Took the National MAG Stand
to this event and was ably assisted by Bill & Jane Green of Red Rose MAG
and Dave Wigham, North East RR. The event ran well with good product sales and
a few new & renewed memberships plus a new affiliated club signed up. Once
again we were made to feel very welcome by the event organisers.
I attended this meeting along
with the majority of other local MAG reps. Well attended and good discussions
on maters in the region.
I met up with Gareth Coles at
our Stanley Park Bike show earlier in the year who is trying to arrange a
weekend motorcycle show at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on August Bank
Holiday weekend 2017. Gareth is head of security at the Winter Gardens but is
looking to get into event organisation and is a keen biker. We arranged to meet
up and discuss the proposed event. I have agreed to help out where I can in
exchange for MAG being heavily promoted at the event. This has been agreed on
and I will provide further details in a separate communication to the NC.
Reports from Salford MAG rep,
Blayz, that it was a good night, mainly locals as lack of attendance from other
clubs. £320 raised for fighting fund, pub paid for the band.
Had the MAG stand at this
event and sold a fair bit of merchandise along with a few memberships. Great
weather for a change and reasonable donation from the profits of this rally to
NW MAG funds.
Didn’t make this meeting due
to family commitments but attended by many of the regions local MAG reps.
Had a second meeting at the
Winter Gardens with Gareth Coles and Anthony Williams, Marketing Manager Blackpool
Entertainment Company. Things are beginning to take shape and this could turn
out to be one of the biggest Biking events in the North West with MAG’s name
splattered all over the place! We are looking at securing a full floor of the
nearby Houndshill Car Park for bike parking, and the council have even
suggested turning Blackpool Lights on a week early for us to have a ride
through. The Winter Gardens is owned by the Council. Bands are booked for the
Saturday nights entertainments with the show being on Saturday and Sunday.
Deals are being made with the local hotels and B&B establishments for folk
wanting to make a full weekend of this.
Following up a complaint from
a member that MAG discount at a local Honda dealership, I contacted the site in
question and eventually got a meeting arranged with the brand manager for NW
Honda dealership, Andy Derby. The meeting went very well and Andy is prepared
to offer MAG members on parts and clothing and also servicing which is not
presently offered to any other group. The level of discount will be finalised this week and I
will then notify members in the area although Andy has mentioned rolling this
out nationally across all Honda Dealerships.
Once Again NW MAG were asked to Road Marshall
this event, ~ 100miles ~100 bikes from the Over Wyre to the highest Pub in
Britain. It was a great day and fabulous weather and MAG were highly praised by
the event organisers for the professional way in which the riders were helped
and guided along the challenging route.
Continue to keep the
old web-site up to date. Feedback from Gregg on the new website is that he is
waiting for Lesley[TC1] Johns to complete the membership database side of
things before he can do anymore. I am awaiting a status update from Lesley
I have been working on the NW
website dealership discount page and getting all detail up to date. I have
bought a stock of the more common MAG patches(pipes and new logo) and pin
badges (pipes with/without loops and new logo) I am able to offer these to
local and regional reps at cost price, patches at £1.50ea and pin badges at
£1.20ea. Bill Green (Deputy NW Rep) will have the pin badges with him at the
October NC if anyone wants some from him.
I continue to be involved
with the TfGM 2040 consultation and the Highways England Motorcycle Meetings and
workshops. Next meeting with HE is on 27th October in Manchester.
As well as the fund raiser
mentioned above, Salford MAG are planning a demo in December due to the lack of
response by local councillors on our concerns over cycleway segregation and
access to bus lanes. The demo will take place on the Mancunian way roundabout.
NW
MAG continue to get out the monthly NW newsletter, mainly Bill’s work with my assistance
on delivery.
All
other groups are functional but no news to report.
Won’t be there this weekend , Bill Green, NW Political
Officer, Treasurer and Red Rose MAG Rep will be standing in for me.
Best Regards
Tony.