Niamh Pennington has been riding scooters since the 1980s and although we’ve never met in person she has been a client of mine for 3 years! As a key member of Colchester DVLC committee she helps organise the hugely successful Mersea Island scooter rally and commissioned me to build their website in 2020. The rally goes from strength to strength every year and sells out very quickly as numbers are limited to just 2000. Tickets for 2024 go on sale on February 1st so keep an eye on their website to grab one before they go!
How did you first get into scooters?
I met a scooter boy from Bangor, Northern Ireland, when I was 16. He took me to a scooter do in Belfast on the back of his scooter and I was instantly hooked! I bought my first scooter when I turned 17.
What was your first scooter rally?
My first scooter rally was in Northern Ireland, The Convicts do in Larne, 1987. The first UK scooter rally was Margate in1987.
How did you get there?
I went on the back of my boyfriend’s PX200, and we travelled with fellow members of The Bog Rats SC. Larne was local, only 30 miles from Bangor. Margate was totally different. We got the ferry from Larne to Stranraer and rode down to Margate which was 480 miles each way.
What job were you doing at the time?
I worked two part time jobs in Bangor, one in a hotel and one in a chippy. I would have taken a whole week’s wages to the rally and been skint for a week after!
Where did you stay when you were there?
We were on the campsite at both rallies.
Were you in a club at the time?
At that time I was a member of The Bog Rats SC, N. Ireland.
What are your memories of the rally itself?
The Convicts do was freezing and snowing, but I didn’t feel the cold back then, it was all too exciting.
Margate was warm and sunny; I couldn’t believe the difference down south! I remember getting starstruck at the Dartford crossing when Glyn Dove and Theresa flew passed us on Screaming Blue Murder and Hell Raiser.
Was the journey home eventful?
I remember falling asleep, under the scooter, at a service station on our long journey home.
Do you remember what your favourite rally anthem of that period was?
I was open to all type of music. Margate campsite was the first time I heard, Toe Knee Black Burn song…..non stop. I couldn’t get it out of my head for the whole journey home.
What was your favourite custom scooter of that era?
Hell Raiser.
Do you still have a scooter now?
I have always owned Vespas, either T5’s or PX’s. I currently have and ride a PX200. I was a member of the Jokers SC in the late 80s and then joined Colchester DVLC in 1993.
What do scooters mean to you now?
Scooters, the scooter scene and the music has been a huge part of my life since 1986. The friends I have met along the way are friends for life. You will never find a nicer bunch of guys and gals.
I joined the DVLC in 1993 and I have dual roles in the Colchester DVLC; Club Secretary and Club Treasurer.
Mersea is organised by the Mersea Committee, consisting of 13 members of the Colchester DVLC. In addition to this, all our club members volunteer over the rally weekend. We fulfil many different roles within the committee to ensure Mersea runs smoothly.
The rally first started way back in 1993, headed up by Jon Betts with support from the club, and there was just under 500 in attendance. Now, 30 years on, we regularly hit 2000 each year. We still have the same drive and enthusiasm to ensure we keep the rally fresh and are always looking for new ideas. Tickets for 2024 will be on sale from the 1st of February. Visit our website for further info www.mersea.info.
Read More
Read more My First Rally stories using these links (in alphabetic order)
– Ali Richards
– Bill Mac
– Dave Lloyd
– Dean Percival
– Dizzy Holmes
– Iggy Grainger
– Jo Jackson
– Lee Parker
– Lee Richards
– Mike Oxley
– Niamh Pennington
– Nick Jolly
– Norrie Kerr
– Roger Williams
– Sandra Smith
– Sarah George
– Sean Robinson
– Stacey Gardner
– Steve Bone
– Sticky
– Stuart Owen
– Vince Wooloff
Niamh’s Gallery
