6^th December - Blackpool MAG AGM.

New rep Daz voted in. Also new secretary, Auntie Bryony voted in. Decision made to set up a rally committee. Tried very hard to not get involved but ended up getting made chairman! Daz to set up a new web-site, which can now be viewed at www.blackpoolmag.co.uk The group are going from strength to strength with lots of enthusiasm, and good natured banter. It was decided to clear the local group funds by sending a cheque for £2k to regional funds, which then got bounced down to the “Fighting Fund”

10th December - Blackpool Toy Run

Although this was not a MAG organised event, NW MAG members were asked to marshal for a suggested donation of £50 to the fighting fund. We did marshal, but refused to accept the donation as all monies raised were going to a local children’s hospice, and it would have been like we were taking the cash from the hospice. A great day was had by all, apart from Father Christmas who got pulled by PC Plod on his way home for not wearing a helmet. On closer inspection our Santa had a legal lid, carefully disguised under his red cap, which was also the colour of PC Plods face by now!! Story to follow Mr M!!

16th December - Blackpool MAG Christmas Do !!

Fantastic night, really good atmosphere and loads of fun with all the usual silly games, etc. (Check the web-site for photos). Enough money raised to kick-start the Summer Rally, “Fun n Frolics on the Fylde-The Fird F’in Rally” 22^nd-24^th June 2007. (got to get the plug in!)

17th December - Red Rose Charity Run

Couldn’t make this myself as still clearing up after the Christmas party, but believe it went well with all donations going to the “Women’s Aid fight against Domestic Violence”

5th-7th January - G-MEX Show, Manchester

Helped out and organised the staffing of the MAG stall at the G-MEX Bike show. Got this pitch F.O.C. after negotiations with the events organisers and NW members distributing shed loads of literature promoting the event. Concerns were raised about the way the stall was managed. This was suppose to be a MAG NW event, promoting events and meetings around the region, but turned out to be yet another Yorkshire MAG road-show, having been taken over by National Stands. To be discussed at NC if time allows.

10th January - Fun n Frolics First Rally Committee Meeting

Tasks allocated and basic plan of attack in place. These meetings to be held once a month until the rally “Fun n Frolics on the Fylde-The Fird F’in Rally” 22^nd-24^th June 2007. (got to get the 2^nd plug in!)

23rd January - Multi Agency Steering Group for RiDE motorcycle intervention course

Had to blag off work to attend this meeting held at Chorley. The RiDE scheme has been a Lancashire Project offering an alternative to the speed awareness course for PTW riders, committing section 3 offences (due care, endangering other road users etc). I have been involved with this scheme and have been a guinea pig on one of the pilot courses. The scheme was to be adopted nationally, but it has come to light that there has been another scheme developed in Devon & Cornwall along the same lines, but purely theory, whereas the RiDE scheme is a mixture of both classroom and practical. ACPO only want one national scheme, and so this multi agency meeting was to determine how the two courses could be merged. Agreement reached, too much info to report here, but can provide if interested? Lancashire LAA (Local Area Agreement) has put forward a budget of £60k over the next 2 years to fund this !!

26-28^th January Moddey-Dhoo Christmas Party

Invited over to the Moddey Dhoo Christmas Party. The Moddeys are by far the Isle of Mann’s biggest Motorcycle Club. They really looked after us all, and we were really made to feel at home. I am hoping to be able to assist one of their members, Andy Scullard, arrange a bike show during the TT’s at Laxey on the Thursday afternoon of race week, although I am now going to have to alter my ferry crossings to accommodate. It will be a free show for all local and visiting bike clubs to attend. Could you please spread the word to any clubs you may know who will be over for the TT, and ask them to get in touch with me, and I can pass on the details to Andy? This is also being supported by Laxey Traders' Association and Laxey Commissioners.

I am also trying to get the Moddey Dhoo to become MAG affiliated, but I may have a bit of competition on my hands, as a certain back patch club who turned up in force on the night of the party, may have other plans for the Moddeys??

30^th January – RideSafe BackSafe Forum Meeting

Still involved with this initiative in Lancashire which is being funded by Lancashire LAA to reduce motorcycle fatalities in the region. We were all introduced to Chief Inspector John Donnelly, who has taken over from Chief Inspector Tracie O’Gara as Lancashire Head of Road Policing. Topics for discussion involved reduced VAT on CE approved Motorcycle clothing, and the DfT’s proposal to put a web-site together with information on the subject of suitable approved clothing. Discussion with Steve Edwards with regard to the KillSpills campaign this year, which is to centre around a world record attempt at Donnington race track, the weekend of 26-27^th May. Unfortunately, I will be departing for the IOM TT’s so will not be able to get personally involved in the event, but will help Steve to promote it wherever possible.

First RSBS event of this year is to be held at Fairhaven Lake, Lytham-St-Annes on Sunday 15^th April, comprising of trade stalls, stunt shows, rider skill competitions etc. NW MAG have been given free stall space at this event, but I will be winding my way back from a drunken post-AGC party, so will have to leave the responsibility to someone else to get the stall set up, but will be there to help out.

Other events over the last couple of months has been the usual club meetings and social gatherings. Ian Philips, who is known to many of you, has been in touch wanting to know what MAG is doing about helping out with the Wirral Egg Run this year, which promises to be bigger that ever. It has got it’s official status back this year, having been run “unofficially for the past two years, as the Police tried to prevent it happening, due to safety, and financial concerns. I have told Ian that I will try and spread the word and get as many NW members to help out with the marshalling duties, but once again, unfortunately I have prior arrangements as it is my MCC, Jester’s rock night on Saturday 31^st March, and I don’t think I will be in any fit state to marshal on the Sunday, 1^st April.

See you all at the weekend.

Tony Cox

NW Representative

Motorcycle Action Group

“Let the Rider Decide”