Category: Events and Shows

1. Wings & Wheels To Salute Harrier Return With Special Flypast

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 25th Aug 2010

   Wings & Wheels are thrilled to announce that on Sunday 29^th August the airshow will be paying tribute to the Harrier and celebrating 50 years since the first vertical take-off, which took place at the aerodrome in October 1960, with a very special flypast.

   Having taken a break from the airshow circuit for four years, the Harrier is back and joining the Show on both days and in a unique twist organisers have teamed up with the RAF Red Arrows to bring the crowds something a little bit different.

   Wings & Wheels are delighted to confirm that the Red Arrows and the Harrier will be marking the anniversary with a special tribute flypast formation.

   Gerry Forristal, Air Display Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “The aerodrome at one time was not only home to the Hawk aircraft flown by the Reds but played a key role in the development of the iconic Harrier. With 2010 being such an exceptional year for both us and the Harrier, we are delighted that the Red Arrows and the Harrier have agreed to team up and help us celebrate this landmark with a special tribute flypast formation.”

   Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are extremely proud and very excited to welcome the Harrier back which we know is a firm favourite with our Wings & Wheels visitors. The formation flypast tribute is something not seen before at our airshow and we hope our visitors on Sunday enjoy watching and joining us in our celebrations.”

   Dunsfold Aerodrome has an illustrious aviation history and for many years was used as a flight test centre for Harriers and Hawks for the worldwide markets. The Hawk aircraft, flown by the Red Arrows, and most of its components are British made, built and, at one time, delivered from Dunsfold Aerodrome.

   Attracting phenomenal crowds of over 25,000 in 2009 with some of the finest aircraft and motoring displays in the UK, Wings & Wheels is not just an Airshow, it’s an exciting weekend of family entertainment.

   Tickets are still on sale for the advanced rate of £16 until 5pm on Saturday 28^th and can be purchased from Dunsfold Park Estate Office, Guildford Tourist Office, Horsham Tourist Office, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust and Brooklands Museum.

   The Red Arrows will be headlining this year’s airshow and performing on both days, Sunday 29^th and Monday 30^th August. Also confirmed in the spectacular 4 hour flying displays are the RAF Typhoon, RAF Hawk (Solo Hawk Jet), RAF Tutor (Solo Training Aircraft), Lynx Helicopter, Blades Aerobatic Display Team, Breitling Wingwalkers, Hawker Hunter (Jet), Hawker Hurricane (WW2), Red Bull Matadors, Aerobatic Glider Display,  Tigers Parachute Team and Vulcan Bomber.

   The ‘Wheels’ of the show is masterminded by Brooklands Museum who have lined-up an assortment of motoring icons, including Aston Martins, Ferraris, Jaguars, AC Cobras, Lotuses, Porsches, TVRs and the McLaren Mercedes SLR, to entertain the crowds as they demonstrate their speed and power up and down the runway made famous by BBC’s Top Gear.

   The two day show is being held over the August Bank Holiday, Sunday 29^th and Monday 30^th August, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey and is open to spectators from 9.00 to 18.00.

   Tickets prices remain the same as 2009 and start from: £16 for adults, £5 for under 15’s and £36 for a family. Hospitality packages start at £120 per person. For more information or to book a ticket visit www.wingsandwheels.net

   Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited to help raise monies for nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust and Help for Heroes.

2. Wootton Bassett 2011

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 16th Aug 2010

   Wootton Basset 2011 will take place on Mothers Day 3rd April 2011, re-named a Ride of Respect.

    

   Everybody is hoping to make 2011 a truly memorable occasion, Julia is quoted as saying she expects in excess of 25,000 bikes, let's make this happen. Registration will open on the web-site in August, and will surely attract massive interest; we don't know where the cut-off will be so register early to ensure your place on the ride. As with this year's ride, donations will be £5 however the money will be collected through the web-site rather than on the day, easier for everyone. The team is putting together a pack, which will include T-Shirts, Wrist Bands and a Patch, so please keeping watching the site for updates.

   Together we are all making a difference, and your passion has been pivotal in the development of the charity and to helping our Troops.

    

   facebook group

    

   www.afghanheroes.org.uk

3. Bike legend Foggy has “wheelie” good time - Llangollen Motorbike Show

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 9th Aug 2010

   Motorbike superstar Carl Fogarty was a huge hit with fans who travelled from far and wide to see him in Llangollen over the weekend.

   The four times World Superbike Champion and multiple TT winner was the star attraction at the popular Motorbike Show.

   Thousands of bike fans descended on the Royal International Pavilion with some coming from Germany, France and Holland.

   One of Foggy’s duties was to crown the 2010 North Wales Biker Babe, a motorbike mad beautician.

