Robin Hood inspires Harley riders’ route

Shoppers stopped as the rumble of motorcycles filled Southwell on Saturday when 210 Harley Davidsons passed through the town.

The members of the Sherwood Chapter of the Harley Owners’ Group were on their way to Nottingham Castle.

The ride, which started at Thoresby Park, which is part of Sherwood Forest, was inspired by Robin Hood and marked the Sherwood chapter’s tenth anniversary.

The chapter director, Mr Pete Clifford (47) of Eakring, said about 600 people lined the streets to watch the bikers go through Southwell. It took about 15 minutes.

He said: “I was dressed as Robin Hood so I led the ride and when I went through there were about 300 people on the streets, but by the time the middle of the ride was passing through that had doubled because people heard the rumble of the bikes and came to see what it was.”

Speaking about the chapter’s tenth anniversary, Mr Clifford said: “We wanted to do something special and as we are the Sherwood Chapter and sponsored by Robin Hood Harley Davidson we thought we would do what Robin Hood used to do and go from Sherwood Forest to the castle.”

The group passed through Hoveringham where villagers temporarily changed the road sign to Hogeringham, a reference to the bikes that are also known as hogs.

At the castle the group was met by the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Mr Michael Rowen, and the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Mrs Jeannie Packer.

Marshals from the Sherwood Chapter organised by Miss Sam York (37) of Eakring, directed the bikers.