MAG 40th Birthday Bash Can it really be 40 years since MAG was founded?
The editor’s take:
The weather grew ominous as I climbed over the Pennines on the M62, bimbling along in recognition of the 50mph limit that I didn’t quite understand. Dropping down into the famous resort town I had to have a look along the seafront as I’d never been before.
I had firm preconceptions of Blackpool. Besides the famous tower I thought it was all amusement arcades, kiss me quick hats, bright lights, big dippers, revellers in packs, stag parties, hen parties, donkey rides and sticks of rock. But do you know what? It is. There’s something strangely satisfying about a place living up to your expectations of it. If I went to Las Vegas and found it was a quiet gloomy place I’d be disappointed. Blackpool didn’t disappoint.
It was during the evening during a lull in the band’s performance that I heard the voice of North West Regional Rep Tony Cox asking if anyone had seen me. I was just passing the rear of the
marquee at the time and was able to appear like a genie from the lamp to make a brief speech. Apparently I should really have been there the night before as that was actually the very date of MAG’s 40th anniversary taking the date of the meeting at which MAG was actually founded. I was a little embarrassed to learn this but how on earth can I be expected to remember such things?
I put together a few impromptu
words that I hope weren’t too naff and people applauded which was gratifying. Thanks to you all and to Tony and his team who put the bash on.
Selina’s view
Now if we all waited for the perfect weather day in the UK, we’d rarely go anywhere. The Birthday Bash weekend saw bikers from all over the country making the journey despite the liquid sunshine that persisted throughout the day. The wind proved more than a little challenging at times as well. On signing in we picked up our programme, bin bag and stick of rock. Hey this is Blackpool
The promise of rock was one of the draws of the weekend. The rally also promised great value at just £15 a ticket in advance with a fiver back for MAG members to spend over the bar or at the catering wagon. A complete mix of bikes turned up throughout the day, you can do your a – z, classic – modern, or learner – high power, they were all there. The rally goers themselves were just as varied; long serving MAG members and recent recruits, young folk and older, seasoned ralliers and rally virgins.
Friday saw a mix of bands play from early evening through to around midnight and there were
64 The ROAD
balloons. Alcohol, bikers and more balloons, a definite indication that there was a birthday party going on. I sat all night chatting with friends, some old, some new and some folk I may never see again.
‘ if we all waited for the perfect weather day in the UK, we’d rarely go anywhere’
Saturday dawned after a night of rain and winds. Marshals having stayed alert through the night watched as bikers emerged from their tents to take on nutrition. Then the bikes slowly began to gather near the entrance in anticipation of the demo ride. The ride set off in several groups to gather with other riders at a pre-arranged spot. There was a great turn out, possibly because it was now dry and warm and a police escorted ride made its way along the seafront and back towards the site. The organisers had scheduled a double-decker bus to run in and out of Blackpool where we had an opportunity to see the sights. Known as a popular location for Stag and Hen nights there was a lot of people watching to be had, never mind seeing the Tower and Pleasure beach. We also found an excellent little café to have a cream tea, where the
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