Following on from the success of last year’s event and with dry weather predicted, we, The Warwickshire Scooter Alliance, were hoping for a good turnout for this year’s event. We weren’t to be disappointed! From early on when the gates opened at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum there was a steady flow of scooters with numbers easily surpassing last year’s total of approximately 550 scooters.
By the time the ride out for the Arboretum left at 12.15, well over 800 scooters left in a cloud of 2-stroke for the short 8-mile ride to the NMA, winding through local villages and quiet country roads.
Royal British Legion
For this year’s event and after meetings with staff at both venues a few changes were made. We arranged to have caterers at the museum, keeping people warm and fed with hot drinks and a variety of freshly cooked food, although due to demand this may be expanded further for next year to help reduce waiting times. Also on sale at the museum were the now traditional event patch, leg shield banners and fridge magnets, with all profits on the day being presented to the Royal British Legion at Galanos House later in the year.
It was also decided to have the service at the main memorial shortly after we had all safely arrived at the National Memorial Arboretum, so that people could then see more of this very special place before making their way home. Staff at the NMA helped guide the incoming riders to the car park area and also had collection buckets on hand to help raise much-needed funds. These raised £215.54 on the day so a massive thank you to all who donated.
The service was well attended and David Campion, accompanied by our bugler Andy, gave a thought-provoking and very moving sermon, during which those who wished to do so could lay wreaths under one of the memorials there.
Plans are already well underway for next year’s event and we look forward to seeing you all there again to help raise funds for these great causes.
Finally I would like to thank all the members of the WSA who either helped with the marshalling or worked hard to help sell all the merchandise on the day. Without the help and support of people like you we would not be able to put on such great events as this! Thank you.
Paul Marshall – Chairman WSA
