LAST week's gathering of the British GP Supporters Club at The Kings Head at Wickham brought a large turnout of fellow-minded bikers of all ages for a presentation from Edge 44, Hampshire Constabulary's bike safety team, and a demonstration from the paramedic team.

Martin Vine from Edge 44 gave a presentation on the courses which are run to improve your road safety and awareness.

He explained: "There is one instructor to two riders, but don't worry - we don't take out the Pan Europeans as there is nothing more daunting then being followed by a police bike!"

Martin, owner of a Fireblade, takes his own bike and purely assesses your abilities. "We are not a governing body and it is not our job to instruct, just to advise and obtain more skills without the points on your licence."

Martin went on to reassure the audience that they also "educate our own officers to be 24/7 pro-bike".

The course sounds excellent. Mike Tamlyn, one of our OTW correspondents, attended the course in July last year and commented that his riding had "become smoother, more fluid and with plenty of foresight, making for a happier ride."

The motorcycle paramedics gave a quick insight to on-the-spot life-saving techniques, deleting the fable that we all thought was the 'golden rule' of not removing the helmet.

If the motorcyclist is not breathing he is going to die, so you will do no worse by removing his helmet and clearing his airways to give him a chance.

By highlighting the benefit that a little first aid education could save a life and give you the opportunity to help a mate in need, many of the audience murmured that they would be signing up for a first aid course after the evening.

Several stars of the motorcycling world attended the evening, including a speedway family which involved grandfather Basil March with 44 years' experience of racing to his two granddaughters, Rachel Mothersole and Hayley Collins, who were about to embark on their first year of quad-biking and speedway.

There was also nine-year-old Rowan Miller, the youngest motocross champion, another champion Chris Boyce, and Alfie Mills, who, I was advised, was the best track builder in the business!

Another was Jamie Morley who retired last year from track-testing the Petronas FP.

Many thanks must go to all the organisers of the evening along with Mike Ing, who made us feel so welcome, and Sassy Stacey who provided the evening with glamour and advised that evening that she will be attending a Direct Access Course this year.

The evening was also to raise money for Canine Partners, a charity training assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

A raffle featured prizes donated by Hein Gericke of Portsmouth Yamaha and several other kind contributors.

The BGPSC meets every Monday evening at the King's Head, Wickham.

For further information visit www.british gp sc.co.uk