Dear Wakefield MAG Member,
Welcome to the February 2021 Wakefield MAG e-newsletter. As meetings are currently suspended until further notice due to Covid-19 restrictions (AGAIN), this Newsletter is THE ONLY WAY to keep up to date with what we are up to, in these quite surreal times.
CONTENTS
1) MAG launches monthly Prize Draw for 2021
2) Minister offers to help MAG raise the profile of motorcycling
3) Wakefield Hospice 10K Race Marshalling
4) MAG argues that refusal to extend CBTs is discriminatory
5) Virtual Post Christmas Auction (extended to End of February)
6) Wakefield MAG Annual General Meeting
7) 2021 Yorkshire MAG Rallies
8) Continued Suspension of Weekly Meetings
9) RIP Sir Captain Tom Moore
10) Forthcoming Events (for February and beyond)
1) MAG launches monthly Prize Draw for 2021
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the UK's leading voice for riders' rights, is launching a monthly prize draw, to run through 2021.
Following its Christmas 2020 prize draw, MAG is pleased to announce a monthly prize draw, to take place during 2021. Several individuals and organisations have generously committed to providing donated prizes, including Bikesure, Ian Mutch, RIDEto and the MAG Foundation.
MAG Chair, Selina Lavender, said "The Prize Draw is open to all current MAG members so we would encourage you to check that your membership is still live and will not have run out before our Prize Draws take place each month. So long as you are a paid-up individual or joint member at the time of the draw, you will be eligible."
Selina continued: "Our members have been so wonderfully supportive of MAG over the last year, which has been difficult for everyone and will continue to be for some time to come. This is our chance, in a modest way, to say thank you. We are also extremely grateful to our sponsors, who have made this possible."
Each draw will take place on the first day of the month, unless this falls on a weekend in which case it will take place on the first working day of the month.
Full details regarding the Draws, including Terms & Conditions, can be found here: wiki.mag-uk.org/images/0/0b/Monthly_Draw_2021_terms_and_conditions.pdf
For more information on how to join MAG or renew your membership: www.mag-uk.org/motorcycle-action-group-membership
Join (or renew) by Direct Debit, then you'll never again have to remember to renew as it will be done automatically for you:
Membership fees are: Single Membership - £27.00; Joint Membership (two adults) - £40.50; Family Membership - either single or joint adult membership with children added to the membership at £5.00 per child. New members between the ages of 16 and 25 years old receive a £5 discount on first year of MAG membership.
2) Minister offers to help MAG raise the profile of motorcycling
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) put the case for motorcycling to Parliamentary Undersecretary for State, Baroness Vere of Norbiton on Wednesday 27th January 2021. The meeting was open and positive and the Minister offered to help MAG raise the profile of motorcycling.
In a statement following the meeting Baroness Vere said: "I thank the representatives of the Motorcycle Action Group for the meeting on Wednesday, and the case they made for motorcycling. I feel there are a number of areas where MAG and the Government can work more closely together in order to raise the profile of motorcycling and improve outcomes for riders. I have asked MAG to provide me with a list of their top five priorities and look forward to reviewing these."
MAG will survey members over the coming weeks, asking their preferences for the priority list. The Minister asked for key actions that riders think will have the most positive impacts. MAG's National Committee will collate and agree the final list at it's next meeting. Selina Lavender, MAG's Chair, will then submit the list to the Minister in late February. Selina said: "I am delighted by the spirit of the Minister's desire to make positive change for riders. We cannot claim to have achieved everything our hearts desire, as our expectations must remain reasonable, but we have been given a great opportunity to get real results for motorcyclists. I thank the Baroness for her time and willingness to make this offer."
3) Wakefield Hospice 10K Race Marshalling
The Wakefield 10k Road Race is organised for and by Wakefield Hospice, with the aim to raise as much as possible for patients and their families living with an end of life diagnosis. Wakefield Hospice annually needs to raise £4 million. They would not be able to achieve this without the help of local people going out of their way to raise funds through taking part in events like the Wakefield 10k.
This years event will be the 25th annual Wakefield 10k and during that time runners have raised more than £0.5 million for those who need specialist care at a very difficult time in their lives. In 2019 those running in the Wakefield 10k did an incredible job raising more than £50,000 for the hospice. This could fund a whole week's care in the hospice!
