Lawride 2011
6-7 August 2011
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Perhaps it’s just that I am getting older but time does seem to fly by and it’s time for Lawride again. Of the Knights events throughout the year, this is definately one to experience, at least once. Then you can’t help coming back again.
This year saw myself, Cookie, Pete the Pres’, John Rooke, John Rolfe and Brendan B heading to Stafford to keep England XIVs end up! New member Graham Leggatt was to join us but family illness sidelined him at the last moment. Maybe next time Graham.
Brendan, John Rolfe and Pete L joined myself at Exeter Services off the M5 at 1145 Saturday morning, the 6th before riding up to find Cookie at Gordano Services, Bristol, somewhat later than the 1300 planned, due to three lanes of crawling traffic! Damned holidaymakers. Didn’t they know we had a rendezvous? Filtering, with panniers, certainly requires a high degree of concentration. John had been waiting for a while but was patient whilst a reviving coffee was consumed. The weather was kind also.
Then off along the M4 to the A46 junction, Tormarton, to meet John Rooke. The merry band of brothers then set off on the now familiar route North on the A46, then A433 passing Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, Cirencester, then A429, stopping for a coffee at The Old Prison café, Fossebridge, as has become customary, Stow, and Moreton in Marsh before leaving the decent roads and pretty villages for the M40, M42 and M6 for the last, faster leg to our overnight accommodation at the familiar Spitfire Premier Inn at Stafford, as recommended by Lenny Henry, very conveniently located for the next days starting point. The rooms are a decent size, very smart, with a pub/restaurant a few steps away, which was patronised that evening, after a shower and change, just to be sociable you understand!. I can heartily recommend the Lamb Shank!
The following morning was fine but a little rain had fallen overnight, to be wiped off bike seats. After a hearty breakfast it was off to the Staffs Police HQ, 15 mins down the road, where we were the first bikes to arrive soon after 0830. That situation was soon to change as many more began to pour in, from Chapters far and wide, including Belgium, allowing friendships to be renewed. We were also joined by Amanda and daughter Holly, who were to ride with us to the Arboretum. We were relieved to see the Staffs Police motorcycle section present as rumours of their demise had made us wonder if the escorted ride was coming to an end. Thankfully not. The weather forecast had not sounded too promising but blue sky and sun persisted as the ride commenced at about 1015. Escorted by the Traffic BMWs, enabling us to ignore traffic lights, roundabouts and junctions, maintaining a constant rate the impressively large precession of bikes travelled through numerous villages to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, for 1100. It always feels special to be part of that ride and on arrival to see the assembled ranks of Chief Officers and Survivors to greet us. Marvellous.
Just time to park and shed helmets before assembly in the smart marquee for the Annual Service of Remembrance.
This years service followed a familiar and emotional format, commencing with a welcome from Sue Brace, COPS National President, presentation of a Volunteer of the Year award, Dedication to Pc Chris Dent, address by National Police Chaplain David Wilbraham (who had attended on his own motorcycle – pity he didn’t join the ride in), the impressive wreath laying ceremony by the now huge collection of Chief Officers and representatives of Police related organisations (it wasn’t always so) our own Cookie laying the wreath from The Blue Knights, a minutes silence ended with the release of white doves and a closing address from David Whatton QPM, CC Cheshire. The programme was punctuated by the reading of two poems, by the son and wife of deceased officers and two poignant, relevant songs by regular participant and beautiful singer Diane Whylie. Preceeded and ended by music from the Notts Police Pipe Band and the West Mids Police Band it had been another moving ceremony, which all will remember. No wonder we keep coming back.
The sun kept shining whilst we were all then able to wander as we wished, some searching out their Forces or ex-Forces trees, or those dedicated to specific fallen Officers, on “The Beat”, where wreaths were laid. No fly-past by the helicopter this time, which has been impressive in the past, perhaps due to Health and Safety issues or just monetary constraints. A sign of the changing times.
Participants began to drift away but England XIVs thoughts turned to our stomachs again! We adjourned to the restaurant for a sustaining carvery before our departure, as dark clouds gathered.
I was to lead away, using my Sat-Nav to begin the return journey for the group. It was a mystery to all, including its owner that it ignored any signs for the motorway we thought we were heading for and took us on a very obscure route around back lanes and residential estates before we eventually reached a motorway. I’m sure it knew what it was doing! We only encountered a slight shower soon after departure but immediately after our comfort stop at Michael Wood Services on the M5 the heavens opened! We stayed a little longer than we might have done, until it cleared which suited me as I was shattered, for some reason! Cookie left us at Weston, Rookie at Bridgwater (I think I’m right John – I was getting pretty knackered by then!) Pete L at the North Devon Link Road, leaving Brendan to peel off towards Plymouth on the A38 whilst John Rolfe and I turned towards Torbay on the A380. It poured for the last bit (at least for me) but it was too late to matter much by then.
Thanks for a great weekend chaps ( and chappesses – Amanda and Holly!). Good event, company and riding. What more can you ask?
Looking forward to next time.
Pat Sturman
Chapter Editor
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