Pennine Rally

The first two editions, in 1967 and 1968, took place amid the peaceful, green countryside of Low Bradley, just a short distance from Skipton.

Building on this early success, the rally moved to the village of Eastburn in 1969, a charming settlement nestled in the Aire Valley, close to the larger town of Keighley.

Then, for its fourth gathering in 1970, the Denholme & District Motor Cycle Club returned to the familiar surroundings of Low Bradley, reconnecting with the spirit of its beginnings.

Just as with the 1969 meeting the year before, we possess no photographic record of that year in our archives—despite the countless hours spent searching in hope of uncovering even the smallest trace.

Once again, the only surviving piece of memorabilia relating to this rally is the admission ticket to the gathering. 

Denholme & District Motor Cycle Club
Ticket to Admit One Person to the
4th Pennine Rally
Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
17th, 18th and 19th April, 1970
at Low bradley, Near Skipton, Yorks.
127 (Keep for Lucky Draw)
(It is a condition of entry that the club, its officials and
the landowners are under no liability in respect of injury
or damage to entrants, their machines or property)
Please Lock Your Machine on Site !

Yet even this modest relic allows us to step back in time, revealing that the event took place on the 17th, 18th and 19th of April 1970.

If, by some fortunate chance, you hold any photographs or memorabilia from the Pennine Rally of those years, we would be immensely grateful if you would consider sharing them with us here.

Even the smallest fragment of history would be deeply cherished and help bring this remarkable event back to life.

- Jean-Francois Helias

1970 Pennine rally, turn off the Skipton Road and over the Leeds-Liverpool canal and uphill into Bradley. Pitched the tent in a field and on to the local pub (is it still open?)

Next day (Saturday) throbbing round the local roads on my 350 G3 Matchless with broken kickstart return spring a bit of rubber bungee in its place. Made the pilgrimage to the Tomato dip and back to the campsite for a wash and brush up (like hell, I was 19 and only one pair of jeans to my name)

The organisers laid on free buses for us to go into Skipton where a good time was had by all and I even pulled a bird! Her name was Ann Preston, she was from Skipton and it was only a snog and a squeeze, I didn't get THAT lucky. I think it was her turn to wear the beer goggles that night.

Back on the bus to the campsite and a blazing bonfire then off to bed for a crazy first hour of farts jokes and more farting.

Up next day and back home to Leeds, a great weekend End of quotation

- Keith Knowles