Egg Run Band announced

The band for the 34th Egg run will be..

VaVoom.

We have had VaVoom, play at a run a couple of years back & they were probably one of the most requested bands to have back & after they finished playing last time they expressed they wanted to do it again, so we’re bringing them back for the 34th Egg Run.

They are a Trio playing Rockabilly styled covers of popular songs & of course some of the classics.  You may remember the band for their zealous double bass player who has created a style of his own & for a party piece climbs on top of the instrument to play it on occasion.

You can read more about the band at http://www.vavoom.altpro.net/home

or see them in action VaVoom Live (YouTube video clip)

Bike Safe 2012

Foley Motorcycles are holding a BIKE SAFE day on Sat 21st of April 2012.

Any one wishing to book or check out details, can call the shop  on 01782 84882 or go on line to Staffordshire Police Bike Safe – http://www.staffordshire.police.uk/advice_zone/road_safety/bikesafe.

Its a FREE one to one ride out with a Police rider,with a Pre briefing, before and debrief after your ride out. Everyone who has taken part over the last 11 years, has realy enjoyed the experance, and gained valuable knowledge.

Representatives from the Star Bikers will be there on the day taking donations & selling wristbands.

Other Staffordshire Bike safe dates are :-

Saturday 31st March 2012 – Tamworth Yamaha
Unit Q, Riverside Estate Atherstone St, Fazely, Tamworth, B78 3RW.

Saturday 21st April 2012 – Foley Motorcycles
67/69 King Street, Fenton, Stoke on Trent, ST4 3LZ.

Saturday 12th May 2012, CG Chell Motorcycles
27 Marston Road, Stafford, ST16 3BS.

Sunday 20th May 2012, – “Ladies day”
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, Weston Road Stafford , ST18 ODD.

Saturday  2nd June 2012 – Suttons Motorcycles
361 Watling Street, Wilnecote, Tamworth, B77 5AD.

Saturday 9th June 2012 – BS Bikes
653/657 High Street, Sandyford,Tunstall Stoke on Trent, ST6 5PL.

To express your interest simply E-mail PC 965 John Edmondson at
bikesafe.staffs@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk or call Staffordshire Police and leave a voicemail 101.

Marshal Meeting (Toy run 34)

The Marshals meeting dates have now been confirmed,

Its that time of year and this time it should be busy as the Toy run is on 11th December 2011 so loads of extra bikes on the road.

We need a lot of Marshals so please grab your friends and volunteer to help.

A marshals meetings is being held to organise Marshals and also to tell new people what is expected 1st meeting is on Thurs 8th December 8pm at The boat and Horses, Newcastle (opp Morrisons)

Thanks lots

 

Just to confirm

• Thursday 8th December 2011
  8pm, the Boat & Horses, Stubbs Gate, Newcastle, Staffs
  http://www.boatandhorses.com/

If you are down for marshalng or wish to volunteer, please attend either of the 2 meetings to be briefed & allocated a marshal point.

If you have marshalled one of our runs in the past, there will be a quick briefing prior to the start of the run, but please let us know if you are available so a suitable point can be pre selected.

Further details can be found on the page - http://www.stokebikeruns.co.uk/about/information-for-marshals/

New Wristbands launched.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Star Bikers charity wristbands.

There are 2 bands, the black one is to represent the Toy Run, the Yellow one is to represent the Egg run.   We think these are a fantastic addition to the badges & other merchandise we currently offer

Bands will cost £2 each & will be on general sale at the next event & all future events.  All proceeds will go to the charity in the form of a donation.
(Postage / packaging will be charged on online sales at 35p per band from 1st December.)

You could buy yours online today.
  Black Toy run Wristband
  Yellow Egg Run Wristband 

Plans are also being discussed for a limited run of 40th anniversary bands in Ruby red (ruby anniversary coloured) & if possible, a Golden band for the 50th anniversary.

There is also plans that the bands will be on sale in local bike shops throughout Stoke on Trent.

We would like to hear your thoughts & ideas on the Wristbands as well as finding out what other merchandise you think we could sell.  if you have any ideas of what you think would be a good item to stamp the Star Bikers logo onto we will consider all sensible ideas.  let us know on our forum thread & have your say - http://www.stokebikeruns.co.uk/html/forums/viewtopic.php?id=1376

Street entertainers & Stalls wanted

Can you help us expand our “Family fun day” activities?

