Light Parade Frequently Asked Questions
What is new for 2008?
The major change from last year is expansion of the Event to include a long weekend programme of activities and entertainment for Winger’s families and friends as well as Wingers themselves, based on the Pontin’s site. The daytime display on the Promenade will also be much bigger and better. HondaUK will be there and there will be a riding arena in which the Central Florida Motorcycle Drill Team and Lancashire Constabulary will be giving skilled riding demonstrations - and it will run for two full days. The Parade will be more tightly organised to provide a safer, easier and more enjoyable ride.
What are the Organisers trying to achieve by making the Event so much bigger this year?
The Event has grown in some way or another every year since it started. This year we saw an opportunity to move up to a new level by making the Event a long weekend of biking and social activities. This will also make the Event an even better display of GoldWings – and of safe, responsible motorcycling to the huge numbers of general public who come to see it in Blackpool. It will still be possible for Wingers to come for a shorter weekend or even just to ride in the Parade and then go home – but please have a good look at the fabulous Programme we are putting on this year before you decide what to do, to see what you will be missing if you don’t come for the whole thing.
We have also exploited the opportuity which the bigger display at St Chads Headland provides to show that Wingers are willing to do something for the benefit of the Community – and for the public as well as bikers. We are laying on a large scale event which promotes safe and responsible motorcycling and should also raise a substantial amount of money for charity.
Why is it more expensive than last year?
It isn’t really. The prices are only very slightly higher than last year if you compare like with like and book before the end of May, by just enough to cover inflation. Pontin’s give us a very good deal compared with what the general public pay for their accommodation during the Illuminations Season.
Are there any restrictions on who can come?
The Event at Pontin’s is primarily for GoldWing owners, so only people who own and ride a GoldWing (i.e. Wingers) can make a reservation at Pontin’s and Register for the Light Parade. But they can invite their family and friends, including biking friends, who can ride in the Parade too if they wish providing their Winger host rides his/her GoldWing. Block bookings are not accepted – everyone who comes must be a personal guest of the Winger who books them in and pays for them.
Does it matter if I am not a member of GWOCGB?
No. If you own a GoldWing, of whatever vintage, you’ll be most welcome and everyone gets treated exactly the same.
How can I get help fitting display lighting to my GoldWing?
There will be some guidance information on this website, if not already then soon. There will also be indoor facilities at Pontin’s where you can fit lighting and get help doing so.
Where can I buy display lighting for my GoldWing?
There will also be indoor facilities at Pontin’s where you can buy display lighting and also get help to fit it. Meantime, look at our Links Page which includes at least one display lighting retailer. LED arrays and strips of LED’s suitable for display lighting can be found on the Internet, but check that they are sufficiently weather resistant for use on a motorcycle.
Why has there been a change in who can come and who can ride in the Parade?
There hasn’t been any change – the eligibility is the same this year as last year and previously. As a result of questions which have been put to us, we have spelled it out more explicitly than in the past, but it has not changed.
Can I book extra nights accommodation at Pontin’s?
Yes, you can book extra nights at Pontin’s at a bargain rate, either before or after the weekend of the Event. However children can only be accommodated on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights inclusive because Pontin’s is over-50s only on weekdays during the Illuminations Season.
Can I book more than one chalet?
Yes, your party of family and friends can occupy as many chalets as you need.
Can I invite my mates from another bike club?
You can invite a reasonable number of personal biking friends as your personal guests – say one or two couples. You may not invite a bike club or any other group of bikers en masse.
Is there a babysitting service at Pontin’s?
No, but you can ask if a chalet is available close to the entertainment venues when you check in, which may help. Availability cannot be guaranteed. Children are allowed into most of the entertainment venues but they must leave the Queen Victoria Pub before 11pm.
Do Pontin’s provide towels and bed linen?
Everyone gets bed linen but towels are provided only in Club accommodation. Bring your own soap, shampoo, etc.
Can I brew up in the chalet?
Yes. There will be a kettle and cups; Club accommodation gets a starter pack of tea, coffee, etc. too.
Is there a TV?
Yes – but don’t expect a remote control; you will need to get out of bed to change channels. Club accommodation gets one Sky channel as extra.
How many beds in a chalet?
Standard chalets have one bedroom with an en suite toilet and shower. Both twin and double beds are available. If you have a preference, ask when you check in.
Are there any larger, family chalets?
There are chalets with two rooms, some have bunks, two bathrooms – all sorts of permutations. If you want one of these, ask when you make your reservation. There will be a small additional charge for reserving a larger chalet.
Is there somewhere indoors at Pontin’s where I can work on my bike?
Yes, there will be an indoor facility for buying and fitting display lighting open for almost the whole weekend. It is intended mainly for this type of work but, if you have a problem you need to fix, that should be OK too – just ask before you start. You won’t be popular if you start draining oil or stripping the engine, because the place is carpeted, but within reason you will be allowed to work there on your bike.
How will I prove that I am a Winger when I make a reservation with Pontin’s?
You will be asked to provide your GoldWing’s Registration Number when you make your reservation with Pontin’s – and of course you have to bring your GoldWing with you if you and your family or friends want to ride in the Parade.
