Category: Organisations

1. Bikers Are Revved Up And Raring To Go!

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 16th May 2017

   

   It’s not long now before a bevy of bikers descend on the Erskine Estate in Bishopton for the annual Erskine Motorbike Meet.

   Last year’s event was the biggest Motorbike Meet yet, with nearly 800 bikers taking part in the parade and over £12,500 being raised for the veterans of Erskine. This year’s event takes place on Sunday 28th May.

   Recently a number of bikers, cadets, military personnel, officers from Scottish Police, representatives of Paisley 2021 and Milly the biking dog, visited the Erskine Estate in preparation for the big day.

   Erskine supporter Heather Clissett, who organises the event, got the group together to promote this year’s event. She said: “The Erskine Motorbike Meet has grown larger than we could ever have hoped, in its 11 years.”

   “We hope all who visit the bike meet, know how much their loyalty to, and respect for, Erskine's veterans means. We are so grateful and appreciative to them for never failing to turn out and we hope they realise how much it means to all at Erskine and the respect we have for all our two and three wheeled visitors."

   Anyone who has attended the popular event will know the parade of bikes and trikes, which begins at Park Mains High School in Erskine at 12.40pm, is quite a spectacle. The bikers take around 20 minutes to make their way along the seven mile route to The Erskine Home where there are lots of attractions on offer for an entertaining afternoon for bikers and visitors.

   This year’s entertainment includes fairground rides, Port Town Rockers, Kennedy Cupcakes, UK Garrison, Irvine Marine Cadets & Sea Cadets display, Glasgow Science Centre buskers, Pin Ups Vintage, Paisley 2021, a photo booth and lots of street food. There is also military support on the day including 7 Scots who will have a deactivated weapons display, the Royal Artillery with their light gun display and 225 Medical Regiment with their ambulance.

   There are a number of first’s this year at Erskine Motorbike Meet including a Boccia Bowls match with Bikers v Veterans. Playing a game against our veterans is Rigbys Guardians MCC Scotland – who promote and preserve the memory of murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby. The group also raise money for veterans’ charities including The Lee Rigby Foundation that was set up in Lee’s memory.

   There will be music from Balaklava Pipes and Drums and The Band of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Association. There will also be two luxury cars – provided by Met Wedding Cars – so this year Erskine veterans will be able to take part in the bike parade in the comfort of a luxurious wedding car!

   The Erskine Motorbike Meet takes place on the Erskine estate from 1-5pm. Entry is £5 per bike and £2 per adult (free for children) with parking available at HP, Bishopton, PA7 5PP which is a short walk from The Erskine Home or you can hop on the shuttle bus kindly provided by McGills.
   
   

   28th May 2017
   Erskine Motorbike Meet
   
   Annual event to support the veterans cared for by Erskine with 100's of bikes taking part. Starting with a parade from Park Mains High School to Erskine's grounds for 1pm official opening. Live music, food, demonstrations, stalls and much more. All welcome.

    

   venue: Starting with a parade from Park Mains High School, PA8 6EY at 1240 to Erskine (Hospital) Bishopton, Renfrewshire, PA7 5PU 
   price: £5 per bike donation to Erskine on the day. £2 per adult (free for children) with parking available at HP
   tel: 07814 984082 
   website: www.erskinemotorbikemeet.co.uk 
   facebook 
   twitter 
   e-mail: [email protected]

    

   Erskine is a family. Our strength lies in the very special blend of dedicated care, compassion and understanding we offer to our residents and their families. When Erskine was founded in 1916, our aim was to care for Service men and women who had been injured in active service. Today, care remains the cornerstone of our philosophy. We not only care for our veterans – we care about them.

   As Scotland’s foremost provider of care for veterans and their spouses, we provide unrivalled nursing, residential, respite and dementia care within our four homes across Scotland. Our person-centred care is tailored to the needs of each individual veteran.
   Erskine's proud history also extends beyond its provision of medical and nursing care by employing and promoting all employment opportunities for veterans and offering housing to veterans and their families in 44 cottages within Erskine estate.
   
   As a charity, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to maintain our commitment to care for Scotland’s veterans – without donations we simply cannot continue this work.

