Comments on: Wootton Bassett Ride – FAQ final update

By: Brian Cluett

Brian Cluett — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:15:41 +0000

Hi Maurice, what rank did you achieve during your service?

By: Tim Clark

Tim Clark — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:18:56 +0000

The company who are producing the DVDs said that it could take up to 28 days to ship the DVDs.

By: mike torrington

mike torrington — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:22:02 +0000

hi everyone,
any news on the dvd`s. i ordered 2 on 27 march ( order no 1740 ) but have heard nothing since. is thre a delay on delivery or is our postal service at fault.
kind regards

mike torrington

By: Slick

Slick — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:58:33 +0000

…….Oh and……the problems with getting out was to do with OUTSIDE the Airfield…lol…it was a huge volume of traffic to get through without disrupting (TOO MUCH!) the local and through traffic…

…..Oh and…..we were put into allotted areas…lol…the lanes were set up that the first in had the extreme left hand lane …..and it went out first…..and so on across the runway…..

But did you see? As soon as the lanes were emptying they started filling right up again…..and STILL there was loads waiting from the gate to that runway to get parked…..

By: Slick

Slick — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:53:01 +0000

KELVIN… I arrived around 2 hours before my allotted time and I went on the ride approx 3 hours AFTER my allotted time, no problem there, I was enjoying catching up with old friends, chatting with new ones, meeting lots of people from all over Britain and generally enjoying the whole experience…

Sorry mate, but I think you came there in the wrong frame of mind, I was just drinking in the atmosphere and enjoying every minute…

The way I see it is (being realistic) that this ride was put together in such a short time and with very short staff at first…..but then as it escalated over 10,000 and RAF Lyneham was unable to handle these numbers (Active Airfield), The Organisers had to find other options, I PERSONALLY think they did an absolutely marvellous job of getting it all together in the time they had…..

Kelvin, Think about all the good stuff that was done by a bunch of sweaty hairy Bikers and Motorcycle Enthusiasts all turning up in a field and joining in with the day…..the day that …..
“Will Be Remembered Always!!!” …..and YOU was a part of it!!! YOU was there!!!

I knew I was going to have some discomfort, I knew it was going to be a very difficult ride of that distance on “Colossus” ….. that trike takes a lot of riding over longer distances, I knew I was going to be in pain from the word go…but I wanted to be there on Colossus … I am technically 3 limb disabled and so what if there is a bit of discomfort, so what if it was going to be awkward for me…now think of what the guys n gals are feeling over there…..my bit of discomfort lasted one day…..theirs goes on for the whole Tour of Duty….. I stayed in bed a couple of days after…lol…but I had a huge smile on my face!!!!!

I am just so glad I was allowed to come, and so proud to have been there on that day, a day that I shall Remember Forever…..

I was one of those who needed help with getting my passes printed etc…..panicked over not getting everything done right for the day…..and yet…..I found the whole experience from coming through the gate to going home ran so smoothly, I did not feel ‘cattle trucked’ in and stacked, racked and booted off at the end, it was a really easy day for me…..and to everyone who made my day just flow I thank you, right from Tim, and others from same team helping me out, to finally setting off for home after dark, I rode there in the dark – and I returned home in the dark – filled with a memorable day…..

I SAY IT AGAIN….ALL YOU GUYS N GALS ROCK!!!!!
ORGANISERS, HELPERS, AFGHAN HERO’S CREW, AIRFIELD CREW, MARSHALLS, MEDICS, COPS, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS THE DAY IT WAS…..AND OF COURSE THE RIDERS TAKING PART TOO!!!

By: Chris/Zeb

Chris/Zeb — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:24:32 +0000

What a day WOW, absolutely brilliant, even the weather was with us. Thanks a million to the Ladies and Organiser for the whole event. Would be only to pleased to do it year on, but hopefully the present will be finished with and it will be to help those still needing our support.
I was lucky enough to have the support of so many Hungerford people and when I asked who to give the Cheque to, I was told to go over to the blonde Lady in leathers, Ha Ha Ha, there were so many it was guess who, but the correct Lady was fantastic and the ride was superb.
If anyone has copies of a video of any part of the journey that I could purchase copies of, it would be great to hear from you please, as my Daughter and Son-in-Law would love to have been there but are stationed far to far away.
Thanks a million everyone for a brilliant day, not forgetting the Polices help of course, which was really good and kept us going right through, Thanks.

By: KELVIN J BARNETT

KELVIN J BARNETT — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:11:14 +0000

sorry Tim if I sounded discruntaled i didn’t mean it, I’ve marshalled at hogging the bridge so I know how difficult it is. I think the problem was that people were pushing in when they saw the the lines moving and yes I agree people will have a better idea next time,and you guys did a great job.

By: Christie

Christie — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:58:29 +0000

Great idea Ron, the dvd has got to be a MUST! And has got to be pip-squeak simple to produce compared to organising this mega ride! There was plenty of film being taken along the route, Just how many hours can you get onto a dvd!?? We need all of it, EVERY bike! A fab spot was as Callow Hill joined Whitehill Lane – All the bikes/trikes were cruising to the junction, cornering, and revving throttle a little to pull away on the straight – all in one smooth continuous convoy – just awesome! Things were understandably slightly more gentle in Bassett High Street but still thoroughly emotional. Like those troops who were in everyone’s hearts on that historic day, this event will never be forgotten. We all hear the repatriation plane overhead before landing far too often; we long for the day it no longer needs to return to RAF Lyneham.

By: ron molloy

ron molloy — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:02:37 +0000

what a magic day-loved every moment-been riding bikes since 1957 but never had a day to beat that one-what about an annual rally at hulavington–if you could get hold of the news footage,would make a great dvd-you could sell thousands and raise more funds–i would love a copy to send to my son in kandahar just to show the troops we care–thanks ron

By: Gareth Williams

Gareth Williams — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:39:23 +0000

John my partner is Artistic Director at Wootton Bassett Theatre and as in 2009 her youth theatre company ‘scene and not heard’ will be involved in a remembrance production during armistice week. Last year’s production raised money for the poppy appeal and this year the children have asked if their donation can go to Afghan heroes. Diana would very much like to use your poem in the production which is entitled My War and concentrates on experiences of all those involved in war in varying capacities. Would that be possible? Diana is more than happy to chat with you via email on the above website as it seems slightly inappropropriate to tie up the Afghan Heroes web blog any further. Kind Regards Gareth