mike vorwerg
Dave yes I did used to teach maths at MOORSIDE High school
Dave
Mike Vorwerg did you used to teach maths at Moorside High?
Gaz
I moved to Lincs 6 years ago, but I used to visit the Wheel whenever I could there. There was never any trouble but you always get the odd idiot to spoil it. Keep on biking!
jamie m
i think the police are wrong on shutting down the wheel the bikers obviously want somewhere to go and talk about bikes let them
Realism
Come on bikers, stop claiming your whiter that white. Yes most of you act responsibly but having personally been to many bike nights I know there is always a minority of people massivly exceeding the speed limit in built up areas and stunting outside the pub. How about putting your house in order, take note of offenders numherplates and inform the police - you will get much more respect from the public this way than any protest ride.
M Norris
Would it have recieved such heavy handed policing if it was a gathering of Muslims? I think not!!
sabel
don't shut it down l have a relative thats into bikes whats going on
ChrisD
Outside my local school, twice a day for around 250 days a year there are cars parked on in the layby.
There are some parked along bothe sides of the road. There are some on the Yellow "Safety" markings.
There are some double parked as well. What does plod do? Close the school down, it is clearly an accident waiting to happen!
Well no, they squeeze through the gap just like everyone else has to.
One day one of these idiots will open their door and knock me off!
Mandy Games
Is this yet another example of Tony Blairs Police State? It is rapidly getting to the point where the ordinary people of this country are being hounded until they conform to the Governments idea of "normal" and yet we run around bending over backwards to help every ethnic or gay minority and they get away with murder!
If I had any money I would emigrate! They will have to put me in prison to get me off my bike!
sid
I have been to the wheel on many ocasions and not seen any accidents, trouble or anything that would even upset my parents. However, I have seen police out in force to such an extent they even sent up a police helicopter !!! the cost for the evenings " observations" must have run into several thousands. ( note the air ambulance has to be paid for by charitable donations to which bikers contribute many thousands of pounds each year) whilst I expect that in a local town some poor old pensioner was being mugged by a known druggy, a house being broken into and who knows what. But where were the plod harrasing a group of like minded individuals lawfully going about their business.
Several months ago I was knocked of my bike by a hit and run driver, (who was never traced) I called the police but they couldn't even send any one as they were busy . I had witnesses etc. but still they coulnt' be bothered! pity they can't use some of the plod they send to the wheel every week to do some proper police work and catch those in society who are actually costing the tax payer money by commiting crime and escaping from punishment because the plod say they have no resouces.
At the end of the day I pay their wages in my tax
Fay Vass
Bikers are a rowdy bunch, so police would have you think
Tattoos galore, greasy skin and no doubt fuelled by drink
So Inspector Thomas thought that he could discriminate and decree
Close a local business down, yes! That MUST be the key!
The Wheel at Worfield must be shut and stay that way he said
Then those hell’s angel types will go elsewhere instead
I won’t have them on MY patch causing all this trouble (???)
But listen to this Andy Thomas though I hate to burst your bubble…
I’ve been going to the Wheel for years and have yet to see a fight
If it’s trouble you want to see go to town any Saturday night
The manpower he sends to the Wheel would be better off elsewhere
Where genuine problems DO exist and police don’t seem to care
Police use the meet as an easy target for ‘fundraising’ I feel
Public safety is not at risk from bike meets at the Wheel
The magistrates saw sense at least, tough luck Mr T!
See you at the Wheel on Wednesday, where lots of us will be!
Fay Vass
Simon Bell
The police use the public's fear to impliment their right wing veiws. Running around with video camera's and riot sheilds causing more trouble than was there to start with. Editing the footage no doubt to plead there case. In a just society, if there really was a problem, the pub owner would be compensated for loss of earnings and a solution found. either a new venue or improvments the the exsisting venue with time allowed for this to take place. football fans virtually take over the trains and a mile around the football ground blocking streets completely let alone just parking, and the police dont shut them down. Having not been to the Wheel i wouldnt know but im guessing there's no parking restrictions in force.My guess is that they are testing this law in an area they feel they can win, making it a law they can use else where, which makes this case a wider issue than just bikers. You need to get organised and envolve civil rights organisations and group together to afford the legal representation the matter deserves.
Nick, wolverhampton biker
The wheel is a great place for bikers to meet, without a hint of trouble. shall we compare it to a saturday in or around a football ground? Go do something useful police
Richard w-ton
I have recently bought a motorbike and I visited The Wheel for the first time to meet other bikers on the evening The Wheel was closed down, I think the police presense was 'way over the top', how many warm/hot wednesdays do we get in one year ? (not many), Go catch some real criminals.
TobyR
The police had no right to shut down The Wheel, it's just another case of further discrimination against good, friendly well behaved people, and further proof that we are indeed living in a complete nanny state.
Rowan, Kent (biker 15 years)
I find the police a little frustrating.
Especially regarding the landlord,
How is it her fault if bikers want to frequent her pub.
