A Triumph of Bikers

Both of our big marquees had been erected the previous day, with a certain amount of guesswork in their positioning and, with the help of our two wonderful ladies in the NABD office, we had spent the latter half of that previous day contacting everybody involved in the supply and setting‐up of the infrastructure to give them the details of the new site.

Other NABD committee members had been down to the site putting‐up diversion signs to lead people from the old entrance (and published postcode) to the new one, and a couple of stalwarts had even volunteered to camp at the site that previous night to catch any early traders before I got there at 7:00am to show them where to set‐up.

I can honestly say I was really not looking forward to what would surely prove to be a weekend of stumbling from one major calamity to another. However, despite my 28 years of experience in organising and running large NABD events, I had become so daunted by the task in front of us that I had failed to factor‐in the outstanding quality of the people who volunteer to marshal at NABD events.

As I expected, we did face all sorts of problems and difficulties during the setting‐up of the event infrastructure, and there were many more embuggerments waiting for us once the event was open to the public, but each problem was dealt with in very timely fashion and I can honestly say that, due to some heroic people going well above and beyond the call of duty, the event itself went fantastically well.

The feedback we have had from many of those who attended the rally has been overwhelmingly positive and many people even expressed a definite preference for the new site over the old one. (Which is just as well, because a ploughed field can take ten‐years to become fit for event use again!)

volunteers who worked so hard to make the event such a success this year. They proved to be a very timely reminder of the outstanding quality of the people we have supporting the NABD and I was left feeling very humbled by their tireless efforts and indomitable good humour in the face of some extreme challenges.

Many of our marshals and key personnel are people with disabilities and none of them have ever received any payment for their valiant efforts at NABD events.

When we finally sat down together for a drink on the Sunday evening, after a very arduous day of litter‐picking and dismantling equipment, I can honestly say I have never been more proud to be a biker amongst bikers! Rick Hulse

The Showground directors and the local residents also expressed their admiration for our handling of the event and we have already booked the site again for next year (You’ve Been Nabbed 29: May 8th‐10th 2020).

I salute each and every one of those PS. It is worth noting that the Friday of the You’ve Been Nabbed 29 rally (8th May 2020) is a special Bank Holiday to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day commemorations, which also explains why the Theme for this year’s event is World War 2.

Several years ago, I had the privilege of taking on the role of Chairman of the International Laverda Owners Club (ILOC). The club was formed in 1973 and its purpose is to promote the Laverda brand. Stepping into such a position, I was somewhat surprised to find out that we did not have a nominated charity who would benefit from any money raising activities that we undertook.

Fast forward to the Stafford Bike Show in October 2017, when I happened to bump into a very lovely lady called Penny Bee. She was on the NABD stand with a very nice trike that had caught my eye. Several moments later, I was deep in conversation with Penny and intrigued to know more about her fabulous trike. She went on to explain how she had been desperate to find a solution to overcome her particular issues and how NABD had helped her to find a solution that was right for her. My interest had been well and truly captured!

Following on from the meeting with Penny and some of the NABD representatives, I decided to make a proposal to the club that any future events should support NABD. This proposal was wholeheartedly endorsed and our fundraising efforts began in earnest!

For the past three years, we have raised funds for NABD in various ways. However, by far the most successful has been at our annual rally which takes place near Hay on Wye in Herefordshire. Generally speaking, we raise between three and four hundred pounds at these rallies. The club then matches the funds raised which means that we are normally able to hand over a cheque for something in the region of £750.00. We usually try and do some sort of formal cheque presentation at the October Stafford Show, as can be seen by the photos. (NABD Rep Sue Bocking accepting a cheque from Mark for £750 ‐ Vic)