Can I bring an off road bike to use at Pontin’s?
No. All motor vehicles must be taxed and insured for road use and ridden/driven only by persons who hold the relevant driving/riding licence.
Can I park my bike or car near my chalet?
Bikes yes, but not your car. Cars can be brought in for a short period to unload luggage but must then be parked in the car parks. Designated car parking spaces are available on the Pontin’s car parks for Blue Badge holders.
Is the bike parking at Pontin’s secure?
There is an entrance barrier which is manned 24 hours per day – the whole site is patrolled by security staff overnight. Pontin’s can therefore be regarded as a reasonably secure place for bike parking. Putting a full cover on your bike overnight is a worthwhile way of enhancing security.
Can I camp at Pontin’s?
No. There are campsites within a few miles.
What facilities are there at Pontin’s for young children?
Pontin’s have trained children’s entertainers and there are Lifeguards at the pool. There will be a children’s programme running for the whole weekend.
Why are children restricted to staying at Pontin’s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights?
Because Pontin’s is over-50s only during the week in the Illuminations Season.
Why all the effort to fill Pontin’s up this year?
There is no pressure to fill Pontin’s – it would just be nice to have the place to ourselves if we can get it.
Do I have to stay at Pontin’s?
No, if you ride a GoldWing you can stay where you like and just turn up on your Wing for the Promenade Display and/or the Light Parade. Event Registration facilitie will be available at St Chads Headland on Saturday and Sunday and also at the Parade Mustering Area. A Winger’s family and friends in company can ride in the Parade too, same as if you were staying at Pontin’s. You will need to Register for the Parade, but that can be done at the Muster Area – but allow extra time to do this. However, we strongly recommend staying at Pontin’s to enjoy this Event to the full. Look at the programme at Pontin’s – it’s a cracker!
What if I cannot bring my GoldWing – can I still come?
If you are a GoldWing owner, yes you can book into Pontin’s and you can bring your family and biking friends along too. If you cannot ride your GoldWing, the only way you can ride something else in the Parade is to be Registered for the Parade as the personal guest of another Winger who is riding a GoldWing.
Why is the 2008 Light Parade not being run under the GWOCGB Banner, as in previous years?
The Organisers are GWOCGB Members and wanted to continue to run the Light Parade as a GWOCGB Event. But it became clear that this was not practical, so we backed out. We decided we had to be free to make decisions without delay and we had to be free to do things our own way. Also we were not satisfied that GWOCGB’s public liability insurance was adequate for our needs, so we have arranged our own, which definitely is.
Who is organising the Light Parade this year?
More or less the same people as in previous years, with a bit
of fresh blood here and there. As in previous years, there is a small
team of people, all of whom are Members of Lancs & Lakes Region of GWOCGB. Bob
Summers has led the organisation every year until this year, but he has
chosen to step back his year to allow him more time to earn a purple pinny.
Bob is still part of the team and he is still doing a great deal of work – just
not quite as much this year.
Is the Event properly insured?
Yes. Lancs & Lakes have secured Public Liability cover for the Event. It is the same cover which most major biking events in the UK have and is probably the best available. Each biker is of course required (by law) to be insured for at least third party risks while using his/her bike. We took expert advice and have been advised that normal road insurance (such as every rider has to have) provides at the very least adequate third party cover for a rider’s personal participation in every aspect of this Event. Whether a rider’s comprehensive cover would always apply (for example while riding on the Promenade and therefore not strictly on the roadway) might depend on the particular policy; riders should therefore check with their own insurer if they want an authoritative answer about the cover provided by their particular policy.
Is the Event just for GoldWings?
Only GoldWings can take part in the Promenade Display because that is a display of GoldWings to the general public and there will be limited space. Other bikes will be parked elsewhere, but as close as possible. The Light Parade is primarily for GoldWings but GoldWing riders can be accompanied by their personal guests. Block bookings by or on behalf of non-GoldWing biking groups or clubs cannot be accepted; every booking must be made by a Winger and is restricted to his personal family and a reasonable number of friends.
Where can I park my bike in Blackpool?
Blackpool has only one designated street parking area for motorcycles and this is quite small. It is near Talbot Square, about 100 yards inland from the Promenade. West Street Pay and Display Car Park is ree for motorcycles and it is indoors; there is space for about 15 bikes (or a smaller number of GoldWings) on the left as you ride up the entrance ramp. Blackpool operates a charging system for on-street parking and there are lots of Traffic Wardens. There are no exemptions from on-street parking charges for motorcycles; you are expected to buy a ticket and keep it safe (you need not display it) so that you can produce it if they send you a penalty notice through the post. (Silly, but that is how their system works.)
Can I park my bike anywhere on the Promenade?
No. Bikes can only be parked on the Promenade areas which the Organisers have obtained special permission to use. Parking on the roadway near St Chads is not free, although we are hoping to persuade Parkright, the contracting company, to allow bikes to park in a coned off area on the road near St Chads. If in doubt ask one of the Stewards at St Chads.
