A Centre Four First

Mandy & Al's Wedding

Sat 9th August 2003
(Words and Pictures by Simon Morris)

After all the planning, the day had eventually arrived for Mandy and Big Al's wedding, our first in Centre Four. I have no idea how nervous the main participants were but I was slightly bricking it hoping that all would go as planned. What would the attendance of club members be? Would the spell of good weather hold? That it was only my second outing on Al's brute of a trike having only had some guidance from Big Al the day before. My Job for the day was chauffeuring the Bride then Bride / Groom on the trike, Usher duties and ensuring all goes well with the bikes in the escort.

As it turned out I needn't have worried there was a respectable attendance of Raiders, the trike was behaving itself and the weather was perfect. By 9.30 am the trike and bikes had been duly decked out with ribbons bows and flowers and when we were sure we were all accounted for set off to collect the Bride. The scene inside the house was manic with the relatives, bridesmaids, dogs running around passing various beauty and hair care products left right and centre the only calm one appeared to be Mandy who was having photos taken in the garden. Having met up with more members at the house and after a bit of milling around going through the intended route and itinerary it had reached 11.00am and was time for the main feature presentation.

By this time the whole neighbourhood was out in force when Mandy looking absolutely stunning in her wedding apparel boarded the trike along with her Father. The formation of around twenty bikes set off for the relatively short but impressive journey to Stockton registry office. The route took us right through the centre of town and with two black Wildstars as outriders out in front and the main body of bikes following the trike we quite literally stopped the traffic. The photographer had hitched a pillion on Lew's bike who did his best Tour De France impression to obtain photos on the move and Stella managed to get video footage from the back of Tony's bike at the head of the ride - can't wait to see them.

	At the registry office the previous wedding party were assembled for photos when we turned up and unfortunately stole their thunder. Inside Big Al with Best Man Bryan looked the dogs doodahs in his suit, an unnerving sight since I'm only used to seeing him in his work clothes or leathers. The big fella scrubs up well.
	With the I do's exchanged the troops were mustered outside for a photo shoot amongst the snappers was a representative from the local paper. With my chauffeurs bandana firmly in place it was time to carry out my second set of duties re trace the route with the Bride and Groom for a second photo shoot at a local beauty spot (yes we do have some in Teesside). I must confess that there is something about a ride out however big which gives you a sense of superiority over other mere mortals but when you're at the head of a wedding procession on an exceptional trike the feeling is increased ten fold.

With the official duties almost complete one last task awaited. Get the Bride and Groom to the first of the two receptions. Here the speeches, toasts and cake cutting were carried out along with the buffet and disco. Just when I thought that we had got away with it without anything going wrong something did from way out of left field.

Luckily it was only two minor occurrences. Firstly Johns Wildstar cut out and stubbornly refused to restart. We were reduced to trying to bump start the beast round the car park on one of the hottest days of the year wearing leathers. The second minor mishap was when Keith set off home with his mobile still perched on the pillion seat- Whoops!!

After the afternoons festivities it was off home to prepare for round two the evening bash. Grateful to be out of my leathers and with the trike put to bed and drinking head firmly in place now was the time I could relax and quaff like it was going out of fashion. More food, good company and after two spells on the Karaoke with four other likeminded inebriates (It's amore and Born to be wild) it was the end of a perfect day.

A Big thank you to all those Raiders who attended and helped to make it that little bit more special and to Mandy and Big Al for inviting Centre Four to participate in their big day. I hope we did you proud mate.
A Long life and happiness to you both.

Simon Morris

One final word - The following day one of the worst storms in years hit Teesside.
You lucky, lucky buggers - The sun surely does shine on the righteous.