POLAR BEARS AT SELKIRK RALLY |
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The Selkirk Rally, which was held on Sunday 17th September in the grounds of Sunderland Hall situated halfway between Selkirk and Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, is one of the biggest gatherings of vehicles. They are divided into veteran cars (earliest model was a 1901 Tiverton), 2 classes of vintage cars, 3 classes of post war cars, with similar categories for motorbikes and commercials, tractors and buses. Then there are the engines, agricultural implements, bicycles and steamers. Forty-seven car clubs took part and to complete the event there are numerous autojumble and other “assorted” traders to part you from your money. The programme showed a total of 1884 entrants but we know of at least one unofficial entrant who will remain nameless! This was the second year that the Polar Bears decided to take a stand with the prime objective of selling as many bears, and other cuddly creatures, as possible to the passing public. Throughout 2006 Polar Bears had been collecting bears from a variety of sources and ingenious methods had to be adopted to transport them. Throughout the morning other bears were delivered by friends of Bears who could not attend in person – there was no shortage of stock! |
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The Selkirk Rally, which was held on Sunday 17th September in the grounds of Sunderland Hall situated halfway between Selkirk and Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, is one of the biggest gatherings of vehicles. They are divided into veteran cars (earliest model was a 1901 Tiverton), 2 classes of vintage cars, 3 classes of post war cars, with similar categories for motorbikes and commercials, tractors and buses. Then there are the engines, agricultural implements, bicycles and steamers. Forty-seven car clubs took part and to complete the event there are numerous autojumble and other “assorted” traders to part you from your money. The programme showed a total of 1884 entrants but we know of at least one unofficial entrant who will remain nameless! |
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This was the second year that the Polar Bears decided to take a stand with the prime objective of selling as many bears, and other cuddly creatures, as possible to the passing public. Throughout 2006 Polar Bears had been collecting bears from a variety of sources and ingenious methods had to be adopted to transport them. Throughout the morning other bears were delivered by friends of Bears who could not attend in person – there was no shortage of stock! a donation. Hundreds of bears were sold but by the end of the afternoon we were pleading with people to take a bear when giving a donation! |
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Money was also raised by Mary-Jane Ferris who allowed members of the public to sit in her husband Mike’s GT40 and be photographed in exchange for a donation. During the course of the afternoon we had an unexpected visit from an unknown gentleman, but possibly with SBMC connections, who explained that he had come to congratulate us on winning Best Car Club Stand in Show. Our stand was certainly colourful with an interesting range of cars but we had not expected this honour. To raise the Club profile the most impressive car on the stand – Archie Hamilton’s Pontiac Bonneville, which was filled with the largest of the bears as well as his family and our leader Tony Woods - went into the show ring to accept the prize. Before the presentation the show commentator chatted to Tony about the Club and encouraged the public to visit the stand. A new cup had been donated and Lord Steel presented this to Tony. Sporting Bears MC is now the first car club to have its name engraved upon this prestigious trophy. Next year we have the honour (?) of judging this class – bribes will not be accepted! |
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This was a very successful show for us in other ways. We picked up another new member and the total raised from the sale of bears together with donations was £700. We’ll be back in 2007 – why don’t you try to join us for an exhausting but fun day? Fiona Davies |
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