    

   

   Lianne Roberts of Treuddyn, wins the Biker Babe competition and is congratulated by biker legends Carl Fogarty and Paul Owen

   Winning the title was a “dream come true” for Lianne Roberts, 18, who lives in Treuddyn.

   She said: “I am very much into bikes and I’ve got a Yamaha FS1E or a Fizzy which is a really old style bike. I love new bikes but I’ve got a soft spot for old bikes. My dad’s been into bikes since he was young and I started riding pillion when I was quite young and I really got into them. It is a real-life passion, I really do love bikes. Before I was going to be a beautician, I was going to be a mechanic. It was a real pleasure to meet Carl Fogarty. Being such a huge star, you’d think he’d be big headed – but he’s not. He’s lovely.”

   For much of the time, the bike racing legend was swarmed by adoring fans wanting a chat and to get his autograph – and he loved every second.

   Carl said: “It’s always nice to come to Wales and I’ve always had a good following here so it’s good to be back here again. There’s a really big crowd here and it’s a very, very good show. I know Llangollen pretty well and have done some trial riding around the area in the past. I have also got a place on Anglesey.”

   During the show he took part in a question and answer session with local rider Paul Owen who was awarded the inaugural Spirit of the TT Award at this year’s races.

   Paul was following his close friend, New Zealander Paul Dobbs, during the Supersport race at this year’s June TT when Dobbs crashed.

   Owen stopped, dismounted, giving up his own race ambitions to assist race marshals in controlling the incident warning other racers of debris in the road.

   
   Sadly, Dobbs suffered fatal injuries in the high speed crash at Ballagarey. 

   Paul said: “It was good to spend a bit of time with Carl. I’m now where he started off and he is an inspiration to me. He knows what it means to go to the Isle of Man, spend thousands of pounds and then sacrifice a race to try and save somebody. I’d like to think that somebody would stop for me if I had an accident like that.”

   There was a special award for the Best Bike in Show given in memory of well-known and popular Llangollen motorcyclist Victor Jones, who died recently, aged just 59. 

   Victor, of Pengwern, who used to ride a classic 1964 Matchless 650cc and was a huge fan of classic bikes, gave up his job in the building industry to care for his brother Frank when he started to suffer from impaired vision

   Appropriately, the award was one by somebody who knew Victor very well. Keith Owen, who hails from Llangollen but now lives in Wrexham, took the prize for his beautifully restored Triumph Bonneville American Export which was made in 1969.

   Keith said:  “It means an awful lot to me to win this award with me being a Llangollen boy. What made it even more special was that I won the Victor Jones Memorial Trophy because he was great Llangollen character. I knew him very well and he is sadly missed.”

   Another highlight of the show was the Custom Bike Show, sponsored by Bretton Motorcycles from Chester.

    

   

    

    David Williams of Bretton Motor Cycles

    

   Owner Russ Campbell, the owner of Bretton Motorcycles, said: “We’ve got a lot of really good quality bikes, they are stunning. There’s obviously been a lot of hard work to get them ready for the show. I am always quite shocked to see the standard of the bikes because they are actually ridden as well as being put on display in the shows. Some of them are impractical but the lads do get on them. There’s a great atmosphere at the show, it’s a family orientated and it’s a superb venue. I have done shows right across Europe and this is the best venue I’ve seen – and Llangollen is a popular biking area anyway. It’s the perfect place.”

   It was also the perfect opportunity for Nick Critchley, the Heather and Hillforts Project’s Moorland Field Officer, to speak to members of the biking fraternity.

   He was there with representatives of the countryside charity, Tread Lightly, to meet bikers and encourage them to sign up to the campaign to promote responsible off-roading on two wheels and four.

   He said: “People have been coming up and chatting and I think they are supportive of what we are doing. Our message is very positive and people are very keen to hear that motorbikes aren’t all bad. There are lots of places where they can go and we encourage them to use the legal rights of way network.”

   Organiser David Green, the managing director of Xuberance Events, was thrilled that the weekend had been such a huge success.

   He said: “We’ve had a fantastic turn-out. “We’ve got bikers who’ve travelled from all across the UK and beyond, including some from Germany, France and Holland. At the same time, we’ve had huge support from the local biking fraternity who’ve brought their bikes here as well. Carl Fogarty has been an absolute pleasure, he’s been walking around signing autographs, meeting people and sharing his stories. He’s an absolute legend and it shows the progression that the Motorbike Show has made over the past three years.”

4. MOTORBIKE SHOW, LLANGOLLEN – AUGUST 7 AND 8

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 3rd Aug 2010

   The two-day Motorbike Show is ready to roar into action in Llangollen this weekend.

