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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
The annual general meeting was held on Thursday 27th February at club HQ.
A few points emerged from this meeting worthy of note:
Our long serving president Dennis Pitts has now retired and in his place Paul Whitaker now takes up the reins. Paul will also be taking over from John Kershaw, as chairman, who is also retiring from this role. The other secretary's remain unchanged.
The annual fees and club trial entry fees are to change slightly, see Club Info page for details on these.
The system whereby a rider who observes in the club championship and receives maximum points added to his tally has been rescinded.
The main topic of conversation was once again the observing rule question: Stop Permitted or No-Stop.
After a 35 minute heated discussion the issue was finally voted upon and the result was surprising.
Once again this year's annual dinner was held at the Fulneck Golf Club, Pudsey. Ably organised and administrated by the husband and wife team of John and Jean Kershaw who have now clocked up 21 years in this role, quite an achievement, with another successful event under their belts. With the dinner finished; John took up the microphone to announce the winners of the West Leeds awards.
In a last minute change to his running order John had our retiring President Dennis Pitts handing out the silverware to the winning recipients.
For the presentation of the John Bolton Trophy we were fortunate to have with us both the John Bolton winner in the shape of John Lydamore and the donor Mary Bolton who presented this magnificent trophy.
The Horsforth awards were announced by Graham Wilson assisted by Martin Fairburn and as Kieran Child is a member of both clubs and an up and coming young rider he took away quite a few of the awards from both West Leeds and Horsforth trophy collections.
The star prize on the raffle table was a rear trials tyre, kindly donated by our Club Captain Nigel Crowther. With the ticket selling girls doing a sterling job and the ticket sales completed we were all awaiting the draw hoping that at least one of our tickets would be a winning one. We had to wait some time for this as the resident DJ was reluctant to give up his microphone as he was just getting going by this point. Eventually, however the draw did take place and, as he has done in the past, compere John saved the final ticket drawn to be the star prize of the tyre. The lucky winner on this occasion was Steve and Jackie Walker's son Mark. Shortly thereafter with a new day fast approaching the remaining guests drifted off to their respective homes.
We have received a request from a Brian Jones regarding his late father, Gilbert Alan Jones, died in 1988. He would like any information anyone has about Gilbert. If anyone has any photos, documentation with his name on etc he would like you to contact him. Contact details
32 Myers Ave, Bradford, BD2 4ET 01274638792
e-mail music@brianjoneswry.com