If you can spare a few hours or know someone who can, the Star Bikers are looking for any individuals or organisation who can volunteer their services as a street entertainer or provide a suitable activity for the day of the runs to extend the sadly lacking “Fun day” entertainment, or of course to help on outside fund raisers.

We would consider the following.

• Jugglers
• Body / Face painters
• Street magicians
• Dancers
• Puppeteers
• Clowns
• Balloon Modellers
• Buskers
• Marching bands
• Street artists / cartoonists
• Bouncy Castles
• Cheer leaders

For the inside of the hall we could always welcome a few more exhibits or stalls, for which we would consider.

• Road safety advisers
• Product demonstrators (bike related preferable)
• Volunteer services (e.g. organ/blood donor, First aid, care centres etc)
• Art & Craft or modelling exhibitors
• Pottery exhibits / crafting
• Play groups & Junior clubs or community groups
• Collectors / memorabilia stalls

If you are a trader / exhibit stall we would simply ask for a small donation from any profits you may make on the day as a good will gesture.

Sadly, we are not able to allow the sale of food, beverages or any outside catering due to restrictions set out by the local authority.

If you can offer such a service or would be willing to take part, please contact us via Phone or email to pass on your details, to ask for more information or to make arrangements.

Chairman’s Thank You

A Letter of thanks from our Chairman.

What a fantastic day.

On Sunday, April 10, the Star Bikers staged the 33rd Annual Egg Run.

It turned out to be one of the best we have had in recent years.
The Star Bikers would like to pass on a few thanks.

To Staffordshire Police motorcyclists and car driver, and all our own volunteer marshalls.

They kept everyone moving and safe between the start at Britannia Stadium and end at the King’s Hall.  Thank you to both of the aforementioned venues for their continued support in the staging of the event.

To the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Denver Tolley, who I know had a great time leading the run.

Special thanks must again go out to the local motorcycle shops for their generosity when donating prizes for our free draw which takes place inside King’s Hall.  They were: Bassett’s, BS Bikes, DH Autos, Foley Motorcycles, K2, Norman & Birch, SHD Motorcycles and Websters.
Thanks to Andy’s Motorcycles who always donates the trophies for best bike award etc. (Done by Trent Trophies) and to Prima Distribution for supplying transport for thousands of Easter eggs that were donated.

Thank you once again to The Sentinel for your support in advertising the run in the lead up and coverage of the day itself.

Thanks to everybody who displayed our posters.

Another good point on the day apart from the number of bikes, scooters, quads, etc actually on the run, was the number of people who came to stand at the side of the road to give their support, many of whom handed over Easter eggs as the run went past.

I would just like to say how grateful we are to everybody who donated to the event, be it with time and effort, Easter eggs or cash donations.

It is all received with the utmost gratitude. We could not do it without you. Thanks.

We did have a face painter and a couple of street entertainers that volunteered to come on the day but failed to turn up.
So if anyone would like to help at the next run we would be very grateful.  Contact us via the website www.stokebikeruns.co.uk

Just one last note. I know it might be a bit colder by then, but it would be fantastic if we could see each and every one of you for this year’s 34th toy run.

ANTONY MIDDLETON
Stoke-on-Trent Star Bikers committee chairman

Star Bikers in Newcastle

The Star Bikers will have a Stall at Newcastle carnival on Bank-Holiday Monday, 30th May 2011.

This Stall is to help promote the charity as well as sell merchandise, sell/raffle items donated from bike shops to help raise money for the charity & for people to ask questions etc.

The stall will be located in Newcastle High St near to NatWest & the old Woolworths store from 9am onwards..  see you there.

Marshal Meetings

The Marshals meeting dates have now been confirmed,

Its that time of year and this time it should be busy as the Egg run is on 10th April 2011 so loads of extra bikes on the road.

We need a lot of Marshals so please grab your friends and volunteer to help.

2 meetings are being held to organise Marshals and also to tell new people what is expected 1st meeting is on Thurs 31st March 8pm at The boat and Horses, Newcastle (opp Morrisons) Then another one a week later same place same time thats Thurs 7th April.

Thanks lots

Rob D

Just to confirm

• Thursday 31st March 2011
• Thursday 7th April 2011
  8pm, the Boat & Horses, Stubbs Gate, Newcastle, Staffs
  http://www.boatandhorses.com/

If you are down for marshalng or wish to volunteer, please attend either of the 2 meetings to be briefed & allocated a marshal point

Further details can be found on the forum -

http://www.stokebikeruns.co.uk/html/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=14372#p14372

Help the marshals appeal

There are also some “wanted” posters going around in the local shops & businesses, if you would like to download & print your own posters to put on the notice board or to hang in the window, you can by clicking here

Bands – play the runs.

