Motorcyle show at Raffrey Presbyterian Church

31 October 2018

ALL roads led to Raffrey Presbyterian Church Hall on Friday and Saturday for a motorcycling trip down memory lane.

The young and not so young came out in their droves to the first ever bike show to be held in the Martin Hall.

The show was part of the church’s ongoing 175th anniversary celebrations and the biking community came out to support the church in its efforts to raise vital funds for the Northern Ireland air ambulance.

The organisers are delighted to have raised £3,872 for this vital medical service and would like to thank everyone who supported the two day event.

There were over 50 modern and vintage bikes on display, including many belonging to members the congregation, as well as local people and of course those from further away.

Among them were bikes ridden by road racing hero Ryan Farquhar young rider Cameron Dawson and teenager Andrew Smyth from Aughnacloy — his family were originally from Raffrey.

All three were on hand to chat and entertain the public with tales of on and off track adventures.

Also present were up and coming riders Korie McGreevy and Sam Laffins, as well as local ex-motocross man Wayne Garrett.

There was much reminiscing of times gone by, especially when Alan Irwin and the legendary Dromora Destroyers — Brian Reid, Raymond McCullough, Adrian Craig and Trevor Steele — took to the stage.

The organisers were also delighted to have current British Superbike racer Andrew Irwin telling of his first year in Superbikes.

There was much interest particularly in the display of bikes and memorabilia celebrating Brian Steenson, the Derryboy hero who was taken much too early.

Local businessman Trevor Lindsay kindly brought along the beautifully restored Aermacchi which Steenson rode, whilst Dromara Destroyer McCullough brought along his QUB 250cc machine which Steenson was involved in developing at the time of his untimely death at the Isle of Man TT.

McCullough, who later developed the QUB 500 with success, rescued the 250 machinery and has restored it to former glory.

Over the two days hundreds of people were able to take a look around rooms filled with history and memories from all forms of motorcycling, from road racing to moto cross and indeed the gentler-paced bikes that took locals to work or play. Photographs, books and programmes of past races could be viewed over a cuppa. Many chatted with Eddie Floyd representing Fireblade Ministries, who were on hand to share the good news of the gospel.

The organisers wish to thank everyone who brought along bikes and memorabilia, all the riders who came along for a chat and George McCann who assisted with the Chat Shows.

Thanks to Eddie Floyd and his team from Fireblade Ministries who came along to support the church, members of the press who helped to publicise the event, all the members of the congregation and background staff who were involved in organising the event and making sure it ran successfully and, most importantly, the public who supported the event and helped to raise a fantastic amount for the Air Ambulance.

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder