By noon, VSOC members started to turn-up in a steady flow (Centre 19 members were one of the first to arrive - you Party animals!!), and by 4.00pm we were virtually overwhelmed by bikes at our registration table. Debbie's Burger Wagon was now on-site along with our merchandise marquee and Paul the Tattooist from the Patriots was setting up. Others we're busily pitching their tents in the field, located almost opposite the Cock Inn, as our 'Bike Park' began to swell. Dougie from Scotland arrived after his 450 trip at about 4.30pm and looked as fresh as if he'd just climbed on his bike five minutes before! We even had Bob & Mick arrive fresh off the ferry from the Faro Rally! Many of those who were 'lost' were escorted in by our friendly 'man on the beat' Steve, who is planning to join the VSOC shortly.

As Friday became ever closer the weekend weather forecast just got better and better, and better - sunny skies with temperatures into the mid to high 20's is what they'd predicted. By all accounts this was going to be one hell of a good weekend for our Rock Around the Cock Party!

When we arrived early Friday morning our Centre 15 'Rock Team' got busy putting up buntings, banners, marquees and did a zillion other things ready for what we hoped would be a great Party weekend. We could only dream that months of planning might culminate into a successful weekend.

It was hotting up - literally, thanks to blazing hot sunny skies.

Our registration area was kept busy!

By 6.00pm Andy (the landlord of the Cock Inn) was beginning to panic and I had my 19th nervous breakdown - we'd officially sold our quota of tickets, but folks just kept turning up, and turning up…….. Others who'd arrived earlier were relaxing with a long cool one in and around the Cock Inn.

Tent city begins to take shape

Come 7.30pm and the cool of the evening, we had an estimated 130 members & guests in and around the Cock Inn tucking into their evening meal of curry & rice - all at no charge supplied by the Cock Inn. However, despite me (Sid) blasting several more 'Grub Up!!!' blasts, with my now despised air horn, some members were unfortunately engrossed in pitching their tents, or were engaged in other things that folks do in tents, and were left 'curryless' - next time remember to refrain from having sex until after you've eaten!!

We didn't have to wait long because as soon as 8.00pm come along Ian Skinner's 'Baldeagle Roadshow & Disco' started up in the marquee. And what a great Disco sound it was too, with massive mega watt speakers, flashing lights and smoke machines doing the biz. After not too many return trips to the bar, the dance floor was a seething mass of people. Ian, who's one of our Centre 15 members and has been a professional disc jockey these past twenty years, certainly did us proud with his uncanny ability to pick tracks out of thin air that he just seemed to know we'd all like. The revellers kept going until the Disco packed up at 11.15pm - but the night wasn't over yet!!

By now, both bars at the Cock Inn were swelled by scores of members grabbing their drinks for the start of the evening.

The 'mystery in the field' was an enormous barrel of Sheppard & Neame Masterbrew 'on-tap' and several scores of plastic cups - gratis by Andy at the Cock Inn. Self-serve real ale enthusiasts were buzzing around like scooters at a Harley rally, but it took until 2.30am before the dregs of the barrel was finally exhausted. Several 'bodies' were evident on the ground. One silly sod kept trying to get up but couldn't find the beer tap - he gave up in the end. Others just partied on till almost sun up.

We were deep in the Kent countryside and the night was eerie with owls hooting and vixens screaming, but the sun rose early on Saturday as the snoring hoards began to stir. Bets were taken on how many hangovers were in evidence - we lost count. The Burger Wagon opened at 7.15am and the smell of bacon & egg baguettes and fresh coffee wafted across the field. By 8.30am the line-up was knee deep.

Our ride-out to Herne Bay kicked-off at sharp at 10.30am as our contingent of 86 loud and awesome bikes roared off down the county lane. Despite the large number of bikes our seven marshals and radio control coped well. The only unfortunate incident was when a car from the opposite direction rammed a car up the ass that was waiting to turn right. Fate was kind to our convoy of bikes because the car that was shunted forward had her wheels pointing ahead (which is an advanced driving technique). If her wheels had been pointing to the right she would have ploughed into the line of our bikes - the consequences of which we'd prefer not to contemplate.

We all finally arrived at Herne Bay without further incident and parked up near the Clock Tower to the amazement of the locals. (Better known as Hernia Bay due to the aged retired population). After 'terrorising' the natives with roughly 5,000 horsepower of shattering exhaust rumbles, a shandy and a bag of soggy cod and chips, and about 90 minutes baking to a crisp in the sun, we departed back the fast route in smaller groups up the M2 to the Cock Inn.

Our convoy of 86 bikes had returned safely and most people relaxed with a beer or three whilst others either had a tattoo etched out on their limp bodies, bought a tee shirt or badge from the marquee, played petanque or had a good kip.

Because everyone looked so knackered we decided we'd forgo our 'Kent games' planned for the afternoon. It was getting hotter and sticky at 30C.

