New club for vintage motor cycle fans (From Northwich Guardian)

New club for vintage motor cycle fans

11:00am Monday 20th August 2012 in News By Gina Bebbington

A FELLOWSHIP of vintage vehicle enthusiasts is being formed in mid Cheshire.

The Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) was established in the UK in 1946, with Cheshire a part of the huge Cheshire and North Wales section, stretching from Carnarvon to Macclesfield.

Mid Cheshire members, who found they had to travel long distances for monthly meetings, decided they needed a more local section and have started gathering at The Salt Barge, in Marston.

The group held their first official meeting on Thursday, attracting 20 members.

Phil Green, one of the founders, said: “There’s a big gap in the middle of Cheshire where there wasn’t any VMCC representation and we thought it’s about time we had some.

“We contacted the north west rep and he said he was surprised no-one’s thought of it before so we’ve got a lot of support.”

He added: “Cheshire seems to be a hot bed for classic stuff – cars, bikes, steam rollers, traction engines and commercial vehicles.

“And we’re right in the middle for all the runs that we do – there’s north Staffordshire, Wales, the Peak District National Park, the Lake District – because it’s not just about meeting up and talking about them, it’s about riding them too.”

The VMCC is for owners of classic motor cycles that are more than 25 years old.

Fellow club member Rob Moon owns a 1946 Gilera Nettuno, the 13th bike made my Gilera after the Second World War, which he brought back to life after it had been rusting away in a damp warehouse for 40 years.

He said: “These bikes need to be got out and ridden – every mile’s a smile.

“I’ve been a member of VMCC for about 20 years and it’s good because it’s about a common cause – members are all dedicated to motorbikes and are all wonderful people.”

The new Cheshire section is currently establishing a calendar of events both locally and nationally, including shows and rides out, to appeal to as wide a range of bikes and enthusiasts as possible.

Informal meetings will be held at The Salt Barge, in Ollershaw Lane, fromm 7.30pm on the third Thursday of each month.

VMCC members and classic bike enthusiasts are welcome.

For more information ring Phil Green on 01477 534346, Stephen Herbert on 01606 888972 or Paul Knight on 01606 852995.

• A classic motorbike night will be held at The Leigh Arms pub and restaurant from 5pm on Friday, August 31.

Bikes will be on display and refreshments will be available.

For more information ring Howard Gill on 01606 76675.

• The next run will be the Goostrey Road Safety Run, leaving Goostrey Village Hall at 11am on September 2.