Legion Bikers meet Hairy Bikers!
11 April 2008
The Riders Branch of the Legion is always active but here are two great recent stories of their exploits, recruitment and fund raising efforts.
Riders Branch and Hairy Bikers on Market Kitchen
It all started when one of the Riders Branch members, Ray Collins, had applied to appear on Market Kitchen, a UKTV Food Production. What seemed an age later Ray received an invite to appear on the show and subsequently found out the Hairy Bikers were appearing as guest chefs. Ray explained to the production company that Dave Myers, one of the Hairy Bikers was also a Riders Branch member and could some of the Riders Branch Members take part. Little did Ray know this was to escalate and invites were sent out via the Riders Branch Website.
In no time at all, eight volunteers were signed up, Ray Collins, Pete Ticehurst, Andy Sleep, Andy Brown, Bob Cameron, Bob Cameron, Tom Wheeler, and Dave Bowen.
During the day we were asked to taste and comment about the food with all Branch members at one point being interviewed on camera. Highlight of the morning was when Andy Sleep took part in the wine tasting scene with wine expert Richard Weiss and Andy has now taken on the role of Rider Branch Wine Expert. In the afternoon, there was an Ultimate Burger Challenge between the Hairy Bikers and Matt Tebbutt, with the audience voting on the best burger. The winners were the Hairy Bikers although light hearted comments were made about the audience being biased. Their burger recipe was really good and nothing to do with the Riders Branch making up the majority of the audience.
The second day of filming began with Ray Collins, Bob Cameron and Pete Ticehurst all returning for the Curry Hell Challenge, an on air contest between the Hairy Bikers and Tom Parker Bowles. Curries ranged from Madras through to Vindaloos and Phalls. Our three Branch members performed admirably and Ray Collins managed to sign up Simon King (the other Hairy Biker) into the Riders Branch. We now have a celebrity duo as Branch Members.
All in all, a fantastic two days and thanks must go to the production company, the presenters, the chefs and of course The Royal British Legion Riders Branch who really stole the show (comment from Andy, one of the production team). The programme is due to air in the week starting Monday 14 April.
Riders raid the Ark
“What started off as the usual bar room yarn between ‘Jack’ and ‘Royal’ became a reality when 11 riders from HMS Ark Royal embarked on team building, practical navigation training and money raiser in aid of the poppy appeal” says WO2 RM Dai Charles, HMS Ark Royal’s RM Detachment Sergeant Major.
Cross country rides from Portsmouth, Yeovil, Liverpool and Hull saw the riders and a support vehicle arrive at Dover on 15 July 2007 for the start of their Pan-Franco Ride which included visits to:
- Normandy
- Pegasus Bridge
- The Atlantic Wall Museum
- The RN/RM Memorial at Ouistreham
- Mont-St-Michel
- German war graves at Mont-de-Huisnes
- Paris
- Brionne
- Bernay
- Calais
The Portsmouth based riders covered 1424 miles with some of the northern riders covering a wee bit more. In all, £1330.00 was raised for the Poppy Appeal by the Naval and Marine riders of the Ark and when asked if he would organise another, similar trip Dai replied “Most definitely.”
Once all the monies raised had been received, the Ship’s operational programme allowed for a ‘big cheque’ presentation to take place on 14 Feb 2008 at HM Naval Base Portsmouth. Dave Gibson, the former Chief Radio Supervisor on HMS Ark Royal , and current RBLR Hampshire Rep organised the presentation alongside WO1 Paddy Lecky from the Ship. Fourteen members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch turned up to watch Anna Simmons, the RBLR Branch Treasurer, officially receive the cheque on behalf of the Legion from Captain Mike Mansergh RN, the Ship’s Commanding Officer. After thanking the Ship's Company for all their efforts in supporting the Poppy Appeal, the members of the Legion Riders Branch enjoyed a guided tour of the ship before taking back to the road on their bikes.
HMS Ark Royal is the fifth vessel to bear the proud name. She was built by Swan Hunters Ship Builders' yard at Wallsend in December 1978 and launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. HMS Ark Royal was accepted into service on 1 July 1985. The Ship’s motto is ‘Zeal Does Not Rest’ with a modern interpretation being ‘Able, Ready, Keen’
For more information about the Legion Riders Branch contact:
Dave Bowen
PR Officer
email: pr@rblr.co.uk
website: Royal British Legion Riders Branch
