30/06/2026
Thank you Elwyn Beedles for kindly sending over your event report from the Tony Plenty. 🙌🏽
Shrewsbury and District Motorcycle Club
Tony Plenty Memorial road trial 27th June 2026
Sam is the man ! 🏆
As it did last year for the inaugural running of The Tony Plenty Memorial road trial the weather was sunny and very warm for this years event. Centred on Hope Village Hall in the beautiful South Shropshire hills the 2nd running of the TPM had chosen Severn Hospice as the very deserving charity to benefit from the event.
From the off the event was well organised. Signing in for competitors and observers was in the hall with Baker and Jim. Sandy conducted the observers briefing at 8.30am sharpe before the first group of riders and travelling observers Christian Pearson, Kev Ellis and Ralph Jones set off at 9.20am.
Catering was covered this time by Smash N Grab who did a sterling job serving up the most delicious food
With a lot of lads deciding not to ride after a week of heat and sleepless nights it was left to 63 riders to tackle a scenic loop incorporating 36 sections over 18 miles. The route run up Hope Valley to the Bishop family ground at Pennerley, on up to Popes land at The Gravels before dropping down to sections behind the Miners Arms at Preist Weston. A few riders took advantage of a swift non alcoholic beverage at the pub before hitting the sections at Rorrington Estate, Holywell and finally Bishop group close to the start and finish venue. Harry Barrett had the task of timekeeper with each rider given a 5 hour time allowance to complete the course
The organisers Sandy, Jim and Baker along with helpers again had a mammoth task this time of year clearing vegetation and plotting sections
Thanks to the camaraderie that exists between clubs and the high regard in which the newly formed club is held the lads had no problem finding observers to cover the sections. A few lads had sacrificied having a ride to help the club out and put a bit back in to the sport. All the observers did a sterling job in the heat and it was great to see the likes of Beta Uk rider and Hafren Dirt Club organiser Hugo Jervis, Llanfyllins Gaz Hinton and South Shopshire stalwart Buzz Wells helping out. Downhill mountain bike legend Neil Donoghue covered section 19 on the Rorrington Estate
A disappointing entry of 2 riders rode the expert route but what class riders they were. Riding together and helping each other plot their way through the sections Sam Yeomans and Tom Minta put on a real show for the many spectators. It was a great match given the differences between the two lads. Sam, tall and long legged, riding the factory prepared 2 stroke Vertigo UK bike so smoothly, against Tom, not quite so tall and shorter legged on dad Wills 4 stroke Honda with his more aggressive approach. Sam is ex British Expert champion and has won countless national trials whilst Tom is now regarded as one of the top enduro riders in the UK just having the odd blast on the trialler. Both it has to be said very talented riders on a trials bike and nice lads to boot.
Last on the road at 10.50am and tied on clean after the first 6 sections at David Jones Group Tom was first to falter with a dab at Matt Bishops family estate at Pennerley, home to the clubs New Year period trial. A further 3 above The Miners Arms then a 5 for Tom on the Rorrington estate sections pushed the gap further. With Sam failing to get up Gaz Hintons waterfall section 33 and Tom getting away with a 2 it made for a tight finish. Sam finally landed the bragging rights and The Tony Plenty Trophy losing 17 marks to Toms 23. Well done both of you.
In the inters Ben Rolls from Stafford had a clear victory on 32 marks lost. Ben was one of only 2 cleans through my section 20 showing great skill over the 2 brook jumps with the Beta. The other clean was Elliot Petrek on the Gasser who stormed through the section legs everywhere motocross style. The section took a few casualties including the experienced Adrian Jervis who unfortunately mis judged the second jump across the brook and took a nasty fall.
In Clubman importer John Lampkins Beta’s ruled the roost filling the podium positions. The spoils went to Darren Butcher from Stroud Valley club followed by Redditch MCC riders Michael Flanagan and Dave Smith. Special mention must go to Tom Cadwallader one of the early runners through my section 20 who after a valiant effort to get out of the brook over the roots ended up in the brook under the bike. Glad to see he finished. Likewise making it to the end Carl ‘Wilkes Wheels’ Wilkes who only managed a few sections last year before having to retire. Blowing hard, hot and red in the face when he reached me at 20 Oswestry stalwart Peter Morris finished a creditable 7th. Pete has not enjoyed the best of health recently so credit that he finished well done pal.
Great to see the little twin shock Bantam of Paul Howells. The trial was hard work on a modern bike so well done Paul for keeping the little un going in the heat. Along with Neil Jackson on the TY Yam they were the only air cooled bikes in the trial and as most of us know they do not like the heat.
A great big shout out to the observers too many to name individually this time but without whom it would be very difficult to run the trial and also a special thanks to the landowners without whose consent to use their land this sort of event is a non starter.
There are a few videos circulating so take a look.
Cheers, Elwyn.
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