laird387 Posted April 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 Hi, Gordon Blakeway, who rode for several works teams, primarily Ariel and Triumph, was a market gardener from Darlington who sold his business and bought an estate in the north-west highlands of Scotland, at Strontian. The main house was not derelict - but needed significant refurbishment before it opened as Kilcamb Lodge. Gordon and his late wife, built up a magnificent country hunting lodge hotel and restaurant - which they ran very successfully until his wife lost her fight with cancer and Gordon decided to sell up and move back to his Yorkshire roots in the family holiday cottage on the coast. Whilst he was still living in Scotland Gordon made a trip back to Yorkshire, where his mate Arthur lent him his Scottish winning BSA C15T and said; "Off you go, lad, you're riding n the Ilkley Reunion - where we saw him at the start. Enjoy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted April 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2014 Hi, Someone who used to work for a major manufacturer - then decided to use his specialist knowledge to assist the sport he enjoyed, Norman Blakemore (NJB Shocks) lets you know what he is thinking: "They think I can get up there........" Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted April 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Hi, Long time member of South Birmingham MC - active and helpful member of many A-CU committees and equally active motorcyclist - Tim Fairbrother, seen making minor en route adjustments to the BSA Gold Star. Enjoy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted May 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Hi, A prolific author and photographer, who started his photography on a Fleet-street newspaper, and a regular contributor to Offroad Review, Don Morley, seen in action on his Greeves Anglian in an early 1990s Tour of Islwyn. Enjoy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Hi, And another image looking for its rightful home in the filing system - obviously it's Nigel Birkett, but where and when? Also which machine is he riding? Over to you, brigade of sleuths........... Photo; Barry Robinson, enjoy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted June 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Hi, Definitely confirming their presence in this 'personalities' section are current riders Robin and Karen Luscombe, seen with their sidecar outfit by Barry Robinson in the Gerald Simpson Memorial trial in 1988 and solo Robin riding in the 2014 Scottish Pre-65 photographed by Jack Knoops. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted June 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Hi, Popped amongst the personalities is this relatively modern contender, none other than Nigel Birkett, who, if cameras are to be believed, has found more excruciating ways of getting off a trials motorcycle than nearly everybody else. Spotted by Barry Robinson in the 1983 world round held at Bainbridge. Enjoy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted June 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Hi, Definitely rated very highly on my own personal list of personalities who have benefitted the sport is a genius photographer, who has that certain knack - or pure talent - of knowing just when to activate the shutter to create an image of maximum impact. His images, over the years, have graced many publications - sadly not always fully appreciated by the management of some of them - but always truly appreciated by the public who marvel at his prints. Spotted by Barry Robinson resting momentarily on 'Surrender' in the Scott, Eric Kitchen. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) Hi, If you are one of that happy breed that have found that Pre-65 trialling can give you a "second bite of the cherry", as it were, in your favoured sport of trialling then you should pay your respects to this man, the late Dennis Bridges, active member in just about every role in the Stratford-upon-Avon club, seen enjoying a day of sport on his Norton. The significance of Dennis to the sport? It was on a cold, wet day in the Forest of Dean, riding in the Wyegate Trial, that Dennis, Howard Midgley and yours truly, discussed the possibility of creating more old style trials for our older bikes. Dennis and Howard both offered, on the spot, to arrange a suitable event if I would publicise it and get enough riders together through my column in T+MX. Dennis offered to take the Union Jack trial back out on the roads and Howard said he would create the West Riding Trial. I knew that my plans for the Arbuthnot were well on the way, so we made the effort and created the British Bike Championship, which became the Sammy Miller series that I organised for the first ten years of its existence. We were supported by hundreds of enthusiasts and the new sport had begun.......... There is a follow-up which adds to the value of the sport. That Norton is now being ridden by Dennis' son Nick Bridges - so is still around in the sections - how many modern bikes would you expect to say the same???????? Edited June 30, 2014 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted July 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 Hi, It is 1960 and a lithe young Barry Robinson, not long out of his National Service in the RAF, has loaded his 250cc Velocette scrambler on the trailer watched by Eric Rathmell in the background and Eric's two young sons, Malcolm Charles on the right and Gerald. Enjoy. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducman Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 Hi, And another image looking for its rightful home in the filing system - obviously it's Nigel Birkett, but where and when? Also which machine is he riding? Over to you, brigade of sleuths........... Photo; Barry Robinson, enjoy. Deryk, this is defenetly a Montesa he is on. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted July 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Hi, Spotted relaxing at the Blue Bar trial in 2012, l to r, Richard Thorpe, Peter Gaunt and Alan Wright having a natter! PHOTO: BARRY ROBINSON Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted July 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) Hi, The Bradford Club team pictured at the Start of a Team Trial in the early 1950's. L to R, Tom Ellis, Maurice Rispin, Geoff Broadbent, Dick Wilkinson (Bill and Mick's Dad) on his works Panther Stroud, W A J (Wodge) Milner long time Yorkshire Centre A-CU officer and Alec (?) Rawnsley. Enjoy. Edited August 3, 2014 by laird387 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted July 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) Hi, Ron Goodfellow, co-founder of the Saracen motorcycle company with Frank Underwood, spotted riding his own personal Saracen, powered by an Enfield India 'lump' in the 1992 Tour of Islwyn. Sadly both the Saracen concern and the Tour of Islwyn are now defunct - but that's the way of the world. I was due to tell the Saracen story in Issue 3 of the new magazine, but a technical glitch stopped that plan - but, Saracen enthusiasts, fear not, I have now resolved the technicality and the Saracen story is firmly imprinted in Issue 4, which is well under way. Photographed by Mary Wylde, enjoy Edited August 3, 2014 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted August 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) Hi, That much travelled Silsden trials caterer Nick (Monsieur) Midgley took a break from serving bacon butties and headed for France and the village of Sardent with his wife, and minder, Susan. The other item that went on hols was Nick's trusty 250 TY Yamaha. Somehow an entry was gained for the French Four Day Trial for the 'Onion King'. Just a walk in the park for Nick. How about two laps and 67 km on day one, a further 70 km on day two and three and a finale of 60 km and two laps on the fourth. Sustained by good food and even better liquid beverages the old boy completed the course but the shock was coming up at the awards when Monsieur Nick was called to receive a trophy as the best Historical Machine class. It rather shaded son Richard's SSDT award. Ask Nick about his French sortie and he will go on for hours............. Report and photo: Barry Robinson Edited August 2, 2014 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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