The 25th Wakefield Hospice 10k race is due to be held on Sunday 21st March 2021 (Covid-19 restrictions not withstanding), and takes a similar route to previous years: starting from Clarence Park, it's a linear route straight out and back along Horbury Road.
Wakefield MAG have helped to marshal this popular event for more years than we care to remember, and our role is as mobile race marshals, looking after those competitors at the tail end of the race. The roads will only be closed for an hour maximum, and although the bulk of runners will be finished whilst the road is still closed, a good number of runners (walkers !!!) will still be on the course, hence the requirement for mobile marshals (that's us !!) to ensure their safety, once the road is re-opened to traffic. We are generally the last 'officials' remaining on the course, and hence play a vital role.
We generally need around 6 marshals, although the more the merrier.
If you would like to volunteer, please let me know. P.S. you'll be home for lunchtime !!!
On the day, meet at 08:30 on Lawfield Lane to be issued with your marshalls Hi-Viz vest and receive any last minute instructions.
N.B. Please ensure your own bike insurance does not have an exclusion relating to marshalling non-motorsport events i.e. runners on a partially closed road route - MAG's preferred insurer, Bikesure, does not in it's standard insurance cover exclusions.
More details of the event here: www.wakefield10k.org.uk
#### AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS EVENT IS STILL TAKING PLACE. DUE TO ONGOING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IT MAY BE CANCELLED NEARER TO THE EVENT, BUT AS OF NOW, WE ARE STILL PLANNING TO ATTEND .... WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FURTHER NEWS ####
4) MAG argues that refusal to extend CBTs is discriminatory
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) argues that continued refusal to extend Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificates is discriminatory. In a letter to Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Rachel Maclean MP, MAG asks for redress.
MAG claims that removing a legitimate use of motorcycles by not extending expiring CBTs is unfair. Motorcyclists are the only road user group facing this restriction for legitimate travel during the lockdown. In the letter, MAG states: "For many, including delivery riders and those who access schemes such as Wheels to Work, this is their only viable transport choice for making essential trips, working as a key worker in health or social care, or as a delivery rider delivering items ordered online by those obeying the government guidance to avoid non-essential travel."
MAG is not asking for a permanent change to the two-year renewal regulation. The call is for a temporary intervention of similar style to the first lockdown's extension of MOTs. MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said: "We have no data on the numbers of riders being impacted. But we are receiving many calls from members asking that something be done. I have spoken directly with the DVSA, and they are unable to provide accurate data on this. On average, around 6,000 CBTs will expire each month. Many of those riders will have passed their test or stopped riding. Some will, however, choose to continue riding without taking a full test - and this is a legitimate choice. It would be easy to say that the problem affects very few riders, but it is not fair to discriminate against those few. We do not accept that this would be hard to administer. If there is a will to avoid this unnecessary discrimination, the Government must find a way to do it."
5) Virtual Post Christmas Auction (extended to End of February)
We are extending our 'Virtual Post Christmas Auction' into February !!!
Our Post Christmas Auction's are the stuff of legends. The idea is you donate all your unwanted Christmas presents, together with other stuff you no longer want, or have the room for, to the Branch and we auction them off to the highest bidder .... with the proceeds split 2/3 to MAG and 1/3 to charitable causes. Thanks to the huge generosity of JP Roberts (ex-Doncaster MAG Rep), we have a huge amount of items that have already been donated, which includes masses of riding gear, books, DVD's, camping equipment, tools, bike accessories, service items, garage equipment (incl. a Wolf Electric Air Compressor with spray gun, electric parts washing chest, paddock stands).
As it may be a while before we can host the auction face to face due to Covid-19 restrictions, we hosted a virtual auction during January 2021, and are now extending this to run throughout February too.
We have put all these items on our 'For Sale' page, and are also listed below. We are accepting bids against the advertised list of items, with a closing date of 28th February, after which, the highest bid will have won the item (subject to any reserve price being met). Any items that don't have any bids (or didn't meet the reserve price), will simply be carried forward to the 'physical' auction, whenever we are permitted to host it (watch this space for details).
