Guernsey 2007
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Although this event appeared in the list as just another dream rides activity to label it as such would be a massive understatement. Readers need to understand the separate areas of organisation which came together to create what those involved might possibly regard as one of the most enjoyable Bears outings of the year. Its success owed much to the determination of Bear Jan Wright to repeat and build on the Rides exercise that took place two years previously on the island. She took the initiative on Guernsey and with a small band of helpers waded through the massive sea of paperwork needed to gain the necessary authorities for the event to take place. It must be said that, as with anyone who has organised an activity for the club, she experienced every attitude from total helpfulness to frustrating obstruction. In reality Jan set out not just to organise a Dream Rides activity but a motoring event of which the rides were just one part. Additionally she searched for and found a hotel with staff willing to help arrange accommodation and ferry crossings greatly appreciated by the 17 mainland Bears who opted to join in. So how successful a venture was it? Well read on to find out.
It seems only right that from the mainland bears point of view we should start at the hotel. Julie the reservations manager at the Peninsular Hotel agreed to make all the necessary arrangements for both the ferry and the accommodation. As a result some of the party were able to extend their period on the island either before the weekend or after thus enjoying the favourable rates for both the accommodation and the ferry that Julie had kindly arranged for us. The staff at the hotel were great and all the Bears left owing them a debt of gratitude and with the express wish for an early return.
 

With everyone assembled on Guernsey on the Saturday, shopping and exploration was the focus for the day. Andrew, Trevor and Jacqui were the last to make the ferry crossing but took part in what is looking to become a traditional evening excursion. As the sun set a number of the party went to Cobo bay and having purchased fish and chips proceeded to eat them sitting on the sea wall whilst waiting the sunset that this location is famous for. Richard and Michelle tried to raise the tone and level of sophistication by producing rather smart wine glasses for everyone and sparkling wine to fill them. And so having eaten and drunk their fill a happy bunch of Bears looked towards the sea and the western skies for the expected spectacular event that would underline the wonders of nature. It didn't happen. A cloud had obviously not read the script and rolled in to hide a large part of the sun's display. And so disappointed but not downhearted our intrepid Bears returned to the hotel where they proceeded to rearrange the lounge furniture before attempting to debate all manner of topics from the price of fish to the meaning of life. Oh and they also had one or two drinks.

The day of the event dawned sunny and warm. After the usual buffet breakfast we made our way down to the North Pier Car Park, the site of the  day's events. Jan had actually persuaded the powers that be to hand over this massive area to the Bears for the day.

When we arrived Jan, who had been there from 8am was busy organising the local police who were removing cars which the owners had left there overnight thus ignoring the signs saying the car park was closed for the day. Trevor took over this task and displayed a worrying aptitude and enjoyment in assisting the officers to open locked cars in order to move them.

With so many activities taking place the area once cleared quickly became a hive of activity. Static displays of motor bikes and cars soon formed, a local motor club started a driving test display and before long Paul Swift, ably assisted by Sarah began to demonstrate how to park. I should point out that Russ Swift; Paul's father had been forced to cancel his trip to the event when he broke his arm. Not a surprising injury would be the comment of most people who had witnessed him driving on two wheels and throwing a car into impossibly small gaps, however the truth was more sobering. Despite Paul's attempt to convince us that the injury was caused in a failed attempt to jump the Grand Canyon, in a mini, the truth was he did it changing a wheel. Nuff said.

As the day progressed the crowds grew and by mid afternoon, despite competing with the Guernsey regatta based just 100 yards away, the show had attracted a good number of people. Paul continued to provide a great attraction and the Dream Rides did good business. Anne displayed a remarkably calm authority in guiding wayward drivers to where they should be whilst keeping the rides entrance clear. Diane managed to persuade many drivers that they should contribute to the charity collection for the privilege of parking in an area of the show ground that was unused on the day. Why is this worthy of note you might ask. Because parking on Guernsey is normally free in all car parks so for locals to pay to park is comparatively unknown. By the end of the day everyone was ready to return to the hotel for a relaxing soak and the planned celebratory dinner. That was all except Andrew who had work commitments that required him to catch the evening ferry back to the UK.

Over the meal many tales were told and the locals mixed well with the mainland Bears. The food was excellent and the company of equal standard. Once everyone had had their fill it was back to the lounge for the customary movement of the furniture and I think that some alcohol was also consumed. The revelation that the provisional figure for the money raised was just short of œ3,000 was good news for the three local charities(Help a Guernsey Child, The You Can Do It Foundation and The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation) This gave everyone a real sense of achievement and completed the evening in fine fashion.

Monday was for most the last day on the island with a ferry to catch in the early afternoon. So the order was for final shopping and on to the cat.

 For those remaining, the next few days saw their departure and so the island was once again returned to the locals.

There is no question that the event proved most popular with all the Bears who this year travelled to Guernsey, some of them for the second time for a Bears activity. Jan reports that it has raised interest in more local car clubs and that although initially positive she would never do it again has now begun to show a softening of that attitude.

It was also great to have Paul and Sarah join us at the hotel and we hope we gave them a positive experience of Bear hospitality.

The prize for the one showing the most initiative in fundraising must go to Boo. She spotted a group of men in the hotel lounge who had obviously come to the island on a golfing weekend. They were quietly discussing the days events on the course when Boo arrived in their midst and within a short time had relieved them of over œ30 to go into the collection. Surprisingly we never saw them sitting in the lounge after that.

With contacts now established at the Peninsular Hotel a further trip to Guernsey even for a purely social event could be on the cards for the Bears in 2008. By the way I am in a position to deny the scurrilous rumour which circulated regarding the collapse of the wine industry following the bear's departure. It seems that this may have been due to wine consumption at the regatta and had nothing to do with Bears, unless you know different.


Mick Bryan