Skegness Light Parade 2019

The sixth Skegness Light Parade took place on 28 September 2019 with 123 inscriptions for the event.  Unfortunately, the weather that week had turned ugly which no-doubt put off some of our regular visitors from attending.  However, we came, we displayed and we paraded despite the elements.  As before, the Golden Palm Holiday Resort in Chapel St Leonards hosted our weekend and also provided a fantastic raffle to help raise money for our adopted charity.  This year our efforts we aimed to raise money for LIVES (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service).    LIVES is a fully voluntary service that trains and provides first responders and paramedics.  They help to fill the gaps when the regular ambulance and emergency services are unable to attend.  Indeed they answer on average 60 calls each day throughout the year so they have become a trusted adjunct to the established services.
 

View the full SKLP 2019 photo Album

Light Parade Video - Busters

Light Parade Video - Barry Robinson

 

Lets start off with an immense thank you to everyone who braved that awful weather to participate in the 2019 Skegness Light Parade.  All of the previous week we had been watching the weather forecast, which seemed to change daily, and when Friday finally arrived it was rain all across the country.  So hats off to all of you hardy bikers who climbed into their wet weather clothing and made the journey.  Others came but elected to use the four wheels of their covered wagons but still they arrived to enjoy a great weekend.  Friday was arrivals day and wingers congregated around the Golden Palm Reception area to receive keys and then set off in search of their caravans and dinner.  Sandy took his marshals down to Skegness to brief them on the layout and then a general briefing was held at 6.30pm outside the swimming pool just to remind participants of the rules.  The weather had been on and off all day but as luck had it, by 8.00pm the skies were clearing and the Static Light Parade took place without a problem.  It seemed that many didn’t trust the weather so turnout was a bit low, however, it offered the opportunity for the locals to come see our bikes all lit up.  We were also visited by the Mayor of Skegness and the delightful young Carnival Queen named ‘Summer’.  Here are a few pictures of the evening.

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear as we made our way down to Skegness for the static parade.  This year, our usual arrangements had been changed due to a new development taking place in the Esplanade area.  However, Sandy and Peggy had worked hard all year with the Police and Local Council to ensure the parade would go ahead and we were given a prime spot right in the middle of the shopping area to display our bikes.  Marshalls were on hand to guide bikers into the area and road closures ensured then we could control the flow of traffic.  We received 123 inscriptions this year, which was lower than last year but perfectly understandable with the weather.  However, those who attended had a good day and the weather stayed good up until around 1.30pm when it rained on and off for a few hours before clearing for the evening.  Having set up in the main shopping area, we probably had many more spectators and our collecting buckets benefitted from the extra audience.   

In previous years Stephen & Lynne with Trevor & Marion had set up shop at Hildred's Shopping Centre to direct spectators down to the Esplanade to view the static display.  But this year we swapped around and the Static display was at Hildred's whilst Stephen & Lynne with Trevor & Marion were sent down to the Grand Parade in-front of Busters Pub.  They were joined by members of Sussex and Trent wings to help advertise the parade and send punters back into town.  Our thanks for their help and support during that long day. 

As in previous years we had many spectators who wanted to sit astride a Goldwing for a photo.  But one regular customer showed up just as it started to rain.  Yes it was Jack and his family.  Jack suffers from cerebral palsy and is unable to control his body to any extent.  However, he is always happy to see the bikes and he was overjoyed when we sat him on the Goldwing and started up the engine.

 

The daylight parade broke up at 4.00pm allowing us to return to the Golden Palm to eat dinner and set up our bike lighting.  Returning at 6.00pm we assembled along a closed road with marshals ready to guide us into place.  The Light Parade this year was a testament to the hard work put in by Sandy and Peggy in organizing a rolling road closure, street signs and sufficient marshals to control the parade.  We set off from Hildreds Shopping Centre with around 80 bikes/trikes, down to the Clock Tower and then twice along the Grand Parade and North Parade and back to the Clock Tower.  Despite the weather we were greeted by a great crowd of spectators who cheered and waved and added even more donations to our collection buckets.  The end of the parade was marked by a brilliant fireworks display provided by Busters Pub.  However, not satisfied with a simple Light Parade, we continued on the 7  mile ride back to the Golden Palm Resort with Lincs Wingers at the front providing drop-off guides at each junction. 

After putting our bikes/trikes up for the night, we descended on the Tropicana Club for Sandy’s presentation of awards and for the drawing of the prize raffle provided by the Golden Palm Resort:

Best attended Region:  Yorks Lincs
Further travelled Bike: Phil & Pam Hicks
Furthest Travelled Trike: Martin & Sandy Wilson
Best Lit Bike:  Sid
Best lit Trike: Helen Perkins
Jayne Sands Best in Show: Nigel Whitehouse.

Our sincere thanks go to everyone who contributed to the organisation and presentation of this year's parade, for the many bikers who came from all over the country to help make the event a success, to LIVES and to the Golden Palm Resort for their excellent support and to the Town and officials of Skegness who made it all possible.   This year our combined efforts raised over £3500 for LIVES. Next year's parade which will be on 26 September 2020 so book your accommodation early to avoid disappointment.  

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View the full SKLP 2019 photo Album

See You There

Pictures by Stephen T, Stephen K and Debbie.