Kilnsey Battle Lost

After over 2 years of negotiations with Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) and Natural England, the fight to retain the use of Kilnsey has been lost.

Initially we had to obtain planning permission to run an event there in 2006, this was rejected by YDNPA, a subsequent appeal was also rejected and the matter referred to the Secretary of State. Now a government inspector has dismissed our case citing the reason as 'a possibility of rutting and tacking to the grassland'. So after over 40 years of use we have had to admit defeat as the club cannot afford to spend any more on legal costs.

Riders may not be aware that Kilnsey is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) which has led to most of the difficulties obtaining permission to run events there.

On the subject of land access, this press release from LARA may be of interest to members.

Click to view file

Land for use by trials clubs is gradually being eroded, so it is up to everyone to adopt a responsible attitude, and always keep a look out for land which could be used to run an event.

 

 

1950 Dinner Dance

Malcolm Adams a founder member of the club, has unearthed this program from the early days of club dinners. 1950 to be precise. This would have been the 3rd event, as the club was founded in 1947.

Click on the small images for a larger view.
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Reproduced here are images from the program of that year. As can be seen from the tone of the text, dinners in those days were a fairly formal affair, unlike the present day glitzy ones complete with rock music.

You may also notice if you look closely on the inner page (left-hand image) a certain M Adams is on the list of award winners, with 3 awards to receive, having won three events the previous year. Could this be a coincidence?

 

 

Charity Trial

The 5th Club championship trial held on the 15th July 2006 which was run as a charity trial raised £325 for St Gemma's hospice.

£94 was collected in the collecting tins, and after deducting trial expenses, £170 remained from entry fees. As there was a smaller than usual entry the club decided to make up the donation to £300.

There was also a sponsorship of £25 from Wyldes Motorcycles which brought up the total to £325.

Many thanks to all those riders and observers who supported this event and gave so generously.

Reproduced below is the Certificate awarded us by St Gemma's Hospice.

 

 

 

Observed section

A part of the course which is laid out with pairs of flags and marker cards to denote the beginning, and the end of the aforementioned observed section. These can be almost anything which will provide an obstacle for the rider to overcome. Typically rocky stream beds, muddy gullies, uphill climbs on slippery surfaces over rocks, fallen trees and the like. The principal is straightforward a rider must traverse the said observed section without putting a foot to the ground (dabbing); losing marks for every time he or she does so. This is the bit which is important; the loss of marks incurred is recorded on a sheet or punch card by The Observer, without whom an event cannot take place. Riders: - please bear this in mind when attending a trial and bring an observer with you if possible, also be very kind to the observers who give up their time so that the rider can enjoy a days sport.

 

John Bolton

As many of you will know John Bolton was an enthusiastic motorcyclist and a West Leeds member; who was tragically killed in a road accident. The John Bolton trial is run every year in his memory. John was also a keen story-writer from an early age, and having completed the SSDT in 1984 as a novice rider he wrote a story about his SSDT experience. Subsequently the story was published in T&MX in April 1987 two years after his death. His parents have, during their move back to Leeds, unearthed the original manuscript with this and another story about a touring trip abroad. These have now been reproduced and are now on our Trials Tork page. The SSDT story is entitled 'The Ordeal' and the touring trip "A Good Idea'. Give them a look it's inspiring stuff

 

AGM 2012

The club AGM was held on the 19th January. With all the normal AGM business to attend to and eight proposals (some of them in two parts) to get through it seemed that we were in for a long night.

However, Chairman John Kershaw kept a tight rein on proceedings keeping the meeting running smoothly. The major talking point was, as expected, the proposition to switch to no-stop rules. The discussion on this one subject lasted almost half an hour, with everyone airing their views. When the final vote was taken there were 8 votes for stop permitted and 4 votes for no-stop, as a result we will be continuing with the stop permitted rule, TSR22a for 2012.

Most of the other alteration to rules were not as contentious, but did provide some lively debate. The main point as far as the riding members are concerned was the decision to go back to the trials format we were running in 2010, but with the Clubman class doing a variable mixture of hard and easy sections. It was felt that the format used in 2011 had not been a success, it had been an experiment after all, and as with all experiments there is always the possibility of failure.

The other item that the riding members will be most delighted about was the unprecedented decision to reduce the club membership fee to just £1:00! And in addition to that; the trials entry fee has not been increased and will remain the same as last year.

All last year's officials will be continuing their duties for 2012.

 

 

Annual Dinner

This year's dinner and prize presentation was held on the 19/02/2011 at the Holiday Inn at Tong. Once again this was a shared event with our neighbouring club Horsforth DMC. After the dinner the prize presentation began in earnest with West Leeds going first this year; the awards were announced by John Kershaw and presented by Yorkshire Centre President, Julian Ford, all except the John Bolton award; as this was presented by Mary Bolton.

The Horsforth awards were once again announced by Graham Wilson, and with some recipients being members of both clubs they were all cheered enthusiastically.

On the raffle prize table the major prize was a rear trials tyre. This was saved until the final winning ticket drawn, and as there were lots of prizes available the draw seemed to go on forever with everyone hoping that theirs was the last number drawn. In the end the tyre went to one our regular club riders so hopefully it will be used to good effect. Thanks to all who donated prizes and helping make for a successful event.

Special thanks to John and Jean Kershaw for all their efforts in organising the event, obtaining awards and all the work done which organising an event such as this entails.