NEWS

Rog met with WO2 Joe Grant at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in Grantham on the afternoon of Thursday 4th January.

Joe reported that the whole site is now planned as a tree plantation in line with Central Government’s green initiative. This means that when our licence is due for renewal in October we will be unable so to do. It also mean that no change can be made to the preparatory work now underway to enable tree planting to go ahead.

Joe gave consent for the group to continue to sue the site, riding round the whole of the 4-Wheel-Drive-Track. If any army personnel are walking dogs then they must be given priority (i.e. bike must stop and engines off). If any army vehicles are on track then bikes must be removed for that period. The area nearest the Officers’ Mess must be quiet.

Trustees will consider this option at their meeting, followed by members at their meeting.

There will be a trustee meeting on Thursday 5th January (2012) at 7 pm in Studio 2 of The Leisure Centre. The main topic will be “where to from here”, given the state of Grantham’s site. Please pass any thoughts that will help planning short term and long term to Pip and Tom.

The main theme of the members’ meeting on 9th January will be to discuss the outcome of the trustees meeting prior to Pip and Tom going back to the already planned trustee meeting of 23rd January when decisions will be made.

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Sunday 18th December 2011 was the first session that we had to abandon without turning a wheel at The Prince William of Gloucester Barracks at Grantham. The whole site has been “ploughed” ready for tree planting, rendering the ground unsafe for riding. We were not given any warning of this work.

A trustee, the project manager and a senior member undertook a risk assessment tour of the whole site. There was no ground left untouched for riding, some areas had bricks and wire released from below the surface.

Given that this was the last ride of the year before Christmas, it was decided, after consultation with the chair of trustees, to book a Go Kart session at Langar. This was possible that same day at a cost of £460.

Restoration of the site for safe riding cannot be assumed. The relevant army personnel are on “Christmas Stand Down” until 4th January, when it is hoped to discuss the matter and seek a resolution to enable the site licence to continue. The latest licence withdrew over two thirds of the previously available site to enable tree planning. We were assured that the “main riding area” would be untouched.

The chair of trustees will call an extra-ordinary meeting as soon as is practicable in the new year, when the future planning can be reviewed. We will, in the interim seek an alternative temporary site to continue riding sessions in the event that The Prince William of Gloucester Barracks is out of use of a significant period. Funders will be advised of any changes once we are fully aware of the circumstances at Grantham.

Funders will be advised of any changes once we are fully aware of the circumstances at Grantham

Anyone got any ideas about land that we could use on a temporary basis – or even better land that we could lease (or buy if we can get the cash) then build an MX track?? Needs to be away from any houses so as not to get problems with planners and noise! Please let Rog know or use the contact page on this web site. Thanks

This situation does not affect any plans for sand racing, for participation in BMF Show, the trip to watch Supercross or plans for riding and camp at Finningly.

 "MyPlace" Presentation Thursday 22 May for Big Lottery by Olly and Rob

Everybody said they were magic - here are some photos