Cancelled bike show organiser to take legal action

There's a protest run being organised to the Town

www.rag-cymu.co.uk

Posted: 19/05/2008 at 18:15

I was talking to Dai yesterday.

Steve Bennet doesn't want this to happen, and certainly not on his behalf.

The official line from WMS Ltd is that they would rather you went anywhere but Builth this weekend for 2 reasons.

Firstly, it will show the area exactly how much trade the shops, pubs and eateries will lose from the show's cancellation. Don't forget how important Stratford's opinion was in influencing the local council's decision on the Bulldog Bash.

Secondly, the organisers are concerned that the police will maintain a high presence in the area and this very presence may be perceived as inflammatory by visiting bikers. It would only take one minor incident for Dyfed-Powys police to be able to say "See, we were right all along..."<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Posted: 19/05/2008 at 23:27

..and Steve Bennet should know what he's talking about..

Hmm. I'm no organiser, but surely an organiser would figure it to be more on-message to change the itinery, run on the police HQ (not literally, but nearby,  though they would have to be able to deal with their vital business) instead of the running on the empty showground? Then maybe (or perhaps for an hour or two before) Cardiff Bay and Welsh Assembly building (probably empty, but good for instant media coverage)

 Just my $0.02's

Posted: 20/05/2008 at 09:12

Posted: 20/05/2008 at 09:26

Builth has allways been very freindly.

Weve had a stand a couple of times and camped on site with our german shepherds.

Never seen any trouble at all.

So there "might" have been trouble there, for christ sake.

What there was a rumour? Did a psychic have a vision? someone read tea leaves?

Probably best if we all just stay at home then all the time........

Posted: 20/05/2008 at 12:52

I have attended the Rally for over 6 years now and always enjoyed it due to the friendly  nature and total biker helping biker attitude shown by everyone . I have visited the town to see hundreds of trouble free funloving high spirited bikers having a whale of a time with no bad bone in anyones body .

      Even the local police who always turn up in the town are respected and cheered by the many in the town as they have always shown a great affection for fun loving people like us bikers and accept the roudy behaviour soon realising that there wil be no nasty occurences the most likely thing will be a burst beach ball or a loud laughing noise made by the bikers.

      It really is a very sad and negative attitude to take to cancel the rally going on previous experience and one seemingly or assumedly  borne out of a totally unrelated event some months prior in another part of the country .nobody has stated the exact reason though for this sudden late and out of character sweeping decision is anyone able to clarify the key decision making factor without bland smoke screen blanket statements that leave supposition and rumour to ripen and go paranoid like the decision makers in this unwarranted closure of this excellently well planned and organised highly professionally orchestrated rally.

     what a terrible shame that the brush tars everyone the same like it used to be back in the 70s when my exwife and I were told to leave our crash helmets and leather biker gear outside if we wanted to have a meal in many pubs across the country.

Posted: 20/05/2008 at 15:08

Ok , calling it a "Protest" is wrong (My mistake !) its a show of support for the Rally and people of Builth. Below is copied from the RAG-Cymru website.

OK guys, it is been noticed that many people are stating that this is a protest or demonstration.  This has to be clarified that it is not a protest or a demonstration.  This run is a peaceful support run to let the people of Builth Wells know that we are supporting them and to show Dyfed Powys police that they have no reason to close such a family orientated show where there is never any real problems.

Whatever the organisers of the Welsh International Motorcycle Shows believe, and this is private to them, they cannot show any public support for any convergance or demonstration.  We would not want to ask them or push them in any way for support, this will not be in their favour and I must stress that WE ARE NOT SPEAKING ON THEIR BEHALF. 

WMS Ltd will not have any presence at this run or will any of their representatives.  We did extent an invite, but it was politely refused.  Don’t forget they are about to embark on a legal action against the closure of the show, they do not need ANY reason for negative press.

We will be ringing the local counsillor to get her to let us know the best place to assemble where we will cause the least obstacle.  Bear in mind that there are many pubs in Builth and places to eat.  All the pubs serve a good range of soft drinks for driver and riders.

Posted: 20/05/2008 at 16:20

yambabe wrote (see)

I was talking to Dai yesterday.

Steve Bennet doesn't want this to happen, and certainly not on his behalf.

The official line from WMS Ltd is that they would rather you went anywhere but Builth this weekend for 2 reasons.

