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You’ve Been Nabbed - The History
The NABD national rally has been through some changes over the past 13 years. The first one was in a field at Edale in Derbyshire where we expected a hundred or so people to attend. We were very pleasantly surprised when nearly 400 people turned up and enjoyed themselves immensely. Spurred on by this success we moved the event to Capesthorne Hall near Macclesfield in Cheshire.
Capesthorne Hall turned out to be a popular site for the event and we had over 800 people the first time we used the site. Due to the popularity of the site and the act that we organise the event to give the greatest value for money we soon built up a regular crowd of over 2,000 people. In fact the final year at Capesthorne Hall (1999) was to see our biggest ever turnout with just over 3,000 people.
As many of you may remember 1999 was a traumatic year for the NABD and several members of the national committee including myself resigned their positions in protest at the direction the association was taking. Unfortunately the remaining committee members did not honour some long-standing agreements with Capesthorne Hall and by the time I returned to a newly formed committee in early 2000 the site had been lost to us.
We were then offered York Dragway as a venue for the event. This opened up the facility for new track based entertainment such as ‘Run What You Brung,’ Stunt Riders, and Jet Car displays. Though this proved to be popular with many people we did see a drastic reduction in numbers with only 1,600 attending the first year. The following year we were forced to move site to Santa Pod Raceway at just five weeks notice due to the Foot and Mouth crisis.
Santa Pod proved to be a very poor venue for the event and we had a further drop in attendance to less than 1,000 people. This was the only time in the history of the national rally that the event made a financial loss (albeit a small one).
Over the next two years back at York Dragway we never managed to recoup the numbers even when we made the ‘Run What You Brung’ free to enter. Though the event was back in profit with 1,200 in attendance, the site had never really been too popular ad we were increasingly asked to take the event back to a green-field site in Cheshire.
After much research and negotiation we managed to get a new site at Astle Park near Jodrell Bank Observatory. All that remained was to see if people would like the new site......
You’ve Been Nabbed 12A
Astle Park is a pretty site, relatively flat, with stands of Oak dotted around. There is easy access from the M6 and Manchester and being close to Jodrell Bank makes it easy to find. The formula for entertainment on the rally has always been popular with live music, discos, comedy club, kids games, a broad range of trade stands and always a few surprises. But even with everything in place and a small increase in the number of advance tickets sold the burning question was; “Will we get an increase in numbers and will they like the site?”
By the time people started arriving at mid-day on Friday the main arena had evolved into a bustling village of trade stalls and attractions. All of the traders (most of them regulars at You’ve Been Nabbed over the years) said they thought the site was even nicer than Capesthorne Hall.
By 6.00pm we had 800 people on site and the atmosphere was beginning to give me a warm feeling of confidence that we were on to a winner. The gate by now had a steady stream of people arriving.
Granada Men & Motors were out around the site filming for the ‘Bike Shows UK’ TV program and between doing interviews with them, dealing with the environmental health, and getting the entertainment in place the day seemed to fly along.
The discos and bars in both marquees were buzzing and people were constantly telling me that they loved the new site and the new layout of the arena. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to know that we had once again got a perfect setting for our main annual event.
The live music kicked of in fine style when ‘The Radiators’ took to the stage in the main marquee. I had managed to book The Radiators at only two days notice when ‘Shitting bricks’ had pulled out of the Friday gig due to reasons beyond their control. It is rare that I book a band that I have not seen and heard myself, but The Radiators came highly recommended by HD (Sonia Alker) who was the NABD North West rep for many years. I’m glad she made the recommendation because not only did they jump in at short notice, they also proved to be a fantastic rally band, just what we needed to start the evening with a bang. I’ve a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of them on the rally scene in the not too distant future.
While The Radiators were playing I had a report over the radio from the gate that the attendance had now risen to 1,350 I think my feet actually left the ground for a while.
After last years event I was contacted by a couple of members asking why there is no live music in the family marquee. They fully understood why we don’t allow kids under 15 in the main marquee (due to much of the entertainment being of an adult nature - particularly my compering), but they had a valid point that the family marquee had become something of a ‘second class section’ with just a disco. As we have always tried to cater to the wishes of our public, we decided to put bands in both marquees this year. (Even though this put a lot of pressure on the budget, as we had to bring in an extra stage, extra stage lighting and a second PA system, in addition to the cost of extra bands).
‘Minusoneraver’ provided the live music in the family marquee for Friday evening. Fate must have been smiling on me when I managed to book this band, they are making a big splash on the Manchester music scene and I have no doubt that they are headed for high acclaim. One of the people who had written to me requesting live music in the family marquee collared me and said “When you said you would put bands in here this year I thought you would just book some old rubbish to keep your costs down, I was wrong, this band are absolutely fantastic!”
I couldn’t agree more, in fact I don’t think I have ever booked a better band, and I think you’ll agree I’ve booked some stunners over the years. Being a bit of a clever bugger I had also booked them to play the main marquee the following day, but I’m getting ahead of myself, now where was I?...
