The 61st Saundersfoot weekend hosted by the West South Wales section of the Vintage Motorcycle Club, was thoroughly enjoyed once again in lovely sunshine by everyone who took part. Unfortunately, the entry numbers were down this year due to the event being a week earlier due to the Ironman this weekend, resulting in our event clashing with other big runs in the calendar.

Friday’s social run of Chris Thomas’s took us on a lovely route to the unique Point House at Angle for tea and coffee, before returning through the sand dunes in Harry Potter country and onto lunch at at Bosherston café and inn, returning via Freshwater East and The Ridgeway back to the finish at the Merlewood Hotel.

Saturday’s road event saw a great mixture of machines dating from 1913 to 1991. The first to be flagged away from the harbour start by Saundersfoot Community Council chairman Sue Boughton-Thomas was Chris Thomas astride his 1913 Royal Enfield which had a wicker basket sidecar, in which his daughter Elspeth was passenger. It was a family affair for them as Chris’s wife, son and father were all entered. Next away was Phil ‘Lamo’ Hammersley on his ex-dispatch rider’s Triumph at 100-years-old.

The route of 90 miles through Pembrokeshire, once again set by Les, was enjoyed by the riders as it took in Wisemans Bridge, then to Narberth before heading to Wiston for a checkpoint. The A40 was crossed four times during the day’s run. The competitors were treated to a great view at the Newgale checkpoint. The back roads of Brawdy were taken in and the lovely Middle Mill, before the lunch stop at St. Davids Rugby Club.

The route back was along some of the single narrow track roads to Abercastle and Abermawr, where some riders were treated to the Red Bull diving display team above the Blue Lagoon. Continuing to Hayscastle and Treffgarne, then the checkpoint at the Spittal rail tunnel.

Llawhaden was visited for the second time, while the penultimate checkpoint was on the edge of Templeton Airfield. Jeffreyston and Pentlepoir took the riders, male and female, junior and senior, to the Saundersfoot harbour finish, to be welcomed by the waiting spectators.

Sunday morning and the machines lined-up for the concours display, with many spectators viewing the machines. Mr. Gordon Prime, Normandy veteran, who was a dispatch rider, came both days to see the bikes and was delighted to be asked to present the awards to the recipients, including best veteran - Chris Thomas, 1913 Royal Enfield, best vintage - David Jones, 1929 Ariel, best post-vintage - Bruce Grant, 1938 Brough Superior, best post-war - Anthony Devall, 1949 Vincent, best classic - Lyn Griffiths, 1979 BMW, best 3W - Paul Harris, 1984 Triking, most interesting machine - Nick Granger, 1954 Rumi Turismo Lusso of 125cc, a quite rare and outstanding little machine, best WSW machine - Ron Evans, 1968 Triumph.

Pembrokeshire entrants awards: best vintage - John Webb, 1929 Scott, best post-vintage - Alistair Devall, 1935 Norton, best post war - Tony Brinsden, 1955 Ariel.

Thanks to everyone involved with the weekend organisers, marshals, advertisers, the Merlewood, harbour management and anyone else who is not mentioned.

Les Thomas