If you want any of the items, email your bid to us, clearly indicating the item number, throughout February, and we'll be in touch with you in early March if your's was the highest bid. Items cannot be posted so will need to be collected from Wakefield. Good luck with your bidding !!!
Branch email address for your bids: wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org
All Proceeds from the auction will be split (2/3 to the MAG Fighting Fund, 1/3 to a charitable cause(s).
AUCTION ITEMS
| Item No. | Item | Description | Current Bid (Reserve Price) | Contact Details to Submit a Bid |
| 1 | Rivet Guns | 2x Rivet Guns with Rivets | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 2 | Haynes Manual | Yamaha XT660 & MT-03 2004-2011 | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 3 | Haynes Manual | BMW R850, 1100 & 1150 1993-2004 | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 4 | Haynes Manual | Austin Maestro 1275cc & 1598cc 1983-1994 | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 5 | Haynes Manual | Kawasaki GPz500S (1987-1999) & ER-5 (1997-1999) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 6 | Haynes Manual | BMW R850 & R1100 1993-1997 | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 7 | Clymer Manual | BMW R850, R1150, R1100 & R1200C 1993-2005 | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 8 | Owners Manual | Yamaha Tenere XT660Z (1st Edition 2010) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 9 | BMW Repair Manual | R60/7, R75/7, R80/7, R100/7, R100S, R100RS (Issue Date 12/77) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 10 | First Aid Manual | St Johns Ambulance First Aid Manual (9th Edition) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 11 | Ian Mutch Books | Low Rider, Riding with the Beast, Harley to Mali, Motorcycles Forever (all the 'rare' unsigned versions ;-) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 12 | Handlebar Mitts | Bike It Handlebar Mitts | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 11 | DVD | Long Way Round (Episode 1) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 12 | DVD | Air Kidd the Black Knight (Vol 1) - Eddie Kidd | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 13 | DVD | Duke Bike Havoc (Bike Crash Complilation) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 14 | Camping Gear | Camping Stove and set of lightweight camping pans (great for rallies) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 15 | Tie Down Straps | 12x motorcycle tie down straps | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 16 | Indicators | Bike-IT Universal Indicators (10mm Bolt) x2 | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 17 | Battery Charger | Halfords 6v/12v Battery Charger | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 18 | Battery Trickle Charger/Maintainer | BikeTek Pro III Charger / Maintainer 12v/1a | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 19 | Electrical Tester | Electrical Multi-tester | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 20 | Pump | Mini Tyre Pump | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 21 | Spark Plugs | Assorted NGK Spark Plugs x18 | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 22 | Footpump | Bell Footpump | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 23 | Wheel Balancing Weights | Pack of Wheel Balancing Weights (various x80) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 24 | Disc Lock | Oxford Hardcore Disc Lock (2 keys) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 25 | Handlebar switches | L&R Handlebar Switch Gear (bike unknown) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 26 | Charger | Cigarette Charger Plug with Leads | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 27 | Jubilee Clips | 2x Large Jubilee Clips | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 28 | Mirror | 1x Chrome Mirror | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 29 | Mirror | 1x Black Mirror | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 30 | Mirror Stem | 1x chrome mirror stem | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 31 | Dynojet Kit | Dynojet kit for 1980-1982 Honda CB750/CB900 Stage 1&3 Product Code: E1127.002 | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 32 | Air Compressor | Wolf Electric Air Compressor (Type: Sioux). Air Receiver: 24 litres Pressure: Bar 8/PSI 115 with tyre valve and paint spray gun | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 33 | Handlebar Levers | Brake (Disc) & Clutch Lever (unknown bike) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 34 | Tools | Box of assorted tools (mostly spanners) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 35 | Bike Ramp | Trailer or van ramp for a bike (chequerplate) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 36 | Parts Washing Chest | BikeTec 3.5 gallon Electric Parts Washing Chest | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 37 | Handlebar Mitts | Rickman Waterproof Handlebar Mitts | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 38 | Brake Discs | 2x Brake Discs, used but good condition (unknown bike) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 39 | Oils | Box of mixed oils (4 stroke engine / Fork / Gear / Chain