Bletchley Park visit by IPA Motorcycle Section Special Interest Group
Wednesday, 28th August 2024
This was the first overnight (2 nights) visit that I have organised and from feedback was well received, enjoyable and informative. It was attended by 17 members and/or partners.
As this was not really considered to be a ‘ride-out’ type of visit, a number of us turned up in cars, Sally and I included.
I had chosen the nearest Premier Inn to Bletchley Park, which was at Furzton Lake, Milton Keynes, and I was pleasantly surprised as were others that the location was picturesque with a small lake, which I had hoped for due to its name. It was also located at the side of a ‘Hungry Horse’ pub called The Furzton Lake, so handy for a meal.
We all arrived at varying times on Tuesday, 27th August to glorious weather. A few beers were quaffed whilst sitting around the outside water feature of the pub with a fountain.
I had booked us all in that night for a meal in the Hungry Horse, which although not gourmet was adequate, and I think everybody was satisfied with the meal.
Some went to bed early ish whilst the hardcore members stopped up until at least 9.30pm, drinking and chatting.
After breakfast at the Premier Inn for some, we arranged to meet at Bletchley Park for about 9.30am. We travelled the 2.7 miles, that’s what Google Maps said it was, by varying routes, dependent upon what sat-nav etc. you used.
Upon arrival at Bletchley Park, we were met by our in-house ‘photographer’ Mike Vince, and Paul and Pam ’Pearl’ Harbour, who had sorted the tickets. We all booked in for a 1 hour tour, before we could then mosey around and do our own ‘thing’, and have an ice cream or two.
Once again it was a beautiful day, and the grounds were a pleasure to walk round and to visit the varying exhibitions. A visit here really brought home the great importance that Bletchley Park and the 9,000 people who worked there, in 3 shifts, played during WWII. It has been estimated that the code breaking etc. that was carried out here saved thousands of lives and potentially shortened the war by up to 2 years.
We all left at varying times. Some returned to the Premier Inn.
Sally and I went to Chelsea Green at Leighton Buzzard, approximately 7 miles away. We went as this was where my family lived when I was born in 1959. We left there when I was about 4, and I have never been back since. I didn’t know what to expect after 60+ years, but it was how I remembered it, one road which opened into a horseshoe shape and a large grass area in the centre with semi-detached houses all the way around the outside. I was so pleased that they hadn’t built on ‘The Green’. Whilst we were there we got talking to a resident who explained that the council are not allowed to build on The Green as it had previously been owned by The Rothschild Family, who had a ‘stud’ at the bottom of the road opposite the entrance to Chelsea Green and it was where they buried the horses, and that was part of the agreement when it was sold to the council many years ago.
We returned to the Premier Inn and had arranged to meet up at 6pm in the bar at The Furzton Lake before some of us took a 5-minute stroll to the nearby Italian restaurant, ‘Sul Lago’ that I had also booked. It was once again a beautiful evening and setting overlooking the lake. We were seated upstairs in our own private area, and the staff and food were excellent.
The following morning after breakfast, we all left at varying times to continue our travels home or other destinations.
I would like to thank all those who attended, for making it a successful and entertaining few days, and for meeting up with friends old and new. Looking forward to the next few days away, whoever organises it. A great group of people.
It really is not that difficult to arrange visits and short stays, as once you identify the Premier Inn or wherever you are staying then those interested book it themselves. Then collate numbers attending to book the venue visit if one is arranged, or just a riding few days, Simples.
If you know anybody who rides motorcycles and is or could be an IPA member then let them know about this group and the great social arrangements throughout the year that they always plan.
Stuart Yeowart (Yog), Section UK Motorcycle Special Interest Group
