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Some photo’s of Eastern Lights 2009...
What You
Had To Say
Had To Say
Dear Eastern Lights Friends
Please let me try to explain why I cancelled this year’s event and disbanded Eastern lights.
I usually get at least 2 sleepless nights during the run up to Eastern lights, mainly worrying about the
what ifs and the “have we done this and that" etc.. Well this year, I've had my quota and some more,
so eventually the decision to disband Eastern lights was an easy, albeit sad, one.
When I was told in February this year that a "Police escorted cavalcade" was not possible in Suffolk
due to the temporary road closure” policy requirements, I felt I had to think of another way to run the
event as we'd already set a date for this year.
I came up with the idea that we could encourage people to set up multi sites throughout the counties.
These sites could be motorcycle businesses, groups or meeting places and they would share the
limited Eastern lights of 1500 tickets according to their site’s safe motorcycle capacity.
Then, on the day, everyone would ride to Lowestoft arriving at 1330hrs giving a great show of a
procession of bikes.... – well, that was the plan.
I did have concerns with potential road safety issues on the day of the event. We could have
had 1500+ bikes riding as individuals in accordance with the law, descending on Lowestoft.
Any problems from just the sheer numbers could have had an adverse reflection on the good name
we have as a "bike friendly" event. (We have not had one complaint in all our years in existence).
Well, by the 15th April 2010, despite canvassing businesses and advertising through the web site,
we only had 4 confirmed sites with a combined potential of 140 ticket sales.
We also had to consider that we were soon due for a financial commitment with expenses for the
various insurances, deposit for the Lowestoft site, tickets and promotional material cost.
So my sleepless night last week at 0300hrs (and for the first time ever in the 12 years I have been
associated with motorcycle cavalcades) I made the decision that it had too many problems and the
best thing to do was to cancel the event and to disband Eastern lights forever.
In essence Eastern lights was always about the cavalcade and that's why I set it up in 1999. It's been
hard work for myself and my fantastic friends on Eastern Lights committee, past and present,
but we've all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Everyone who has ridden Eastern lights and or donated their cash have raised thousands of pounds
for the A/E unit over the years; we've helped to promote the motorcycle image and had fun riding it
(I rode it twice and grinned from ear to ear as the thousands of crowds cheered us along the route).
My sincere thanks to everyone of you who has supported Eastern lights over the years,
To the all the marshals at both sites
To the outriders from Suffolk and Norfolk advanced riders associations
To the great bunch at "Heart 102.4"
To our many generous sponsors
To the many loyal Traders
To the various councils and their helpful staff
To the Police agencies from Norfolk and Suffolk and their very supportive staff
To my friends in the Ambulance service
To the "bucket" ladies and gents, (collectors) who alone have collected thousands of Pounds
To Todd and the gang at T & R motorcycles
To Wayne and Amanda at London road Inc
To Jay for all he's done over the years
To Jan for her lovely pack ups she made for us
To Julia, Glenda and the staff from the Accident and Emergency unit of the J.P.U.H.
To Sam, Craig, Sean, Jenny, Mick, Mary and Peter "The committee".
To Gaz and Toni from "Tribes trike" for the fantastic web site.
And finally to the general public who cheered and waved us as we went by.
Stay safe and my kindest regards to you all,
Paul Howard
Eastern lights....as was
PS. If you ever hear me say I have an idea to raise some money for charity,
please punch me hard and walk off.
Please let me try to explain why I cancelled this year’s event and disbanded Eastern lights.
I usually get at least 2 sleepless nights during the run up to Eastern lights, mainly worrying about the
what ifs and the “have we done this and that" etc.. Well this year, I've had my quota and some more,
so eventually the decision to disband Eastern lights was an easy, albeit sad, one.
When I was told in February this year that a "Police escorted cavalcade" was not possible in Suffolk
due to the temporary road closure” policy requirements, I felt I had to think of another way to run the
event as we'd already set a date for this year.
I came up with the idea that we could encourage people to set up multi sites throughout the counties.
These sites could be motorcycle businesses, groups or meeting places and they would share the
limited Eastern lights of 1500 tickets according to their site’s safe motorcycle capacity.
Then, on the day, everyone would ride to Lowestoft arriving at 1330hrs giving a great show of a
procession of bikes.... – well, that was the plan.
I did have concerns with potential road safety issues on the day of the event. We could have
had 1500+ bikes riding as individuals in accordance with the law, descending on Lowestoft.
Any problems from just the sheer numbers could have had an adverse reflection on the good name
we have as a "bike friendly" event. (We have not had one complaint in all our years in existence).
Well, by the 15th April 2010, despite canvassing businesses and advertising through the web site,
we only had 4 confirmed sites with a combined potential of 140 ticket sales.
We also had to consider that we were soon due for a financial commitment with expenses for the
various insurances, deposit for the Lowestoft site, tickets and promotional material cost.
So my sleepless night last week at 0300hrs (and for the first time ever in the 12 years I have been
associated with motorcycle cavalcades) I made the decision that it had too many problems and the
best thing to do was to cancel the event and to disband Eastern lights forever.
In essence Eastern lights was always about the cavalcade and that's why I set it up in 1999. It's been
hard work for myself and my fantastic friends on Eastern Lights committee, past and present,
but we've all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Everyone who has ridden Eastern lights and or donated their cash have raised thousands of pounds
for the A/E unit over the years; we've helped to promote the motorcycle image and had fun riding it
(I rode it twice and grinned from ear to ear as the thousands of crowds cheered us along the route).
My sincere thanks to everyone of you who has supported Eastern lights over the years,
To the all the marshals at both sites
To the outriders from Suffolk and Norfolk advanced riders associations
To the great bunch at "Heart 102.4"
To our many generous sponsors
To the many loyal Traders
To the various councils and their helpful staff
To the Police agencies from Norfolk and Suffolk and their very supportive staff
To my friends in the Ambulance service
To the "bucket" ladies and gents, (collectors) who alone have collected thousands of Pounds
To Todd and the gang at T & R motorcycles
To Wayne and Amanda at London road Inc
To Jay for all he's done over the years
To Jan for her lovely pack ups she made for us
To Julia, Glenda and the staff from the Accident and Emergency unit of the J.P.U.H.
To Sam, Craig, Sean, Jenny, Mick, Mary and Peter "The committee".
To Gaz and Toni from "Tribes trike" for the fantastic web site.
And finally to the general public who cheered and waved us as we went by.
Stay safe and my kindest regards to you all,
Paul Howard
Eastern lights....as was
PS. If you ever hear me say I have an idea to raise some money for charity,
please punch me hard and walk off.
2010 Plans Cancelled