Hamstreet Velocette meet

The Monday of May Day bank holiday (May 2) has long been established as a celebration of motorcycling in the south east of the country. The seaside resort of Hastings attracts thousands of riders, mainly on modern bikes.

Yet some miles away, in the Kent countryside, the Velocette Owners take things at a more genteel pace. Focal point is the Hamstreet village hall.

This year’s gathering simply continued a long club tradition of time and place. Hamstreet is among a network of roads offering pleasant scenic riding so that’s a good enough reason for many to attend.

As well as a wide selection of Hall Green’s finest, equally welcome was a mix of mainly classic and vintage bikes. Kindly weather, refreshments on offer and even a few jumble stalls to browse (all proceeds in aid of the county’s air ambulance)– it was all rather enjoyable.

Dave Fox with a Mk.VIII KTT. Buying a garage clear-out started the project, a second job-lot helped considerably and it was finished thanks to a couple of lucky breaks in tracking down the remaining missing parts. Above: The seminal MAC, Velocette’s stalwart model, this example is coming up for seven decades old. Right: Ariel NH was one of many well-travelled machines at Hamstreet. The front mudguard is adorned with stickers from Ariel annual rallies, distant in both time and miles.