If the police spent more time and resources on helping steward the event,
and less time on using surveillance equipment from unmarked cars they may see a community benefit.
More organisation, is obviously needed, but if the bikers are on the public road and paying tax it is surly down to the police and/or the local council
to coordinate.
Banning this event I find morally offensive,
This country seems to be continually banning or taxing enjoyable pass times.
My granddad did not get shot at, at Normandy for this police state to emerge.
Send down some seasoned police bikers, who are tough but fair, that won’t be
hiding down the road behind a hedge with a speed gun to have a laugh with the guys.
Meet the problem head on. and not like some low life.
Louise
The biking community are a harmless bunch of people, who just want to meet fellow bikers without being hassled by the Police. I am a recently converted biker and I wish I had done it earlier. Instead of sitting in their cars, why don't the Police earn their salaries and go out and patrol the streets and catch some 'real' criminals. If it was such a problem, why is it the landlords of these pubs never complain?
David Wilcox
Just to correct your report motorcyclist's have been meeting at or near the Wheel since the early 1930's and not 1950 as stated. My grandfather on his return from the USA took over the garage at Worfield (it is now the butchers shop 300 yards from the Wheel) he and some friends set up the Cygnet motorcycle club to run grass track races at Rushmere, and on most Sunday mornings large numbers of motorcyclist's would meet at the garage and park on the green opposite. this upset some of the locals and the Davenports the then lords of the manor even erected fencing round the green to try to keep them out, but someone removed a section of the fencing and the meetings continued.
Fast forward 70 plus years and I am now one of the regulars at the Wheel on a Wednesday, I feel I am keeping up a family tradition, sadly I never met my grandfather as he died of pneumonia having lost a lung to mustard gas in the trenches of WW I, fighting for our freedom which included the right to be able to meet people with similar interests without being hassled by bullies. some how I think he would approve of the actions of today's motorcyclist's and at least in spirit is along side us.
Chilli
I dont think that the police were wrong to raise concern over the marshaling aspect of the meet, but it does seem really heavy handed just to close off the venue with such a strong police presance,conciltation with the bikers and the owner's of the wheel would have been a far better solution rather than just shutting the wheel down
Rob
What a PR disaster for the police. Once again we hear expressions such as "It's an accident waiting to happen"
So despite up to 1000 bikers turning up on a Wednesday for countless years, without any form of marshalling there hasn't ACTUALLY been a accident. To me that's an admirable safety record.
The police would do well to remember they are there to do our bidding, not decide how we choose to live our lives.
And the police wonder why they are losing public support. Get back behind your scameras Mr Policeman, it's the only sort of criminal you seem capable of catching these days!
Siggi
The police are a bunch of bullying scumbags. As usual. Go away and do something useful, like catching burglars, you useless parasites.
PC Plods boyfriend
There has not been one accident, no one caught speeding. Whats the problem??
Its a risk?? So is walking down the stairs.
9 years and not one accident, can't be that risky
Anonymous, biker for 21 years
A landlady having restrictions imposed on potential earnings due to the number and type of customers! How ridiculous.
Come on everyone; bikers are people too, responsible road users and consumers. There will always be an 'Idiot' element in all areas of society and bikers are no exception. However, we are in the main self policing and will not tolerate stupid antics at such meetings as the Wheel. What a shame the powers that be be saw fit to use such a Draconian approach in an attempt to shut down something that has become somewhat of a tradition amongst an already hard hit and unfairly treated minority. Ride safe and be free; at least as long as the 'Powers' will let you!
Mike Taffe
If bikers are treated as a race apart ! Then I put it to you that the police are being RACIST
addy
the thoughts of many of us bikers throughout the uk, feel this is wrong. and now 360 bikes will be traveling from the northwest on weds to show there support - closng the pub will attract even more bikers....
Brian McInnes
I used to attend meetings at the Wheel for several years prior to moving to the USA.
I enjoyed the atmosphere and having a chance to talk motorcycles with fellow enthusiasts. I've never witnessed any trouble or accidents. The police surely have better things to do, ie, dealing with drug dealers. The Wheel today, the cafe at Quat tomorrow. Every other motorcycle meet will be at threat, if the motorcycle community doesn't make a stand against against West Mercia constabulary. Good luck.
Barry
There has never been any violence or accidents what so ever at the Wheel.I feel that an enquiry should be held to look at why the Police chose to spend so much money and resources on closing down a trouble free event rather than increase a Police presence at known areas of criminal activity and vandalismn.In short put the Police where there is a need.The 75 year old mugging victim would rather have a Police presence on their street rather than a mass clampdown on an innocent event.
Mike
The police action is outrageous. Compare the disorder and safety concerns in Bridgnorth High Street on a Friday and Saturday night to that at the Wheel. How many people have been prosecuted for being drunk & disorderly, fighting, violent conduct, vandalism, drug dealing or similar crimes at the Wheel on a Wednesday.
The local police have destroyed in one night the support from thousands of local people that they previously enjoyed.
