Twentytwo Western Region members travelled down to Salisbury for MAG’s Annual Group Conference. The Conference was held in the Bull ring of Salisbury’s Cattle Market hosted by Southern Region MAG, and despite the PA systems reluctance to work for some speakers and the ineffective heating, the meeting ran through the business of the day. The important proposal (especially to Western Region) to change the wording of the constitution allowing Regions to be run by Committee when a Rep cannot be found was eventually passed by a majority, after some opposition from a North of England region. All the Officers re-standing were re-elected. Finally the Chairman apologised to all the life members who had been offended by the letter sent out to them, and the unfortunate wording in that letter.
Life was exceedingly busy for weeks before DD18, it always is. Just as well we don’t have to build bonfires as large as houses any more. The License was allowed on some very strict conditions which have to be adhered to, as close as we can, which we find some people are unable to understand! Every household within a mile radius has to be informed that it is taking place, we have to control noise levels, especially late at night and early mornings, hence Dave and Paul doing regular checks on noise levels in and around the 1 mile zone especially. Sound is a very funny thing, what is heard in one direction, isn’t necessarily heard 10ft away in the opposite direction, although it may sound like being next to an Egli Vincent with no pipes where you are. Every night and day we answered the phone enquires about the rally, did we have camping, bar, catering, music? We have answered the strangest questions, what did we think the weather was going to do, did we think that they would be able to do some relations funeral and still get there before Sat evenings entertainment started? How Sheils manages the bookings I don’t know, "there is now’t so strange as folk " I agree I am probably one of them at times, but good on you Sheils please keep doing it, you are most appreciated. As is all of you that gave us some time to help out before, during and especially after as well, when for a few the work continues almost solidly until the Tuesday night, clearing up putting away etc. Well we pulled it off thanks to all that helped and did what ever, those that sacrificed a lot or a little its all appreciated.
So another Year and as always a few surprises some good, some not, but always some humor, two guys who I think did the Mad March Hare Rally on the Friday night and decided to come to us Saturday, made very good time until they got into the FoD where they enquired about the Slippet Inn?! They asked everyone, post offices, tourist offices etc then someone made a connection between the Cock Inn and the SI, there is no connection apart from they are only a mile or so apart, So although we had already given the tale of woe we gave them a couple of drinks as they had spent about 6hrs searching for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And they were pleasant company at the bar, drinking lots until about 3 in the morning, thanks guys. So anyone coming forward for next year to organise the license, entertainment, catering, erection (careful) of marques, beer, alcohol, camp site, toilets, cars on site, security, weather (?) noise, and other campers! And then the clean up strip down operation mmmm how do you get rid of all those bottles and cans that we have sold over the bar and those we didn’t! For years (18) of them I have always been glad to see the end of the Easter weekend none so much as this one, every one of those things was complained about at sometime or other over the weekend and yet the majority had a good time and want to come again. Oh good!
The next weekend we were at the Cheltenham Bike Safe. Glad that Der made the whole weekend. I think the police were pleased with it and plans are already under way for next years. Some of our people went out with the police for assessment and I think were pleasantly surprised. Different Shops, Us, BMF, etc a bit of something for most and next year lots more I think. Oh well . xxx donna
Thanks to the Virago Star Owners Club (VSOC), boosting our numbers, about 20 bikes gathered at the Cafe in Burrington Coombe for the Pet Food Run in support of The Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary and Terrandor Animal Sanctuary. At Holly Hedge, after handing over all the Pet Food we were shown round the Sanctuary and introduced to some of the inmates. We then rode to Weston & North Somerset MAG’s watering hole where our hosts Darren and Julie had laid on sandwiches; they also donated more pet food. Due to the lack of parking space only a small group of us then rode onto the Terrandor Sanctuary where we handed over the pet food and the cash donations. Weston & North Somerset MAG would like to thank everyone who took part or gave donations, especially the VSOC and their continued support.
You all may already have heard that Paul of Glos MAG renown has had his Triumph Tiger stolen. It was stolen from where he works in Cheltenham between the hours of 11:45pm and 12:24pm on the 18th-19th April. The Bike is Blue, and had a Nonfango Top Box and a Tinted Screen, Its Reg No is P205 YLJ. Being a MAG members bike there is a £1000 cash reward for info resulting in a conviction, through the MAG Protected Scheme. If any one knows anything or sees the bike please phone the MAG Theftline 0870 444 8448.
Whilst on the subject of stolen bikes, Taff of Mid Wilts MAG informs us that, BJC Motorcycles of Wootton Bassett Swindon Wiltshire was broken into on Friday 25th and had the following bikes stolen: Yamaha Serrow M486WYD; Yamaha TTR250 K883PHT; Yamaha TTR250 K117PHU; Yamaha TTR250 K501SDY;Suzuki DR250 N311OAE Husaberg 501 HN02OOC. Along with the bikes the thieves also stole kit including boots, jackets and helmets. As the bikes represented the majority of Bryan Carter’s trail bike hire fleet the financial impact of such a loss will have a devastating impact on his trading income. If anyone hears of these bikes being offered for sale it would be greatly appreciated if they could let Bryan (01793 849661) or Wootton Bassett Police (01793 854290) know.
Or Stone Mastic Ashphalt, has come under the Spot light recently as there is
some doubt over its safety. In Ireland the material has been banned. Currently
Staff at MAG are looking into the issues arising from its use. Recently North
Somerset Council re-laid a section of the A370 with SMA, and an article appeared
in the Weston Mercury.
Is your local authority using it? If so Let the Troll
Know, where and when.
Worle Cub Scouts are holding a fund raising event at Worle Recreation Ground, and have invited Weston & North Somerset MAG along with the Freewheelers to come along with a stand, on the 14th May from 1pm to 5pm.
The menace of unregulated foreign lorries on UK roads was highlighted in a
Police Press Release, as follows. At about 6am on Thursday 21 April 2005
officers from Yeovil Road Policing Unit saw a Belgian large goods vehicle
travelling on the A358 towards Taunton. They were concerned by the way it was
being driven - weaving across the road in the face of oncoming traffic. They
stopped the vehicle and were horrified to find that the driver, a 28 year old
Belgian, had hardly had any rest over the last four days.
Not only that but
two of the tyres had serious defects and when they checked the load they found
it to consist of about 24500 kilogram’s of Sodium Dithonite - a highly
combustible substance which should only be transported in suitable vehicles and
by specially trained drivers with appropriate emergency equipment.
The driver
was not trained and the vehicle was in a dangerous condition. The driver, was
arrested and has subsequently been charged with numerous offences including
dangerous driving.
Are they unlucky or what? No sooner do they settle down in the Mayors arms, when the Brewery ups and closes it down. Now they meet just round the corner in the Colosseum.
The Motorcycle Action Group accepts no responsibility for the content of this publication and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor or MAG.
This issue is sponsored by The Save the Trolls charity; Trollucks!