Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK - The last Official Shakedown was on the 28th March last year. The 'Southend Shakedown' is traditionally the first mass meeting of motorcyclists along the promenade of the Essex seaside town on the Easter Monday bank holiday, the first outing of the year - hence 'Shakedown'. This year Ace Cafe is no longer supporting the event. Last year Southend Borough Council and Essex Police demanded over £4k for the organisers to hold the event. Local traders came forward to pay the fee. This year "nobody" is organising the event so that nobody is liable for a fee! The organisers, Ace-Cafe, cut all ties with the event last year. This resulted with no organiser and no one for the Council to send the bill to.
Thousands of bikers still chose to ride to Southend Seafront, despite the Council trying rigorously to dissuade them. Posting dire warnings in the local newspaper and on social media. This just made the resolve of some of them even stronger!
There was a heavy police presence. Essex Police deploying to the Seafront to ensure everyone has a safe day out.
There wasn't as many Bikers as last year! But the atmosphere was still good. Everyone behaved, as far as I could tell and I haven't heard any reports to the contrary! A lovely way to spend time, and money, by the seaside. If 1000 bikers came to Southend and spent £10 each, which I think is under cutting it by quite a bit, then that's an extra £10,000 into the local economy. So if the Council had supported this years event and 10,000 bikers had turned up, like last year. Well you don't need me to spell it out for you!
You can see all my images from this years "non-event" at Southend Shakedown 2017
Till next year. Safe Riding.
Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK - The last Official Shakedown from 28th March 2016. The 'Southend Shakedown' was traditionally the first mass meeting of motorcyclists along the promenade of the Essex seaside town on the Easter Monday bank holiday, traditionally the first outing of the year - hence 'Shakedown'. This year Ace Cafe is no longer supporting the event. Last year Southend Borough Council and Essex Police demanded over £4k for the organisers to hold the event. Local traders came forward to pay the fee. This year nobody is organising the event so that nobody is liable for a fee! Many bikers are still expected to ride out to Southend-on-Sea with Essex Police deploying to the Seafront to ensure everyone has a safe day out.
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Reports in the Southend Echo earlier this month told us that this years 18th Annual Southend Shakedown organised by the Ace Cafe of London had been cancelled because organisers have been asked by Essex Police to contribute £4000 towards the costs.
Southend Police say this is less than a quarter of the cost of Policing the event. You might think this is a fair deal? Maybe each rider contributes £1.50 to take part, that would cover Essex Police entire budget for the event. How much money does 15,000 bikers enjoying a Bank Holiday Monday spend? Even if it is only £10 each then that is £150,000 to the local economy. So why not the Southend Trade Associations fund the event as they are the ones mainly profiting from the day?
Event Back On
Well, it looks like the bill has been paid! The Echo reported on Friday 18th March that twenty seafront traders have donated £100 each and Independent Councillor Paul van Looy, who runs Grumpy's Diner has paid the remaining £2,000. The Ace Cafe has now posted on Facebook: "Many seafront traders in Southend who warmly appreciate the Ace Cafe London "Southend Shakedown" have generously supported the event financially in order to help it take place"
What does this event entail? The riders gather at the Ace Cafe on the A406 at Stonebridge and ride in large Convoys down to Seaside for a day out. Southend Council sells some space for trade stands aimed at Bikers in the town and on the Seafront in order to cash in. The Ace Cafe organisers also encourage Charity Fundraising as part of the events they organise, which for this one is aimed at Childrens Charities. This is quite apt as a Bank Holiday day out is mainly about Children.
However, what is to stop all these guys and gals just meeting up in Southend for a Grand Day Out? Nothing!!!
The locals would still see the spectacle of large groups of Bikers Riding into Southend. If 15,000 bikers decided to meet up in Southend you cannot avoid them bunching up on the A127 as they arrive. Everyone would still get to admire their beautifully polished and cared for machines.
So Who Would Loose Out?
Well Essex Police wouldn't get the money they are asking for. Is that a problem?? An event like this should not require a Police presence? Southend Supt Wells was quoted saying "A small minority of riders who are not necessarily involved in the event have been known to ride dangerously, which has caused concerns for residents. Our road policing team dealt with a number of prosecutions involving a minority of riders." Should the organisers have to pay for the policing of people not involved in the event? Is it possible that because there are more police actually out "on the beat" looking for offenders that they actually find them? A sort of self fulfilling prophecy?
Don't we already pay for the Police services as part of our Council Tax? Why should the Minority spoil it for the Majority. Is this the thin end of the wedge were when dialling 999 because you've been burgled that you are connected to a credit card machine before an officer comes to even check that you are okay?
The Long Range Forecast?
Well, it could be that the Police have received their money this year. No doubt that will increase next year as central government cut all budgets and our Public Services. So make the most of this years Shakedown, I can see the arguments growing faster than the budget! Next year this could go the same way as the Southend Air Show. Nose-Dive!
Oh you wanted the Weather Forecast? Well with a week to go it currently looks like it's going to be wet and blustery! It's a Bank Holiday, what did you expect!! Keep your fingers crossed the forecasters have got the weather wrong and enjoy these photo's from 2014 when it was glorious!!
All Images are Copyright Graham Eva Photography. You can see more at my Gallery or to enquire about an event you would like Graham to attend get in touch Here. These views are solely my views and do not reflect those of anybody else either directly or indirectly
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So as we approach the end of the first working week the question I was asked today was. "Is it too late on January 7th to still be wishing "Happy New Year" to everyone you meet or call?" That was the question I was asked of me as I greeted a friend! I hadn't thought about it like that before. But now that I have I suppose this year everyone is back at work sooner in the New Year than some years. I think it's good to try and keep the holiday spirit going for as long as possible!
This time last year I couldn't have told you that during the year I would shoot a t the EP launch for Charlotte Meldrum. What a talented young lady she is both as a writer and a performer. Do check out her work, I'm looking forward to hopefully working with Charlotte again this year.
I couldn't have told you that I would have exhibited my work at the 2015 Rochford Art Trail. Eleven of my 20x16 images on display for 2 weeks in the window of Dive Odyssea, many thanks to Debbie for taking part in the Rochford Art Trail and giving me the opportunity to display my work.
I even caught the Lunar Eclipse over Brighton Pier overnight on 28th September. It was a wonderful image to capture, the red glow of the moon as it went into totality. It was extra special given that work finished late the previous night and started reasonably early the next. Only a couple of hours sleep either side of the eclipse but well worth it.
Avro Vulcan XH558 was withdrawn from flying displays in 2015. I captured her saying farewell to Avro Vulcan XL426 based at Southend Airport. XH558 gave a lap of honour over Southend airport on the 28th June 2015. My image on the right was bought by a national newspaper for an article during the summer.
Thousands turned out to give XH558 a fantastic send off at Southend. Thousands more turned out to many more displays she gave over the summer. I saw her again at Clacton Airshow in August where she followed the Lancaster Bomber. Amazing to think that the design of the Lancaster and Vulcan was only 10 years apart! Both Bombers of course designed by Roy Chadwick and built by AVRO.
So all in all a busy and fulfilling year. Non of this though includes the many private Portrait, Family and Prom Shoots that I had the pleasure of photographing throughout the year. Plans for this year? Well let's see what happens. I've already got shoots with a couple of fabulous models lined up. So I'm looking forward to adding another string to my bow.
Thanks for your support and encouragement over the last 12 months. Here's to a Peaceful and Happy 2016 in whatever you choose to do. Don't forget to subscribe by clicking the RSS icon to be notified of future instalments of my blog! Get in touch if you have any comment or questions which I could write about in a future blog.
Graham Eva
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