Meet the Neighbours 2023

Mick Leach sent this report:-

On May 27th thirteen riders and two pillions from the Notts. & Derby and Burton and District sections assembled outside Motus Commercials on the A52 near Mackworth Derby on a really pleasant Saturday morning. After some friendly conversation and familiarising one another with the plan they set off on a 25 mile ride.
The route took them towards Ashbourne before turning off at Kirk Langley on minor roads through Bradley and eventually crossing over the A52 at Ednaston. The journey continued through Hollington, the outskirts of Longford and Church Broughton before crossing the A50 at Foston. They then passed through Scropton and onto the A515 at Sudbury, crossing the Dove into Staffordshire before turning off through Coton in the Clay and up Hanbury hill to the Cock inn on the top of the Needwood escarpment.

Below Hanbury on the road to Tutbury is the Fauld gypsum mine the site of the largest man made pre-nuclear explosion. The disused mine workings were being used by the RAF as a bomb store during World War two and on the 27th November 1944 nearly 4000 tons of bombs accidentally exploded killing 70 people, a farm disappeared without trace. The Cock Inn was beyond repair and was eventually demolished and a new pub was built in its place. Near by there is a crater 600 yards from the Cock Inn, accessible by a footpath, it is now much overgrown, so it is difficult to get a real idea of the devastation at the time. The incident was covered by the official secrets act, and to this day is still a subject of speculation.

After refreshments, some who were close to home chose not to return to Derby. The rest returned via Tutbury and Rolleston across Marston fields, crossing the Dove back into Derbyshire, then Hilton, Sutton on the Hill, Radbourne and back to Motus Commercials where everyone said their goodbyes.
Thanks to all those who took part. Mick Leach

Photographs from Andy Roberts