Pennine Rally

April 1967

Denholme & District MCC:
The Early Days and the Birth of Pennine Rally ’67

I hope you will take the time to read this page in its entirety, for it is particularly close to my heart.

There are many reasons why, but perhaps the most poignant is this: the late Ted Trett, a valued contributor to this website and the last partner of my good friend the late Heather MacGregor, was himself a proud member of the Denholme & District MCC (DDMCC).

In his memory, and out of profound respect for him, I feel compelled to honour the club and its remarkable legacy. Since his passing, I have felt both a need and a responsibility to do this here on the site. Yet, perhaps out of fear of not doing it justice, I kept putting it off — until now.

Denholme & District MCC: A brief History

The club, based in Denholme, West Yorkshire, was founded in 1965 — a fact confirmed by the successive versions of the cloth badges the DDMCC produced for its members over the years.

(Left) The earliest known DDMCC cloth badge issued to members; (Right) its later version.

Although the full list of the club’s founders may never be known, four names stand out in the club’s early history: Sue Bradley, Pam Mist, Paul Suckley, and Stuart Feeney.

(Left) The 1966 badge produced by the DMCC for its members; (Right) the 1967 version.

By the late 1960s, the Denholme & District MCC was firmly embedded in Britain’s thriving motorcycling scene — an era defined by rockers, friendly gatherings, and long, spirited rides.

(Left) The club’s original membership card; (Right) DDMCC members pictured in the 1960s.

The club’s members were a familiar sight at many of the decade’s great rallies, including the must-attend and now-legendary Dragon Rally, as well as numerous events hosted by the iconic 59 Club.

Sixties rockers on the rallies/ Pompadours swept by the wind/ Tires thrumming, adrenaline racing through their veins/Chasing freedom at full throttle/Engines roar, and the open road calls.

What Happened at the Tomato Dip
Stayed at the Tomato Dip

In the reader comments on the previous page, the ‘Tomato Dip’ at Snaygill— the DDMCC’s favorite meeting café— has already been widely mentioned. It was a popular spot for local motorcyclists, as well as for riders passing through.

In the 1970s, beyond the infamous ‘Tomato Dip’ the legendary biker hangout forever tied to the story of the DDMCC

It’s worth noting that this transport café had, on its far left, a takeaway serving hatch off the kitchen — a popular stop for truckers and bikers alike.

In the middle, the heart of the place beat all night long: a true transport café with Formica tables, metal chairs, a jukebox humming rock ’n’ roll tunes, and a few blinking slot machines.

Nothing lasts forever — the famous Tomato Dip went on to become Jordana’s Nightclub, then Henri’s Bistro, and later the Snaygill Arms (as seen here in 2002).

To the right, a lower-level dining room offered full meals for families — and come the weekend, it was always packed.

The owner’s niece, who worked there every weekend during the school holidays, later confessed online that she’d “had a great time — and more than a few secret late-night bike rides…”

DDMCC members pictured here with their bikes — with rides this fine, it’s no wonder young ladies couldn’t resist hopping on for a spin.

While the “Tomato Dip” holds a special place in the club’s story, several other meeting spots also played their part in shaping the DDMCC’s history.

According to Stuart Feeney, at the club’s founding in 1965, meetings were held at the Black Bull in Denholme, before moving successively to the Lamb Inn in Oxenhope, the Wellington Hotel in Keighley, and finally the Beaconsfield Club in Worth Village.

Probably taken in the late 1960s — members of the DDMCC posing for posterity.

Two decades of glory: the DDMCC saga

At its peak in the 1970s, with over 500 members mainly from the Keighley, Bradford, and Halifax areas, the club became one of the largest independent motorcycle clubs on the British motorcycling scene.

Denholme & District MCC’s Jeanie Beveridge leading the pack in 1972 — proving the roar of the engines wasn’t just for the boys

Up until the early 1980s, the DDMCC remained extremely popular, attracting members from far and wide to its club meetings.

Apparently, lacking leadership to guide it, the club eventually went into decline and was dissolved in the mid-1980s after two decades of activity. The DDMCC briefly experienced a revival in 2000.

Pennine Rally ‘67: The start of a legendary series

When the DDMCC was founded in 1965, they didn’t rush into organizing a motorcycle rally.

Instead, they took their time — almost two full years — before hosting their very first gathering, which they fittingly named the Pennine Rally, after the mountain range that defines their region.

But don’t imagine the club spent those years idly. Bursting with youthful energy and overflowing with ideas, the DDMCC was far too spirited to sit still. Their creativity and enthusiasm were constantly in motion.

In fact, 1966 alone saw at least two remarkable events. I was lucky enough, a few years ago, to uncover two pieces of memorabilia that testify to this: the eerie and thrilling Midnight Ghost Ride in May, followed by the delightfully offbeat Comedy Pram Race in November. Quirky, daring, and unmistakably the work of a club full of character.

Since these were printed leaflets, very few copies have survived the passage of time. And so, for the very first time online, we’re proud to present them here below, courtesy of LPMCC.net

Spooks at Midnight... Giggles by Daylight.

But Just Who Were These Untouchables?

Spring of 1967 finally arrived, and with it, the very first Pennine Rally!

The event took place over the weekend of April 7th, 8th, and 9th at Howcrest Farm, Low Bradley, near Skipton—a weekend that would go down in club history.

We proudly present this ticket, number 444, a rare survivor of the decades. After all these years, it now enjoys a quiet retirement safely tucked away in my archives.

This inaugural rally wasn’t the work of just one club—it was a true collaboration between the DDMCC and the UNTOUCHABLES.

Ticket and badge from the 1967 Pennine Rally. But who were these mysterious “Untouchables”? Who could shed some light on them?

Were you at the 1967 rally?
We’d love to see your photos!

From this rally, I only have a single, solitary photograph—and a rather poor-quality one at that.

A meager testament, it depicts two members of the DDMCC unfurling the club banner, posing for a shot that captures the moment.

Evidence that good times came before colour.

All that remains is to rely on our older readers, in the 80–85 age range, who might have a few snapshots from this rally in their photo albums, and invite them to share them here on this page.

So now, we wait for our veteran members to dig out their old photos.

And if you can’t find any... just draw your own ghosts and prams — after all, imagination never goes out of style!

- Jean-Francois Helias