Wakefield MAG March 2010 Newsletter

Dear Wakefield MAG member,

Welcome to the Wakefield MAG e-newsletter. If you can’t attend our Wednesday meetings regularly, it’s the next best thing to keep you up to date with what we are up to.

CONTENTS

1) Wakefield MAG has gone to the Dogs
2) 2010 Rideouts
3) Post Christmas Auction Charity Donations
4) Charity Pet Food Run
5) Pot Holes Success
6) Rally Tickets
7) Edinburgh MAG Rally
8) Midsummer Mayhem Party Night
9) Fuel Duty Reduction
10) MAG welcomes new partnership with the ACU
11) Fred Hill Memorial Run
12) For Sale
13) Yorkshire Regional Rep resigns
14) Forthcoming Events (for March and beyond)

1) Wakefield MAG has gone to the Dogs

Over thirty of us met at Kinsley Greyhound Racing Stadium, just before 7:00pm on Friday 19th February, for our much awaited trip to the dog racing. Great to welcome along a large contingent from our good friends at York MAG too.

Lisa was acting as Mum and collected all our £7's (to add to our £5 deposits already paid) so she could pay us all in, but not before our obligatory group photo.

Once in, we were led to our reserved tables, with a prime viewing spot, right next to the track.

We were on the £12 Super Six Party Booking, and for that we got:

The basket meals were far better than we expected, with a huge range to choose from. Not enough for Meerkat Steve, but there again, the lad does take some filling !!!!

The racing started at 7:45pm and there were races every 15 minutes, right until 10:15pm. The dogs cover the 465 metre track in around 30 seconds, which is really motoring. None of us really knew what we were betting or betting on, but with bets from 50p, it didn't really matter. Most of us tried various types of pools and order types ...... most of us didn't win. Some of us tried studying the form, others just bet on the same number every time, others on the name (all the Suzuki riders chose Reckless Bandit) ..... the result was pretty much the same.

Geoff came closest to scooping the 12 grand prize money on the Super Six jackpot, with 3 consecutive wins ....... but after that it all went down hill.

At the end of the evening, lady luck had shone on some (but not by much) .... others had lost up to twenty five quid (which is only the equivalent to a few pints in town on a weekend), but it was quite unanimous that we had all had an absolutely brilliant night and we will definitely be going again.

Well done to Lisa, our Social Secretary for booking a cracking night.

2) 2010 Rideouts

We have now collated, voted upon and published our schedule of rideouts for 2010, and by popular demand, these are:

Sunday 21st March - Charity Pet Food Run (see below)

Sunday 25th April - Up t'hill and t'over t'moors (Saddleworth Moor excursion)

Sunday 9th May - Matlock Bath

Sunday 13th June - Tan Hill Inn (England's highest pub - we liked it so much last year, we are going again !!)

Sunday 11th July - Treasure Hunt (you'll have to work out where to go from the clues and instructions)

Sunday 15th August - Run to Goathland (Aidensfield pilgrimage)

Sunday 5th September - Whitby

Sunday 3rd October - Craven Collection of Classic Motorcycles, Stockton-on-Forest,York

Sunday 14th November - Memorial Sunday Parade & Service, at City of Wakefield War Memorial (Wood Street), followed by a nice local(ish) mystery tour (weather permitting)

3) Post Christmas Auction Charity Donations

Following our hugely successful Post Christmas Auction, which raised a staggering £450, we have voted on which charitable causes we donate the advertised 1/3 (£150) to. We have chosen 2 worthy causes, each of which will receive £75, and these are:

4) Charity Pet Food Run

Our March branch rideout will be a Charity Dog Food Run, in aid of Wakefield District Dog Rescues. The run is scheduled for Sunday 21st March, meeting at 09:30 at Stork Lodge Tea Rooms, Thornes Park, off Thornes Road, Wakefield. Run leaves at 10:00 for our first call of the run, which is Whitehall Dog Rescue in East Ardsley. From there, we will visit Ponderosa Rescue Kennels in Allerton Bywater.

Bring the following items for donation:

The Pet Food Run in aid of :

Hope you can make it and don't forget those doggy treats !!

5) Pot Holes Success

Wakefield MAG member Mick Culpan has reported a success with the repair of potholes and broken road surface on Kingsway, Ossett (ref AF56871E) and Storrs Hill Road between Ossett and Horbury Bridge (ref AF56872E), which he brought to the attention of Wakefield Council by using the link from this web site (Local MAG page > Report a Pot Hole).