Lube) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 40 | Paddock Stands | 2x Paddock Stands | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 41 | Site Jacket | Dayglo Yellow Waterproof Site Jacket with Hood (L) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 42 | Bike Gloves | Black Textile Bike Gloves (L) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 43 | Bike Gloves | Black Leather Bike Gloves (S) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 44 | Bike Gloves | Black/Red Leather Bike Gloves (L) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 45 | Bike Gloves | Black Leather Bike Gloves (L) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 46 | Bike Gloves | H-D Summer Leather Bike Gloves (XL) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 47 | Bike Gloves | Leather/Textile Summer Bike Gloves (L) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 48 | Bike Inner Gloves | Inner Gloves (L) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 49 | Bike Gloves | Leather Summer Fingerless Gloves (L) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 50 | Overshoes | Rain Unisex Overshoes x2 NEW (M) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 51 | Bike Gloves | Textile Waterproof Winter Gloves (L) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 52 | Knee Pads | Knee Pads with Velcro Straps | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 53 | Overalls | Red Garage Overalls (Dickies) 46" Chest (R) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 54 | Overalls | Blue Garage Overalls Size 92R (cm) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 55 | Overalls | Blue Garage Overalls Size 42R | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 56 | Waterproofs | Waterproof Overtrousers Black (XL) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 57 | Waterproofs | Waterproof Suit (L) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 58 | Waterproofs | Waterproof Trousers Camo Nato Size 78/90 | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 59 | Waterproofs | J&S Waterproof Jacket Black (XL) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
| 60 | Waterproofs | Rukka Waterproof Overmitts (L) | - | wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org |
Disclaimer: No guarantees can be offered, nor returns allowed & Wakefield MAG accept no responsibility for any of the items for sale in this virtual auction (just the same as the 'physical' auction). Buyer Beware, but you will undoubtedly get a bargain !!
6) Wakefield MAG Annual General Meeting
Around this time of year we would normally have been publishing our Annual General Meeting Minutes, and welcoming (or re-welcoming) our Branch Committee for the forthcoming year. However, in common with MAG Nationally, and the Yorkshire MAG Region, our 19th Annual General Meeting is having to be postponed until restrictions are lifted and we are able to physically hold the meeting.
All current Branch Officers will hence remain in post until such time as we can host the AGM and hold elections for our 2021 Branch Committee.
These are the dates for your diaries for the 2021 Yorkshire MAG Rallies:
Tickets will go on sale shortly and we expect it to be a bumper year as every one will want to party hard in a field and put this last year behind us. Even if we still have restrictions in place by then, as the YPR in August 2020 proved, these events can still be held in a Covid safe environment. Be sure to get your tickets early !!!
FOR TICKETS & ALL ENQUIRIES: 0800 988 3199 enquiries@mapevents.co.uk
8) Continued Suspension of Weekly Meetings
With the on-going Covid-19 lockdown restrictions still in force, our HQ the Thatched House has to remain closed, which means our weekly meetings have to stay postponed until further notice. Watch this space for when the meetings will restart again.
N.B. For those of you who have pre-paid for the weekly meeting raffle, the raffle is being suspended and your entries will simply be c/f until the next 'physical' meeting.
In the meantime, keep up to date with this newsletter, published monthly, and our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/wakefieldmag) where regular updates will be made.
Hope to see you all again at a meeting soon, and out on the bikes too !!
Wakefield MAG were sad to hear the news of the passing of Captain Sir Tom Moore on 2nd February 2021. Thomas Moore was born on 30th April 1920 in Keighley, West Riding of Yorkshire and died Tuesday 2nd February 2021 (aged 100). Moore was educated at Keighley Grammar School and purchased his first motorcycle when he was 12. Upon leaving school he started an apprenticeship in civil engineering, before being conscripted in the 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment (8 DWR) in May 1940, stationed in Cornwall, eight months after the beginning of the Second World War.
He was transferred to the 9th Battalion (9 DWR) in India, and while in India he was tasked with setting up and running a training programme for army motorcyclists.
After leaving the army, he worked as a sales manager for a roofing materials company in Yorkshire and started racing motorcycles competitively in his spare time, wearing the number 23 on his Scott motorcycle, winning several trophies.
