Yorkshire MAG held it's 3rd Annual Yorkshire Pudding Rally on the first weekend of August (Fri 4th – Sun 6th) at the Silverwood Scout Camp, Silkstone, Barnsley. Once again, the gods were on our side and we enjoyed hot dry weather all weekend (whilst in poured down in neighbouring Wakefield on the Saturday !!). We had to restrict numbers on site this year due to licencing restrictions and the event was sold out well in advance of our ticket sales advertised deadline. Whilst we took every effort to advertise that the event had sold out and entry would only be allowed with a pre-purchased ticket, a few poor souls did turn up hoping to buy tickets on the gate. It does break your heart having to turn people away when they have turned up to enjoy your rally. Sorry guys but the licencing restrictions this year were out of our control. The only advice for next year is to get your tickets well in advance.
Those that were on site were treated to an exceptionally chilled out and thoroughly enjoyable rally. Friday saw rally goers turning up from about 10am, even though the site doesn't officially open until midday. Despite it's relatively small size, the YPR attracts a large number of traders, selling all manner of goods and services, food and drink. Special thanks go to Johnson's of Leeds who voluntarily paid over three times the asking price for their pitch, for the simple reason that they like to support MAG - Thanks Guys !!!!
Friday nights musical entertainment was provided by Alligator and the truly awesome Desilva, who did an absolutely cracking set. Rounding off the evening was a nicely sized bonfire, not too big, nor too small, just nicely sized, in it's own fire pit so you can look down into the flames, feel the warm and just chill out. Blooming Marvellous.
Saturday morning there was a well attended ride out, marshalled by members of Huddersfield and Sheffield MAG branches. Bit of a mystery tour this one, following a roughly figure of eight route through some of South Yorkshire's and North Derbyshire's finest countryside. Everyone who attended enjoyed a great scenic rideout. The ride out was back in time for the silly games and these were very popular and the 'Best Ever' according to some. Well done to Phil & Liz of Wakefield MAG for organising such delights as dizzy sticks, space hopper relay and wheelbarrow races. Funny how prizes of beer can make grown adults return so readily to their childhood, but as the late great Kenny Everett used to say - "It's all in the Best Possible Taste".
Saturday Afternoon in the Main Arena was the well supported bike show, with some fantastic entries on display. Judging a bike show has never been so difficult with so many quality entries but we eventually came to a consensus decision.
The bike show awards were presented by Barnsley's Mayor, Cllr Margaret Morgan, who had a great time looking around the traders and rally site afterwards. Special Thanks go to Andy Gower for making the bike show trophy's again this year. These trophies really are unique, home fabricated and largely made up of Honda C90 gearbox components and the like, lacquered and mounted on a metal plinth, with the category plate made from circuit board material. You almost need a trophy for the trophies they are so good. Best custom trophy was made up from a Honda 50cc's pistons (in V formation, obviously !!!). A very fitting prize for Heidi's Best Custom winning entry.
Still on the subject of the bike show, such was the quality of entries this year, we are having an additional category (Best Classic) next year so if you have a classic in your garage, do bring it along next year, it may just win (Chap with Black Norton Commando please note !!!!)
Saturday night's bonfire looked in jeapody as our trusty Land Rover hit mechanical problems after moving a large skip so wasn't available to cart the 3 tons of pallet wood down to the fire pit. However, following an appeal to rally goers for help (inspirational thought by NE MAG's Regional Rep Ian Cook), a small army of volunteers ferried pallets down to the fire pit. It looked from a distance like a trail of worker ants and from the marshals perspective, there was no greater sight. A huge thanks to all the rally goers who helped out, you really did want a bonfire on Saturday night didn't you guys !!!
Saturday's musical entertainment was provided by Jackal and Shittin' Bricks, who played at the Pudding last year, but were sporting a new line up. Rounding off Saturday evening (until the wee small hours) was the bonfire, thanks to the wood shifting efforts of our happy rally goers.
A special thanks has to go to the small band of volunteer MAG marshals, who without all their efforts, the rally simply wouldn’t take place. All of the marshals had paid for their tickets to get in, and then worked like stink, for free, to make the event the success it was. A huge thank you to you all. The ranks of volunteer marshals also included a significant number of MAG National Committee members. Our very own MAG National Finance Director Justine Travis was showing the Barnsley Mayor around site one minute, then ten minutes later had her hand down a portaloo, whilst our Chair Jane Chisholm learnt all the gory details about broken cess pits over the weekend - it’s glamorous at the top in MAG !!!!
The YPR this year was a cracking event and it just gets better every year. Next year's event, already provisionally booked for the first weekend in August 2007, will also be a Pre-Book only rally as we want to maintain it's small and friendly atmosphere (and besides, the site can't accommodate many more bodies). So, if you want to go next year (and it is a highly recommended rally), 'Book Early' as Fred Pontin used to say !!!
Check out the event web site for more photos: www.yorkshirepuddingrally.com