/value but you don't have the space for them any more ? Prepared to donate them for a good cause ? Bring them along to the Wakefield MAG 'Post Christmas Auction' where they will be raffled off to the highest bidder, with all the proceeds being donated to MAG and other worthy causes. 20:00 in the Thatched House.
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 Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield at 8:00pm every Tuesday. New (and Old) faces are always welcome.