BBRF SUMMER SOLSTICE RALLY
– THE FIRST REAL RALLY OF 202!
AFTER PRETTY MUCH THE WHOLE OF OUR 2020, AND HALF OF 2021, CANCELLED DUE TO ‘THAT VIRUS’, ORGANISERS THIS YEAR’VE BEEN JUMPING THROUGH MULTIPLE BUREAUCRATIC HOOPS TO BE ALLOWED TO PUT ON SEVERELY RESTRICTED VERSIONS OF THE EVENTS WE VALUE SO HIGHLY IN OUR LIVES.
Fortunately for us the inimitable Penfold of the BBRF took a proactive stance, and ensured he won over the environmental health officers at Stratford-upon-Avon District Council with a fully vaccinated risk assessment that they couldn’t find fault with – huzzah for Penfold!
For a week beforehand the forecast claimed we were in for a wet weekend in Warwickshire, but I don’t think that deterred a single one of the 250 ticket holders – just about every one of them was there by six o’clock on the Friday night. I dumped my gear on to the grass and just lay there, soaking up the familiar smell of hot engines and musty tents – at last!
Southam Rugby Club site hosted half-a-dozen trade and charity stands, and a food van that offered a fair variety at reasonable prices. The rugby club ran the bar, and provided access to their proper toilets, and shower block, which made it a frightfully civilised little rally.
First band on the Friday were classic three-piece tribute artists 8 Foot Under who were brilliant, and DJs kept us happy campers entertained between bands with our kind of music. Next up was Ion Maiden, and with oodles of space for dancing, and plenty of tables and chairs spread around, patrons could feel confident about enjoying themselves safely.
Saturday morning brought mixed messages from the weather fairies, but joy was restored by Loopy introducing me to the joys of the Hot
left on the winning bikes – Penfold’s Choice, Best Rat, Shiniest Bike, and Best In Show. Two bikes, a red Harley, and a very old Raleigh moped that was ridden there, were both given Honourable Mentions. The Sore Arse Award for the furthest travelled went to Mary Bailey (187 miles), and Club Turnout went to Alliance MCC from nearby Rugby.
Saturday night there was a last-minute change to the line-up due to illness, so Diesel kicked off the early evening, followed by Overdrive, a rock covers band who play regularly at BBRF events. They were a singer short due to illness, but backing singer Heather stepped up to valiantly sing lead for the whole set. A short break for the raffle and entry ticket stub draw followed, then Jester stepped up from support to take the headline spot, bringing the event to a rocktastic finale.
Even with this year’s reduced numbers, Penfold and his team raised £1,000 to split between two charities – the British Biker Relief Foundation, which supports motorcyclists and their families across the UK after serious and life-changing injuries, and Justice 4 Harry, whose friends and family were there raising awareness for his case.