PRINCE CHARLES lowered the starting flag on Llandovery’s first Motorbike Weekend, which aims to build on the town’s reputation as bikers’ day trip destination – and which could be the start of a new Llandovery tradition.
Organisers Lt Col Jonah MacGill and Mrs Sue MacGill poured months of effort into the weekend, and were delighted a couple of days before Friday’s royal opening (Jul 8) when the Big Lottery Fund announced a grant of £3,880 towards venue fees, safety equipment, the sound system, hire of tables and toilets, licensing and publicity.
Sue MacGill said the weekend’s main aims were to encourage bikers to stay longer in the Llandovery area, to raise road safety awareness, and to support Prime Cymru, one of Prince Charles’s charities.
Prime Cymru, which is headquartered in Llandovery, helps the over-50s into employment or self- employment. Lunch in the Castle Hotel on Friday was a fund-raiser for Prime Cymru.
Carmarthenshire County Council had a big presence at the launch, focussed on safer motorbiking.
Stephen Pilliner, the council’s Head of Transport, said that in 2015, 17 fatal and serious injury accidents in the county involved motorcycles. Council Chairman Eryl Morgan, from Llanelli, Llandovery’s County Counillor Ivor Jackson, Executive Board Members including former leader Councillor Meryl Gravell, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr’s MP Jonathan Edwards, and Llandovery’s Mayor, Councillor David Long, were among the dignitaries presented to Prince Charles, who was escorted by the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, and the TV and radio presenter Sara Edwards.
Prince Charles met representatives of road safety, police and emergency services as well as motorcyclists taking part in the launch parade through the town, ranged behind Llandovery’s Helen Greenslade on her Boom trike from Germany, with Sarah the Sheep, mascot for September’s Sheep Festival, riding pillion.
Martin ‘Willis’ Williams from Llansadwrn, with passengers Caren and pet dog Betsy, brought along his rebuilt, originally homemade, bike with a Reliant 850 engine and ‘Crazy Horse’ cowboy and Indian embellishments.
From Llangadog, Mrs Leita Juster enthused fellow members of the Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club to come in numbers. There were Harley Davidsons, too. There were Triumphs – still made in the UK at two factories in Hinckley, Leicestershire, as well as in Thailand and Brazil – Hondas and many more, including vintage models.
Events moved inside Llandovery Mart on the Saturday due to heavy rain. “We are very grateful to auctioneers Clee Tompkinson and Francis for letting us use the mart free of charge,” said Jonah MacGill afterwards. “We had more than 50 motorbikes on display, and a ‘Biker Down’ first aid course, as well as cooking demonstrations by chef Roger Stevens interspersed with experts commenting on famous motorbike models.
“Malcolm Palmer of Teglan Design Associates, Cross Hands, helped us with sponsorship besides designing our logo and the glassware we presented to Prince Charles. Thanks are due to so many people for raffle prizes and for helping with the events.”
Proceeds from raffles on the Saturday will be split between the Royal British Legion and the Wales Air Ambulance.
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