Scooter ride-out honours West Yorkshire's war dead

A group of scooters set off wearing parkas and helmets with Union Jacks and mod designs
The parade was joined by more than 100 riders [BBC]

More than 100 scooter owners have taken part in a Remembrance ride, laying wreaths across West Yorkshire.

Kinsley Drifters Scooter Club, who were joined by riders from Pontefract and Kippax, laid poppy wreaths on Saturday, starting in South Elmsall and finishing in Ackworth.

Leanne Fenson said she was “honoured” to take part.

She added: “We do it every year and we never forget, ever. A lot of people lost their lives, a lot of young men and women."

Four women in parkas hold an orange flag reading 'Lest We Forget' with poppies and soldiers
Rider Leanne Fenson (second from right) said she was "honoured" to take part [BBC]

The parade started at the Barnsley Oak in South Elmsall with about 60 riders, before they were joined by dozens more along the route.

They visited eight war memorials and a memorial garden, before holding a minute’s silence near the Boot and Shoe pub in Ackworth.

Wayne Marshall, one of the organisers, said the annual ride was open to anyone with a scooter.

He said: “Today is our day to show respect to the fallen heroes. Tomorrow, a lot of people will doing their own parades."

A man and a woman ride a scooter driving down the road wearing green coats and Union Jack helmets
The parade takes place on Saturday rather than Sunday because of the noise of the bikes [BBC]

Steven Fenson, who also helped organise the event, said they chose Saturday for the event rather than Remembrance Sunday to allow the other parades to take place in quiet.

He said: “We do the Saturday because of the noise and the amount of people, so we leave it to them to organise a proper Remembrance Day march on Sundays and we do our own thing."

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