GoldWings gather for the Annual Toy Run into Manchester
Being grounded still, I was unable to attend last Saturday’s Toy Run in person, but there was a decent turn out of GoldWings, among many, many other bikes.
And it was by all accounts a successful event, in spite of withdrawal of Police assistance and some messing about of the organisers about the route they would be allowed to use.
There is a write up of the Event on Dave Turvey’s Blog and there are some interesting comments about the unhelpfulness of the Police on the GoldWings North West Website.
It would appear that despite three Police cars and two bikes being available to spend two hours accepting Salvation Army hospitality before the run started, Police assistance for this annual Charity Event had already been refused this year on the grounds of insufficient resources. Police were nevertheless on hand as the Parade started to stop and book the lead bike for looking a bit too much like the real thing for their taste.
There is an unfortunate pattern developing of Police Forces in various parts of the Country being unhelpful to biking charity events during this past year and it might be spreading. The problems we had at this year’s Blackpool Light Parade were due to a Police error of communication and should not recur next year – and they did not (despite misinformation to the contrary) result in any prosecutions. Nevertheless it did disrupt our Parade unnecessarily and we could have done without it.
There was a mass “re-occupation” of North Wales by bikers this year in protest at what has been pretty blatant picking-on of bikers for nit-picking routine stops to discourage then from riding in that area. MCN are currently running another campaign for nominations for a Police Plonker of the Year Award. Bikers can if necessary organise themselves very effectively to protest.
Hopefully someone somewhere at a senior level in Greater Manchester Police will realise that a charity run of this sort, organised well and run safely at a moderate speed is something the Police should be supporting as best they can rather than disrupting it to prosecute a minor technical Construction & Use offence which, in the circumstances, had road safety value rather than presenting any significant risk or nuisance to anyone.
I wonder if these events are becoming a victim of their own success?
Numbers go up each year as events get more popular and maybe harder to police without a huge number of police so they would rather withdraw their support.
Maybe motorbike groups need to meet together and talk of a way forward with the police. This years run to the wall went well without a big police presence, but did the police expect so many bikers to turn out? But then again the reasons behind that paticular event I suppose would cause a public outcry if not allowed to go ahead. Scarborough Light parade had gone well this year, mind you its still a newish event so maybe the yorkshire police were not aware of how many goldwings would turn up, lets hope the yorshire police service dont get together with other forces to see what they are doing, if they do maybe that could bring problems in the coming year too.
It saddens me that when bikers try to show their caring side that we start to get knocked back
A developing culture of what I call Blame Avoidance seems to me to be an important factor too; the Police, both individually and institutionally, seem to be obsessed with not being blamed if something goes wrong. So they don’t want to be responsible for marshalling in case it goes wrong in case anyone complains or sues. And as this Toy Run has shown, nor can they leave people alone to do it themselves, even though they are doing it safely and responsibly.
This email was sent to the Riders who registered their email addresses at the Toy Run ….
Dear Bikers
On behalf of everyone at The Salvation Army Central North Division may I say a very sincere word of thanks to all who participated in the 2009 Toy Run Appeal. It was a magnificent display of around 600 bikers arriving at the Trafford Centre with your generous gifts of toys and financial donations enabling children across the region to have a happier Christmas.
The toys are currently being allocated to many Salvation Army centres across the North West and the total monies raised to date is in the region of £3,000.
Our heartfelt thanks to all who made the day possible and successful.
Kind regards and may your own Christmas be happy and peaceful.
Yvonne Field
So although the police indifference was there let’s remember what the event was for and how successful it was for the children of the North West who need it most!
We were left stunned by the police action – taking the free tea and coffee and then summonsing the guy who wants to help!! Lost for words….. One point, nobody was at the Trafford Centre to tell us where to go but this is only a minor point, for the future. It was a great turnout by the biking circles – and to support something worthwhile. What next – no parades because the police cannot be bothered! A mass demonstration would not work because it would be negative but something needs doing and FAST!
It only needs someone to float the idea……the Federation, perhaps?
I’m up for it, as I’m fed up of bikers still being regarded with 1950′s attitudes, that we’re all greasy, long-haired (sorry Bill!) troublemakers.
French bikers have a history of not being trodden on like us, so perhaps it’s time to follow suit. Vive la Difference!
What type of action would be appropiate??
I don’t really want the Blog to become a Forum, of which there are several available to Wingers who want further discussion, so I think it’s time to call a halt to further Comments on this Article.
[...] Police Harassment at the Manchester Salvation Army Toy Run December 10th, 2009 | Posted in Events, Road Policing | 6 Comments » 6 Responses [...]
Hi guys n gals,
Myself and a few other pals who attend the Salvation Army Toy Runs on a regulars basis also did the Wirral Egg Run this year and this one is a credit to everyone who organises it. It starts off at Coastal Road Brighten and travels some 23 miles through towns and villages to Clatterbridge and takes about 2hours. All the roads are blocked for the bikers, every man and his dog turns out, anyone who resembles a police person is there inc Traffic Wardens and PCSOs to stop the traffic. In fact I think people come out and get stuck in the traffic just to show their support. All the locals turn out at the side of the road and cheer us on, so much so Brighten was awash with a sea of bikers. I reckon at least 12.000 maybe more. even the Lady Mayor was at the front dressed as catwoman in black leather one piece suit on a VFR. now this is what I call a fund raiser – and it shows our local Plod up for the fools that they are.
Maybe now that the new Coalition are in and the speed camera funding is being withdrawn the GMP cops will have to work for a living instead of sponging off the Sally Army Snack Van at the Showcase. Maybe we should ask Andy Roughley to come and join us and help out with self marshalling the Event this year as they did on their toy run to Francis House in December 2009, when the cops turned up at the last moment. Or even take our Sally Army Meeting Up Point to the Harley Centre in Stockport through to the Trafford Centre. Simple solutions to your impossible problems! TTFN.
I feel pretty sure that one way and another GMP got the message that they disappointed a lot of people, so hopefully the Organisers of the next Sally Army Toy Run in Manchester will get better cooperation, wherever they decide to start from and ride to.
Updating my earlier comment – I have just received an email from the Salvation Army saying that negotiations are on track with GMP for them to escort the Toy Run this year, so it looks as though we’re in business. Hopefully we will get an escorted route through the City Centre this time, to help raise awareness with the citizens of Manchester. All the best from Derek and see you all there on the day, whatever the weather!