2010 Review

Report by Bob Summers

The 2010 Blackpool Illuminations GoldWing Light Parade has taken place and what a great weekend it was. From my point of view it was the first parade without my  involvement in some way or another. I needn’t have been concerned as the team did a sterling job in organising the entire event. The work starts the first week after the previous parade and is a continuous effort with the council, police, accommodation providers,tram works department, politicians, the general public, sponsors, promotion, web pages, club members and the organisation team themselves. To say it’s a big task is an understatement.

Amazingly the majority of the event passed without a glitch which is how it’s supposed to be, and for the very first time being eligible for inclusion in the best bike competitions on both the Friday and Saturday I actually won a 2nd prize for best lit bike. Chuffed to bits, albeit there were some stunning bikes absent from the event this year. Never the less, being second only to Bill Squires’ GL1800 prize winning bike is not to be sniffed at.

The accommodation package represented good value for money, I seem to remember that we paid more for accommodation back in 2008 at Pontins, but the hotel room we were in could have done with updating a bit, we didn’t have a shower in the room but everything was clean and comfortable, the positive side was the food and bar pricing. Meals were well cooked and presented, and there was always enough on the plate, especially at breakfast. Beer was discounted especially for us and even the wine and spirits were maintained at their normal bar price levels.

Friday’s best lit bike competition was well attended as usual, with the inclusion of some new machines on display and we certainly attracted a crowd of interested hotel guests and visitors. The judges this year comprised of Randy Rodriguez, the Captain of the Florida drill team, who paid us a visit back in 2008, and his wife Cat along with representatives of the event sponsors. The prize winners benefitting from excellent prizes of Honda Watches, Fleeces, and a Trophy all supplied by Knutsford Honda, Colin Appleyards and of course The Federation of UK Goldwing Clubs.

Saturday’s static display started around 11:00 am and mention must be made of the marshals who manned the tram crossing at the busy traffic light come pedestrian crossing junction. It was identified on the risk assessment as being the highest risk area and that some attention must be paid when receiving bikes onto and off the promenade display area. I don’t think there was any moment of concern by any rider or pedestrian during the day, everyone played their part and no mishaps occurred. Well done to the marshals on the day.

The highlight of the day for some was the 2010 Miss Teens photo shoot on the beech just opposite the GoldWings display area. Several distinguished photographers from within our number had a field day testing their zoom lenses and close up skills on the lovely ladies. The shoot ended with an invitation for the contestants to sit on the bikes for addition photographs. No idea who thought of that.

The Light Parade itself was attended by around 120+ GoldWings and did include a few guests’ bikes. One chap, who was an obvious GoldWing fan, had been hanging around on the Friday evening on a CG125 machine asked if the parade was for GoldWings only. I was pleased to hear that he was told if he wanted to join in he would be welcome and it was suggested he joins in around half way so that he gets to see as much as possible. Bet he was a happy bunny.

The earlier start time of 8:15pm does attract more crowds causing the entire route to be lined by waving spectators totally amazed at the display of GoldWings. This year’s traffic was the busiest we have ever experienced and the parade got fragmented more than is normal. It didn’t detract too much from the spectacle but it did take some of the riders quite a while to get back to the Hotel. Having said that the atmosphere was fantastic and it’s always a pleasure to be part of the parade.

The evening’s entertainment went ahead in the Hotel dining room with plenty of Wingers staying in the bar to listen to the band whilst many more sat outside in the cool air drinking and having a good time. Prizes from the day’s best bike competition were presented to the winners and the raffle prize of £120.00 was drawn.

Stuart Ormerod, the lead organiser for the past three years, announced his intention to stand down for the coming 2011 parade to allow some fresh ideas and volunteers to come to the fore. No doubt his skills and experience will still be available should they be needed by the new team.

A special thank you to Nigel Mackintosh who spent most of his spare time as official event photographer, not that he needed asking, but never the less his photographic skills can be viewed on the GoldWing Light Parade website in the 2010 Gallery. You will not be dissapointed.

Congratulations to the 2010 team for pulling off another successful GoldWing Light Parade.