A nice display line-up

Following a request for help to display at the Help For Heroes Charity Day on the outskirts of Chorley, Nigel and Joanna on their solo and Jan and I on our trike were up early again (two days running for Nigel)  on the Sunday morning and on our way to meet up with Goldwings North West members at a rendezvous point some 5 minutes from the location of the display.

On our arrival and short wait, it was a nice surprise to see so many Goldwings at the rendezvous point. Eventually Frank and Judy arrived to guide us to the location. – as I said previously – 5 minutes away.

We got lost!

Another line-up view

Frank managed to take us up the wrong street with a distance of just 1½ miles to go from the rendezvous to the site. He managed to take us up a cul-de-sac into a housing estate.  Having all turned around, we retraced our steps and found the right road to the site where we were able to park nicely across one edge of the site.

Bob smiling because he's nice and dry - for now!

20 Goldwings were on display ranging from a GL1100 thru 1200, 1500, 1800 solos, 2 combinations and three trikes. The lady organiser was in tears with the size of our display for she was only expecting a couple of Wings.

As this was the first event of it’s type at this location we did not expect big crowds to attend but there was a steady flow of people throughout the day and we were able to find time to sit and sunbathe.

It was not possible for me to sit by the bike all day as right next door to the display was a BBQ stall selling burgers and sausages – the smoke was wafting towards me and driving me crazy!

thats not a smile but a grimance

I even managed to resist the Bacon and Sausage baps that all the Goldwings North West riders ate, and I was impress with Nigel walking past the stall selling them as well, as I know he particularly fancied a bacon bap.

We eventually sat down to our picnic lunch and then the fun began- volunteers were needed for the stocks. Frank was volunteered!

With only a couple of exceptions, the GNW club members walked over to the stocks and cheered Frank on as he got soaked in the cause of charity, the best thrower of the wet sponges being Mrs Goodman!

Barry then had a go at being the target followed by

On display in the arena

Bob Summers. Well, at this point I thought it is a good cause so I will donate some money and had a few goes.

Honestly  Bob, it was not me who put the wet sponges down the edge of your trousers.

In the middle of the afternoon we mustered for a parade into the arena where Bob did an excellent commentary about Goldwings and was able to give out a lot of knowledge on these machines. The only poor factor was the quality of the PA system which was working at the very limit of its distance with the radio microphone.

This was eventually followed by some of the Goldwings North West Members taking part in a tug-of-war in the main area, to be soundly thrashed when Ian, the anchor-man, fell asleep on the job and went for a lie-down, thus making his team short of one player in the middle of each pull.

All this must come to an end and we all packed up and went our separate ways .

I have not heard of an update on the monies raised but hope that it will justify the effort made by the organisers.

Bill in usual pose

Stuart infected with the pandemic

Nigel catches the infection