22,000 took part in event, say police (From Swindon Advertiser)

22,000 took part in event, say police

6:43pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

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POLICE believe around 22,000 bikers and their pillion passengers passed through Wootton Bassett on Mothering Sunday.

The ride, which raised funds for charity Afghan Heroes, was carried out to honour servicemen and women killed in Afghanistan, and was originally expected to involve 15,000 participants.

However, police said the operation had gone smoothly and that many bikers had already expressed their appreciation for the way the event was handled.

The money raised including the £5 entry fee is still being counted but is expected to easily top £100,000.

Sgt Mark Gale, bronze commander for the day, said: “It was a success, it’s something I’m very proud to have been part of.”

The bikers gathered at Hullavington Airfield prior to the event and then made their way to and through Wootton Bassett in waves of 500 every 15 minutes.

Although 10,500 bikes were registered for the day, which made around 15,000 riders and pillion passengers, airfield officials counted at least 12,000 machines.

Sgt Gale said police anticipated there would be more people than registered turning up on the day, and estimated the final total at between 22,000 and 25,000.

Lawrence Phillips, press officer for Afghan Heroes, said: “The charity is just completely staggered by the response from the biking community and the response as well from Wootton Bassett.

“In terms of exposure you cannot buy that sort of support, it’s unbelievable.”

Police treated the event as three separate operations with three separate commanders; the registration at the airfield, the getting to Wootton Bassett and the ride through the town itself.

Sgt Gale said there one or two minor road accidents, but little traffic disruption. One happened at junction 17 of the M4 where a woman on her way to the event fell from her bike and broke her wrist. She was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

A few motorbikes toppled over while in Wootton Bassett High Street due to the slow speeds they were travelling at, though no-one was hurt.

Following the event, there was an accident involving two motorcycles between the Coped Hall roundabout and junction 16 of the M4 at around 4.30pm.

This was after the police escort had finished and neither motorcyclist was seriously injured.

Sgt Gale added that there were no public order offences during the event.

More officers were brought in on the Saturday evening because bikers were travelling up the day before, but Sgt Gale said there were no more incidents than would be expected on a typical Saturday.

He added: “Bikers seem to attract a negative image.

“The bikers behaved really well, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly.

“They showed a great deal of patience waiting to go out on the ride.”

RIDERS were overwhelmed by the welcome they received in Wootton Bassett.

Brien Fillon-Payoux, of Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill, was on his GSXR 600 Suzuki motorbike with wife Michelle as his pillion passenger.

Brien, 34, said it was a difficult ride because to keep the bike upright at such low speeds was hard, but it had all been worthwhile.

He added: “The emotions were high. It was a very hard day, but in a good way.

“The reason we went was to thank Wootton Bassett and we got thanked back by Wootton Bassett – all along the route we heard ‘thank you, bikers’ and we wanted to thank them. It was very touching.

“I consider myself tough, but there were times I could hardly see the road.”

He said he had even seen patients outside their homes to cheer the bikers on.

Michelle, 30, was equally moved. She said: “It was very emotional, it was just amazing, I have never seen so many motorbikes.

Michelle described herself and her husband as ‘RAF brats’ because her father and his father and stepfather were all in the RAF. She said she knew many of those out in Afghanistan and one person who had been killed.

Ex-Army man Geoff Henne, 62, came from Kent said: “It was a long round trip for me but the people of Wootton Bassett made it more than worth my while with the friendly reception they gave to me and the many thousands of other bikers of all ages who were there.

“The memory of this day will stay with me forever.

“Riding through the town was indeed emotional. There seemed to be a ‘oneness’ and harmony between the riders and the townsfolk. Their enthusiasm was incredible.

“I would like to thank all of the people at the side of the road for their welcome. It was their day too.”

He thanked the organisers and police for the event’s success.