   It’s a celebration of every style of motorbike. Among the highlights of this year’s show are:

   • The legendary Carl Fogarty, four times World Superbike Champion and multiple TT winner
   • Round the world record breaker Nick Sanders
   • The sphere of death
   • 2010 Biker Babe of North Wales competition
   • Gleaming machines in the Custom Bike Show
   • Fantastic motorbike displays
   • Expert advice clinics
   • Club Corner
   • Live action arena, including Airraid FMX performing breathtaking aerial feats in freestyle motocross and trials bike display and competition

   www.themotorcycleshow.co.uk

5. Lovely Lauren backs campaign to preserve magnificent moorland

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 2nd Aug 2010

   Lovely Lauren Knowles is lending a touch of glamour to a campaign to preserve some of Wales’s most scenic and spectacular landscape.

    

   

   Model Lauren Knowles, head judge of the Biker Babe competition,  with Nick Critchley, from the Heather and Hillforts project and local bike rider Paul Davies (right) who’s also backing the campaign.

    

   The gorgeous gal from Prestatyn is the face of this weekend’s Llangollen Motorbike Show and she has been busy helping distribute information about the Heather and Hillforts project.

   The 20-year-old has been on the Horseshoe Pass with the Heather and Hillforts Project’s Moorland Field Officer, Nick Critchley to meet bikers and encourage them to sign up to the campaign to promote responsible off-roading on two wheels and four.

   The former Miss Prestatyn, who was third in the Miss Wales competition, also took time out to see some of the preservation work that has been done on footpaths which cross the heather moorland – and some of the damage that has been done by illegal off-roading.

   Lauren will be at the show at the Royal International Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, August 7 and 8, where one of her duties will be to help judge this year’s Biker Babe competition.

   She said: “This wonderful landscape is part of our heritage and is something which has to be preserved.

   “The Motorbike Show can play a part in that by helping people to enjoy off-roading legitimately and that’s why we’re happy to have the Heather and Hillforts campaign at the show.”

   Also part of the Heather and Hillforts stand at the show will be national organisation Tread Lightly which aims to promote responsible off-roading and whose Project Manager is Mark Margetts.

   He said: “We want to engage and find a way of getting on together. Treadlightly has been going in the USA for 25 years and is a highly respected, credible and positive organisation.

   “The popular conception of off-roaders might be of young kids on old bikes tearing round the place but it couldn’t be further from the truth – the majority act responsibly and this just happens to be their hobby.

   “We want to encourage responsible off-roading and encourage people to act legally, join a responsible user group or club, and use legal routes.”

   Nick Critchley added: “We want to send out a positive message that there are places where people can enjoy off-roading and we will have information about those routes and places that can be used.

   “We support Tread Lightly in what they aim to achieve and to direct our message at off-roaders and help them find out how to do what they do legally.

   “We will be at the show with merchandise and information about the Heather and Hillforts campaign and the importance of the landscape of our moorlands both from an ecological and an historical perspective.

   “The people who are riding their bikes and driving their 4x4s illegally are ruining this magnificent countryside for everyone else.”

   Rare species and their priceless habitats are being illegally endangered

   and damaged by off-road motorbikes and 4x4s and so are the Iron Age hillforts which are a very special feature of the uplands of Denbighshire.

   The campaign, catchphrase is ‘don’t leave home without it’ and led by Denbighshire Countryside Services, encourages farmers, ramblers and others who enjoy the county’s wide open spaces to carry a special telephone number with them – or even key it into their mobile phones – to report the vandals.

   Nick Critchley said: “We want the legitimate off-roaders to join us in this and report those they know are acting illegally because they are giving all off-roaders a bad name.

   “But ideally we want prosecution to be a last resort for those who refuse to get the message – we would much sooner persuade people and ifnrom them and that’s what we hope to do at the Motorbike Show.”

   Denbighshire County Council’s Heather and Hillforts Project covers the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Horseshoe Pass and Llantysilio Mountains, part of the Ruabon/Llantysilio Mountains and Minera Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Berwyn and South Clwyd Mountains Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

   The campaign to protect them is backed by North Wales Police, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Forestry Commission Wales.

   They are appealing for the public’s help in catching and convicting the offenders who are liable to be fined up to £20,000 and can have their vehicles seized and crushed.

   That Police telephone number – 0845 6071002 or 0845 6071001 for Welsh language callers - means that anyone seeing illegal off-roaders tearing up the landscape can immediately report them.

   The Motobike Show will once again include wide range of bikes on display, exhibitors, attractions, features & entertainment. The Custom Bike Show introduced in 2009 will return, there will also be more bike parking spaces on site.

    

    

   For more information on the Heather and Hillforts campaign go to;

    

   www.heatherandhillforts.co.uk

    

   For further details of the Motorbike Show check out;

    

   www.themotorcycleshow.co.uk