(Last Updated 16th January 2007)
Blue Knights® England II, is a member of Blue Knights International® which is a non-profit fraternal organisation comprising of active and retired law enforcement officers (and their families) who enjoy riding motorcycles. As of November 2001, the group has well over 14,061 members in 428 chapters in 17 countries around the globe.
The organisation was conceived in 1974, when a few friends from the Bangor/Brewer Maine (USA) area decided to form a local recreational motorcycle club. Within two years this group had become Internationally established. Today the club can boast members in fourteen countries around the world. In addition to hosting rides for members and their families to enjoy, the Blue Knights® are active fund-raisers. Since 1991, we are proud to say that the amount of time, goods and cash donations have totalled more than £2,000,000.
The Blue Knights® also join law enforcement personnel from all over the world in promoting a positive image for motorcyclists, motorcycle safety and riding as a family recreation.
Blue Knights® England II, was formed in 1992, as a new chapter within the South East of England. The only existing chapter at that time was based in Stockport, Manchester. Brighton Police Station was the unlikely venue of the inaugural meeting, which was called by Ian Hancock (since resigned) and Jack Pinfold. At the meeting Dave Knight took on the mantle of President and spent the first two years working hard to increase membership and make the club viable. Dave & Sue were responsible for setting up and managing the Redmire rallies and instrumental in organising the first London rally based in Harlow. Dave worked very hard in creating what has become a very successful chapter, although he would be first to acknowledge our continuing need to encourage new members.
Dave Knight was replaced by Dick Greaves (affectionately known as Dick Dick) who took over for two years as president. Dick is the motorcycle industry's favourite person. He has owned more bikes than we have members but no matter what bike he has, he will be seen out riding, showing the way. We used to have bets to see what make of bike he would be riding at the next event. You may have even seen him riding his Bergman scooter, a sight not to be missed, although there were several riders who couldn't keep up. Dick has represented England II at many national and international rallies and was always busy selling the virtues of Blue Knights® both by example and spirit. Rosemary, Dick Dick's wife, also worked hard to help the chapter run the finances. They have both moved to the northeast to start their new lives and get involved with creation of another English Chapter, England 12.
The next two years were steered by Micky Spink, he was our youngest president and best looking! He was very keen to support the club charity at that time, the National Holiday Fund. He spent 2 weeks assisting a group of wheelchair bound kids in Florida and fostered our relationship with local Blue Knights. Marriage and a new home meant Micky had to sell his bike, inevitably the money was spent on more needy requirements but Micky is looking to the day when he can return to his biking past.
Paul Essam then took over the reins; he is a retired prison officer, the first non-police officer to be President. Paul joined the group not knowing any of the members and is an example of what the Blue Knights® and friendship is all about. He got involved, became even more interested and was subsequently elected as Vice President for the next two years. His hard work led to him being elected as President in November 1999. Tragedy was to strike Paul, while returning from a motorcycle event after Easter 2001 he was involved in a horrific accident. Two weeks of unconsciousness and then a long period of recovery. Paul was, and still is, very lucky to be supported by his wife Jan, who worked relentlessly to support and encourage Paul's recovery. Paul still carries the scars of the crash. He still attends our functions and is our representative of the 'Just Friends' group. Paul has made friends all over Europe and America, but never were Blue Knights seen working better than they did immediately after Paul's accident. Support, cards, encouragement and gifts were sent from all over the Blue Knight empire.
Jim Read took over from Paul in November 2001. Jim is one of our most experienced motorcyclists with a wonderful, if not repetitive sense of humour! He was in charge of motorcycle training at Hendon Police Driving School until his retirement and many have learnt from his example of good riding. Still very active, he worked for the Honda (UK) Riders Club until its demise at the end of November 2001. Now able to put all his efforts into Blue Knights he has a vision for the future. 2002 was our tenth year, and Jim led the way in organising a tenth anniversary rally, which was held at Folkestone in Kent during the summer of 2002. This rally was outstandingly successful and saw visitors from all over europe and the USA which helped us raise in excess of £1,000 for charity. Jim still rides many miles and he and his wife Janice will be seen at rallies here in the UK and over the Channel. As Vice President, Jim represented England II at the International Convention in Las Vegas in 2001 (some of the boring things that have to be done in the name of comradeship!).
In 2004 Tracey Bishop was elected our first female President and was supported by her partner Ritchie Camp as Vice President. Tracey worked really hard to support the new nominated charity – The Child Growth Foundation, she has arranged events and raised money and the profile of the group. Tracey’s gregarious nature, her love of her 2 litre Triumph and her joviality has done much to improve the image of England II. She has also introduced a number of new, younger members. She has attended and organised in house rallies and events. Sadly, both Tracey and Ritchie chose to resign in September 2005 shortly before the anniversary of their first year in office. This was an episode which has scarred the club but from which we have all learned a great deal. The new committee have done all possible to try to lure Tracey & Ritchie back into the fold but, as yet, we have been unsuccessful.
Jack Pinfold took over as caretaker President after Tracey’s resignation. At the AGM in November 2005 Jack was elected President assisted by Bob Borwick as Vice President. Several new ideas have been proposed and we will wait to see how things pan out in 2006. An exciting season awaits us all. We look forward to spreading the word in our area and visiting Chapters and Rallies all over Europe and America. Some of our old meeting places have become defunct so we will find new venues and carry on with our monthly meeting schedule. Please check this web site under ‘Meetings’ for the next event!
For our current Commitee The Commitee