Camelford Show: the police bike everyone wanted a go on

A police motorcycle parked on the grass has a way of drawing a crowd. At this year’s Camelford Show, a steady stream of children, and a fair few grown-ups, climbed on for a photo, while the officers standing nearby got exactly the conversations they had come for.

A safety camera van and a bike people could sit on

The Devon and Cornwall Police Road Safety Team spent the day at the Camelford Show, joined by volunteer colleagues from the Marshgate Community Speed Watch group. The team described a great day of engagement with locals and holidaymakers alike, with plenty of positive interactions and real interest from people wanting to sign up to Community Speed Watch teams in their own area.

Young Sam, pictured on the bike, was one of many who enjoyed sitting on the police motorcycle. Alongside him, plenty of other children and a good number of adults spent time learning how the speed cameras work.

📷Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police Road Safety Team

Volunteers giving up their own time

Community Speed Watch runs on volunteers, and the show gave the Marshgate group a chance to talk about the work they do in their own towns and villages. These are people giving up their free time to help keep local roads safe, and the day let them explain why they do it.

It also put the force’s speed detection officers face to face with the public, a chance to talk through what their job involves and answer the questions people rarely get to ask.

What drivers said about being caught

Some of the most useful conversations came from an unexpected direction. Several people who had been caught by a speed camera and sent on a speed awareness course stopped to say how much they had taken from it. They told the team the course had taught them important lessons and changed the way they drive.

A few went further. They said they had really enjoyed the course and had recommended it to family and friends.

The bikers who rescued the gazebo

There was one moment the team was happy to own up to. Their logistics manager realised, a little late, that nobody had checked whether they had any tent pegs for the gazebo. Help came from the Widows Sons Grand Chapter Kernow motorcycle group, who stepped in and supplied some.

The group brought a line-up of striking motorcycles to the show, and they do a great deal more than turn up and look the part. They are heavily involved in charity events for children’s causes and for Cornwall Blood Bikes, and they run a yearly Easter Egg run, delivering sweet treats to disadvantaged children across Cornwall. Along the way they have raised more than £60,000 for organisations supporting children with special educational needs.

“Great to meet you guys!” the team said.

📷Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police Road Safety Team