Eckington Parish Events!

19 July 2014 - Eckington Motorcycle Day

Eckington's pop-up motorcycle museum's a hit

Torrential rain did not dampen the spirits of motorcycle riders and local people who turned out to support Eckington's first Motorcycle Day on Saturday (July 19).

The event was inspired by the town's legendary motorcycle racers, Charlie Freeman and Billie Nelson, both successful at national and international level in the 1950s and 60s.

The town centre became a 'pop-up' motorcycle museum for the day with local businesses hosting interesting motorcycles inside their shops and a special exhibition of Freeman and Nelson racing photographs, motorcycles and memorabilia displayed in Eckington Town Team's heritage centre.

Freeman and Nelson family members, former employees and customers, motorcycle racers and fans were reunited in celebrating the town's motorcycling heritage.

Exhibition organiser Keith Riley, who runs Eckington's Aquiline Tattoo Shop, said: "There're not many places you could go and see a motorbike in the window of the local chemists, or in the holistic therapist's, or the tanning salon, craft shop, wigs and nails salon, or prom-dress shop!"

It was a great turnout despite the atrocious weather, with over three hundred people through the door of the heritage centre.

"I knew people would be interested in the exhibition but it was more than that - a lot of Eckington folk are big fans of motorcycle racing past and present. It was fantastic to hear their stories of watching Charlie and Billie race at Cadwell Park, or buying their first bike from Freeman's, and even having been at school with them."

In his day Freeman was one of the north's biggest motorcycle dealers and probably one of Eckington's biggest entrepreneurs. He raced sidecars with Billie Nelson as passenger and Billie was also successful racing solo machines.

Charlie Freeman was a motorcycle trader in Eckington from 1953 to 2000. He also traded in Sheffield, Grantham and Chesterfield. A successful sidecar racer at national and international level, he won and set fastest laps at most British circuits. He was British sidecar champion 1964 and rode Germany's famous Nurburgring in the 1965 GP. He had an excellent racing record on the Isle of Man too.

At the age of 16 Billie Nelson was the youngest competitor in the Isle of Man TT races riding sidecar for his employer Charlie Freeman. Billie had a successful solo racing career but was tragically killed in 1974.

Keith Riley added: "You can see from the comments in the visitor's book that it brought back lots of memories for a lot of people - not just about motorcycle racing but how Eckington used to be and there was plenty of talk about how they would like it to be in the future."

The event was organised and costs met by Aquiline Tattoo Shop. The day was supported by volunteers from Eckington Town Team, and EW Motorcycles from Staveley. Donations on the day for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Eckington Town Team raised over 300 pounds.


 

6 March 2014 - Eckington Prom Fayre - Ballgowns and Tiaras

Eckington's first ever Prom Fayre, held at the Civic Centre, was a glittering success. The evening of sequined ballgowns and diamante studded shoes was organised by Eckington Town Team volunteers to help boost business for local shops and beauty studios.

Students from Eckington, Netherthorpe and Westfield schools modeled more than 40 beautiful prom dresses from Kay's Sewing Room. The amazing outfits were completed with gorgeous decorated shoes, hair accessories, handmade tiaras and jewellery by Special Dayz.

Eckington's hairdressers and beauticians were on hand to offer advice and demonstrate their Prom beauty and pamper packages.

The girls modelling the dresses showcased hair by Formula Hair Innovations, The Hair Hut, Nods Hair Studio, The Hair and Nail BoutiQue.

The models' nails and make-up were prepared by technicians from Aspire Hair, The Makeup Kit and Remedies.

Local DJ Gary Peters was an excellent master of ceremonies and did a great job of announcing the models on the catwalk. Civic Centre manager Brian Furniss was very helpful in accommodating the organiser's plans.

Photographs courtesy of UK Inspired Photos.

Eckington town team would particularly like to thank all the businesses and helpers who gave their services free of charge and helped make a memorable evening.

This was a not-for-profit event, funds raised covered the cost of putting the event on.


 

6 December 2013 - Eckington Christmas Fayre

Eckington put on a superb show for the Christmas Fayre. We had over 1000 visitors to see the turning on of the lights and a good time was had by all.