There was a real buzz about finally taking Chas & Dave’s advice and heading dooowwwn to Margate after such a long time away.
Credit to the Big 7 SC for working hard to make it happen, as they were faced with a number of challenges along the way. Organising a rally from scratch in a “new” town isn’t straightforward.
Hazy recollections
Margate can be a bit Marmite for some, love it or loathe it – the old place still holds plenty of memories and I’m sure the old scooter boys and girls amongst us will have many of our own.
I was looking forward to revisiting some of the places where those memories were created if I could find them after all these years and hazy recollections.
Keeping cool
After setting off in my usual UK riding gear, I had to turn around after a few miles, as the weather on Friday afternoon was scorchio! Back home I grabbed my summer riding kit (with mesh in all the right places) to have a cooler ride down south.
We had already booked digs ahead of the campsite being confirmed (thank you to our booking agent Helen) and so we were lucky to be a short walk from Dreamland, the home for the weekend’s entertainment.
The campsite was a mile and a half along the coast, so those lovely people at Big 7 SC had put on a bus that was constantly running from the campsite to Dreamland and back. The campsite looked fairly busy, with several glamping tents set up for those who don’t like sorting out their own erection.
Bo Selecta
Friday night and the pubs were really busy. Unlike the previous Margate rallies, where the seafront pubs would be full of scooterists and the odd local, it was a good mix of scooterists, locals and Craig David fans waiting to see him play live at the Dreamland’s main open-air music venue.
Margate has had some much-needed investment put into it and the seafront has improved, although it is a real shame to see the Lido and Winter Gardens falling into disrepair.
The loss of such venues left the Big 7 crew with little option than to use parts of the huge Dreamland complex. A big space to fill and I bet not a cheap option.
Dad Manners
It was fairly busy in the live music room upstairs where the bands played, we got in too late to see the earlier bands, but caught Dad Manners who went down well. The soul room with the KTF Soul Club DJs had people dancing all night, it was a large room to fill and you could easily walk past it as you came through the strict security on the door (more on that later).
The main room was in the Roller Disco area and was kept busy, as Scooterist Internet Radio DJs Dave Lloyd, Dave Porter and Minxy had hardy souls wobbling into the early hours. It even had one cheeky scamp celebrating his birthday in style after finding where the roller skates were kept. Queue the Benny Hill music as the security guards chased him around the dance floor as he was pushed around at breakneck speeds.
TASS open day
Saturday dawned and we had a wander around the streets to track down some of the local street art on our way to visit the TASS (Thanet Area Scooter Services) open day. There was a steady stream of scooterists visiting throughout the day, keeping Roger and the TASS crew busy. TASS are big supporters and competitors in the BSEC – British Scooter Endurance Club races and so it’s great to see so many scooterists supporting them in return.
The British summer struck again with a downpour during the ride out, never good when it sets off in the sun and those taking part aren’t exactly dressed for precipitation.
Reggae Festival
As expected the seafront pubs were busy, so we ventured up to the New Odds Club to meet up with friends.
Dreamland had also organised an open-air reggae festival on Saturday afternoon and night which must have attracted a fair few scooterists drawing them from the official do.
What a drain!
The parts fair and Custom Show were also held in Dreamland on Saturday afternoon and saw a steady stream of scooterists and interested locals visiting throughout the day.
Numbers in the custom show were depleted after the venue had initially advised all fuel must be drained out of the tanks before entering the building, putting several people off showing their pride and joy. The Big 7 team managed to get them to relax that requirement, but sadly too late for the message to get through to some.
Quieter night
Saturday nights seem to be getting quieter, as many go hard on Friday and struggle for Saturday night, or simply because we’re getting older. The numbers seemed down around the pubs and this was also evident in the rally do inside Dreamland, the reggae festival clearly hadn’t helped.
Understandably the Soul room was not open on Saturday night, instead, the KTF DJs shared the Roller Disco room with the two Dave’s.
The live music room had a couple of bands on, with Scam 69 followed by some more punk from the Sex Pistols Expose. Sadly the crowd’s rock ‘n roll spirit dwindled as they played a decent set.
The main room was still fairly busy as the night drew to an end, bringing our return to Margate to a conclusion.
Search me?
Scooterists have a knack of making the best out of every situation and credit to The Big 7 SC for trying to put on a great event, considering the challenges faced and with only one real option for a venue. The use of such a venue also led to the use of online advance ticketing, which was scanned on arrival, closely followed by the venue’s security team asking you to empty your pockets and open wallets, etc. in search of drugs and also refusing entry to people with bags over A4 in size.
One scooterist attended the custom show and parts fair in Dreamland, bought a bottle of oil to get him home, went off round the pubs and when he tried to get in for the evening do was refused entry unless he put the bottle of oil in the bin. Others were refused entry just after midnight despite having tickets and the do going on until 2 am.
Such overzealous security was out of Big 7’s control but sadly put a dampener on the weekend for some.
Carrying luggage? Don’t be a plank, get yourself a SLUK Support!
The ride home was uneventful, apart from riding for a bit with fellow SLUKER and all-around good egg, Scarborough Col on his standard PX125, as he buzzed along filtering through traffic on the M25.
It was great to be back in Margate and we had a good time. I’m not sure when or if we’ll be back there, however, I have a feeling that if we do we may not be getting frisked again at Dreamland.
Thank you to the Big 7 SC for working hard to put Margate back on the calendar.
Ride safe all, Shaun
Words and photos: Shaun
Additional images: Booga
A view from the organisers
Positive vibes?
Big 7 2025?
