LIKE A VILLAGE FETE FOR PETROLHEADS
Park It In The Market is a capital idea well worth hunting out
From the outside you’d barely know South London’s Greenwich Market is there. Encircled by a one-way system, it’s pretty much buried behind shops and businesses. But follow the familiar sounds of motorcycling that drift out on the last Thursday of the month and you’ll discover a petrolhead’s paradise not unlike the traditional village fete.
Strings of bunting, tea stalls, street food, live music and classic vehicles, not to mention a throng of bikers, turn out in their hundreds to soak up the laid back vibes of Park It In The Market.
Lee Mason stumbled on Park It by accident. He said: “It’s a really cheerful gathering. Everyone’s having a good time and you don’t have to worry about locking your bike or leaving your crash helmet unattended.”
Park It began five years ago as a joint venture between Greenwich Market and the Mean Old Timers Classic Car and Motorcycle Club (MOT). MOT was itself established by Sunny and Dave Webster, members of the Losers MCC (a mild-mannered motorcycle club for Gentlemen and Ladies) specifically to run the event. “It has taken a lot of hard work to get it right,” said organiser Ben Niblett, who works alongside Sunny and Dave. “But the local community have joined in. The street food and vintage stalls are all regular traders, so it works for everyone.” Entry is free, which is great for visitors but leaves little in the pot for promotion and at one point the event’s future was in doubt. Step forward Paul Beamish from Krazy Horse, now the official sponsors. “As a business we’ve always been enthusiasts,” says Paul. “We love bikes and we love riding them. Our Welling shop is just up the road and we wanted to be a part of Park It, so we promote it, produce posters and come down to show off some beautiful bikes. Plus it has a roof, so you can’t get wet!”
“It makes a nice change from sloshing through a dirty car park,” adds Keith Williamson, a familiar face at local meets from Greenwich to the Oakdene Cafe in Kent. “The only drawback is that when it’s busy there’s a queue up the road.” Park It In The Market runs right through summer and on special occasions in winter too – check out the Mean Old Timers Classic Car and Motorcycle Club on facebook.
‘It’s a nice change from sloshing about in a muddy car park’