Mike Vorwerg
if bikes were parked illegaly, then normal road traffic law applies, this is without doubt a heavy handed approach by the police which infringes indivual rights.
steven moore
come on police arnt there enough drugs and burgulrys out there for you to tackle? OR WOULD THAT BE TO DIFFICULT. i'm not a biker but i can see what the police are doing to these bunch of people.if bikes parked outside the wheel and down the road for 3hours on a wednesday nite is a danger then i surpose the police should shut down new cross hospital because the parking there is worse! most of the day.
Clive Rathbone, Perton South Staffs
Theese meetings have been going on for 9 Years without any trouble.
Its just outright persecution. When are the Police going to get off thier backsides and catch the real criminals instead of sitting in thier cars
persecuting innocent tax paying law abiding Motorcyclists who want nothing more than a quiet drink and a chat with thier mates.
Me
Bikers are always treated unfairly- it is a stereotype that they are there to cause trouble.
Mac Jarvis
As a retired Police Inspector and biker I was very disappointed at the police action. This was not the purpose of this legislation. If Inspector Thomas wants something to do to pass his time he should try to stop the disorder and damage in Bridgnoth town at weekends.There are plenty of pubs there which are better candidates for closure than the Wheel!
Des Connell
As one of the Magistrates who were asked to sign the closure order goes to the Wheel, on his bike, I find the whole thing to be completly mad and an infringment of civil liberties. This country is in danger of turning into a police state and the authorities would do well to remember they are public servants whose wages are paid by law abiding motorcyclists who come from all walks of life. The image of the mullet haired greasy biker is out of date, lawers, doctors and magistrates all ride bikes and pay taxes. Bridgnorth council have a history of stopping anything that looks like fun. They have banned the, folk festival in Bridgnorth high st because it is 'untidy'. Where will it end. I for one will defend my right to peaceful assembly as long and as hard as I can.
Gary (Wolverhampton)
I have been going to the wheel every wednesday night for the past 2 years. In this time there has not been one accident or incident of any kind so I can't see why there is such a high police presence. In fact there has not been a single accident there since ther biker meets started nine years ago. The night the pub was shut I couldn't believe the police presence, there was even a helicopter overhead. Why? A couple of weeks ago they had set up a check point byu the village of Hilton and were pulling nearly every biker that went past. This is just plain victimisation of our culture. I feel really sorry for Mrs Goodson as she had implemented all of the safety measures that the police had suggested yet they still shut the pub down. How can that be fair! I hope that the police will see sense on Monday and re-open the pub. I wish Mrs Goodson all the very best of luck for Monday and I will see you all on Wednesday.
M C Murphy
Typical heavy handed ill thought out action from the Police. The arrogance and pomposity of police hierarchy will be the cause of trouble. Bikers have not caused problems thus far so why will that change? Let people live their lives.
From a motorist who is quite happy to take care driving past.
daniel clutterbuck
the wheel being shutdown is just wrong no harm was being done to anyone. its just more bad press for bikers.
danny 17 from telford
darren till (walsall)
ive been to the wheel many times and there is always a friendly atmospere,never any trouble.if the police concerns are safety maybe they could police it? it would give them something to do! why moan if there's no problem.all the biker are one big comunity just enjoy chatting and looking at one an others machines.PLEASE POLICE CONCENTREATE ON CATCHING REAL CRIMINALS FOR ONCE!
Toold2die young
I was there the night the Wheel was shut down, I could not believe the amount of Police that were there and the heavy handed tactics that were being employed. Unfortunately I was not able to be there this Wednesday due to work commitments as I was at the other end of the country. The disgruntled Manchester United fans had less of a Police presence than we had and you can bet if it had been bikers protesting against the Glaser takeover there would be no football played at Trafford Park this weekend as the venue would have been closed. We did not set up any barricades, make death threats to anyone, or kick off like the so called supporters did last night! British Justice? that has to be the biggest joke going!
Kate Mortimer
I have known The Wheel, it's landlady and bar staff for many many years, I am not a biker but I have been in the pub many times when the bikers are there and I have NEVER seen any trouble. All I have seen is that they are a very nice bunch of people who just meet to chat about bikes and do no harm to anyone. I also know how hard Mrs Goodson and her family work to ensure the safety of everyone inside and outside the pub.
If the locals and police had a modicum of common sense between them they would be more concerned about actual crime in the area than this bigoted victimisation of the biking fraternity.
If there had been one incident of trouble then maybe the situation could be reviewed but this is purely a demonstration of small town small minds with no thought given to the consequences. Shutting the pub is no victory for public safety, all it has done is taken away the livelihood of Mrs Goodson and her family. Where is the justice? Where is the sense?
Ian
Ms Goodson is being treated very harshly. They would be better closing a pub on Bridgnorth High Street where there is regular trouble and several drug busts!
Red Ken
Surely there must be another way of resolving this? As a biker I've heard a lot about what happened last week and think the police have been very heavy handed.
What happened to policing by consent?