2. Great news for Roughley's Bike Show 2017

   Posted on 11:30am Friday 17th Feb 2017

   Sky are now supporting the show and its three charity beneficiaries.
   
   Rick Hulse (Chairman of NABD) wrote to Jeremy Darroch, the CEO of Sky TV, on Wednesday and has received the email below.

   Dear Mr Hulse
   
   Thank you for your email of 15 February about Roughleys Bike Show which takes place close to the Sky Contact Centre in St Peter’s Square, Stockport over the August Bank Holiday.
   
   I was sorry to read about the challenges experienced in recent years securing a suitable location for this popular charity event and I apologise for the concern caused by Sky’s enquiries regarding support to find a suitable alternative venue.
   
   From your note it is clear that St Peter’s Square is the ideal location for Roughleys Bike Show, and Sky is pleased to support the event taking place there again this August. For context, I understand that our local management were concerned about the safety of Sky staff as fire evacuation points are compromised during the event, and were trying to find ways to stay open to support our customers. They were seeking to work with the Council and the organisers to explore alternative options.
   
   However, as you have said, it appears that the best solution is to hold the event where you have done so in the previous couple of years. Consequently, we will close the Sky Contact Centre in Stockport again this August Bank Holiday and Sky will make alternative arrangements to support our customers from other contact centres.
   
   Thank you also for making me aware of the impressive achievements of the NABD over the past 26 years, helping more than 11,000 people with disabilities to enjoy the freedom and independence of motorcycling. I understand that Roughleys Bike Show is also a long term contributor to the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and the Together Trust. I appreciate that the continuation of the excellent work by all three charities is reliant on donations, like those they receive from Roughleys Bike Show. As a gesture of Sky’s support of the event, and to say sorry for any inconvenience caused, we will be making a donation to the three charities of £1,500 each.
   
   Yours sincerely
   
   Jeremy Darroch

    

   Rick has written back to Mr Darroch to express the thanks of Roughley Bike Show and the NABD for his speedy and most positive intervention.

    

   He has asked that any petitions or protests in connection with this issue are brought to a halt, as this is a most amicable and pleasant result.
   
   
   

3. Roughley Bike Show has received a 'formal objection' from Sky

   Posted on 10:00am Thursday 16th Feb 2017

   After finally finding the perfect place to hold the popular August Bank Holiday Roughleys Bike Show, held in St Peter’s Square, Stockport for the last two years, there has been a complaint from Sky customer Contact Centre, which could force the organisers to move the event outside of area...

   It seems the main objections from Sky (whos' offices rear face St Peter’s Square) are that their Access and Evacuation routes are compromised, footpath blocked and the dedicated smoking area will be blocked and not usable. 
   
   As St Peter’s Square was redeveloped to encourage outdoor events in Stockport and for people to come into the town, stopping this major charity event will just have the adverse effect to this plan. 

   * At a Stockport council meeting, the objections were raised, where Councillor Sheila Bailey said: “It is only once a year and we have had various struggles finding a location. We have listened to Sky, but we do not think it is a reason to not hold an incredibly popular event that raises a huge amount for charity. Maybe Sky should join in and have a stall at the event, I very much hope Sky will get behind this. It is hard to find a location for the event, St Peter’s Square is ideal as it is big enough, doesn’t affect residential properties and is easy to get to.”

   Roughleys Bike Show has taken place in the town centre since 2000, raising up to £10,000 for worthy causes, including NABD, The Rainbow Trust Childrens Charity and The Together Trust. It started on Stockport Market Place, was forced to move to the former Quick Fit site on Wellington Road North in 2013, then Heaton Lane car park in 2015 (both now unavailable), until the event was held in 2015 in St Peter’s Square, Stockport.

   Prior to the 2015 event Greater Manchester Police expressed concerns associated with anti-social behaviour and requested evidence from the organisers showing how they would manage the event and control visitors and participants before they would agree not to object. This evidence was provided and the events held in 2015 and 2016 have been well managed and controlled.

   In 2015 and 2016 both Sky and Stockport Plaza, (both of which are adjacent to the square), expressed concerns regarding sound levels and requested evidence from the organisers to show how they would manage/mitigate the impact of this issue. In response to this the event organisers met with representatives from both Sky and Stockport Plaza and despite some remaining concerns, both organisations agreed not to object to the event.

