Trials legend Johnny Brittain put in a special guest appearance on Saturday 23rd June for Royal Enfield's annual open weekend. He was joined by the 500 Twin that he rode to victory in the 1953 International Six Days Trials in Czechoslovakia, which has been painstakingly restored by John Ely.

Other guests at the open weekend included Royal Enfield author and adventurer Gordon May, who is preparing to ride his 1953 Bullet all the way to Cape Town next February.  Visitors could also talk to custom bike builder Bruce Maconochie from Oxfordshire Royal Enfield and Sam Lovatt, who leads motorcycle tours in southern India.

Test rides on the current range of fuel-injected Royal Enfields proved as popular as ever and Cheltenham and Cotswold Advanced Motorcyclists were kept busy guiding groups around local roads. More than £400 was raised for Midlands Air Ambulance in voluntary donations for the free test rides.

Shipston-on-Stour Sea Scouts worked ceaselessly over both days, serving not only bacon, sausages and burgers but also a choice of home made curries.

Prizes were awarded for the best machines ridden to the event on both days, regardless of make.  On Saturday an MZ TS250/Watsonian sidecar outfit won the prize and on Sunday it went to a rare Suzuki Tempter 400cc single, also from 1976.

The next major event to celebrate will be Watsonian Sidecars' centenary rally at Stoneleigh Park on 18th-19th August.