In response to his notification, these roads have now been repaired thus removing the potential for accidents to motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users.

We launched a campaign at our AGM in January to improve conditions for motorcyclists in Wakefield and the surrounding District, by initiating repairs to the dreadful and dangerous state of some of our areas roads, made far worse of course by the bad winter we are having this year. By a small amount of effort, we can achieve real tangible results, and it might just save a biker's life.

If that is not incentive enough, we are awarding branch points for every pot hole repaired, as a result of a pot hole report submitted by a Wakefield MAG member. Simply submit the report reference number (given when you report the pot hole) to us (by email, phone or in person at the Wednesday meetings) and we will add all these up over the course of the year, and the member with the most points will win a prize at our AGM in January 2011.

As Del Boy Trotter says, 'He Who Dares, Wins' !!!

6) Rally Tickets

We now have our allocation of Yorkshire MAG (MAP) Rally tickets for sale at the Branch meetings (ITV, FYP & YPR). Ticket prices for this years MAP events are maintained at last year's credit crunch busting prices (Into The Valley £15 Pre-Book; Farm Yard Party £25 Pre-Book and Yorkshire Pudding Rally £15 Pre-Book). Let me know if you want some. YPR tickets are already selling fast and sold out months before the event last year, so if you are planning to attend this most excellent event this year, i'd buy your tickets sooner rather than later if I were you !!

7) Edinburgh MAG Rally

This year, Wakefield MAG will again be attending the Edinburgh MAG Rally (Friday 4th - Sunday 6th June), en-masse. Already, a good number of us are planning to venture north of the border to attend one of MAG's best kept secrets, the Ag Ol Anns An Achadh Rally at West Torphin Farm, Harburn, West Calder, West Lothian, EH55 8RT. Tickets are £15 pre-book and includes £5 worth of beer tokens for MAG members !!. How can the Scot's be so generous ?!?

Last years event was brilliant, it's a proper farmyard site (bands playing in cow sheds !!!), proper toilets, cheap home-cooked food (courtesy of the farmer and family), cheap bar (bottles of Newcastle Brown and Real Ales at £1.50 !!!), and a lovely picturesque camping field. This rally comes highly recommended. Give us a shout if you fancy going as we will be ordering our tickets in the next month or so.

It's only 200 miles and you will have the cred of telling everyone you have been to a rally in another country !!!!

8) Midsummer Mayhem Party Night

Wakefield MAG have pleasure in announcing our 1st Midsummer Mayhem Party Night on Saturday 3rd July 2010. The party will be held at the Horse & Groom Inn, Heath, Wakefield, 7pm till Late. All the usual MAG party night attractions including live music from local band (and MAG members) Twist of Fate, Silly Games, Raffle, Hot Snacks, Fancy Dress (optional, but prize for the best outfit) and lots more. Demand is high and entry by Pre-Book ticket only so be sure to get yours quick before they sell out. Tickets are only £5 and available from our branch meetings. If you can't make the meetings, let us know (via email or phone) and we'll reserve your tickets.

Really hope you can make it. All proceeds to the MAG Fighting Fund.

If you don't live in the area, and don't fancy having to drive home, the Redbeck motel is nearby (staggering distance) for cheap accommodation and of course, it's famous 24x7 Breakfast Special !!!

Book early to avoid disappointment

9) Fuel Duty Reduction

When VAT was temporarily reduced to 15%, the Chancellor added 2% duty to fuel to offset the reduction in tax collected from motorists. Now that VAT has been increased to 17.5% again this hidden tax has not been removed - hence recent rises in your fuel costs. Sign the petition at the link below to have this stealth tax removed!

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/DutyReduction/

10) MAG welcomes new partnership with the ACU

At a recent APMG (Associate Parliamentary Motorcycle Group) meeting in Westminster, MAG’s Nich Brown gave a sterling speech introducing the Riders Are Voters campaign to the assembled MPs, Peers and motorcycle industry bosses.

The APMG contains those members of the House who ride, or who have any interest in motorcycling or the industry. It also contains MAG representatives after we were invited to join last year.

The meeting in question was in January and was sponsored by the ACU, the governing body of motorcycle sport in Britain, who were kind enough to let MAG address the gathering.

Nich’s speech was very well received, indeed it’s tempting to say that he got a standing ovation, but that’s only because there weren’t any seats. It was so well received in fact, that afterwards, MAG and the ACU began talks about the possibility of working more closely in the future.

