Event Reports

Yorkshire Pudding Rally - Friday 4th August 2017 - Sunday 6th August 2017

The YPR has a bit of a reputation as the rally where it never rains, and it lived up to the hype this year (again !!!). Rain running up to the weekend (although the site itself had stayed dry during the set-up from Wednesday onwards) ..... then a dry sunny weekend (albeit, somewhat cold, OK, very cold, on a night) .... then rain again come the Monday morning.

A few of the Wakefield MAG contingent arrived on Thurday (one of the many benefits of being an event marshal). Steve & Justine rode in from Wakefield all the way under a rain cloud, getting slightly moist on the run in, annoyingly, always being able to see blue sky in front (and to the sides), but never quite riding out of it .... but never mind, it was dry on site (always that much more pleasant putting a tent up in the dry). We set up in our usual Wakefield MAG Village spot, had a few beers, and enjoyed a little fire (to keep warm) in Lorna's BBQ pit.

Keeping warm

Friday saw the punters flocking in. None of us had any marshalling shifts on the Friday evening, so we all had a BBQ in our Wakefield MAG Village (and several (gallons) of foaming ale).

BBQ

We then had ample opportunity to wander into the main arena, sample the real ales in the Real Ale Marquee, and watch the bands in the Main Marquee.

Watching the Bands

Three bands were on over the course of the evening and opening the entertainment were the J.B. Goode band, then Wired and headlining the evening were Storm. Between them, a fine selection of fifties rock n roll, classic rock, pop and ska covers, no decade left out from the last 50 years, so, summat for everyone.

Saturday soon came round with many of us nursing hangovers. Saturday lunchtime was the kick off of the Custom Show and the Smacked Arse Comedy Show, but the main event (of the whole weekend) was Lorna's Brave the Shave, in aid of Macmillan Nurses. Well done Lorna (and everyone who was so generous with their donations) with a huge amount being raised for this most worthwhile charity.

BSH's Dave Manning had the incredibly difficult job of judging the custom show in the main arena, but eventually came up with six show winners, and an overall Best in Show:

The Smacked Arse comedy Show in the Main Marquee was a belter, with Jack Shanik (superbly formulated and consistently funny one-liners), Karen Bayley (Bayley's material surprises with inspired and sparkling punchlines ... with comic timing that is rarely less than brilliant), Jack Gleadow (Search for a star - his energy is infectious) and headlined by Dave Williams (Inspired one-liners punctuated with surreal nonsense).

The vast majority of the Wakefield MAG contingent headed the short(ish) distance into Eskrick village, and to the Bowling Club, for several pints of foaming ale, in the sunshine.

Walking to the village
Enjoying the Sun (and the beer)

Saturday night saw a repeat of Friday night (albeit with no BBQ), but a lighter pace of refreshment (as we had all peaked too early, plus had our bikes to ride on Sunday morning so wanted to take it steady).

Bob had certainly peaked too early

The bands in the Main Marquee were Bigmouth (variety of stuff played including Jam, Clash, Alarm, Stone Roses, The La's, Killers, Paul Weller, Specials, Cure, Pink Floyd, U2, Springsteen, Coldplay, Sex Pistols, Ocean Colour Scene, Stevie Wonder, Madness, Bad Manners, Stereophonics, Scouting for Girls, Primal Scream and Undertones), Truebrit (a 4 piece band from God's own County of Yorkshire covering their own blend of Mod, Ska, Punk, Soul and Indie influenced tunes) and rounding off the evening, Angelfire (rock ballads to metal classics covers). Again, summat for everyone.

Sunday, most of us headed down the A19 to the Strawberry Fields Cafe, for fried breakfast products, then back to site to pack up (in the dry) and head off home.

Another splendid YPR, spent in the glorious company of the Wakefield MAG extended family .... does it get any better that that .... short answer to that one ... No !!!!

the glorious company of the Wakefield MAG extended family

A huge thanks to Wakefield MAG's volunteer marshals (amongst many others) for helping to make it happen. Hip .. Hip ... Hurrah !!!