horncast

HORNCASTLE 97'

Last year we visited The National Youth Bike Show at Horncastle in Lincolnshire. Each year teams made up of youth groups, schools, diversionary schemes and groups with special needs come from around the country, bringing their motorbikes and trikes for display and to compete in the competition. There are different categories for the various trophies and awards on offer. The bikes are inspected by the judges, who are from bike magazines such as AWOL, riders rights groups (M.A.G), riders with a disability groups and motorcycle clubs. At the end of the evening the trophies and awards are presented to the winners by the sponsors (M.A.G, AWOL, Motorcycle News, Backstreet heroes and The national Chopper Club Of Great britain). With live music and drinks afterwards, a good ol' party is had by all. The whole event is expertly organised by the one and only Tony Nightingale the area Youth Leader, himself an avid biker for many years.

The standard of the motorcycles and trikes throughout is excellent. All the participants are under 21 years of age . The idea is to get an old motorbike, take it apart and then rebuild it to their own design (with guidance and help when needed). A great deal of time and effort goes into the making of each motorcycle. Spare parts are begged , borrowed, and improvised in order to build the final machine. The judges inspect all the entrants, awarding points and interviewing the competitors. Winners are chosen for each the categories, and then an overall winner for the competition is decided upon. Some of trophies such as Best engineered and Best Trike are voted for by the public.

**Here are a few of the competitors.**

The aim of the competition is not just about building the motorbikes , it's also about getting the kids involved. They come up with the ideas and designs, helping to gather together and build the parts needed. Several of the entrants are from schools for children with special needs. Constructing these motorcycles and trikes not only teaches them about engineering and design, it also helps keep them out trouble.

The overall winner's motorcycles were displayed at the National Bike Show at The Birmingham N.E.C.

As Simon Britain, Project director of the motor activities project, Wheelspin says in the programme.

"Wheelspin was set up using Wolverhampton city challenge money, about four years ago. It has hosted attendance of over 20,000 youngsters in that time. It's a project with a difference, in that it's very much about diverting young people from crime, and reducing the risk of them becoming involved in motor crime."

Also on display throughout the day are custom bikes, trikes, bike art, Motorcycle magazines , stalls to buy merchandise and more.

If you would like to know more about Horncastle, you can contact Tony Nightingale at the following address:

e-mail address - tony@hornyc.demon.co.uk

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