Calling all bands, do you want to play at one of our runs?  if so then let us know.

we are currently on the lookout for bands for forthcoming events & are taking applications.  However, before you apply please read the notes below which also appear on our forum.

I get quite a few emails from bands asking if they can perform at one of the events or from people suggesting bands to play at an Egg or Toy run event.

Before you email to ask if your band (or a band you know) can play at any of our future events please read the following.

Now for the very important bit
* Remember these events are for charity.. We always select bands primarily on the basis of who are willing to do the performance for no financial gain & who can put on a good professional performance that reflects well on the charity – so if you are hoping to earn a fortune from doing an Egg/Toy run gig or simply looking for self promotion, you may as well not read any further.
Simple answer is we always strive to keep a good family friendly atmosphere.  Plus of course would prefer our fundraising efforts to go to worthwhile causes rather than into the pocket of some money grabbing band or entertainment agent.
We understand that a lot of people in the entertainment world will do their share of charity work or unpaid work to help get themselves established, to polish their skills or simply for self promotion, especialy when starting out or after a rebranding process, so please don’t think we are being harsh.  Other bands have done the events for nothing & of course your band will potentially gain from the performance in other ways.   Besides, the charity commitee, marshals & the volunteers don’t get paid, so why should a band?
We stopped the bands once before because they demanded high fee’s, we don’t want to have to repeat the trend!

Here comes the science part…
* Even though we ask you to do the gig for free, We don’t mind paying expenses (such as travel, cost of replacing guitar strings etc) & we are always willing to buy a round of drinks to keep your costs to a minimum.  We will also provide the PA (where possible) any lighting & a compere, but you need to provide the instruments & singing talent.

* Usually we will not headline unknown bands – if this is your 1st ever gig & you are looking for a high-profile gig to put onto your CV to gain notability we want to hear you perform 1st. (see the point below), if you impress us enough though, we may well book you.

* Ideally we would like to see & hear you perform 1st, for this purpose we would like to see you perform live.. you can’t get an idea of “stage presence” from a CD / taped recording or from a few songs on a MySpace page, so for this reason we would like to see you in a live environment or if that is not possible in a rehearsal room.  Don’t forget to send us the tickets of course.

* Remember these events are for Children’s charity events & are family orientated so we don’t want any bands that swear, sing abusive songs or resort to smut as part of the performance – as much as we may like them, on the day of the events this type of behaviour is inappropriate.

* All decisions regarding bands & who gets booked are overseen by the chairman & his decision is final.  If your band wants to be considered, please contact the chairman direct by phone or in writing (details on contact page) & include the final details of any upcoming gigs or shows you may be performing. If you have been unsucessful this time, remember there is always next year.

Chairmans Letter.

Letter as published in the Stoke Sentinel.. 02/04/2010

As chairman of the Star Bikers Charity Committee I would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s 32nd Egg Run, held on March 21, a great day out.

Thanks to the rest of my newly–formed committee for its hard work in helping at this year’s event.

The committee would also like to thank Staffordshire Police motorcyclists and car drivers and our own volunteer marshals. They kept everyone safe and moving between the start at Britannia Stadium and end at King’s Hall. Thank-you to both these venues for their continued support. To the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent who I know had a great time leading the run. Special thanks must again go to the local motorcycle shops for their generosity when donating prizes for our free draw. These were Bassetts, Bikerz, BS Bikes, D H Autos, Foley Motorcycles, K2, Norman and Birch, and Websters. Thanks to Andy’s Motorcycles and Trent Trophies. Thank-you once again to the Sentinel for its support.This year we also had some support from Sainsbury’s stores at Stoke, Newcastle and Hanley which had collection points for people to donate Easter eggs. We have also had some donations from people that have organised collection points at their place of work. If anyone would like to do the same for future events if you contact the Star Bikers Charity at www.stokebikeruns.co.uk we can let you have some posters.

Another good point on the day was the number of people who came to stand at the side of the road to give their support. It would be fantastic if we could see each and everyone of you for this year’s 33rd Toy Run. Watch out in the Sentinel closer to December or check our website www.stokebikeruns.co.uk.

ANTONY MIDDLETON