"As I roared past, just inches from the crowd, I watched them all leap back, like a Mexican Wave." Wow-and here I was talking to the Black Baron himself.......! Visitors to Hadleigh MCC's classic bike show at Boxford village hall on Sunday 19th March, cannot have missed the (static) display by former Wall of Death rider, Ricky Abrey, alias the "Black Baron". An amiable type he had some interesting stories to tell, especially of his time performing at the Southend Kursaal in the '60s, riding a 500cc BSA twin as part of a trio. He described how he would stick strips of metal onto his boots to create sparks as he went round, and I was invited to "touch the Lucky Boots" which had always kept him accident free, and which were 'luckily' on display. A fine array of cakes in the corner enticed me away to the canteen, where some very nice ladies made me a most welcome bacon roll and a cup of tea. The main hall was carefully packed with a good show of machines from the 1920s through to the 1980s, and had a very pleasant relaxed atmosphere. It was nice to see consideration given to the wooden floor, with 'black sack' drip trays under the bikes. Upon leaving the event I was pleasantly surprised to find a few more, interesting machines outside, notably a pristine 1960s Honda 250, resplendent in white-walled tyres.

Overall verdict? Well worth a run out! ...........Curly