Eastfield Scooter Club 40th
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Eastfield SC. To celebrate, the club is pushing the boat out and is having an anniversary do befitting its proud heritage...
Chairman of Eastfield Scooter Club, Rob Jesse explained: “The club has a camaraderie that is forged from the Eastfield council estate and has an authentic honesty that proudly remembers its roots. The gritty soul that was present in the 80s is still present today, bound by a love of scooters, music and having a good time.” Eastfield SC was formed in 79 and was initially called Vikings SC. Founding members included Martin Dixon, who is well known in local scootering circles, Eric Devine, the late Jed Devine, brothers Stuart and Alan Broughton, the late John Pinder, Stephen Whittaker, ‘Mac’ Mckenna and Roy Bull… amongst others.
Lasting impressions
Rob joined the club in 80 and as an impressionable 16-year-old he can remember watching in awe as the club, who mainly ride Lambrettas, set off on one of their first scooter rally club ride-outs to make the 300-mile ride to Brighton. “The club grew steadily through the 80s and at its peak had a membership of over 25 hangers-on!” said Rob. “Through the halcyon days of scootering, the club has been ever present on the scene, and to the current day meets once a fortnight and regularly attends rallies.”
Rally-going colourful past
Rob explained that in 80 the club set off for the Blackpool rally, and at a roundabout near York a biker forced one of the scooters off the road. “The machine left the road and ended up on the embankment. However, keen not to miss the rally, rider Mark Wade blagged a lift to the event,” said Rob. “That wasn’t all. Further into the journey, whilst filling up at an all-night garage and leant over with a cigarette lighter to see what I was doing... BOOM!” he grinned. “During those days, I suppose we were like a lot of other clubs; sleeping in hedges, laybys, back-up vans and even sand dunes!”
The infamous Keswick rally of 81 was memorable for all the wrong reasons. “The club left in the early hours on the Sunday with fellow scooterists aiming kicks at their scooters whilst lobbing bricks at the local police as they left! However, we have better memories of the journey to Colwyn Bay where, due to a downpour, the visibility was zero so we couldn’t continue. With this in mind, we set up our tents in the dark and rising in the morning, we realised we were in someone’s back garden!”
If anyone has memories of the ‘Carry on Kemping’ rallies, these were arranged by the Eastfield Scooter Club, with the last one being attended by over 1000 scooterists.”
The club does more than its bit for charity. Each year it organises a local egg run to Scarborough Hospital’s children’s ward, which brings a smile to many a child’s face. Throughout the years, to name just a few, the club has also supported other local charities such as St Catherine’s and Macmillan. To celebrate the club’s 40th anniversary they are having a do, which everyone’s invited to. “The event is being held on September 21, 2019 at the Cayton Playing Fields Association and is on from 1pm until 1am. The venue is the home of our local cricket club, who have been kind enough to offer us ample space for free. That’s right, free camping and free entry! Throughout the day there will be a live band, soul DJs, a ridden custom show with trophies, a raffle, food and a warm welcome to all! It’s going to be a special day and being a couple of miles down the road from Scarborough town centre, it’ll be a great centrepiece to a top weekend!” Words: Stu Smith and Richard Linstead Photos: Eastfield SC