Big Andys Scootering Site

My original plan was to shoot down the road to Coalville for Friday night to see the Automatics play then return home to my nice comfy bed and loving arms of my wife, then return again on Saturday afternoon for the rest of the weekend, but due to the forecast of the whole weekend being red hot i decided to make camp on Friday night instead. So of i set, with my scooter packed with all the usual gear, to travel the long and ardeous 20 miles or so to coalville. The journey took me about 35 minutes (i love these local rallies), but by trying to be clever and save a few miles by coming the back roads way, i got slightly lost, but after being pointed in the right direction by a couple of bewilded locals i was soon pulling up at the Coalville Rugby Club and greeted by Dave and Helen from Keep on Running S.C.

As i pulled on to where the 15-20 tents were i could see my usual ii camping buddies just a few yards away so pulled up by Teresa and Andys marquee (although their tent was not as big as CSWSSC Dean and Anns mansion tent) and duely tested the ground to make sure my scooter would stand up and not sink in to the ground and topple over as it did in skeggy.

Tent up, it was time to start on the alcohol and catch up on the gossip. Already in attendance were Dean, Ann, Joy, Steph, Teresa and Andy from Cant Start Wont Start S.C., Alia from the Alliance m&sc, Dunny from Leicester and Tony 'one shirt' and his misses Karen. We were soon joined by Russ, Ang, Gaz and Clare from Ripley Harriers, Graham, Maggie, Sam and Dean from Gresley, OAJJ from the Calverton Hornets, Nuneaton pacemakers and those mad people from the Tony Blackburn S.C. complete with their t-shirts still carrying skeggy mud from the week before.

Then came the bombshell. Andy H from K.O.R.S.C. came over to greet me with the news that The Automatics had cancelled due to the lead singer having flu. I had been keen to see them play because i was considering booking them for the outdoor band at the Brewers Droop later this year, but still we were going to have a good night anyway.

The numbers for Friday night were low and im sure the members of K.O.R.S.C. were disappointed with the low turn out but for us 'guests' it meant no queues at the bar and plenty of room to do our 'thing'. One moment of humour was when Knuckles from A5 S.C. turned up on the back of a breakdown truck having only got as far as Hemel Hemstead. Back inside Tony 'one shirt' as usual played a blinder with the discs and before we knew it it was kicking out time and we trooped back to the tents.

I was awoken next morning at around 8am by the sun beaming into my tent so emerged from my abode to wander over to the wash room and snack van to refresh myself with a wash, cup of tea and a bit of breakfast.

The few stalls that were there were starting to set up ready for the day so i wandered over to say hello to Nick and Mark from Ital scooters as well as Mark from Lambretta Art. Tony 'one shirt' was busy setting his gear up on the balcony ready to entertain us through out the day.

The amount of people turning up properply disappointed the organisers, but those that did turn up were in for a good, hot day.Dave from Strangetown S.C. came over to say hello, as did Andy and Clare from Ibstock, as we started our alcohol intake a bit early but there wasn't a lot else to do.

The afternoons entertainment consisted of a rideout around Coaville and Ashby, a five a side competition a custom show and Nathan from Nuneaton Pacemakers playing an acoustic session in the bar. The football was won by the lads from Coalville Rugby Club, but the best moment was when somebody took a wild shot which missed the goal by miles but smacked one of the Tony Blackburn S.C. lot on his head just as he rode by, spilling him from his scooter.

By the evening the amount of people in attendance had increased quite considerably to over 200. The clubs now in attendance included, Corby Steelman S.C., Notts Gatecrashers S.C., Blazing Glory S.C., Leicester Second Coming S.C., Lincoln S.C. as well as a few of the V.F.M. lads. Also Dawn turned up to make sure i behaved myself. Tony 'one shirt', again was on the discs, ablely assisted by Andy Hand and T-bag.

The band for tonight was 'I Cant Believe Its Not Punk' who, as always, played a good session, mixing a cluster of The Jam, Small Faces and The Who with the punk classics we all love including a favourite of mine, Ten Pole Tudors, Swords Of A Thousand Men.

Just after midnight the day caught up with me so, being a lightweight, myself and Dawn retired to our tent to call it a night.

On a sour note, i was informed on my awakenning the next morning, that there had been a couple of scuffles at the end of the night. I wouldn't normally merit them with a mention but unfortunately these scuffles are becoming a unwelcome regular occurence, and as someone who witnessed it getting out of hand back in the late 80's, i just hope history is not repeating its self.

Anyway, that aside the weekend had been a good one with the sun blazing from start to finish. The venue was excellent with ample camping space and good facilities. I'm sure the good people of Keep On Running S.C. had hoped more people would attend especially with the good weather and indeed i was disappointed that more of my own club had not bothered, but still thats their loss as those of us there had enjoyed a good weekend. Thanks to all at K.O.R.S.C.

Roll on Rhyl so we can do it all again

safe scootering

andy

Burton Brewers S.C.

Best in show :- Hunter

Best chop :- Hunter

Best Lambretta :- red and white tv 175

Best Vespa :- a sportique

Best custom :- Alien

Best rat :- Hodge

Best mod :- Mark from Loughborough

Best turned out club :- Cant Start Wont Start S.C.

Furthest travelled :- Alia from Gravesend, Kent