Firstly, it will show the area exactly how much trade the shops, pubs and eateries will lose from the show's cancellation. Don't forget how important Stratford's opinion was in influencing the local council's decision on the Bulldog Bash.

Secondly, the organisers are concerned that the police will maintain a high presence in the area and this very presence may be perceived as inflammatory by visiting bikers. It would only take one minor incident for Dyfed-Powys police to be able to say "See, we were right all along..."<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Posted: 20/05/2008 at 16:43

Another thing that has been mentioned on a couple of forums is that if people want to show support for the show the best way to do this would be to purchase some of the 2008 merchandise that has been prepared. There are badges, tshirts, patches etc that have all been made up and will need to be paid for.

If people would consider still buying them even though they can't go to the show (details will be up on the WMS website shortly) it may help their current somewhat dire financial situation.

Incidentally to the poster who said they had heard Anglesey was cancelled can I ask where you heard this? As it appears you have been told before the organisers!

Posted: 20/05/2008 at 19:54

Posted: 20/05/2008 at 20:39

I am sure that a significant amount of bikers (including myself) have booked and paid for accommodation in Builth for this weekend and I for one do not intend loosing my money so shall be turning up and hopefully meet up with everyone else to enjoy ourselves regardless.

Posted: 20/05/2008 at 21:18

Blobby_Wales wrote (see)

I have spoken to WMS and asked about buying anything they had to help and they said they had no 2008 merchandise as it was printed on site as they where needed. I was going to open a Ebay shop to sell it all for them

There will be enamel badges (purple ones I'm told) and sew-on patches available either tomorrow or Thurs, I'll post up details when I get them.

Tshirts should be available (as usual) through Far Canal who do indeed usually print alot of them on site, not sure what the details of that will be yet.

Posted: 20/05/2008 at 23:26

Steve has had all the transfers printed but is reluctant to have them pressed onto shirts as that costs money, there is not much point having them made if the show is cancelled, if he had hundreds of them already made that would be a different matter. Just the other day I asked him if I could buy two tee shirts so I could wear them on the run and he didn't have any to sell. I will be asking about badges etc today but I am sure he would have mentioned them.

 On a even sadder note, the Police are meeting with the Anglesea show ground today 21st May, we are all waiting with crossed fingers and toes.

Good luck Steve

Posted: 21/05/2008 at 12:58

Anglesey show lies in a different force area belonging to Brunstrom. Do you really believe the looney there will pass up the example shown by the hysterical, unprofessional Dyfed Powys force and allow the show to go ahead? Of course not! He will reallly enjoy clamping down on bikers and have a 'legitimate' excuse (or precedent in this case) to do so.

Please note that all this bother has neatly removed the publicicty over the 'resignation' of the Dyfed Powys' Chief Constable following the usual allegations of corruption and ethical mishaps that accompany the job.

Note that Bulldog is going ahead, an event organised by the very group that are supposed to be squaring up for violence. Additionally the Gower meet organised by a patch wearing club appears (so far) to be going ahead. Obviously South Wales force or any English force are far more capable than any plod in mid Wales.  

I've lost what little respect I had for this particular group of plod (and the showground owners) over their inability to police an event which never, ever, showed the amount of social unrest that you'd routinely see in any town centre after 9 on a Saturday night. What a bunch of big girls blouses they are.   

Posted: 22/05/2008 at 12:55

I cant beleive that the bulldog is still going ahead after all this.

Perhaps with your Builth tickets you should be able to use to get into the bulldog bash, mind you would you take your kids there?

Posted: 22/05/2008 at 13:41

No Tony, but the Bulldog is an adult-oriented event and the Welsh wasn't.

Like tbone says I would feel a damn sight safer at either event that i would in my local town centre on a saturday night.

For anyone interested the badges and patches are now available.

Cheques payable to D Davies

C/O
56 Glyncoed Terrace
Llanelli
Carms
SA15 1EZ

£3 each plus 50p p&p up to 100g.

Have enquired about paypal, will let you know. Tshirts should be available through Far Canal but not had confirmation yet.

Posted: 22/05/2008 at 22:19

yep your right there.

If you need any help with the paypal stuff drop us a line k.

We could put them on our site if you like all proceeds to you guys of course

Posted: 23/05/2008 at 09:38