   On the list of potential alternative locations is Whitebottom Farm (through Etherow Country Park), where it is stated "A different bikers event with music has previously been successfully held at this location. It might be possible for Roughley’s to consider combining with this event or simply run their own event at this site." 

   Following the creation and the £3 million+ public realm improvement scheme on St Peter’s Square, to bring vitality and footfall to this quite part of the town centre, it is surely wasted if events are then not allowed to go ahead, especially such a successful and popular charity event and so we hope that the council allow permission for Roughleys Bike Show 2017. 
   
   
   
   Read more

   * 'Formal objection' from TV giant Sky seeks to switch off major Stockport charity event

   Stockport Council gets top marks for St Peter’s Square

   
   Update 17th February 2017
   Great news for Roughley's Bike Show 2017.
   Sky are now supporting the show and its three charity beneficiaries.
   
   Rick Hulse wrote to Jeremy Darroch, the CEO of Sky TV, on Wednesday and has received the email below.
   
   "Dear Mr Hulse,
   
   Thank you for your email of 15 February about Roughleys Bike Show which takes place close to the Sky Contact Centre in St Peter’s Square, Stockport over the August Bank Holiday.
   
   I was sorry to read about the challenges experienced in recent years securing a suitable location for this popular charity event and I apologise for the concern caused by Sky’s enquiries regarding support to find a suitable alternative venue.
   
   From your note it is clear that St Peter’s Square is the ideal location for Roughleys Bike Show, and Sky is pleased to support the event taking place there again this August. For context, I understand that our local management were concerned about the safety of Sky staff as fire evacuation points are compromised during the event, and were trying to find ways to stay open to support our customers. They were seeking to work with the Council and the organisers to explore alternative options.
   
   However, as you have said, it appears that the best solution is to hold the event where you have done so in the previous couple of years. Consequently, we will close the Sky Contact Centre in Stockport again this August Bank Holiday and Sky will make alternative arrangements to support our customers from other contact centres.
   
   Thank you also for making me aware of the impressive achievements of the NABD over the past 26 years, helping more than 11,000 people with disabilities to enjoy the freedom and independence of motorcycling. I understand that Roughleys Bike Show is also a long term contributor to the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and the Together Trust. I appreciate that the continuation of the excellent work by all three charities is reliant on donations, like those they receive from Roughleys Bike Show. As a gesture of Sky’s support of the event, and to say sorry for any inconvenience caused, we will be making a donation to the three charities of £1,500 each.
   
   Yours sincerely,
   
   Jeremy Darroch"

   Rick has written back to Mr Darroch to express the thanks of Roughley Bike Show and the NABD for his speedy and most positive intervention.

    

   He has asked that any petitions or protests in connection with this issue are brought to a halt, as this is a most amicable and pleasant result.

4. DVSA sets out proposals to improve motorcycle training

   Posted on 11:00am Friday 30th Dec 2016

   The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has launched a consultation asking for views on proposals to improve motorcycle training.

   Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. They account for around 1% of traffic on Great Britain’s roads, but 21% of deaths or serious injuries.
   
   The proposed changes aim to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured by making sure new riders are better prepared for the realities of riding on modern roads.

   The main points are

   Improving training
   Improved instructors and training schools
   Skills and knowledge to ride safely

    

   Karen Cole, Director of Safety and Training for the Motorcycle Industry Association, said:

    

   We’re delighted to see DVSA has launched this consultation. We’d urge anyone interested in motorcycle training to respond.

   Have your say on the proposals by 17 February 2017.

   Read more here

   

5. Message from John Surtees CBE

   Posted on 10:00am Tuesday 20th Dec 2016

   First of all let me wish everyone a safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year: 2016 has seen its ups and downs however everyone at the Henry Surtees Foundation deserves a pat on the back for the sterling work achieved during this very busy year raising not just funds, but awareness too.
    
   My sincere thanks also to the faithful sponsors and supporters as without them we would not be able to continue to run our two biggest events, and more importantly fund the numerous life-saving work throughout the country.
    
   2017 will see another great step forward for the foundation with many plans afoot (watch this space for more details!)
    
   Kind regards,
    
   John Surtees CBE
   Edenbridge, Kent