The Stratford Festival of Motoring 5th and 6th May 2013.
The inaugural Stratford Festival of Motoring was held on the Bank Holiday week-end of the 5th and 6th May and enjoyed the best weather that one could have wished for. The runs on both days started from the car park at the Stratford Leisure Centre and finished with the bikes parked on display around the American Fountain in Rother Street. The glorious sunshine brought thousands of visitors to the town to look around the cars and of course, our motorbikes.
On the Sunday the bikes left Stratford at 10.00am on a 46 mile run to the south of the town. The route taken was over quiet roads through beautiful countryside and some of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds. Unfortunately Graham Hallard had a non-scheduled stop due to a fuel leak with his 1926 Ner-a-Car but, after a temporary roadside repair (with plenty of advice offered) he diverted to Geoff Parr’s home in Mickleton for a more permanent fix and much needed refreshment! He was later joined by Pete Brown and David Payne, all enjoyed Geoff’s hospitality before heading to the finish. Special thanks to Geoff Parr and his wife Jo.
The Monday route was slightly shorter, 42 miles, through the villages north of Stratford. Paul Preston had a problem with his 1941 Indian 12 miles into the run, so after a brief stop and some adjustments he decided to head home. The other bikes continued to the finish and created a lot of interest with the visitors. Due to the huge interest in the Festival the roads leading into Stratford were solid with traffic, although the roads for the runs had been quiet and relatively free of vehicles. Leaving Stratford for the return home after the event caused no problems although cars were still queuing to get into the town.
The photo’s (courtesy of Simon Dudfield) are of the bikes parked by the American Fountain on the Bank Holiday Monday.
The Festival was a resounding success and hopefully next year there will be more bikers participating.
Our thanks go to David Payne for setting the Sunday route and organising the bikes.