Happy new year and welcome to the latest Yorkshire MAG newsletter
Below is the political write up for this month from the Yorkshire Political Rep, Steve Bolton –
On the Political front, as ever the West Yorkshire Bus Lane debate rumbles on.
Things are nearing a critical stage and I hope to have some positive news for you in the next Newsletter.
However on the Parking front we have made considerable progress.
I’ve written an article for the next edition of The Road which outlines very positive parking progress in Calderdale.
There are other positive parking improvements underway both in Kirklees and Wakefield and these too will form write ups in upcoming editions of The Road.
Meetings wise, Ian Whittaker and myself are out and about meeting various committees in West Yorkshire, networking for MAG and increasingly getting us recognised as the go-to people for Motorcycling input, opinions and advice.
There are lots of things going on behind the scenes as some of the councillors and officers locally, aren’t doing what they should be so we’re looking to bring them to account. There’ll be more details when we have them
Here is the link to the current “Network” which will keep you informed with MAG happenings around the country. https://wiki.mag-uk.org/ images/f/f5/Network_2019-01. pdf
Membership continues to rise steadily. NEC was a great success and they want to use more grass roots members to man the stand in the future. If you fancy helping out at next year’s show get in touch.
There were lots of group parties over Christmas and new year and it looks as though everyone had a great time according to Facebook. If you’re not already a member of the various Yorkshire Facebook groups, you really should join your local one (or all of them) as it’s a great way to keep in touch with what’s happening throughout the region.
Wednesday 16th January saw Wakefield MAG hold their AGM at their meeting venue of The Grey Horse. It was a well attended meeting with the outcome of a full committee including Steve Travis being returned for his 17th year as branch rep. Well done to all who stood for a position and I’m sure Wakey MAG will continue to grow. If you live in the area, pop along and see what they’re up to. You’ll be made very welcome and you’ll be sure to find many things to get involved with in their packed calendar.
We’re still wanting to restart Scarborough MAG and York MAG or get a completely new group going in North Yorkshire. If anyone is willing to become a rep (it’s great fun and very rewarding) or even host a meeting, just to get a likeminded group of folk keeping in touch and pushing the MAG message, please give me a call (07867918722) or message me via email, text, Facebook etc. North Yorkshire is a big area and it’s a real shame we don’t have a North Yorkshire group or two, especially considering it’s a biking Nirvana.
I’ve been asked to shout out for Marshals for the Fat Skeleton Blues ‘n’ Bikes Rally. This is over the Easter weekend (19th to 22nd April) at Carbourne Parva, Near Caistor, Lincolnshire, LN7 6DR. Anyone who would like to volunteer, please contact Ron Smith 07737613786.
Tickets are now on sale for the three Yorkshire MAG rallies and can be bought at your local meetings, certain select retailers or online at https://mapevents.co.uk
We’re always on the look out for new marshals, because without our marshals we can’t put the rallies on. We’re almost like a family within a family and I can say from personal experience that marshalling at our rallies gives a whole new appreciation of them and is fantastic fun. Email mag.marshals@live.com for more details.
We’ve got a few events coming up in the next few months that you may want to add to your diaries.
Sunday 20th January – MAP (Yorkshire Rallies) meeting at The White Horse, Hutton Cranswick from 1pm.Tuesday 22nd January – Leeds MAG Comedy night at The Royal Hotel, LS28 8PR. We have a few tickets left so if you want to come get your tickets here http://leeds.mag-uk.org/shop/ it’s always a brilliant night and the ticket price includes a curry supper.Tuesday 29th January – Leeds MAG AGM at The Royal Hotel LS28 8PR from 8pm. All MAG members welcome and bring your card if you want to vote.We’ve got two Fred Hill rides in the region. Both appreciate your support and the sacrifice Fred made should never be forgotten as it underpins the MAG ethos to the day – Freedom of choice rather than compulsion.Sunday 10th February – Leeds MAG Fred Hill Run. Meeting at Squires from 10 to leave at 11 prompt to ride to The Sun Inn at NorwoodSunday 10th February – East Yorkshire MAG Fred Hill Run. Meet 10.30 for 11:00 start at Bonus Electrical, Connaught Road, Kingswood, Hull, HU7 3AP. Ride through Hull City Centre, finishing at the Forresters pub in Beverley for refreshments.Sunday 17th March – Yorkshire MAG and MAP meetings at The Royal Hotel LS28 8PR from 10am. All MAG members welcome.Saturday 23rd March – Leeds MAG presents An Evening With Ed March! Following the success of our previous motorcycle travel talks, we’ve managed to secure madcap C90 adventurer Ed March to come and talk to us. Check out his exploits on YouTube then come and meet the man himselfWednesday 3rd April – Wakefield MAG’s 15th post Christmas auction. From 8pm at The Grey Horse WF11JG. Feel free to donate any unwanted prezzies or just come along and bid on something and help raise money for MAGSaturday 20th April – Easter MAGness, at the Forresters pub, 1-7 Beckside, Beverley, HU17 0PR featuring band Tin Pan Ally. As usual, the evening will be in support of deserving organisations with more details along with the arrangements for the annual EY egg run in the next newsletter.
Finally if you want to get more involved at a local level (and to really get the most out of your MAG membership, I strongly recommend that you do) here are the meeting details of the five Yorkshire MAG groups – though we are looking to expand with more groups so if you haven’t got one close by and fancy getting together with like minded bikers, get in touch with me at manny@mag-uk.org
We’re very lucky in having some very strong groups in Yorkshire, but we need the members to join in, so pop along to your local meeting and help to make a difference
East Yorkshire MAG meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 8pm at The Forresters Arms HU17 0PRHuddersfield MAG meet every Wednesday from 8.30pm at The Fieldhead HD3 4FBLeeds MAG meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 8pm at The Royal Hotel LS28 8PRSouth Yorkshire MAG meet every 1st and 3rd Sunday from 7pm at The Ball,1 Hesley Bar, Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham, S61 2PWWakefield MAG meet every Wednesday from 8.30 at The Grey Horse WF1 1JG
Ride safe
Manny (Yorkshire MAG rep)