Back in the packed out main marquee ‘The Mick Rutherford Band’ were taking to the stage. For most bands it would be a bit daunting to have to follow an outfit as good as The Radiators but after 40+ years in the business Mick Rutherford is not easily daunted. Mick and the lads are stalwart supporters of the NABD in fact you will rarely see them doing a gig anywhere without them wearing NABD T-shirts. Over the past five years they have played many NABD events and have become firm favourites with members and supporters alike. As always they played their hearts out and had people dancing throughout the marquee. It came as quite a shock when several people pointed out that I had never given The Mick Rutherford Band the Saturday ‘top of the bill’ spot at the national rally. I will remedy this oversight next year.
Friday night in general became a bit of a dream as people continually stopped me to shake my hand and enthuse about the event and the new site. I do remember being extremely drunk when doing my compere bits on stage, but even this seemed to add to the evenings entertainment.
It is sometimes easy to miss the fact that amongst all of the fun and entertainment there are an all too small number of NABD folk and supporters working their hearts out on the bars, marshalling the site, and working the gate. All of these people give up their time with no reward other than making the event run smoothly. Each and every one of them is a superstar in my book.
Things were going that smoothly I even managed to grab 30 minutes kip as the sun came up on Saturday morning (a rare thing at a NABD rally).
It was a real joy to wander about the site chatting to people as they enjoyed the Saturday morning sunshine. I was left in no doubt that the new venue was a winner and we would soon see a return to the numbers of people we used to get at Capesthorne Hall.
All too soon the work had to start again as noon approached. The Bike/Trike Show was getting busy in the arena, the kids ‘Donkey Hunt’ was getting started in fine style, and both discos had fired up to provide a musical background to the most laid back atmosphere I have experienced on a rally in the past twenty years.
The afternoon live entertainment in the main marquee was provided by ‘Addiction Lane’ due to having many other commitments to take care of I only got to see about ten minutes of their set, but I was very impressed and the reaction from people in the marquee proved that they were another much appreciated band.
The real attention grabber of the afternoon was Joseph Peace and his unique stunt show in the arena. He started by riding a burning Uni-Cycle with the flames lapping at his legs, this was followed by fire eating, blowing things up, blowing his girlfriend up (until she leapt out of a box topless - very nice too), spinning around in a flaming Gyroscope, and leaping through a blazing inferno on a BMX bike. Most of this was done while wearing only a silver posing pouch, which he also used to put out his fire brands by sticking them down the front of the pouch (the smell of burning pubic hair made this a particularly eye-watering technique).
The judging for the bike/trike show was done by BSH and 100% Biker magazines, and it was no easy job. The standards of entries were very high in each category. But they managed to come up with a list of winners (which as is now traditional I have mislaid) and the trophies were presented by NABD member Nathan ‘Napalm’ Pratt. Three of the show trophies were sponsored by 100% Biker magazine, and the good news is that they were so impressed they have agreed to sponsor and run the whole of the bike/trike show next year.
As usual we had three special NABD trophies to present. The Sara Russell Award is presented each year to an individual who has supported the aims of the NABD above and beyond the call of duty. This year the award went to Howard Cartledge in recognition of the constant support he has given the NABD over the past ten years. Howard has been instrumental in the NABD being able to attend the Isle of Man TT for the past seven years, he also gave us the helmet parks at the Manchester, Sheffield, and Exeter Bike Shows which bring in about £2,000.00 for NABD each year. In fact I could fill a whole page with the stuff Howard has helped us with. As Howard is a personal friend of mine I took no part in the meeting where it was decided to give him this award, so there could be no doubt whatsoever of just how well deserved this award was.
The George Hampson Trophy is given each year to the club who have done the most to support the NABD over the previous twelve months. This year it was presented to the Timelords Mcc from Abingdon in Oxfordshire who despite the fact that most of them are serving in the armed forces have found time to support the NABD in so many ways. Including the sponsoring of equipment, marshalling events, hosting the 2004 AGM, providing equipment free of charge for Autumn Nabd’ness, and so much more.
The final special trophy is The Chairman’s Award; this goes each year to the elected official from the NABD who has put in the most outstanding effort. It is never an easy one to decide particularly now when the NABD enjoys the efforts of some of the finest committee members and rep’s it has ever been blessed with. The award this year went to Dave Ladd (Bristol Rep) in recognition for his unceasing efforts on behalf of the NABD. Not only does he put on the Bristol ‘Non Urban’ Rally, and take the NABD stall to numerous events in the Southwest. He has also built up the NABD membership in the area, attended all sorts of meetings to represent the NABD, and brought in more than £10,000.00 to NABD funds over the last few years. In amongst all of this effort he still finds the time and energy to marshal at our main events. Dave reflects the dedication of NABD volunteers and as such he more than deserved this trophy.
After the trophies were presented I had the pleasure of introducing ‘Minusoneraver’ to the main marquee. I could enthuse about this band all day, but to understand it you would have had to see how they enthralled the crowd in the marquee. Rarely have I seen a band with such stage presence, and we will definitely be having them back with more appropriate billing. I actually made time to watch most of their set (it’s very unusual for me to have much time to watch the bands but in this case I was determined to enjoy an hour).
