SUMMER GATHERING 6

At last, Summer Gathering 6 was here after months of planning and worrying and nerves following the late cancellation of last year’s gathering because of monsoon like rain conditions. The atmosphere at the rugby club was buzzing as people were arriving and setting up ready for the day.

We arrived at Wall Island at 11am. There was already a large number of scooters present and the scooters just kept arriving in their groups and clubs and with single riders too. The smell of two-stroke filled the air. Alas, as the ride out started, so did the rain, but that didn’t seem to alter anybody’s enthusiasm for the day. We eventually arrived at the rugby club, after a bit of a cock up with the ride out route, to the sound of ska and scooters (plus Wayne Hutchings’ concerns about his scooter getting wet).

In total, £439.28 was raised for St Giles Hospice, Whittington, who also did a fantastic job with their collection buckets and raffle ticket sales. The chap who won the best scooter trophy – PLEASE could you get in touch as we didn’t get your name and number. We are very much hoping to have the same venue for Summer Gathering 7 in 2018. Lastly, I’d like to thank Andy ‘Bomber’ Bottomer for just being a great friend and driving me on with his endless enthusiasm and also my partner Clare for putting up with me.

Our list of thank yous is endless: Johnny Mac (aka Rogues in Brogues) did us proud as did Lichfield RFC, giving their services free of charge. Tesco Lichfield, Shadys Tattoos, Lambretta Birmingham, Coastal Trippers, The Mercian Pub and everybody else who so kindly donated raffle prizes and donations of scooter stuff for the bid and buy stall.

God bless you all. X