MAG is delighted to say, that following further talks, the ACU has joined the Riders Are Voters campaign as an equal partner! This is the first time that the sport governing body and riders’ rights have worked together and we hope it is the start of a long and fruitful relationship. It now means that rider’s groups, the motorcycle industry and the competition world, are acting as a single united voice to ensure the long and happy future of motorcycling in the UK. A result in anyone's book !!

11) Fred Hill Memorial Run

The planned Fred Hill Run on Sunday 21st February had to be postponed as it was snowing heavily right across Yorkshire. The run will be re-arranged and we'll let you know the date as soon as it's announced.

In the meantime, we are trying to substantiate rumours that HMP Pentonville Archives have revealed that Fred Hill actually died in custody in July 1984, and not February !!!

12) For Sale

Check out our For Sale section on this website. Newly posted are several bikes for sale, clothing and parts.

13) Yorkshire Regional Rep resigns

Joe Olejnik, the Yorkshire Regional Rep voted in at last October's Regional AGM has unfortunately stood down due to work commitments and lack of time to devote to the role. However, Nicki Gage (York MAG Rep and good friend of Wakefield MAG), as duly elected Vice Rep, has stepped up and is now the new Yorkshire Region Rep. That obviously left the region without a Vice Rep, so step forward Wakefield MAG's very own Lisa Brooker, elected at the Yorkshire Region meeting on Sunday 28th February. Great to welcome both into their new roles, i'm sure they will both do a brilliant job !!!

14) Forthcoming Events (for March and beyond)

Wednesday 3rd - Saturday 6th March - Dick Whittington (featuring Wakefield MAG's very own Leo English)

Crigglestone Theatre Company proudly present Dick Whittington (and his cat) at the Wakefield Arts Centre, Thornes Park, Horbury Road, Wakefield. Tickets £8 (£6 concessions) from Dave Rosamond on 01924 265829. Go and see Wakefield MAG member Leo English in action !!!!!

Sunday 21st March - Wakefield MAG Charity Pet Food Run

See Above

Wednesday 24th March - Leeds MAG Easter Egg Run

Meet 6:00pm (leaving at 6:30pm) at the Dragon Hotel, Whitehall Road, Leeds, LS12 4TJ. Easter Egg Run going to Lineham Farm Children's Centre. Take an Easter Egg (or two) for the kids. Rideout will be back in time to allow you to get over to Wakefield for our weekly branch meeting.

Saturday 28th March - York MAG Easter Egg Run

Meeting at the Tap & Spile, Monkgate, York at 11:00am for lunch (10% MAG members discount at the Tap on production of your membership card). From there, the rideout will go the children's centre to donate Easter eggs, and onwards to Harrogate. Donations invited of £2 per person for the chosen charities and MAG Foundation.

Saturday 10th April - MAG AGC

MAG's 2010 Annual Group Conference will be held on Saturday 10th April at the Moat House Inn, Kings Coughton, B49 5QF (A46 south of Redditch, where they made those mighty fine Royal Enfield motorcycles). 75 branch points up for grabs for all who attend.

Sunday 18th April - Huddersfield MAG 2nd Clay Shooting Challenge

Crow Nest Park Club, Brighouse, Huddersfield. £20 p.p. for 50 clays or £10 p.p. for 25 clays. Confirm attendance in advance with Ali on 0780 149 8940. More details at: www.huddersfieldmag.co.uk

Sunday 25th April - Wakefield MAG rideout up t'hill and t'over t'moors (Saddleworth Moor excursion)

Meet 9:30am (leaving at 10:00am) at Stork Lodge Tea Rooms, Thornes Park, off Thornes Road, Wakefield

Friday 30th April - Sunday 2nd May - Into the Valley

The first of the Yorkshire MAG rallies. Tickets now available at the branch meetings (see above).

Monday 3rd May (May Day Bank Holiday) - Wakefield MAG Bike Show

The Wakefield Hospice May Day Gala is being held in Clarence Park Arena, Clarence Park, Wakefield on the Bank Holiday Monday (3rd May) and Wakefield MAG will again be hosting a bike show at this event. It's the 20th anniversary of the Hospice this year so let's make the bike show our biggest and best yet !!!!

That's all for this month and I hope to see you all soon.

Ride Safe
Steve Travis
Chairman
Wakefield MAG
0772 078 4734

Wakefield MAG meet at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield at 8:30pm every Wednesday. New (and Old) faces are always welcome.