Tearing myself away from Minusoneraver was not easy, but the show must go on and it was time to introduce ‘T-Bone’ the first band of the evening to the family marquee which had already warmed up nicely under the care of Smurf the sexiest DJ in the world. (No not Smurf the bloke from USDAW, this ones Smurf the DJ and she’s lovely).
If there was one thing I was sure of on this event, it was that T-Bone would be brilliant. From the moment I introduced them (whilst trying to keep my usual ‘colourful’ language under control in the family marquee) you could feel the atmosphere grow.
As with Minusoneraver, T-Bone cover many songs that you don’t normally hear at bike rallies. But it was obvious that the people in the family marquee, which by then had standing room only, appreciated this very much.
At this point we had almost 1,500 people on site and the atmosphere was worth bottling. It’s an almost indescribable feeling to see so many people enjoying themselves and to know you have been partly responsible for it. I know all of the marshals, though footsore and tired, had that feeling.
Then it was time to introduce ‘The Beer Monsters’ onto the stage in the main marquee. The Beer Monsters had played at Cornbury Park for Autumn Nabd’ness last September and they had been phenomenal. While introducing them a little voice in the back of my mind kept saying “they’re gonna love this”, and I was right. Phrases like ‘in your face’ and ‘the dogs bollocks’ spring to mind when trying to describe The Beer Monsters. Suffice it to say that ‘Top of the Bill’ was the only place for them.
Once again I had to tear myself away to go over to the family marquee to introduce ‘Shittin Bricks’ onto the stage. Despite them having to drop out of their Friday night gig in the main marquee I couldn’t bring myself to be ad at them for long. Shittin’ Bricks have played quite a few gigs for NABD in Ashton-Under-Line for little or no money, because they support the NABD and they never fail to entertain. At this time of night people wanted loud, hard, ballsy, rock music, and that’s precisely what Shittin’ Bricks are all about.
I had to leave them doing their thing almost as soon as they got started because it was time to start the ‘Frog & Bucket Comedy Club Roadshow’. Many people have asked me where the name comes from, and the answer is simple. I poach the comics from the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club in the centre of Manchester (Oldham Street to be precise). They have never let me down with the quality of comedians and over the last seven years we have had some of the best on the British comedy scene.
The thought of playing to a huge crowd of drunken bikers could fill the trousers of the most experienced comics on the circuit. I would find it quite scary myself if not for the fact that I am always drunk as a skunk by the time we start the show (hey, maybe it’s a self defence thing? And there was me thinking it was just cause I’m a bit of a piss-head, well waddaya know).
It has become somewhat traditional that our audience always decimates the first comic on the bill. Some comics even take it as a challenge to see if they can survive the first spot. Such was the case with Danny Degan. He has played a couple of comedy shows with me, including one national rally, and he had seen what happens to the ‘sacrificial lamb’ in the first spot of the night. Nevertheless he asked me to give him the first spot and like many a good comic before him he went down in flames. It’s a shame really, because Danny is an extremely funny man, but the crowd must be fed.
After settling the crowd down following their feeding frenzy, I had the pleasure of introducing Dan Nightingale. I had not seen Dan Nightingale before and I was pleasantly surprised to see him take control of the crowd and fill the marquee with laughter.
The atmosphere was now definitely in ‘comedy mode’ and though I could only see the first three or four rows of the audience, I doubt there was a single person in the marquee who was not laughing their heads off at Dan’s manic comedy routine.
Next up was Dave Williams, I have seen Dave many times but this was his first gig at a biker’s rally and if he was nervous he certainly didn’t show it. His dry style and cutting remarks had many people in tears of laughter (including myself back stage). He was going to be an extremely hard act to follow. As luck would have it I had the just man for the job.
Paul B Edwards ‘The Rock n Roll Poet’ topped the show off in fine form with his off the wall humour and comic songs, he could almost be the perfect bikers’ comedian. It was hard to believe he had only done one bikers gig before (when I took the comedy show to last years Farmyard Party). I think it fair to say that the show was once again a resounding success.
As always the entertainment in the main marquee was finished of with the ever-popular strippers including our all time favourite Rachelle who has never failed to entertain and the discos continued into the early hours.
The rally was an outstanding success and the new site proved itself to be extremely popular. We will be back there again next year and I have no doubt that the attendance will grow steadily to the sort of numbers it deserves to have.
As is all too often the case it was left to eight people to clean the site after everybody had left by 1.00pm Sunday, and it took until Monday afternoon to finish the job. To those people I tip my hat, particularly to Andy Crossley and Al Lorimer who picked litter until they were fit to drop.
I would also like to thank all of the other marshals who worked so damned hard to make this such a brilliant event and in particular Jim Meredith who took on the unenviable job of ‘Site Gaffer’ and did us so proud.
Most of all I would like to thank all of those people who turned up to enjoy themselves and put the You’ve Been Nabbed rally back on the map.
Same time same place next year, for You’ve Been Nabbed 14
don’t miss it.....
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