Bikers support charity Poker Run

Organised by local motorbike club, The Norsemen, the increasingly popular Poker Run is held to raise funds for their chosen charity, which this year is Macmillan Cancer Support.

The total amount raised has yet to be confirmed but vice president of the club, Alan Foster, said it was a great day and they are anticipating a good result.

Alan said: "It was a very successful day, we've raised a considerable amount of money for charity and had a good time."

He added: "Each year the run has got bigger and for the first time there was overnight camping in the grounds near the Pet Cemetery at Ninfield."

Alan has a big hopes for the future of the Poker Run: " I want to make it as big as Glastonbury."

Poker Run IV consisted of an eighty eight mile circular route around East Sussex, there were five stops, and at each stop the riders picked up a playing card.

The cost for taking part in the run, which Alan said was, "open to all riders, mods or rockers", was five pounds, and included the evenings presentations, and entertainment, held at the rider's final rally site destination, Ninfield's Pet Cemetery, where they handed in their cards; the three highest hands won prizes.

Phil Lusted's hand of four aces won first prize of an overnight stay, dinner, bed and breakfast for two at Winchelsea Lodge, an engraved hip flask, and a commemorative trophy.

In second place with four sixes was Mark Lapworth who received a trophy and 30, third place went to Terry Ashington whose hand consisted of four fives; he won a trophy and ten pounds.

Food tents, a hog roast and three live bands consisting of Jurasica from Southend on Sea, and local bands Kort and Dr Fonda (who played for no fee) provided the evenings excellent musical entertainment. The conclusion of the day was the lighting of a giant bonfire with over three hundred people choose to take advantage of the overnight camping.

Travelling from Newhaven to take part in the event, Bob Gould said he attends the run every year: "I've been riding a bike for forty six years and I've been to all the Poker runs. The Norsemen are a brilliant club and I like to come to party!"

Whereas it was a first time visit for locals Andy & Bev Eade from Little Common, but they plan to participate again next year.

Bev said: "We've really enjoyed it and we'll definitely come to the next one."

The event was held within the twenty two acres of scenic grounds owned by Tas Cornwall and Terry Clarke, who said they had no qualms about holding the event on their land.

Tas said: "At the end of the day it's for a good cause - my mum died of cancer. We'd been invited to the Norsemen's Christmas party and so had a chance to meet them all. They are really nice people and we were eager to help."

The Norsemen are well known for their charity donations and earlier this year three members of the club took part in the Hastings Half Marathon, with the proceeds also going to Macmillan - though after the event Alan said they, "all agreed that next year it would be easier if they could do it on their bikes!"

For further information on The Norsemen visit the website at: www.norsemen.co.uk