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I am Allan:
Section UK
Motorcycle Section’s
First International Rally
Mike Vince
: Motorcycle Group Treasurer
Our first International Rally celebrated the Group’s formation ten years
ago. Almost 100 guests on 80 motorcycles arrived at Storthes Hall, on
the Huddersfield University Campus. The event was officially opened
by the Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Mumptaz Hussein, ably assisted
by Huddersfield Town Crier, Vic Watson, dressed in his magnificent
blue outfit.
O
ur visitors arrived from far and wide
; Australia, Belgium, Germany,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland,
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as the native English.
Bikes of all makes and sizes, including two trikes, filled the campus carpark.
The rally was 12 months in the planning, by a team of members lead by
Group Chairman Paul Firth. Vice Chair, John Birkenshaw worked hard to
gain sponsorships, both from within the IPA and from local businesses. We
are very grateful for the support from IPA Section UK and several Branches,
as well as our commercial sponsors: Allan Jefferies BMW, Morrisons
Supermarket, Taylors Yorkshire Tea, Black Sheep Brewery, Timothy Taylor
Brewery, and Casarva Trike Conversions.
Our Australian visitor, Joe Anderson travelled the furthest, hiring a bike
from our BMW sponsor. But credit must be given to two intrepid Scots who
left their homes two weeks before the rally, riding through to the Balkans
taking in exotic places like Sarajevo and Mostar, in Bosnia, before reaching
Huddersfield, completing some 3,600 miles.
The rally started in earnest on day two, where small groups took guided rides
through the delights of the Yorkshire Dales and Peak District.
For those who did not
wish to ride, coaches
were laid on to
Manchester and Leeds
Royal Armouries. All the
rides were repeated on
day three, with riders swapping destinations from the previous day.
Evenings off the bikes were spent socially, with a BBQ and live
entertainment from The Max Band. Many of our ladies were much in
demand for dancing. Chairman Paul took the opportunity to exchange
memorabilia with our overseas visitors. The hats, badges, cuckoo clock, and
shields were most appreciated.
Mention must be made of the tremendous efforts made by DIGS The Venue,
who ensured our every needs were accommodated. The 200 pints of beer
donated by Timothy Taylor Brewery were all enjoyed. Everyone was given
a sponsored t-shirt showing: the IPA logo and our sponsor’s name “Allan
Jefferies BMW”. No one had name tags so everyone had great delight in
saying “I am Allan” in the style of the film “Spartacus”.
Two Wheels
Across the
Channel
Roy Edwards
, IPA Motorcycle Section
In June I hosted three of
our German members,
Ingo Steenken, Antonius Tiefringer
& Uli Lobenburg, en-route to the IPA
Motorcycle Rally in Huddersfield.
I
took them on a guided tour of Rutland
,
culminating after lunch with a visit to historic
Oakham Castle. They were most impressed
and fascinated by the display of ancient and
modern horseshoes in the castle’s hall. We were
joined in our visit by other Section UK members:
Trevor Smith, who coordinated the visit, along with
Peter Adney and Lloyd Levett.
IPA President Clive Wood also presented our
German visitors with an IPA Section UK pennant.
Motorcycle
Section
AGM
18th May saw the Motorcycle
SIG hold their AGM at the
Richmond Hotel in
Aberystwyth, Mid Wales.
A
lthough the weather forecast
was not very good, in the end it remained dry but cool
and there was a successful ride out of the area led by Stuart McMillan. An excellent
dinner was enjoyed before the meeting followed by the election of the committee.
Article
14
POLICE WORLD
Vol 64 No.4, 2019