The whole Hog BBQ had been cooking slowly on the spit from early morning and by 6.45pm plumes of porky smoke was now hitting the nostrils of 'tent city'. Stirred by my now infamous air horn, the line to the BBQ was starting to take shape.

Our comedian and compere for the evening had arrived at 6.00pm and was in his 'dressing room', and Dave Harley's band was due to set up their equipment at 7.00pm. Only problem was that we'd planned to get everyone in the marquee by 7.30pm - and we were running ten minutes late! Finally we'd herded most everyone into the marquee and at 7.43pm on the dot, and thanks to a bike-to-bike communicator, a rather tall looking 'woman' ran across the field in 7" heels - just in time for me to introduce our compere, Jet Black.

Because all the parties/rallies I've ever been too have the usual 'disco & band' set-up, we wanted to do something completely different, wild and crazy and totally outrageous. A stripper? no - pole dancer? no pole - a magician? no - a chinese plate spinner? no! We decided on a drag star. Jet Black was a Dragstar - but this Dragstar wasn't the type that most guys would care to sit on! Perhaps we should suggest to Yamaha that they produce a new bike and name it a Dragqueen - any members who bought one would immediately be suspect!!

Now perched on his mini stage and on 7" high heels to boot, fiery red hair and lips, slinky and sequined long evening dress, Jet Black towered above a shocked and bemused audience (psychological counselling is still available by request). Children and those with a weak disposition had been asked to leave - and for good reason! Jet's repartee, barracking, poking fun and good old bawdy comedy shifted our still shocked audience into top gear. Even the guy who did a moony was shot down in flames by Jet who 'disposed' of him a most professional manner with a line that will make the cheeky chappie think twice every time he goes to toilet. Everyone was creased up. Jet was on until 8.10pm - set to return later, and left the stage by introducing Dave Harley & X-Certificate.

At 8.10pm Dave Harley & X-Certificate leaped onto the 'stage' and immediately captivated the audience with several well established Rock numbers. In no time at all most everyone was dancing. These guys were very good.

Jet jumped back in at 9.00pm and got everyone laughing with more of his routine. Lilly Savage - eat your heart out!! Dave Harley returned at 9.15pm for their second session and 'rocked the aisles'. Lyndon and Anne from our very own Centre 15 performed their professional Jiving dance routine (they're really good!) and got even more people onto the dance floor. At 10.00pm it was time for the raffle. I invited Kevin Hoyte our VSOC Chairman onto the stage and he thanked everyone for coming and congratulated Centre 15 for putting on a great show. Tickets were now shuffled in their box by yours truly, and Jet read out the seemingly never ending numbers - whilst I remained in the shadow of this rather tall 6' 3" Scots drag queen (real name Declann) telling even more great jokes in between draws. A special prize of a brand new 35mm camera went to Dougie Kitt from Dundee who had ridden the farthest. The raffle prizes were drawn next and ranged from a crate of wine to a set of handcuffs (we'd like to know who got the handcuffs - please!)

As soon as the raffle was over Dave Harley returned and played solid Rock until 11.15pm - and bought the house down with songs like Rock Around the Clock, Blue Suede Shoes, plus other popular songs from over the past four decades, including Hey Jude that we all sang too. Dave's band was tight, versatile and totally professional, and he not only received an ovation and did a final song, he had number of inquires from other Centre Reps - we might well see Dave and his band again at another Centre Rally. After 11.30pm yet another barrel of Sheppard & Neame Masterbrew materialised in the field with several scores of plastic cups. More hangovers, more partying until the sun came up.

On Sunday morning most everyone had dragged their asses out of their sacks by 8.00am and, with the familiar moans and groans, a thin line of sorry looking individuals made their way to the Burger Wagon. For most, this was going home time. But at 10.00am our very own Rev. Mike 'Wolf' Walker did a Bikers Blessing' in the pub marquee. His message was simply about 'togetherness' and how the VSOC brings people together from all over, and the comradeship we all enjoy.

Yes, with the sun blazing down it was time to pack up now. So as the last of our partygoers clambered onto their bikes we said our goodbyes and rode off into the day.

We'd like to thank the 147 members and guests from 18 centres in the UK who attended our Party. We hope everyone will fondly remember our Rock Around Party in the years too come!

A very special thanks goes out to the following Centre 15 Members for making our Party a total success:

Andy & Denise - The Cock Inn
Ian Skinner (Baldeagle Disco & Roadshow)
Ron - Our Official Photographer
Jan & Taz Taylor
Alan & Ruth
Alan & Gill
June & Caroline
Charlie, Phil, Dave, Richard, Godfrey, Chris and all those who kindly donated raffle prizes.

Dave Harley and X-Certificate website

Baldeagle Disco & Road show

Contact Ian Skinner
Email: baldeygal@hotmail.com