He is of course perhaps best known for his incredible fundraising campaign - On 6 April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and with his 100th birthday approaching, Moore began a fundraising campaign for NHS Charities Together, a group of charities supporting staff, volunteers and patients in the British National Health Service (NHS). He aimed to complete one hundred 25-metre (27-yard) lengths of his garden, ten lengths per day, with the help of a walking frame, branding the endeavour 'Tom's 100th Birthday Walk for the NHS'. The initial £1,000 goal having been realised on 10 April, the target was increased, first to £5,000, and eventually to £500,000 as more people around the world became involved. Contributions rose exponentially after British media publicised the endeavour, beginning when Moore made a brief appearance by telephone, on Michael Ball's Sunday programme on BBC Radio 2 on 12 April. Moore, who joined Twitter in the same month, used the site to express joy at the public's generosity in donating such a large amount of money. He achieved his target of one hundred lengths on the morning of 16 April, watched at a safe distance by a guard of honour from the 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, the regiment into which the DWR were merged in 2006. He said, he would not stop, and aimed to do a second hundred. On the morning of his birthday he had raised £30 million. The JustGiving page for his campaign closed at the end of that day; the final amount raised subsequently being stated there as £32,796,475 (plus another £6,173,663.31 expected in tax rebates under the Gift Aid scheme) - a record for a JustGiving campaign.
To mark Moore's 100th length, the singer Michael Ball sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone' for him live on BBC Breakfast. Within 24 hours, the performance was made into a digital single featuring the NHS Voices of Care Choir, and Moore's spoken words. Released by Decca Records, on 17 April, with all proceeds going to NHS Charities Together, the recording topped the United Kingdom's 'The Official Big Top 40' chart. On 24 April, it went straight to number 1 in the weekly 'Official' UK Singles Chart, making Moore the oldest person to achieve that position and meaning that he was at number 1 on his 100th birthday. Moore held two Guinness World Records: as the fundraiser raising the greatest amount of money in an individual charity walk, and as the oldest person to have a number-one single on the UK charts.
On 23 April, he was given a Pride of Britain award and was appointed the first Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, Yorkshire, a training centre for soldiers under 18, on his 100th birthday. He also received the Yorkshire Regiment Medal for his 'outstanding contribution to our military effectiveness and military reputation'. On 17 July he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at a special ceremony in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle.
RIP Sir Captain Tom Moore. Yorkshireman, motorcyclist, hero and inspiration to millions. The End of an era, but the beginning of a Legend.
10) Forthcoming Events (for February and beyond)
TBA - Wakefield MAG AGM
See Above.
All members are invited to attend the 19th Wakefield & District Motorcycle Action Group Branch Annual General Meeting. Exact meeting date is dependant upon Covid-19 restrictions being lifted. At this meeting there will be a Review of our achievements in 2020, Officers Reports, Election of Branch Officers for 2021, Plans for 2021 & a Presentation to our Branch Heroes of 2020. Current MAG Membership Card required to vote. 19:30 for a prompt 20:00 start in the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield.
Monday 1st - Sunday 28th February - Wakefield MAG Virtual Post Christmas Auction
See Above.
Check out our 'For Sale' page. We are accepting bids against the advertised list of items, with a closing date of 28th February, after which, the highest bid will have won the item (subject to any reserve price being met). Any items that don't have any bids (or didn't meet the reserve price), will simply be carried forward to the 'physical' auction, whenever we are permitted to host it (watch this space for details). Check out the For Sale page and if you want any of the items, email your bid to us throughout February, and we'll be in touch with you in early March if your's was the highest bid. Good luck with your bidding !!!
Branch email address for your bids: wakefield-rep@mag-uk.org
Sunday 21st March - 2021 Wakefield Hospice 10k Road Race (Wakefield MAG providing Mobile Race Marshals)
See Above. www.wakefield10k.org.uk
TBA - Into the Valley (ITV) Rally
See Above. www.mapevents.co.uk
Friday 18th - Sunday 20th June - Farmyard Party (FYP) Rally
See Above. www.mapevents.co.uk
Friday 6th - Sunday 8th August - Yorkshire Pudding Rally (YPR)
See Above. www.mapevents.co.uk
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 (Covid-19 restrictions permitting) at the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield at 8:30pm every Tuesday. New (and Old) faces are always welcome.