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Young and old compete at the Narberth Motor Cycle Classic trials
If there is a more pleasant way to spend a bright winter Sunday morning than attending a motor cycle trial organised by the Narberth Classic Motor Cycle Club then PembrokeshireSport.co.uk has yet to find it.
We were invited to pay a visit to the recent trial held at Cresswell Barn Farm, near Cresselly, by kind permission of the Narberth club members and the Elliott family, who not only run the farm but are involved in the sport as well, and were blessed with quite glorious weather as we got there just in time to see the start.
Making the invitation to us was Brian Bodfish, the Trials Secretary of the Narberth Classic Club and as keen an administrator as they come – but someone who, at 70 years young, also loves competing in the sidecar events when the club holds a scramble event. Brian and wife Dorothy came to Pembrokeshire almost a decade ago to join their son Tim in his farming venture at West Atherston Farm, near Narberth after a lifetime of involvement with motor cycles. Dorothy helps as an administrator at the trials, son Tim is soon to take part again n his 350 BSA, although wife Julie qualifies that statement by saying it will be as soon as he has finished the kitchen he has promised her! Julie is a key member of the team because although she doesn’t take part she makes soup which she supplies free to competitors and onlookers like us – and delicious it was too! The couple have two sons in Andrew (17) and Jonathan (14), both involved, as is Brian’s other son Derrick, who has recently retired after being a top three competitor in his sidecar set-up, whilst Derrick’s son Matthew is also a good sidecar man who received his initial training from granddad!
Brian attended his first trial with his Uncle Basil at Dunstable and was immediately hooked, taking up the sport as soon as he was old enough to acquire a motor bike and get involved around the Midlands. He was riding a BSA 125 when he met Dorothy and certainly believes in the family keeping involved.
Clerk of the course for the day was Eddie Woolford and prior to the 52 competitors getting under way they received instructions about the course and their showing the ten sections respect, with his emphasis on enjoyment, linked very much to safety.
“If you don’t like the course then blame me, not the observers,” he told them, “and I want everyone to have a good day without any accidents.”
His instructions were certainly adhered to and it was nice to hear riders thanking the observers as they left the sections, even if they had dropped marks for putting their foot on the floor as they negotiated each section four times and rode up small streams, over tree roots and down banks that would turn us couch potatoes white. The trialist starts with no points but receives penalty points, up to a maximum of five per section being attempted. Mind you, few would argue with one of the legends of scrambling, John Caffrey, who gave plenty of vocal encouragement to all in his section! There were three routes for each section, with red as the most testing, followed by white and blue for less experienced riders and novices.
The participants came from as far afield as Cardiff, Abergavenny, Mid Wales, Neath and Swansea, with youngsters of nine competing against their fathers and the oldest being club treasurer Tony Ditcher, who defied his senior status to come third in his section. In the red section, Steven Richards
was first whilst the best junior was Tom Woolford, from New Hedges, whilst Tom’s dad David was fourth in the senior section!
Brian Bodfish not only looked after entries on the day but helped grandson Andrew make repairs to his bike. Brian also maintains his 1975 Norton 750 because, he says,
“I wouldn’t trust anyone else with such a beautiful machine!”
Followed by a typically loud chuckle and a feeling that Narberth Classic Motor Cycle Club have their trials just about right, with a high degree of competition but camaraderie hard to find in many other sports!
Results on the day:
Red Section:
First Senior: Steven Richards (270 Beta)
Second Senior: Glyn Moses (250 Montesa)
Anthony Macklen (250 Montesa)
First Schoolboy: Tom Woolford (125 Beta)
White Section:
First Senior: Dave Williams (250 Gas-Gas)
Second Senior: Dave Bower (290 Sherco)
Third Senior: Trevor Richards (250 Beta)
First Pre 65: Mick Maskelyne (350 BSA)
Second Pre 65: Arthur Dovey (250 BSA)
First Schoolboy: Leam Fenn (80 Beta)
Second Schoolboy: Owen Ganthorpe (80 Beta)
Blue Section:
First Senior: Keith Knott (250 Montesa)
Second Senior: Ioan Dummer (250 Montesa)
Third Senior: Leon Gooding (280 Gas-Gas)
First Pre 65: David Hammersley (300 BSA)
Second Pre 65 Simon Hammersley (300 BSA)
Third Pre 65: Tony Ditcher (200 Triumph)
First Schoolboy: Will Davies (125 Gas-Gas)
First Twin Shaft: James Booth (250 Honda)
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