PW_1_2024

Spotlight on the SIGS

Section UK Motorcycle SIG Paul Firth, Chairman, Section UK Motorcycle Group

We all have our personal reasons for joining the IPA, it could be for professional development or getting to know other people who have got similar interests, but why a special interest group? F or me, personally it was about enjoying a number of things that I’m passionate about. The first is travel in general, the second, meeting new people and keeping in touch with old friends. In my case though, the main driver was, of course, riding my motorcycle. I have been riding bikes since I was 16, only for fun, never whilst I was in policing. For me, it’s always been my escape, and the way I reduce my stress of daily life. Finding out that there were many others who felt the same, was like joining a club that I’d already been in for 35 years. The benefits of being part of our group, is that we get to do what we enjoy most, we get to do that with friends, and we get to share the experience with family. Our group is as much about enjoying the experiences together, as it is about simply riding the bike. From a quick meet up for coffee with anyone that may be free, to organised weekends where we explore new places,

both on and off the bike, there is something on most weeks during the riding season. We also attend events in Europe, joining in a huge European MC SIG, but also short touring holidays, where one of us will pick a time and location and simply say, ‘meet you there?’ Our AGM has taken us to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, with our meeting forming part of a weekend break. Recently we concluded 18 months of planning, and successfully held our second International Rally, with 80 members attending the Hand Hotel in Llangollen, North Wales, a third of our numbers being from Europe. So, if you’re interested, get in touch and we’ll urge you to come along, enjoy the Craic and ride your bike.

If you’re not sure about where to go, how to get there, or what you might need to travel abroad on a motorcycle, all of this, our little group will help you with. We are very informal, there are no strict rules and regulations about how many times you need to attend events or indeed, how to get to any event that you particularly want to join in. We make it as easy and informal as possible.

Bikes, Scones and a Good Turn Roy Edwards, Section UK Motorcycles SIG O n what turned out to be a lovely Autumn day , 14 members & friends of the IPA Motorcycle Group turned up at our house to enjoy a variety of about 48 scones, tea and coffee, made that morning by my little mate Chris. Thanks to their huge generosity, and a couple of items I had sold on line, we collected over £200 for Rainbow Children’s Hospice, a local organisation whose title explains the tremendous work they do in our area. Thank you one and all.

POLICE WORLD Vol 69 No.1, 2024

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