The first big rally of 2020 took place (as usual) at Sandford in Dorset last weekend. Not only is The Modrapheniacs the first major weekend event but it’s also the first Lambretta Club signing on event for their hotly contested BSM Championship. Booga was there to snap a few photos and try and hunt down the elusive southern delicacy of cheesy chips…
After surviving three weeks of storms, the day dawns for my annual trip down to Sandford Holiday Park for the Modrapheniacs pre-season rally. Friday starts off cold but dry, woohoo!
After loading up I jumped on the scoot and headed up there. I had a small detour to make on the way up as I was attending a wedding (congratulations to Lisa and Lewis Doody), and after (still sober) I continued on to Sandford.
Adored
I’ve been doing Sandford for the last 10 years, but this was the first time I’d ridden there in the dark. What should have been an easy ride up became a minor nightmare of wrong turns. With Google Maps literally sending me around the houses. Hey this is Sandford, there’s always a drama.
When I finally got there the party was in full swing. I missed the first band, The Rocker Covers, a very polished rockabilly band who were, I’ve been reliably informed well worth watching as always.
The next band up, Adored had me tapping my foot (you’ll never see me dancing), with a good Stone Roses tribute set.
How rude?
Now for the bad bit… The Parkdean staff. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been going to Sandford for 10 years and have only missed one in all that time. Up to now, the site staff have been lovely, but this year virtually all the staff I had dealings with were at best rude, and at worst were trying to rip us off. A number of my friends had similar experiences, and frankly, it spoiled what should have been a great weekend. Just to be clear, this was the Parkdean staff who run Sandford Holiday Park NOT the rally crew who were awesome as always.
And don’t get me started on the no cheese for the cheesy chips!
Lazy Saturday
Anyway, onwards, Saturday daytime is cold and a little grey, so it was time to catch up with everybody I’d missed the day before. Quite a few daytrippers swelled the numbers with the parts fair and outdoor custom show busy.
I watched rather than participated in the rideout, it’s sometimes fun to be an onlooker rather than a participant.
After a ‘bit of a rest’ (read snooze) in the caravan, we went off to the pub next door for a decent meal and after stuffing our faces we headed back to the venue, sadly missing the first band The 5.15’s – which, in case you haven’t already guessed, play mod and ska covers.
What a Sham
The main band came on, Sham 69. Now to avoid any confusion – there are two Sham 69s (confused? Yeah, me too), this one is the one that continued after Jimmy Pursey left, Jimmy Pursey is in ‘The Real’ Sham 69. I hope that clears that up! Not being my sort of thing we headed off to the Northern Soul room which was packed and bouncing.
The numbers seemed down this year, I suspect due to the godawful weather we’ve had recently, which is a shame as staff issues notwithstanding it’s a great rally and is always good for blowing the cobwebs out.
Will I go next year? Probably yes, The Modrapheniacs work very hard to put on a good rally for us and I for one think it should be supported. Will I spend money at the bar and restaurant, probably not, this isn’t the ’80s any more and I won’t be treated like a second class citizen.
Like I said, always a drama at Sandford. At least I didn’t lose my camera this year.
Words and photos: Booga
Modrapheniacs Rallery – tag your friends (and #SLUK) then share the photos
We sell scooter delicacies (but not cheesy chips) and provide great service
