Amazing display of classic motorcycles parked up in St. Chad's Church

Motorcycle enthusiasts were in “heaven” when they visited the medieval Church of St Chad at Church Wilne, Derbyshire on the weekend of August the 3rd and 4th. Peter Lindahl reports for Erewash Sound.

On display in the nave of the historic building were 25 classic and vintage machines, restored to immaculate condition by all their proud local owners.

Evoking nostalgic memories of the golden age of British motorcycling (50s/60s) were a number of fabulous BSAs, Triumphs and Nortons in gleaming showroom condition.

Visitors were  intrigued to discover the price some of the bikes were originally sold for. For instance, the description of an immaculately maintained 650 BSA A10 Super Rocket noted, that when launched in 1959, it cost £273 16shillings and 5pence.

Parked next to this beautiful machine was a BSA L28, 349cc Super Sports manufactured in 1928. The purchase price of that bike then being £555 and 15 shillings. An acetylene light and horn was considered an extra and had to be purchased at a cost of £1 12 shillings and 6 pence.

Among the magnificent vintage machines were an impressive 1922 Martinsyde 500, a 1927 AJS, and a very rare 1939 Brough Superior SS80 in superb condition.
 
One of the oldest motorbikes in the nave was a 1912, 3.5hp Triumph. This rare experimental model took part in the six-hour race at Brooklands in 1913 and broke four world speed records.

Also on show were a 1920 Campion Vee-twin made in Nottingham and fitted with a Jardine gearbox; a 1939 Vincent HRD Comet; a 1955 Vincent Black Knight; a two-stroke Ariel Arrow Special; a 1930 KTT Racing Velocette; and a rare 1927 350cc BSA sports model.

Visitors to the show were delighted to spot one of England’s most successful and popular motorcycle legends of the 50s and 60s, Derbyshire’s John “Mooneyes” Cooper, who turned up with a 1966 Seeley 650cc motorcycle on which he ridden to victory many times. 

One of the quirkier machines at the show was an “Atlas” motorised bicycle. This extraordinary, contraption was not made by Heath Robinson, but by Derek Langdon of West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. Mr. Langdon, a retired motorcycle mechanic, cobbled together a 1923 142.5cc engine with a vintage Jay Rose bicycle. The bike has a top speed of 18 mph. Derek decided upon the name “Atlas” for his invention after discovering “you need legs like Charles Atlas to start it up hill”!   

The show was first presented by the Friends of St Chad’s in 2022 to raise funds for the listed building’s upkeep. Attracting a far greater number of bikers and admirers of classic motorcycles than anticipated led to it since being held annually, with visitors donating some £6,000 during that period. 

The Church of St Chad’s dates back in its present form to the beginning of the 13th century. Prior to that time a Saxon church occupied the site as early as 822 AD. 

St Chad’s Church is situated in an idyllic tranquil location next to St. Chad's Water Local Nature Reserve.  It is dedicated to St. Chad, a prominent 7th-century Anglo-Saxon Celtic monk who was responsible for spreading Christianity throughout the Kingdom of Mercia. He was an Abbot, Bishop of the Northumbrians and then Bishop of the Mercians and Lindsey People. After his death he became known as a Saint.