PW_4_2021

Spotlight on the SIGs

A Weekend in Harrogate Roy Edwards , Leicestershire Branch & Motorcycle SIG

The ladies went shopping

Out for dinner

July saw the Motorcycle SIG’s first major outing of 2021, when 26 members took up residence at St Andrews Police Rehabilitation Centre, in Harrogate. Originally the accommodation had been booked for our AGM, which unfortunately had to be cancelled twice through Covid, so eventually it became a social weekend instead. M embers arrived Friday afternoon , and enjoyed a socially distanced dinner at an Italian restaurant in Harrogate. Saturday morning began with breakfast at the centre, followed by a 160 mile ride around the Yorkshire countryside, led by group secretary Stuart McMillan, who also organised the whole event.

We enjoyed a fantastic two days. Apart from a couple of heavy showers, the weather had been kind to us, the accommodation at the centre was first class and our visits into Harrogate very enjoyable. We even managed to recruit a new member of the centre staff into the SIG. Anyone looking to spend a weekend in Harrogate would be well advised to use St Andrews for their accommodation, since it is first class and very inexpensive. There is ample free parking on site and the town centre is only a short walk into town. The B&B custom also provides them with a valuable income to continue helping our colleagues recover from illness & injury.

Several of the ladies decided not to join the ride, and instead took a shopping trip into Harrogate. Our Saturday evening dinner was at a small Indian restaurant, also in the town. After breakfast on Sunday, we said goodbye and departed for our homes, which are spread all over the country.

The Motorcycle SIG visit Bomber Command

August saw seven members of the Motorcycle SIG on the move again, this time to Lincoln, originally to visit the British Superbike Meeting at Cadwell Park, however, as often happens in this country the weather had other ideas and the visit to the Superbikes was abandoned for a wet weather alternative. S o, Saturday saw us walk across the road from the hotel to the Bomber Command HQ memorial building and exhibition, built in remembrance of the 55,205 aircrew lost in WWII. It is an interesting, but sad history of the huge sacrifice made by incredibly young men in defence of our country. Also incorporated into our visit was a guided tour of the Garden of Remembrance and the huge tower edifice, the height of which matches the wingspan of a Lancaster bomber. Also listed there are the names of all the crews who gave their lives for us. It was very moving.

POLICE WORLD Vol 66 No.4, 2021

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