BBC HomeExplore the BBC
This page was last updated in May 2009We've left it here for reference.More information

11 February 2012
Accessibility help
Text only

BBC Homepage

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

Related BBC Sites


Contact Us

Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

 

Your stories

You are in: Nottingham > People > Your stories > A life on two wheels

Nottingham Knights' Tony Simms

Nottingham Knights' Tony Simms

A life on two wheels

Tony 'T-Bone' Simms fell in love with scooters when he was just six years old. He is one of the people behind a rebirth in scooter clubs in Nottingham.

There has been a surge in scooter club membership in Notts in the noughties.

One of the new clubs is the Nottingham Knights. It was formed by Tony Simms in 2007. In May 2009 over 400 people turned out for one of its meets.

Born to ride

Tony was born into a world of scooters. It was his father's passion.

400 Riders turned out for the Nottingham Knights latest ride out.

400 riders turned out in May 2009

In 1973, at the age of six, Tony got a ride on the back of one of his dad's "hundreds of machines" and from that day on he's been "hooked".

Back in the early 1980s, when the scooter scene was getting really big because of 'Quadrophenia', Tony started his first club.

"I was one of three mates just sat around at the White Hart in Lenton and somebody said lets start a scooter club and we thought 'why not?'."

The Nottingham Scooter Club was born. Within six months the club had in excess of 150 members, making it one of the biggest scooter clubs in the country.

Way of life

In the late 1980s the popularity of scooters waned but Tony says scootering is a "way of life", he's never lost his passion for two wheels.

Tony Simms and his scooter

Tony and his scooter

The Nottingham Knights Scooter Club, who meet at The Magpie in Stapleford, attracts people of all ages and from all walks of life.

The club's code of practice reveals the comradeship. One of their rules is that they will never leave you at the side of the road. But Tony admits:

"They're fantastic machines but when you buy a scooter you buy shares in Halfords!"

You can hear more interviews with John Holmes, 14:00 to 16:00 on BBC Radio Nottingham (95.5 & 103.8FM, DAB and online).

last updated: 13/05/2009 at 10:01
created: 12/05/2009

You are in: Nottingham > People > Your stories > A life on two wheels



About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy