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Campaign Manager Report to NC on campaigns activity for the period Monday 15th April to Friday 25th May
I am pleased to report the following activity since the Board meeting and AGC. I am submitting the report early due to my annual leave absence between Friday 25th May and the 11th June for my annual pilgrimage to the Isle of Man TT races.
Friday the 4th May saw me loading up the Royal Enfield with camping gear in readiness to go to the Into the Valley on the Saturday morning. Unfortunately the under the weather feeling I was suffering from developed into a full blown flu like illness which laid me low for the weekend and unfit for anything. I was really looking forward to it and by all accounts everyone had a great time.
Tuesday 8th May – Another meeting at Creo. All very positive.
Thursday 10th May – This time off to the Mortons publishing group to meet their marketing team and editors. This included me giving an interview with Brian Tarbox editor of MCM. This edition will come out on the 1st June and will allude to the re-launch. Again I negotiated some very favourable advertising rates in their magazines. We are going to advertise in MCM, Motorcycle Sport and Leisure and Classic Motorcycle Mechanics. The weather was kind and having decided to stretch the Ducati’s legs I was rewarded with a most exhilarating ride to and from on the winding country lanes of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
Wednesday 16th May and I met up with Wayne Rooney, East Yorks rep to go to met Mr Peter Hill the Bridge master of the Humber Bridge to explore the possibilities of waiving tolls for motorcyclists. I can report an excellent meeting, non confrontational at the conclusion of which Mr Hill is going to recommend that when the present tolling system is due for replacement, ( within the next 5 years) that there will be a toll free lane specifically for motorcyclists to use. Nothing can be done before then because of the technicalities of the present system. He also assured MAG that we would have a seat at the table of the stakeholder’s user group. I will monitor progress closely and ensure these undertakings materialise. A result for negotiations and probably a cause for celebration sometime in the next 5 years.
Thursday 17th May and I was on standby at York Train station to meet our President who was arriving for a meeting with Creo the following day and who was staying overnight at my humble abode in Easingwold. Following a splendid night out at a local hostelry we set off the following day to Huddersfield collecting Madam Chair on the way, who, despite recovering from surgery, was determined to give her support. What a star! The meeting with Creo was also attended by Neil Stevenson as this was the one to decide on the material and merchandise we would be using for the Farmyard launch. Very positive and a delight to work with people who have solutions to hand at any perceived problem. It bodes well!
After the meeting I dropped Jane off at her house and arrived at York station just as a London bound train was pulling in. Mr Mutch made it by the skin of his teeth. More of this ‘cutting it fine’ to catch trains later!
Monday 21st – To Rugby to meet up with Ian, Janet and Sarah and take them through the Creo marketing plan.
Tuesday 22nd – To London for a one to one meeting with Steven Ladyman Transport Secretary to outline concerns about the off road registration bill. I felt confident that he was very receptive. Obviously what was said was confidential and I respect that but I have an inkling that the bill will fail. Watch this space!
Wednesday 23rd May – To Coventry to the new HQ of the MCIA who were hosting the Motorcycle crime Reduction Group which I chair and represent MAG. Since becoming chair I have written a business plan for the group, (is there a pattern here?!), which has now been signed off and will act as our driver for activity and links with the police, insurance and security services.
Thursday 24th May and it was off to EMAP in Peterborough for a meeting to discuss advertising strategies, articles and various promotions to advance MAG. A very productive meeting which was attended by Mr Mutch who arrived on his Harley. I went by train.
At the end of the meeting we had some lunch and at 1.30pm I realised there was a train to York leaving Peterborough at 1.46pm. A taxi was out of the question as it would have taken 10 minutes for it to arrive never mind get me there. Mr Mutch to the rescue! ‘I have a spare helmet in my pannier’, he said, ‘I will take you there. Better still, you can ride!’
Well at least I was wearing a leather jacket. The helmet fitted, of sorts, just, and with no gloves, goggles or any other protective gear off we went on a 7 mile spin to the station. The weather was gloriously hot and the sheer abandon of the ride was hilarious.
All of a sudden it was the Summer of 69, Canned Heat, Steppenwolf and Easy Rider, (apologies for those of you too young to remember). It took me right back to a Triumph Tiger cub with Ape hangers that a mate had that we used to tear around on recklessly and without helmets. Mutchy and I were laughing like school kids and it brought back with a rush just what biking is all about. Having fun!
Arriving at the train station as the train was pulling in Mutchy tried to capture the moment on his mobile phone camera but the technology beat him. Never mind it will be indelibly imprinted on my mind as one of those seminal moments in a lifetime of motorcycling. Oh yes and I made the train!
In addition to all of the above I have been busy with MCN giving views on stories to ensure our profile is kept up in the principal UK motorcycling journal and writing letters to the IPCC regarding the crass behaviour of Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom who showed images of Mark Gibney without permission of the family. I have received letters from the IPCC and North Wales police authority that the matters are being investigated.
Finally, everything is coming together with the MAG re-launch. Mr Mutch is progressing the new look Road magazine. Trevor is working with the Web people and Neil Stevenson will have all the banners and bunting for the Farmyard rally. The advertisements in the various motorcycling journals are all programmed in and will appear in editions coming out after the Farmyard.
Personally on membership and recruitment. I met by chance members of the Wrekin Rider Motorcycle club, approx 50 in number who are keen to join and also the York Advanced Motorcycle club which numbers about 250 also want to affiliate.
The common denominator of the last month has been the burning of the candle at both ends. I now know the cuckoo starts calling at 5.30am despite my determination, when I retired from the police to only be awake at only one 6 o clock in the day. However this is a very exciting time and I have never felt so optimistic about a change programme, and I have been involved in many over the years.
I am sorry to be missing the NC but I will be on my way back from the Isle of Man TT races where I am setting off to tomorrow. Hoooooorah!!
Onwards and Upwards!
David – Campaigns Manager
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