Conference 2000

MAG emerged from its annual conference in Exeter on Saturday October 28th united and ready to lobby hard for bikers' interests in the run up to the next general election. Delegates packed the modern conference hall at Exeter University to elect the national officers of the group and to fix policy for the coming year.

Highlight of the weekend was the election of Ian Mutch as MAG's Vice-President. After a speech by MAG Chairman Neil Liversidge praising Ian for 27 years' work on behalf of British bikers, Ian was elected by acclamation Vice president and received the longest standing ovation ever accorded by any MAG annual conference.

MAG Chairman Neil Liversidge - who was himself re-elected National Chairman for an unprecedented twelfth successive term - said: ''Ian Mutch is the only founder member of MAG who is still active in MAG on a daily basis. Ian achieves the unique combination of being on the one hand MAG's philosopher and spiritual leader, and on the other hand a very capable, practical and essential member of MAG's management team. StreetBiker, MAG's tabloid newspaper for members is the best publication of its kind in the world and is a massive credit to Ian who does most of the work on it as Editor, photographer, designer, typesetter and reporter.''

Also honoured at the 2000 Annual Group Conference were:

The Lifetime Achievement Award: Dennis Howard, MAG President

The Freedom Award: Julie Stevenson, MAG Finance Director

The Chairman's Award: Mark Iline, MAG Internet & Technology Officer

The Steve Tannock Teamwork Award: London & Home Counties Region

The Richard Tegg Award: Les Gibbons and Iain Phillips

Honorary Life Membership: Clive Crocker, Kevan Boitoult, Linda Pouncey, Geoff Eborall, James Robertson, Alan Tilley, Mark Willis

Elected national Officers were:

National Chairman: Neil Liversidge
National Finance Director: Julie Stevenson
National Clubs Liaison Officer: Debbie Jones
National Reps Liaison Officer: Nicky Myakicheff

Trevor Baird, Phil Neale and Nicky Myakicheff were also confirmed as Directors of MAG.

Delegates also enjoyed presentations by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the former head of Thames Valley Police's motorcycle division and Alan Tilley of Sandwell Council in the West Midlands. Both recounted how they had worked successfully with local MAG groups in their different spheres, Kevin on BikeSafe 2000 and Alan to make Sandwell 'Biker Friendly through the inclusion of motorcycles in the local transport plan.

Following a majority decision, MAG membership subs will rise from the present £16 pa to £20pa individual £30 for joint membership and £200 for life. This now puts MAG £1 above the BMF but as one delegate who spoke in favour of the raise said - 'we're worth it.'

Next year's AGC will be held on the last Saturday in October at a venue to be fixed by the MAG National Committee who will consider submissions from MAG regions wishing to host the AGC in 2001.