Last updated at 09:38, Friday, 18 July 2008

A POPULAR motorcycle show, organised by the Tyne Valley Classic Motorcycle Club, has been drastically scaled down because of red tape and costs.

Last year’s event saw almost 6,000 people descend on the former RAF station at Ouston, near Stamfordham, to marvel at the mighty machines on show, the vast majority of them dating back to the days when BSA, Triumph and Norton were kings of the road.

This year, however, will be a very different story.

Club chairman Robin Watson said: “The cost of things and the officialdom that comes with it just takes the fun out of everything.

“It was one of our biggest events ever at Ouston last year but the expense on things like insurance and the risk assessments that needed to be carried out was ridiculous.”

Instead of a larger-scale event which has managed to raise thousands of pounds for local charities over the years, including the Great North Air Ambulance, Sunday, August 3, will see a modest classic motorcycle meet in Stamfordham village for genuine enthusiasts.

He added: “We’ve got together with Stamfordham WI to hold more of a village fete type event on the village green in Stamfordham.”

First published at 13:35, Thursday, 17 July 2008
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk