Motorbike club visits residents from Woodley Grange Care Home in Romsey

Bike Night's at the Crown Inn, King’s Somborne, visited Woodley Grange residential care home on rides including Harley Davidson’s, an early 60's Honda, a Royal Enfield Himalayan, a Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor and several Triumphs.

For resident Gill, the visit brought back memories from her childhood and of weekend getaways with her husband.

“When I was small my dad had a bike and sidecar,” explained Gill, aged 69.

“Mum went in the front, and I went in the back. My husband Pat had a Velocette which had belonged to his brother. It was falling apart but my father-in-law fixed it for him.

“We would ride it at the weekends to get out of the smog and rat race of London. We couldn’t always afford a holiday, so we used to go camping with the bike as transport.

“Because it was a holiday, I would wear a bikini. We only came off the bike three times and were never hurt, although one time we were nearly run over by a bus."

Liliana Macieira, care home manager, said: “We know how important it is for our residents living with dementia to chat about old times and share memories, so we’re always looking for new ways for them to engage in reminiscence.

“We’re so grateful to Bike Night’s for coming in with all their amazing motorbikes.

“For our residents’ generation it was the most affordable form of transport and while some residents got scared riding on the back, many have very fond memories of travelling across the country and the freedom it brought them.

“It was fantastic to see all the bikes parked up outside and everyone was keen to have a good look and ask questions. The club members were brilliant, taking the time to chat to the residents.

“Not only that, but it was just wonderful for us to hear the bikes all arriving and pulling up and see them all parked up. Lots of our residents didn’t want them to leave!”

John, aged 80, shared a Honda 50cc when he was younger because it was so cheap to run.

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Many of the ladies recalled riding pillion with their husbands and partners, and being worried about falling off.

Althea, aged 94, said: “I insisted that my husband went very slowly, as I was terrified I’d fall off. It’s absolutely wonderful to see all the bikes here but don’t think I would want to ride on the back of one again.”

Margaret, aged 79, added: “My dad had a bike and I rode on the back from the age of three, I remember shouting for him to go faster!

“He had a lot of biker friends who would take me for rides when I was a bit older. My favourite bike was a Norton Dominator, but my dad had all sorts during his life.

“I loved riding on all of them and it was great to see all the bikes outside and bring back all those great memories.”

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