The 2019 MAG Annual General Conference was held on Saturday 28th September, at Shaw Cross Sharks ARLFC, Leeds Road, Shaw Cross, Dewsbury, and was hosted by the 3 West Yorkshire MAG Groups - Leeds, Huddersfield and Wakefield !!!
A good few of us from all 3 branches gathered on the Friday afternoon to set up the venue ahead of the first delegates arriving, which they started to do from Friday teatime onwards. Jane Durdy and her glamourous kitchen assistants laid on a cracking tea, and then we were treated to live Acoustic Sets from Kelly Ann Bolland and a version of the legendary Wakefield MAG biker quiz, which Leeds MAG won, now there's a surprise !!!
A good night was certainly had. Saturday soon came round and the start of the AGC at 12:00. 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), Tony Cox (MAG Foundation) 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 (although unanimous votes of confidence were received from the Conference delegates).
Wakefield MAG's Neil Liversedge proposed 6 motions which resulted in healthy debate but they were all passed and set sensible MAG policy for the future of motorcycling as we know it i.e. with internal combustion engines.
Unanimous votes were granted to continue to award honoroury Affiliate Membership to the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD) and National Youthbike, both very worthwhile causes who replicate in spades with their support of MAG.
Finally, the Awards, in which Wakefield MAG was well represented. Ian Whittaker (Wakefield & Yorkshire Politcal Officer) picked up a Certificate of Merit and a Special Recognition award was posthumously awarded to Justine Travis, Wakefield MAG's Secretary and Treasurer for 17 years, and MAG National Finance Officer and Director for 7 years. The conference gave a standing ovation whilst husband Steve collected the award, which was a very fitting mark of respect for a much loved and much missed MAG stalwart.
Post conference Jane and her kitchen helpers laid on the evening meal (the meat and potato pie was out of this world !!!) and into the evening we had our AGC party, in which the house was rocked by the Interiorz (fresh from their Farmyard Party big top appearance).
We also pulled the tickets for the big AGC raffle.
The Top prize of the Yorkshire Hamper was won by Leeds MAG's Keith Maven, whilst the Padgett's Polo Shirt and T Shirt was won by Wakefield MAG's Steve West.
Everyone really enjoyed the AGC, venue, catering and entertainment we laid on and social media was buzzing afterwards with people saying how brilliant a weekend it had been. Hard work to put on but the result was awesome .... Teamwork, friendship and camaraderie between the 3 West Yorkshire MAG groups is just outstanding. Best AGC ever ..... Rather !!!!