NAILSEA
PEOPLE
September 2019
Ring O'Bells public house
Nailsea International Bike Show
10th annual at
And it's a BIG thank you from him
The 10th anniversary Nailsea 'International' Bike Show was successfully completed despite the challenge of adapting it to a new venue.
Saturday which was lovely and sunny as forecast was the busiest I have ever known at any of the seven previous events that I have been involved with.
It was already busy at 11.15am when we only officially started at 11am.
We had a stunning array of motorcycles in our display again including some very rare and valuable standard and unique custom machines.
There was truly something for everyone there.
We had visitors from as far away as Crieff,Scotland; Coventry, Wales, Taunton and Helston, Cornwall although these are only the people I know personally so who knows where others may have travelled from afar.
At 3pm in the afternoon our intrepid Iron Butt rider Phil Weston departed on his 24hr 'guess the mileage' ride in aid of our chosen charity the Children’s Hospice South West.
The Ring O'Bells staff coped admirably with the crowds and there was very little queuing for either food or drink.
Good quality burgers and sausages along with a delicious hog roast were served by the pub outside all day and into the evening.
Some amazing bands played throughout the day and into the night giving the whole day a great soundtrack and were very much appreciated by the audience.
Sunday was a slightly quieter day probably due to the forecast of rain but fortunately it dried up by our midday official start time and didn’t rain again.
That said we still had some amazing bikes in the display, the majority were still there from the day before but the morning saw some stunning additions. The bands played inside due to the uncertain forecast and to avoid risking damage to our sound equipment and that of the bands due to rain.
Again we some fantastic musicians performing for us all day they also received a great reception from the audience.
A steady flow of people came in all day so although quieter than the Saturday there was a great atmosphere.
At 3pm Phil returned from his marathon ride and announced that he had travelled in excess of 1,500miles (wow!).
Our award ceremony took place at around 4pm and despite having a very tough choice we awarded the Bike Of The Show trophy to Simon Dillon for his stunning 1920 OK Junior,
The Spirit Of The Show award also went to Simon for his beautiful original 1928 Raleigh Model 15 Deluxe,
The new S&D Fabrications award for best custom bike went to Graham Leek and his incredible Knights Templers creation.
All in all it was another very successful and enjoyable weekend for the Nailsea International Bike Show and hopefully a good fundraising total for the CHSW to add to the £17,500+ we have raised to date.
Our thanks go out to the Ring O'Bells pub and its staff for providing such a great venue and running it so well over the weekend, the bands and our sound crew who provided amazing quality entertainment all weekend.
The CHSW volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the weekend serving refreshments, running the tombola and selling raffle tickets, all our sponsors who donated the wonderful raffle prizes and auction lots (listed on our website www.nailseabikers.co.uk). the Tithe Barn, Grove Junior School and Holy Trinity church for the use of their car parks, Grove Sports & Social Club for providing us with a considerable bike parking area in their sports ground, residents of St Mary’s Grove and the surrounding streets for their patience and support during the two days and last but by no means least my whole Nailsea biker team and their families including my own, Also our two van drivers who transported bikes and gear around for us throughout the weekend.
They are all absolutely amazing and without their tireless efforts we could not have made this show the success it has become.
Many thanks again to our sponsors - Fixit Motorcycle Mechanics, Fowlers Motorcycles, HRS Motorcycles, IMP Packaging, Riders of Bristol, Tesco, Rolls Royce, Unite the union, Nailsea Cider, Southwest Steel, Bristol Kawasaki, Scottish Produce, Deutsche Car specialists, Tru Tension and RJ Motorcycles.
And finally the owner/director of Crieff whisky shop JL Gill was at the show and tried and liked Nailsea Cider so much its now on sale north of the border.
John Colley
chairman
Nailsea Bikers
BIKES, BANDS AND BEER: On Saturday afternoon, September 21, more than a thousand people came to the marvel at the hundreds of motorbikes on show mostly housed under five huge marquees in the garden of the Ring O' Bells pub. There were lots of stalls selling bikers paraphernalia and promoting road safety and the emergency services were in attendance. This is the 10th annual show and raises money for CHSW. In the late afternoon and evening in the pub garden and function room it was more beer, outdoor barbecue and bands than bikes but a good time was had by all - see second slideshow. Sunday is likely to be a more sedate day and last chance to view vehicles which date from the early 20th century to more contemporary models - chrome gleaming and headlamps shinning...oh and more bands...
MEAN MACHINES: Chris Perry records the bikes on show both the official displays and the two-wheel and four-wheel contraptions park along the road and those with permission across the road at the Grove Sports & Social Centre
FINAL LAP: A potpourri of bikes, band and a depleted Sunday afternoon audience as the weather is mixed. Nailsea Leg Club and the biker's own franchise stall moved indoors to avoid threatening rain and councillor Sandra Hearne checked out the show after receiving one complaint from a Nailsea resident but most agreed best venue ever. Two new bikes arrived today - a limited edition Italian model - only 25 came off the production line - and custom made Knights Templar motorcycle
Below is the preview piece we did announcing the change of venue and date...
New pitstop and new date
Nailsea International Bike Show is back for 2019 but at a new venue and changed date.
With wedding bells at the neighbouring Tithe Barn the 10th Nailsea International Bike Show has postoned its show for one week.
The biggest and best motorcycle event is now on Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22, at its new venue the Ring O’Bells, at St Mary’s Grove, Nailsea.
On display will be a varied selection of classic, custom and contemporary bikes from 1940s Indians to modern sports bikes.
There will be a full programme at the weekend with promises of lots to see and do as well as eat and drink.
Bike enthusiasts will be coming from all over the country and there’s always something for everyone, young or old.
One of the organisers Shane Sawtell said, “We’re really excited about the new venue and anticipate it’ll be the best Nailsea International Bike Show yet!
"We have been awarded a grant from Nailsea Town Council towards costgs and many local businesses are sponsoring the event, so it’s set to be better than ever.”
As in previous years Nailsea International Bike Show raises funds and awareness for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
CHSW at Charlton Farm, Wraxall, currently supports approximately 220 families whose children aren’t expected to reach adulthood.
The hospice cares for the whole family, providing respite, palliative and end-of-life care, as well as a bereavement support service.
Last year, the bike show raised more than £5,000 for CHSW and the organisers are hoping to match that amount again in 2019.
Shane said, “It’s a fantastic charity and one which everyone gets behind.
"It’s local to us, we’ve visited Charlton Farm and we know how life-changing it is for the families who use the hospice.”
Shane and fellow organisers are currently in the process of recruiting an army of helpers for the two-day event.
If you’re able to lend a hand on the day with refreshments, or want more information about this fantastic event click HERE.
All videos © Ali Smallshaw
PHOTO: Trophy to be won by best bike in show
